Can the endocannabinoid system (ECS) help reshape the future of pain treatment and addiction recovery?

In this episode of Recovery Discovery, DeAnn and Craig explore the science behind the body’s endocannabinoid system, a powerful biological network responsible for maintaining balance, pain regulation, inflammation control, and emotional wellbeing.

Their guest, Caitlin Krebs, co-founder and CEO of Nalu Bio, explains how researchers are using artificial intelligence and advanced drug discovery technology to design non-addictive cannabinoid-based medicines that target the ECS without intoxication or dependency.

The conversation explores how AI-engineered compounds could potentially provide pain relief comparable to opioids without the addiction risk, opening new possibilities for people in recovery who often struggle with limited medical options for pain management.

If you have questions or comments or would like to be a guest on the Recovery Discovery Podcast, send an email to:
info@showupandstay.org

More information about our project is available at:
https://www.showupandstay.org/
https://www.soberpositiveworkplace.org/

For podcast updates, follow us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/showupandstayorg/

Music and Audio Production by Katie Hare.
https://www.hare.works

In this episode, hosts DeAnn Knighton and Craig Knighton sit down with James Piacentino co-founder and CEO of Thrive Genetics, to explore how science, genetics, and behavior intersect in addiction risk and prevention. James shares his personal lived experience with intergenerational addiction alongside decades of research and innovation that led to the creation of the Comprehensive Addiction Risk Evaluation System (CARES).

The conversation breaks down how addiction risk is not determined by a single gene, but by a complex interaction between genetic predisposition, behavioral patterns, and environmental factors. James explains how CARES combines genome-wide analysis with a sophisticated behavioral questionnaire to create a more complete, clinically meaningful addiction risk profile.

Together, the hosts and guest discuss real-world applications of addiction risk testing—particularly in medical settings where opioid prescriptions, pain management, and surgery can unintentionally trigger substance use disorder. The episode also explores ethical considerations, trauma-informed prevention, intergenerational healing, and how early knowledge can empower individuals, families, and healthcare providers to make safer, more informed decisions.

This episode offers a hopeful, evidence-based look at how addiction science and responsible innovation can help reduce harm, close gaps in care, and reshape the future of addiction prevention and recovery.

If you have questions or comments or would like to be a guest on the Recovery Discovery Podcast, send an email to:
info@showupandstay.org

More information about our project is available at:
https://www.showupandstay.org/
https://www.soberpositiveworkplace.org/

For podcast updates, follow us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/showupandstayorg/

Music and Audio Production by Katie Hare.
https://www.hare.works

Understanding the Real Risks of Alcohol, THC, and Gas-Station Drugs

In this episode of Show Up and Stay: Recovery Discovery, hosts DeAnn Knighton and Craig Knighton sit down with Dr. Aaron Weiner — board-certified psychologist and Executive Vice President at the Prevention Research Institute — to unpack a truth many people still don’t realize: just because a substance is legal doesn’t mean it’s safe.

Dr. Weiner breaks down how alcohol, high-potency THC, nicotine, kratom, and even so-called “gas-station drugs” interact with the brain and body. Through science, compassion, and real-world experience, he explains why legality, availability, and marketing often distort public perception — especially for young people and those in recovery.

Listeners will learn:

• Why alcohol remains one of the most harmful substances sold over the counter
• How modern THC potency is 6–10x higher than in past decades
• Why daily THC use among young adults has now surpassed alcohol
• The rise of unregulated “legal highs” and why some are actually opioids in disguise
• Why addiction is biology, not moral failure
• How policy, profit, and public health collide in ways the public rarely sees
• What truly supports recovery — and why swapping substances doesn’t work

This conversation offers clarity instead of judgment, science instead of fear, and hope instead of stigma. Whether you're in recovery, supporting someone who is, or just trying to navigate a world full of mixed messages, this episode gives you what most people never get: the facts.

If you have questions or comments or would like to be a guest on the Recovery Discovery Podcast, send an email to:
info@showupandstay.org

More information about our project is available at:
https://www.showupandstay.org/
https://www.soberpositiveworkplace.org/

For podcast updates, follow us on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/showupandstayorg/

Music and Audio Production by Katie Hare.
https://www.hare.works