Let's Talk About It By USRA Coalition
Welcome to USRA Coalition’s Let’s Talk About It Podcast, where we give you insights into mental health and substance abuse issues. In each episode we’ll have a conversation with a guest who will help educate and create awareness in our communities around these topics. Thanks for listening and enjoy the podcast!
Episodes
16 episodes
Supporting Athletes Beyond the Game: A Conversation with Dr. Pete Koeniges
In this episode of the USRA Coalition's Let's Talk About It podcast, we sit down with Dr. Pete Koeniges, Northern Highlands' Head Athletic Trainer, to discuss the evolving role of athletic training in student wellness....
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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22:44
A Highlander’s Return: Empowering Student Wellness with Joe Torres
In Season 3, Episode 3 of the USRA Coalition's Let's Talk About It podcast, we sit down with Joe Torres, a Northern Highlands alum turned wellness school counselor. Joe shares his journey from student to counselor, off...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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20:53
Supporting Families & Transforming Lives: A Conversation with Rudy Novak
In Season 3, Episode 2 of the USRA Coalition's Let's Talk About It podcast, we dive into the world of mental health and substance abuse with Rudy Novak, Vice President of Clinical Partnerships at Altior Healthcare. Rud...
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Episode 2
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26:39
Navigating Substance Abuse and Underage Drinking: Insights from a Community Perspective
In this eye-opening episode of Let's Talk About It, we sit down with Captain Ed Kane, a seasoned officer from the Upper Saddle River Police Department, to discuss the critical issues of underage drinking, substance abu...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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27:45
The Impact of the Not Even Once Program - with Officer Kevin Azevedo
In the latest episode of USRA Coalition’s Let’s Talk About It, we welcome special guest, Officer Kevin Azevedo. He's a ten year veteran of the Allendale Police Department, serves as the Lead Officer in the Allendale School District as well as a...
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19:47
Discussing "The New Normal" - with Dr. Jen Altman
In this episode of USRA Coalition’s Let’s Talk About It, we welcome back special guest, Dr. Jen Altman. She's a local clinician, a parent, a proud member of the USRA Coalition, and she joins us in this episode to discuss going back to normal po...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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30:53
How a Normal Life Can Still Lead Down a Dark Path with Gail Cole
In this episode of USRA Coalition’s Let’s Talk About It, we have a special guest, Gail Cole, who discuses her pursuant drive in drug awareness and prevention. Gail also provides us a glimpse into what the struggle is like with an addict in the ...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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27:18
Providing Students a Sense of Belonging with Allison Rocca
In this episode of USRA Coalition’s Let’s Talk About It, we have a special guest, Allison Rocca.Allison is a licensed clinical social worker and is a member of the newly founded Northern Highlands Wellness Department. She helps assist s...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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17:27
What Northern Highlands is Doing to Address Mental Health Issues with Principal, Joe Occhino
In this episode of USRA Coalition’s Let’s Talk About It, we have a special guest, Joe Occhino, Principal at Northern Highlands Regional High School. Joe Occhino has been the School Principal at Northern Highlands for the past 13 years and has s...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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28:02
Insights And Inspiration From Local Recovering Addict
In this episode of USRA Coalition’s Let’s Talk About It, we have a special guest, Jon Shaw.Jon is a recovering addict who grew up in Suffern, NJ. He started experimenting with drugs and alcohol at a young age. It was all about...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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30:20
Dr. Jolene Arasz on Coping with Anxiety
In this episode of USRA Coalition’s Let’s Talk About It, we have a special guest, Dr. Jolene Arasz.Dr. Arasz has been a practicing clinical psychologist for the past 20 years. She has been working with adolescents, adults, families, and...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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26:59
USR Police Officer Anthony Pulizzano Shares Insight About Our Youth
In this episode of USRA Coalition’s Let’s Talk About It, we have a special guest, Anthony Pulizzano.Anthony has been a police officer for 18 years, and in the last 16 years, he’s been protecting and serving the town of Upper Saddle River...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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19:37
Student Activist Melissa Reifman On Drug Prevention and Awareness
In this episode of USRA Coalition's Let's Talk About It, we have a special guest, Melissa Reifman.Melissa is a student of Northern Highlands Regional High School, member of the National Honor Society, co-editor and chief of the school n...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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17:21
How The Pandemic Is Affecting Our Youth With Dr. Jenn Altman
In this episode of USRA Coalition's Let's Talk About It, we have a special guest, Dr. Jenn Altman.Dr. Jenn Altman has been both a school psychologist and clinical psychologist for the past 20 years. She also has her own private practice...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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23:17
Meet Dr. Jessica Verdicchio from Northern Highland's Student Wellness Department
In this episode of USRA Coalition's Let's Talk About It, we have a special guest, Dr. Jessica Verdicchio.Dr. Verdicchio is a social worker at Northern Highlands Regional High School and the supervisor of the Student Wellness Department....
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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20:12
Lauren Wright Fights Back After Losing Her Brother To Addiction
In this episode of USRA Coalition's Let's Talk About It, we have a special guest, Lauren Wright. Lauren tells the story of her brother, Carter Stone, a 32-year-old man who fell victim to the heroin epidemic in Bergen County.Carter start...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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24:37