Girl Overboard

Episode 7 picks up in the winter of 2015, a time when a fresh sense of hope buoyed Sierra and her family. Sierra had decided to return to treatment on her own terms, and for a fleeting moment, the weight of addiction seemed to lift. Reece and Karen reflect on that hopeful Christmas and a rare, joyful afternoon at the mall—a glimpse of the "old Sierra" that remains a cherished memory.But as the winter turned to spring, that hope was tested by the brutal reality of relapse. Through Sierra’s own heartbreaking journal entries, we hear her internal war: the desperate desire to be a role model for her sister, the crushing shame of feeling "unfixable", and the terrifying realization that she hadn’t yet hit bottom.This episode also dives into the medical complexities of recovery. Reece speaks with William Moyers, VP at the Hazelden Foundation and NY Times best-selling author, to explore the life-saving potential and the social stigma of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). We hear the harrowing story of Sierra’s physical rejection of Suboxone and the impossible choice her parents faced when they realized that, sometimes, supporting an addict means watching them fall.From a trip to Texas to a father’s tearful blessing for his daughter, Episode 7 is a raw look at a family’s tireless effort to save the person they love. Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of substance use.Connect with Girl Overboard:Website: www.girloverboardpod.comInstagram: @girloverboardpodSubstack: girloverboard.substack.com - written bonus content released weekly!Email: [email protected] & Review: If you find Sierra's story meaningful, please leave us a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.Resources & Support:For information on substance use disorder, treatment options, and family support, visit www.girloverboardpod.com. If you’re in an immediate crisis, contact local emergency services or a crisis hotline.Credits:Co-created by Reece and Karen Carman. Produced and Engineered by Reece Carman. Associate Producer: Megan Sanchez.

In this episode, Sierra leaves treatment and moves to Portland with two friends (Jonathan and Andrew), a move that quickly goes awry, leading her to move in with her grandma. What follows is a painful chapter: relapse, the discovery of heroin use, seizures, and a family trying to keep it all together.Reece and Karen sit down with Jonathan and Andrew to piece together Sierra’s time in Portland, the red flags, and the chaotic cleanup of a room full of drug paraphernalia. On the drive home, Karen keeps spotting rainbows—small, fragile signs of hope amid grief and confusion. This episode examines how families try to respond to relapse and the complicated mix of love, guilt, and hope that follows.Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of substance use.Connect with Girl Overboard:Website: www.girloverboardpod.comInstagram: @girloverboardpodSubstack: girloverboard.substack.com - written bonus content released weekly!Email: [email protected] & Review: If you find Sierra's story meaningful, please leave us a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.Resources & Support:For information on substance use disorder, treatment options, and family support, visit www.girloverboardpod.com/resources. If you’re in an immediate crisis, contact local emergency services or a crisis hotline.Credits:Co-created by Reece and Karen Carman. Produced and Engineered by Reece Carman. Associate Producer: Megan Sanchez.

In the early morning hours of Christmas Eve 2014, the Carman family’s world was turned upside down. Cousin Maddy recounts how a holiday party turned into a life-altering emergency as Sierra faced a near-fatal overdose.In this deeply personal episode, the family recalls the harrowing events of that night and the complicated days that followed. From the life-saving role of Narcan to the intense feelings of guilt, anger, and fear that rippled through the family. In this episode, we explore:Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions of substance use and overdose.Connect with Girl Overboard:Website: www.girloverboardpod.comInstagram: @girloverboardpodSubstack: girloverboard.substack.com - written bonus content released weekly!Email: [email protected] & Review: If you find Sierra's story meaningful, please leave us a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.Resources & Support:For information on substance use disorder, treatment options, and family support, visit www.girloverboardpod.com/resources. If you’re in an immediate crisis, contact local emergency services or a crisis hotline.Credits:Co-created by Reece and Karen Carman. Produced and Engineered by Reece Carman. Associate Producer: Megan Sanchez.

This episode follows Sierra into her college years—when “normal” growing pains blur into something far more dangerous. Reece, Karen, and cousin Maddy piece together the moments they missed in real time: the mysterious illnesses, the mailed pills, the intensity that didn’t match what everyone else was going through at 19 or 20.Through their memories, we hear Sierra exploring substances in college, how easy it was to explain away warning signs, and how hard it is, years later, not to blame themselves for what they didn’t yet understand. This is the story of a family doing their best with the information they had, and the slow, painful realization that love alone can’t cure a disease.Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussion of substance use.Connect with Girl Overboard:Website: www.girloverboardpod.comInstagram: @girloverboardpodSubstack: girloverboard.substack.com - written bonus content released weekly!Email: [email protected] & Review: If you find Sierra's story meaningful, please leave us a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.Resources & Support:For information on substance use disorder, treatment options, and family support, visit www.girloverboardpod.com. If you’re in an immediate crisis, contact local emergency services or a crisis hotline.Credits:Co-created by Reece and Karen Carman. Produced and Engineered by Reece Carman. Associate Producer: Megan Sanchez.

In this episode, Reece and Karen are joined by Detective Marcus Goodwater and family counselor Danny to confront the trauma that fundamentally altered the course of Sierra’s life. This episode peels back the layers on the physical, emotional, personal, and relational impact of sexual assault. Through Sierra’s own journal entries from 2010, we hear the heartbreaking contrast between her youthful excitement for summer camp and the immediate, shattering aftermath of her abuse. Detective Goodwater provides a rare look into the reality of sex crimes investigations, the complexities of the legal system, and the heavy emotional burden carried by those seeking justice.Together, the group discusses the undeniable correlation between trauma and the onset of addiction, exploring why survivors often turn to substance use to "make reality disappear." We also go inside the courtroom to hear about the 2017 trial, and the vierdict's impact on Sierra's family.Trigger Warning: This episode contains detailed discussions of sexual assault, substance use, and trauma. This content may be difficult for some listeners. Please prioritize your well-being while listening.Resources & Support: If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, help is available. Visit www.girloverboardpod.com/resources for resources, or contact the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE.Connect with Girl Overboard:Website: www.girloverboardpod.comInstagram: @girloverboardpod Join the conversation on our social media channels as we break the silence on these critical issues.Substack: girloverboard.substack.com - written bonus content released weekly!Email: [email protected] & Review: If you find Sierra's story meaningful, please leave us a review and share this episode with someone who may benefit from hearing it.Credits: Co-created by Reece and Karen Carman. Produced and Engineered by Reece Carman. Associate Producer: Megan Sanchez.

As the childhood memories of the early 2000s begin to fade, the "stiller waters" of the Carman family are met with a rising storm. In this episode, Reece and her mother, Karen, are joined by their cousin Maddy and friends Torrin and Cassie to explore the pivotal transition into Sierra’s teenage years. The moment when "goofy and fun" began to shift into something far more complex.Reece opens up about her own "black and white" childhood perspective and the painful realization that her sister and best friend was moving into a world she didn't yet understand. From innocent "Orange Julius" experiments to the terrifying reality of Sierra’s first blackout, this episode examines the early signs of substance use disorder and the emotional toll it takes on a family. We also hear directly from Sierra through her journal entries. With heartbreaking honesty, she describes her "upward battle" with reality, the shame of past mistakes, and the desperate measures she took to make the world disappear.Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of substance use and self-harm. Listener discretion is advised.Resources & Support: If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction or self-harm, please visit www.girloverboardpod.com for a list of resources and support organizations.If you are in immediate crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a crisis hotline.Connect with Girl Overboard:Website: www.girloverboardpod.comInstagram: @girloverboardpodSubstack: girloverboard.substack.com - written bonus content released weekly!Email: [email protected] & Review: If you find Sierra's story meaningful, please leave us a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.Credits: Co-created by Reece and Karen Carman. Produced and Engineered by Reece Carman. Associate Producer: Megan Sanchez.

Welcome to the premiere of Girl Overboard, a journey 15 years in the making. In this introductory episode, host Reece Carman takes us to the very beginning—sharing the joy, laughter, and unbreakable family bond that defined her sister Sierra’s life before it was forever changed by substance use disorder.Braiding together timelines from the early 2000s to 2026, Reece and her mom, Karen, sit down to discuss why this story must be told and their mission to honor Sierra’s legacy. You’ll hear heartfelt memories from family and friends about the "bright light" that Sierra was—from childhood sleepwalking to 5th-grade "cat play" at recess, and her relentless passion for making others laugh.This episode is more than a look back; it’s an honest exploration of the complexities of addiction within a family and the motto that kept them together: No matter how rough the seas get, we all stay in the boat.Trigger Warning: This episode discusses themes of addiction and loss. Please be gentle with yourself. For resources and support, visit our website at www.girloverboardpod.com/resourcesConnect with us:Website: www.girloverboardpod.comEmail: [email protected]: @girloverboardpodSubstack: girloverboard.substack.com - written bonus content released weekly!Listen & Review: If you find Sierra's story meaningful, please leave us a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.Credits: Co-created by Reece and Karen Carman. Produced and Engineered by Reece Carman. Associate Producer: Megan Sanchez.

“She was a bright light.” “Relentless.” “Invincible.” “Enthusiastic.” In this special teaser for Girl Overboard, we introduce you to the heart of our story: Sierra. Through the voices of those who knew her best, we catch a glimpse of the carefree spirit, the infectious laughter, and the pure joy she brought into the world.Sierra wasn’t just a sister, a daughter, or a friend—she was a force of nature who made everyone around her feel more alive. But behind the laughter was a fierce battle with a relentless disease. Join host Reece Carman as she prepares to share the full story of Sierra’s life, her struggle with substance use disorder, and the unbreakable bond of a family that refused to let go. This is a story of love, loss, and the beauty that remains.Subscribe now to Girl Overboard so you don’t miss the series premiere.For more information and resources, visit: www.girloverboardpod.comCredits: Co-created by Reece and Karen Carman. Produced and Engineered by Reece Carman. Associate Producer: Megan Sanchez.