Matters of Substance

Holistic Evolution (HE) addresses the developmental needs of male youth of color in Northwest Indiana, by providing them with a mentor that has healthy beliefs and clear standards. Through the use of encouragement and accountability mentors create a lasting positive impact on HE's mentees. Join us as we chat with Ester Lewis and Roman Griffin about the impact of mentoring, community connection and HE as a whole.

Carley and Betsy chat with DEA Special Agent Czaczkowski about the One Pill Can Kill campaign that educates the community on the nationwide increase of Fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills which is tragically leading to accidental overdose deaths.  The DEA determined that 6 out of 10 DEA tested pills that containe Fentanyl have a potentially lethal dose.  To learn more, listen to this episode.

Carley and Betsy sit down with Matt & Joe from Groups Recover Together. We discussed some of the barriers of medication-assisted treatment, and the work Groups Recover Together is doing to overcome them. Join us as we chat about how GRT partners with the judicial system to assit people being released from incarceration and the adaptations they have made to make programs available online. 

Michael O’Connor is the executive director of the Moraine House in Valparaiso. He discusses what the Moraine House is and its history.

Alyssa talks with Carley about her new program, Smoke Free Moms, that she is rolling out for Mental Health America.

Carley, Chris and Jie discuss the many things that have been made possible by the Partnerships for Success grant. They also offer a preview of some good things to come.

Ron Seman talks about his ministry to share the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of hiking - specifically the Indiana Dunes.

Police Social Worker, Sam Burgett and Police Chief, Jeff Balon talk about the recently unveiled Police Assisted Recovery Initiative (PARI) that focuses on getting people the help that they need.

Natalie Muskin-Press shares here experiences with students at Valparaiso University as it relates to tobacco, alcohol and other substance use through the pandemic to this current semester.

Carrie Higgins, Program Director with Tobacco Education and Prevention Coalition for Porter County and Donna Golob, Executive Director for A Positive Approach To Teen Health talk about the Youth Wellness Forum taking place September 27, 2022 at Valparaiso University Harre Union.

The forum is aimed at educating and empowering professionals and parents.

Diana Iltzche and Angela Wehner with Porter-Starke Services Life On Purpose grant, that focuses on older adults pertaining to substance misuse.

Aubree Adams lived in Colorado when marijuana became legalized. At first, she didn't think it would affect her family much, but she says that it destroyed her family. She feels that marijuana leads to addiction, psychosis and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Hear more about Aubree's story on this episode of Matters of Substance.

Kealah Parkinson is a Communication Coach who helps people cycle out of fight or flight in the moment. She has a radio show on WVLP, Tune In: Radio for Your Mind Body and Soul. The radio show is in it's thrid season.

Carley and Kaitlyn continue the conversation with Meghan Buell about trans visibility and the challenges that are faced by people with different gender identities.

Simon Anderson Schelling and Ezra Burke discuss their work with LGBTQ Outreach of Porter County.

Todd Willis and Scott Janson talk about their training with CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America). Scott and Todd voluteered to go through several rigorous week-long tranings with the organization to help us improve our work  here in Porter County. They share  that they've learned so far.

Trauma-informed yoga instructor, Samantha Aguilar discusses self care for people in recovery, most of which can be used by anybody.

If you are a parent, this is the episode for you. Lisa Raftery shares her expertise about communicating with youth, the language they use, being a source of information and having open communication.

Samantha started The Community Change Center: WeAreOne, Inc., which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in Northwest Indiana that works with incarcerated individuals during incarceration and as they transition back into their communities, providing tangible resources and connections, as well as a sense of support and empowerment.

They recently opened the Unity Cafe at Living Hope church in Valparaiso. The mission of Unity Cafe is creating unity in the community. The cafe features refreshments, recovery circles, workshops & community building. Learn more at https://weareoneinc.org/.

This is all in addition to her “day job” as a social worker for the Valparaiso Police Department.