Taylor Greeson had the tragic misfortune of losing her grandfather at the age of four at the hands of an unrepentant drunk driver only to then have this tragedy repeated years later when a drunk driver killed her uncle. Taylor takes Rock the Bottom listeners through her arduous journey of processing two traumatic losses as a preadolescent and teen, how it manifested negatively in her behavior, and how she eventually channeled her pain into something productive.

As Taylor began to understand the criminal justice system, activism and how she could use her voice to effect change, she sought ways to effect change. Taylor, now 22, has been a regular speaker at DUI victim impact panels where she speaks to first-time DUI offenders about the consequences of drinking and driving. She currently attends Michigan State University in pursuit of a law degree that she will use to right wrongs in the justice system.

Follow Taylor on Instagram @taylorrgreeson

“Konstant”- the music artist, candidly discusses her historic struggles with sexual identity and coming out, grappling with mental health challenges from a young age and suffering a brutal drugging, abduction and sexual assault as a vulnerable young woman of 25 . The internalized shame and burden of the attack taxed her mental health journey.

First, this episode was especially released today - and not last Thursday - in honor of our guest's, Jamar Summerfield, birthday. Happy Birthday, Jamar. We hope this episode makes your birthday a bit more enjoyable.

Jamar Summerfield grew up in difficult circumstances and witnessed things at a young age that no nine- or ten-year-old kid should have to. It helped shape his resolve and determination years later that would fuel his altruism in helping those who look like him and hail from his neighborhood get their lives on track after release from prison. But before that would happen, Jamar had to endure his own adversity of incarceration.

Jamar went to prison for nearly a decade in a self-defense case that wasn’t deemed so in the state of Oregon, and his young life was in a constant state of flight-or-fight. It wasn’t until years into his sentence that he invoked the invaluable lessons instilled by his beloved grandmother that helped turn things around.

Now a pillar in the community who devotes time, energy and resources into to those in the same predicament, Jamar inspires us all to use our worst of times to help others in theirs.

*Note: This interview’s audio is slightly distorted toward the end due to recording conditions but is still hearable.

Imagine meeting the person of your dreams as you are the young mother of an infant child. This person instantly bonds with your child, assuring you that he is the one you were meant to be with. Life is going wonderfully until one day you are interrupted by a late-night knock at the door from your friend who breaks the shattering news: your fiancée has been killed in a vehicular crash.

Cate Duke had to endure this agonizing pain as she saw her future with John deteriorate within seconds. The months that ensued were very troubling for her as she grappled with this devastation and not knowing how to positively cope. But one day it dawned on her that she still had a small child to take care of.

Cate’s turn around included her returning to school, graduating, embarking on a career, and thrusting herself into a lifelong commitment to reducing DUIs by bringing awareness, getting on the Governor’s board of DUI prevention, and serving as the head of Oregon’s MADD Chapter.