Watch: 'Awkward Conversations' Podcast Series

The Drug Enforcement Administration is pleased to announce the next installment of its collaboration with the Elks Drug Awareness Program. This year’s project features the second season of a video podcast series, Awkward Conversations, featuring Full House and Fuller House’s Jodie Sweetin along with guest experts and celebrity parents. The 20 video podcast episodes cover a variety of subjects to help parents learn how to empower their kids with the tools needed to stay safe, drug free, and make healthy decisions. Topics include signs of drug use in teens, fake pills, preventing drug misuse among college students, bullying and peer pressure and its consequences, understanding your kids’ social media use, and do’s and don’ts when you talk about drugs.

Check out the trailer below!

Episode 1

Jodie speaks with Amy McCarthy of Boston Children's Hospital, Heidi P. Dutson of the Utah Department of Human Services, and actor and father Greg Grunberg about forging strong relationships with your kids and how this is linked to lower alcohol and drug abuse.

Episode 2

Jodie speaks with Amy McCarthy of Boston Children's Hospital and Heidi P. Dutson of the Utah Department of Human Services about practical ways of building with your kids the relationships that are statistically linked to lower alcohol and drug abuse.

Episode 3

Jodie speaks with the Drug Enforcement Administration's Senior Prevention Program Manager Rich Lucey and others about the four main reasons students experiment with drugs and how college presents new opportunities for drug use.

Episode 4

Jodie continues talking to Rich and others, this time about helping your child choose a college or university that takes substance abuse prevention seriously.

Episode 5

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Bring It On" actress Clare Kramer guest-hosts this episode and speaks with Wendy Woolcock of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Amy McCarthy of Boston Children's Hospital about how just two milligrams of fentanyl in a fake pill -- i.e. an amount equivalent to several pieces of salt or sugar on the end of a pencil tip -- is enough to kill an individual.

Episode 6

Jodie speaks with Timothy P. McMahon of the Drug Enforcement Administration and Amy McCarthy of Boston Children's Hospital about how kids hide drugs in plain sight and how to respond to drug abuse with love rather than anger.

Episode 7

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Bring It On" actress Clare Kramer guest-hosts this episode and speaks with Catie Drew of the Drug Enforcement Administration and others, who share opioid educational resources that can be used by parents, teens, and teachers, as well as schools, faith-based organizations, scout organizations, and more.

Episode 8

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Bring It On" actress Clare Kramer guest-hosts an interview about signs of bullying, cyber-bullying, and ways to address it with Amy McCarthy of Boston Children's Hospital, as well as Behavioral Health and Student Support Senior Director Erin Wick. Then, Jodie talks with Trevor Donovan, founder of nationwide anti-bullying program Team Upstanders, about an inspiring success story.

Episode 9

Jodie speaks with DEA Community Outreach Chief Sean Fearns about the Red Ribbon Program, the nation's oldest and largest drug use prevention/awareness program. Sean shares resources kids and families can use to be part of the solution.

Episode 10

Jodie talks about peer pressure -- which is responsible for a majority of teens' drug use problems -- with Amy McCarthy of Boston Children's Hospital, as well as Behavioral Health and Student Support Senior Director Erin Wick. Learn how to tailor this awkward conversation with your child based on their strengths and personality.

Episode 11

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Bring It On" actress Clare Kramer guest-hosts this episode and talks to DEA Public Information Officer Carlos Briano and others about keeping your home RX safe for kids. Tune in to learn tips on this, how to talk about safe medication use with kids, and information on the DEA Drug Takeback program.

Episode 12

Jodie and Amy McCarthy of Boston Children's Hospital revisit recurring themes from the season and are joined by special guest parents. The group shares personal family conversations and examines the effect of social media on awkward conversations.

Episode 13

Recognizing when your child is stressed, knowing how to combat stress, and distinguishing between stress and anxiety are important skills for parents and caretakers to possess. Jodie and Amy McCarthy of Boston Children's Hospital talk about all this and more with Boba Fett actor Daniel Logan, Senior Behavioral Health and Student Support Senior Director Erin Wick, and Dr. Krystal Lewis of the National Institute of Mental Health.

Episode 14

De-stressing with your kids, admitting when you are wrong, and creating atmospheres where you both can have drug-free fun are all important. Jodie and Amy McCarthy of Boston Children's Hospital talk about these topics and more with Boba Fett actor Daniel Logan, Senior Behavioral Health and Student Support Senior Director Erin Wick, and Dr. Krystal Lewis of the National Institute of Mental Health.

Episode 15

Consistency and security are essential when co-parenting. Jodie, Amy McCarthy of Boston Children's Hospital, and divorce mediator Judith Weigle discuss these factors, as well as dealing with pain, the role of stepparents, establishing a consistent message, stress as a trigger for substance use, and more.

Episode 16

Jodie talks about keeping kids safe online with William (Bill) Bodner, special-agent-in-charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's Los Angeles field division and Amy McCarthy of Boston Children's Hospital. The three discuss how retail drug trafficking has spread into social media, as well as how to regulate and monitor kids' Internet use.

Episode 17

Speaking with Amy McCarthy of Boston Children's Hospital and substance abuse prevention professionals, Jodie addresses the "when"s and "how"s of talking with kids about drugs and making smart choices. 

Episode 18

Jodie continues hashing how to talk about drugs with kids with Amy McCarthy of Boston Children's Hospital and other substance abuse professionals. This time, the group delves into safeguarding your child's dignity while addressing their behavior, as well as how to ensure that your concern does not harm the relationship.

Episode 19

Jodie, Amy McCarthy of Boston Children's Hospital, and other substance abuse professionals bring to light the "why" of talking with kids about drugs and making smart choices. This involves discussing the consequences of substance abuse.

Episode 20

How will you react when your child asks if you've ever used drugs? Jodie, Amy McCarthy of Boston Children's Hospital, actor and director Jake Busey, and "Awkward Conversations" Executive Producer Bob Sabouni discuss this, whether genetics predisposes one to drug abuse, and more.