I welcome my childhood friend Dr. Mike Meaney back on the show where we discuss how pain changes how a life moves. It sharpens every edge, tests every bond, and forces you to decide what you believe when there are no easy choices left. That’s where our conversation begins: a candid account of failed orthopedic surgeries, a system that too often rewards the cut over the cure, and the daily reality of living inside a body that won’t stop hurting. We examine how fee-for-service medicine, device royalties, and surgical center ownership can bend decisions, why second and third opinions matter, and what patients can do to avoid becoming a statistic in a volume-driven industry. From there, we turn toward the inner struggle—resentment, justice, and the long road to healing. We talk openly about opioids as a seductive solution to the human problem of physical pain, and the devastation they leave behind. We sit with the hardest question: when harm is done under anesthesia, what does forgiveness mean? Faith enters not as a slogan but as a practice. We return to the simple Catholic teachings we learned as kids—tell the truth, avoid violence, treat others as you wish to be treated, care for the marginal—and measure them against adult complexity. We explore the mystical claims of Christianity with clear eyes, and why daily sobriety can feel like proof enough for belief. Then we build forward. Our guest shares One Small Step, a platform delivering certified peer support on nights and weekends for people on Medicaid—exactly when the rest of the system is closed or the ER is the only option. We walk through how human-in-the-loop AI can safely triage, detect pre-crisis signals, and route people to real peers with lived experience, reducing avoidable ER visits and giving support that actually meets people where they are. It’s a practical blueprint for reform: dignified care, data-informed decisions, and a focus on outcomes that matter. If this conversation resonates—about pain, faith, accountability, or access to real help—share it with someone who needs it. And if you appreciate these deep, unfiltered talks, tap follow, leave a quick review, and tell us: where do you draw the line between justice and mercy? To learn more about One Small Step head over to https://onesmallstep.io/ Support the show Warmly, Nico Barraza @FeedTheSoulNB www.nicobarraza.com
