The Prevention Leaders Podcast
Hosted by Dave Closson
Real tools, real stories, and real impact for prevention professionals.
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Prevention Leaders Podcast Network
Pathways 2 Prevention
Powered by Drug Free America Foundation
This podcast explores emerging trends, innovative programs, and global perspectives in prevention. Hosted by DFAF team members and featuring powerful guests, each episode offers insight into what's working and what's next. Thought-provoking conversations that connect local action with global change.
All episodes
58 episodes
October 6, 20261 hr 16 min
Why the DEA Does Prevention: The Story Behind Red Ribbon Week
This episode explains why the DEA, primarily an enforcement agency, is deeply involved in drug prevention efforts. Sean Fearns and Kevin Collins from DEA Community Outreach and Prevention Support trace the origins of the DEA's prevention work back to the loss of Special Agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena in 1985 and the subsequent rise of Red Ribbon Week. They also discuss current prevention challenges, including fentanyl and counterfeit pills, and highlight the free, science-based resources the DEA offers.
ListenSeptember 1, 20261 hr 5 min
Building the First Inclusive Recovery Community in the Nation with Ashley Neal
Ashley Neal discusses the creation of the nation's first Inclusive Recovery Community in Tampa Bay. She shares the journey of a tri-county partnership across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties, outlining how various entities collaborated to make recovery visible and accessible. This episode covers the process of engaging county governments, uniting treatment centers, and developing a public events calendar.
ListenJuly 29, 202653 min
Inside the 2026 National Drug Control Strategy with Dr. Roneet Lev
In this episode, Dr. Roneet Lev, Chief Medical Officer at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, discusses the 2026 National Drug Control Strategy. She shares insights into the public health aspects of the strategy, its key differentiators, and what it means for prevention professionals. Dr. Lev highlights new approaches including clearer language for primary prevention, the inclusion of faith, and a focus on real-time drug threat data.
ListenJuly 1, 20261 hr 3 min
The Pulse of Resilience: Building Resilience from the Ground Up
This episode features a discussion with Adam Woods and Sneha Patiyathal, two youth workers from Australia and India, about building resilience. They share their perspectives on what it looks like to support young people in different cultural settings and emphasize that resilience is a practice anyone can learn. The conversation highlights common challenges faced by youth and the impact of positive affirmation.
ListenJune 24, 202652 min
The Pulse of Resilience: Why Falling, Feeling, and Rising Matters
This episode, a collaboration with the Dalgarno Institute and their podcast Unnecessary Harm, explores the 2026 World Resiliency Week theme, "The Pulse of Resilience: Fall, Feel, Rise." Guests Dave Closson and Jen Schneeman join to discuss resilience as a rhythm rather than a destination. They offer insights on navigating adversity and building stronger individuals and communities.
ListenApril 29, 20261 hr 7 min
Creating a Culture Shift in Campus Drinking
This episode explores how to create a culture shift in campus drinking, moving beyond individual choices to focus on environment and harm reduction. Host Dave Closson, alongside guests Kate Lower and Keyra Palacios, discusses practical approaches to prevention, emphasizing student experience and environmental strategies. They delve into why culture change is more effective than slogans and how campus environments shape norms.
ListenMarch 25, 20261 hr 12 min
Prevention Gone Wrong: The Do’s, Don’ts, and the Common-Sense Lessons in Drug Prevention
This episode of Pathways 2 Prevention explores how common drug prevention approaches can sometimes miss the mark or backfire. Dave Closson and guest Matej discuss why good intentions are not enough in prevention and how to course-correct effectively without shaming the field.
ListenFebruary 25, 202648 min
From Peer Educator to Prevention Leader: Experience as Your Superpower
This episode of Pathways to Prevention features Emily Parsons, Assistant Director of Health Promotion at the University of Tampa. She shares her journey from student peer educator to campus prevention leader. Emily discusses the value of lived experience over traditional credentials, addressing imposter syndrome, and fostering creativity in prevention work.
ListenJanuary 28, 202657 min
Where Grief, Maternal Health, and Prevention Meet: A Conversation with Mai Waller
This episode of Pathways 2 Prevention features a conversation with Mai Waller, founder and executive director of the Mace Anthony Williamson Foundation and leader of The Doula Project Resource. She discusses how her personal experience with loss led her to create resources for families navigating pregnancy and infant loss. The discussion explores how community-based doulas, grief-informed care, and culturally grounded support contribute to substance use prevention, mental health promotion, and family strengthening.
ListenNovember 25, 202537 min
The Road to the Youth Declaration: Mobilizing a Global Youth Movement
This episode of Pathways to Prevention spotlights the Youth Declaration on Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery, a powerful youth-led global effort. The declaration grew from a CND side event in Vienna into a worldwide movement, centering on the message "nothing about us without us." The episode explores how this declaration came to life, what was learned from youth in over 60 countries, and the importance of meaningful youth participation as a design principle.
ListenOctober 21, 202547 min
It’s Never Too Late: Hope, Help, and Healing for Older Adults in Recovery
Dave Closson and guest Terry Gerlach discuss recovery and mental health for older adults. Terry shares her career transition to clinical work and the importance of holistic care that integrates substance use and mental health treatment. The conversation covers recognizing risk factors, strengthening protective factors, and supporting lasting recovery at any age.
ListenJune 25, 202540 min
Helping Teens Make Better Choices: A Conversation with Jason Dorr
Jason Dorr, a youth mentor and prevention educator with More2Life, joins Dave Closson to discuss how his passion for helping teens make positive choices has shaped his work. They explore the intersection of prevention and youth development, and what it takes to genuinely engage young people in important conversations. The episode also highlights key topics such as social media, substance use, and relationships.
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