Watch: 'Awkward Conversations' Podcast, Season 4
LAST UPDATED:The Drug Enforcement Administration is pleased to announce the next installment of its collaboration with the Elks Drug Awareness Program.
Welcome to Season 4 of "Awkward Conversations"! This season, Jodie Sweetin of "Full House" and "Fuller House" returns to guide parents through the challenges of raising substance-free kids in today’s complex world. We’re bringing together expert advice, powerful stories, and insights from celebrity parents and expert guests to offer you practical tips, heartfelt narratives, and clear strategies. Each episode is designed to equip you with the tools you need to navigate the highs and lows of parenting, helping you foster a safe and healthy environment for your children. Join us as we turn those awkward moments into powerful opportunities to connect, learn, and create a bright, drug-free future for your family.
Scroll down to check out the trailer and the full episodes when they drop each Wednesday! From the science of addiction to the impact of influencers, take a peek at the topics, as well as guests of upcoming episodes of "Awkward Conversations", Season 4 by accessing the DEA news release. And are you looking for more? Make sure to catch up on Season 1, Season 2, and Season 3.
Episode 5
Today’s awkward conversation is a revisit from last season: knowing the signs of possible drug use and what to do. Our host, Jodie Sweetin is joined by Timothy P. McMahon who has been employed by the DEA since 1998, and Amy McCarthy, a Clinical Social Worker at Boston Children's Hospital. Special Agent McMahon shares common ways that kids hide drugs in plain sight and what signs to look for with changes to personality, involvement, or money use. They also share tips on how to talk to your child about drugs and how to respond with love rather than anger if you discover your child is using drugs. This topic can be scary and overwhelming to parents but they need to remember the sooner you address it, the better.
Episode 4
Host Jodie Sweetin discusses the pervasive influence of social media stars on children, exploring both harmful and healthy impacts. Joined by Amy McCarthy, Senior Clinical Social Worker at Boston Children's Hospital, and Dr. Cooper Lawrence, a psychologist and author, this conversation offers practical advice to parents. Topics include the importance of fostering empathy, having open dialogues, and modeling positive behavior to help children navigate the digital landscape and resist negative influences. The episode also highlights the role of parents and communities in providing support and resources.
Episode 3
Join Jodie Sweetin and experts like DEA's Rich Lucey, Boston Children Hospital's Amy McCarthy, Dr. Sally Linowski of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Seychelles Mizel ("Rosie" in Season 1) as they discuss drug use among college students. Originally a two-part special in Season 2, this replay provides advice on preventing substance abuse, choosing colleges with strong prevention programs, and staying connected with your kids during college.
Episode 2
Join hosts Jodie Sweetin and Amy McCarthy as they explore the human side of the fentanyl crisis. Hear from DEA Senior Prevention Program Manager Kevin Collins, Voices for Awareness Founder Andrea Thomas, and Dr. Gary Kirkilas of the American Academy of Pediatrics about the devastating impact of fentanyl and efforts to combat this epidemic. This episode highlights the importance of open conversations and offers hope for a brighter future. Educate yourself, support loved ones, and be part of the solution.
Episode 1
In our season opener, we take a deep dive into the current state of the fentanyl crisis, new forms of the drug, and updated prevention strategies. Jodie speaks with Rich Lucey, senior prevention program manager in DEA's Community Outreach & Prevention Support Section, Joe Bozenko, senior research chemist with the DEA’s Special Testing and Research Laboratory, and Amy McCarthy, LICSW, director of clinical social work at Boston Children's Hospital’s Division of Addiction Medicine.