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In this episode, Dan Hearn and Donna Gilchrist sit down to deliver a raw, no-holds-barred rant about the systemic failures and hypocrisies surrounding addiction treatment, harm reduction, and the criminalization of substance use. With decades of combined lived and professional experience, they dive into the complexities of trauma, abstinence-only models, and the urgent need for policy reform that centers compassion over punishment. This conversation challenges the status quo and dares listeners to reimagine a world where people who use drugs are treated with dignity and humanity.

Key Learning Points:

👉The flaws in abstinence-only recovery models and how they alienate people who use substances

👉The importance of compassion, dignity, and trauma-informed care in addiction services

👉The role of privilege in access to recovery and healthcare

👉How moralism and politics influence public perception and treatment of addiction

👉The criminalization of drug use and its devastating impact on families and communities

👉Why systems need to stop prioritizing compliance over connection

Support the show
✅ Buy us a coffee! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hardknoxtalks
✅ Need HKT Merch? https://www.hardknoxtalks.com/hard-knox-talks-swag
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Relevant links:
Drug Data Decoded Article

"Alberta to eliminate due process for people who use drugs"


CBC Saskatchewan YouTube Release with Dayne Patterson and Sargent Chris Harris

Take a walk with a veteran Saskatoon police officer on the front-line of the drug crisis



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🎙️ Subscribe to Hard Knox Talks for real conversations around mental health, substance use, recovery, harm reduction, and lived experience:
https://www.youtube.com/@hardknoxtalks
================================
✅ Stay Connected With Us:
👉 Facebook
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👉 Linktree

📩 For Business & Speaking Inquiries: daniel@hardknoxtalks.com

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🎧 About Hard Knox Talks:
Hard Knox Talks is a space for candid, unfiltered conversations about substance use, harm reduction, mental health, and recovery. Hosted by Daniel Hearn—a person in recovery himself—and occasional co-host, Donna Gilchrist, this podcast brings you powerful voices from the front lines of lived experience, advocacy, and community transformation.

Hit that 🔔 subscribe button and never miss a story that just might change a life.

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Hashtags:
#HardKnoxTalks #HarmReduction #AddictionR

Support the show

We've got fresh merch and it's amazing! Pick yours up HERE

Are you getting something from our content? Tap here and buy us a coffee to say thanks and help us keep this train on the tracks!

Check us out on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@hardknoxtalks

Want to listen to our episodes uncensored? Become a channel member here!

Send us a text

In this episode of Hard Knox Talks, host Daniel Hearn sits down with Chris Cavallo—father, husband, and recovery advocate—who has transformed a life once ruled by addiction and trauma from sexual abuse, into one of hope, healing, and service.

Chris shares his gripping story of resilience, from early struggles with sexual abuse and years lost in the grip of substance use to the profound shift that helped him reclaim his life. Now a passionate community leader and founder of The Robin Foundation, Chris is dedicated to helping others rise from the ashes and find their own path to recovery.

#AddictionRecovery #RecoveryIsPossible #MentalHealthAwareness #HarmReduction #OneDayAtATime #HealingJourney #HardKnoxTalks #Transformation #Inspiration #LifeAfterAddiction #TraumaRecovery #communitysupport
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Reach out the the Robin Foundation

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Support the channel
✅ Buy us a coffee!

✅ Need HKT Merch?

✅ Check out EHN Canada

✅ Bunny Hugs and Mental Health

✅ Wellness News

Subscribe to Hard Knox Talks for real conversations around mental health, substance use, recovery, harm reduction, and lived experience:
https://www.youtube.com/@hardknoxtalks

✅ Stay Connected With Us:
👉 Facebook
👉 Instagram
👉 TikTok
👉 Linktree

📩 For Business & Speaking Inquiries: daniel@hardknoxtalks.com

=================================

🎧 About Hard Knox Talks:
Hard Knox Talks is a space for candid, unfiltered conversations about substance use, harm reduction, mental health, and recovery. Hosted by Daniel Hearn—a person in recovery himself—and occasional co-host, Donna Gilchrist, this podcast brings you powerful voices from the front lines of lived experience, advocacy, and community transformation.

Support the show

We've got fresh merch and it's amazing! Pick yours up HERE

Are you getting something from our content? Tap here and buy us a coffee to say thanks and help us keep this train on the tracks!

Check us out on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@hardknoxtalks

Want to listen to our episodes uncensored? Become a channel member here!

Send us a text

Katrina Foss shares her unfiltered story of survival, addiction, and trauma. From childhood trauma and domestic violence to drug induced psychosis and living on the streets of Florida's notorious Overtown, Katrina found herself dying in the hospital, and that didn't even stop her.

Now in recovery, Katrina opens up about the path she walked—from self-harm, group homes, prostitution, and homelessness to healing, motherhood, and finding strength through spirituality and 12-step recovery. Her story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of second chances.

🎯 In this episode, we explore:

💥Surviving bath salts-induced psychosis
💥Growing up in the foster care system
💥The impact of domestic violence and self-harm
💥Navigating group homes and homelessness
💥Life on the streets in Portland and Miami
💥DEA involvement and near-death medical complications
💥Recovery through detox, sober living, therapy, and the 12 steps
💥Faith, spirituality, and rediscovering purpose
💥Becoming a mother and building a new life
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📢 Support the show:
✅ Buy us a coffee!

✅ Need HKT Merch?

✅ Check out EHN Canada

✅ Bunny Hugs and Mental Health

✅ Wellness News

📬 Want to get in touch? daniel@hardknoxtalks.com
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🎥 Featuring guest: Katrina Foss

🔗 Check out Katrina's YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@Katrina.Recovery

📣 Special thanks to Eric from The Other Side YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/@otherside305

Support the show

We've got fresh merch and it's amazing! Pick yours up HERE

Are you getting something from our content? Tap here and buy us a coffee to say thanks and help us keep this train on the tracks!

Check us out on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@hardknoxtalks

Want to listen to our episodes uncensored? Become a channel member here!