Two Talking Fools

7-OH Addiction: A Paramedic's Story | Tom's Journey Through Addiction and Recovery In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Two Talking Fools, Kate sits down with Tom, a 26-year-old paramedic who shares his firsthand experience with addiction to 7-OH (7-hydroxymitragynine), a potent opioid-like compound derived from the kratom plant. As someone who spends his career helping others in their most vulnerable moments, Tom never imagined he would find himself fighting a battle of his own. What began as 7-OH use quickly escalated into dependency, taking a serious physical and emotional toll and putting his career, relationships, and future at risk. Tom opens up about the reality of withdrawal, the mental struggles that come with addiction, and the strategies that helped him begin reclaiming his life. His story is a reminder that addiction does not discriminate. It can affect anyone, including the very people trained to save lives. This interview is not about judgment. It's about awareness, education, recovery, and giving a voice to those who are struggling in silence. Tom has chosen to remain anonymous to protect his privacy and professional career, but his willingness to share his experience may help someone else recognize the dangers of 7-OH before it's too late. If you or someone you love is using 7-OH, this is a conversation worth hearing. Two Talking Fools will continue bringing real stories and firsthand experiences to the forefront because awareness starts with conversation. #7OH #AddictionAwareness #RecoveryJourney #KratomAwareness #TwoTalkingFools

Kate sits down with Jon for another important conversation in Two Talking Fools’ ongoing series on 7-OH (7-hydroxymitragynine), dependence, withdrawal and recovery. Jon shares his firsthand experience with 7-OH—how it entered his life, how quickly his tolerance increased, and how something that was readily available quickly became something he felt he could no longer simply stop taking. He speaks openly about the severity of the withdrawals, the physical and emotional toll of dependence, and the consequences happening in the background of his life—some of which he says he couldn’t fully recognize until he began getting sober. The conversation also looks at the bigger questions surrounding 7-OH: Why are products this powerful so easily accessible? What do people actually know about what they’re taking? Where is the line between traditional kratom and highly concentrated 7-OH products? And what role should education, regulation and harm reduction play moving forward? Most importantly, Jon talks about recovery and what life looks like on the other side. This is another firsthand story in our continuing Two Talking Fools 7-OH awareness series. We’ve now spoken with multiple people whose lives were dramatically affected by these products. Their circumstances are different, but one message continues to come through loud and clear: People deserve to know exactly what they are taking—and how powerful it can be—before they ever take that first pill. MORE FROM OUR 7-OH SERIES 🎙️ Renee — A Survivor’s Story Renee shares how 7-OH use escalated, what dependence and withdrawal looked like for her, and the fight to get her life back. 🎙️ Eric — From a Free Sample to Addiction Eric shares how trying 7-OH turned into escalating use, attempts to quit, withdrawal, relapse and ultimately his road toward recovery. These conversations are not about judgment. They are about awareness, education and giving a voice to people who have actually lived through 7-OH dependence. If you or someone you love is struggling, please know that recovery is possible. Listen to these stories. Share them. Talk to your kids, your friends and your family. The more people know before they try it, the better. 🎙️ Two Talking Fools Podcast Two mics. Zero filter. #7OH #7Hydroxymitragynine #KratomAwareness #AddictionRecovery #TwoTalkingFools

Kate sits down with Jett, a father of three who was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and turned an unimaginable diagnosis into a reason to share his story. Through his TikTok series, “Dad, Tell Me Your Life Story,” Jett records stories, memories, lessons and pieces of his life for his children—while also using his platform to bring awareness to colon cancer symptoms and the importance of early detection. Jett opens up about the symptoms he experienced before his diagnosis, his treatment and chemotherapy journey, neuropathy, mental health, forgiveness, fatherhood and what changes when you’re forced to think about the legacy you’ll leave behind. This conversation is also an important reminder: colon cancer can affect younger adults, and knowing the symptoms and listening to your body matters. If something doesn’t feel right, talk to your doctor and advocate for yourself. Follow Jett on TikTok and watch his “Dad, Tell Me Your Life Story” series: @jetthascancer 🎙️ Two Talking Fools Podcast Website: https://twotalkingfools.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@twotalkingfoolspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twotalkingfoolspodcast/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-talking-fools/id1756006101 #ColonCancer #Stage4ColonCancer #CancerAwareness #EarlyDetection #DadTellme 

Grief is something none of us escape—but it doesn’t always look the way we think it does. Kate sits down with grief expert, licensed therapist and author Edy Nathan for an honest conversation about what we carry after loss—and how those experiences can shape who we become. They talk about the big losses and the small ones, the emotional armor we build to protect ourselves, why grief is anything but linear, and how it can show up emotionally, physically and even spiritually. They also explore the importance of memories, community, connection, and learning how to keep living without leaving behind what mattered to us. This isn’t a conversation about “getting over” grief. It’s about understanding it, making room for it, and learning how to carry it differently. Whether you’re grieving someone, something, a chapter of your life—or a version of yourself—this conversation is for you. 📖 Edy Nathan’s book — It’s Grief: The Dance of Self-Discovery Through Trauma and Loss Amazon: https://amzn.to/44nizTE 🎙️ WHAT WE CARRY: Grief, Loss & Learning to Live Again with Edy Nathan

Matt Corey, candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut, joins Two Talking Fools for an open and wide-ranging conversation about the challenges facing the state—and what he believes it will take to move Connecticut forward. A U.S. Navy veteran and longtime small-business owner, Matt brings a perspective shaped by years of running businesses, creating jobs, meeting payroll, and experiencing firsthand the pressures facing Connecticut employers and working families. In this episode, we move beyond the usual political back-and-forth and focus on the issues themselves. We talk about the cost of living and doing business in Connecticut, taxes and regulations, energy costs, job creation, workforce development, education, the importance of bringing skilled trades back into the conversation for younger generations, and the financial pressures facing many of Connecticut’s smaller towns. Matt shares why he decided to run for Lieutenant Governor, what he believes Connecticut is getting wrong, where he sees opportunity, and how his small-business background influences his approach to government. We also discuss fiscal responsibility, public safety, education funding, shared municipal services and whether regionalization should be part of the conversation. But perhaps more importantly, this episode isn’t about pointing fingers or deciding who deserves the blame. It’s about looking at the challenges in front of Connecticut and asking a much more useful question: How do we fix them? Whether you agree with Matt Corey politically or not, this is the kind of conversation we believe is worth having—one where people can sit across from each other, ask real questions, disagree when necessary, and still focus on finding common ground and making Connecticut a better place to live, work, raise a family, and build a business. 🎙️ Two Talking Fools | Episode #195 Beyond the Politics: What Does Connecticut Actually Need? A Conversation with Lt. Governor Candidate Matt Corey   For inquiries, advertising, or to be a guest on the show, contact us at [email protected] or visit twotalkingfools.com.