PrevenTable: A PreventEd Podcast

Social justice pioneer, Joe Yancey, details his storied career in the behavioral health field and reveals how he’s been spending his retirement, working to change the system he spent so many years working for. Spoiler alert: Joe is just getting started.

Ever wonder what the DEA really does? ASAC Colin Dickey of the St. Louis Division sheds light on the role of the DEA in targeting drug networks in source countries. He describes how the DEA intervenes with drugs like fentanyl and diverts through long-standing community initiatives like Drug Take Back Days and their newest campaign, Operation Overdrive.

PrevenTable’s producer, Clay Butler, steps in front of the mic for this episode and reveals what it’s really like to transition from program participant to staff member. Clay credits Mr. Shane with getting him to Teen Institute (what the heck is that?), emphasizes the importance of “carefrontations,” and explains his motivation to nudge PreventEd forward on gender identity issues.

Listen to find out how Executive Director of H.E.A.L Stop Heroin, Ellis Fitzwalter, and his wife formed a coalition to honor their son, Michael. As one of the almost 30 community coalitions that PreventEd supports, their efforts range from distributing medication disposal bags, providing grief support, walking to raise awareness, and forming a caravan.

OG Harriet Kopolow joins the PrevenTable to reminisce about the origins of “prevention.” Harriet recounts how she pushed against the scare tactics utilized in the early 1980’s and, instead, utilized the AA tradition concepts of peer supports, fellowship, goal-setting, and decision-making, to build the foundation of school-based prevention as we know it.

Chris Thetford discusses how the Better Business Bureau works to empower consumers, businesses, and donors by providing information to facilitate choice. He also underscores the power of diversity of experience in the workplace and advocates for empathetic leadership.

Brock Seals takes a trip down memory lane on the PrevenTable as he describes his journey from fashion designer, to rapper, to commissioned artivist for the St. Louis Cardinals, the NFL, the City Foundry, and, yes, even PreventEd!

Sharon Spruell, mom of 3 and CEO of Queen of Peace Center, reflects on the complexities of motherhood and highlights the unique challenges of women’s treatment and recovery services. #jugglenotbalance #momlife

Fan-girling occurs when Amy Shaw visits the PrevenTable to talk about how Nine PBS went back to its roots during the pandemic. Local, human, and relevant content are the differentiators that make public television “more than enough.”