Between the Joneses

Every child will be introduced to drugs at some point. The question is whether they're prepared. In this episode of Between the Joneses, Jessica and Kasey talk with Dave Kopeny. He has spent 30+ years working with families as a school counselor, probation officer, gang investigator, and private investigator. He now focuses on drug prevention and intervention for teens and young adults. He also lost a brother to addiction, and he wrote Tip of the Spear to help parents. In this conversation:
• Why "just say no" no longer works, and how drugs and the marketing around them have changed
• When to start the conversation (Dave suggests around 5th or 6th grade) and how to keep it short and unemotional
• Why drugs are often a response to a problem, not the problem itself
• Warning signs parents can watch for, and why it's about compassion and accountability, not a "gotcha"
• Rewards, behavior contracts and consequences, and why Dave says to look after yourself first
• Why connection through sports, art and community is the opposite of addiction
• Breaking generational patterns, and why asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of. One thing to try this week: give your child two minutes and share one fact about drugs.

Resources: davekopeny.com and ASAP Community (asapcommunity.org), which offers a 30-day complimentary trial.

Note: This conversation discusses addiction, loss, and family trauma.

SafeSport Series: Part II — Emotional & Physical Misconduct

What have we normalized in sports that we should be questioning?

In Part II of our SafeSport series, we take a closer look at emotional and physical misconduct, the behaviors that can cause lasting harm, and the culture that sometimes allows them to go unchallenged.

Can we become a little more curious instead of expecting everyone to fit into a box? Can we listen without immediately judging, challenge the phrase “that’s just how sports are,” and recognize that what was once considered acceptable may not be healthy or safe?

Curiosity doesn't mean excusing harmful behavior. It means asking better questions, challenging old assumptions, listening to athletes, and creating space for honest conversations while maintaining clear boundaries and accountability.

Every athlete deserves to feel safe, respected, and heard. It's time to move beyond “that's how we've always done it” and work together to create a culture where athlete well-being comes first.

Let's keep the conversation going. Because safer sports start with awareness, courage, and a willingness to do better.

#SafeSport #AthleteSafety #YouthSports #SportsCulture #MentalHealthMatters #AthleteWellbeing #Coaching #Leadership #SportsParenting #EndAbuse #ProtectOurAthletes #EmotionalAbuse #PhysicalAbuse #Accountability #SpeakUp #BreakTheCycle #HealthyBoundaries #SportsCommunity #ChangeTheCulture #ListenAndLearn

SafeSport: Part One — Grooming

What does grooming actually look like in youth sports? In Part One of our SafeSport series, we cover the warning signs, boundary testing, special treatment, secrecy, online communication, and how grooming can happen gradually—often involving someone a child and family already trust. Most importantly, we talk about how parents can recognize concerns, protect their kids, and respond without jumping to conclusions.

Because keeping kids safe starts with knowing what to look for.

#SafeSport #GroomingAwareness #ChildSafety #YouthSports #AthleteSafety #ProtectYoungAthletes #YouthSportsSafety #SportsSafety #ChildProtection #PreventChildAbuse #ChildAbusePrevention #GroomingPrevention #RecognizeGrooming #OnlineSafety #DigitalSafety #AthleteProtection #SafeSportAwareness #SportsParents #YouthSportsParents #ParentsInSports #CoachingSafety #CoachAthleteBoundaries #HealthySportsCulture #Safeguarding #AthleteWellbeing #ProtectOurKids #KeepKidsSafe #SpeakUp #BetweenTheJoneses

In this episode, we sit down with Willie Blake, a high-performance coach, entrepreneur, and advocate for people who have spent too much of their lives feeling different, behind, or somehow “not enough.”

Diagnosed with dyslexia in first grade, Willie grew up believing he was broken. For years, he tried to catch up, hide his struggles, please everyone around him, and chase perfection—all while constantly second-guessing himself. Eventually, he realized that surviving wasn’t enough. He had to stop trying to become someone else and learn how to lead with who he actually was.

Willie opens up about the hidden impact of dyslexia, perfectionism, people-pleasing, comparison, and the pressure to prove yourself. We talk about what it really means to feel “behind,” how self-doubt can shape the decisions we make, and why getting unstuck often starts with taking one small step forward.

Today, Willie helps dyslexic professionals and entrepreneurs turn self-doubt into confidence, overthinking into clarity, and stuckness into momentum. In this conversation, he shares practical tools and lessons from his own experience—and reminds us that sometimes the thing we spent years trying to hide can become one of the most important parts of our story.

If you’ve ever felt behind, struggled with confidence, overthought your next move, or wondered whether there was something wrong with you, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, Jessica and Kasey explore the complex dynamics of gatekeeping, highlighting both toxic and healthy behaviors. They share personal stories, discuss systemic issues, and offer insights on fostering positive gatekeeping practices.

#gatekeeping #systemic issues #healthy boundaries #power dynamics #community building #mentorship #social media #personal growth

Key topics:

Definition of gatekeeping and its roles

Examples of toxic gatekeeping behaviors

Characteristics of healthy gatekeeping

The impact of gatekeeping on opportunities and relationships

Strategies for being a positive gatekeeper

Personal stories of gatekeeping experiences

The influence of systemic and generational factors

Balancing protection and inclusion

sound bites

"Suffering to get somewhere doesn't give you the right to make others suffer"

"Taking credit for others' ideas is a form of gatekeeping"

"Protection can turn into exclusion if we're not careful"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Gatekeeping and Its Significance

01:59 Personal Stories and Family Dynamics

08:57 Defining Gatekeeping and Its Roles

10:59 Toxic Behaviors in Gatekeeping

19:10 Positive Gatekeeping and Mentorship

29:52 Protection Versus Exclusion in Communities

42:05 Healthy Gatekeeping Traits and Practices

01:00:03 Empowering Others and Leading by Example

01:09:55 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Latest Episode: Let’s Talk About Gatekeeping 👀

Who gets to decide who gets in, who gets heard, who gets opportunities—and who gets left out?

In our latest podcast, we started opening up the conversation around gatekeeping: who controls it, why it exists, how we experience it, and what it really means when we zoom out and look at the bigger picture.

More importantly, we’re asking: What can we do about it? How can we challenge the systems, mindsets, and behaviors that keep people from having access, being seen, or having a seat at the table?

This conversation is just the beginning. We’re diving even deeper in Part II, because there’s so much more to unpack.

🎙️ Listen to the latest episode and join the conversation.
Who do you think holds the keys to the gate—and what would it look like to open it?

#Gatekeeping #Podcast #PodcastConversation #PartOne #PartTwo #OpenTheConversation #BigPicture #Access #Opportunity #Inclusion #Community #BreakingBarriers #Representation #Empowerment #ChangeTheConversation #MakeADifference #mentalhealth #betweenthejoneses #dobetter

We discuss Dr. Trevor George's journey into medicine, his interest in naturopathic and addiction medicine, and his background. The conversation covered various aspects of mental health, including the impact of nutrition, the rise in mental illness, building resilience, destigmatizing language, preventing substance abuse, and protecting mental health for the long term. Key takeaways include the importance of nutrition in mental health, destigmatizing language, the impact of routines and nature on emotional well-being, and the need for support and seeking help for mental health issues.

Takeaways

• Mental health is as important as physical health
• The gut and brain are interconnected, and nutrition plays a crucial role in mental and physical well-being Nutrition plays a crucial role in mental health
• The importance of seeking help for mental health issues
• Routines are key to building resilience
• The importance of destigmatizing language in mental health
• Educating youth about the dangers of substance abuse
• Taking time for self-care and basic needs

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
• 01:16 Dr. Trevor George's Journey into Medicine
• 03:07 Interest in Naturopathic Medicine and Addiction Medicine
• 04:24 Shared Background and College Experiences
• 05:14 Memories of Youngstown and College Sports
• 06:25 Revisiting Pittsburgh and Ohio
• 07:19 Dental Appointment and Health Care Costs
• 08:17 Pittsburgh's Transformation and Personal Connection
• 09:31 Injury and Medical Treatment
• 10:16 Discussion on Knee Injuries and Treatment Options
• 13:06 Importance of Mental Health and its Connection to Physical Health
• 16:40 Nutrition and Mental Health
• 20:32 Impact of Sugar on Health and Athletes' Nutrition
• 24:08 Metabolism and Dietary Needs
• 25:24 Nutrition and Mental Health
• 28:46 Mental Health Awareness
• 31:27 Building Resilience and Emotional Well-being
• 35:24 Stigma and Language in Mental Health
• 40:12 Preventing Substance Abuse
• 49:31 Protecting Mental Health for the Long Term

#mentalhealth #cenikorfoundation #guthealth #selfcare #selflove #addictions #substanceuse #routines #betweenthejoneses #drtrevorgeorge #youmatter #dobetter #healthpodcast #mindfulness #nature

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Briana Schunzel to explore her remarkable journey of personal and professional growth. Briana shares her insights on leadership, balancing the demands of motherhood, and building a meaningful career with purpose and resilience. We also celebrate her accomplishments, discussing the impact she's made through her work, her dedication to empowering others, and the recognition she's earned along the way. This conversation is filled with practical wisdom, authenticity, and encouragement for anyone striving to lead with confidence while embracing every season of life.

#podcast #leadership #womeninleadership #motherhood #workingmom #careergrowth #personaldevelopment #womenwholead #entrepreneurship #resilience #purposedriven #empowerment #successmindset #inspiration #growthmindset #businessleadership #professionaldevelopment #podcastlife #youtubepodcasts #applepodcasts #spotifypodcasts #jva #betweenthejoneses #volleyball #youthvolleyball

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, "What's wrong with me?"

For many people, the answer isn't that they're broken—it's that they're carrying the effects of trauma.

In this episode of Between The Joneses, we're joined by trauma counselor Stephanie McAlister, who specializes in helping individuals recover from childhood trauma, PTSD, addiction, and complex life experiences. Together, we unpack why so many people believe they're permanently damaged, how trauma shapes our thoughts, relationships, and behaviors, and why healing begins when we stop asking, "What's wrong with me?" and start asking, "What happened to me?"

We also dive into:

• Why trauma survivors often feel "broken"
• How childhood experiences can impact adulthood
• The connection between trauma, addiction, and shame
• What healing actually looks like
• EMDR therapy and why it's changing lives

Whether you're on your own healing journey, love someone who has experienced trauma, or simply want to better understand the human mind, this conversation offers hope, insight, and practical takeaways.

You are more than what happened to you.
You are not broken.

Stephanie can be found here:

virtualconnect.ca

[email protected]

Instagram: @virtual_connect_counseling

🎙️ NEW EPISODE: Demanding vs. Demeaning — Where Does Coaching Cross the Line?

Great coaches challenge athletes. They hold them accountable, push them beyond their comfort zones, and set high standards.

But there's a difference between being demanding and being demeaning.

In this episode, we explore:
• What healthy coaching looks like
• Whether yelling is ever necessary
• Red flags athletes and parents should recognize
• The impact coaching has on confidence and performance
• How coaches can create excellence without creating fear

A coach's job isn't just to develop athletes—it's to help develop people.

So where do you think the line is?

Can a coach be intense without being intimidating? Can they be demanding without being demeaning?

#Coaching #Leadership #AthleteDevelopment #SportsPsychology #YouthSports #PositiveCoaching #CoachEducation #MentalPerformance #SportsParent