In this episode, Dave is joined by Laura Stack, the mother behind Johnny's Ambassadors, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating parents and teens about the risks associated with adolescent marijuana use. The organization was named after Laura's son Johnny, who tragically lost his life after struggling with marijuana addiction and the onset of mental health issues. In this conversation, Laura shares the wealth of resources and materials available on Johnny's Ambassador's website, including videos, educational content, toolkits, and even a program for substance abuse counselors. Laura encourages listeners to reach out and make use of these free resources, and also invites them to attend their educational conference. Listen in for a heartfelt discussion on adolescent mental health, the dangers of marijuana use, and the power of preventive education.

In this episode, Jeff Linkenbach shares insights on the Montana Summer Institute, an in-person and virtual event for substance misuse prevention professionals. The event focuses on prevention science, best practices, and transformational leadership, and provides participants with cutting-edge research, tools, and frameworks to apply in their prevention work.

In this episode, prevention specialist and podcast host Nichole Dawsey joins Dave to discuss the importance of building a culture of prevention. They cover topics such as the impact of trauma on substance use, the role of peer support in prevention, and the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing substance use disorder. They also discuss the power of small moments in shaping positive team culture and the magic of the Teen Institute, a transformative leadership opportunity for high school students.

Today, we’re talking about Stigma in rural communities with the Recovery Center of Excellence. We’ll discuss everything there is to know about Stigma in rural communities specifically related to opioid use disorder. The campaign applies the practices of education and contact through art and workshops in rural Appalachian communities. It uses art to dismantle stigma and to humanize those affected by the opioid crisis.

Today, we’re talking about community engagement, facilitation, and what it means to be a prevention leader with Dena Kemp, who is a Southeast Kansas Community Support Specialist.

Today, we’re talking about prevention, facilitation and how to bring those two worlds together. With Steve Miller and Angie Asa-Lovstad, who are prevention leaders and facilitator pros. We’ll discuss everything there is to know about prevention, facilitation, and leadership.

In this episode. we’re talking with Dr. Joel Bennett who is the President of Organizational Wellness & Learning Systems (OWLS), a consulting firm that specializes in evidence-based wellness and e-learning technologies to promote organizational health and employee well-being.

Today, we’re talking about prevention in the higher ed setting with Dr. Allison Smith who facilitates a statewide higher education prevention coalition, provides professional development training for higher education staff and stakeholders, facilitates campus community partnerships and delivers technical assistance around the issue of substance use prevention collegiate communities.

STAND is a coalition of community organizations, businesses, and individuals focused on the health and well-being of the youth in Scott County, Tennessee. They are leading the way in Scott County's alcohol and other drug prevention.

Chief Lees graduated from Indiana University in 1995 with a degree in Criminal Justice. She attended the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Bloomington during the summer of 1994 as an IU Police Part-time Police Officer. She was sworn in at the Plainfield Police Department (IN) on May 15, 1995, National Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Dr. Alex Elswick is a tireless advocate for people with substance use disorders.  He currently serves the University of Kentucky as an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist for Substance Use Prevention and Recovery.

My guest today has well over 13 years of prevention experience, working with individuals and communities that want to grow through strategic and evidence-based solutions. She has led community substance use and suicide prevention efforts AND within that work she coaches individuals in the areas of leadership, finance and wellness.

Most addiction is rooted in the teenage years: 9 in 10 all adults with substance use disorders began using one or more drugs like alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana before the age of 18. A key reason for this is the unique vulnerability of the still-developing teen brain to substance use. The earlier substance use is initiated, the more likely an individual is to develop a substance use disorder. And if teens use one substance, they are far more likely to use others as well.

On this episode, we’ve got a team that has a strong desire in their hearts to reach out to at-risk youth with support, encouragement, prevention services, community resources and most of all, showing them the unconditional love they deserve.

Today, we’re going to have a different conversation around college life and substance use; one that focuses on holistic health, rather than one of misuse. You see, the team there is enlisting the entire community to make a difference; creating a culture of healthy community, connections, and coping skills; and reducing substance misuse and its harms.

Take a trip with me across the globe to Bali and listen in as I have a conversation with the one and only Sober Yoga Girl. We chat about everything from our sober journeys, sober-versaries, mindfulness, and of course sober yoga.

A former NFL center, Randy Grimes lived as everyone’s all-American—with a successful 10-year career for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a beautiful and devoted college-sweetheart-turned-wife, and two healthy children. But pain took over, and the prescription pills used to treat chronic injuries eventually led to playing in blackouts. When Randy’s career ended, the pills continued—feeding an opioid addiction that would last 20+ years and erode his identity, health, and family.

Hillary shares her wisdom from working in wilderness therapy to community mental health, providing in-home & school-based services, as a therapist with specialties including working with anxiety, trauma, addiction, and veterans. She has a ton of great resources on motivational interviewing for you! So take some time and check out her website.

Every Brain Matters is a community of support, advocacy, and science. Join us, as we call for a cultural change with the widespread use of our logo, which unites us and symbolizes both “freedom from marijuana” and optimal brain and environmental health.

It was my second time on the DEA’s Prevention Profiles: Take Five podcast with host Rich Lucey. Being asked to contribute again was a huge honor, but getting to speak about a topic I am so passionate about as well was truly an awesome experience!