Two Jersey Js: A Legacy Lives On

Summary

Podcast Summary: Two Jersey Js: A Legacy Lives On

Podcast Information:

• Title: Two Ts In A Pod with Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
• Episode: Two Jersey Js: A Legacy Lives On
• Release Date: June 21, 2025

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Introduction

In the episode titled "Two Jersey Js: A Legacy Lives On," hosts Teddi Mellencamp (Jen Fessler) and Tamra Judge (Jackie Goldschneider) delve deep into the harrowing impact of fentanyl on young lives, interwoven with personal stories of loss and resilience. The episode is both a tribute and a call to action, highlighting the urgent need for mental health support and fentanyl awareness.

Personal Stories of Loss and Resilience

[03:55] Jen Fessler & Jackie Goldschneider Introduce the Topic Jen and Jackie open up about their personal experiences with loss, specifically focusing on Brady Harrison—a close friend who lost her son, Jack Nathan, to a fentanyl-laced Percocet overdose.

Jen Fessler's Introduction to Brady Harrison

• Jen: "Brady Harrison is one of the strongest women I've ever known. Her pain is indescribable, but she uses it to advocate for others." ([13:28])

Brady Harrison's Testimony

[19:17] Brady's Story Begins Brady Harrison shares the tragic story of her son, Jack Nathan, detailing his struggles with anxiety and depression despite a seemingly perfect social life.

• Brady: "Jack was completely transparent about his struggles. He wanted to help others by starting Happy Jack World, a brand dedicated to mental health advocacy." ([27:04])

The Tragic Day Brady recounts the day Jack overdosed on a fentanyl-laced Percocet after attending a party.

• Brady: "At just 19, Jack died because someone tampered with his medication. It was devastating beyond words." ([22:43])

The Fentanyl Crisis and Its Impact

Understanding Fentanyl's Lethality Brady explains how fentanyl is exponentially more potent than other opioids, making even minute doses deadly.

• Brady: "It only takes 2 milligrams of fentanyl to stop your heart—equivalent to grains of sand." ([27:40])

Distribution and Manufacturing A detailed explanation of how fentanyl is manufactured and distributed, primarily originating from China and distributed through Mexican cartels.

• Brady: "Fentanyl is synthetic and cheap to produce, which makes it highly profitable for cartels." ([41:51])

Quotes Highlighting the Crisis:

• Jen: "It's horrifying how lethal fentanyl is and how it's infiltrating everyday life." ([43:22])
• Brady: "As long as there's money to be made, fentanyl will continue to devastate lives." ([48:26])

Mental Health Advocacy and Legacy

Continuing Jack's Mission Brady discusses how she took over Happy Jack World to continue her son's legacy, focusing on raising awareness and funds for mental health.

• Brady: "If Happy Jack can prevent even one family from experiencing this pain, it's worth every effort." ([31:30])

Establishment of the Happy Jack Foundation The foundation supports students in the arts to create mental health projects, fostering creativity as a means to address mental health issues.

• Brady: "We've donated to the Child Mind Institute and established scholarships for mental health projects in the arts." ([32:48])

Prevention and Education

Fentanyl Test Strips and Narcan Brady highlights the importance of fentanyl test strips and Narcan in preventing overdoses, emphasizing their role in harm reduction.

• Brady: "Fentanyl test strips can help identify contamination in pills, but they aren't foolproof." ([47:15])
• Jackie: "Narcan works for fentanyl and can save lives if administered quickly." ([48:01])

Protective Measures for Parents Advice on how parents can talk to their children about the dangers of fentanyl and mental health issues.

• Brady: "Tell your child there's a 70% chance that an unknown pill could be lethal. Make them think twice before taking anything." ([62:18])

Mental Health Discussions

Stigma and Treatment Brady and the hosts discuss the evolving stigma around mental health and the importance of seeking professional help.

• Jen: "Medication can be life-saving for mental illness if prescribed correctly." ([71:29])
• Brady: "Finding the right medication transformed my life and helped me support my daughter." ([71:14])

Impact on Families The conversation underscores the ripple effect of loss on families, especially parents raising children who might face similar struggles.

• Brady: "Every family I meet is dealing with the unimaginable pain of losing a child to fentanyl." ([34:45])

Call to Action

Upcoming Event and Fundraising Jen and Brady announce an upcoming event in August focused on fentanyl awareness and raising funds for related causes.

• Brady: "Our event aims to educate and prevent more tragedies like what happened to Jack." ([72:03])

Supporting the Cause Listeners are encouraged to support Happy Jack World by purchasing merchandise, donating, and spreading awareness.

• Jen: "Visit happyjackworld.com to support Jack's legacy and help save lives." ([72:09])

Notable Quotes

1. Brady Harrison on Loss:

   • "Jack was made for more than this world. His legacy will continue to inspire and prevent others from suffering the same fate." ([31:30])

2. Jen Fessler on Awareness:

   • "We need to start critical conversations at home about the dangers of fentanyl and the importance of mental health." ([71:43])

3. Brady on Fentanyl Crisis:

   • "Fentanyl doesn't care who you are; it only cares about making a profit by destroying lives." ([44:04])

Conclusion

Reflection and Hope The episode concludes with a heartfelt reflection on the importance of community support, awareness, and proactive measures to combat the fentanyl crisis and support mental health.

• Brady: "If my son's story can save even one life, all the pain and effort will be worth it." ([56:43])

Final Thoughts Jen and Jackie express their admiration for Brady’s strength and commitment, reinforcing the episode's message of resilience and the power of turning personal tragedy into meaningful advocacy.

• Jackie: "Brady, your strength is unbelievable. You've turned your pain into a beacon of hope for so many." ([76:13])

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Supporting Resources:

• Happy Jack World: happyjackworld.com
• Child Mind Institute: childmind.org

Upcoming Event:

• Fentanyl Awareness Fundraiser: August 2025 (Details to be announced on the podcast and website)

Join the Conversation:

• Social Media: Follow Brady Harrison and the hosts on TikTok and Instagram for updates and ways to support the cause.

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This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating effects of fentanyl and the critical importance of mental health advocacy. Through personal narratives and actionable insights, Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge illuminate a path toward awareness, prevention, and healing.

Transcript

[Unknown Host]

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[Jen Fessler]

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[Jen Fessler]

Hi guys, it's Jen Fessler. Hey, it's Jackie Goldschneider and we are two Jersey J's. Hi, Jack.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Hi, babe. What's been going on? It's busy.

[Jen Fessler]

It's been. I'm so exhausted. We so it was Rachel, my daughter's 23rd birthday yesterday. So always it's an ordeal. You would think that after maybe, you know, 19, it would stop being such a big deal, but it just doesn't. So we were down the shore, we packed it up, we went to the city, we went to Saks. We had lunch there. It was beautiful. We went shopping. We decided that there was nothing at Saks, that we were going to plunk our money down. So we ended up at Mango. Have you been there?

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Yeah, well, they have Mangoes all over Spain.

[Jen Fessler]

Europe. Yeah, no, I've been to the ones. Jeff loves them but like they just now open a Garden State whatever. So we ended up there and then it was like we didn't even shop for Rachel, which I appreciate it. We ended up shopping for my son who doesn't ever shop and that was just exhausting. I like just would rather order now online.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

I know I have to take my.

[Jen Fessler]

Kids shopping is I actually have to.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Take my kids shopping this afternoon because they're going to do like a. We're in the. They just finished their sophomore year of high school, my older ones.

[Brady Harrison]

Yay.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

So they're in the building your resume now for college phase and they're doing this great program at Duke for two weeks but we just got the packing list and they have to wear like suit for presentations and they don't have a suit. Was their bat Mitzvah. So we're going to, we're going to suit shopping.

[Jen Fessler]

I was gonna say go straight to Men's Wearhouse.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Yeah, there's actually a place in Paramus.

[Jen Fessler]

That, that we go to Saletta or one of those.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

No, not a fancy one. It's like they have, it's just, they have so many suits. But anyway, so last night my, I had two that graduated middle school.

[Brady Harrison]

Yay.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Which is very bittersweet for me. Next year I'll have all four at the same high school for, for two years. So I said to Evan, I, you know, next year I guess they'll just drive with, you know, their older brothers to school and I won't have to take them to school anymore. And he, he was like, oh, that's awesome, that's best. And I said, no, it's not awesome. Like, I feel a little sad about it. You know, tomorrow's the last day that I'll be driving my kids to school and I'm sure there'll be one offs. But I think it's a difference in the way that like, I don't want to generalize, but like moms and dads think about this kind of stuff. Like Evan's like, this is great. You're getting your freedom back, you're getting your mornings back. But I think it's, I don't know.

[Jen Fessler]

It'S not this mom. I was like, woo hoo. I had none of that.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Oh really?

[Jen Fessler]

No, I got. Absolutely not. I was like. And especially when they got there all had their drive. When Rachel all, you know, I only have two. But when Rachel got her driver's license because Zach at that point was gone a year to into college, I was like, yay. I, I'm so. Bye bye. Kiss and drop. See ya. Yeah. Yeah.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

And by the way, this whole college process, like this is not how we did it when we were kids.

[Jen Fessler]

Like I played. I have so much advice for you on that. But.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

But all of this nonsense that you have to jump through freaking hoops just to get in anywhere.

[Jen Fessler]

It's crazy. I wasted so much money. I cannot even tell you on that whole process. And I would do it differently today.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Then you have to talk off camera.

[Jen Fessler]

The college counselors and the ACT tutors. And I remember Zach got, he was always a great test taker. I don't know how he, he didn't inherit that from me, but he got like a really good score. Like on his Aspire, which is like the pre act. It was like Your range is 31 to 33. And I still paid so much money for tutoring and he ended up with like a 32. It was so ridiculous. So much stuff that I feel like I just wasted money on.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

But I know tutoring. I should have gotten into tutoring. Forget being a lawyer, should have been a tutor.

[Jen Fessler]

Amen.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

They make so much money.

[Jen Fessler]

Agreed.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Amazing.

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[Jackie Goldschneider]

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[Jackie Goldschneider]

Can I ask you, today's guest is a personal friend of yours, correct?

[Jen Fessler]

Yes, she is. She is.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Okay, so why don't you tell us about her? Let's introduce her because, wow, what a story. But I. I'm not clear on how you actually. How you guys know each other.

[Jen Fessler]

Well. Okay, so we actually share a best friend. And we are dear friends now. We've been dear friends for years and years. We've been away together. But I met Brady originally through my friend Helene, and they went to college together, they went to Ithaca together, and they were just the best of friends. Freshman year on Still Are with their friend Becca. But so I got to know Brady because we all went away for. Helene turned 40 and she took a bunch of us away. We went to this place in Jamaica called Amanoka, and we all just bonded. It was this fabulous experience. Her name is Brady Harrison. And so. And then just through the years, we've just been, you know, friends since. And anyway, so I GUESS Back around five years ago, it was 2020, July of 2020, I. I got a call from another friend. There's a bunch of us that are very close, saying that she heard that Brady's son, his name was Jack, had. Had died overnight. And it was. I didn't even know what she was talking about. My cousin Cindy, who's also very close to Helene, and I couldn't even understand what she was saying. And this kid Jack is the same age as my son, as Helene's son, as Cindy's son. I mean, they've known each other forever. And anyway, and. And it's just. It was so crazy because Helene didn't know at that point, and Cindy and I had to tell her. And it was just the most. And this is. I'm not even talking about Brady at this point, just telling Helene this about her best friend's son who had. They all grew up together was so horrific. And that was only. That was just, you know, not just, but that was me hearing the news and then having to tell Helene. And in fact, Brady's beautiful, amazing, just glorious son, Jack Nathan, died of a fentanyl laced Percocet. So this is going back five years. Jack was also this really, really gifted young artist. And like so many of us, he struggled with mental illness. And he had created this brand called Happy Jack. And he put all of his just emotions and, and pain and he poured it into this business and, I don't know, he raised money for the Child Mind Institute. He just did all these amazing things and. And he was. He would make these sweats and T shirts with, like, these smiley faces, but they were. They weren't smiley faces. They were kind of jig. Like, Jig Jack. Jagged smiley faces. And just talking about, you know, anxiety and depression and things that he had been through. And after Jack passed, his legacy, one of his many legacies carried on through his mom, Brady. Happy Jack is amazing and still doing amazing things in this world. And it's funny, like, all the kids, when Jack passed and they lived in Livingston of Short Hills, but even all the kids here in. In our area, my daughter, everybody followed Jack Nathan because he was so dynamic. And they all had Happy Jack clothing and I don't know. And this foundation has continued to thrive. But, you know, Brady has. Talks a lot about what she's been through, and she is one of the strongest women I've ever known, along with one of the most thoughtful and just intelligent and kind and beautiful and wonderful women. And her pain is indescribable. And she tries really hard, though, to, you know, share her story, especially with. With what's going on in this world with Fentanyl. So she's. I'm gonna. We're gonna bring her in and she's gonna tell you more, and I know she's going to touch all of you. This story is. Is impossible and heartbreaking, but she uses her pain. You know, she's a warrior, and she uses her pain for good. So she's just so horrifying for you to meet her. Horrifying.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

It's so scary to think that, you know, it's like the littlest drop of Fentanyl can kill you. And with four teenagers, I worry just constantly.

[Jen Fessler]

Yes.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

You know, I trust my kids, but.

[Jen Fessler]

No, no, no, it's not even. It's so. Jackie, we all. I don't trust the world freaked out. No, there's. They're not. It is what's happened with this fentanyl crisis in this country, and Brady's going to tell you more is. Is so scary and horrifying. But. So anyway, you guys, I just. I do want to say, though, that Brady is a lot of things. She's Jack's mom, and she's also the mother of a beautiful young woman named Drew. And she was always just. Just creative and really smart and really fun and has her own struggles with mental illness. And I'm sure she'll Share. As do I. As do so many of us. But she's been through it, and I'm not going to speak on her behalf anymore. I just. I want to bring her in, and I think that you guys are going to be so overwhelmingly touched by her story. So without further ado, here is my very dear friend, Brady Harrison.

[Brady Harrison]

Thank you, my love.

[Jen Fessler]

We want to just take us back. You know, you're asked to do that constantly. Maybe it's. I don't know. You tell me. I don't know what it is. Cathartic in some way, but I know you're always asked to take. Take us back to that day. I hate even asking.

[Brady Harrison]

Well, you know why? Because it goes back even further to. To be able to clearly articulate what happened that day. You have to know who my son was and what his struggles were. So my son, Jack Nathan, struggled with both anxiety and depression, but he was very forthcoming about how he felt. Like, completely transparent. He sort of wore it like a badge of honor, which is very unusual for kids who are 19. Had a huge social circle, never without a friend in sight. So that certainly wasn't the issue. The issue was internally, right? He struggled internally. And as a mother, all you want to do is make your kid happy. I would have done anything. He was in therapy. We were trying medication. I had flown to University of Denver to try and help him. Fast forward, he says to me, one day, you know what, mom? If I can help just one person not feel the way I do, it'll be worth it. And what he meant was he wanted to start a company called Happy Jack, which is a nickname some casting agent gave him when he modeled when he was a baby. And he came up with the idea that he would parlay his love of art and painting into a business, that he would sell this art on apparel or canvases to raise money for kids who struggled like he did. So he launched Happy Jack World on June 7th of 2020, and he sent a text to everyone in his contact list. It's Jack Nathan. If you're getting this right now, you've been part of my journey with, you know, my struggle with mental illness. A portion of every purchase will go towards the Child Mind Institute. Now, at this time, I didn't even know what the Child Mind Institute was. Within the first week of sales, Jack donated $1,000, which I only found out about because he posted it on Instagram. Fast forward. That was June 7th. Fast forward July 3rd. He like, second, he tells me he is going to a party in Marlboro New Jersey, if you. My son and I were extremely close, like, beyond. We told one another we loved each other about ten times a day. He's going to this party, of course, I say, I love you. He says, I love you. I say, be safe. And he left. He text me at 11:49 that night. And he said, mom, I'm going to stay here. Really not safe to drive home. And by that I just took it as like, it's late and he. It's an hour away and he's not going to drive. I didn't really think anything of it. And I said, I love you more than life. He wrote, I love you more than life. Not unusual texts. And the next morning, I heard nothing. I texted him and I called him, I texted his best friend. And nothing. I didn't. It was like one o'.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Clock.

[Brady Harrison]

I didn't. Hadn't heard from him. I figured he was sleeping. He had his phone off. And then the next phone call I got was from Jack's father. And it was a phone call that no parent on this planet would care to receive. And he just, just said he didn't wake up. And, you know, you're in complete disbelief. I fell to my knees screaming. It was crazy. I mean, I am shaking, like, just telling, telling you guys the story. But we came to find out later after we got the autopsy results, was that Jack had taken at some point after he texted me at 11:49, which I thought was just, how do you have such a, you know, articulate conversation with your mom and be gone sometime after that? He had fentanyl in his system. And if you know anything about fentanyl, it is 50 times stronger than morphine, heroin, or 100 times stronger than morphine. I think 50 times stronger than heroin. And he basically, he took what I later found out, a Percocet. And that what he thought was a Percocet had Fentanyl in it. And all it takes is 2 milligrams of fentanyl to stop your heart, especially for someone who has zero tolerance for it. And when I say 2 milligrams, we're talking literally grains of sand. Like if you took a salt shaker and you put it in the palm of your hand, it fits on the tip of a pencil. That's how lethal it is. And it stopped my son's heart and he never woke up. And at the time, I really didn't know what fentanyl was. You're talking. It was 2020, right? So I had heard of it, but it's nowhere near the epidemic that it is today. Or at least people didn't speak about it. Now it's like you can't swing about without someone knowing someone, right? So for two years, I didn't mention how Jack had passed because I wanted him to be remembered for who he was rather than how he left us. And he was a mental health advocate, and that's who he was at his heart. He wanted kids his age to live free and proud and unapologetically. And I admired him for that. He was completely transparent, and he taught me how to be transparent. And after two years, I said, I can't just watch all these kids disappear. And I felt like I had a sense of responsibility to share my story, to warn other parents, to warn other kids. My son looks no different than every other kid.

[Jen Fessler]

I mean, well, he did a little bit Bray, because he was so gorgeous.

[Brady Harrison]

This is Jack, and this is my dog, actually, who passed away a year later. But, like, he was the most delicious beyond.

[Jen Fessler]

I'm telling you, he had, like a cult following. I only know that. I'm not just saying that, Brady. Like, you know, that, like, my daughter, who didn't know him, knew who he was because he was number one. Sorry, he was just. He looks exactly. He looks exactly like you. One face, but absolutely gorgeous. But he had this charisma that I didn't know him well, so I knew, you know, about him through you, but he was just like this, this. This beacon of light. And I. I'm not just saying it. It's. I just remember Rachel was like, what that kid? He was just so magnetic.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

When. When did he start struggling with mental illness? How old was he?

[Brady Harrison]

Looking back, I think that's an excellent question. Looking back, I would say probably maybe like freshman year. Ish. I started noticing and he. I picture what he was wearing. He sat on my kitchen counter. He's wearing Timberlands and like a button down. And he just looked at me and he's like, I'm not happy now. Like, as a parent, you're like, what could you possibly be unhappy about? I mean, he had an abundance of friends, good looking, tall, a huge circle of those who loved him. I couldn't. It didn't make any sense to me. So what I came to realize is that when you struggle and when you're not happy, it has to do with everything that's internal, right? And nothing that's external. There's nothing that you're going to be able to pinpoint and say, like, oh, he didn't get a new iPhone. That's why he's depressed. Oh, his girlfriend broke up with him. That's why he's depressed. It doesn't work like that. It's like there's this underlying sadness and you can't often articulate why you're sad because it. It's an imbalance, it's chemical. There's no outside. You know, situations can make it worse, but generally they're not the root cause of why my son wasn't happy. So I sort of brushed it off, like, yeah, yeah, yeah. And my ex husband and I got divorced and my son got worse and he went to college and got worse. The anxiety got worse.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

And.

[Brady Harrison]

When he came home, he had to come home because of COVID which does not mix well with anyone who struggles. I mean, you put someone who's already anxious and depressed into a home and tell them not to leave. I mean, how would anyone fare? So I mean, it was horrific. It was not good for him. Not good for him. It was completely isolating. He was overwhelmed with schoolwork and that's when he sort of got it together to launch Happy Jack. But you know, you. Look, Jackie, I go back all the time, right? And I'm like, what could I have done differently? You know, what? You know, could I have saved him? Could I have parented differently? What if I said something in the kitchen that day that, you know, changed the trajectory of his life? You do that. And I think it's just natural for any parent to go backwards and question everything and anything to make sense of it, but because it's so senseless. It's just so senseless.

[Jen Fessler]

But don't you. Do you feel like it's. I feel like his. His legacy and what he did when he was alive in just my own mind is so separate from the way that he died. Mean, he was my. He was murdered. You know what I mean? Like, it's not like I don't know what done to. To stop a criminals and Fentol from coming into, you know, this country in a pill. I don't.

[Brady Harrison]

I don't.

[Jen Fessler]

What would you have said to him that could have stopped that nothing thing, you know?

[Brady Harrison]

You know, my friend said to me it was like equivalent to like Brady. It's like he got hit by a bus.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Yeah. Was it a pill that was given to him by other kids at the party or did he have it with him?

[Brady Harrison]

I don't know.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

You don't know? It doesn't matter. I'm just wondering if anyone else there had ingested anything.

[Brady Harrison]

I don't know.

[Jen Fessler]

Okay.

[Brady Harrison]

It was a 21st birthday party. I don't know. I don't, I don't know. And I wouldn't change the outcome, so I don't think I let myself go through all of that.

[Jen Fessler]

Good.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

After everything, when you decided to continue his legacy of being a mental health advocate and telling his story, how did, is that what Happy Jack is now? You kept it going?

[Brady Harrison]

Yes, absolutely. You know, I, like I said, I feel a sense of responsibility and of course it's very personal and emotional to me and I don't want to let his business go because I guess if I'm being completely transparent, it's like me letting him go. But it's hard because he's not here and he's not here to tell me what to do, what design to put out. And he left behind all these amazing designs and this amazing logo of this like crooked smile because he was like, it's impossible to be completely happy all of the time. And. But I wish he was here to tell me what to do because it's, it's really hard running your son's business when he is no longer here. You know, typically the child falls into the parents footsteps and is mentored that way. It's not and doesn't not supposed to work this way.

[Jen Fessler]

Right.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

So what is the charity? How has the charity been doing and how has it helped people and what do you do on a daily basis?

[Brady Harrison]

So I on my ends work to maintain just like the inner workings of the site and the business end of it. We launched the Happy Jack Foundation a couple of years after he passed because we wanted to be able to donate more than just taking a portion of our sales. So we set up a program with University of Denver, which is where Jack went to college. And we have a program which we've been doing for the past five years where any student in the arts can apply for this scholarship in which they are given X amount of money to create some sort of form of mental health project. But it could be at any scope in the arts. Ballet, sculpture, painting, video gaming. It just has to center around mental health. And we've been able to gift that to some of the students and watch their projects, which has been this tangible thing that we've been able to say, but we've donated ourselves to the Child Mind Institute, Active minds. We've worked with some of the most incredible people. I always say, like, I'm the luckiest unlucky person I know. We've had, we've had billboards every year in times Square donated to us and the mission of raising fentanyl awareness. And I've met so many families who are part of this club that none of us want to be a part of, but I met.

[Jen Fessler]

We're. We're doing Jack, we're doing a. We're having an event in August about fentanyl, about, you know, raising money for fentanyl awareness. And so Brady's already introduced me to Charlie and his father. Why Charlie? Charlie passed very similar to the way that Jack passed and around the same time, right, Bray? Yeah, yeah.

[Brady Harrison]

He was about a couple years older than Jack, but similar situation. And he started this fund called Song for Charlie, but they are exclusively fentanyl education. Fentanyl effects, changing the landscape within the government. He's. They're incredible. This Ed and Ed and Mary are the parents. And it's, you know, I think what's important to note is that they created Song for Charlie after their son passed. I didn't create Happy Jack, you know, Jack created Happy Jack. And this is my son's legacy that he built. So I am just sort of taking over the reins for him. But I will not take credit for, ever for my son's work, for, you know, his concept, his drive to help other kids like him who struggled.

[Jen Fessler]

Menopause is wild. One minute you're crushing your day, the next you're crying in traffic. Your body's changing. Your microbiome is totally different. And let's be honest, things down there, not exactly feeling like they're old selves. That's why Vagisil and their new menopause support line is the perfect partner for the show. It's made for this exact moment with advanced probiotic technology designed to support the mature microbiome. There's a foam wash balanced at the right ph for a more mature microbiome, an intimate gel lube that helps you feel like you again, and a supplement that supports urinary health because running to the bathroom every 10 minutes. Not cute. So when menopause feels like it's changing everything, try Vagisil Menopause support and change the way your menopause feels. New Menopause support by Vagicel.

[Unknown Speaker]

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[Unknown Host]

Imagine you're in a deep, dreamy sleep. You're at work, but instead of one of you, there are suddenly two, then three, then 10, then 100. Until a thousand of you are working to reach your goal. Now imagine it's not a dream, because what's actually happening while you sleep is the power of agentforce. A limitless digital workforce. Independently thinking, acting and solving complex tasks on your behalf around the clock and elevating only what needs your attention. No more time consuming, busy work. Just the really important stuff, like making happier customers.

[Jen Fessler]

So.

[Unknown Host]

So while you're dreaming about flying, missing a flight, or being naked in front of a crowd, AgentForce is working to make you a lot more efficient. Like a thousand times more efficient. That's AgentForce, the powerful AI from Salesforce.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

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[Ryan Seacrest]

You shopping for a new laptop while still trying to keep up with technology and AI? Talk about feeling burnt out. But no more. Lenovo.com makes it easier than ever to find the perfect PC. In fact, we'll break it down for you. Step one, shop our lineup of AI PCs powered by Intel Core Ultra processors. Because why deal with downloading new software when you can buy a smarter PC that already comes with all of the AI features and tools? Step two, find the one that fits your passion. Whether you're a creative genius, a research scientist, a hardcore gamer, or a future CEO, no dream is too big. That's the power of Lenovo. With intel inside, you can keep up with your ideas as well as any challenges you may face. Step three, add to cart and purchase.

[Jen Fessler]

Oh.

[Ryan Seacrest]

If you're a college student or a teacher, make an education account through us and get 5% off your whole order. Shop now at lenovo.com A Better Future is waiting and it needs you.

[Jen Fessler]

Is it hard, Brady? Because some people might say, okay, so there's crossover, right? I don't know if there's. Is there crossover between mental health?

[Brady Harrison]

I don't.

[Jen Fessler]

Then fentanyl awareness? They're two separate things, right?

[Brady Harrison]

Yes and no. Because I. Look, those who struggle have a higher propensity to try stuff.

[Jen Fessler]

Yeah.

[Brady Harrison]

Just.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Trying to make themselves feel better. Yeah.

[Brady Harrison]

Yeah. But it could be the kid who, you know, goes to any one of these schools and says, like, oh, my God, I have a test and I want a cram and someone gives them an Adderall.

[Jen Fessler]

Adderall, right. That's what I mean.

[Brady Harrison]

Right. Because Adderall is laced. Percocet is laced, Xanax is laced, Cocaine is laced. I mean, you name it. Now weed is laced, vapes are laced.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

So just for people who have no idea, and I also don't know so much of this. How does something get laced with fentanyl?

[Brady Harrison]

So the precursors, which are the chemicals that are made from fentanyl, are starting in China. And the Chinese are also the ones who are responsible for creating the pill press machines. So basically, they press the pills to look like any other pill that you would get from your doctor. So the chemicals. And this is the. I'm just giving you the generic route. Yes. It might come from other means, but this is what sort of the normal. This is what the path is. So the precursors are made, then they're shipped to. To Mexico. Mexico has all the cartels and the labs and so forth, and then they are coming across the border. The reason why they are using fentanyl to mix into these pills or even use fentanyl, period, is because it's Stronger than anything out there. You do not need as much of it to make a pill or to enhance a pill. It's a synthetic, so you can make it yourself. You're not waiting for, like, the plants to grow in the fields in order to create opium. It just doesn't work that way. So truly what it comes down to is greed. They can manufacture more because it's cheaper, it's stronger, they can get it onto the streets faster. And the margins are insane. So their hope is to create addicts.

[Jen Fessler]

How do you get Bray? I've been thinking about this a long time. It doesn't. The only part that doesn't add up is that it's so lethal, right?

[Brady Harrison]

Yes.

[Jen Fessler]

That the makers of it, you know, are losing. They're trying. You're trying to create an addict in terms of. Right. You're not trying to, you know, kill your source. And. And it seems to me fentanyl is so deadly, I don't even know.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Yeah. Is there an amount that you could put in that doesn't kill you?

[Brady Harrison]

It.2 milligrams is a lethal dose, and I told you that. It's like the grains of sand. If you have some sort of tolerance, I suppose 2mg is not going to do the trick in order to stop your life. My son and all of these kids, they're not what you envision to be perhaps someone on the streets, someone in drug rehab. They're kids who may try something for the first time that may take a Molly at a party. You know, these are kids who are, you know, athletes and academics and successful, and it blows away every stereotype that people might have of those who are passing from fentanyl or from drugs, period. So the manufacturers of the product, they don't care if they have some casualties along the way, they'll just make more. They just. They don't care.

[Jen Fessler]

You think about the fact that these kids are their brains, especially boys, right? They're not developed until, what, they're 26 years old. Boys, brains. You're sending out your kid into the world at age 18, 19. And of course, I. I would have taken something in college. You passed me a pill.

[Brady Harrison]

No one. Are we right, Jen? You thought you were invincible, Michael.

[Jen Fessler]

I mean, yeah, 100% I remember taking. What is that one? Not Molly? Ecstasy. Remember Ecstasy? That was big when I was in college. And, yeah, everybody was doing. I don't even know what it is. They called it ecstasy then in Texas, but it was like, funny, you know, who's at that age? You're not thinking about shit. You're thinking, tonight there is no crap party. Yeah. So how does a parent talk to.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Their kid to try to stop this? I mean, telling them not to ever try anything, is that realistic? What do you do?

[Brady Harrison]

Probably not. I don't think that if I told. I mean, of course I taught Jack, don't do drugs. Right? I mean, my kids smoke weed, which I didn't have an issue with. Some parents do, but I was like, eh. But unless it's prescribed to you and for you, you really can't. There's no such thing as recreational drugs anymore. It just doesn't exist. The same way like Jen was saying, it just doesn't exist. So they have something called fentanyl test strips. Basically, you have to take the pill and crush it and dilute it in water. And then you take. It's like a dipstick. You dip the. You dip the stick in, and if it comes out, like a pregnancy test, two lines, one line, it's either negative or positive. There can be false positives, false negatives, but they're pretty accurate. Fentanyl test strips, you can buy them anywhere. You can buy them on Amazon. My biggest hesitation lies in the fact that you can take one pill, right, Jack? And, like, I could split it in half. You can take half, and I can take half. And I don't wake up in the morning, but you do. It's because the fentanyl is not evenly distributed in the pill. It might have just been stuck in my half, but you're fine. So unless you dilute the entire substance, you will not know truly whether what kind of these.

[Jen Fessler]

What kid has the wherewithal to say, I'm gonna go into the bathroom? I mean, they're dipsticks. Like, they're like. These kids are not. Maybe not all of them. I think that there are, you know, and we're all. We all try with our kids, but that's the part that is so. I mean, my kids are. They're older now. Maybe they're still stupid. I don't even. I don't know.

[Brady Harrison]

Well, they do give out fentanyl test strips in a lot of the fraternities and the sororities. So today they're much more aware, really. And there's also something called Narcan, which reverses the effects of an overdose, which is a spray that you put up each nostril, but you have to have someone with you. A lot of these kids who take something are by themselves. So the Narcan doesn't apply.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

So narcan works for fentanyl.

[Brady Harrison]

Correct.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

And how quickly do you have to. How quickly does fentanyl take effect in you.

[Brady Harrison]

Minutes.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Minutes.

[Brady Harrison]

Wow.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

How horrifying. Is there a world so I don't know too much about? I know obviously fentanyl's in the news, but is there a world in which fentanyl is completely wiped out from the drug supply?

[Brady Harrison]

I don't think so. I don't see it happening. It's too easy to make and there's too much money to be made. I think that's the bottom line. As long as there's money to be had, people just don't give a about human life.

[Jen Fessler]

You know, Brady and I have been. Have been close for a while and I just almost. I said to you last week, br, like, I feel like sometimes I just say the wrong things thing. And of course it's all well intentioned, but we talked about it about one of your other best friends who's like, you know, I want to say to you, I wouldn't say that now, but maybe when it first happened, you know, time, time, time. I. Time. I mean, I don't know if time is helping or. I, I obviously I follow you on everything, but I follow you on Tik Tok. And you're so open and you have so many experiences every day dealing with this grief that. That just doesn't quit. You know, I think for, for me.

[Brady Harrison]

And I've said this just recently, like, it feels like it just happened. Like, it feels like it just happened yesterday. I wake up every morning and I go through like, the litany of things that I did that day or before or Jack's life. And so I feel like I'm like treading water or standing still, but everybody else is moving on as they should, because the world keeps spinning. But it's hard for me as the kids move further away from my son's passing and my friends even move further away from Jack's passing. And I sort of like, still here. And it's equally as hard for me. You know, I see all of these kids growing up and my son doesn't get to do that. And you keep in mind, like, my son grew up with Jesse and all these kids. And I watched them, I know, meeting their significant others and working, going out into the world. And my son was a baby. He was 19 years old. I mean, he was almost 20, but he didn't even make it to his junior year in college. It's just like, you know, you. You just say like, it's not fair Just not fair. And so how do you.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

How do you get through the days? And have you gotten help for yourself? Mental health treatment?

[Brady Harrison]

I have a daughter who looked at me shortly after and said, do not go numb on me. And I will never forget that. And I have to show up for her. Have to. I. I will not disappear. I will do anything to make her life easier, to make her happy so that she doesn't, you know, continue to wallow in her brother's passing. And I'm very sensitive to that. So, you know, people like, I could never. I could never. I don't have a choice. You know, I have a daughter and I have a significant other who loves me. I have amazing friends and amazing parents, and I'm so grateful for their support. I'm not a big group mental health person in terms of like sitting in a group. That does not work for me. It just brings me down to hear about other people's pain. So I'm. I do one on one occasionally, but even that, I just, like, I don't feel like crying for 45 minutes straight. Like, I just don't have it in me. I'm exhausted. So I sleep on my. I sleep a lot. Yeah.

[Jen Fessler]

Medication. I mean, I'm not even asking you. I just don't for myself. It's like, duh, right? It's like, I don't know if there's enough Prozac in the world every night.

[Brady Harrison]

Of course I don't. Yeah. But it's like it, it's like, do you ever, you know that feeling of like, when you're present but not really present?

[Jen Fessler]

Yes.

[Brady Harrison]

Like you're there physically but you're not there mentally. That's what it feels like a lot of the time.

[Jen Fessler]

I know you get sometimes just a surprise, like letter text or whatever from one of his friends. Yeah, I know how, like that just. I know that lights you up because he had such an impact on so many of these kids.

[Brady Harrison]

Really, you know, it's so consistent what all of these kids say about him. You know, like, Jack taught me what was important in life. He didn't, you know, give a shit about anything else about, you know, it was just about what he was doing and his happiness and, you know, Forget about the 9 to 5, do what makes you happy. And they believed in him and he believed in them. And, you know, one day he came up into my room and he's like, mom, I really think it's helping me to help other people. And I was like, jack, that's amazing. It's amazing. But you know, at the end of the day, I couldn't take that anxiety away from him. I couldn't take his relentless need to do more. He's very existential, very introspective. He was, he called like limited drops. One of one. He was one of one.

[Jen Fessler]

Wow, we love that. How do you think those parents that you've like gotten to know, is it similar, their grief and what, five years later? I've been on, but I don't know, I just talk to Charlie or whenever I'm about to meet Charlie's dad. But is the pattern. There are similar patterns in terms of how parents.

[Brady Harrison]

I will tell you that every single person grieves differently and I pass zero judgment. You know, some people immerse themselves in work, some people immerse themselves in the cause, Some people just become stagnant and can't leave their houses. You know, I didn't, I don't think I left my house for six months. I look, I moved out of New Jersey to Florida because it hurt me so bad to see all of these people that I had to like sort of face what happened. And every time I saw everyone, they're like, oh my God, what's a man? And it just like brings you back. And I. Every baseball field, every soccer field, every pizza place he worked at, it's really too painful, Incredibly hard. And I go back, obviously, because all my friends are there and my, my daughter lives with her father primarily. But it's. It's hard for me. It's really hard. And I don't. I guess I feel like sometimes people forget how hard it is.

[Jen Fessler]

Yeah. Nobody knows how. So few people that we know understand how hard it is. We imagine it.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

What would you like to see if you're happy, Jack, going forward?

[Brady Harrison]

I would love it to flourish. Jack launched the site in the first site and he was disappointed because he wanted it to crash. The site to crash because so many people were on it. You know, I love for it to be self sustaining. I love for it to. For me to be able to help kids more than I already do. I'm happy to speak to anyone and everyone to let them know that, you know, Jack is you, Jack, you're no different than my son. And this is the reality of the situation. And you know, I had one of his friends say to me afterwards, it could have been any one of us.

[Jen Fessler]

It could have.

[Brady Harrison]

And. Yeah, so what would I like to see happen? Ultimately, the reason why I speak is because I want to save lives. I don't, I don't want any parent to experience this pain. It's horrific. You know, I want to. You know, I want to break. I'm exhausted. It's really exhausting to live with the pain of it. And I don't wish that upon anyone. So if Happy Jack and if my son's legacy could prevent a family from going down this path, then I'm gonna keep launching product and raising money and creating awareness.

[Jen Fessler]

Menopause is wild. One minute you're crushing your day, the next you're crying in traffic. Your body's changing. Your microbiome is totally different. And let's be honest, things down there, not exactly feeling like they're old selves. That's why Vagisil and their new menopause support line is the perfect partner for the show. It's made for this exact moment with advanced probiotic technology designed to support the mature microbiome. There's a foam wash balanced at the right phase for a more mature microbiome. An intimate gel lube that helps you feel like you again, and a supplement that supports urinary health. Because running to the bathroom every 10 minutes. Not cute. So when menopause feels like it's changing everything, try Vagisil Menopause support and change the way your menopause feels. New Menopause support by Vagisil.

[Unknown Speaker]

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[Unknown Host]

Imagine you're in a deep dreamy sleep. You're at work, but instead of one of you, there are suddenly two, then three, then 10, then 100. Until a thousand of you are working to reach your goal. Now imagine it's not a dream because what's actually happening while you sleep is the power of Agent Force. A limitless digital workforce. Independently thinking, acting and solving complex tasks on your behalf around the clock and elevating only what needs your attention. No more time consuming, busy work. Just the really important stuff, like making happier customers. So while you're dreaming about flying, missing a flight, or being naked in front of a crowd, AgentForce is working to make you a lot more efficient. Like a thousand times more efficient. That's AgentForce, the powerful AI from Salesforce.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

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[Ryan Seacrest]

You shopping for a new laptop while still trying to keep up with technology and AI? Talk about feeling burnt out. But no more. Lenovo.com makes it easier than ever to find the perfect PC. In fact, we'll break it down for you. Step 1 Shop our lineup of AI PCs powered by Intel Core Ultra processors. Because why deal with downloading new software when you can buy a smarter PC that already comes with all of the AI features and tools? Step 2 Find the one that fits your passion. Whether you're a creative genius, a research scientist, a hardcore gamer, or a future CEO, no dream is too big. That's the power of Lenovo. With intel inside, you can keep up with your ideas as well as any challenges you may face.

[Brady Harrison]

Stuff.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Step 3 add to cart and purchase. Oh, if you're a college student or a teacher, make an education account through us and get 5% off your whole order. Shop now at lenovo dot com. A better future is waiting, and it needs you.

[Jen Fessler]

Bray, what do you say to people who ask you what to say to their kids? And again, I mean, I know it's talking about two issues here, right? There's fentanyl and there's mental illness. But, you know, parents that are sending their kids to college and. And is. I don't know if there is anything to completely prevent this from happening, but is there. Are there things that you tell them.

[Brady Harrison]

That they should say? I mean, the. It's. I will say. And there's. There's different stats on this. So right now, I had heard from the DEA that it's 7 out of 10 pills are laced, right? Or have a. A lethal amount. So if you literally say to your child, if someone's giving you an Adderall to stay up and you don't know where that Adderall's been, look at yourself in the mirror and say, I have a 70% chance of not waking up in the morning. Would you. Would you take that pill? I mean, that's the reality of it. Even if it's 1 in 6 or what? I mean, the statistics are so high, the probability is so high that it's almost like you'd have to be really unintelligent not to have that make sense, but they are.

[Jen Fessler]

Kids are stupid. That's crazy.

[Brady Harrison]

Believe me, my son was one of them. I'm not gonna lie. Look, my son didn't know any better. He lived fearless. Fearlessly, he was. He would have done anything. Jump off a cliff, jump. Dive into a pool, from a roof. I mean, that's how he lived. I don't think he would have lived any differently, but I could. I can't guarantee your child's not going to, but I could try. I would also say, you know, what if your kid's going to school and they're having such extreme mental health struggles, pull them out of school. Like, not every kid is going to take the same path in life, right? In our heads, we say, like, okay, they're gonna go to college, they're gonna get a job. They're gonna live in the city. They're gonna. But it doesn't work that way. So I don't know, maybe I should have pulled Jack out of school when he wasn't happy.

[Jen Fessler]

Your story should have, like. I know, I know.

[Brady Harrison]

I see.

[Jen Fessler]

It's like you're telling the story. What do you think that, like, both my kids. Rachel had a great time her first three years. Her senior year, she was unhappy, whatever that looks like, unhappy. My son was unhappy at times in college. He. For a year. This was a bad. I mean, I don't know. It's a hard thing to figure out, right? I mean, I just.

[Brady Harrison]

And it's like, once you put yourself out there, like I do on TikTok, I have like 70,000 followers. So, like, there are people who are, like, who blame me, and I have to roll with that because if there's going to be people like that and I have to tune all of that noise out in order to. You guys know, with social media, you have to tune all of that noise out.

[Jen Fessler]

Block, delete. Block, delete.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Brady, can it be in something you smoke or is it only in pill form? Something that gets cut?

[Brady Harrison]

I mean, lately I'm hearing that it's also in marijuana. There is, um. There are so many dispensaries out there, but they're not all licensed dispensaries. So you really have to know if a dispensary is licensed or not. Like, I'll even say to my daughter, who's almost 22, like, if you're going to smoke, it has to come from a licensed dispensary. You have to know. You can't say, like, oh, my friend got it from a friend. They're. They're okay. They know. Like, no.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Yeah.

[Brady Harrison]

No, like. Like, I look at Mac Miller. My son idolized Mac Miller.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Yeah.

[Brady Harrison]

You think, like, he's a celebrity. He has all this money. He would only get clean shit. He died the same way. It just doesn't work that way. Fentanyl doesn't care how much money you have, who the hell you are if you're a celebrity. If you're not, it just. There's. It doesn't matter.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

And in this country, do you know how many people a year are affected by this?

[Brady Harrison]

I mean, they say, like, a plane full of people a day.

[Jen Fessler]

What?

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Oh, my God. And is the government doing things? Are you involved?

[Brady Harrison]

Well, yeah, I mean, look at. Look, there are people who. Pro Trump, anti Trump. But at least he's trying, right? At least he's trying. If we're going to put enough tariffs on China, maybe they'll. It'll affect change in the supply and demand. You're going to close the borders? Maybe it'll prevent substances from coming through. I do feel like he's trying. You know, people are like, as long as they're. That, you know, it's supply and demand. As long as there's demand, there'll always be supply. But it doesn't mean that we can't try.

[Jen Fessler]

You have to try. There's no what else?

[Brady Harrison]

I mean, you know, so I. I'm okay with Trump for those reasons alone.

[Jen Fessler]

Bray, how's Drew, your daughter?

[Brady Harrison]

Drew's my daughter. She's my reason for being. I love her. She's. She's my happy place. My daughter and I actually have been like, approached by other kids saying, like, how do I help my parent? And, you know, I say to them, like, you will always. You will forever be your parents happy place. Like, she just will. And I.

[Jen Fessler]

She's doing good. She's. She's in. I know she's doing good.

[Brady Harrison]

She's got a job. She is a huge personality. She has also has a lot of friends. I encourage her to go to therapy again. She's 22. She'll do with it what she will. But I love my kids unconditionally. And I love the same way Jack did. I love. When I love, I love. And if she needs me, I go to her and. And I told her, no matter where I am, I will always find her. And she knows that. She knows that. So.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

I'm in awe of you. I'm so sorry for your pain. I can't imagine, but your strength, it's unbelievable.

[Brady Harrison]

Thank you.

[Jen Fessler]

By the way, guys. I mean, all of us, I think it's helpful just to hear about the mental health thing. It's so. It's not kids, right? It's us. I mean, it's me. When I was a kid, it was. I took a different form, but. And I didn't get the help for it that I needed. Back in the day, when I was in college, I had crazy. It was more. It's all under the same umbrella, but it was more anxiety than it was depression, debilitating anxiety. And I mean, I'd been through so many different therapists until I, you know, this. My current one that I've been with for years and years. I didn't meet her until I was. Until my kids were 12. And, you know, my daughter just been diagnosed with diabetes. Anyway, the point is that, like, there. There are things. There are so many things. And I'm a big medication fan when it comes to mental illness. I mean. And Brett, you and I have spoken about this. I mean, you've had your own, you know, dealings before, Jack, right?

[Brady Harrison]

Yeah.

[Jen Fessler]

With mental illness. I mean, it's. But I feel like there's. You just have to be very, very, very aware. But I guess especially when it comes to your kids, because there are. There are answers, right? There's. There There's.

[Brady Harrison]

Yeah. And it's. Look, genetics come into play. Right, Right. If you have mental illness in your family, there's a higher chance that it'll, you know, trickle down the bloodline. And, you know, I certainly do. I think about, you know, my daughter has children, and I hope that their mental health is okay. And I. I used to, you know, look, there was such a stigma against kids taking medication back in the day, and I. I didn't want my kid to take medication. Do you remember, like, in the sleepaway camps, you're like, oh, well, they. The kids would be like, they leave to go get a pill or they go to my.

[Jen Fessler]

Well, my kids were leave to get growth hormone.

[Brady Harrison]

Yeah.

[Jen Fessler]

And insulin.

[Brady Harrison]

They go to the infirmary.

[Jen Fessler]

Now it has the infirmary.

[Brady Harrison]

They're lining up, like, pregnant.

[Jen Fessler]

Nobody cares a. Right.

[Brady Harrison]

The stigma is gone. And, you know, they say, like, if you were physically ill, you would take medication. So.

[Jen Fessler]

Amen, sister.

[Brady Harrison]

If you're emotionally not well, and it's not just, like, I'm sad, I'm gonna take a pill. It's that underlying sadness that I told you that you can't. Look, I remember my mother looking at me and saying, like, what is it? Why are you so unhappy? Like, what did you this? Did you that? And she did what I did. Like, you try and find the thing, because as a parent, all you want to do is fix the problem and you cannot. You can't fix it. I tried. My mother tried, like. But when I went on medication and found the right medication, I got my life back.

[Jen Fessler]

Me too. Me too.

[Brady Harrison]

So, you know, one hand I'm saying don't take medication. On the other hand, I'm saying, take medication.

[Jen Fessler]

Take medicine prescribed by a doctor that you're picking up at cvs.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

And I'm going to sit down and have a talk with my. My kids because I didn't know any of this and I didn't know how prevalent it was. And that alone could change the trajectory of their lives. Thank you.

[Jen Fessler]

That was our whole. I remember just.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Yeah.

[Jen Fessler]

After Jack passed, all of us were like. And our kids were the same age as Jack, and we're all like, do you understand? Not once, not even once can you take a pill. That's never. It is not that world. Never.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

So where can people find out more about the charity? How can they get involved? How can they help it grow?

[Brady Harrison]

So the site my son created is called happyjackworld.com and there's a donation link, you know, right on the site. But it makes me happy when people buy his Designs. And I get to see the kids in college at parties and all that, like wearing Happy Jack shirts or Happy Jack hats, by the way.

[Jen Fessler]

They're the best. I cannot believe that I'm so stupid that I didn't put on my sweats today. I have literally, they're my favorite. They're not like shitty sweats. They're like quality, heavy, fabulous sweats. Rachel Warhurst with like, listen, in the.

[Brady Harrison]

Hats we did, it's just so. It's not just hats, though.

[Jen Fessler]

The sweatshirts, sweatpants, they're amazing. Yeah, they're so great.

[Brady Harrison]

You know, we were donated a pop up store in South Street Seaport right after my son passed. And we had all of his artwork and we had this amazing wall where people would come in and write about their mental illness. And people come in, just read the walls and we sold merchandise. And it was like one of the best things that if I could do that all over again, I would, I would do it because I think once people hear the story from me, from a mother, and once people see my son's face, you know, like, I want, I don't want it to just be a story. I want them to like, look at my son. He was 19 years old. You know, he played lacrosse. He played like, he. Yeah, he's no different. No different. So I think that it's. Once you make it as real as you can for these kids and have it not like, sit down, like, look at his face. Look at his initial posts on Happy Jack. He started this company, not me. Go back on Instagram at Happy Jack World and look at his original posts. He'll tell you, I have anxiety, I struggle with depression. I want to be the voice for kids who have none. That was all him. And I'm just trying to continue what he started. And that's why I am as transparent as I am today.

[Jen Fessler]

Okay? I love you madly. Over the moon beyond. And you guys were having an event in August, so both Brady and I, both and Jackie, obviously, I. I would love to be there. Yeah. And big, big fundraiser, which we'll talk more about. But I don't even like, what do you say, Brady? I just, I love you. I'm in awe of you. I'm your. Your pain is our pain.

[Brady Harrison]

You know, a. I love you dearly. You know that. I would just say, even if your kids tell you you're annoying, keep talking. Yeah, keep talking. You know, I sent, I was the mom, I sent the videos, I forwarded all that shit that, you know, we all do, right? Jack would Say, like, do you ever send me anything good? I'm like, but it can happen. And he's like, ma, you worry too much.

[Jen Fessler]

Well, I know. Rachel's like, how many times he sent me a video of how do I break out of my car if it goes underwater? I said, how many of those you want me to watch?

[Jackie Goldschneider]

I didn't even think of that. Oh, geez.

[Jen Fessler]

Because they come up and then you just forward, forward, forward.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

I know it's very scary.

[Brady Harrison]

The statistics are a bit higher with fentanyl or underwater, but, yeah, Yeah. I mean, anyone could reach out to me. I'm, you know, our, Our email address is on the site. There are resources on the site as well. We've had a ton of press coverage. You know, I encourage everyone to see, speak out and own who they are and just keep talking.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Thank you for everything that you do, because you could have very easily just, you know, crawled up in a ball and, and not let anyone see your face. And you took the complete opposite route and decided to make Jack's mission your mission. And you probably have saved so many lives that you don't even know about.

[Brady Harrison]

I hope so.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Yeah. I'm sure you have.

[Jen Fessler]

Okay.

[Brady Harrison]

I hope so.

[Jen Fessler]

I love you.

[Brady Harrison]

I love you more.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Thank you, Brady.

[Brady Harrison]

Thank you, guys.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

That was a description of my worst nightmare.

[Brady Harrison]

All.

[Jen Fessler]

All mothers.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

I just. I don't know that I can talk right now.

[Jen Fessler]

I know. Well, you have to, because someone has to close out the search.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

But I think, if anything, it will start a very important conversation in my house that has never been had and that, I would guess, a lot of people have never had with their kids.

[Jen Fessler]

Because the timing of this is really perfect in terms of, like, you're sending your kids off to college soon. I feel like that is just such.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Well, also, they go to precarious time, and, you know, it's so scary to think that people are so reckless with other people's lives and to think of the amount of pain that she has to carry every day.

[Jen Fessler]

Every day. And it doesn't. That's why I said to her, how are you doing? Are you. I, I, I say stupid. Do you. Is it getting any better? No, it's not getting better. It's never going to get better. It'll get different. Maybe not better, you know?

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Yeah.

[Jen Fessler]

Yeah. All right.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

You're amazing for, for that event. And keep me posted. Keep us posted on the details, and it's so important. And thank God.

[Jen Fessler]

Yeah.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Go to Happy Jack. Buy some merch. Support Charity.

[Jen Fessler]

Okay.

[Brady Harrison]

Yeah.

[Jen Fessler]

Love you.

[Jackie Goldschneider]

Bye, guys.

[Jen Fessler]

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[Brady Harrison]

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