Talk to Me

Every American has been affected, either directly or indirectly, by the opioid epidemic -- but few of us really understand it, and it can be difficult to talk about. The stigma around misuse, addiction, and recovery are barriers to prevention and treatment. iHeartRadio’s new podcast Talk to Me will be a 6-10–episode series, in partnership with the National Opioid Action Coalition, that aims to reduce that stigma and open conversations. Hosts Holly Frey (Stuff You Missed in History Class) and Lauren Vogelbaum (BrainStuff) will present the stories of people whose lives have been changed by the epidemic in their own voices, from rock stars and comedians to medical professionals and recovery program founders. Talk to Me aims not to scare but to inspire hope, with an emphasis on education and empowerment. Interviewees include Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams, musician Nikki Sixx, former NFL player Randy Grimes, comedian Merf Meyer, SpiritWorks Foundation Executive Director Jan Brown, CDC Director of the Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention Dr. Grant Baldwin, and everyday people who have turned the trauma of misuse, addiction, or overdose into meaningful preventative action.