Dean Francis had never heard of kratom, until he says it nearly killed his son. Now, he’s dedicating countless hours and energy to sound the alarm about the dangers of the popular supplement.

In a relatively short period of time, he’s become one of kratom’s most critical voices, and he’s now at the center of an intense national debate on its regulation.

Francis sat down with Catie Beck on the latest episode of ‘Untold – A WTVR Podcast’ to talk about how his family’s painful experience turned him into a passionate activist.

Dean Francis had never heard of kratom, until he says it nearly killed his son.&nbsp;Now, he&rsquo;s dedicating countless hours and energy to sound the alarm about the dangers of the popular supplement.
In a relatively short period of time, he&rsquo;s become one of kratom&rsquo;s most critical voices, and he&rsquo;s now at the center of an intense national debate on its regulation.
Francis sat down with Catie Beck on the latest episode of &lsquo;Untold &ndash; A WTVR Podcast&rsquo; to talk about how his family&rsquo;s painful experience turned him into a passionate activist.

Untold is a one-hour journey into the previously unheard stories of the people in charge of making big decisions, generating conversations, and sometimes causing controversy in Richmond, Virginia and beyond.

Untold is a one-hour journey into the previously unheard stories of the people in charge of making big decisions, generating conversations, and sometimes causing controversy in Richmond, Virginia and beyond.

Untold – A WTVR Podcast

Dean Francis  says kratom nearly killed his son. Now he's on a mission to get it banned.

Few people know more about recovery than John Shinholser.

For years, the Marine Corps veteran has been helping people battle their demons and overcome addiction.

Now the co-founder of the prestigious McShin Foundation has shifted his focus to a plant that many have not heard of, but one that is currently at the center of a passionate discourse… both in Richmond and in Washington.

Shinholser sat down with Catie Beck on the latest episode of ‘Untold – A WTVR Podcast’ to talk about why he’s chosen the pro side of the kratom debate.

Few people know more about recovery than John Shinholser.
For years, the Marine Corps veteran has been helping people battle their demons and overcome addiction.
Now the co-founder of the prestigious McShin Foundation has shifted his focus to a plant that many have not heard of, but one that is currently at the center of a passionate discourse&hellip; both in Richmond and in Washington.
Shinholser sat down with Catie Beck on the latest episode of &lsquo;Untold &ndash; A WTVR Podcast&rsquo; to talk about why he&rsquo;s chosen the pro side of the kratom debate.

John Shinholser helps people battle addiction. He thinks kratom is a game changer.

Jeffrey Katz has been in law enforcement for more than three decades, and in that time he’s seen it all. Katz came to the Richmond area from Florida in 2018 when he was named the police chief of Chesterfield County. Now, after a spell with the FBI, he’s the head of the Virginia State Police.

On the latest episode of ‘Untold - A WTVR Podcast,’ the career lawman talks to Catie Beck about leadership, policing in a highly politicized 21st century, the fight against fentanyl, concerns about AI, and how transcendental meditation has helped with his mission to protect and serve.

Jeffrey Katz has been in law enforcement for more than three decades, and in that time he&rsquo;s seen it all.&nbsp;Katz came to the Richmond area from Florida in 2018 when he was named the police chief of Chesterfield County.&nbsp;Now, after a spell with the FBI, he&rsquo;s the head of the Virginia State Police.
On the latest episode of &lsquo;Untold - A WTVR Podcast,&rsquo; the career lawman talks to Catie Beck about leadership, policing in a highly politicized 21st century, the fight against fentanyl, concerns about AI, and how transcendental meditation has helped with his mission to protect and serve.

Virginia State Police Col. Jeff Katz

Growing up on the streets of segregated Norfolk, Tim Reid learned the lessons of being a good storyteller at an early age.

His first stage: the dinner table at his grandmother’s boarding house.

“They'd sit around and start telling lies and talking about their lives, and I would listen, then my grandmother would say, ‘Junior, tell them about what thing happened at church the other Sunday,’ and I'd tell them and they'd laugh,” said Reid. “And I've often thought about the training I received, but also the art of storytelling that I gained from those people. A lot of their dreams had been deferred, they were broken in many ways, but they told of their lives in a way that I've always wanted to give honor to.”

Reid, one of Virginia’s favorite actors and comedians, sat down with Catie Beck on the latest episode of ‘Untold – A WTVR Podcast.’

The interview was conducted shortly before the death of Tom Dreesen, Reid’s longtime friend and former comedy partner. The duo is considered to be America’s first interracial comedy team.

Growing up on the streets of segregated Norfolk, Tim Reid learned the lessons of being a good storyteller at an early age.
His first stage: the dinner table at his grandmother&rsquo;s boarding house.
&ldquo;They'd sit around and start telling lies and talking about their lives, and I would listen, then my grandmother would say, &lsquo;Junior, tell them about what thing happened at church the other Sunday,&rsquo; and I'd tell them and they'd laugh,&rdquo; said Reid. &ldquo;And I've often thought about the training I received, but also the art of storytelling that I gained from those people. A lot of their dreams had been deferred, they were broken in many ways, but they told of their lives in a way that I've always wanted to give honor to.&rdquo;
Reid, one of Virginia&rsquo;s favorite actors and comedians, sat down with Catie Beck on the latest episode of &lsquo;Untold &ndash; A WTVR Podcast.&rsquo;
The interview was conducted shortly before the death of Tom Dreesen, Reid&rsquo;s longtime friend and former comedy partner. The duo is considered to be America&rsquo;s first interracial comedy team.

Dean Francis says kratom nearly killed his son. Now he's on a mission to get it banned.

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Untold – A WTVR Podcast

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