The 13th Step
by New Hampshire Public Radio
Latest episode
Introducing: Safe to Drink
Introducing: Safe to Drink
About this podcast
An investigation into the widespread culture of sexual misconduct and abuse persistent in the addiction treatment industry.
Episodes
- Introducing: Safe to Drink · 34 minIntroducing “Safe to Drink:” A New Hampshire town finds out its water has been contaminated by a chemical. The most basic question — whether the water is safe to drink — doesn’t…
- 11: Feds Arrest Eric Spofford · 29 min · Season 1 Episode 12Federal prosecutors now say the vandalism scheme was Eric Spofford’s idea all along. Spofford appears in federal court, and Lauren explains what this remarkable moment means for…
- 10: The Sentencing · 26 min · Season 1 Episode 11A federal judge sentences Eric Labarge, the man who pled guilty to orchestrating the vandalism in retaliation for our reporting on Labarge’s friend, Eric Spofford. Lauren…
- 9: A New Bill and a Final Ruling · 21 min · Season 1 Episode 10New Hampshire lawmakers consider a new oversight bill proposed in response to the podcast. And the judge issues his final ruling in Eric Spofford’s defamation lawsuit against…
- 8: A Big Arrest · 20 min · Season 1 Episode 9Federal prosecutors have charged a fourth person in the vandalism case, a man they describe as a “close, personal associate” of Eric Spofford. Learn more about your ad choices…
- 7: Vandalism Arrests · 13 min · Season 1 Episode 8Federal prosecutors have charged three men for their alleged roles in the vandalism incidents. According to the feds, the vandalism was "solicited" by a "close, personal…
- Epilogue: Employee A · 26 min · Season 1 Episode 7A conversation with one of the women whose story of sexual assault you heard earlier in this podcast. She talks with Lauren about what it was like to hear her story published…
- 6: The Glam Room · 38 min · Season 1 Episode 6Since Lauren began reporting, Eric Spofford sold his New Hampshire company for millions of dollars and filed a defamation lawsuit in response to NHPR’s coverage. We catch you up…
- 5: The Litter Police · 1 h 1 min · Season 1 Episode 5What does it take to catch a predator in the addiction treatment industry? We hear about a case in California where the CEO of a network of treatment facilities was convicted of…
- 2: The God of Recovery · 53 min · Season 1 Episode 2As Eric Spofford tells it, he spent his teen years in the throes of addiction and crime. When he got sober, he became a crusader for recovery. We hear how he built his company –…
- 3: Just the Beginning · 58 min · Season 1 Episode 3In March of 2022, Lauren publishes her first story detailing allegations against Eric Spofford. The events of the next several months illustrate the ways powerful, wealthy people…
- 4: A Wild (Wild?) West · 55 min · Season 1 Episode 4How did 13th stepping become so common in the recovery world and who can hold people accountable? Lauren looks into the history of the addiction treatment industry; goes in…
- 1: The Shadow · 38 min · Season 1 Episode 1What is “the 13th step,” and why does it matter? It all starts with understanding what it’s like to be in the earliest days of recovery. We meet two women who say they were…
- Trailer: The 13th Step · 7 min · Season 1Reporter Lauren Chooljian starts getting tips about the founder of New Hampshire’s largest addiction treatment network. He is allegedly sexually harassing or assaulting women —…
