The 13th Step

New Hampshire Public Radio

An investigation into the widespread culture of sexual misconduct and abuse persistent in the addiction treatment industry.

15 Episodes

Introducing: A Private Matter
11/4/2026
26:07
A Christmas tree farmer with dementia disappears. His wife never reports him missing. Can anyone find out why? A Private Matter is a five-part series from Bear Brook about what happens when family estrangement and the growing dementia crisis conspire to create an epic tragedy of humble proportions, spawning a criminal investigation and a supernatural search for answers. A Private Matter is the third season of Bear Brook, the critically-acclaimed true crime podcast from New Hampshire Public Radio hosted by Jason Moon. Bear Brook is a production of NHPR's Document team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Introducing: Safe to Drink
2/12/2026
33:39
Introducing “Safe to Drink:” A New Hampshire town finds out its water has been contaminated by a chemical. The most basic question — whether the water is safe to drink — doesn’t have a clear answer. Nobody seems to know much about this so-called forever chemical, which is weird because… this has all happened before. From the Document team at New Hampshire Public Radio, "Safe to Drink" is a four-part series about the water contamination story that keeps repeating in town after town — and about the people who fought for answers through a maze of chemistry, regulations, and illnesses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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11: Feds Arrest Eric Spofford
6/9/2025
29:08
Federal prosecutors now say the vandalism scheme was Eric Spofford’s idea all along. Spofford appears in federal court, and Lauren explains what this remarkable moment means for her and her sources. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10: The Sentencing
12/11/2024
26:06
A federal judge sentences Eric Labarge, the man who pled guilty to orchestrating the vandalism in retaliation for our reporting on Labarge’s friend, Eric Spofford. Lauren explains what went down in the courtroom – and how she navigated the experience as both a journalist and a victim of this crime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9: A New Bill and a Final Ruling
3/5/2024
20:45
New Hampshire lawmakers consider a new oversight bill proposed in response to the podcast. And the judge issues his final ruling in Eric Spofford’s defamation lawsuit against NHPR and three of our sources. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8: A Big Arrest
9/12/2023
19:33
Federal prosecutors have charged a fourth person in the vandalism case, a man they describe as a “close, personal associate” of Eric Spofford. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7: Vandalism Arrests
6/20/2023
13:27
Federal prosecutors have charged three men for their alleged roles in the vandalism incidents. According to the feds, the vandalism was "solicited" by a "close, personal associate" of Eric Spofford's. Reporter Jason Moon goes to the arraignment at a Boston courthouse and tells Lauren what happened. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Epilogue: Employee A
6/6/2023
25:43
A conversation with one of the women whose story of sexual assault you heard earlier in this podcast. She talks with Lauren about what it was like to hear her story published, the legal threats she has faced from Eric Spofford and his lawyers, and why she decided to speak out in the first place. The 13th Step is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio’s Document team. More at 13thsteppodcast.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5: The Litter Police
6/6/2023
1:01:00
What does it take to catch a predator in the addiction treatment industry? We hear about a case in California where the CEO of a network of treatment facilities was convicted of sexual assault and massive insurance fraud. It required years of work – and two women who banded together and refused to give up. The 13th Step is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio’s Document team. More at 13thsteppodcast.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6: The Glam Room
6/6/2023
38:22
Since Lauren began reporting, Eric Spofford sold his New Hampshire company for millions of dollars and filed a defamation lawsuit in response to NHPR’s coverage. We catch you up on everything that’s happened. And we introduce you to a sober living community where addressing women’s sexual trauma is a priority. The 13th Step is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio’s Document team. More at 13thsteppodcast.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The 13th Step

New Hampshire Public Radio

15 Episodes

Introducing: A Private Matter

Introducing: Safe to Drink

11: Feds Arrest Eric Spofford

10: The Sentencing

9: A New Bill and a Final Ruling

8: A Big Arrest

7: Vandalism Arrests

Epilogue: Employee A

5: The Litter Police

6: The Glam Room