In this episode of the Just Say Something podcast, host Phillip Clark talks with Heather, a certified youth resilience coach and former special education teacher, who will be leading the girls track at the upcoming Take It Back! Youth Summit. Heather shares her journey from teaching to life coaching, and how her work focuses on building confidence, self-worth, and emotional resilience in middle and high school students.

They discuss the challenges that middle schoolers face today, like low self-esteem, sibling conflict, and the pressures of social media and how the Youth Summit will equip students with practical tools like thought reframing, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. Heather also highlights how parents can support their children by modeling emotional control and reflective thinking at home.

The Take It Back! Youth Summit takes place July 22–23 at Carolina High School in Greenville, SC. To register or learn more, visit takeitbackyouthsummit.com.

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On this episode of the Just Say Something podcast, host Phillip Clark is joined by team member Nick Wolff to talk about the upcoming Take It Back! Youth Summit, happening July 22–23, 2025 at Carolina High School. This two-day event is designed for middle schoolers, but it’s also a unique opportunity for high school and college students to step up as interns.

Nick shares how interns will play an essential role in making the summit a success while also gaining valuable experience in community outreach, event coordination, and youth engagement. Interns may also get involved in year-round work with Just Say Something, including office support and public education around vaping, tobacco, and substance misuse. For details or to apply, visit takeitbackyouthsummit.com, or contact Nick directly at [email protected].

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In this episode of the Just Say Something Podcast, host Phillip Clark welcomes community activist and team member Derrick Quarles to the show. Derrick shares how a tragic news story first inspired his journey into advocacy and community organizing back in 2011.

Now deeply involved in tobacco policy work with Just Say Something, Derrick talks about the challenges of balancing public health with business concerns, especially around smoking and vaping ordinances. The conversation also touches on the importance of youth empowerment, leadership development, and the upcoming Take It Back Youth Summit.

Tune in for an insightful discussion on building healthier, more engaged communities—one conversation at a time.

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In this episode of the Just Say Something podcast, CEO Phil Clark is focusing on National Prevention Week 2025 (May 11-17). This SAMHSA-hosted observance week promotes substance use prevention and positive mental health across communities nationwide.

Clark shares statistics: nearly 40 million Americans aged 12+ struggle with substance use disorder, while mental health challenges affect one in five adults annually. However, evidence-based prevention programs work, every dollar invested saves multiple dollars in treatment costs.

National Prevention Week occurs in May strategically, coinciding with the school year's end and summer's beginning when youth face increased risks. Clark highlights SAMHSA's year-round resources including the Talk They Hear You campaign and Strategic Prevention Framework for communities.

Essential support resources include SAMHSA's national helpline (1-800-662-HELP), the 988 crisis line, and findtreatment.gov for local treatment options. Clark also mentions Just Say Something's Power Collective initiative entering its third year.

Listeners can participate in National Prevention Week by attending local events, educating themselves, advocating for prevention programs, and incorporating prevention strategies into daily life. Clark concludes by sharing Just Say Something's seven-step process for difficult family conversations: breathe, start talking, be imperfect, listen, validate, hug, and smile.

As Clark emphasizes, "Prevention works, prevention is cost-effective, and prevention saves lives."

Learn more about Just Say Something: justsaysomethingsc.org

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In this episode, host and CEO Phillip Clark explores Mental Health Awareness Month, observed annually in May. Nearly one in five American adults experience mental illness each year, representing about 52.9 million people. The pandemic has worsened these conditions, with global anxiety and depression rates increasing by over 25% in the first year alone.

There is hope found in treatment success rates, with 70-90% of individuals reporting improved quality of life after receiving appropriate mental health care. Phillip discusses common warning signs to watch for, including changes in sleep patterns, withdrawal from activities, persistent sadness, and substance use. For children and teens, signs may include declining school performance and frequent tantrums.

Phillip offers practical advice for supporting mental health awareness: educate yourself through organizations like NAMI Greenville, mind your language by avoiding stigmatizing terms, listen without judgment, advocate for better policies, and practice regular self-care. He shares valuable resources including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Line, Unity Health on Main for Upstate South Carolina residents, and supplemental digital tools like Headspace and Calm. Phillip encouraging listeners to start conversations, check in with loved ones, and advocate for mental health treatment with the same urgency given to physical health.

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In this episode of the Just Say Something Podcast, CEO Philip Clark discusses National Minority Health Month, highlighting the critical health disparities affecting racial and ethnic minority communities across the United States. He explores how these disparities intersect with factors like disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, geographic location, and socioeconomic status.

Key Points:

Ways to Help:

Resources:

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In this episode of the Just Say Something Podcast, CEO of Just Say Something Phillip Clark discusses National Alcohol Awareness Month (April) and its importance. He covers:

Phillip emphasizes that recovery is possible and reaching out for support is a sign of courage, not weakness.

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In this episode of the Just Say Something Podcast, host Philip Clark discusses Stress Awareness Month (April) and provides valuable insights on recognizing and managing stress in our daily lives. Phil discusses the physical, mental, and behavioral signs of stress, shares practical strategies for stress management, and offers helpful resources for those needing additional support.

Key topics covered:

Philip reminds listeners that stress management isn't about eliminating stress completely, but building resilience to respond to stress in healthier ways.

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In this episode of the Just Say Something's Podcast, Phillip Clark discusses the upcoming Youth Summit for students in Greenville County scheduled for July 22-23, 2025!

Phil's guest this week is Richard Yeargin III, who shares his powerful personal story of overcoming challenges in middle school and his passion for youth empowerment. The two discuss their partnership for the upcoming Youth Summit, which aims to provide a space where young people can speak freely, address mental health issues, and develop critical thinking skills.

Key Topics:

Richard's Memorable Quote: "Judge each day not by the harvest that you reap, but by the seed that you sow."

Contact Information:

#JSSYouthSummit #takeitback #JustSaySomething #RichardYeargin