HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY – July 15, 2026 – What’s striking about the eight people on this list isn’t just that they got sober. It’s how many of them, in telling that story, eventually arrive at the same word: faith. Not as a tidy ending or a PR-friendly pivot, but as the thing they found when they stopped numbing out and finally had to reckon with what was underneath. For some, that reckoning led straight to God. For others, the spiritual dimension is quieter — less theological, more like the slow discovery that honesty, community and surrender are doing…
Author: Leonard Buschel
BOOST THIS – Aug. 19, 2026 – Among the evidence previewed during opening statements was an analysis the states say used Meta’s own data to identify millions of underage users. According to the states, their expert is expected to testify that approximately 4.6 million children under 13 used Instagram and another 3.9 million used Facebook during the period examined. O’Neill also argued that Meta’s financial success depends heavily on capturing users’ time and attention because advertising accounts for much of the company’s revenue. The states contend that young users were especially valuable because attracting them early could potentially keep them…
AUDIO – HOLLYWOOD HIGH – Aug. 17, 2026 – The logline reads: “When a glamorous award show party spirals into overdose and betrayal, a single dose of Narcan can only save one life. As secrets unravel and guilt takes hold, a fractured family is forced to confront what, and who, led them here, and a mother is faced with a harsh reality.” The Call, started shooting in Los Angeles. EXCLUSIVE: Frances Fisher (Titanic), Ava Phillippe (Ransom Canyon), Jessica Belkin (Elle), Kai Caster (Yellowstone), Jasper Polish (Animal Kingdom), and Cara Santana Leto (The Neighborhood) have been cast to star in short…
“Being alive at all is the most extraordinary stroke of good luck any of us will ever experience.” – Alan Lightman
NOT EVEN A DAY? – Aug. 11, 2026 – A mother has avoided jail time in the fentanyl overdose death of her toddler daughter. Farrah Blair Bates, 25, has pleaded guilty to chemical endangerment of a child resulting in the death of 2-year-old Ariyah Crawford and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. As part of her plea, Bates’ manslaughter charge was dismissed. Under the plea agreement, Bates was sentenced to 15 years in prison with two years to actually serve in Jefferson County Community. Read More
As seen on The History Channel’s The UnXplained – Eternal – When Scarlett met David, he was on the brink of death. Dependent on a ventilator and in complete kidney failure, David had been in an unresponsive coma for weeks. Now, his family was summoned to say goodbye. Though the situation looked dire, Scarlett—a PhD student at a local university who happened to have a gift for energy healing. BUY BOOK
VIDEO – DR. YES – Aug. 14, 2026 – WEAR News reported Wednesday that 58-year-old Edward Scott Morrison of Pensacola Beach faces 41 counts in a federal indictment where he’s accused of illegally distributing controlled substances. A mugshot has not been released. The Department of Justice says this arrest was part of their national healthcare fraud takedown where 90 doctors across the country were arrested. “I think it’s despicable,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons says. “When you’re charged with the care of an individual, then you abuse that for your own good, then I think that is despicable.” WATCH
STARS SHINING BRIGHT – Aug. 9, 2026 – “Recovery is all about, you know, don’t leave before the miracle,” Sagal said. “What I was told when I got into recovery is that ‘you’re dreaming too small. Your life will be bigger and better than you can even imagine.’ The 72-year-old currently stars on Futurama. Actress Katey Sagal has a “pretty big” life these days. But that wasn’t always true before she got sober in 1986, just before she began her portrayal of Peg Bundy on Married… With Children. “everything I thought was important — to be a rock star, to…
VIDEO – THE HARLEM SHUFFLE – Aug. 7, 2026 – In a back room behind a colorful facade in northern Manhattan, drug users are smoking crack while nearby cubicles stand ready for heroin users to wrap tourniquets around their arms and inject themselves with new, sterilized needles. Supporters say the supervised drug-use sites reduce overdose deaths and street drug use and serve as a model for the rest of the country. But critics say the centers are magnets for hard drug users and dealers, leaving the local community feeling less safe. “It’s scary for the kids walking into school in…
LESS DRIVING? – Aug. 9, 2026 – As alcohol consumption continues to decrease, some states are raising a full and defiant glass in the face of sobriety. A recent poll from the World Population Review found that two small but mighty states take the lead for alcohol consumption. New Hampshire, which boasts the banner of “live free or die,” tops the list for going bottoms up with a per capita … However, Redditors note that the statistics are based on alcohol sales, and New Hampshire famously offers cheaper, tax-free booze, making it a destination for purchase from surrounding states like…
VIDEO – WHAT A WORLD – Aug. 7, 2026 – BISMARCK, N.D. Kratom users have now been forced to go cold turkey after a statewide ban. Many people use the substance to get off opioid addictions. However, those with local rehab facilities say users may be trading one vice for another. They advise users coming off of kratom not to do it alone.“Getting help is pivotal. Especially so that they’re not reaching out for other substances to try and overcome the withdrawal effects of this,” said Megan Frankl-Mann, the director of Hope Manor Sober Living Facilities. Frankl-Mann also said that…
WANTED OR NOT – Aug. 2, 2026 – “Sometimes people are not ready to stop yet, so if they are going to be using, we want them to be as safe as possible,” said Lora Nesting, peer recovery specialist. “Preventing an overdose can give someone the chance to seek recovery when they are ready.” Corey Coogan spent years trying to get sober. Then, she overdosed … “Narcan saved my life. I wouldn’t be here today without it.” Coogan completed the outpatient program at Indiana Center for Recovery in Terre Haute. Now she has nine months of continuous sobriety. She is…
SHAKE A LEG – Aug. 12, 2026 – Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026 Location: Griffith Park, 4669 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Route: Accessible, dog-friendly route with a water station. The Walk is one of six events taking place across the country as part of Shatterproof’s national effort to transform how addiction is prevented, treated, and understood in America. “Progress is possible, but too many families are still struggling to find the care and support they need,” said Pam Jenkins, CEO of Shatterproof. “The Walk brings communities together to honor those we’ve lost, celebrate recovery, and remind every…
VIDEO – SONGSTRESS OF THE WEEK – 2024 – This session features Alice Phoebe Lou. The session was shot on 16mm in a private home outside of Copenhagen. TRACK LIST 00:40 Open My Door 03:11 Touch 06:49 Silly. WATCH
STICK WITH THE WINNERS! – August 18, 2026 – Driven by growth and shaped by life’s deeper experiences, Roxy brings both professionalism and emotional intelligence into everything she does. Rooted in strong family values and a deep appreciation for connection, she’s developed a resilient, self-aware approach to both life and her career. Roxy values authenticity, leading with intention, and believes true success is measured not just by achievements, but by integrity, compassion, and the impact we leave on others. Q. If you are in recovery, what was your drug(s) of choice and when is your sobriety date?A. My drugs of…
GAGA KNOWS – Jan. 9, 2025 – These properties help lower the risk of stroke, improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and boost immune function. In fact, a 2022 study found that regular tea drinkers had a nine-13 percent lower risk of death over a decade compared to non-drinkers. So, what makes a simple cup of tea so powerful? Here’s what happens to your body when you drink it. Drinking tea can be an effective pick-me-up, thanks to its combination of caffeine and L-theanine, which improves alertness without the jitters associated with coffee, says Jennie Norton, a registered dietitian at…
B&W or COLOR? – Aug. 13, 2026 – Remember back in 2015 when everyone you knew suddenly owned a coloring book? It was a massive cultural moment, and these books that promised instant stress relief dominated bestseller lists. Fast-forward to today, and drawing is having a similar moment in the sun. Take a quick scroll through TikTok or Instagram, and you’ll find tons of videos under hashtags like “doodling,” “sensory drawing” and “art therapy.” This resurgence comes on the heels of social media’s current obsession with nervous system regulation, which refers to your body’s ability to respond to stress and…
REGURGITATION NATION – Aug. 11, 2026 – Some regular tokers are being hit with debilitating stomach pain, severe nausea and constant vomiting mixed with screaming — the nickname is “scromiting.” The scary symptoms are a result of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, a gut-wrenching disorder that triggers relentless nausea and abdominal pain — with vomiting or retching striking up to four or five times an hour. And those affected are showing up in emergency rooms more often — or, at least, they’re being identified more often. From January 2023 through September 2025, a CDC report found that the rate of ER visits…
EAT YOUR HEART OUT – Aug. 9, 2026 – Over the last 40 years, the United States has been exposed to something that our biology was never intended to handle. Energy-dense, highly palatable, rapidly absorbable, ultraprocessed foods that have altered our metabolism and have resulted in the greatest increase in chronic disease in our history. David Kessler was commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration during the 1990s when he helped expose how the tobacco companies manipulated nicotine levels to hook consumers. He was a driving force in bringing tobacco executives before Congress and turning public attention to the…
OH REALLY? – Aug. 3, 2026 – For decades, artificial sweeteners were marketed as the guilt-free alternative to natural sugar. However, they may carry a real cost for your long-term brain health. Those who consumed the highest amounts of low- and no-calorie sweeteners experienced faster declines in memory… and thinking than those who consumed the least. That gap was equivalent to about 1.6 years of brain aging. The impact was more pronounced in people under 60 and those with diabetes. The study followed 12,772 adults across Brazil, with an average age of 52, for about eight years, making it the…
VIDEO – He’s OK – Aug. 14, 2026 – A deputy wrote that they responded to the home after Hilton’s sister, Barbara, reported that he was inside with a knife cutting himself. The sister said Hilton, whose real name is Mario Lavandeira, had been suicidal the previous week and had been taken to a hospital for help, the report said. But on the day of the incident, Hilton’s sister said he had been “unusually quiet” and had locked the door to his bedroom, which was unusual, the report said. His sister said she became concerned when Hilton refused to come…
Those VEGANS LIVE LONGER??? – Aug. 5, 2026 – Protein has been a big focus in nutrition over the past few years. But new research suggests that people may be going overboard on the macronutrient—and scaling back could extend your life. The scientific review, which was published in the journal Cell Press, analyzed data from more than 350 studies on humans, mice, insects, yeast, and other organisms, and found several biological mechanisms that suggest cutting back on protein could improve a person’s health and lifespan. Among other things, a lower protein intake was linked to better metabolic function, nutrient signaling,…
By Katie MacBride – Aug. 16, 2026 – Initially, I was wary of commenting on the news. Brad Pitt’s sobriety is none of my business. But I’m also a sober journalist who writes a newsletter about addiction recovery; whether or not a person with a history of alcohol addiction can moderate their alcohol use after a period of sobriety is among the most frequent questions I receive. Given that Pitt has repeatedly spoken publicly about his struggles with alcohol and subsequent sobriety, discussing the latest development feels like fair game. The story also raises a second issue worth exploring: the redemptive recovery…
VERY SAD – Aug. 17, 2026 – New details have been revealed about the last moments of Hayden Panettiere’s life. According to dispatch audio obtained by PEOPLE, officials were heard discussing an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest” around the time of Panettiere’s death. “The preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances,” a spokesperson for the Greenville Police Department said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. “An acquaintance of Ms. Panettiere placed the 911 call.” Read More
VIDEO – Don’t Bogart That Joint My Friend – Aug. 10, 2026 – In 2025, 43.8 million Americans (ages 12 and up) used marijuana regularly, compared to 36.1 million Americans who smoked cigarettes, according to the 2025 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Marijuana use was highest among adults ages 18 to 25 (8.4 million people), while cigarette use was highest among adults 26 and up (32.2 million people). Smoking was the most common mode of marijuana use, followed by edibles, vaping, dabs, waxes and concentrates, the study found. In addition to cigarettes, 29.3 million Americans (ages 12 and…
VIDEO – Featured – Give a Life, Save a life. – Aug. 12, 2926 – Michael Jackson’s daughter appeared on Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” podcast in an episode published Wednesday … and she explained her new track “Sirens” is probably her most emotional — because it’s based on her friend overdosing on her drugs. Paris explains she had to keep her pal alive until paramedics arrived … and they later told her if she hadn’t acted as quickly as she did, he would either be brain dead or worse. She says she had some experience with performing first-aid measures…
VIDEO – HEROIN CO-STARS – Aug. 11, 2026 – Missy Mazzoli’s desire to compose an opera about the opioids epidemic was sparked by the deaths of two cousins. “One was in 2002 and the other passed away in 2009 and they were both 25,” she said. “One overdosed on OxyContin and the other one overdosed heroin after becoming addicted to heroin via OxyContin.” Using a carnival merry-go-round as an allegory, “The Galloping Cure” opened Sunday at the Edinburgh International Festival, a haunting portrayal of the drug’s destructive power that is among the most impactful of contemporary operas. Mazzoli and librettist…
“Talent hits a target no one else can hit. Genius hits a target no one else can see.” – German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860)
ON SECOND THOUGHT… – Aug. 12, 2026 – Experts are weighing in on Brad Pitt’s bombshell revelation that he’s hopped off the proverbial wagon after seven years of sobriety, noting that while some people who quit drinking alcohol can resume, success is not a given. Joe Schrank told The Hollywood Reporter. “Typically speaking, alcoholics are just a horrible source of information about themselves.” However, it has been known to happen, Schrank said, noting that the World Health Organization has found cases in which “with moderate drinking, even after long periods of abstinence, there are lots of people who find success…
AUDIO – MIND OVER MATTER – July 31, 2026 – Patients being treated for addiction routinely experience a reduction in substance cravings simply from taking an inactive dummy pill, particularly those dealing with alcohol dependence. These findings suggest that the medical community might be able to harness a patient’s expectations to improve treatment outcomes. A placebo is a biologically inactive substance, such as a sugar pill, that is used in medical experiments to simulate an actual drug. Doctors use these inert pills to establish an essential baseline of comparison. By giving one patient group a real medicine and another group…