The 747 Falling Every Day: A Mother's Cry Against Addiction with Katie Rizzo

Today, we confront the heartbreaking reality of the opioid epidemic through the eyes of a mother who lived it. Katie Rizzo joins us to share her story of losing her son Nicholas, challenging the stigma and shame that often keep families suffering in silence. From the nuances of 'prescriptive' grief to the systemic failures of big pharma and the rehab industry, we dive into what it truly means to lose a child while they are still here. This is a raw look at vulnerability and the power of turning pain into a purposeful legacy. 

What You'll Learn: 

• The reality of 'the family disease' and how to survive it
• Why current rehabilitation systems are failing opioid users
• The truth about Kratom and other dangerous 'herbal' gas station drugs
• How to navigate the complex emotions of relief and guilt after a long battle
• The biological link between mothers and children that transcends death. 

It is time to stop hiding and start healing together. #GriefJourney #AddictionAwareness #FentanylCrisis #MothersAdvocacy #TruthHeals

Katie Rizzo holds two masters: one from Yale University and another from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. For the last fifteen years, Katie Rizzo taught Anatomy and Biology at her local community college and public high school. Her short stories have been published in literary journals and in anthologies.

Her memoir, The Trimesters of Grief, will be released on October 6 by Koehler Books, with Blackstone Publishing handling audio licensing. None of Them Are You - A book of Poems is being published by Extra Extra Publishing on Dia de los Muertos, November 1st. 

https://katierizzo.com

https://www.facebook.com/rizzoboysandagirl/

https://www.instagram.com/katierizzo007/

http://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-rizzo-098978280

https://www.tiktok.com/@katie.rizzo007?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

This podcast dives deep into real, raw topics—think vulnerability, triggers, and childhood trauma. But just so we're super clear: I’m not a licensed therapist, mental health professional, or anything close. I’m just a human sharing stories, lessons, and life hacks based on personal experience and a whole lot of curiosity.

So, while you might find some golden nuggets here, this is not therapy and should never replace professional mental health care. If you or someone you love is going through it, please—seriously—reach out to a licensed therapist or healthcare provider. You deserve the real deal.

Need Help Now?
Here are a few amazing resources:

·         988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.): Call or text 988
·         NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or nami.org/help
·         Therapy Directory: psychologytoday.com
·         Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 

The opinions expressed on this show are ours and ours alone—no official organizations are responsible for what we say (or how much we overshare).

This show is proudly produced at PS Studios — learn more https://www.psstudios.co