Conversations and Connections

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. 

It's already that time of year!   The Family Crisis Center is gearing up for it's annual Adopt a Family program.  Stuart sits down with agency Marketing and Communications Coordinator Mallory Harris to talk about it as well as the agency's annual food drive!

We sit down with agency safe house director Greg Sims about running a shelter for domestic violence survivors as well as his own passion project, Thanksgiving in the Park!

In this episode, Stuart sits down with Boys and Girls Club of Lufkin Unit Director Risa Walker.  Risa discusses the importance of an organization like the Boys and Girls Club for East Texas kids.

In this episode, Stuart talks with Kevin Taylor of the Legacy Institute about how they help people learn about financial responsibility and the job market here in East Texas.  

In this episode Stuart walks with Will Windham, the agency's Batterer's Intervention and Prevention Program about healthy masculinity... what it is, and how men can learn to start practicing it in their lives. 

In this episode, Family Crisis Center counselor Carrel King talks to Stuart about how to talk to children about tragedy and coping with grief.

Stuart talks with child advocate Sadarria Christian about the Family Crisis Center Back to School Supply Drive!

June is Pride Month and in this episode we sit down with Diju Fritzy with the Lufkin Pride Alliance.  We talk with Diju about the need for organizations like PAL in Deep East Texas and the challenges the LGBTQ community face in rural areas like ours.

Artificial Intelligence has been gaining in popularity over the recent past.  And while the technology has its benefits, there's also a darker side.  In this episode, Stuart talks with Ashley Cook with Harold's House about how AI is being used to create not only child porn, but is also being used as a means to lure kids to the unsavory side of the web.  THIS EPISODE MAY CONTAIN TOPICS SOME PEOPLE...

It's that time again!  Stuart talks with agency Marketing and Communications Coordinator Mallory Harris about the upcoming Blueberry Cupcake Battle at the Texas Blueberry Festival!

In this episode, Stuart talks with Mosaic Center Executive Director Rebecca Reid.  Rebecca talks about the Mosaic Center's mission to help women make better lives for themselves, and their partnership with the Family Crisis Center.