What happens when a kid raised by addicts, with a father who dealt drugs, grows up to manage some of America's biggest crises?  In this episode, author and crisis communications expert David La Torre answers that question with one of the most powerful stories we've had on the show.

David takes us through his GenX latchkey childhood in 1970s and '80s Pennsylvania, which includes the normalcy of pill use back then, the spiral of parental substance abuse, surviving child abuse, his father's path to prison and the long, deliberate work of breaking the cycle of generational trauma.  He has captured all of this in his upcoming memoir, "Soda."

Then the conversation turns to a career he never could have predicted.  After working in journalism, David joined Governor Tom Ridge's press staff just one month before September 11, 2001, and he shares with us a perspective from that day that few have witnessed.  He also shares what he learned from the Quecreek mine rescue, his time as press secretary to Governor Mark Schweiker and his work in crisis communications for Penn State during the Sandusky scandal.

This is a raw GenX story about addiction, resilience, fatherhood, healing and how the hardest chapters of your past can prepare you for moments you never saw coming.  We loved our conversation with David and look forward to hosting him as a return guest as part of his book release for “Soda”.

David's memoir "Soda" is coming soon, stay tuned to the show notes for release updates.  Have a question for David?  Drop it in the comments. 🔔 Subscribe for more real people, real stories, real conversations from every generation.

Check David Out Here:
Website: https://latorrecommunications.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/david_la_torre/?hl=en
X: https://x.com/David_LaTorre

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https://genxadultingpodcast.com/

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