WHY ARE PEOPLE TURNING AWAY? – Jan. 2026 – That the U.S. is losing its taste for the hard stuff. In a recent Gallup survey, 54% of American adults said they consumed alcohol, the lowest level since the pollster began tracking drinking behavior in 1939. Why are people turning away? It’s partly an aftershock of the Covid era. The stress, isolation, and boredom of the pandemic led Americans to ramp up their drinking, especially at home. Beer, wine, and liquor store sales spiked by about $42 billion from March to September 2020—a 20% increase over the same period in 2019.…
Author: Leonard Buschel
VIDEO – MUSICAL INTERLUDE – 2026 Song Of The Year – At the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, “Wildflower” won Song of the Year, setting a record for Eilish and her brother, Finneas, for most wins in the category. Read More
STICK WITH THE WINNERS! – Feb. 3, 2026 – David Marciano (66) was born and raised in Newark, N.J. Attended Seton Hall Prep and Essex Catholic. Graduated from Northeastern University in Boston. Worked in the Entertainment Business for 40 years. Is now retired living on a small pension and social security in the quiet town of Jupiter, Florida. He loves cheffing, playing pickleball, and napping. Q. If you are in recovery, what was your drug(s) of choice and when is your sobriety date?A. My drugs of choice were anything that would alter my unbearable state of consciousness.I preferred barbiturates and…
NO MEMORY NO SHAME – Jan. 18, 2026 – Glaser opened up about her drinking problem … “Alcohol was like – I was gonna get a DUI, which was gonna financially destroy me and potentially basically destroy me or others,” she said during an interview with Graham Bensinger. “Like it was just, my relationships were based on drinking.” “It was the only way I could have sex because I was scared of sex,” Glaser continued. “So, I would get blackout drunk. I would hook up with people. And then the second I would have to have sober sex because, God…
WHAT A LIFE – Jan. 13, 2026 – Success often comes with its own unique challenges, forcing us to confront aspects of our inner personalities that threaten to spiral out of control, be it addiction struggles, ailing mental health or any other issue that puts our very lives in jeopardy. Few individuals have such a nuanced understanding of addiction and the path to sobriety as Darryl “DMC” McDaniels… While the 61-year-old musician has earned his fair share of critical accolades – including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and an induction into the legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame –…
WRESTLING – Jan. 19, 2026 – Former WCW star Buff Bagwell has opened up about the depths of his addiction, revealing he spent two decades under constant sedation before finally getting clean…In an interview on Insight with Chris Van Vliet filmed at DDP’s Yoga Performance Center in Atlanta, Bagwell disclosed shocking details about his substance abuse …The five-time WCW Tag Team Champion explained that his bodybuilding discipline ironically made him an efficient addict, organizing his substance use with the same precision he applied to his physique. A bodybuilder makes a really good drug addict or a really bad one, however…
GOOD GRUB – Jan. 18, 2026 – For each day of January, the celebrity chef and TV personality is speaking on the positive impact that going sober and alcohol-free has had on his life through a video series on his Instagram. “The question really became: What did alcohol promise me, and when did I first notice that it stopped delivering on that promise?” Zimmern shares. He explains that alcohol once gave him an “out,” especially when relaxing after a long day. “It stopped delivering on that promise within a few months of regular overuse. I didn’t quit drinking and drugging…
IT’S BIG – Jan. 17, 2026 – Conducted as part of the Review of the Medically Supervised Injecting Room Trial, this study identified high rates of complex trauma that can create barriers to treatment among people who use supervised injecting facilities. “We already know that high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among people who inject drugs can adversely affect health outcomes and create barriers to engaging with services,” explains the study’s lead author. “People who use drugs often have nowhere else to turn. They face stigma, discrimination, and exclusion from traditional healthcare settings,” she adds. Supervised injection facilities are…
DIVINE INTERVENTION – Jan. 17, 2026 – Jan. 24 marked 55 years since the death of Bill Wilson, who co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous along with Bob Smith. AA is firmly established in the culture’s imagination, particularly in the Anglosphere. But less well-known is the role the Catholic Church played in the development of the fellowship, and, in turn, how AA influences the faith of many Catholics today. Accurate membership figures are hard to come by, given the fellowship’s guiding principle of anonymity. But there are more than 123,000 AA meetings in approximately 180 countries, with literature translated into more than 100…
Call Center for Homeless Veterans 877-424-3838 – Jan. 14, 2026 – Veteran Esther Frias grew up in Los Angeles after her parents immigrated from Mexico. She remembers watching news coverage of the 1992 Los Angeles riots with her father. “He would always say, ‘I can’t wait for my kids to be in the military and serve this great country,’” she recalled. That early message stayed with her. After the Sept. 11 attacks, Frias felt compelled to serve and just months after giving birth to her first son, she headed to Navy boot camp. From 2009-2011, Frias was stationed overseas, leaving…
MOVIE STAR – Jan. 19, 2026 – The Testament of Ann Lee actress recently opened up about her struggles with the condition during an interview with Vogue, sharing that she was formally diagnosed with “really extreme” obsessive-compulsive disorder when she was just 19. By that point, Seyfried had enjoyed her breakthrough as Karen Smith in the iconic 2004 comedy Mean Girls, and her schedule got busier, including a recurring role as Lilly Kane on Veronica Mars and a main role in Big Love, the Bill Paxton-fronted drama about a fundamentalist Mormon household in contemporary Utah. “I was living in Marina…
STUDY IS SEXIST? – Jan. 19, 2026 – We now have the research to confirm that sobriety isn’t just transforming your tipple of choice, but your thirst for life. According to the government’s latest Health Survey for England, almost a quarter of women have embraced the ‘sober curious’ lifestyle – a name borrowed from Ruby Warrington’s trend-starting 2018 book and accelerated by the pandemic’s spike in health awareness. Today, the pub feels very Boomer compared with holistic social spaces – such as group cold plunges and booze-free raves – all of which have bubbled no- and low-alcohol options into an…
AUDIO – BY BEING FAMOUS? – Jan. 20, 2026 – After approaching nearly $10 million in sales during its first year on shelves, Bero, the non-alcoholic beer brand co-founded by actor Tom Holland, will cap off its second Dry January with new investor backing. The startup secured a strategic investment from BetterCo Holdings, a portfolio company of the New York City-based private equity firm Paine Schwartz Partners, which launched it last November to back high-growth companies in the healthy food and beverage space. As part of the round, existing investor Imaginary Ventures also doubled down on its investment. Bero did…
ALWAYS SAD – Jan. 15, 2026 – Screen legend Carol Burnett reflected on her career — and even shared some details about her personal life — more than seven decades after getting her start in Hollywood. Burnett, 92, went from dreams of becoming a journalist to taking on Broadway before she became a sitcom star. However, rejection was one thing she never took personally. “I can’t remember what I was auditioning for. Might have been a commercial or something. … I was just starting out, and it was kind of narrowed down to between me and another girl. I thought…
“I believe we are here on the planet Earth to live, grow up and do what we can to make this world a better place for all people to enjoy freedom.” – Rosa Parks, B. Feb.4, 1913 – Oct. 24, 2005 (age 92)
VIDEO – BOOTS NOT REQUIRED – Jan. 15, 2026 – January can be a powerful time to reflect on how drinking fits into your life. For country fans, that reflection hits even deeper. This genre has always told the truth about the hard stuff — heartbreak, healing, and, yes, the bottle. Start by identifying why you want to cut back or quit — whether it’s to improve sleep, gain more energy, clear your head, or simply feel better day-to-day. Once you have your “why,” set clear, realistic goals and track your progress. Try to avoid situations or places that might…
AUDIO – HOT and SOBER – Jan. 15, 2026 – As Nick Carpenter looked back on the biggest year yet for his solo music project Medium Build, he also admits that, before 2025 concluded, he had “hit this giant spiritual wall.” Carpenter, 34, had been on a three-year hot streak: after years of refining his sound and grinding out gigs, a deal with Island/Slowplay in 2023 had yielded a major-label debut, prime festival gigs (including at Coachella). “From 2023 to 2025, we were just saying yes to everything,” he tells Billboard. “It doesn’t feel too long ago that I was…
AUDIO – MUSIC MATTERS – Jan. 12, 2026 – Journalist Sam Quinones, who chronicled the drug epidemic in his books Dreamland and The Least of Us decided to take a detour in his latest book, and he found it in the tuba section and in marching band. This is a subject sure to resonate in Columbus, which is home of The Best Damn Band In the Land. He joins us this hour to talk about The Perfect Tuba: Forging Fulfillment from the Bass Horn, Band, and Hard Work. See Website
VIDEO – ALWAYS A CHALLENGE – Jan. 13, 2026 – It might be hard to believe after a visit to Lower Broadway, but fewer people are drinking these days – at least that’s what folks are telling pollsters. According to Gallup, people say they are abstaining from alcohol more now than in the past 85 years. See Website
ALWAYS LATE – Jan. 13, 2026 – In a world full of temptations, it’s possible for a person to become addicted to just about anything. And while it’s not always obvious, there are often warning signs that suggest there’s a problem. These tend to fall into three broad categories: physical signs, behavioral indicators and relationship and social signs. A sudden noticeable deterioration of physical appearance or hygiene can be a red flag that something’s going on, says David Campbell, a doctor of social work, licensed psychotherapist and clinical and program director of Recover Together Bend, a drug and alcohol treatment…
VIDEO – READ AND WATCH (in English) – Jan. 12, 2026 – Yoga could cut opioid withdrawal recovery time by over four times, turning agony into manageable relief. A groundbreaking randomized clinical trial from researchers at India’s NIMHANS and Harvard Medical School, published in JAMA Psychiatry, proves that adding yoga to standard drug treatment dramatically speeds healing while easing anxiety, pain, and sleep problems. See Website
AS BAD AS COKE – Jan. 14, 2026 – Low tax rates in most countries have made sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages cheaper, fueling obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancers, and injuries, especially among children, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported. WHO called on governments to significantly strengthen “health taxes” on sugary drinks and alcoholic beverages for promoting health and preventing disease. “By increasing taxes on products like tobacco, sugary drinks, and alcohol, governments can reduce harmful consumption and unlock funds for vital health services,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. According to the WHO, at least 116 countries tax sugary…
ONE GUMMY AT A TIME? – Jan. 13, 2026 – By Susan Shapiro – Guest contributor – Some people have luck cutting down slowly. Since smoking the drug is the most toxic, according to Harvard Medical School, experts recommend switching to edibles, capsules, transdermal patches infused with cannabinoids, or a dry herb vaporizer to slow or moderate your usage and at least protect your lungs … Talk with an addiction specialist: Because many addicts depend on substances like others rely on people, one-to-one help on a regular basis with an experienced expert can help. Ask a psychiatric provider to prescribe…
INNOCENTS BEHIND BARS – Jan. 13, 2026 – In this episode we hear the stories of people incarcerated with substance use disorder. An estimated 65% of the US prison population has a substance addiction, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. And on any given day 366,000 people are jailed for a drug offense. Nearly 60% of them for a non violent drug offense. And the vast majority of people incarcerated for drug offenses are black and brown: 53% are Black, 23% Brown. Many also have a serious mental illness who are self medicating with drugs and alcohol. This…
NEW EPISODE – Jan. 2026 – In the early 1990s, I was a “lonesome licensed therapist cowboy” from South Florida, driven by a simple mission: to help people heal. I never expected that mission would lead me onto the stage of The Geraldo Rivera Show, and eventually, into the heart of one of the most exploitative industries in the world—Talk Television. For two decades, I lived in a paradox. I was a clinician operating inside a traumatic warzone, “dancing with the devil” to reach an audience of millions. People gathered around their television sets daily to watch a spectacle of…
AUDIO – NOT ALL BARS ARE BAD – Jan. 16, 2026 – Spencer’s patient at the clinic that day in August was a woman who asked that NPR use only her first initial, H., because she criticized the Alaska Department of Corrections and she was afraid of retaliation from staff in jail. She said she was expecting to be incarcerated for about 6 months … At the Ninilchik Community Clinic on Alaska’s rural Kenai peninsula this summer, Dr. Sarah Spencer stood next to a patient lying on an exam table, and swiped her belly with alcohol. The patient was there…
VIDEO – ALL HEROES – Jan. 17, 2026 – (Brent Nowak, a representative from Shine A Light) Eighty individuals celebrated a significant milestone in Las Vegas as they graduated from the Shine A Light organization’s 18-month IPATH program, designed to help those facing homelessness and addiction rebuild their lives. Calane Brandon, a mother and member of the Las Vegas indigenous community, shared her journey from homelessness and addiction to becoming a house manager and sponsor for others at Shine A Light.”I didn’t think I would be here, to be honest,” she said. Brandon recalled her time living in Topanga Park,…
TRY ANYTHING! – Jan. 16, 2026 – Voters authorized the program with 2024’s Proposition F, which required adult welfare recipients struggling with addiction to complete a free drug treatment program or risk losing their cash benefits. The measure was proposed by then-Mayor London Breed to stem a perceived tide of “drug tourists” coming to the city to buy drugs and receiving cash aid. The program provided 358 people with treatment plans last year, according to city records. By Dec. 31, 100 of those people had lost their welfare benefits for “not complying” with treatment. That’s a nearly five-fold increase from…
MUST WATCH TV – NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ABC Network premieres the highly anticipated three-part Prime Time series, “Dirty Talk.” At the center of this exposé is Dr. Jamie Huysman, a licensed therapist who spent two decades as the “lonesome cowboy” clinician inside the volatile world of Talk Television. Dr. Huysman is now calling on news journalists, podcasters, and influencers to join a critical conversation about the legacy of “STARs”—Survivors of Toxic Abusive Relationships—and the predatory industry that turned human suffering into a global spectacle. In “Dirty Talk,” Dr. Huysman reflects on his 20-year journey navigating a…
VIDEO – MUSICAL INTERLUDE – 9,745,222 views since Oct 16, 2025 – See this is why I like Charlie…no vulgar words or raunchy mindless beats…just innocent songs that we can vibe to anywhere. this song makes me so happy, dont know why. Sounds a bit old school and so light. I feel like he took something from every late 80s to early 90s music video and incorporated it in this video somehow. See Website