Choices Unfiltered

Teen Talk!: Safety Online

What does online safety look like when you move from high school to college? In this Teen Talk return episode of Choices Unfiltered, Mike Stackhouse sits down with Laela — a former Montgomery County high school senior and now a college freshman — to talk about navigating digital life during one of the biggest transitions young people experience. Laela reflects on her senior year of high school, what she expected college to be like, and how the reality has compared — especially when it comes to social media, online identity, boundaries, and safety. Drawing from her current learning and writing around online safety, she shares general insights into how teens and young adults can think more intentionally about their digital presence. The episode closes with advice and perspective for today’s high school seniors as they prepare for graduation and life beyond it. A thoughtful, honest Teen Talk conversation focused on prevention, awareness, and making healthy choices — online and offline. #showupforyou #letstalkaboutit #teentalk #preventionsju

Adult Working Group Recap! with Max Masino

In this episode, Mike takes listeners inside Prevention Academy’s Adult Working Group — a cohort designed to shift professionals from a downstream, crisis-focused mindset to an upstream, prevention-centered one. He walks through each session’s insights and shares a brief but meaningful conversation with clinician Max Masino, who reflects on how data and new perspectives reshaped his approach to supporting young people. #upstreamprevention #preventionsju #letstalkabout it

EmpowerED Library with David Sherrell: "To the Senior Class"

In this special episode of Choices Unfiltered, Editor-in-Chief of the EmpowerED Library, David Sherrell, shares a powerful and personal message for the senior class—one filled with honesty, humor, and the kind of real talk every soon-to-be graduate deserves. Through stories from his own senior year, lessons in leadership, and a surprising moment of clarity a decade later, David explores what it really means to be a role model—even when you don’t feel like one. Whether you're a senior navigating the mix of excitement and uncertainty, an underclassman looking ahead, or an adult supporting the teens in your life, this episode offers encouragement, perspective, and a reminder that leadership often begins with simply acting “as if.” Tune in for this warm, insightful piece from the EmpowerED Library—and leave feeling a little more grounded, a little more confident, and a lot less alone in the journey ahead. #preventionsju #letstalkaboutit #wedontwalkalone #EmpowerED

Let's Meet The Pottstown Community Coalition for Youth!

In this episode of Choices Unfiltered, Mike talks with Michael Anthony, Community Mobilizer for the Pottstown Community Coalition for Youth, one of the newest members of the Montgomery County Alliance for Prevention. Michael shares how PCCY is beginning its prevention work in Pottstown — from listening to residents and building community partnerships to connecting with other MAP coalitions and Family Services. They discuss early goals, emerging needs, and the fresh perspective Michael brings to local prevention efforts. A great conversation about starting a coalition, engaging youth and families, and building prevention from the ground up. For more information, visit: https://www.montcoallianceforprevention.org/pottstown-community-coalition-for-youth #montcoallianceforprevention #preventionsju #letstalkaboutit #wedontwalkalone

Talking About Prevention with Cheltenham Communities that Care

In this episode of Choices Unfiltered, Mike sits down with Wendy Rosenfeld and Charla DeValia Walker from Cheltenham Communities That Care, part of the Montgomery County Alliance for Prevention. Together, they explore how community partnerships are driving prevention forward — from connecting with students to building programs that strengthen families and promote resilience. Wendy and Charla share their personal journeys into prevention, what’s happening right now at Cheltenham CTC, and what’s next for their work in empowering youth and supporting healthy communities. Learn more about Cheltenham CTC at https://cheltenhamcommunitiesthatcare.org/ #preventionsju #letstalkaboutit #wedontwalkalone #communitiesthatcare