In this episode of The NOCE Dose, we are joined by Amy Thatcher, a speech-language pathologist and neonatal feeding specialist with over fifteen years of experience supporting medically fragile and opioid-exposed infants. Together, we explore what truly family-centered care looks like in the NICU—from dismantling stigma and clinical bias to building trust with birthing parents and extended families. Amy shares why “meeting people where they are” is not enough if judgment remains in the room, and how small, intentional practices—calling babies by name, modeling caregiving, and inviting families into the healing process—can radically improve outcomes for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).

The conversation also dives into the long-term developmental implications of early opioid exposure, including feeding, oral-motor development, communication milestones, and theory of mind. We discuss the impact of the Eat, Sleep, Console model, the importance of early intervention services, and how awe, transparency, and compassionate education can quiet shame and empower caregivers. This episode is a powerful reminder that healing begins not only with clinical tools, but with humanity, trust, and the courage to break silence—one baby, one family, and one conversation at a time.

In this compelling episode, host Bianca D. McCall reconnects with Dr. Annie Lindsay to dive deeper into the gendered realities of opioid and stimulant use among women. Dr. Lindsay breaks down why women of reproductive age are one of the fastest-growing groups affected by substance use, highlighting the overlooked role of methamphetamine, the weight of trauma, and the profound impact of limited social and human capital. Together, they explore how biology, caregiving demands, body image pressures, and generational patterns shape women’s experiences with use, recovery, and the healthcare systems meant to support them.
The conversation also shines a light on the critical—and often ignored—role of nutrition in early recovery. Dr. Lindsay explains how cravings, emotional eating, blood sugar instability, and nutrient deficiencies interact with anxiety, depression, and relapse risk. She offers practical pathways for integrating nutrition, supplementation, and family-based education into treatment, showing how these approaches can stabilize the brain, support healing, and help families “sidestep” harmful generational cycles. This episode is essential listening for providers, advocates, and anyone seeking a more complete picture of women’s recovery journeys.

In this episode of The NOCE Dose, host Bianca D. McCall, LMFT welcomes Dr. Eboni January—physician, author, and advocate—for a transformative discussion on empathy, maternal health, and the human side of medicine. Together, they examine how opioid use disorder impacts mothers and families, challenging traditional systems that punish rather than support.

Dr. January shares her experiences as both a provider and a mother, emphasizing that true healing begins with compassion—for patients and practitioners alike. This conversation explores the power of education, cultural competence, and self-care in reshaping healthcare systems, inspiring doctors and communities to lead with care, not cuffs.

This second Listening Session continues our exploration of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in special populations, shifting the lens to the full lifespan. Building upon Part 1's focus on youth and Tribal communities, Part 2 will examine the intergenerational and biological effects of opioid exposure from the womb through later life stages. Panelists will include a speech-language pathologist and lactation consultant working with opioid-exposed infants in neonatal care, a nutritionist exploring how OUD affects metabolism and nourishment, a biomedical engineer sharing technological approaches for assessing long-term developmental impact, and a gerontological expert addressing OUD in older adults.

In this episode of The NOCE Dose, host Bianca D. McCall, LMFT sits down with Dr. Tara C. Raines, Ph.D., N.C.S.P., a passionate advocate for youth mental health and community empowerment. Together, they explore how the opioid crisis impacts children, families, and educators—and how compassion, advocacy, and education can inspire systemic change. Dr. Raines shares insights on the importance of understanding the “why” behind student behaviors, the power of lived experience in shaping interventions, and the role of legislative wins in expanding access to mental health services. This heartfelt conversation emphasizes that healing begins in community—through empathy, collaboration, and the courage to take action for the next generation.

In this episode of The NOCE Dose, host Bianca D. McCall sits down with Ryan Mills, a former professional BMX rider whose story embodies both the pain and the promise of recovery. Ryan opens up about his battle with opioid use disorder, exploring how the intense pressure to perform can lead youth and high-achieving athletes down a dangerous path. Together, Bianca and Ryan unpack the importance of holistic pain management, peer support, and the power of lived experience in recovery.

The conversation challenges traditional ideas of accountability, calling for more compassionate and flexible recovery programs that honor the complexities of addiction and identity rebuilding. Ryan’s reflections offer a message of hope—that even after deep struggle, a renewed sense of purpose and community can emerge.

Moderator: Bianca D. McCall, LMFT
Panelists: Dr. Tara C. Raines, Ph.D., N.C.S.P | Dr. Crystal Lee (Diné) | Ryan Mills

In this episode, host Bianca D. McCall, LMFT leads an insightful discussion on how opioid use disorder impacts diverse and often underserved populations. Drawing on years of clinical practice, research, and lived experience, the panel explores prevention, recovery, and culturally responsive approaches to behavioral health.

Bianca D. McCall, LMFT is a retired professional women’s basketball player turned international TED speaker and mental health innovator. With over 25 years in behavioral health and 12 as a healthcare CEO, she has pioneered digital health tools aimed at improving emotional well-being and preventing psychological injury. Bianca represents Nevada on national suicide prevention committees through SAMHSA and the U.S. Department of Public Health. As a clinical instructor and curriculum developer with CASAT at the University of Nevada, Reno, she brings both expertise and compassion to her leadership in this discussion.

Dr. Tara C. Raines, Ph.D., N.C.S.P serves as the Deputy Director of the Children’s Advocacy Alliance of Nevada. A nationally recognized school psychologist and researcher, Dr. Raines focuses on early identification of emotional and behavioral risks in youth and addresses the systemic inequities that drive many toward the juvenile justice system. Her work promotes healing-centered, culturally responsive care and bilingual workforce development in mental health and education. With experience at the University of Denver and UNLV, Dr. Raines brings evidence-based insight to the conversation on trauma and intergenerational effects of the opioid crisis.

Dr. Crystal Lee (Diné) is an Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico College of Population Health and Founder/CEO of United Natives, a national nonprofit delivering free telehealth mental health services to Indigenous communities. Her research and advocacy span infectious disease prevention, Indigenous health policy, and global representation for Native peoples. She has served on multiple United Nations Indigenous caucuses, advised the Obama Administration, and been honored by President Bill Clinton for her leadership. A trailblazer in business and health equity, Dr. Lee’s work bridges culture, policy, and technology to uplift Indigenous wellness.

Ryan Mills is a former professional BMX rider whose path to recovery after a decade-long struggle with heroin addiction has become a story of hope and resilience. After completing a drug court program, Ryan rebuilt his life, reconnecting with family, community, and his passion for BMX. Now a Health Resource Analyst III and Program Specialist with Nevada’s Division of Public and Behavioral Health, he uses his experience to advocate for others navigating addiction and recovery. Ryan’s journey reminds listeners that transformation is possible through support, purpose, and persistence.

Together, this panel dives deep into how opioid use disorder intersects with culture, identity, access, and recovery. From research and policy to personal narrative, this episode offers a powerful look at healing and innovation across communities.

In season 2 of the NOCE Dose we examine how Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) impacts specific population groups that experience distinctive health vulnerabilities, including youth, older adults, individuals with disabilities and neurodivergence, birthing women and Tribal Nations. Anchored in evidence-based frameworks for trauma-informed care, developmental risk, and structural competency, the season prioritizes the integration of firsthand narratives with the data on service gaps. Listeners will engage in structured dialogue to better understand how variations in age, ability, neurodevelopment, and community context influence OUD risk trajectories and access to care. This season supports a broader objective of informing service models that are integrity-based, developmentally appropriate, and community-informed, consistent with national public health guidance for behavioral health fairness.