Start Today Harm Reduction is a 501(c)(3) registered community initiative based in Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, focused on implementing harm reduction strategies. It leverages the power of live music and community events to engage and educate individuals on safe practices.
By creating a supportive and inclusive environment, Start Today Harm Reduction aims to reduce the negative consequences associated with substance use and promote overall well-being within the community.
Their events serve as a platform for raising awareness, distributing resources, and fostering connections among community members.
During nursing school in 2013, one of Sean’s best friends in the world passed away. From that day forward he took it as a sign and vowed to regard psychiatric services and substance abuse as his primary focus as an RN and to never let others felt the way he did when Nick passed away.
Nick was such a bright soul, great musician and an even better friend. Nick played in several local punk and ska bands including Suburban Skank, Second Hand Sex, and Pumpkin Slut. Unfortunately, Nick struggled with addiction and lost his life to heroin in 2013 at 21 years old.
In 2022, nearly 108,000 people lost their lives to drugs- with those types of numbers it’s safe to assume that we each have a “Nick”.
Harm Reduction is very important to us and we implore everyone to think of someone like Nick and arm them and themselves with information and education.
Our Purpose: Partners Sean & Kelley both share a strong urge to protect their community through harm reduction measures.
Background: I am a hospital-based clinical pharmacist and have lived in the Northern Kentucky area for most of my adult life.
Background: I’m from Covington Kentucky and work in Cosmetics at Sephora as an Operations Manager.
Background: I’m from Florence, Ky originally but have lived in Covington for nearly a decade. I am an assistant nurse manager on a substance use disorder unit.
Background: I grew up in Kentucky playing in the woods with my friends, catching bugs and all kinds of animals. I now live in Cincinnati.
Background: I’m a geriatric millennial / elder emo with a wife and two kids. I read a lot and love collecting records, am a big fan of the MCU and Godzilla.
Background: I grew up in Ohio and moved to Kentucky to get my BSW and MSW. I spent the first few years of my career focusing on domestic..
Treasurer
Background: I am a hospital-based clinical pharmacist and have lived in the Northern Kentucky area for most of my adult life. Outside of the hospital, I enjoy traveling, reading, gardening, and spending time outdoors.
Why Harm Reduction is important to me: Addiction is a leading cause of preventable deaths. I witnessed my brother’s decades-long struggle with substance abuse which tragically came to an end in 2023. I recognize that people are going to engage in risky behaviors, and it’s important to help them stay as safe as they can. If we support programs that educate about the dangers, make it easier to get help with addiction, and find ways to reduce the harm of drug use, we can save lives, and can prevent other families from feeling the devastating pain of losing someone they love. I want to be a part of the solution in a compassionate and non-judgmental way.
Favorite Band: I enjoy music by Disturbed, Shinedown, Linkin Park (RIP Chester), and Lindsey Stirling, among others.
Favorite Live Show: 5FDP + Shinedown, May 2018; my first time seeing Lindsey Stirling live (the Music Box tour, June 2014).
Co-Founder & President
Background: I’m from Covington Kentucky and work in Cosmetics at Sephora as an Operations Manager.
Why Harm Reduction is important to me: I know many people affected by addiction and I wish that harm reduction was more prevalent and available to those I’ve loved and lost over the years and I want to be of help to anyone who feels like they have no one to turn to. My passion with Start Today is to offer resources and education to the community. I want to be one of the faces of change to someone who just wants to feel comfortable sharing their story with.
Favorite Band: Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
Favorite live show: This is a HARD one. I’d have to say TTNG at The Chop Shop in Chicago back in 2019.
Founder
Background: I’m from Florence, Ky originally but have lived in Covington for nearly a decade. I am an assistant nurse manager on a substance use disorder unit. I have also played drums in several local and regional bands for about 20 years.
Why Harm Reduction is important to you: Harm reduction is important to me because I have personally struggled with substance use disorder and I feel very strongly about helping others in need and providing the education that I have learned in my career and passing that on to others that may not seek care otherwise. Essentially, I have had too many people close to me pass away from this disease process and if I can prevent that locally-I will.
Favorite Band: Alkaline Trio
Favorite Live Show: Algernon Cadwallader in 2022 in North Carolina
Strategy
Background: I grew up in Kentucky playing in the woods with my friends, catching bugs and all kinds of animals. I now live in Cincinnati and after working on a few farms I started a landscaping business. Running a business is scary at times, honestly, but it allows me to create meaningful work with the flexibility to be an artist and to give back to the community. One of the passions dearest to my heart has been teaching kids music programs after school, helping kids find a positive outlet for their emotions in music and sending song recordings to their families.
Why Harm Reduction is important to you: This mission is close to my heart as l’ve directly seen addiction negatively impact the lives of my friends and myself. I think it’s some kind of miracle that I didn’t end up as a statistic and still during stressful times have to choose recovery every day.
Favorite Band: So many to choose from… Zero 7, Jungle, Maribou State, Pink Floyd, Zeta, Thievery Corporation, Shuggie Otis, Seatbelts, Mazzy Star, Masayoshi Takanaka and local bands like Soften, Anna Applegate and Lung
Favorite Live Show: Combo Chimbita at Woodward in 2023
Events
Background: I’m a geriatric millennial / elder emo with a wife and two kids. I read a lot and love collecting records, am a big fan of the MCU and Godzilla, and really enjoy hanging out with my youngest as much as I enjoy hanging out at a show. My wife is my best friend. I’ve been writing about music since high school, and promoting music since around the same time. I started doing so with a high school radio show, then started booking shows about a decade later. I write and take photos for CincyMusic, covering as much as I can that’s happening in the local scene, and I’m a co-founder of MidWest Friend Fest, a regional music festival with community and inclusivity at the center of everything we do. I also book shows for local and touring bands when I’m able, and help as much as I can otherwise.
Why Harm Reduction is important to me: Mental health issues and substance use disorder run rampant in my family, on both sides, so I’ve always kept a watchful eye on things for myself. I care about those around me – in my home and in my community – and recognize the stigma attached to so much of what those folks are dealing with. Being able to learn about, teach, and supply the means for *anyone* to do better or feel better, for themselves or for others, is a privilege I don’t take for granted.
Favorite Band: Right now? Jeff Rosenstock. Ever? Deftones, probably.
Favorite Live Show: Every time I’ve seen Murder By Death, but Jeff Rosenstock is a close second.
Treasurer
Background: I grew up in Ohio and moved to Kentucky to get my BSW and MSW. I spent the first few years of my career focusing on domestic and sexual violence intervention services, and moved into healthcare social work shortly after. In my free time I love reading, embroidery, and hanging out with my cat.
Why Harm Reduction is Important to you: Harm reduction is important to me because I have personally witnessed the benefits of having easy access to Narcan and the way it changes the outcome in a life or death situation. Harm reduction destigmatizes addiction and assists people with accessing services they need to recover, and recover in their own time.
Favorite Artist: Wallows
Favorite Live Show: Oliver Tree in Chicago, IL 2019
