The MY House Podcast Ep.72 Karl From the E.A.R projectThe MY House Podcast Ep.72 Karl From the E.A.R project
The MY House Podcast Network
Carl from the E.A.R Project shares how his outreach in homeless camps has evolved, with a focus on harm reduction, changing opioid risks and real‑time routes into detox and treatment. The conversation highlights trauma, stigma and the strength of the Mat‑Su recovery community.
14:58•22 Oct 2026
Frontline Hope: Carl from the E.A.R Project on Camps, Crisis and Recovery
Episode Overview
- Harm reduction in homeless camps includes weekly distribution of 50–100 Narcan kits and overdose response information.
- New synthetic opioids like nitazenes are extending detox times and reducing the effectiveness of traditional Narcan.
- Trust in outreach work takes time; consistent, non‑judgemental presence helps people feel safe enough to ask for help.
- Immediate pathways from camp to detox and then treatment can be crucial, as readiness for change often exists only in the moment.
- Addressing co‑occurring trauma and mental health alongside substance use is essential for sustainable recovery outcomes.
“Not only is my goal to make sure that nobody overdoses tonight, but that when I leave there, they have some hope that tomorrow can be different.”
What insights can experts and survivors share about addiction? Episode 72 of The MY House Podcast brings back Carl from the E.A.R Project for a raw catch‑up on how his work has shifted over the past year and what that means for people living on the streets in Alaska.
You’ll hear Carl talk about spending more time alone in homeless encampments, handing out 50–100 Narcan kits a week in partnership with Project HOPE and learning, the hard way, just how fragile the margin of error is for people using drugs by themselves. He explains how the fentanyl crisis has changed with new synthetic opioids from the nitazene class, and why classic Narcan isn’t always enough any more.
Carl and host Isaac Smolden swap outreach stories and focus on the importance of simple conversations. As Isaac puts it, the goal is to keep reminding people that “recovery is possible, that there are pathways,” while Carl says he wants people to feel “some hope that tomorrow can be different” every time he leaves a camp.
The episode breaks down practical details too: longer detox times with new synthetics, the role of medically assisted treatment, and why co‑occurring trauma and mental health issues can’t be ignored.
Carl shares that 12 people he met in the camps have gone straight into detox and then treatment, describing it as “a small seed of their journey back to willingness.” You’ll also get a feel for the wider Mat‑Su recovery community, Recovery Month events, and Carl’s efforts to bridge the language gap between providers and people who are terrified, stigmatised, and still clinging to a tiny bit of hope.
If you’re curious about frontline harm reduction, community recovery work, or just need a reminder that change is possible even in the toughest conditions, this episode might be worth your time—whose hope could you help protect today?
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