Choices Unfiltered

What does online safety look like when you move from high school to college?

In this Teen Talk return episode of Choices Unfiltered, Mike Stackhouse sits down with Laela — a former Montgomery County high school senior and now a college freshman — to talk about navigating digital life during one of the biggest transitions young people experience.

Laela reflects on her senior year of high school, what she expected college to be like, and how the reality has compared — especially when it comes to social media, online identity, boundaries, and safety. Drawing from her current learning and writing around online safety, she shares general insights into how teens and young adults can think more intentionally about their digital presence.

The episode closes with advice and perspective for today’s high school seniors as they prepare for graduation and life beyond it.

A thoughtful, honest Teen Talk conversation focused on prevention, awareness, and making healthy choices — online and offline.

#showupforyou #letstalkaboutit #teentalk #preventionsju

In this episode, Mike takes listeners inside Prevention Academy’s Adult Working Group — a cohort designed to shift professionals from a downstream, crisis-focused mindset to an upstream, prevention-centered one. He walks through each session’s insights and shares a brief but meaningful conversation with clinician Max Masino, who reflects on how data and new perspectives reshaped his approach to supporting young people.

#upstreamprevention #preventionsju #letstalkabout it

In this special episode of Choices Unfiltered, Editor-in-Chief of the EmpowerED Library, David Sherrell, shares a powerful and personal message for the senior class—one filled with honesty, humor, and the kind of real talk every soon-to-be graduate deserves.

Through stories from his own senior year, lessons in leadership, and a surprising moment of clarity a decade later, David explores what it really means to be a role model—even when you don’t feel like one.

Whether you're a senior navigating the mix of excitement and uncertainty, an underclassman looking ahead, or an adult supporting the teens in your life, this episode offers encouragement, perspective, and a reminder that leadership often begins with simply acting “as if.”

Tune in for this warm, insightful piece from the EmpowerED Library—and leave feeling a little more grounded, a little more confident, and a lot less alone in the journey ahead.

#preventionsju #letstalkaboutit #wedontwalkalone #EmpowerED

In this episode of Choices Unfiltered, Mike talks with Michael Anthony, Community Mobilizer for the Pottstown Community Coalition for Youth, one of the newest members of the Montgomery County Alliance for Prevention.

Michael shares how PCCY is beginning its prevention work in Pottstown — from listening to residents and building community partnerships to connecting with other MAP coalitions and Family Services. They discuss early goals, emerging needs, and the fresh perspective Michael brings to local prevention efforts.

A great conversation about starting a coalition, engaging youth and families, and building prevention from the ground up.

For more information, visit: https://www.montcoallianceforprevention.org/pottstown-community-coalition-for-youth

#montcoallianceforprevention #preventionsju #letstalkaboutit #wedontwalkalone

In this episode of Choices Unfiltered, Mike sits down with Wendy Rosenfeld and Charla DeValia Walker from Cheltenham Communities That Care, part of the Montgomery County Alliance for Prevention. Together, they explore how community partnerships are driving prevention forward — from connecting with students to building programs that strengthen families and promote resilience.

Wendy and Charla share their personal journeys into prevention, what’s happening right now at Cheltenham CTC, and what’s next for their work in empowering youth and supporting healthy communities. Learn more about Cheltenham CTC at https://cheltenhamcommunitiesthatcare.org/

#preventionsju #letstalkaboutit #wedontwalkalone #communitiesthatcare

In this episode of Choices Unfiltered, host Mike Stackhouse is joined by Kiersten Simon, Executive Director of Prevention Academy, and Juliette Louer, Prevention Specialist and master’s level public health student at Temple University. Together, they sit down with Hallie Weaver and Tanesha Outterbridge from Family Services of Montgomery County to explore how collaboration, prevention education, and strong community partnerships are creating lasting change for youth and families across Montgomery County.

Learn more at fsmontco.org and montcoallianceforprevention.org.

#preventionsju #letstalkaboutit #wedontwalkalone #ittakesavillage #fsmontco

In this episode, host Mike Stackhouse and Prevention Academy's Executive Director Kiersten Simon sit down with Jeff Hanley, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Prevention Alliance (CPA).

Jeff shares his prevention story — from his early days in the field to leading one of Pennsylvania’s most influential prevention organizations. Together, they discuss the evolution of prevention, the power of collaboration, and what gives Jeff hope for the future of this work.

Tune in to hear how prevention begins long before a problem starts — and how people like Jeff are helping communities across Pennsylvania stay strong, connected, and well.

Learn more about CPA: https://paprevention.org

#mypreventionstory #letstalkabout it #preventionsju

In this episode of Choices Unfiltered, host Mike Stackhouse sits down with Prevention Academy’s Executive Director Kiersten Simon and intern Carly Janco for a conversation about mentorship, learning, and prevention in action.

Carly shares her experience stepping into the prevention world for the first time and what she’s learned working alongside Kiersten on new parent-focused resources. Together, they explore cura personalis — “care for the whole person” — and how open, everyday conversations between parents and kids can make prevention part of daily life.

#preventionsju #parentingandprevention #wedontwalkalone #letstalkaboutit

This week on Choices Unfiltered, we’re sharing a story straight from our EmpowerED Resource Library. Written by our Editor-in-Chief, David Sherrell, “Have You Met Prevention Academy Yet?” invites listeners into the Prevention Academy classroom — a space built on learning, curiosity, and connection.

Through this narrated feature, discover how Prevention Academy works to empower students to make informed, healthy choices and create open, judgment-free conversations about prevention and wellness.

Whether you’ve already met one of our Prevention Specialists or you’re just getting to know what we’re all about, this short episode offers a thoughtful look at how prevention begins with education — and the courage to ask, “What does this mean for me?”

#showupforyou #preventionsju #letstalkaboutit #EmpowerED

In this episode of Choices Unfiltered, host Mike Stackhouse sits down with Caroline Heffernan, Social Media Manager for Prevention Academy, and Taylor Moran, Assistant Director, for a behind-the-scenes look at Prevention Academy’s growing social media presence. Together, they discuss the creative process behind prevention messaging, the impact of connecting with students and families online, and what’s ahead for the new school year — from new post series to Caroline bringing prevention lessons into the classroom. It’s an engaging conversation about how thoughtful, intentional communication can inspire healthy choices and positive change — both on social media and in real life.

#preventionsju #socialmedialiteracy #letstalkaboutit