Choices Unfiltered

In this episode of Choices Unfiltered, Mike sits down with Maura Farrell of Maura Farrell Counseling, LLC and Aubri Smith, a counselor who works with her. Maura provides Equine Assisted Therapeutic Services through a partnership with Ivy Hill Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Perkasie, PA, where she incorporates horses and nature into the healing process. Together, they discuss how equine therapy works, the unique benefits it offers, and how this kind of support can connect to prevention — building resilience, coping skills, and healthier pathways for young people before substance use ever becomes a risk.

#preventionsju #equineassistedtherapy #wedontawalkalone

In this episode of Choices Unfiltered, Mike sits down with Kristen Harootunian, Education Alliance Specialist with the Caron Foundation, Young Adult Speaker for Minding Your Mind, and mentor to student athletes at La Salle University. Kristen shares why working with athletes is such a unique and powerful opportunity in prevention, how she connects with young people on and off the field, and the lessons she’s learned from supporting this often-overlooked demographic. This conversation is all about meeting students where they are, building resilience, and showing how prevention can help athletes — and all young people — thrive.

#preventionsju #wedontwalkalone #showupfor you #letstalkaboutit #preventionforathletes

Senior Prevention Specialist Erin Ryan joins Choices Unfiltered to talk about the role of community-informed prevention and how it shapes her work at Prevention Academy. Erin shares insights from her classroom experiences, including the meaningful conversations she’s had with students that continue to strengthen her cultural competence and her approach to prevention. This episode highlights the power of listening, learning, and building prevention strategies that truly reflect the communities we serve.

#preventionsju #culturalhumility #culturalcompetence #letstalkaboutit

Starting a new school year means big transitions—whether it’s entering a new grade, heading off to college or trade school, or stepping into the workforce. In this episode of Choices Unfiltered, Mike talks with David Sherrell, Editor-In-Chief of The Empowered Resource Library at Prevention Academy, about why these moments of change can feel stressful and how students and families can manage that stress while embracing new opportunities.

#preventionsju #showupforyou #letstalkaboutit #transitions

In this episode of Choices Unfiltered, host Mike Stackhouse sits down with Taylor Moran, Assistant Director of Prevention Academy, to explore what prevention programming looks like behind the scenes. From program design to classroom delivery, Taylor shares how Prevention Academy equips students with the tools to make healthy choices and how she plans to bring her vision to life as she joins students in the classroom this school year.

#preventionsju #letstalkaboutit #showupforyou #snapshotPA

Season 2 of Choices Unfiltered is here! To kick things off, host Mike Stackhouse sits down with Kiersten Simon, Executive Director of Prevention Academy, to talk about the exciting changes and opportunities ahead. From expanding into Montgomery County while continuing strong in Delaware County, to welcoming new prevention specialists and preparing for the upcoming Pennsylvania Youth Survey, there’s a lot happening this school year.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about prevention, growth, and the power of young people to make healthy, empowered choices.

#preventionsju #showupforyou #letstalkboutit #keepinghealthykidshealthy #wedontwalkalone

Season One of Choices Unfiltered is in the books! In this special wrap-up episode, host Mike Stackhouse takes a moment to reflect on an incredible first year—filled with powerful guests, honest conversations, and real prevention in action. Prevention Academy reached over 10,000 students in Delaware County last year, and this year we’re expanding into Montgomery County as well. Mike also shares what’s ahead in Season Two, from more community voices and prevention specialists to an exciting lineup of Teen Talk and Tween Talk episodes. Tune in for a quick look back, and a preview of what’s to come!

#letstalkaboutit #showupfor you #preventionacademysju

In this episode of Choices Unfiltered, host Mike Stackhouse welcomes Lucy, a rising 6th grader, along with Kiersten Simon, Executive Director of Prevention Academy. Together, Kiersten and Lucy dive into an honest and age-appropriate conversation about social media —from what’s fun about scrolling, to what feels tricky, to how kids can start making healthy digital choices early on.

Blending a real tween perspective with professional guidance, Tween Talk!: Social Media offers valuable insight for parents, educators, and young listeners alike.

#showupforyou #letstalkaboutit #medialiteracy

In this episode of Choices Unfiltered, we sit down with Christine, a school counselor and person in long-term, healthy recovery, to talk about what real prevention looks like in schools and in life. From her personal journey to the work she does every day with students, Christine shares how risk and protective factors shape outcomes—and how small, consistent support can make a big impact.

It’s a conversation about resilience, relationships, and the power of showing up.

#preventionsju #showupfor you #letstalkaboutit #preventioninaction

In this episode of Choices Unfiltered, we sit down with Caroline Heffernan, a recent Saint Joseph’s University graduate and Prevention Academy’s Social Media Manager. Together, we explore Caroline’s popular mini-series “Mindfulness Mondays,” the power of being present, and how simple mindfulness practices can support healthier choices. Caroline also opens up about her personal use of DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) skills — sharing relatable stories and practical tools that can help anyone navigate stress, big emotions, and everyday challenges. It’s an honest, engaging conversation about mental wellness, prevention, and finding small ways to take care of ourselves.

#showupforyou #mindfulnessmondays #wedontwalkalone #selfcare