Watch: 'Awkward Conversations' Podcast, Season 5

Trailer
Mindful Parenting: Raising Calm, Confident Kids
New Drivers, New Dangers: Navigating Substance Use With Teen Drivers
Available But Not Safe: Vaping, Marijuana & Youth Perception
The Power of Teen Leaders in a Substance-Free Movement

Social Influencers and Substance Trends
The Connection Between Sleep, Nutrition & Mental Health
The Science of Addiction
Parenting in the Digital Age: Spotting Online Red Flags

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, in partnership with the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, will release Season 5 of the video podcast Awkward Conversations on September 24, 2025.

The unscripted Season 5 of Awkward Conversations is once again hosted by Jodie Sweetin (Full House, Fuller House) and will feature twenty-one weekly video podcasts on the Elks Drug Awareness Prevention YouTube channel through March 26, 2026.

Each week Jodie is joined by Amy McCarthy, Director of Clinical Social Work, Adolescent Substance Use and Addiction Program at Boston Children’s Hospital. Together they will speak with celebrity parents such as Dr. Mayim Bialik and Alec Mapa, as well as role models like Spencer Paysinger (former NFL linebacker and producer All-American). They will also sit down with experts including Dr. Christopher Willard (author of Raising Resilience and Growing Up Mindful) and Dr. Nora Volkow (Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse). Their discussions delve into complex issues and provide thoughtful answers to the questions parents care about most. Check out the trailer below!

Take a peek at the topics of upcoming episodes of "Awkward Conversations," Season 5 by accessing the DEA news release. And are you looking for more? Make sure to catch up on Season 1, Season 2, Season 3, and Season 4.

Coming this season are short, animated explainer videos for kids ages 6–9, each paired with a Parent Guide, which offer prompts and takeaways to help families continue the conversation. These new resources make Awkward Conversations accessible for every age group and expand its role as a family prevention tool.

Episode 8

In this episode, hosts Jodie Sweetin and Amy McCarthy sit down with Dr. Christopher Willard, psychologist and mindfulness expert from Harvard Medical School, to explore how mindfulness can strengthen family connection and support emotional well-being. Together, they unpack simple, science-based strategies that help parents and kids manage stress, improve focus, and navigate daily challenges with more awareness. From real-life examples to easy techniques you can start using today, this conversation offers practical ways to bring mindfulness into your home—one small moment at a time.

Episode 7

As teens reach the milestone of getting behind the wheel, parents face new conversations about responsibility, safety, and the risks of impaired driving. This week, we’re re-airing an important Season 3 episode that remains just as relevant today — exploring how parents can help young drivers make smart, safe decisions. Hosts Jodie Sweetin, Amy McCarthy, and Rick Birt, Former President of SADD break down how to talk with teens about peer pressure, substance use, and staying alert behind the wheel. You’ll learn practical ways to build trust, set clear expectations, and use everyday moments to reinforce healthy habits and responsible driving behavior.

Episode 6

Join hosts Jodie Sweetin and Amy McCarthy for an eye-opening conversation on the growing dangers of vaping and high-potency cannabis among youth. This episode dives into how modern marketing targets teens, the science behind addiction, and the serious effects of nicotine and THC on developing brains. Learn how today’s products are designed to hook young users, the hidden dangers of unregulated substances like Delta-8, and how to recognize when your child might be at risk. Most importantly, discover real strategies for having open, honest conversations that empower your kids to make healthy, informed decisions. In this episode, Jodie and Amy are joined by Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse; Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine; and Katie Drew, Assistant Special Agent in Charge with the DEA. Together, they share expert insights on prevention, early intervention, and the vital role of communication in protecting young minds.

Episode 5

What if the most effective drug-prevention leaders are the kids themselves? In this episode, hosts Jodie Sweetin and Amy McCarthy sit down with the Elks Drug Awareness Program, the DEA, and the Young Marines to explore how peer-to-peer leadership is changing the culture from “just say no” to knowing. You’ll hear the origin and purpose of Red Ribbon Week, how the DEA’s One Pill Can Kill campaign mobilizes students nationwide, why positive peer norms reduce use, and what parents can do to encourage youth leadership without taking over. We also unpack the reality of vaping and flavored products targeting youth—and practical ways families can respond. Featuring insights from experts Bill Bryan, Colonel Bill Davis, and Sean Ferns, this episode explores how programs like the Elks Drug Awareness Program and the Young Marines are empowering the next generation.

Episode 4

In this Best Of episode of Awkward Conversations, host Jodie Sweetin and co-host Amy McCarthy revisit a timely conversation with Dr. Cooper Lawrence about the powerful influence of social-media stars on kids and teens. Together, they explore how celebrity culture shapes behavior and self-image—and what parents can do to guide their children toward empathy, resilience, and healthy online habits. This discussion offers practical advice for fostering open dialogue, modeling positive digital behavior, and helping young people recognize the difference between authentic connection and online comparison.

Episode 3

Jodie Sweetin and Amy McCarthy welcome experts Dr. Jason Kilmer, Maya Feller, and Caitlin Merlot to explore the powerful connection between sleep, nutrition, and mental health in young people. They discuss practical strategies parents can use to help their kids build healthier habits, how these habits influence substance use and emotional well-being, and the critical role schools and communities play in creating supportive environments. This episode is packed with expert insight, real-world advice, and actionable tools to help families foster balance, stability, and resilience in everyday life.

Episode 2

In this Best Of episode, hosts Jodie Sweetin and Amy McCarthy revisit a powerful conversation with Captain Christopher Jones, Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention at SAMHSA. Together, they break down the science of substance use disorders—explaining how addiction affects the brain, what puts kids at greater risk, and how parents can spot early warning signs before it’s too late. This episode equips families with the knowledge and tools to reduce stigma, strengthen mental well-being, and support kids in making healthier choices.

Episode 1

In this episode of "Awkward Conversations," hosts Jodie Sweetin and Amy McCarthy team up with Dr. Michael Rich, “the Mediatrician,” and Kevin Collins from the Drug Enforcement Administration to unpack the realities of raising kids in today’s digital world. From the hidden risks of online drug sales to the secret language of emojis, they reveal what parents need to know—and how to turn fear into curiosity, monitoring into mentorship, and tough topics into open conversations. Packed with practical tools and resources, this episode gives parents the confidence to guide their children safely and thoughtfully through a screen-saturated world.