Find purpose from loss

In this powerful conversation, our guest Michele Hein, shares her tragic story as a mother who has faced unimaginable loss and emerged as a front-line activist in the battle against Fentanyl. After losing her beloved son, Tyler, to fentanyl poisoning, Michele's grief is transformed into advocacy as she leads the charge with Fentanyl Free Communities to save other families from a similar fate.

As fentanyl-related deaths skyrocket, we’ll examine why existing legislation falls short and what it truly means to approach substance use disorder and mental health stigmas with hope for substantive change. This episode is not just a discussion; it's a call to arms. We can’t afford to look away any longer.

Join us as we discuss:

• The piercing insight Michele provides on how fentanyl isn't just a poisoning crisis but a national security threat that's been largely ignored.
• Broken policies that are causing a delay in the response to the opioid crisis
•  The cohesive work between Fentanyl Free Communities and their collaboration with law enforcement to bring stability and hope to those in need.

To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player. 

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the shadowy world of drug production and its far-reaching financial tentacles. We're peeling back layers of the global drug trade, estimated at a staggering $2 trillion that is led by some formidable players who have mastered money laundering operations...

Listen in as Gary Lawrence draws from his own experiences as a retired DEA Supervisory Special Agent, current Financial Crimes Advisor, and Veteran,  to share how crucial it is that we stop the enemy at America’s gates. Gary reveals the secrets behind Chinese money laundering and how current government policies could be enabling addiction, as well as encouraging our enemies to keep pursuing drug trafficking.

Join us as we discuss:

• Gary’s background in law enforcement and the DEA
• Synergy Between Mexican Cartels and Chinese Companies
• The pressing need for strategic policy response to drug trafficking 
• The perceived reduction in legal risk leading to increased drug use in America

To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player. 

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player. 

Dr. Cristina Utti,  an educator and author of 'Breaking Infinity.'  speaks from the heart about her journey through her near fatal substance abuse and eating disorders. Together we’ll reflect on the complex web of family dynamics and the repeating cycles of behavior passed down through generations.

We dive deep into the reality of growing up in a broken home, the normalization of risky behaviors among our youth, and the pressing need for supportive conversations between parents and children.

Join us as we discuss:

• Cristina's Childhood and Personal Journey to Recovery
• The Effects of a Broken Family and How to Prevent it 
• The Danger of Potential Drug Addiction for Future Generations

To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player. 

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player. 

If you would like to know more or purchase Dr. Crisitina Utti's book, Breaking Infinity: A Memoir, you can do so by going to Amazon.com. 

In today’s episode, Julie Waters, founder of the Jace Waters Foundation shares her journey of losing her son to addiction and the work she is doing to support others in the fight against opioid addiction. She discusses the importance of long-term recovery programs and the need for supportive communities. Julie goes into detail about the stigma surrounding substance use disorder and the need for open conversations and advocacy. She also highlights the role of parents in prevention, education and the challenges of modernization and technology on family dynamics. 

Join us as we discuss:

• Exploring the unseen impact of addiction in small-town America.
• Julie Waters' heartfelt story of loss and her efforts to fight addiction through the Jace Waters Foundation.
• Insights into the rising danger of fentanyl and the complex journey toward recovery.

To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player. 

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.

Our children represent the very future of society. However, without vigorously confronting the opioid crisis, how can we guarantee their protection?

In today’s episode, Javon Williams, Founder of the Lamont Meyers Foundation, bravely opens her heart about the heart-wrenching loss of her son to Fentanyl poisoning and the journey of resilience this has led her to. Javon highlights the danger of the lack of public awareness surrounding the opioid crisis and emphasizes why we need to speak out to bring the invisible enemy, and the network under which it operates, out of the shadows.

Join us as we discuss:

• Challenges of parenting amidst societal pressure on drug abuse and consumption
• The urgent need for community education, awareness and collective action in combating the opioid crisis
• The emotional trauma and ongoing struggle experienced by parents who have lost children to drugs
• Why prescription pills can become a death threat nowadays

To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player.

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.

To anyone out there with a loved one who’s struggling, don't ever give up compassion because it's not a moral failing; your loved one simply doesn’t know how to handle what’s going on in their life.

In this powerful and inspiring episode, Chris Cull dives deep into the challenges of addressing substance abuse, the impact of the opioid crisis in Canada, and the crucial role of authentic and relatable communication in prevention efforts. Chris, a former opioid user turned inspirational figure, shares his journey throughout addiction and recovery that ultimately led to his journey across Canada. His story of resilience offers hope in the fight against addiction. Tune in for an insightful discussion on tackling addiction and the resilience that arises from difficult experiences.

Join us as we discuss:

• Chris's story, highlighting his successful transition away from drug use
• Addressing substance abuse among youth
• The opioid crisis in Canada: overprescribing, drug diversion, and the involvement of cartels
• The significance of advocacy, collaboration, and hope in addressing addiction, drug abuse and mental health

Tap here for all links pertaining to Chris Cull, his story, and the meaningful work he’s doing today.

To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player.

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.

Fentanyl is the bullet, but it's the Mexican cartels that are pointing the gun at our children and pulling the trigger.

In today's episode, we are honored to have Jaime Ignacio Puerto Gonzales, President of V.O.I.D "Victims Of Illicit Drugs" and Co-Chair of Facing Fentanyl Now, joining us to shed light on the far-reaching impact of Fentanyl and the legislative and societal challenges that have hindered efforts to combat this deadly substance.

Jaime, a US Marine Corps veteran, shares his personal journey and the heart-wrenching loss of his son, Daniel, to Fentanyl poisoning on April 6, 2020. As he delves into his advocacy work and the mission of V.O.I.D., we gain valuable insights into the deceitful tactics of drug cartels, the need for legislative reform, and the urgent call for awareness and collaboration on a global scale.

Join us as we discuss:

• Social media and its disturbing trends in Fentanyl distribution
• How Proposition 47 and 57 are impacting law enforcement and public safety in California
• Impact of harm reduction groups in addressing the Fentanyl crisis
• The role that schools and educational institutions can play in raising awareness about Fentanyl and preventing its distribution among young people

Additional Link: Dead on Arrival Documentary

To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player.

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.

Our guest, Danielle Burkett, had everything stacked against her. Even when navigating an unstable upbringing and childhood trauma, she knew at a young age helping children in her position is something she wanted to do. This desire stuck with her through years of substance use, mental health issues, crime, and eventually incarceration.

Now as a single mother who recently suffered from a stroke, she is still driven by that childhood passion, achieving her Master’s degree in Social Work, and beginning her own non-profit, "Unlikely Journeys" geared toward youth and parents. Danielle has made it her purpose to plant seeds of compassion, love, non-judgment, and gratitude in the lives of youth through her initiative.

Join us as we discuss:

• The power of having a clear mind and being able to voice repressed trauma
• The importance of teaching crucial aspects in schools that might be overlooked at home
• The practice of gratitude and its transformative power
• The concept of having a "peer coach" and its pivotal role in personal development

To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player.

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.

Without International partnerships and cooperation, we’re not going to win this battle.

In this episode, we delve into the complex and harrowing world of Mexican cartel and crime along the U.S. southern border, featuring a discussion with Larry Villalobos, a seasoned DEA analyst who has worked with the State Department in Mexico, the US military, DHS components, and a local university. Our guest shares eye-opening insights about the impact of drug legalization, the shifting dynamics of drug cartels, and the urgent need for international cooperation to combat the fentanyl precursor chemical supply chain.

Join us as we discuss:

• Differences on opposing sides of the border
• The negative effects of drug legalization, including the societal impact of the crisis
• Foreign partnerships in combating drug trafficking
• Pushing back on progressive dreams

To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player.

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.

Exploring the intricate web of trauma's influence, addiction's grasp, and the erosion of genuine connections, this episode unearths the need for holistic healing, emotional empowerment, and a renewed focus on nurturing our youth's mental well-being.

Gina Tabrizy, our latest guest, is an inspirational keynote speaker, author, radio host of The Recovery Show, and a trauma/addiction expert. She is currently Chief Clinical Liaison at Sierra by the Sea, an adult residential treatment facility. Gina has a zest for providing excellent clinical care with a high success rate.

Join us as we discuss:

• The connection between trauma and addiction, particularly prevalent in affluent neighborhoods where electronic devices replace genuine family connections
• The effectiveness of harm reduction strategies and the normalization of drug use, particularly with the legalization of marijuana.
• The power of holistic approaches that combine psychological, emotional, and spiritual healing

To make sure you never miss an episode of The Opioid Matrix, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the website, or your favorite podcast player.

Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for The Opioid Matrix in your favorite podcast player.