September is National Recovery Month, and in this episode we’re taking a closer look at addiction and recovery.

We talk about what science tells us about addiction and the changes it can make in the brain, how the United States’ approach to addiction has evolved from punishment toward a greater focus on treatment and public health, and how stigma can make it harder for people and families to seek help.

Zack also sits down with Morgan Thompson - Youth/Young Adult Recovery Program Director at Youth Voices Matter, as well as Cortney Hinson, an expert with lived experience who is a Senior Advisor of Practice Improvement at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

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Sources
SAMHSA: National Recovery Month
NIDA: Drugs, Brains, and Behavior
SAMHSA: Stigma and Language
CDC: Understanding the Opioid Overdose Epidemic

National Academies / NCBI: A Century of American Narcotic Policy

National Academies / NCBI: Pain Management and the Opioid Epidemic

NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) History

In this episode we celebrate pride month 2026! We talk about how LGBTQ+ populations intercect with the peer space in New York and interview a few special guests who share their experience working with, and as, LGBTQ+ people.

The Stonewall Riots: https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/stonewall-riots/

LGBTQ+ Identity and Mental Health Diagnoses: https://www.nami.org/community-and-culture/lgbtq/

LGBTQ+ Youth in the Foster Care System: https://chci.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FINAL.Gutierrez-Eduardo.pdf

Policy Policy Policy. Zack explains and reviews government and civics 101 and then has a discussion with our Policy Team about what, and how, we fight for systemic change that will benefit the youth and families of New York State.

Register for Family Empowerment Day!: https://www.ftnys.org/fed/

Our Policy Agenda: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kFpcg90QhCvYsKOkvf0s5szX3WMN8c9FmIsNkgYDHuM/edit?usp=sharing

Info about the queer men blood ban: https://chprc.org/news/fdas-blood-ban-reversal-for-gay-men-explained/