In this episode of the Prevention Leaders Podcast, Dave Closson sits down with trainer, consultant, and motivational interviewer Jason Anderson for a conversation that every facilitator, speaker, and prevention professional needs to hear.

Jason shares his journey from corrections officer to nationally recognized trainer, unpacking how he transformed dry, technical content into dynamic, human-centered learning experiences.

Together, Dave and Jason explore:

• Why adult learning is different—and how to teach accordingly
• The role of emotion, authenticity, and storytelling in training

• How to use simple tools like sticky notes to boost engagement

• Why less on your slide deck can mean more in the room

• Strategies for avoiding “death by PowerPoint”

• Ways to make every participant feel heard, seen, and respected

• And the one question to always ask before designing a session

Whether you’re a new trainer or a seasoned pro, this episode offers powerful takeaways to elevate your delivery and create learning experiences that stick.

Let’s go beyond the slide deck—because effective training starts with connection.

Links:

• https://www.thejasonanderson.com/
• https://www.daveclosson.com/links

What if we treated resilience the same way we treat prevention—something to build before the crisis hits?

In this powerful conversation, Dave Closson sits down with Shane Varcoe, Executive Director of the Dalgarno Institute, to unpack a deeper, more actionable understanding of resilience. Together, they explore how resilience isn’t about being unshakable, but about bouncing back—and why it’s essential to build it ahead of time, not just after the fall.You’ll hear:

• Why the common definition of resilience is missing the mark
• How identity, emotions, and purpose shape our ability to bounce back
• The danger of tying resilience to emotional control or personality
• What it means to have an “anchor” and a “why” in your personal toolkit
• The role of resilience in substance misuse prevention—and how to foster it in young people and communities

Whether you're a prevention professional, educator, or simply someone navigating life’s challenges, this episode offers insight, tools, and a fresh perspective on how to live—and lead—with resilience.Explore more about Shane’s work: dalgarnoinstitute.org.au Listen to Shane’s podcast: Unnecessary Harm : https://unnecessaryharm.com.au/Learn about World Resiliency Week: https://worldresiliencyday.com.au/

In this energizing episode, Dave Closson chats with Carla Ritz about the transformative power of Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs). Carla shares how focusing on strengths, rather than solely on adversity, can reduce risk factors and help build more resilient kids, families, and communities.

Carla dives into the research behind PCEs, explains how prevention professionals can apply this science in practical ways, and explores the synergy between PCEs and Positive Community Norms. Plus, there’s a heartfelt (and hilarious) reflection on parenting, community traditions, and how small actions can have big ripple effects.

What You’ll Learn:

• What Positive Childhood Experiences are—and why they matter
• How PCEs buffer against the long-term effects of trauma and ACEs
• Actionable ways prevention professionals can promote PCEs
• Why community traditions are more powerful than we give them credit for
• How PCEs and Positive Community Norms work together to change culture

“We’re not just preventing what’s bad—we’re growing what’s good.” – Carla Ritz

• https://www.montanainstitute.com/msi