RiverRun, 2026, Bonus: "Hotline" (w/Ricki Stern & Jesse Sweet)

WHAT’S IN YOUR NERDHAT?"Fentanyl overdose is the number one cause of death for 18–44-year-olds. Fentanyl can be as inexpensive as a cigarette and more than 100 times more powerful than morphine.  As overdose rates rise and stigma persists, THE HOTLINE is not just a story about crisis—it's a story about listening. Grounded in real-world harm reduction efforts, THE HOTLINE is a film about connection in the darkest moments, the power of empathy, and the quiet heroes working in the shadows to keep people breathing, one call at a time."     ~ breakthrufilms.orgOn a more serious note*, we decided to cover the documentary short film "Hotline" (2026), which won Honorable Mention in the documentary short film category at the RiverRun International Film Festival. It was co-directed by Ricki Stern and Jesse Sweet, who agreed to come on the podcast to talk about their most recent venture. If you or someone you know is battling an opioid addiction, help is available. Here are two resources which the filmmakers recommend: https://www.samhsa.gov/The "Never Use Alone" Hotline: 1-877-696-1996*The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Nerdhat podcast or its hosts.*Love the podcast? Want to join the community? Head over to our Patreon and sign up today! https://patreon.com/TheNerdhatPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink