Conversations and Connections

Licensed Professional Counselor Donna Cowart joins us in the studio to talk about how therapy helps to heal those experiencing relationship violence. 

The Coalition's mission is to promote a drug-free life for our young people.  On this episode, Stuart talks with The Coalition Executive Director Sharon Kruk about their mission, the services the provide, and the impact of drugs, tobacco, and vape products are having on our kids here in Deep East Texas.

In honor of Father's Day, we're dropping our episode early as Stuart and agency BIPP Coordinator Will Windham have a discussion about healthy fatherhood and what it means today to be a good dad.

June is Pride Month... and the Family Crisis Center of East Texas wants everyone to know that regardless of where you sit on the LGBTQ space, the agency serves ANYONE who is going through some type of relationship violence.  On this episode, Stuart talks with SFA Campus Advocate Mallory Dotson about relationship violence in the LGBTQ community.

Kim Bartel is with the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Council here in East Texas.  In this episode we talk with Kim about the popularity of vaping, especially among the youth in East Texas and how vape shops are practically everywhere now.  We'll also examine other substances being abused today.

Melisa Youngblood is probably going to be the first person a potential client of the Family Crisis Center sees when seeking services.  Stuart talks with Melisa about the process of interviewing a client for the first time and her inspiring story of overcoming her obstacles in life. 

The Alcohol and Drug Awareness Council does a lot more than just help people confront their drug or alcohol problems.  In this episode Stuart talks with Megan Griffin with the PADRES (Parenting Awareness and Drug Risk Education Services) about how they help educate clients to be the best parents they can be.

Our Marketing and Communications Coordinator Mallory Harris joins us in the studio today to talk about two big events coming up... Our annual Safer East Texas Training and Blueberry Cupcake Battle!  

A new sound is here for the podcast!  We hope you celebrate with us as we now have a dedicated podcast studio!  To help us mark the occasion, Stuart talks with Family Crisis Center Executive Director Whitney Burran.  Whitney shares her "origin story" with us... from humble mild-mannered intern to leader of the agency!  

It's a big responsibility to feed up to 40 or more people breakfast lunch and dinner seven days a week,  but that's exactly what agency Kitchen Manager Veronica (aka "Rocky") Sessions does!  In this episode, Stuart visits again with Rocky as they talk about feeding people when they are sometimes at the lowest point in their life.