Opioid addiction is a national public health crisis that affects individuals and families regardless of their age, race, or income. The statistics are overwhelming – more than 130 people die from opioid addiction every day (1). Sadly, stigma and fear of judgment often discourage people from seeking help or even talking about their experiences with opioid misuse. But, there is hope. Recovery is possible. "Someone You Know" is a grassroots public awareness effort of the Independence Blue Cross…
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This episode represents the series finale for the Someone You Know: Facing the Opioid Crisis Together podcast. Host Heather Major looks back and reflects on the podcast series, and features impactful clips from a number of guests over the past 6 years. On this episode, you will learn the origin story of the podcast and how its purpose of destigmatizing the disease of addiction and helping to…
Secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Dr. Latika Davis-Jones joins our host Heather Major for episode 4 of Someone You Know. This episode was recorded in September 2025, National Recovery Month. In this episode, we discuss: ● How Dr. Davis-Jones is leading the charge in elevating the power of recovery in Pennsylvania. ● The resource…
Pennsylvania Montgomery County Commissioner Jamila Winder joins our host Heather Major for episode 3 of Someone You Know. This episode was recorded in May 2025 in front of a live studio audience. In this episode, we discuss: The vast career of Commissioner Winder, spanning various roles in health and human services, particularly with underserved populations The personal connection that influenced…
Stephen Knight, founder of Dogs Matter joins our Host Heather Major for episode two of Someone You Know. In this episode, we discuss: The story of friendship, connection and fostering of his now 18-year-old dog Jade who sparked Stephen's initial idea for Dogs Matter. How his organization uses connectedness to create a safe space for pet owners during their recovery journey. What it was like to…
Cassandra Matthews, creator behind Cass and the City and Kellen Matthews , founder of Philadelphia's Recovery Run Club join our Host Heather Major for the season 4 opener of Someone You Know. In this episode, we discuss: The turning point that inspired Kellen's Recovery. The pivotal role connection has played in that journey, especially with family . The doctor that introduced Kellen to running…
Chris Molaro is the CEO of NeuroFlow , a digital behavioral health platform that delivers mental health support while tracking and assessing progress through the app. Chris is a graduate of West Point and the University of Pennsylvania, and served in the army for five years, including a tour in Iraq as a platoon leader. In this episode, we discuss: The importance of behavioral health tools for…
Bethany Franklin is a Lead Family Therapist, M.Ed., LCSW, CAADC, RAE and Tom McDermitt the Sr. Regional Resource Director, BA, AAC, RAE for Caron Treatment Centers . In this episode, we discuss: How addiction as a family disease The roles family and support systems play in recovery How Caron is supporting inclusive recovery environments Equitable access to recovery treatment during the COVID-19…
Dr. Jerome Adams is the 20th Surgeon General of the United States and former member of the President's Coronavirus task force and is presently a Presidential Fellow and the Executive Director of Health Equity Initiatives at Purdue University. In this episode, we hear Dr. Adam's speak on the importance of prevention in opioid use while exploring the interplay between substance misuse, mental…
Dr. Jeanmarie Perrone is the Director of the Division of Medical Toxicology and Addiction Medicine Initiatives and a Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a successful published research author. In this episode, we discuss Dr. Perrone's role as a national leader in efforts to address the opioid epidemic through her thoughts on stigmas in emergency medicine,…
Murphy Jensen is a former professional tennis player who co-founded a digital health management company, WEconnect , to support others in the recovery community. In this episode, we hear about Murphy's journey with substance misuse and recovery, while exploring the importance of digital tools when bridging the gap in equitable access to care. Murphy discusses how his own recovery journey has…
United States Representative Madeleine Dean and her son Harry Cunnane recently joined Independence Blue Cross' Someone You Know Associate Resource Group for a virtual town hall. The discussion was moderated by Patrick Flynn, Government Affairs Specialist and Co-lead of the Someone You Know Associate Resource Group, with an introduction by Stephen P. Fera, Executive Vice President of Public…
The Honorable John F. White, Jr. is the President & CEO of The Consortium, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that provides holistic, community-based services for the empowerment and recovery of all who seek assistance with behavioral health and substance use. Kyle Shearer is a client of The Consortium who benefited from its services throughout his journey to recovery. In this episode, we discuss…
Angela Smith is the Head of School at The Bridge Way School, Philadelphia's first recovery high school. Kristen Harootunian is a Bridge Way School alumni and public speaker in active recovery. In this episode, we discuss the challenges young people face when overcoming addiction, the impact of recovery resources in high schools, and how The Bridge Way School creates a learning environment that…
Mary FitzGerald is the CEO of Eluna, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and families impacted by grief or addiction through innovative resources and programs. Briana Cunningham is a public affairs specialist at Independence Blue Cross, whose family has been impacted by substance use disorder. In this episode, we discuss Briana's experience throughout her sister's struggle with addiction,…
Chris Herren is a former professional basketball player turned author, speaker, and advocate for the recovery community. In this episode, we hear about Chris' journey with substance misuse and recovery, exploring the intersection between the pressure to perform and addiction. Chris discusses how he has used his platform to promote prevention education for students, athletes, and communities.…
Welcome to season 2 of "Someone You Know ®. " This season, we'll be focusing on the next generation of young people facing the opioid crisis. On today's episode, we are joined by Tim Rabolt, the Executive Director for the Association of Recovery in Higher Education and Keith Murphy, Substance Abuse Specialist & Recovery Counselor at Rutgers University. We focus on the next generation of young…
Dr. Glenn Sterner is a professor and researcher at Penn State Abington, whose recent work studies opiate abuse networks and stigma as a barrier to treatment. He also founded the Share Your Opioid Story initiative. In the final episode of Season 1, we discuss the creation and expansion of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation's Someone You Know campaign, and reflect on our efforts to combat the…
Jenny Wagner is a former investigative health reporter for the Bucks County Courier Times who dedicated much of her time as a journalist to covering the opioid epidemic. In this episode, we discuss the media's role in reporting on the crisis, and the profound impact language and messaging have on stigma. Check out State of Emergency , Jenny's 2018 series chronicling the efforts being made to save…
Patrick is a mental health counselor and doctoral student, and Ramon is a behavioral health specialist. Both are in long-term recovery. In this episode, Patrick and Ramon discuss the intersection of substance use disorder and mental health, what it means to have a dual diagnosis or co-occurring conditions, and the importance of a holistic approach to treatment. Watch Patrick's story on YouTube .…
In this episode, we speak with employees of Esperanza Health Center, which provides affordable, bilingual health care services in North Philadelphia. Rosa, Janneza and Executive Director Susan Post discuss stigma surrounding the Kensington community and the need for culturally competent care when providing substance use disorder treatment and services. Esperanza's new health center opened in…
Erin is a college student and advocate, and Luke is the founder of The Flock, a collegiate recovery program at Saint Joe's University. Both Erin and Luke experienced life in active substance misuse and life in recovery while attending college. In this episode, the two discuss the impact of stigma on college campuses, what educational institutions should be doing to support the recovery community,…
Bill is a husband, father, medical professional, and person in long-term recovery from opioid use disorder. In this episode, Bill discusses his perspective on the opioid epidemic, including the impact of compassion fatigue, stigma within the medical community, and how his family supported his journey to recovery. Watch Bill's story on YouTube and check out his podcast, Health Professionals in…
Patrick, a government affairs specialist at IBX, is a person in long-term recovery. Marci, a Senior Business Analyst at PECO, is a mother to a person in recovery. Their experiences led them each to want to make a difference, and they saw opportunity in the workplace. Patrick and Marci were instrumental in establishing support groups within their respective companies to help break down stigma and…
Michael is a veteran and volunteer who found his purpose in recovery by dedicating his life to service. In this episode, Michael discusses his long term struggle with opioid use disorder, his dedication to helping others and how his life changed when he decided to share his story. Listen to Michael's story on YouTube . Hosted by Heather Major, Manager of Programs for the Independence Blue Cross…
Malik and Lisa are both artists who have been affected by the opioid epidemic differently. Despite this difference they found connection through their shared passion. Together, Malik and Lisa share their personal challenges and triumphs with the stigma of opioid use disorder, and the inspiring story of how they reconnected through their participation in the Someone You Know campaign. Listen to…
"Someone You Know," a grassroots public awareness effort of the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, shares personal stories of bravery, empowerment and recovery. Together, we'll hear inspiring stories that challenge stigma and humanize the disease of addiction. Heather Major, Manager of Foundation Programs for Independence Blue Cross Foundation, will guide you through conversations that explore…
