Prevention Leaders w/ Dave Closson

Every heartbeat tells a story. Fall, feel, rise. That's the pulse of resilience -- and it's the theme of this year's World Resiliency Week. This episode of the Prevention Leaders Podcast is a multicast collaboration with the Unnecessary Harm podcast, hosted by Shane Varkow, Executive Director of the Dalgarno Institute in Australia. Together, we sit down with two of the architects of Wo...

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. Host Shane Varcoe sits down with World Resiliency Week planning team members Dave Closson and Jen Schneeman to explore the 2026 campaign theme: The Pulse...

In this episode, Dave Closson sits down with Angie Asa‑Lovstad (Asa Facilitation) for a timely conversation about what it takes to lead through uncertainty and forced change in prevention and behavioral health. They unpack a simple but powerful Change Formula (dissatisfaction with the status quo → vision → first steps) and connect it to tools many prevention leaders already use—like the Accountabi...

In this conversation, Dave Closson sits down with Sara Thompson (Director of Training & Communications at The Montana Institute) to unpack the mindset shift that changes prevention outcomes: moving from problem-saturated narratives to a “spirit first” approach that uncovers and grows what’s already going right. They dig into Positive Community Norms (PCN) and the Science of the Positive, why m...

In this special edition of the Prevention Leaders Podcast, Dave sits down with his good friends Nicole Augustine and Rikki Barton to unpack the Prevention Core Competencies curriculum—why it was created, what gaps it fills in the prevention workforce, and why it’s not just for “prevention professionals,” but for anyone who cares about building safer, healthier communities. They dig into what’s ins...

In this episode, we explore how mindset shapes the way we experience stress, recovery, resilience, and personal growth. Dave sits down with wellness coach and social worker Cynthia Conigliaro for a grounded, practical conversation about how mindset is formed, how it can shift over time, and what you can do — starting this week — to reset your thinking patterns in a healthier direction. Together, t...

In this episode of the Prevention Leaders Podcast , Dave sits down with licensed addiction and mental health counselor Amber Hollingsworth to challenge one of the most persistent myths in addiction recovery: that people have to “hit rock bottom” before they change. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience working with individuals and families, Amber introduces the idea of “raising the bottom” —...

Teen anxiety is everywhere right now—but it doesn’t have to define our kids’ stories. In this conversation, teen and parent wellbeing coach Laura Ollinger joins Dave to unpack what everyday “living room” anxiety really is, why it shows up so strongly for teens, and how parents can respond in ways that build connection, emotional skills, and a positive sense of identity. Laura shares what she’s see...

Lead with intention, not reaction. Dave talks with Louise Montag (Montag Forward Solutions; former ED, Prevention Network) about moving from whack‑a‑mole to values‑aligned leadership in prevention. What you'll learn: Make mission–vision–values a usable North Star Turn strategy into action with 90‑day cycles Choose funding without mission drift Build healthy team norms: focus blocks, urgency vs...

We've invested heavily in youth prevention, but what happens when those young people enter the workforce? In this eye-opening conversation, Joel Bennett from Organizational Wellness and Learning Systems (OWLS) challenges us to think beyond traditional prevention approaches. Joel and Dave explore why adult prevention has been overlooked, how workplace culture can be either a risk factor or prot...

When it comes to prevention, it’s easy to get lost in the deliverables — checking boxes, meeting grant requirements, and rushing to get things done. But the coalitions that thrive are the ones with a clear identity, a shared purpose, and a framework guiding every decision they make. In this episode of the Prevention Leaders Podcast , I sit down with Stephanie Patton , a coalition coordinator and p...

What if the emotions we avoid are the very keys to growth and connection? In this episode, Dave sits down with teen mental health speaker and author Brittany Richmond to explore practical, down-to-earth tools for navigating tough emotions—both in our personal lives and in the prevention field. From drawing out feelings to using the “feelings wheel,” Brittany shares simple strategies to help teens...

In this powerful episode of the Prevention Leaders Podcast , Dave Closson is joined by Rikki Barton—prevention strategist, national trainer, and founder of Onward Consulting—to explore one of today’s most pressing topics: youth, social media, and mental health. Rikki shares her insights from training thousands of youth, parents, and prevention professionals across the country on how to navigate th...

In this episode of the Prevention Leaders Podcast , Dave Closson sits down with trainer, consultant, and motivational interviewer Jason Anderson for a conversation that every facilitator, speaker, and prevention professional needs to hear. Jason shares his journey from corrections officer to nationally recognized trainer, unpacking how he transformed dry, technical content into dynamic, human-cent...

What if we treated resilience the same way we treat prevention—something to build before the crisis hits? In this powerful conversation, Dave Closson sits down with Shane Varcoe, Executive Director of the Dalgarno Institute, to unpack a deeper, more actionable understanding of resilience. Together, they explore how resilience isn’t about being unshakable, but about bouncing back—and why it’s essen...

In this energizing episode, Dave Closson chats with Carla Ritz about the transformative power of Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs). Carla shares how focusing on strengths, rather than solely on adversity, can reduce risk factors and help build more resilient kids, families, and communities. Carla dives into the research behind PCEs, explains how prevention professionals can apply this science...

What if one act of presence could change the course of a life—and a family? In Part 2 of Bryan Flanery’s gripping journey, we move from despair to transformation. After surviving a suicide attempt, Bryan didn’t find healing in a formal program or protocol. He found it in something far more human: a knock at the door, a low-barrier invitation, and a community that saw him —not just his symptoms. No...

What if the person who looks the strongest is the one closest to the edge? In this first episode of a powerful two-part series, we hear the raw and unfiltered story of Bryan Flanery—a decorated soldier, husband, and father—whose pain was hidden behind years of performance, productivity, and pride. His trauma went unnoticed and untreated until it erupted into a suicide attempt that nearly ended his...

In this special episode of Prevention Leaders with Dave Closson , we’re celebrating the official launch of the Tennessee Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (TADEC) and Handle With Care Guide —a groundbreaking resource designed to support professionals across education, law enforcement, healthcare, child welfare, and beyond. Recorded shortly after its debut at the 2024 RX Summit, this episode fe...

In this powerful and practical conversation, Dave Closson welcomes back communication strategist and suicide prevention advocate Susie Reece to explore how everyday communication can be one of our greatest tools in substance misuse and suicide prevention. From redefining active listening to rethinking the way we write emails and approach social media, this episode is full of insight, strategy, and...

Do you ever walk out of a coalition meeting with a solid plan—only to feel completely stuck once you’re back at your desk? You’re not alone. In this episode, Dave Closson introduces the Five Pillars of Tactical Capacity —a powerful framework to help prevention leaders bridge the gap between strategy and execution. Whether you’re managing shifting priorities, struggling to keep partners engaged, or...

After a short break, Dave is back—fresh from speaking at the 68th Commission on Narcotic Drugs at the United Nations in Vienna. Inspired by that global conversation with Shane Varcoe from the Dalgarno Institute, this solo episode dives deep into the overlap between prevention and recovery. Dave explores why lived experience and earned resilience are essential prevention tools and how we can challe...

In this episode of the Prevention Leaders Podcast , host Dave Closson dives into a crucial but often overlooked aspect of prevention work— execution . While many prevention efforts focus on training, resources, and planning, real success comes from Tactical Capacity —the ability to execute, adapt, and sustain efforts in the real world. Dave shares insights from his time as an infantry team leader...

In this episode of the Prevention Leaders Podcast, host Dave Closson dives into a crucial but often overlooked factor in substance misuse prevention—tactical capacity. While traditional capacity building focuses on knowledge, skills, resources, and infrastructure, tactical capacity is what truly determines success in real-world prevention work. Dave breaks down the key elements of tactical capacit...

In this special episode, Dave Closson shares insights from his session at SAMHSA’s Prevention Day, Speak to the Heart: Unleashing the Power of Engaging Stories . Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools in substance misuse prevention—it fosters connection, reduces stigma, and inspires action. Dave discusses why stories are more memorable than statistics, how youth leadership in prevention ma...