Can we discourage substance abuse but still have fun? In her 20s, Jo Weatherford was a drug-and alcohol-addicted Playboy model, partying with celebrities in Hollywood. After an arrest and failed suicide attempt, she knew it was time to get clean. She went back to school to get her master’s degree in Human Development, and spent the next 12 years teaching courses on addiction at the University of Nevada and overseeing drug and alcohol prevention education and intervention for the Office of Student Conduct. She’s now a renowned TEDx speaker, addressing the root causes of addiction through non-traditional approaches to recovery. She’s been sober for 12 years and is proof that radical change is always possible.

On episode 523 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out what Jo's childhood was like, what life was like as a Playboy model hanging out with celebrities, how she was able to turn away from drug and alcohol addiction to rewrite her story, how colleges can create a culture that discourages substance abuse while still allowing students to socialize and have fun, how mental health intersects with substance abuse and what should students watch out for in themselves or their friends, advice for those trying to support a friend who have a substance abuse problem, how you can manage stress without turning to alcohol or drugs, and what gives her hope about the way Gen Z is approaching substance use. Enjoy!