PrevenTable: A PreventEd Podcast

We’re back with another episode of the PrevenTable! Jenny sits down with Brenda Schell, Public Health Analyst and Liaison for the state of Missouri’s Overdose Response Strategy, and Brad Germann of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. They discuss the encouraging decline in overdose rates across Missouri since 2022 and highlight the impact of statewide naloxone distribution, with more than 630,000 kits provided to partners across 15 counties between July 2024 and June 2025. The conversation covers the signs of an overdose, emerging drug use trends, and the innovative strategies being implemented both in Missouri and nationwide to save lives and strengthen communities.

We welcomed Tasha Skouby, Grant Coordinator at Jefferson Franklin County Community Action Corporation, to the PrevenTable this week for a conversation about the partnership between The Collective and JFCAC’s EZMO program, which provides transportation for those in the county seeking recovery. Tasha addresses the three biggest community needs: transportation, housing, and childcare and what providing such resources means for recovery support. The two also discuss what the buzzword “collaboration” really means and how this partnership is its true definition.

This week, we’re talking about one of biggest barriers to recovery—housing—and how one organization is working to change that. Our guest, Maggie Sullivan, is the executive director of Gratitude House, a sober living home for women that’s redefining what aftercare can look like. She shares how her team is elevating the recovery experience, building positive community culture, and how each person’s unique recovery journey still shares a few powerful universals.

We’ve got some familiar faces on the pod this week—Jenny’s three kids! Lucy (14), John (15), and Alex (11) bring some young wisdom to the table as they share their experience and insight about drug use in elementary, middle, and high school. They describe the attitudes and behaviors around vaping and cannabis use as well as their understanding of how to help a peer that may be struggling with substances.

Meet Matt Bitner-Glindzicz, founder of nCase Technologies, who—along with his fiancée—created a naloxone keychain to make carrying the lifesaving medication simple and accessible. After witnessing multiple overdose tragedies, Matt and Dani recognized the difficulty of regularly carrying naloxone due to its size and packaging, and decided to take matters into their own hands by creating a pocket-sized case for it. Now, they’re partnering with community groups to get naloxone into more hands, one keychain at a time.

This week on the PrevenTable, Callan Montgomery, director and co-founder of Haven Recovery, shares the inspiring story of starting the organization with her husband eight years ago. Since then, Haven Recovery has provided safe and supportive housing for more than 1,000 people on their recovery journeys. Callan highlights the essential resources they offer to those seeking stability and healing, as well as the impact of community support. She also shares ways listeners can get involved during Recovery Month to make a difference.

Olivette mayor Sidney Clark joins to give the inside scoop on his time working in politics for the city—the same city that PreventEd’s main office is located! Born and raised in the area, Sidney gushes about the way he’s seen the Olivette community grow, discusses the nonprofit footprint in the town, and even dishes on new spots and fun events for residents and visitors alike.

Studies show Gen Z is using substances at lower rates than any other generation. But is that really true? Jenny welcomes Abigail and Audrey Brown to the PrevenTable this week for some insight into what’s going on in the world of Gen Z and substance use. Abigail, a server at a college bar, dishes the truth on what it’s like to navigate the drinking scene amongst young adults, and the pair discuss recent health trends and prevention efforts surrounding abstaining from substances.

This week on the PrevenTable, we talk with Ashley Johnson from the Missouri National Guard’s Counterdrug Program about her work supporting community prevention efforts. From distributing Narcan kits to schools to teaching mental health first aid, she’s helping make a difference across Missouri. Ashley shares what it’s been like to collaborate more closely with PreventEd and what’s ahead for this growing partnership.

Amanda Ruback, Community Outreach Coordinator with the Missouri Poison Center, says cases of accidental cannabis overdose in children have been on the rise in Missouri since the legalization of the drug two years. This week, we welcomed her to the PrevenTable for a show and tell, where she discusses cannabis safety and storage and explains her role with the center.

In honor of The Collective’s grand opening, we brought in certified peer specialist John Singer to provide insight into his motivation for creating a recovery community center in Jefferson County. He explains the ability of RCC’s to lower barriers to recovery, our partnership with Jefferson Franklin Community Action Corporation, and why transportation services to treatment are so important in JeffCo. Come visit us at The Collective now!

It’s Executive Director x Executive Director today at the PrevenTable! Aaron Laxton with Assisted Recovery Centers of America (ARCA) details his background in social work, the story of ARCA’s beginnings, and the challenges of leading a nonprofit right now.