Aced It

The Stories We Tell: Support Groups & Other People Who Use Drugs

In this episode, I focus on how people recovery communities and people who use drugs shape their own narratives around substance use, overdose, and recovery. I explore how distinctions within these communities can act as barriers to support, while emphasizing that recovery does not follow a single path. I also highlight the growing role of peer support and online communities in providing alternative forms of connection, resources, and support for individuals navigating recovery.
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Stories We Tell: Academia & Professional Networks

In this episode, I examine how academic research and professional networks contribute to the broader conversation surrounding substance use and overdose. I explore how research is shaped by professional norms, how lived experience is often excluded or kept private, and how knowledge moves beyond the university into practice. The episode considers how communication, collaboration, and emerging professional spaces influence how these issues are understood.
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Stories We Tell: Criminal Legal System Professionals

In this episode, I explore how criminal legal professionals, including police, correctional staff, and judges, shape responses to substance use and overdose. I examine how everyday decisions are influenced by professional beliefs, organizational environments, and resource constraints. This episode highlights how these factors can affect overdose response, treatment access, and sentencing. It also emphasizes the importance of training, policy, and institutional support in improving outcomes.
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Stories We Tell: Healthcare Professionals

In this episode, I examine how healthcare professionals shape patient experiences and treatment outcomes for substance use disorders. Drawing on research, I explore how provider beliefs, training, and workplace pressures influence interactions with patients, including how care is delivered and received. I also consider how these dynamics can affect access to treatment and what changes may improve healthcare responses.
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Stories We Tell: Public & Governmental Campaigns

In this episode, I talk about how public and governmental campaigns shape perceptions of drug use and overdose. I examine how different messaging strategies, such as empathy-based storytelling, education, and fear-based approaches, impact stigma, knowledge, and behavior. I also explore how these campaigns can both challenge and reinforce inequality, and what they reveal about how society understands addiction and recovery.
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Stories We Tell: Political Framing

In this episode, I examine how political actors, institutions, and public discourse shape the way we understand drugs and overdose. I explore how different narratives, such as criminalization, public health, and stigma, affect public opinion, policy decisions, and access to care. I also consider how these political frames influence real-world outcomes, including resource allocation and whether individuals feel safe seeking help.
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Stories We Tell: Pop Culture

In this episode, I explore how pop culture, through movies, television, music, and social media, shapes the way we understand drug use and overdose. I highlight how these portrayals often simplify or distort reality, reinforcing stereotypes and stigma. The episode also examines how these narratives influence public opinion, policy responses, and individuals’ willingness to seek help. Ultimately, it emphasizes that the stories we consume do not just reflect reality; they actively shape it.
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Stories We Tell: Social Media

In this episode, I talk about how social media shapes the way people understand drugs, addiction, and overdose, highlighting both the risks and opportunities of these platforms. I break down how online spaces can spread stigma and misinformation, but also provide support, community, and harm-reduction information for people navigating substance use. I also explore how social media influences public narratives, and how it can be used more intentionally to share accurate information and improve responses to the overdose crisis.
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Stories We Tell: News Media

In this episode, I talk about how news media shapes the stories we hear about drugs and overdose, and why that matters for public understanding and policy. I break down how media coverage determines which overdose stories get attention, how people and communities are portrayed, and how narratives can be amplified, even when they aren’t strongly supported by evidence. I also explore how advocates and people with lived experience can use media to challenge dominant narratives and push for more effective, compassionate responses.
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Stories We Tell About Drugs and Overdose: Overview

In this episode, I introduce listeners to Season 14 of Aced It, and I talk about how stigma shapes the way we understand drugs, overdose, and addiction, and why the stories we tell about these issues matter. I break down what stigma is, how it operates, and how it influences everything from help -seeking to overdose risk and responses. I also explore how language and narratives can either reinforce blame and exclusion or promote compassion and effective policy solutions.
Download the one-pager (PDF).
This project was supported by Grant [5PBJA-22-AG-00031-MUMU] awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. Points of view or opinions in this podcast are those of the host and the research team and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.