The Mayo Clinic calls it addictive, unsafe and ineffective. Opponents call it “gas station heroin.” But for Patti Wheeler, it’s the tragic cause of death for her 27-year-old son Robert “Wyatt” Wheeler, who suffered a fatal seizure just six weeks after he began taking Kratom. With the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announcing July 1 that it is implementing a temporary, emergency ban on synthetic, concentrated forms of the drug — a compound called 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) — we talk to Wheeler about her years of advocacy work and why she believes the ban needs to be broader and permanent. We also speak to a local recovery expert about the unique threats and challenges posed by ever-evolving formulas of synthetic drugs.

Guests:


Patti Wheeler, author, film producer, founder of A Beautiful Life Stolen


Nick Padlo, founder and CEO of Sophros Recovery

Lived experience

The Jacksonville Housing Authority is poised to implement new work requirements and eviction guidelines that would be among the strictest public housing rules in the nation. The story broke in a series of reports by Jacksonville Today’s newest reporter, who found that JHA has crafted a local version of federal Housing and Urban Development guidelines, even though the rules are optional and still face a variety of legal challenges. Among the changes: JHA tenants would be required to work at least 30 hours a week and have just three months to find employment if they lose their job. We discuss the story, as well as her earlier work on an investigation that led to the release of a 72-year-old woman imprisoned for life after a shooting in self-defense.

Guest: Elizabeth Caldwell, investigative reporter, Jacksonville Today

Deck the halls

The Lufrano Gallery at the University of North Florida is the backdrop for an artistic recycling project that shreds traditional expectations. Artist Zakriya Rabini uses hundreds of damaged and destroyed skateboard decks to create surprisingly haunting artistic installations that he’s dubbed “Divine Decks.” The artist drops in for a freewheeling discussion about his rise from grom to gallery director, and why the board provides a perfect launching pad for larger discussions about society and the scars that come with human experience. The exhibit opens July 13 and runs through late September.

Guest: Zakriya Rabani, artist, director of fine arts operations and gallery director at Jacksonville University

The Mayo Clinic <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/in-depth/kratom/art-20402171">calls it</a> addictive, unsafe and ineffective. Opponents <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/kratom-targeted-crackdowns-states-cities-rcna166661">call it</a> &ldquo;gas station heroin.&rdquo; But for Patti Wheeler, it&rsquo;s the tragic cause of death for her 27-year-old son Robert &ldquo;Wyatt&rdquo; Wheeler, who suffered a fatal seizure just six weeks after he began taking Kratom. With the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration <a href="https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2026/07/01/dea-temporarily-schedule-7-oh-and-related-substances-protect-public">announcing</a> July 1 that it is implementing a temporary, emergency ban on synthetic, concentrated forms of the drug &mdash; a compound called 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) &mdash; we talk to Wheeler about her years of advocacy work and why she believes the ban needs to be broader and permanent. We also speak to a local recovery expert about the unique threats and challenges posed by ever-evolving formulas of synthetic drugs.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>
Patti Wheeler, author, film producer, founder of A Beautiful Life Stolen
</li>
<li>
Nick Padlo, founder and CEO of Sophros Recovery
</li>
</ul>
Lived experience
The Jacksonville Housing Authority is poised to implement new work requirements and eviction guidelines that would be among the strictest public housing rules in the nation. The story broke in a <a href="https://jaxtoday.org/2026/07/01/housing-authority-work-requirement/">series</a> of reports by Jacksonville Today&rsquo;s newest reporter, who found that JHA has crafted a local version of federal Housing and Urban Development guidelines, even though the rules are optional and still face a variety of legal challenges. Among the changes: JHA tenants would be required to work at least 30 hours a week and have just three months to find employment if they lose their job. We discuss the story, as well as her earlier work on an <a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/04/06/1243276508/the-prosecutor-who-put-her-away-says-she-should-be-free-but-shes-still-in-prison">investigation</a> that led to the release of a 72-year-old woman imprisoned for life after a shooting in self-defense.
Guest: <a href="https://jaxtoday.org/2026/06/15/jacksonville-today-elizabeth-caldwell/">Elizabeth Caldwell</a>, investigative reporter, Jacksonville Today
Deck the halls
The Lufrano Gallery at the University of North Florida is the backdrop for an artistic recycling project that shreds traditional expectations. Artist Zakriya Rabini uses hundreds of damaged and destroyed skateboard decks to create surprisingly haunting artistic installations that he&rsquo;s dubbed &ldquo;Divine Decks.&rdquo; The artist drops in for a freewheeling discussion about his rise from grom to gallery director, and why the board provides a perfect launching pad for larger discussions about society and the scars that come with human experience. The <a href="https://www.unf.edu/gallery/Galleries/Lufrano-Intercultural-Gallery.html">exhibit</a> opens July 13 and runs through late September.
Guest: Zakriya Rabani, artist, director of fine arts operations and gallery director at Jacksonville University

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 Subscribe free and make WJCT News Now part of your daily routine.

Stay connected to Jacksonville and Northeast Florida with WJCT News Now &mdash; your free, daily news podcast from WJCT Public Media. Every morning, anchor Steven Ponson breaks down the headlines you need to start your day informed. Then go deeper with highlights from First Coast Connect &mdash; the show where local newsmakers, civic leaders, artists, and community voices come together to talk through what's happening in your backyard.
&nbsp;Subscribe free and make WJCT News Now part of your daily routine.