Conversations and Connections

In this episode we talk with Aimee Meyers and Megan Morgan-Hufford with the Junior League of Lufkin.  Recently the Junior League awarded the Family Crisis Center funds to establish a dedicated play therapy room for the kids of our clients.   One of our counselors, Donna Cowart also joins us to talk about what play therapy is and the importance of this therapy method. 

So many people don't realize that the East Texas Food Bank is more than just a food pantry for those in need.  In this episode, Stuart talks with Starla and Ty with the East Texas Food Bank about food insecurity in our communities and the role the Food Bank plays.

Diboll ISD Superintendent Dr. Igor Gusyakov found his way to Deep East Texas all the way from Ukraine and has an interesting story to tell.  He has also started "Innovation Days" at Diboll ISD to help students learn valuable skills and information from other community agencies!

Melissa Crager with Brookshire Brothers joins us in this episode to talk about the Brookshire Brothers Charitable Foundation and the many ways the foundation is used to give back to the community! 

Once again we're shining the spotlight on one of the men who work for the Family Crisis Center!  Greg Sims is responsible for the day to day operation of our emergency shelter.  Greg also spearheads the annual Thanksgiving in the Park event set for it's 10th year!  

Sitting down with Nacogdoches Legal Advocate Noah Padgett about his role with the agency and being a male at an agency dominated by female coworkers and clients.

The Brown Family Health Center in Nacogdoches is working to educate East Texans and doing it's part in the prevention of STD's in our area.  Stuart talks with Gary Roberts about the STD problem in East Texas and the unique ways Brown Family Health employs to educate the population.

The Family Crisis Center's Battering Intervention and Prevention Program is a different approach to addressing the issue of domestic violence... working instead with perpetrators who are court-ordered to attend classes to help prevent future incidents. 

Have you ever taken a moment to just really listen to the lyrics of your favorite songs?  What do these songs say about relationships?  Attitudes about sex?  Masculinity?  In this episode we're having a conversation with Executive Director Whitney Burran and Shelter Manager Greg Sims about how what the music we listen to says about these things.

There are many ways you can help our clients who are victims and survivors of relationship violence.  In this episode we are talking with agency Marketing and Communications Coordinator Mallory Harris on various opportunities you can help!

Licensed Professional Counselor Donna Cowart joins us in the studio to talk about how therapy helps to heal those experiencing relationship violence. 

The Coalition's mission is to promote a drug-free life for our young people.  On this episode, Stuart talks with The Coalition Executive Director Sharon Kruk about their mission, the services the provide, and the impact of drugs, tobacco, and vape products are having on our kids here in Deep East Texas.

In honor of Father's Day, we're dropping our episode early as Stuart and agency BIPP Coordinator Will Windham have a discussion about healthy fatherhood and what it means today to be a good dad.

June is Pride Month... and the Family Crisis Center of East Texas wants everyone to know that regardless of where you sit on the LGBTQ space, the agency serves ANYONE who is going through some type of relationship violence.  On this episode, Stuart talks with SFA Campus Advocate Mallory Dotson about relationship violence in the LGBTQ community.

Kim Bartel is with the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Council here in East Texas.  In this episode we talk with Kim about the popularity of vaping, especially among the youth in East Texas and how vape shops are practically everywhere now.  We'll also examine other substances being abused today.

Melisa Youngblood is probably going to be the first person a potential client of the Family Crisis Center sees when seeking services.  Stuart talks with Melisa about the process of interviewing a client for the first time and her inspiring story of overcoming her obstacles in life. 

The Alcohol and Drug Awareness Council does a lot more than just help people confront their drug or alcohol problems.  In this episode Stuart talks with Megan Griffin with the PADRES (Parenting Awareness and Drug Risk Education Services) about how they help educate clients to be the best parents they can be.

Our Marketing and Communications Coordinator Mallory Harris joins us in the studio today to talk about two big events coming up... Our annual Safer East Texas Training and Blueberry Cupcake Battle!  

A new sound is here for the podcast!  We hope you celebrate with us as we now have a dedicated podcast studio!  To help us mark the occasion, Stuart talks with Family Crisis Center Executive Director Whitney Burran.  Whitney shares her "origin story" with us... from humble mild-mannered intern to leader of the agency!  

It's a big responsibility to feed up to 40 or more people breakfast lunch and dinner seven days a week,  but that's exactly what agency Kitchen Manager Veronica (aka "Rocky") Sessions does!  In this episode, Stuart visits again with Rocky as they talk about feeding people when they are sometimes at the lowest point in their life. 

It's an unfortunate reality that a lot of our country's veterans are either homeless or require assistance in life.  In this episode, Stuart talks with ADAC's Melissa Russel about the upcoming Veteran's Stand Down Event to help with these issues.

Stuart's had a busy February in East Texas Schools while Will is expanding the agency's BIPP program!

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and in the episode we talk with forensic nurse Kim Riddle about this topic that every parent and student needs to know about!

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, so Stuart talks with Emma Skinner and Brittany Newman with the Family Crisis Center on this very important topic.  Fine out what human trafficking is, and how it affects Deep East Texas. 

We kick off the new year with ADAC's Melissa Russell about their upcoming Nacogdoches town hall event, designed to help parents educate youth on the dangers of tobacco use.