Speaking to children about medication, social media, and psychological well being has by no means been easy, however right this moment’s digital world appears to make these conversations a thousand occasions trickier. That’s why the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in partnership with the Benevolent and Protecting Order of the Elks (a 150-year-old inclusive neighborhood service group with practically a million various members nationwide), is bringing again Awkward Conversationsan unscripted video podcast designed to assist households sort out these robust matters head-on.
Season 5 of Awkward Conversations launches September 24, 2025, hosted as soon as once more by actress Jodie Sweetin, greatest referred to as Stephanie Tanner from Full Home and Fuller Home. New episodes will premiere weekly on the Elks Drug Consciousness Prevention YouTube channel by means of March 26, 2026.
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This season, Sweetin is joined by Amy McCarthy, Director of Medical Social Work at Boston Youngsters’s Hospital’s Adolescent Substance Use and Habit Program. Collectively they’ll sit down with movie star mother and father like Dr. Mayim Bialik and Alec Mapa, function fashions corresponding to former NFL linebacker and producer Spencer Paysinger, and prevention consultants together with Dr. Christopher Willard and Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the Nationwide Institute on Drug Abuse. Every episode zeroes in on a selected problem mother and father are dealing with proper now, from the science of dependancy to the pressures of social media to recognizing early warning indicators of substance use.
Upcoming episodes embrace Parenting within the Digital Age (recognizing on-line pink flags and mentoring digital decisions), Vaping, Marijuana & Youth Notion (why “authorized” doesn’t imply secure), Parenting Neurodivergent Youngsters (personalized methods for ADHD, autism, and extra), Substance Use in LGBTQ+ Youth Communities (fostering open communication and acceptance), First Indicators, First Steps (the way to act early when warning indicators pop up), One Tablet Can Kill (a deep dive into the fentanyl disaster), and extra. By the tip of the season, households can have entry to 21 totally different conversations that mix skilled steerage with relatable tales from mother and father who’ve been there.
For the primary time, Awkward Conversations is increasing past teenagers. Season 5 introduces quick, animated explainer movies created for teenagers ages 6–9. Every one is paired with a downloadable Mother or father Information stuffed with speaking factors and prompts to assist maintain the dialogue going at house.
“This season’s addition of explainer movies and mother or father guides displays precisely what the Elks stand for — at all times discovering new methods to present mother and father and caregivers sensible instruments,” mentioned Invoice Bryan, Nationwide Director of the Elks Drug Consciousness Program.
DEA Group Outreach Chief Sean Fearns emphasised that prevention begins at house: “A key a part of DEA’s prevention technique is to equip mother and father with the instruments and sources they should assist their kids lead drug-free lives, and these podcasts are an vital step in attaining that aim.”
Sweetin, who’s elevating two daughters, says she is aware of firsthand how uncomfortable these talks will be. “They’re by no means simple, however I hope that whereas speaking them by means of with consultants on our present, mother and father and caregivers can have the mandatory instruments they should assist maintain their children secure,” she mentioned in a press launch. “Whereas we are able to’t protect our children from the hazards on the market, we are able to positively make sure that they’re ready and armed with info.”
Since its launch in 2021, Awkward Conversations has reached greater than 18 million views and over 85 million media impressions. Earlier seasons have tackled gaming, peer stress, and different real-world points. This season builds on that basis by broadening the viewers and diving deeper into high-stakes matters like fentanyl and teenage psychological well being.
In the event you’ve ever struggled to begin a dialog about medication, psychological well being, or the pressures of social media together with your youngster, Awkward Conversations affords a much-needed roadmap. New episodes drop each Tuesday starting September 24 on the Elks Drug Consciousness Prevention YouTube channel.
