Stand Up Speak Up

Since the release of our first episode about Kratom, we’ve had a flood of comments from users telling us how much Kratom has changed their lives. It’s nothing short of shocking and amazing to hear how so many people were lifted from such dark places thanks to this humble plant. The sad part is that, in the U.S., Kratom is facing even more government pushback. On February 6th, the FDA released a statement comparing Kratom to opioids and blaming it for 44 fatalities. You can read the full letter below.

Kratom advocates strongly refute the FDA’s claims. Their belief is that existing science on Kratom does not justify it being placed on any schedule or controlled substances list that would prevent consumer access. They’re encouraging continued lawful access to Kratom, with balanced regulation, proper research, and protecting rather than harming public health. Based on what we’ve seen, we are 100% on the side of the Kratom advocates.

If you’re not, hearing the stories in this episode will likely change your mind. We’ll share with you many of the stories that have been submitted, and our guest Josh (who is now a trusted Kratom vendor) tells us about his struggle with opioid addiction, being discharged from the military, spending 4 years in a maximum-security prison, and how he finally built the life he wanted.

Host and Producer: Karla Stephens-Tolstoy

Editor and Co-Producer: Joel at East Coast Radio Creative

Links:

• FDA kratom announcement: www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm595622.htm
• Josh’s kratom store: www.soapkorner.com
• Other trusted kratom vendors: www.standupspeakupblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Vetted-Kratom-Vendors-1.pdf
• Article on the FDA announcement: www.forbes.com/sites/davidkroll/2018/02/09/fda-weaponizes-opioid-label-against-kratom-consumers/2/#e68250350079

‘Landslide’ performed by Linda Nusca and Andrew Hunt, recorded by Mauro Giammarco.

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Canada is experiencing record numbers of deaths from opioid overdoses. In 2017, there were an estimated 4000 drug overdose deaths in the country. A substance that may be able to put a dent in that number is worth looking into. Kratom is a leafy plant from South East Asia, from the coffee family.

It’s an ancient drug, traditionally used to relieve pain, increase energy, appetite, and sexual desire. It was also known to be used as an opium substitute in the 18th & 19th centuries. In 2013, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said Kratom had no legitimate medical use.

Recently, the FDA issued a health advisory against the plant, which some claim is spreading misinformation about its dangers, and not backed up with any scientific evidence. Currently, Kratom can be sold legally in Canada in a powdered form, but only for aromatherapy purposes. At this time it has not been approved for consumption by Health Canada.

In the first part of our series on Kratom, we hear from experts such as Dr. Edward W. Boyer of Harvard, and Angela Watson and David Derian of the Botanical Education Alliance.

Later in the series, hear stories from users of Kratom who say it has improved - and maybe even saved - their lives.

Host: Karla Stephens-Tolstoy

Editor and Co-Producer: Joel at East Coast Radio Creative

Links:

• www.botanical-education.org/stop-fdas-misinformation
• www.botanical-education.org/our-team
• www.facebook.com/BotanicalEducationAllliance

This episode contains music used under the CreativeCommons license: Derek Clegg - Four Walls

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Support the show: www.standupspeakup.ca/give/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Chris Bergoch writes a movie, he doesn’t shy away from social advocacy topics that can be seen as controversial. At Stand Up Speak Up, we try to raise awareness around important social issues, so when Karla discovered the work of Chris Bergoch, she couldn’t wait to have him on the podcast.

Two of Chris’s biggest credits are Tangerine, a movie about a transgender sex worker who discovers her boyfriend and pimp has been cheating on her, and his latest, The Florida Project, about a young mom who resorts to prostitution to take care of her daughter. The Florida Project seemed so real that people have actually called the motel where the movie took place, asking how the characters were doing.

Chris gives us a look into his career journey thus far and insight into how the movies came to be.

Host: Karla Stephens-Tolstoy

Editor and Co-Producer: Joel at East Coast Radio Creative

The Florida Project Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwQ-NH1rRT4

Tangerine Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALSwWTb88ZU

This episode contains music used under the CreativeCommons license: Rupert Blaise - What A Wonderful World

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Support the show: www.standupspeakup.ca/give/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why does someone get involved in the criminal world? What makes someone interested in joining a motorcycle gang known for brutal activity?

We tell the story of one man who was let down by the Quebec foster care system growing up, and followed his anger down a very dark path. He looks back on his days in the Mongols Motorcycle Club, as he struggles to create a new life on the other side.

Host: Karla Stephens Tolstoy

Co-Producer + Original Sound Design: Drew Penner ​

Voice: Marc Oliver

​Music:

DJ Philosophy ​– “Watery,” “4th Kind,” and “Distance,” our track of the week. – Tanner Feehan (aka Philosophy) is an L.A. musician who has moved to Canada’s West Coast to pursue music production, and was kind enough to lend us a track to go with the story. You can check out his Dropping Knowledge radio show on CFUV 101.9 FM in Victoria, Saturday nights at 7 p.m. ​

Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/phil0s0phy​

Radio show: www.cfuv.uvic.ca/cms/?show=dropping-knowledge

Bernardo de la Torre – “Boxing Day,” and “Boxing Day v.2” – Bernie is a musician who moved from Guadalajara, Mexico to British Columbia, where he makes music and loves exploring the outdoors.

Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/bernieff

Frequency Horizon – “Biker Gang Escape Theme,” “Skip the Prospect Stage,” “Bop on the Head,” “Piano and Horn Muscle,” “Messed Up Bells,” “Fam Seeking / Finding." – Drew Penner is a journalist based in California whose work has appeared in publications including the Globe and Mail, the Calgary Hearld and the Victoria Times Colonist. He also produces the Frequency Horizon podcast and loves surfing, hiking and random adventures.

Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/frequencyhorizon

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Support the show: www.standupspeakup.ca/give/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.