The 13th Step is going on tour with stops in New Hampshire, Boston, and Chicago. Host Lauren Chooljian will go behind-the-scenes of the podcast and take questions from the audience. For tickets and more information, visit 13thsteppodcast.org/ev

Bonus

Update: A Big Arrest

Sep 12th, 2023 16m 48s

Federal prosecutors have charged a fourth person in the vandalism case, a man they describe as a “close, personal associate” of Eric Spofford.

Bonus

Update: Vandalism Arrests

1 Jun 20th, 2023 11m 12s

Federal 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 associate" of Eric Spofford's. Reporter Jason Moon goes to the arraignment

Epilogue: Employee A

1 Jun 6th, 2023 23m 28s

A 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, the legal threats she has faced from Eric Spofford and his lawyers,

6: The Glam Room

1 Jun 6th, 2023 35m 7s

Since 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 on everything that’s happened. And we introduce you to a sober liv

5: The Litter Police

1 Jun 6th, 2023 57m 45s

What 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 sexual assault and massive insurance fraud. It required years of w

4: A Wild (Wild?) West

1 Jun 6th, 2023 51m 45s

How 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 search of the people, government agencies, and industry groups that are

3: Just the Beginning

1 Jun 6th, 2023 54m 50s

In 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 can intimidate sources and try to stop journalism from happening.

2: The God of Recovery

Jun 6th, 2023 49m 58s

As 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 – and his power. And we hear allegations that he abused that power b

1: The Shadow

2 Jun 6th, 2023 35m 13s

What 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 harassed during early recovery. And we meet the man who allegedly haras

Trailer

Trailer: The 13th Step

May 31st, 2023 4m 38s

Reporter Lauren Chooljian starts getting tips about the founder of New Hampshire’s largest addiction treatment network. He is allegedly sexually harassing or assaulting women — employees and former clients at his facilities. The tips send Laure