Her Brother Wrote for Parks and Rec and Hid an Opioid Addiction

Harris Wittels was one of the funniest writers in comedy, a Parks and Recreation writer and producer and friend to Sarah Silverman, gone from an opioid overdose in 2015 at just 30 years old. His sister, Stephanie Wittels Wachs, spent years not understanding what was actually happening to him, and turned that grief into a mission to make sure other families wouldn't have to learn it the hard way. Stephanie sits down with Carl for a conversation that feels like two siblings comparing notes on a grief they never asked for. They talk honestly about opioid addiction as a disease, how families fall apart trying to respond to it, and the real, practical harm reduction tools, including Narcan, that are actually saving lives right now. Stephanie is the CEO of Lemonada Media and author of "The Last Day: How to Stop Losing Our Loved Ones to the Opioid Crisis," written for anyone who has ever loved someone in active addiction, or lost someone to it. Resources from this episode: Naloxone (Narcan): https://www.safeproject.us/naloxone/?... Safe Spot overdose detection hotline: https://safe-spot.me/ 00:00 - Intro 02:02 - Favorite Sayings 03:46 - Stephanie's Story 20:40 - Learning & Understanding Addiction 22:23 - The Day Her Brother Passed Away & Processing Grief 28:44 - Moving On and Getting Back to Life 33:12 - Helping Others 44:17 - What's Giving More Life? Follow the show on social media! Instagram:   / morelifewithcarlradke   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... TikTok:   / morelifewithcarlradke   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sKQIu1... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast... Growth isn’t a one-time event — it’s a choice we make every day.  This is a show that proves that there is more life waiting for us on the other side. Each week, Carl Radke, star of Bravo’s Summer House, sits down with celebrities, thought leaders, creators, and everyday people to explore the moments that push us toward becoming better, braver, and more intentional versions of ourselves. From career pivots and new passions, to healing, sobriety, and mental wellness, these unfiltered conversations dive into the inner breakthroughs that help us live more fully. Carl brings his own lived experience — navigating loss, change, and self-discovery — while inviting guests to share the tools, perspective shifts, and habits that keep them moving forward. Whether you’re rebuilding, reinventing, or just ready to feel more aligned with who you are, this show is for you. Every episode opens with Carl’s honest reflections and closes with practical takeaways you can apply to your own life right now. More Life with Carl Radke is a Sony Music Entertainment Original Production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow @sonypodcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastsales@sonymusic.com #carlradke #podcast #morelifewithcarlradke