“What happens when you have a nurse and robot dispensing medication?” Sam Wilson of Opio Connect discusses how technology is transforming opioid treatment programs and methadone access. Sam shares her work with Opio’s Zing and Zing Satellite systems—innovations designed to expand access to methadone, reduce clinic bottlenecks, and free up nurses to focus more on patient care. Listen to the challenges of adopting new solutions in the industry, the impact on patient experience, and why empowering frontline staff is key to better outcomes in addiction treatment.

About the Guest:

Sam Wilson (COO) Health tech strategy and ops expert. Co-founded Confidant Health, multi-state behavioral health practice and built ATLAS, the nation's first quality measurement system for addiction treatment facilities.

Links:

https://opioconnect.com/about/

https://vimeo.com/1135178951?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail talkingaddictionandrecovery@gmail.com

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

Joining alongside one another in recovery is challenging - especially without giving a guide map for how this looks or works. Lisa Katona Smith, author of Parallel Recovery and TEDx speaker, discusses the essential—but often overlooked—role families play in the recovery process. Lisa shares insights from her work and writing, challenging the traditional labels of “enabling” or “codependent” and instead offering a compassionate, empowerment-focused approach. She explains how families can stay engaged in healthier ways, use tools like genograms to understand their patterns, and embrace harm-reduction strategies that support both their loved ones and themselves.

About the Guest:

Lisa Katona Smith, M.Ed., is the founder of Parallel Recovery® and a nationally recognized voice in the evolving landscape of family recovery. A certified Peer Recovery Specialist, TEDx speaker, and author of the forthcoming book Parallel Recovery: A Guide for Those Who Love Someone Struggling with Substance Use Disorder, Lisa brings over 20 years of experience as a master-level educator, combined with personal lived experience navigating a loved one’s addiction.

Motivated by the limitations of traditional support models, Lisa developed the Parallel Recovery® framework—a structured, compassionate process that helps families step into healing, reclaim influence, and rebuild connection in the face of substance use and mental health challenges. Her work is grounded in the belief that recovery is not a solo act, and families don’t need to wait on the sidelines. Through education, coaching, curriculum development, and professional training, she empowers families and clinical teams alike to move beyond survival toward sustainable change.

Lisa collaborates nationally with treatment centers, care teams, and professional partners to deliver evidence-informed care, family systems consulting, and high-acuity case support. Known for her clarity, emotional depth, and strategic insight, she speaks regularly on transforming the family’s role in recovery—bringing voice to the untold side of the story.

Links:

https://lisakatonasmith.com/bio/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAguAjVzE7o

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail talkingaddictionandrecovery@gmail.com

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.

How are sports changing? Neil Schwartz, President of SBRNET, provides a deep dive into how sports fandom has evolved—especially since the pandemic. We explore major shifts in fan behavior, including the rapid growth of streaming, the rising cost of live events, changes in athlete-fan interactions, and how sports continue to serve as a vital source of community and entertainment. Neil also discusses the expanding world of sports betting, sharing insights from national data on how gambling influences fan engagement, spending, and team loyalty. Together, we examine the growing risks for youth, the impact of mobile betting, and why the industry needs stronger guardrails to protect young fans and maintain the integrity of sports.

About the Guest:

Neil Schwartz, President of SBRnet, Inc., has over twenty-five years of marketing and consumer research experience focused entirely on sports, fitness, and active lifestyle categories. Neil is regarded as an expert in the trends affecting sports fans across both team and individual sports. He leverages his extensive knowledge and experience in data analytics to generate insights and craft stories that industry leaders need to make informed decisions. SBRnet and the Sports Market Analytics Platform provide a comprehensive online platform covering nationwide sports business, sports marketing, and sports marketing analytics, utilizing syndicated, custom, and proprietary research for professional, minor league, and college sports. Previously, Neil worked for SportScanInfo from SportsOneSource and led the research team at the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA). He has been a featured speaker at numerous industry conferences and events and is well respected for his collaborations with leading financial and investment firms, top brands, and retailers in the sports footwear and apparel sectors. Neil is also the host of the My First Job in Sports Podcast and co-founder of the annual Get in the Game Sports Business Career Conference. As President of SBRnet, Neil is dedicated to expanding the use of data within academic and related commercial fields such as sports management, sports business, sports marketing, and sports analytics.

Links:

Website: https://sportsmarketanalytics.com/About.aspx

E-mail: neil@sbrnet.com

Support the show

Thank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.

To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com

To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail talkingaddictionandrecovery@gmail.com

Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier. This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery. Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field. Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery. Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.