A 23-year-old Alex Kaplan buried his father and then buried his grief in alcohol and cocaine. Now he uses his passion for filmmaking to share stories highlighting the human experience and spread the gospel of openness and vulnerability to people lacking connection and struggling with addiction. In this interview with Alex, we discuss:

Alex Kaplan is a native of Philadelphia and is a new resident of Los Angeles. He is the Co-founder & Executive Director of Of Substance, an innovative nonprofit working to overcome the shame, blame, and stigma surrounding addiction through premium, entertaining short films, turning immersive cinema into an approachable tool for behavioral change. After surviving his own battles with addiction, Alex is grateful to have stumbled upon an exciting way to use his skills as a filmmaker to help others on their path of recovery. We all struggle with something that makes us feel shame, and shame leads to isolation and loneliness. Of Substance is committed to showing everyone that no matter what you struggle with, you're not crazy, you're not alone, and there is hope. Alex's personal mission in life is to positively transform people's relationships with themselves and others in their lives, and their beliefs in what's possible.

Learn more about Alex and Of Substance at @of_substance or OfSubstance.org.

Note: nothing in this podcast is intended to be a replacement for medical or professional advice. If you, or someone you care about, is suffering from addiction or substance abuse, visit one of the confidential, non-judgmental resources below: