Radio Catskill - The Kingfisher Project

Alexis Pleus on Truth Pharm, Purdue Pharma and the Fight for Opioid Accountability

On this episode of The Kingfisher Project, host Bill Williams speaks with Alexis Pleus, founder of Truth Pharm, a Binghamton-based organization working to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and advocate for change around substance use and overdose prevention. Pleus shares the story of losing her son Jeff to a heroin overdose, the founding of Truth Pharm, and the organization’s work with directly impacted families. She also discusses the recent Purdue Pharma sentencing hearing in Newark, New Jersey, where families delivered powerful victim impact statements, and explains why many advocates believe accountability for the opioid crisis remains unfinished. The conversation also looks at New York’s opioid settlement funds, concerns over how that money is being distributed, and Pleus’ call for more support for grassroots and community-based organizations doing direct harm reduction work.

Steven D’Agata and Cathy Kennedy on Hope Not Handcuffs in the Hudson Valley

Steven D’Agata and Cathy Kennedy on Hope Not Handcuffs in the Hudson Valley

Mark Ehrenkranz on Addiction Recovery: How Peer Recovery Specialists Help Patients Heal

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Mark Ehrenkranz joins us for a conversation about addiction recovery, peer support, and the power of lived experience in helping people heal. Sober since 1985, Ehrenkranz has spent decades supporting individuals struggling with substance and alcohol use disorders. Today, he works alongside doctors and addiction specialists in hospital settings, helping patients navigate the emotional and human realities of recovery in emergency rooms, ICUs, detox units, and treatment programs. Before entering the recovery field, Ehrenkranz had a more than 40-year career in the entertainment industry. He created The NY Film Critics National Series®, hosted by ABC and Rolling Stone critic Peter Travers, and 800-VIDEO-411®, a national service used across the home entertainment industry. He has also worked as a screenwriter and producer. In this conversation, Mark Ehrenkranz reflects on what it means to be a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, how lived experience can help build trust with patients, and why recovery looks different for everyone. He also talks about the importance of reducing stigma around addiction and how storytelling can play a powerful role in healing. This episode is part of The Kingfisher Project, a storytelling initiative focused on recovery, resilience, and the human stories behind healing. Through honest conversations and personal narratives, the project aims to reduce stigma around addiction and highlight the many pathways to recovery. By sharing real experiences and creating space for open dialogue, The Kingfisher Project connects people who may be struggling with those who have walked a similar path and found hope on the other side. Join us as we explore stories of recovery, connection, and second chances. 00:00 Meet Mark Krantz 00:45 What Peer Recovery Means 02:53 Radical Honesty Approach 04:24 Resource Guide and Acronyms 07:40 Getting Certified CPRS 12:12 Training Gaps and New Drugs 15:14 Hospital Work and Funding 19:08 ER Workflow and Privacy 27:38 Mark Story Begins 30:43 Hollywood Drugs and Downfall 33:49 AA in Florida 34:32 Tramadol relapse spiral 35:35 Harm reduction myth 36:04 Cannabis crash and ward 37:44 Weed addiction is real 39:17 Potency and profit 40:22 Fentanyl and xylazine 43:32 Test strips and safety 44:40 Inside the book 49:17 Youth and brain development 52:01 William White research 54:59 Media and resources 57:27 Where to buy 58:48 Navy Seal recovery 01:00:19 Final thanks and signoff

Kevin Sabet on the Debate Over Marijuana Legalization

On this episode of the Kingfisher Project, Radio Catskill’s Bill Williams speaks with Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana and a former White House drug policy advisor, about the ongoing debate over marijuana legalization and its impact on public health and communities.  Sabet discusses concerns around youth access, mental health risks, and the growing influence of the cannabis industry, while also addressing arguments from legalization advocates. The conversation looks at how states are navigating regulation, what current research shows, and what the future of marijuana policy could look like.

Lisa Ann Poggi

Lisa Ann Poggi is an actress, producer, and advocate using storytelling to shine a light on one of the most urgent issues facing families today — addiction and recovery. With a career spanning film and television, Lisa has worked both in front of and behind the camera, but in recent years her focus has shifted toward purpose-driven projects that center healing, hope, and real-world impact. Through her work with the Choosing Hope Project, she supports families navigating substance use disorder, helping break stigma and offering resources, connection, and practical guidance for recovery. Blending creativity with advocacy, Lisa believes stories can change lives — and systems. On this episode of The Kingfisher Project, she shares her journey, the personal experiences that shaped her mission, and how film and media can be powerful tools for awareness, compassion, and change.