Pathways 2 Prevention

Two countries, two youth workers, one shared conviction: resilience isn't a luxury, it's a practice anyone can learn. This is a special multicast episode, recorded alongside our partners at the Unnecessary Harm podcast, built around this year's World Resiliency Week theme, "The Pulse of Resilience: Fall, Feel, Rise." Host Shane Varkow sits down with Adam Woods, coordinator of...

This special multicast episode was originally recorded with our partners at the Dalgarno Institute and their podcast, Unnecessary Harm . As part of our ongoing collaboration around World Resiliency Week, we are excited to share this conversation with the Pathways to Prevention audience. Host Shane Varcoe sits down with World Resiliency Week planning team members Dave Closson and Jen Schneeman to e...

College drinking is often treated like an individual choice problem — “students just need to make better decisions.” In this episode, we zoom out and look at the bigger lever: culture and environment . Host Dave Closson is joined by Kate Lower (SHIFT, University of Texas at Austin) and Keyra Palacios (UT Austin student & SHIFT Maker) for a practical conversation about what prevention looks lik...

Most people in prevention care deeply… that’s not the issue. The issue is that some of the most common prevention approaches can quietly miss the mark… and sometimes even backfire. In this episode of Pathways 2 Prevention , Dave Closson sits down with Matej (UTRIP), author of Prevention Gone Wrong: The Do’s, Don’ts, and the Common-Sense Lessons in Drug Prevention , to unpack why “good intentions”...

In this episode of Pathways to Prevention , we explore prevention leadership from a different angle — lived experience that doesn’t come from a degree program, but from doing the work, showing up, and growing through real-world practice. Dave sits down with Emily Parsons, Assistant Director of Health Promotion at the University of Tampa, to talk about her journey from student peer educator to camp...

When we talk about prevention, most people think about youth programs, policy change, or school-based education. But prevention also starts in a hospital room, in a living room at 3 a.m. when a parent wonders, “Is this normal?”, and in the quiet after pregnancy or infant loss when families are left to figure out what comes next—often alone. In this episode of Pathways 2 Prevention , Dave sits down...

In this episode of Pathways to Prevention , host Dave Closson spotlights a powerful youth-led global effort: the Youth Declaration on Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery . What began as a spark at a CND side event in Vienna grew into a global core youth group, a multi-country survey, and a declaration that centers one clear message: nothing about us without us . Dave is joined by youth leaders and...

Dave Closson sits down with Terry Gerlach, Supervisor of Clinical Services at Hazelden Betty Ford in Naples, to explore recovery and mental health in older adults. Terry shares her career pivot from corporate banking to clinical work, the power of holistic care that treats substance use and mental health together, and practical ways families and providers can recognize risk, strengthen protective...

In this episode of Pathways 2 Prevention , Dave Closson sits down with Jason Dorr, a longtime youth mentor and prevention educator from More2Life . With nearly two decades of experience working with teens in schools, churches, and communities, Jason shares how his passion for helping youth make positive choices has shaped his work—and the lives of countless young people. Together, Dave and Jason e...

In this powerful episode, Dave sits down with Julietta, a passionate prevention leader whose journey began as a child growing up in Juárez, Mexico, once known as the most dangerous city in the world. Julietta shares how witnessing the harsh realities of drug and human trafficking shaped her deep commitment to prevention work. What started as childhood curiosity turned into a lifelong mission: empo...

After losing her sister to an overdose and her husband in a tragic military accident, Natalee King found herself drowning in grief, addiction, and hopelessness. What followed was a years-long descent marked by trauma, legal troubles, and a suicide attempt. She believed her story was over. But then—something changed. In this raw and deeply moving conversation, Natalee shares the moment she screamed...

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, Dave Closson sits down with Dr. Aaron Weiner to explore the evolving landscape of substance misuse—and what true prevention must look like in a world where addiction is often a business model. From flavored nicotine pouches and gamified vapes to the wellness-wrapped marketing of psychedelics and cannabis, Dr. Weiner unpacks the manipulative tactics industr...

How can we truly empower young people in substance use prevention? In this episode of Pathways 2 Prevention , host Dave Closson sits down with Emily Hill , a dedicated Drug-Free Communities (DFC) coordinator from Minnesota, to explore how youth advisory coalitions are shaping the future of prevention. Emily shares her journey into prevention work, the importance of youth-led listening sessions , a...

In this inspiring episode of Pathways 2 Prevention, host Dave Closson sits down with Angie Ferguson, Executive Director of Drug Free Clubs of America (DFCA). Angie shares the story behind this innovative program, which empowers teenagers to remain drug-free through voluntary drug testing, peer-led initiatives, and positive reinforcement. From creating a built-in “out” for teens facing peer pressur...

Welcome to the Pathways to Prevention Podcast, where we explore transformative ideas, innovative approaches, and inspiring stories in substance misuse prevention and recovery. In this episode, Dave Closson sits down with Rocío Suárez Ordoñez, a psychologist, consultant, and global leader in women's substance use disorder treatment and recovery. Rocio serves as the Chair of Membership and Innovatio...

In this inspiring episode of the Pathways to Prevention podcast, host Dave Closson sits down with Ariel Cohn, a dedicated Young Professionals Advisory Board member at the Drug Free America Foundation and prevention supervisor with DCCCA, a nonprofit in Kansas. Ariel shares her journey from a high school student curious about public health to a dynamic leader in youth substance use prevention and m...

In this episode of Pathways to Prevention, host Dave Closson welcomes inspiring young leaders from across Asia who recently attended the 11th Asian Youth Forum, organized by the Fourth Wave Foundation. The event brought together youth from diverse countries, including Bhutan, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka, to address pressing issues like mental health, substance use prevention, and commu...

In this special episode of the Pathways 2 Podcast, recorded live at the National Prevention Network (NPN) Conference, we bring you two insightful conversations with leaders who are making a significant impact in the field of prevention. First, we sit down with Ben Stevenson, who oversees prevention and harm reduction services for Montgomery County, Maryland, and also runs his own consulting firm,...

In this episode of the Pathways 2 Prevention podcast, we explore the critical role of international cooperation in drug abuse prevention with Branislava, a dedicated advocate from Serbia. Branislava shares her journey from law school to making a significant impact on drug policy and international collaboration. She provides a unique perspective on how listening, collaboration, and a multidisciplin...

In this powerful episode, Dave Closson sits down with Dr. David Patton, an Associate Professor in Criminology at the University of Derby, for an in-depth conversation about resilience, recovery, and the transformative power of lived experience. Dr. David Patton shares his journey from growing up in a disadvantaged neighborhood in England to becoming an associate professor in criminology. He discus...

In this powerful episode of the "Pathways to Prevention" podcast, Dave welcomes Boomer Rose, a fervent advocate and inspiring figure in the realms of prevention and recovery. Boomer shares his profound journey from overcoming personal adversities including addiction, incarceration, and homelessness to becoming a leading voice in community transformation. His story highlights the importance of live...

In this podcast episode, Tracey Ford shares her compelling journey from a challenging upbringing in Sheffield, UK, to her remarkable work in the recovery field. Coming from a background of dysfunction, teenage pregnancy, and subsequent struggles with drugs and coercive relationships, Tracey's life took a positive turn after being sectioned due to drug-induced psychosis. Discharged without aftercar...

In this enlightening episode, host Dave Closson engages in a profound conversation with David Best, a professor of addiction recovery and director of the Centre for Addiction Recovery Research, and Mulka Nisic, a project manager and PhD researcher, about the transformative concept of Inclusive Recovery Cities. This initiative aims to foster communities where recovery from addiction is not only vis...

In this inspiring episode of the Pathways to Prevention podcast, host Dave sits down with Amy, the Executive Director of the Drug Free America Foundation. From an unexpected start with a humanities degree to becoming a leading voice in drug prevention, Amy shares her unique journey and the profound lessons learned along the way. This conversation sheds light on the personal experiences that shaped...

Welcome to a special re-broadcast of one of our most acclaimed episodes. As we step into the new year, we revisit our inspiring conversation with Dave Higham, founder of 'The Well.' Dave shares his remarkable journey of overcoming adversity and how his vision has transformed the lives of many through community support, empathy, and resilience. Episode Highlights:Dave Higham's Personal Journey: Dis...