Enriching Education: Sesame Street's Karli

Recently PBS staple Sesame Street introduced a new character to their colorful cast.  Karli is a yellow-haired Muppet who grew up in foster care because her mother was dealing with addiction. The hope is that Karli will provide a relatable figure to the often forgotten victims of addiction, children. The premiere of Karli comes in the midst of the opioid crisis in America which claimed the lives of 47,000 people in 2017 alone. 

I had a chance to interview sobriety coach and addiction expert Kevin Sullivan. Kevin shares his experiences on addiction through talks and seminars which have inspired many to seek help and get clean.

Why did Sesame Street decide to add Karli to the cast of characters?
Sesame Street has never shied away from difficult issues – last year they added a character to address homelessness and this year Karli was brought on to bring light to the forgotten victims of addiction, children. The show is all about making kids feel safe to foster a healthy environment to grow and learn. With the opioid epidemic being as big of a problem as it is, it was natural for Sesame Street to step in as an ally and help these children feel less alone.

How can a show like Sesame Street help kids tackle tough subjects?
Sesame Street has the wonderful ability to remove stigmas from subjects that are often thought of as taboo. Just being able to see and relate to characters going through situations like their parents getting divorced, having same-sex parents, being homeless, or having an addict in their family is important for children going through similar situations. Sesame Street can give children and parents the language they need to be able to address these situations occurring in their lives.

What are some other challenging topics that Sesame Street can help kids and their caregivers work through?
Sesame Street has helped children tackle issues such as homelessness, unconventional family structures, divorce, death, and much, much more.

Kevin Sullivan Bio
Kevin Sullivan is a sobriety coach, motivational speaker and serial entrepreneurial success who, proudly in recovery himself, is committed to helping others struggling with addiction. Known as the “turnaround guy,” for his ability to flourish in challenging markets, Kevin has helped kickstart successful multi-million dollar businesses in several different verticals.

Though Kevin’s professional career is filled with accolades, the 2008 stock market crash ravaged both his finances and well-being. Sitting at rock bottom, he was forced to face the inner turmoil that plagued him throughout his life and fueled his reliance on alcohol and substance abuse. Through this challenge, Kevin found purpose and resilience, taking solace in helping others through their own hardships. He embarked on a mission to lift up communities that dealt with struggles similar to his own; starting initiatives in his companies to hire and create opportunities for at-risk youth and those battling addiction. Kevin eventually found himself sharing his personal journey with small groups and large crowds alike, speaking at seminars and conferences on addiction and how to recognize and heal the spiritual wounds beneath it.

Kevin is currently working to change the narrative around addiction and recovery to an inclusive message centered around community, self-care, and inner strength.