The NOCE Dose: The Opioid Crisis Unplugged is a concise and insightful podcast offering a deeper dive into the realities faced by professionals and champions combating the opioid epidemic within Nevada. Join us as we reconnect with expert panelists from our Listening Sessions, providing a behind-the-scenes look at their work and insights into the pressing issues of prevention and diversion, harm reduction, opioid use treatment, recovery, and reoccurrence prevention.

With Host: Bianca D. McCall, LMFT

Bianca D. McCall, LMFT is a retired professional women’s basketball player. She is an international TED Speaker, and renowned mental health researcher and expert. Bianca is a licensed clinical therapist, with 25 years in Behavioral Health, and 12 years as a Healthcare CEO. In recent years, she has grown significantly in the digital health space, and created a first-of-its-kind social-emotional platform, designed to improve human health span.

For more than a decade, her work and research has been dedicated to psychological (mental) injury prevention and the discovery of innovations addressing existential isolation. Bianca is passionate about leading projects which promote ongoing research in mental injury prevention, integration of technologies, data analytics, and the discovery of culturally and linguistically responsive crisis interventions. Bianca represents Nevada, on national committees and namely the Suicide Prevention Resource Center; designated by SAMHSA, and Steering Committee for the U.S. Department of Public Health and is a contributor to the National Strategies for Suicide Prevention in areas of Clinical Education, Provider Standards, and Technology. Bianca is a subject matter expert, a curriculum developer, and instructor in higher education with the Centers for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies (CASAT), Region 9, housed at the University of Nevada, Reno.

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The NOCE DOSE. The Opioid Epidemic Unplugged Logo.

Season 1

In the first season of The NOCE Dose: The Opioid Crisis Unplugged, we explore critical aspects of the opioid crisis, including identifying early signs of substance use disorder (SUD) through SBIRT techniques, shifting public perceptions with effective communication strategies, and understanding diversion programs and healthcare-judicial collaborations. We delve into harm reduction with real-world insights on fentanyl test strips, overdose preparedness, and safe medication practices, while also exploring the impact of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) and integrated care approaches. Additionally, we address stigma and its impact on treatment accessibility, offering strategies for fostering recovery-friendly environments and supporting sustained recovery. Tune in for an informative journey into the opioid crisis from those making a difference on the frontlines.

The NOCE Dose Season 2 - group of doodled smiley faces with a range of expressions

Season 2

In season 2 of the NOCE Dose we examine how Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) impacts specific population groups that experience distinctive health vulnerabilities, including youth, older adults, individuals with disabilities and neurodivergence, birthing women and Tribal Nations. Anchored in evidence-based frameworks for trauma-informed care, developmental risk, and structural competency, the season prioritizes the integration of firsthand narratives with the data on service gaps. Listeners will engage in structured dialogue to better understand how variations in age, ability, neurodevelopment, and community context influence OUD risk trajectories and access to care. This season supports a broader objective of informing service models that are integrity-based, developmentally appropriate, and community-informed, consistent with national public health guidance for behavioral health fairness.

Recent Episodes

NOCE Dose Season One Episode Nine. With Darcy Patterson cover.
In this conversation, Bianca D. McCall and Darcy Patterson discuss the complexities of substance use disorders, the impact of personal loss, and the importance of...
NOCE Dose Season One Episode Eight. With Katarina Pulver cover.
In this episode of The NOCE Dose, host Bianca D. McCall engages with Katarina Pulver, Health Educator II, Office of Disease Surveillance Division of Disease...
NOCE Dose Season One Episode Seven. With Donald Griffin cover.
Donald Griffin’s journey led him to the last house on Black Wall Street, a symbolic place where he began to heal from the bumps and...
NOCE Dose Season One Episode Six. With Bethany Wilkins cover.
In this episode of The NOCE Dose podcast, host Bianca D. McCall engages with Bethany Wilkins, Education and Advocacy Committee Chair for Northern Nevada Harm...
NOCE Dose Season One Episode Five. Harm Reduction Revolution: No Shame, Just Safety cover.
Join us for a compelling listening session that dives deep into the critical topics of fentanyl test strip education, preparedness for overdose emergencies, and the...
NOCE Dose Season One Episode Four. With Jillian Anderson cover.
In this episode of The NOCE Dose, host Bianca D. McCall is joined by Jillian Anderson, MA, MFT, LADC, PMH-C, to discuss the multifaceted challenges...