We’re kicking off Season 4, joined by Chief Wayne Sager! We’re discussing Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st, what it looks like to work collaboratively within our communities to create change, and how looking locally can help us live better for longer.

Born and raised in the Shenandoah Valley, Chief Wayne Sager has served the Town of Strasburg for 18 years, six of which as their Chief of Police. A 2019 graduate of the FBI National Academy and, in 2017, from the Professional Executive Leadership School at the University of Richmond, he continues to stay current on ever -changing justice reform. Being a firm believer and advocate for community collaboration, Sager serves as the Chair of the Family Youth Initiative (FYI) for Shenandoah County, the Skyline Regional Criminal Justice Academy, and the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug & Gang Task Force. He is an executive committee member for the Community Resources for Education & Wellness (CREW), Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition, Strasburg Rotary, and is an active member of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP), serving as committee members for both the Valor Awards and Professional Executive Leadership School (PELS). Chief Sager is a husband, a father of three, an avid outdoorsman, and enjoys coaching his children's little league sports.

Winchester Virginia Overdose Awareness Day Event 2024: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/international-overdose-awareness-day-tickets-1000339521437?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

CREW: https://crewva.org/

Family Youth Initiative: https://www.shenandoahfyi.com/

Strasburg Virginia: https://www.strasburgva.com/

International Overdose Awareness Day: https://www.overdoseday.com/

The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.

On this week’s episode, we’re talking with Dr. Adam Starks about breaking the cycle, reaching out to help others, the need for community, and the hope of at-promise youth.

Dr. Adam Starks is a motivational keynote speaker on a variety of child welfare-related topics, ranging from foster care, child mental health issues, and trauma informed care. As a product of the foster care system who broke the cycle, he empowers audiences to uplift at-promise youth by tapping into community resources to convert youth potential into positive outcomes. He serves on his local school board and as the President of the West Virginia CASA Association board. Dr. Starks is also a multi-genre author of several books.

Dr. Adam Starks’ Website: http://adamstarks.com/

Triumph Over Trauma Summit on May 15th, 2024: https://preventionandwellness.ticketleap.com/triumph-over-trauma-summit/

‘Broken Child Mended Man’ by Dr. Adam Starks: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Broken%20Child%20Mended%20Man/_/N-w;jsessionid=6D36DFDD583D90894C94AF6B83BAC8F9.prodny_store02-atgap05

‘Love’ by Leo F. Buscaglia: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/841125

The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.

On this week’s episode, we’re talking with Dr. Melissa Goldberg Mintz about healing, connection, and the journey of “traumatization to empowerment.”

Dr. Melissa Goldberg Mintz is a psychologist, author, and mother of two. Dr. Goldberg Mintz owns a small private practice, Secure Base Psychology and holds the title of Clinical Assistant Professor at Baylor College of Medicine. She is also the author of Has Your Child Been Traumatized? How to Know and What to do to Promote Healing and Recovery.

Dr. Goldberg Mintz’s website: https://melissagoldbergmintz.com/

Has your Child Been Traumatized? Book: https://melissagoldbergmintz.com/books

The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.

We are ending the year with a revisit to our first episode of 2022 by reposting our sit down with Shanza Isom to discuss holistic well-being, mindfulness, and self-care. We think this conversation is the PERFECT way to start January, at a time when we’re all considering how we can better care for ourselves, and others, in the year ahead.

Shanza Isom is an assistant professor in the James Madison University department of social work, where she teaches undergraduate courses and directs field instruction. Shanza is also a facilitator and trainer, with expertise in areas of mindfulness and holistic well-being. Shanza trains and teaches educators, parents and those in helping professions in the incorporation of mindfulness in their personal and professional lives.

Shanza’s Contact Information: isomsa@jmu.edu

The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.

On this week’s episode, we’re talking with Jared Rowan about the tools and self-discovery found in therapy, yoga practice as a way of living, and the empowerment that can be experienced in both.

Jared is a Psychotherapist on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, working with individuals across the lifespan, providing one-on-one, family, and couple's therapy, for over 13+ years. Jared is also an E-RYT 500-hr Yoga Teacher (teaching for a decade) and a Katonah Yoga Teacher in training. He aims to teach yoga as an experience and a way of living life, connecting movement, philosophy, and personal insights. Jared believes in creating an embodied experience in our practice and life, which allows us to tune into our patterns, gather insight and provide tools and techniques to help us navigate life's circumstances.

Jared’s Websites:

www.jaredrowan.com

www.omevolve.com

Jared’s Podcast, Beyond the Mat: https://linktr.ee/beyondthematpod

Books Mentioned:

Yamas and Niyamas by Deborah Adele

The Four Desires by Rod Stryker

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes (source of the therapy metaphor mentioned by Casey)

The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.

On this week’s episode, we’re flipping the script and talking with our host Casey Dwyer about the history and evolution of the Awareness 2 Action podcast, our hopes for its future, storytelling, the importance of developing community, and staying hopeful.

Along with the Northwestern Community Prevention and Wellness Services team, Casey co-developed and now hosts the Awareness 2 Action Podcast. Casey is a social worker located in Virginia, whose work is focused on substance use treatment and intervention, in addition to prevention and wellness. Casey is interviewed in this episode by Keith Cartwright, a Behavioral Health & Wellness Consultant for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services, and one of our favorite guests from Seasons 1 & 2!

The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.

On this summer’s bonus episode, the Awareness 2 Action team gathers to discuss their highlights and takeaways from Season 2.

Our guests are the incredible team members who bring you this show every other week! NWCSB Prevention and Wellness Services Coordinator Shannon Urum, and Prevention and Wellness Specialists Denise Wakeman, Corialise Pence, Rebekah Schennum, and Casey Dwyer sit down to discuss this project, and the guests who made Season 2 so memorable.

Stay tuned for Season 3 coming your way this September!

The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.

On this week’s episode, we’re talking with Amanda Quintana & Colleen Jones, hosts of The Hidden Addiction Podcast about their work to address problem gambling, utilizing innovation & technology in human services, and connecting individuals with care.

Amanda Quintana works as a Program Manager for the Mid-Hudson Problem Gambling Resource Center in New York State. She is passionate about providing support and resources to those in need and working to raise awareness of gambling addiction.

Colleen Jones is a Program Manager for the Mid-Hudson Problem Gambling Resource Center in New York State. In her role she works to connect clients who have been negatively impacted by problem gambling to services and supports.

TRIGGER WARNING: Problem and disordered gambling is discussed in throughout this conversation.

NCPG 24 Hour Confidential National Hotline: 1-800-522-4700

New York Council on Problem Gambling: NYProblemGambling.org

National Council on Problem Gambling: https://www.ncpgambling.org/

National Council on Problem Gambling, Virginia: https://www.ncpgambling.org/state/virginia/

Gam-Anon: https://www.gam-anon.org/

Mind Ride: https://mindrideny.com/

Podcasts Mentioned

The Hidden Addiction Podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/midhudsonpgrc/

ALL IN The Addicted Gambler’s Podcast: https://endgamblingharm.com/all-in/

FALL IN The The Problem Gambling Podcast for Military Service Members and Veterans: https://endgamblingharm.com/fall-in/

The Broke Girl Society Podcast: https://thebrokegirlsociety.com/

The Ambitious Addicts Podcast: https://ambitiousaddicts.com/

The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.