The Needle and the Narrative

Marc Burrows
  • 4.6 (11)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

The Needle and the Narrative is produced by Challenges Inc SC; a non profit, drug user health and harm reduction service provider in South Carolina. Interests include drug policy, infectious disease, HIV, HCV, harm reduction, substance use treatment, and drug user activisim. We use stories from lived experience to influence systemic change. Challenging minds; changing hearts. To support our work by becoming a subscription member, visit: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support www.challengesinc.org

  1. JAN 19

    A Syringe Exchange with Marc Burrows

    In this episode Raymond interviews the founder and director of Challenges Inc SC, Marc Burrows. We cover the history of Challenges Inc, the reasons for starting the first syringe service program in South Carolina and learn about parts of the journey since then.  Special thanks to Counter Narrative Project for their support to lift up this work.  https://thecounternarrative.org/ To learn more about harm reduction in South Carolina and to support Challenges Inc, visit:  www.challengesinc.org  https://www.facebook.com/ChallengesIncorporated/# https://www.instagram.com/challenges_inc Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

    57 min

  2. 12/22/2025

    Carrying the Story Forward with Raymond Velazquez-Turner

    Episode 4 of the four part series funded by the Counter Narrative Project. Carrying the story forward; lived experience, leadership, and harm reduction. Come along as we discuss idenity, substance use, HIV, sex work, housing, and fighting healthcare stigma.  Raymond Velazquez-Turner is a public health leader and harm reduction advocate working with the Western North Carolina AIDS Project and Challenges Inc SC. Raymond's work centers on outreach, HIV testing, overdose prevention, and client centered harm reduction strategies that address HIV transmission, stigma, and structural barriers faced by underserved communities.  This series was supported by the Counter Narrative Project out of Atlanta, Georgia. Learn more about CNP by visiting https://thecounternarrative.org/ This podcast is hosted by Challenges Inc SC, a syringe services program in South Carolina. Visit https://challengesinc.org/ to learn more about our work.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

    1h 6m

  3. 12/01/2025

    More Than a Moment: Queer Journeys Through Harm and Healing with Nathaniel Bush

    The Needle and the Narrative, episode 3 of the new series with support from the Counter Narrative Project. We'll be digging into how substance use, HIV risk, and LGBTQ+ identity intersect, along with the barriers folks face in accessing affirming care and harm reduction services.  Nathaniel Bush is the author of two books; one of original poetry that addresses themes of sex, love, spirituality, addiction, friendship, harm reduction, and politics, and another that caught the attention of The Advocate Magazine, where he was featured following the tragic Pulse Nightclub Shooting in Orlando, FL.  We'd like to thank The Counter Narrative Project for their support with making this podcast series. To learn more about CNP visit: https://thecounternarrative.org/ To learn more about Challenges Inc SC and the harm reduction work happening in South Carolina, visit: https://challengesinc.org/ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

    48 min

  4. 10/02/2025

    Not a Statistic with Margaret Bordeaux

    The Needle and the Narrative; Episode 2 – “Not a Statistic: BIPOC Health & Harm Reduction” We examine how systemic racism and health disparities heighten HIV risk for BIPOC communities, and uplift culturally responsive approaches and grassroots health interventions. Thank you to the Counter Narrative Project for making this series possible. Margaret Denise Bordeaux (she/her/hers) Margaret has studied sociology, psychology, public health, prevention science, community health, justice-involved care, and healthcare administration. Margaret’s career and academic interests and areas of focus include community-based approaches to health and wellness, implementation science, and building healthcare service capacity for all. Professionally, Margaret has provided direct care services, clinical research coordination, staff supervision, program coordination, curriculum development, protocol and manual design, and workshop/meeting facilitation at the local, statewide, and national levels. In her work, Margaret, an empowered thinker and speaker, consistently demonstrates a willingness to critically explore current practices, thoughtfully collaborate, and develop promising strategies. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

    55 min

  5. 08/11/2025

    Rural Harm Reduction with Michael Harney

    Michael Harney from Western North Carolina AIDS Project (WNCAP). Intersecting Stories: HIV, Drug User Health, and Vulnerable Communities.This four-part series aims to amplify the voices of communities impacted by HIV, while exploring the role of harm reduction in addressing health disparities. Each episode focuses on a different vulnerable population, combining lived experience, expert perspective, and a discussion of the systems and policies that shape health outcomes. Episode 1: Rural Communities & HIV, which highlights the specific challenges faced by people who use drugs in rural settings—such as limited access to care, stigma, and criminalization. Shout out to the Counter Narrative Project for making this series possible.  https://thecounternarrative.org/ For more information on harm reduction in South Carolina, visit www.challengesinc.org Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

    58 min

  6. 03/14/2021

    Challenging Pathos- Zach Rhoads

    Zach Rhoads joins the Challenging Pathos podcast to discuss all things "out of the box", when it comes to treating addiction. Why do we do the things we do? Why don't we follow the evidence? and What's the cost? Zach and Stanton Peele co authored the book "Outgrowing Addiction, With Common Sense Instead of Disease Therapy" which disputes the disease concept of addiction and more. You can purchase the book at https://www.peele.net/bookstore/outgrowing.html Learn about South Carolina harm reduction at www.challengesinc.org Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

    32 min

  7. 02/21/2021

    Challenging Pathos- Haven Wheelock

    In this episode, we speak with Haven Wheelock from Portland, OR on the historic passing of "Measure 110" that decriminalizes personal drug possession in the state of Oregon. www.outsidein.org/health-services/needle-exchange/ www.challengesinc.org Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

    1 hr

  8. 12/05/2020

    Challenging Pathos- Garth Mullins of Crackdown

    Garth Mullins, host of the astounding "Crackdown" podcast shares his perspective on drug user issues from his home in downtown Vancouver's Eastside. We discuss the recent drug policy changes with Mississippi's medical cannabis bill and decriminalization in Oregon. Garth shares his experience with how illegal syringe exchange helped keep him safe in younger years. Learn more about Garth at https://crackdownpod.com/. To help harm reduction in South Carolina stay alive, please visit www.challengesinc.org Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

    49 min
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4.6
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

The Needle and the Narrative is produced by Challenges Inc SC; a non profit, drug user health and harm reduction service provider in South Carolina. Interests include drug policy, infectious disease, HIV, HCV, harm reduction, substance use treatment, and drug user activisim. We use stories from lived experience to influence systemic change. Challenging minds; changing hearts. To support our work by becoming a subscription member, visit: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support www.challengesinc.org

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