PrevenTable

Pull up a seat at the PrevenTable and listen to candid conversations about the intersection of alcohol, drugs, and mental health on everyday lives. It's not all sob stories, but it is raw. We share our vulnerabilities and talk with thought leaders and “normal” people in hopes that it will help others who are struggling with substance use.

Health & Fitness
Mental Health
1
S4 Ep 4: Healing from Within
This week’s PrevenTable episode features Dr. Marty K. Casey and Renee Cunningham, Executive Director and Executive Assistant of UnGUN Institute. After both experiencing and witnessing the ways that unresolved trauma impacts people, Casey created UnGUN to help disarm trauma in individuals. The pair describe how to detect bodily signs of trauma and self preservation, highlight the power of role models, and share more about the company’s self care products that made it all the way to Los Angeles for the 2024 Oscars!
41 min
2
S4 Ep 3: It's All About the Brain
Podcaster Alex Kaiser joins us to explain the motive behind starting his podcast, “No Lions Here.” He bravely shares more about his journey as a person with a substance use disorder. Alex describes his process of seeking treatment, details how he fights against the stigma of substance misuse, and takes us through his belief that freedom for him means being open about his struggles without concern for judgment from others.
46 min
3
S4 Ep 2: Inclusivity In Action
This week on the PrevenTable, Beth Elders, the Executive Director of the Greater St. Louis Chapter of the American Red Cross, shares more on her journey of working in disaster relief. A PreventEd Teen Institute participant as a high schooler, Beth comments on how she truly found her place in the program, discusses her experience moving from working for the church to the Red Cross, and opens up on how she stays calm in the face of disaster.
38 min
4
S4 Ep 1: Creating Good Habits
The PrevenTable is back for our Season 4 premiere featuring rocker and radio host Moon Valjean and his wife, Mallory, a life coach and entrepreneur! In this episode, the pair covers the highs and lows of the rock music world, including their decision to stop drinking. They also share more about connecting with other sober people through social media, trusting the process of establishing healthy habits, and learning to appreciate their accomplishments despite obstacles.
69 min
5
S3 Ep 35: Feeding Your Life
Musician and songwriter Clint Lowery joins the PrevenTable for our Season 3 Finale! Known for being the lead guitarist for Sevendust and having gigs with Korn and Seether, Clint shares his experience with rock and roll culture. As a self-identifying sober person, he describes the process of making music sober, discusses generational differences in speaking about substance misuse, and shares how music and fitness keep his mind and body healthy.
47 min
6
S3 Ep 34: Safe Spaces
Jennifer Massie Fadler, Founder and Executive Director of Life House Youth Center, discusses her organization’s objective to provide a safe and loving space outside of the home for children to spend time. Jennifer talks about building relationships with kids, the various ways the organization serves children, and her vision for Life House to exist in communities around the U.S.
36 min
7
S3 Ep 33: Legacy Starts From Within
Terran Rome, Executive Vice President of Legacy Institute, sits down at the PrevenTable to describe his organization’s mission to teach kids essential skills and knowledge for navigating adulthood. Terran explains the origin of the idea, which came about during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizes the need for extracurricular alternatives beyond music and sports, and stresses how beneficial it is for people to learn about their history and identity.
36 min
8
S3 Ep 32: We're All In This Together
Labor recovery specialists James Pursell and Aaron Walsh join us from Lean STL to talk about their work providing resources for mental health and substance misuse for laborers. The duo describes the power of having a peer to confide in, the overlap between work and being in recovery, and the challenge of making prevention appealing to workplaces.
43 min
9
S3 Ep 31: Not Really the Brotherhood
TW // Sexual Harassment and Assault — Hubbard Radio-KSHE 95 promotions coordinator Rian Gilkerson joins the podcast this week to talk about the reality check she faced during her time in the Marine Corps. Rian discusses her experience as a woman in the military, covering topics such as intimate partner violence, military ranking power dynamics, and how military members often fail to recognize substance misuse.
48 min
10
S3 Ep 30: Take Care of Your People
John Gaal, Joseph Whiteman, and Scott Greenhaus join us this week to discuss their knowledge of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), an issue responsible for 25% of fatalities in the construction industry. The trio shares the importance of having good coping mechanisms, improving physical and mental health, and setting new standards for wearing safety helmets.
40 min
11
S3 Ep 29: Essential Empowerment
Reann Hines, founder of the Behind It All Foundation, takes a seat at the PrevenTable for a conversation on promoting mental health wellness and entrepreneurship opportunities in underserved communities. She describes a few key initiatives encompassed in the foundation, talks about the role of life coaching, and explains her goal to create leaders that spread their impact both far and wide.
37 min
12
S3 Ep 28: Excelling in Education
Missouri Excel Centers Superintendent Dr. Eric Knost joins us for a conversation about his educational journey and current work helping adults obtain their high school diploma. He discusses how The Beatles kickstarted his passion for education, explains the necessity of providing opportunities for education for all ages, and shares insight on making a difference in students’ lives.
56 min
13
S3 Ep 27: DJ for Recovery
Kevin Harris joins the PrevenTable for a conversation about his journey to recovery as a former DJ, identifying himself as a functioning alcoholic — a term he and Nichole help break down. Kevin also discusses his book, “From DJ to Deacon: The Life of an Alcoholic,” praises the mentors in his life, and shares more about his current role as a harm reduction coordinator.
26 min
14
S3 Ep 26: Looking for Signs
Shima Rostami, Executive Director of Gateway Alliance Against Human Trafficking, talks about how her organization works to both prevent and educate people about human trafficking. She and Nichole discuss why it can be hard to detect elements of trafficking, how domestic trafficking is often not heard about, and the power behind knowledge.
41 min
15
S3 Ep 25: The Writers Table
Dr. Hedva Barenholtz Levy sits down at the PrevenTable to talk about her book, “Maybe It’s Your Medications.” She takes us through the process of writing and publishing the book and hits on some of its major topics, including healthy aging, medication use, being an educated consumer, and how to discuss medicine and supplements with a physician.
44 min
16
S3 Ep 24: Built Environment
St. Louis native Kelly McGowan joins Nichole at the PreventTable for a conversation about the importance of local politics. McGowan, the founder and executive director of Transform 314, discusses her entrance into advocacy, breaks down structural racism as an issue in St. Louis, and talks about boosting civic engagement.
41 min
17
S3 Ep 23: Music, Fun, and Connection
Jim Murphy, former board president of NCADA, sits down at the PrevenTable to share more about this year’s RecoveryFest STL, which he founded last year. He explains how the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for connection between people in recovery, details some of the food vendors and live music you’ll see this year, and describes how St. Louis is one of the hotbeds in the U.S. for people in long term recovery.
26 min
18
S3 Ep 22: Out of the Seats, Into the Streets
Brandon Boos from Faith Oakville joins us for a conversation on PreventEd’s partnership with the church and the third annual Stomp Out Addiction walk on October 1st. Brandon dives into the church’s mission to connect people, how they strive for community beyond church, and Faith’s deep roots in service.
40 min
19
S3 Ep 21: Staying in School
Darcy Glidewell and Clay Jenkins describe their organization, The Next Step, which aims to provide tuition assistance for people in long term recovery. They explain the story of their kitchen table idea that bloomed into $1.93 million in funding student education, comment on the way education empowers those in recovery, and share the satisfaction of witnessing the support network that develops for students through their work.
42 min
20
S3 Ep 20: Let's Be Real
Radio personality Donny Fandango joins the PrevenTable for a refreshing reality check about being open with your mental health and emotions. He talks about being real for the radio, provides wisdom about dealing with grief, and shares more about his philanthropic work for the Ronald McDonald House.
41 min
21
S3 Ep 19: Community Connection
Steve Ewing, businessman and frontman for The Urge, joins Nichole to talk about his two greatest endeavors: music and food. He describes how his restaurant, Steve’s Hot Dogs, fed nearly 10,000 people when schools closed down during the COVID-19 pandemic, shares insight into working in the music industry, and delves into his longtime passion for fitness.
32 min
22
S3 Ep 18: Casual Consciousness
PreventEd Process Analyst Intern Justin Boyle joins the PrevenTable to share the backstory of how he entered the prevention education space as an intern this summer. He reflects on what motivates him, describes a few community-engaged learning experiences in both his college and home community, and explains his goal of seeing basic awareness and knowledge of injustice lead to positive change.
40 min
23
S3 Ep 17: Everyday Advocacy
KSHE 95 Morning Show Host A.D. Rowntree joins us for a conversation on how he utilizes his radio platform to advocate for change. A.D. describes his attempts to break down mental health stigmas in a relatable way, discusses everyday management of his mental health, and talks with Nichole about the benefits of exercise and meditation.
31 min
24
S3 Ep 16: Public Health is Community
Alicia Jenkins from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services joins Nichole for a discussion about public health and community. She shares the extensive variety of work she does as a public servant, emphasizes the department's goal of getting Missourians access to health services from anywhere, and praises the power of digital media in dispersing public health information to large audiences.
37 min
25
S3 Ep 15: A Leap of Faith
Co-founder and Executive Director of Foster Together, Laura Storm, sits down to explain more about the organization, which provides essential items to foster children and families in St. Louis. She talks about her mission to restore dignity to kids, seeing foster children as more than a statistic, and how lucky she feels to have passionate volunteers.
32 min