Connections by APNC

In this episode, Sara and Morgan sit down Lauren Borchert, Program Manager & Certified Proof Alliance Trainer to discuss Proof Alliance NC’s work to spread the word about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) to the public and fill the knowledge gaps, especially among women who are or will become pregnant.  Listeners will gain insights into the causes and symptoms of FASD, how we can prevent it from developing in future children, and how we can improve the lives of those living with FASD.  

This week, Sara and Morgan are joined by the Senior Director of Community Partnerships at TROSA to discuss his journey from active addiction and incarceration to being a cornerstone of the recovery community in North Carolina. Listeners will gain insights into the importance of support for people in recovery and how recovery communities can act as an antidote to the systemic issues that keep people incarcerated.  

During this episode, Sara and Morgan are joined by Catherine T. Brunson, representing the Opioid Response Network, to discuss the Surgeon General’s report on the connections between alcohol consumption and cancer diagnoses. Listeners will gain insights into the historical parallels between tobacco and alcohol regulations and an understanding of the data published in the report.

This week, Sara and Morgan are joined by two problem gambling professionals, Tiffany Reddick and Josh Hampton, to discuss the increase of problem gambling among all age demographics due to the availability of gambling. Listeners will gain greater awareness of problem gambling in North Carolina, including the common signs and symptoms to watch for, as well as resources and support services available to help individuals and families who may be affected.

This week, Sara and Morgan are joined by Dr. Patrick McGrath, the Chief Clinical Officer at NOCD, to discuss the significant overlap between SUD and OCD because individuals often use substances as a way to cope with their compulsions. Listeners will gain insights into the gaps in treatment for people with co-occurring disorders, and how substance use counselors and mental health professionals can work together to treat people with OCD. 

On this episode, join Sara and Morgan in conversation with Sam Lewis, a primary prevention professional working with the U.S. Department of Defense, about his work with active military service members and person-focused prevention. Listeners will gain insights on what they can personally do to help prevention professionals support military service members, and how to make a returned service member feel supported at home.  

This week, Sara and Morgan are joined by Tameka Wade Brewington, APNC Board Member and founder of Real Talk Counseling, for a powerful conversation on mental health in professional spaces. Together, they explore how counseling services can be tailored to meet the unique needs of working professionals, the warning signs of declining mental well-being in the workplace, and the social pressures that can drive alcohol use in professional settings. 

During the premier episode of Season 3 of Connections by APNC, Morgan and Sara are joined by Author and former NBA star, Rex Chapman, fresh off his keynote presentation at APNC’s 2025 Spring Conference. Rex discusses his book, It’s Hard for Me to Live with Me, his gambling addiction, and how the lack of regulation on sports betting is creating an environment where gambling addiction can thrive. Listeners will gain new insights on the issue of gambling addiction and why the behavioral health field needs to start addressing it before it escalates. 

On this special episode of Connections by APNC, Sara and Morgan are joined by Chris Hoffman, a longtime member of the behavioral health field and someone with experience in natural disaster recovery, to discuss initial reactions when people are hit by a natural disaster and the ways that our field can offer support to those affected.

In this live podcast recording, we explore harm reduction as more than just a set of strategies for reducing the negative consequences of drug use. We discuss how it is a radical shift in thinking—focused on meeting individuals where they are, affirming their dignity, and promoting autonomy. Through personal stories and professional insights, our guest will unpack the core idea of harm reduction as a means of empowering individuals who use drugs to take control of their health, well-being, and future.Listeners will hear how harm reduction fosters self-agency by centering the person, not the substance, and supporting them in making informed decisions about their lives. From syringe exchange programs to overdose prevention services, harm reduction provides tools and resources that enable people who use drugs to reduce risks, connect with support networks, and ultimately reclaim their sense of self-determination.