Bridging Communities

Welcome back to another episode of Bridging Communities. This episode, we sit down with Jeff Shaw, Executive Director of Hope of East Tennessee. Hope of East Tennessee is one of the oldest treatment centers in the state, and Jeff takes us through what is his why, what they do at Hope, and why it’s so important to treat the whole person. If you or someone you know is in crisis or in need of substan...

Welcome back to another episode of Bridging Communities. In this episode, we introduce our newest prevention coordinator, Wendy Maness. If you would like to get involved with ASAP and help make Anderson County drug-free or request information, go to ASAPofAnderson.org . If you or someone you know is in crisis or in need of substance use referral, call or text the TN Redline at 1-800-889-8789 and f...

Welcome back to another episode of Bridging Communities, this episode we talk with Kristi Beeler, our regional overdose prevention specialist about what prevention looks like beyond primary prevention. If you would like to get involved with ASAP and help make Anderson County drug-free or to schedule a TN Save a Life training, go to ASAPofAnderson.org . If you or someone you know is in crisis or in...

Welcome back to another episode of Bridging Communities. In this episode, we talk with the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network East Region Director, Taylor Murmann. Taylor takes us through what suicide prevention month is, how to have those hard conversations, and ways that we can show up for ourselves and others. To learn more about how to get involved with TSPN or about upcoming suicide prevent...

Welcome back to another episode of Bridging Communities, this episode we’re talking about International Overdose Awareness Day. International Overdose Awareness Day is a worldwide day honoring and remembering the lives impacted by overdose and making an effort to join together as a community to prevent future overdoses. We hope you will join us on August 28th, 2025 at 6 p.m. to honor the 71 lives...

Trigger Warning: Mention of suicide attempts, discussion of drug use. Welcome back to another episode of Bridging Communities, this episode we sit down with our own Kristi Beeler and her son Justin. They take us through the years of Justin's personal struggle with addiction, how he got to recovery, and a raw look into struggles with mental health and addiction. And a powerful story of salvation an...

Welcome back to another episode of Bridging Communities, this episode, we sit down with Laura Taliaferro, Student Services Coordinator at ASAP! We discuss our new free program for students called Coping Conversations, which hopes to teach students positive coping skills to help them find healthier alternatives to deal with stress, as opposed to turning to substances. We are extremely excited about...

Welcome back to another episode of Bridging Communities, this episode we sit down with Shayla’s dad, Jamie Smith! They take us through shared whys, experiences with substance use and misuse, and doing whatever it takes to be the best version of yourself for you and your loved ones. If you or someone you know is in crisis or in need of substance use referral, call or text the TN Redline at 1-800-88...

Welcome back to another episode of Bridging Communities, this episode we sit down with Nathan Wray, prevention specialist and public speaker who got his start in Tennessee and is now bringing prevention to students all over the country! He talks about his own journey, how prevention has changed over the years, and how little things in a kid’s life can make a big impact.  Go to NathanWraySpeaks.com...

Thank you for joining us for another episode of Bridging Communities! This episode, host Shayla Wilson and Prevention Coordinator, Savannah Meade, talk about ASAP's impaired driving prevention and programs under the THSO Funding. Then Shayla sits down with Marissa Maurer from UT's #GetConvinced to learn more about their safe driving programs, some stats on impaired driving, and some tips f...

Welcome back to another episode of Bridging Communities. In this episode, we sit down with our new care coordinator, Cassidy Newman, as she takes us through what a care coordinator does and gives us a view into her powerful recovery story. This episode left us with a couple of tears, as well as a wonderful reminder of why we do what we do. If you or someone you know is in crisis or in need of subs...

Welcome back to another episode of Bridging Communities, this episode we dive into some of the data that informs our prevention with youth and adults in Anderson County. This includes the TDMHSAS Fatal Overdose Report (2023) and the TN Together Student Survey (’24-’25 School Year).  Go to ASAPofAnderson.org to learn more about the parent resources, how to talk to your kids, or call us at 865-457-3...

Welcome back to another episode of Bridging Communities. In this episode we sit down with Stephanie Strutner, CEO of Prevention Alliance of Tennessee, President of Catalyst Evaluation Group and the founding executive director of ASAP of Anderson. We take a walk down memory lane to learn more about the founding of ASAP as well as explore the importance of evidence-driven prevention and how unique s...

Welcome back to another episode of Bridging Communities! This week, we sit down with Tony Jackson, the director of Prevention at the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS). We have a candid conversation about why we do what we do, the data that drives our programs statewide, and the progress we have seen in the state of Tennessee. If you or someone you know is...

Welcome back to another episode of Bridging Communities! Today we sit down with a familiar face to many in Anderson County, Representative Rick Scarborough. We with him as he starts his first legislative session as a state representative, get his insights on how far Anderson County has grown, and reminisce on how we are shaped by our hometowns. If you or someone you know is in need of crisis refer...

Join us for a special episode of Bridging Communities recorded while in D.C. for CADCA's Leadership Forum. We sit down with Dr. Monty Burks and have a candid discussion on prevention, second chances, recovery, and how to build a better Tennessee for everyone. Find out more about Every Child TN at https://everychildtn.org and reach out to Monty at M.Burks@tn.gov  Go to ASAPofAnderson.org to find ou...

Join us for another episode of Bridging Communities! This week, we’re talking the podcast on the road and sat down with Tennessee Congressman Chuck Fleischmann at his office in D.C. Thank you Representative Fleischmann and his staff for finding time for us to record! If you or someone you know is in need of crisis help or referral for substance use disorder in the state of Tennessee, please call t...

Join us for another episode of Bridging Communities! This episode we will be diving into advocacy and the upcoming advocacy efforts we will be taking part in on the state and federal levels! Find your representative at Capitol. TN.gov and more information on our website ASAPofAnderson.org. If you or someone you know is in need of help or referral for substance use treatment, call or text the TN Re...

Welcome back to Bridging Communities, a podcast from ASAP of Anderson! This week, we sit down with the Anderson County Health Educator Madison Moore and talk about vaping and tobacco, the problems our youth face, making healthy choices, and more! If you or someone you know are in need of Substance Use treatment or referral within the state of Tennessee, please call or text the TN Redline at 1-800-...

Welcome to the first episode of Bridging Communities in 2025! We're so excited to be back and talking about Dry January, the challenge to not drink any alcohol in the month of January. Join host Shayla Wilson and prevention coordinator Savannah Meade as they discuss the benefits of dry January, where it originated, and normalizing conversations about alcohol. Follow ASAP of Anderson on social medi...

Welcome back to Bridging Communities! This episode, host Shayla Wilson and Laura Taliaferro sit down with Alec Fritts, local business owner in Anderson County. We hear his story, his why, and how he got to where he is today. If you or a loved on are in need of recovery resources, please call the TN Redline at 1-800-889-9789. Go to ASAPofAnderson.org to request lockboxes or other information.

Join Shayla Wilson and prevention coordinator Sara Bean as they discuss alcohol around the holidays. How to have conversations with youth and kids coming home for holidays, what to do if someone opts out of a drink, and how to make sure your holidays are safe, merry, and bright! We hope to see YOU at our Annual Banquet on December 9th from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Calhoun's in Oak Ridge! Tickets are o...

On our second episode of Bridging Communities, Shayla and Kristi sit down with Scott Nation from the Anderson County Veterans Services. We talk about the importance of services and mental health for our veterans, the stigma surrounding mental health and substance use disorder, and that if you can do nothing else, you can always greet someone with a smile. Follow us at ASAPofAnderson on all our soc...

Welcome to the first episode of Bridging Communities! A podcast from ASAP of Anderson. In this introduction, hear from our staff, Shayla Wilson, Laura Taliaferro, Kristi McCaleb, Sara Bean, and Savannah Meade. They discuss what they do at ASAP, what is their "why," and what prevention really means to them. Join us twice a month for new episodes of Bridging Communities and be sure to go to ASAPofAn...

Welcome to Bridging Communities! A new podcast from ASAP of Anderson, the substance misuse prevention coalition in Anderson County, Tennessee. Join us twice a month for new episodes as we work together for a healthier, drug-free future.