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The Prevention Leaders Podcast

Making Prevention Fun: The Secret to Sober Parties

58 min

Guest: Jake White

Listen on Spotify

Summary

Jake White, founder of Vive 18, discusses his journey from personal loss to creating a national youth-led drug prevention movement. He shares how he challenged the status quo by throwing sober house parties on college campuses, demonstrating that prevention can be fun and community driven. This episode explores how to build social proof to shift college culture and ignite a nationwide movement for substance-free fun.

Key takeaways

  • Learn how Jake White started successful drug-free house parties that attracted many students.
  • Understand the importance of social proof in challenging perceived social norms about substance use.
  • Discover strategies to engage youth in prevention efforts and build sustainable drug-free communities.
  • Find practical steps for starting a youth drug prevention club that promotes mental health and resilience.
  • Recognize why making prevention fun is essential for long-term impact.
Show notes

In this episode of the Prevention Leaders Podcast, host Dave Closson sits down with Jake White, the mastermind behind Vive 18, a national movement that’s redefining what it means to have fun, without drugs or alcohol. Jake shares his inspiring journey from losing a family member to addiction, to throwing massive sober house parties on college campuses, and ultimately creating a youth-led drug prevention movement across the country.

Discover how Jake challenged the status quo, built social proof to shift college culture, and ignited a nationwide movement where prevention is fun, engaging, and community-driven. Whether you're a coalition leader, educator, or prevention advocate, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies on how to start a sober movement in your own community.


Key Takeaways:

  • How Jake White started throwing drug-free house parties that attracted hundreds of students.
  • The importance of social proof in challenging perceived social norms around substance use.
  • Strategies to engage youth in prevention efforts and build sustainable drug-free communities.
  • Practical steps for starting a youth drug prevention club that promotes mental health and resilience.
  • Why making prevention fun is key to long-term impact.

Memorable Quotes:

  • “It’s not about changing the culture, it’s about bringing light to a culture that already exists.”, Jake White
  • “Students want to belong. They just need to know they can have fun without sacrificing their health or future.”, Jake White

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