Awareness 2 Action

S2 E8: Rita Miller on Establishing Unexpected Partnerships and Staying Flexible and Engaged in the field of Public Health

On this week’s episode, we’re talking with Rita Miller about the benefit of establishing unexpected partnerships, the importance of staying flexible, and the beauty of engagement in the field of public health.
 
Rita Miller is the Cessation Services Coordinator for the Tobacco Control Program at the Virginia Department of Health, where she is responsible for the coordination of services for Quit Now Virginia, Virginia’s tobacco cessation quit-line and the provider referral services. Throughout her career, Rita has managed collaborative relationships with a wide array of community members and agencies to help build, promote and maintain healthy communities. 
 
Rita holds a BS from Johnson C. Smith University and a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a graduate of four leadership development programs to include the Leadership RoundTable of Virginia Union University. Rita is a Virginia Coordinated School Health Fellow and a Tobacco Treatment Specialist, and the author of Determined Destination, Life’s Imperfect Journey of Learning and Love.
 
Quit Now Virginia: 
1-800-QUIT-NOW / 1-800-784-8669
1-855-DEJELO-YA /1-855-335-3569 –Spanish
TTY Line 1-877-777-6534 – For Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community
QuitNow.net/Virginia
 
Rita’s Contact Information: 
Email: Rita.Miller@vdh.virginia.gov  Office (804) 864-7897
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/tobacco-free-living/tobacco-use-control-project-tucp/
 
The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.
 

S2 E7: Shanza Isom on Incorporating Holistic Well-Being, Mindfulness, and Self-Care into our Busy Lives

Happy New Year! We’re kicking off the year by sitting down with Shanza Isom to discuss holistic well-being, mindfulness, and self-care. We think this conversation is the PERFECT way to start January, at a time when we’re all considering how we can better care for ourselves, and others, in the year ahead. 
Shanza Isom, MSW is an assistant professor in the James Madison University department of social work, where she teaches undergraduate courses and directs field instruction. Shanza is also a facilitator and trainer, with expertise in areas of mindfulness and holistic well-being. Shanza trains and teaches educators, parents and those in helping professions in the incorporation of mindfulness in their personal and professional lives.
Shanza’s Contact Information: isomsa@jmu.edu 
The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.

S2 E6: Misty Harris on Breaking the Cycle of Abuse, Ongoing Growth, and Storytelling to Overcome Stigma

On this week’s episode, we’re talking with Misty Harris about breaking the cycle of abuse in families and communities, storytelling as a method for overcoming stigma, and pursuing growth at every stage of life. 
Misty is an author, speaker, senior counselor, and ordained minister. Misty will soon graduate with her Masters in Addiction Counseling and will continue working toward her licensure. Misty describes herself as a survivor and an overcomer, as well as a wife, mother, and grandmother.
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes dialogue on substance use, child abuse, sexual assault, gun violence, and overdose. 
Misty’s Book, The Broken Woman: https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Woman-Misty-Harris-ebook/dp/B07PNVY8GM
The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.

S2 E5: Angie Geren Burleson on Sharing our Stories, Overcoming Shame, and Creating Change at Every Level | Encore

The holidays are here, and for many, this can be a difficult, isolating time. We're revisiting one of our conversations from season one with a guest who offers important insight on being supportive to those who might be struggling. 
Angie Burleson, APP, CHt, is a Community Development Specialist and Polarity Therapist committed to changing the conversation surrounding substance use and mental health by empowering individuals and connecting communities to become recovery ready through a trauma informed lens. Angie’s own journey with addiction, family experiences, and education gives her a multi-faceted and unique perspective which has inspired her to lobby for public health focused addiction policy, expand peer support, advocate for parents, those in active addiction and recovery alike, and organize educational events.
Angie is Founder of Arizona Recovers, a recovery community organization, which provides harm reduction based peer support, community, and prevention and also Project Director of AZ Adverse Childhood Experiences Consortium. 
 
Arizona Recovers: https://arizonarecovers.org
Sesame Street in Communities: https://sesamestreetincommunities.org
Big Bird’s Comfy Cozy Nest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciGL9fCa8uk
Center on Addiction/Partnership to End Addiction: https://drugfree.org
Center for Motivation & Change: https://motivationandchange.com/online-and-in-print-resources/
SAMHSA: https://www.samhsa.gov
PAL Support Groups: https://palgroup.org
Faces and Voices of Recovery Map: https://facesandvoicesofrecovery.org
Recovery Advocacy Project: https://www.recoveryvoices.com
 
Unbroken Brain by Maia Szalavitz
Chasing the Scream by Johann Hari
I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn't): Making the Journey from "What Will People Think?" to "I Am Enough" by Brene Brown
The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.

S2 E4: Bryon Johnson on Healing, Service & Partnership, and the Freedom of Truth-Telling

On this week’s episode, we’re talking with Bryon Johnson about the courage and vulnerability involved in healing, celebrating diversity within recovery, the differences between serving & partnering in the community, and the freedom that comes from sharing truth. 
Bryon Johnson serves his community in a multitude of ways, including his roles an author, a pastor, and a Certified Senior Peer Recovery Specialist and Supervisor. 
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes dialogue on domestic violence, gun and knife violence, substance use, and overdose. If you feel it might be best for your own mental wellness to avoid this part of the conversation, you can skip ahead to the 7 minute mark of the episode.  
Mentioned Resources:
Grace & Mercy Ministries: https://www.graceandmercyministry.org
Bryon’s Book: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/From-Dope-Fiend-Son-King/Bryon-L-Johnson/9781732997943
SMART Goals: https://www.ucop.edu/local-human-resources/_files/performance-appraisal/How%20to%20write%20SMART%20Goals%20v2.pdf
7 Dimensions of Wellness: https://www.icaa.cc/activeagingandwellness/wellness.htm
Casey’s misquoted line from ‘Rocky Balboa’: It doesn't matter how this looks to other people, it matters how it looks to you. If this is something you wanna do and if this is something you gotta do, then you do it. Fighters fight. 
The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.

S2 E3: Kate Gordon on Community Support, Paying it Forward, and the 2021 College Softball World Series

On this week’s episode, we’re talking with Kate Gordon about receiving community support, paying it forward, and her experience in the 2021 College Softball World Series. 
You might recognize Kate Gordon’s name from hearing it this summer when the James Madison University Women’s Softball Team excelled in their first-ever World Series Trip. The team captured the nation’s attention with their heart and talent, and Kate played an integral role in that success. Kate is now back in Harrisonburg, Virginia where she serves her community in a multitude of ways and works as a realtor & property manager with Old Dominion Realty.
Keep in Touch with Kate: https://kategordon.olddominionrealty.com/?oid=&chome=1&odoor
Check out PACA: https://www.pagecoalition.org
The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.
 

S2 E2: Rodney and Tina Stevens-Culbreath on Celebrating Differences, The Power of Representation, and Living Life Forward

On this week’s episode, we’re talking with Rodney Culbreath and Tina Stevens-Culbreath about the impact of celebrating differences, why representation matters, and what it means to utilize life experiences to inform work and service.
Tina and Rodney are co-founders of the I’m Just Me Movement, nonprofit organization based out of Winchester, Virginia. Tina is a trained Trauma Informed-Practitioner, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, & Forensic Peer Recovery Specialist Supervisor and serves as a Councilwoman on the Stephens City Town Council. Rodney is an activist and a Forensic Peer Recovery Specialist & Supervisor.
Mentioned Resources:
I’m Just Me Movement: https://www.imjustmemovement.org
National Day Calendar I’m Just Me Because Month: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/im-me-just-because-month-october/
Hurt People Hurt People by Sandra D. Wilson: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10845841-hurt-people-hurt-people
I’m Just Me Movement Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JUSTMEMOVEMENT/
I’m Just Me Movement Twitter: https://twitter.com/JUSTMEMOVEMENT
 
The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.

S2 E1: Susan Betcher on Giving Back, Engaging Young People, and Leaving the World a Better Place

On this week’s episode, we’re talking with Susan Betcher about giving back, engaging young people in service, and leaving the world a better place.
At 61, Susan has spent half of her life in the field of education, with her last eight years spent working for Laurel Ridge Community College as a Career Coach. Susan is always on the move and always searching for ways to serve her community. She’s involved in organizations including the Page Alliance for Community Action, and is currently working on projects including work in a community garden, family movie nights, free swim lessons, fun runs, and healthy youth activities.
Mentioned Resources:
Virginia Wizard: https://www.vawizard.org/wizard/home
Page Alliance for Community Action: https://www.pagecoalition.org
 
The views and opinions expressed on Awareness 2 Action are those of the guests and host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Prevention Department or Northwestern Community Services.