Advertise on podcast: Rise Above with Kevin Lanning

She was a high-powered executive, running multimillion-dollar businesses, praised for her hustle and feared in boardrooms — until addiction took over. In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Margo Siewert opens up about a life fueled by alcohol, cocaine, ego, and control… and the devastating collapse that followed. From growing up as the daughter of a high-functioning alcoholic, to surviving divorce while pregnant, to nearly dying during childbirth, to building a booming company while quietly spiraling into addiction — everything eventually caught up. When her husband battled terminal cancer, her son was diagnosed with cancer, and her addiction finally came into the light, Margo lost everything she thought defined her. What followed was surrender, rehab, grief, and an unexpected reconnection with faith that changed the trajectory of her life forever. This episode dives deep into: • Cocaine addiction in high-level corporate life • Ego, power, and the illusion of control • Trauma, grief, and survival • Losing your identity — and rebuilding it • Faith, surrender, and recovery • Life after rock bottom This is not a highlight reel. It’s a redemption story — told honestly, painfully, and without filters. If you or someone you love is struggling, you are not alone. #AddictionRecovery #CocaineAddiction #FaithOverFear #RockBottom #SobrietyJourney #TraumaHealing #WomenInRecovery #GriefAndRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #LifeAfterAddiction #RecoveryIsPossible #AlcoholAndCocaine #FromAddictionToPurpose #RawAndReal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this raw and powerful episode, Lindsey Schaefer shares her story of growing up in a broken home, being abandoned by her mother, and entering foster care at a young age. From childhood trauma and instability to addiction, strip club life, and nearly losing everything, Lindsey walks us through the moments that shaped her—and the turning point that led her to sobriety. Lindsey opens up about being removed from her home, bouncing between foster placements, early exposure to alcohol, surviving overdose, and finding her identity in environments fueled by drugs and nightlife. She also shares how the gym, self-discipline, therapy, and purpose helped her rebuild her life and stay sober for over four years. This is a story about resilience, accountability, and learning how to live life on life’s terms—without numbing the pain. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, trauma, or recovery, this episode is for you. #addictionrecovery #sobrietystory #fostercare #childhoodtrauma #traumarecovery #stripclublife #mentalhealthawareness #recoveryjourney #lifesobriety #healingjourney #riseabovepodcast #recoveryispossible Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this deeply honest episode of Rise Above, Brianna Sirlin shares her unfiltered journey through addiction, relapse, and recovery during the height of the opioid epidemic. Growing up on Long Island, Brianna’s story didn’t start with trauma on the surface — it started with insecurity, anxiety, and the need to feel “enough.” What began with alcohol, weed, Xanax, and Adderall quickly escalated into painkillers, oxy, fentanyl, and years of chaos that included drug dealing, being robbed, multiple rehabs, overdoses, and near-death experiences. In this episode, Brianna opens up about: Her first exposure to substances in middle school Boarding schools, wilderness programs, and resentment Discovering opiates and the moment everything changed Suboxone withdrawal and repeated relapse cycles Overdosing, fentanyl use, and isolation in Los Angeles Finding recovery through AA, faith, and taking suggestions How sobriety reshaped her identity, career, and purpose Working in recovery and helping others today This conversation is raw, emotional, and hopeful — a reminder that no matter how deep addiction goes, recovery is possible. If you or someone you love is struggling, this episode may help you feel less alone. #BriannaSirlin #AddictionRecovery #FentanylCrisis #OpiateAddiction #OpioidEpidemic #SobrietyJourney #RecoveryPodcast #RelapseAndRecovery #AARecovery #FaithInRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #RiseAbovePodcast #LongIsland #WomensRecovery #AddictionAwareness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special Q&A episode, Kevin Lanning from Rise Above with Kevin Lanning sits down with Louis Ruggiero from Nothing’s Off the Table with Louis Ruggiero for an honest, unscripted conversation answering the most common addiction and sobriety questions from both of our audiences. These questions were pulled directly from comments and DMs across both podcasts — real questions from real people navigating addiction, early sobriety, relapse, recovery, and life after substances. This episode is for: Anyone struggling with addiction or alcoholism People who are sober, newly sober, or thinking about getting sober Those who’ve relapsed and want to come back Parents, partners, and loved ones of addicts Anyone looking for real, experience-based recovery insight Topics covered include: How we actually got sober and what finally worked Cravings vs obsession — what changes over time Relapse and how to come back without shame Weed and sobriety AA, spirituality, and other recovery paths Dating, weddings, and social life while sober Parenting, making amends, and rebuilding trust Trauma, mental health, and emotional sobriety Tough love vs enabling What long-term recovery really looks like No fluff. No preaching. Just two people in recovery answering the questions we get asked every day. If you or someone you love is struggling, you’re not alone — and recovery is possible. #AddictionRecovery #HowToGetSober #Sobriety #RecoveryQandA #Alcoholism #DrugAddiction #RelapseRecovery #EarlySobriety #MentalHealth #AARecovery #AddictionHelp #StayingSober #RecoveryCommunity #SoberLife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time, Kevin Lanning and Louis Ruggiero pull the curtain back. After Hours with Kevin & LJ is a new mini-series created because you asked for it — a real, unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at our lives, conversations, and perspectives when the cameras aren’t “on.” This series isn’t about perfectly structured interviews or polished narratives. It’s about real talk, recovery, friendship, growth, business, mistakes, and the moments that usually happen after the episode ends. In this first episode, Kevin and Louis sit down without an agenda and share candid thoughts on: Life behind the podcast Recovery beyond the microphone What listeners don’t usually get to hear The personal side of building platforms, friendships, and purpose This is raw. This is honest. This is After Hours. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when the show stops recording — this is it. 👇 Let us know in the comments what you want to see more of in this series. #AfterHours #BehindTheScenes #RealTalk #PodcastLife #RecoveryJourney #SobrietyTalk #MentalHealth #LifeAfterAddiction #UnfilteredConversations #KevinLanning #LouisRuggiero Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Shooty had it all on the outside — a successful career in high-level security, executive protection, and international risk mitigation. On the inside, he was quietly losing everything. In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Mike opens up about growing up in a stable home, starting to drink at 14, binge drinking through college, and how alcohol slowly took control of his life. After multiple attempts at sobriety, he turned to OxyContin to stop drinking—only to find himself deeper in addiction. Mike shares the terrifying reality of opioid withdrawal, hiding addiction in plain sight, losing his marriage, multiple DUIs, homelessness, and hitting a point so dark he nearly didn’t survive it. His story also dives into the shame of addiction, missing years of fatherhood, and the long road to rebuilding trust. Now over 3 years sober, Mike is deeply involved in recovery—speaking publicly, helping other men navigate sobriety, divorce, legal trouble, and life after addiction. This episode is about surrender, accountability, and what it really takes to change your life when everything has fallen apart. If you or someone you love is struggling, this conversation could be the one that helps. #AddictionRecovery #Alcoholism #OpiateAddiction #DUI #SobrietyJourney #ExecutiveBodyguard #FromAddictionToRecovery #RockBottom #RecoveryIsPossible #MentalHealthMatters #RiseAbove #SoberLife #RedemptionStory #OneDayAtATime Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave Marquess grew up in chaos—raised by addict parents, hustling for survival as a child, and spiraling into drugs by his early teens. By his twenties, Dave was deep in PCP, oxy, heroin, and cocaine, running the streets of Kensington, in and out of jail, and living in full-blown addiction and psychosis. In this raw conversation, Dave opens up about: Growing up with parents addicted to meth and heroin Juvenile detention at 14 and fighting authority at every turn Smoking PCP before school and getting expelled Selling drugs, escort driving, and total moral collapse Calling his own mother to learn how to shoot heroin Experiencing brutal jail withdrawals that nearly killed him The exact moment he said “I’m done”—and meant it Today, Dave is nearly 10 years sober, living with purpose, creativity, and service. He’s the creator of the recovery-based card game Relapse or Recovery, designed to help people connect, reflect, and heal in sobriety. This episode is for anyone who thinks they’re too far gone. Dave proves that no matter how dark it gets—recovery is possible. #AddictionRecovery #HeroinAddiction #Kensington #RecoveryIsPossible #JailToRecovery #OpiateEpidemic #SobrietyJourney #FromAddictionToRecovery #CleanAndSober #RecoveryPodcast #MentalHealthMatters #12StepRecovery #TraumaHealing #LifeAfterAddiction #RiseAbove #RecoveryStories #HopeAfterAddiction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crystal Ambroselli’s story is raw, heartbreaking, and ultimately life-saving. Raised in a home shaped by alcoholism, chaos, and secrecy, Crystal was exposed to addiction at a young age. By 12, she was in treatment. By 15, she was a pregnant teen mom. By 17, she was smoking crack. At 19, she overdosed on fentanyl-laced cocaine and was clinically dead for 10 minutes. This episode dives deep into: • Growing up with an alcoholic father and generational trauma • Teen pregnancy, betrayal, and family collapse • Heavy drug use while raising a child • A near-fatal overdose that should have ended her life • Hitting bottom — mentally, emotionally, and spiritually • Finally surrendering and building real recovery Today, Crystal is 18 months sober, rebuilding trust with her family, and doing the hard work to become the healthy mother her daughter deserves. This isn’t just a sobriety story — it’s about identity, survival, accountability, and choosing life when everything feels broken. If you’re struggling, feel alone, or think it’s “not that bad yet”… this episode might save your life. #RiseAbove #AddictionRecovery #OverdoseSurvivor #FentanylCrisis #TeenMom #CrackAddiction #SobrietyJourney #NearDeathExperience #MentalHealthAwareness #RecoveryIsPossible #OneDayAtATime #SoberLife #TraumaHealing #SurvivorStory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Austin’s story is one of the most intense, raw, and honest recovery journeys ever shared on Rise Above. After 7 years sober, Austin relapsed—triggered by success, ego, and untreated trauma. What followed was a devastating downward spiral: 🔹 Crack, benzos, kratom, and gambling addiction 🔹 A near-fatal overdose at the Hard Rock Hotel 🔹 20 months running from his life in Mexico, embedded in cartel territory 🔹 Losing millions, his marriage, and himself 🔹 Multiple rehabs, jail, and starting over—again and again But this isn’t just a relapse story. It’s a redemption story. Austin opens up about trauma, pride, fatherhood, faith vs. spirituality, why kratom nearly destroyed him, and what finally changed after decades of trying to stay sober on his own terms. Today, he’s a present father of five, active in recovery, and the author of One Last Hit. This episode is a must-watch for anyone struggling with addiction, relapse, ego, success, or the belief that “this time will be different.” 👉 If relapse has ever been part of your story—or someone you love—this one will hit home. #RiseAbove #AddictionRecovery #RelapseStory #OverdoseSurvivor #HardRockHotel #KratomAwareness #CrackAddiction #SobrietyJourney #RecoveryIsPossible #12StepRecovery #Alcoholism #DrugAddiction #MentalHealthAwareness #TraumaHealing #Fatherhood #SecondChances #RedemptionStory #LifeAfterRelapse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy Simmonds had everything from the outside — a thriving real estate career, a family, success — but inside she was slowly being destroyed by alcohol. In this raw and powerful conversation, Amy opens up about her childhood wounds, blackouts, relapse after years sober, and the moment she finally surrendered. She shares how grief — especially the sudden loss of her mother — became the catalyst for a deeper calling: a mission to break the stigma around addiction and show others that recovery is not just possible, it’s powerful. Amy is now 12.5 years sober and launching a new movement rooted in honesty, faith, service, and daily commitment. This episode dives into: The hidden alcoholism that no one talks about Relapsing after long-term sobriety Alcohol as a “solution” that quietly becomes the problem Grief, pain, and staying sober through unimaginable loss Why helping others is the key to lasting recovery Breaking the stigma for professionals who “look put together” If you or someone you love is struggling, this conversation could be the sign you’ve been waiting for. 📌 Recovery is not about perfection — it’s about connection. #RiseAbove #Sobriety #Alcoholism #RecoveryJourney #WomensRecovery #BreakingTheStigma #SoberLife #AddictionRecovery #OneDayAtATime #HealingThroughService Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Romaine Campbell is a police officer, husband, father, and a man of unshakable faith — but in 2019, his life was shattered forever. Romaine’s two-year-old son, Hayden Campbell, was rushed to the hospital brain-dead, with a fractured skull and signs of blunt force trauma. The explanation given? “They said he fell out of a bed.” Medical evidence told a different story. In this raw and heartbreaking conversation, Romaine opens up about the night he received the phone call no parent should ever get — learning that his son was fighting for his life after being left alone with his mother’s boyfriend. Despite devastating injuries, the man responsible was granted bond and walked free while Romaine buried his child. This episode goes far beyond the tragedy. Romaine shares: The disturbing details surrounding Hayden’s death What it’s like being a law enforcement officer while your own child’s killer is free The rage, grief, and temptation for revenge — and why he didn’t act on it How grief nearly destroyed his marriage The painful mistakes he made while grieving How faith, accountability, and humility saved his life Why “it’s okay to not be okay” How he turned unimaginable loss into purpose Romaine is also the author of Rooted in Resilience, a deeply personal book about faith, grief, and rebuilding after loss, and is creating a nonprofit to honor Hayden’s legacy through mental health and domestic violence awareness. This is not just a story about loss — it’s a story about restraint, resilience, and choosing not to let tragedy create another victim. ⚠️ Viewer discretion advised. This episode contains sensitive material involving child abuse and death. If this story reaches even one parent, one grieving family, or one person standing at a breaking point — it has done its job. #TrueCrime #JusticeForHayden #Grief #PoliceOfficer #ChildAbuseAwareness #FaithOverVengeance #MurderCase #LawEnforcementStories #FathersGrief #RiseAbove #HealingAfterLoss #MentalHealthAwareness #DomesticViolenceAwareness #Resilience #UnfilteredTruth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When someone you love is struggling with mental illness or addiction, the pain doesn’t stop with them — the family feels it too. In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, I sit down with Brittany Bennett, a licensed mental health counselor specializing in supporting families who love someone diagnosed with conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, and substance use disorders. We talk about: Why families often feel shut out, confused, or helpless The stigma around mental health and addiction — and how it hurts loved ones Self-medication, undiagnosed ADHD, and the link between mental health and sobriety When therapy is actually needed (not just during crisis) Boundaries vs. enabling — and when distance may be necessary Why self-care isn’t selfish for family members One-on-one therapy vs. support groups Supporting someone without losing yourself Brittany also shares her personal journey into the mental health field, her experience working in prisons, and insights from her book Selfish Is the New Selfless, which reframes self-care as a necessity — not a luxury. If you’re supporting a partner, child, parent, or loved one with mental illness or addiction, this episode will help you feel seen, understood, and less alone. 👉 If this conversation helps you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. #MentalHealthAwareness #AddictionRecovery #FamilySupport #MentalHealthMatters #SobrietyJourney #TherapyWorks #BipolarDisorder #ADHD #SelfCareIsNotSelfish #HealingFamilies #BreakingTheStigma #RiseAbove Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Becky’s story is one of survival at every level. She was sexually abused as a child, adopted into a strict household, and later diagnosed with aggressive cancer just one month after giving birth. Doctors told her she’d be lucky to see her son turn five. She beat cancer—multiple times. But the unresolved trauma, years of surgeries, and being told her life was a ticking clock led her down a darker path. Becky fell into severe alcoholism, stole hundreds of thousands of dollars, lost her marriage, and was eventually sentenced to three years in prison. Even behind bars, cancer returned. Shackled in a hospital bed during radiation treatment, Becky hit a bottom unlike anything she’d ever known. What followed was a brutal reckoning with addiction, accountability, and ultimately, surrender. In this episode, Becky opens up about: Childhood sexual abuse and the lifelong impact of secrecy Being told she wouldn’t live to raise her son Alcoholism that escalated after years of trauma Prison, cancer treatment behind bars, and total loss The exact moment she finally surrendered and got sober Rebuilding her relationship with her son and finding purpose again Becky has now been sober since 2011 and serves as COO of her son’s company—built from the pain of their separation and transformed into something meaningful. This is a powerful conversation about trauma, addiction, resilience, and what it really means to rise after losing everything. If this episode helps even one person feel less alone, it’s worth sharing. #AddictionRecovery #SurvivorStory #SobrietyJourney #TraumaHealing #LifeAfterPrison #CancerSurvivor #AlcoholismRecovery #RiseAbove #RedemptionStory #MentalHealthMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Juliet Warner shares her raw, unfiltered journey through addiction, relapse, recovery, and redemption. From a lonely childhood and early substance use to rehabs, relapse after nearly a decade sober, and ultimately rebuilding her life, marriage, and purpose—this conversation is a powerful reminder that addiction doesn’t always look the way we expect. #AddictionRecovery#RelapseAndRecovery#SobrietyJourney#AlcoholismAwareness#RecoveryStories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DJ ActRight sits down with Kevin Lanning to share his powerful journey from active addiction to over 2.5 years sober — all while living a true double life. By day, he’s a middle school teacher in West Virginia. By night and on weekends, he’s touring the country as Petey Pablo’s DJ, performing in packed venues where alcohol and temptation are everywhere. After a DUI became his wake-up call, DJ ActRight made the decision to get sober and hold himself accountable — even behind the DJ booth. In this episode, DJ ActRight opens up about: The shame and mental battles of active addiction Why “once I started, I couldn’t stop” didn’t look how people expect Getting sober in party environments and staying accountable Touring sober, support from artists and bartenders, and setting boundaries Marriage, living amends, and rebuilding trust Why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery This is a raw, honest conversation about discipline, purpose, and proving to yourself — one day at a time — that change is possible. If this episode helps even one person, it’s done its job. #RiseAbovePodcast #SoberJourney #Sobriety #RecoveryIsPossible #DJLife #FromAddictionToPurpose #SoberLiving #MentalHealth #LivingAmends #OneDayAtATime Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices