What You’ll Learn:
The devastating story of Brian Mendell — eight treatment programs, thirteen months of sobriety, and a healthcare system that failed him at every turn, including the day before he died.
How Gary discovered that only 4% of people with substance use disorder receive evidence-based treatment — and what the proven, buried research says we can do about it.
How Gary applied lessons from eleven major social movements to design a stigma-ending campaign for addiction.
The five words Gary wrote on a piece of paper after three months of listening across the country — the words that became Shatterproof and his life’s calling.
What Gary wishes he had said to his son that he never did — and how those simple words, “this must be hard for you,” could save lives.
Why This Matters
Addiction is the leading cause of death for Americans between 18 and 45. Of the mere twenty percent who get any treatment, only four percent receive care that follows evidence-based protocols, meaning treatment that research has proven works. The knowledge exists — proven by $20 billion in federal research— but is sitting in medical journals, not being used. The problem is not scientific. It is structural, cultural, and driven by stigma. Gary Mendell built Shatterproof to close that gap. His story matters not just because it is heartbreaking, but because it names something specific and solvable. And because behind every statistic is a Brian.
About Our Guest
Gary Mendell is the Founder and Chairman of Shatterproof, a national nonprofit dedicated to reversing the addiction crisis in the United States. After building a successful hotel company with his brother, Gary’s life changed forever when his son Brian died by suicide at 25 — over a year into his sobriety. Gary channeled that loss into building Shatterproof, which works across three pillars: transforming addiction treatment, ending shame and stigma, and educating and empowering families. Shatterproof has secured 46 laws across 24 states and five federal bills. Its Atlas tool helps people find evidence-based treatment within 50 miles of their home through a simple 10-question online assessment.
About the Podcast: A Life Worth Working
A Life Worth Working is hosted by Michelle Weise, a writer on the future of learning and work, and Dana Allen Walsh, an executive coach and pastor. Each week, they talk with guests who open up about the messiness, transformation, and wonder of their work lives — what they call the soul of work.
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