This season on Awkward Conversations, actress, author, and advocate Jodie Sweetin and co-host Amy McCarthy are back to help parents raise happy, healthy, substance-free kids who are equipped to make smart choices. From spotting online red flags and addressing the hidden risks of vaping and marijuana, to exploring how sleep, nutrition, sports, and even financial stress affect kids’ decisions, Season 5 dives into the real challenges families face today. You’ll hear practical conversations about parenting in a digital world, supporting neurodivergent youth, building resilience, and how communities can come together when the whole town hurts. Experts, parents, youth advocates, and community leaders join Jodie and Amy to share what works, what doesn’t, and how prevention can be woven into everyday life. These episodes aren’t about scare tactics—they’re about equipping parents with real tools to guide kids toward smart, healthy choices. Season launches this week, Wednesday, September 24th Jodie Sweetin is an actress, author, and advocate best known for her roles on Full House and Fuller House. Her memoir, unSweetined, chronicles her journey through addiction and recovery, fueling her advocacy for substance use awareness. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodiesweetin/ Amy McCarthy, LICSW, is the Director of Clinical Social Work at Boston Children's Hospital’s Division of Addiction Medicine, specializing in adolescent substance use. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amymccarthylicsw/ Boston Children’s Hospital Addiction Medicine: https://www.childrenshospital.org/departments/addiction-medicine Boston Children’s Hospital Addiction Medicine: https://www.childrenshospital.org/dep... Supporting Organizations The Elks: With nearly one million members across 2,000 lodges, the Elks are dedicated to strengthening communities and protecting youth through their Drug Awareness Program (DAP)—the largest of its kind in the country. From school resources to scholarships, the Elks work to educate kids and parents, promote healthy choices, and prevent substance misuse. www.elks.org DEA: Through its Community Outreach and Prevention Support Section, the DEA works with schools, families, and local partners to reduce drug use before it starts. They provide parents and educators with free resources and guides, run youth-focused programs like Just Think Twice and Operation Prevention, and support local communities through initiatives such as Operation Engage. Their mission: equip parents and kids with the knowledge and tools to make safe, healthy choices. www.dea.gov www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com (for parents & educators) www.justthinktwice.com (for teens) www.campusdrugprevention.gov (for colleges) www.instagram.com/deahq
Free prevention education for communities nationwide