Between memes, influencer videos, and movies on-demand, how can you see through the noise and uncover the truth? Media Power Youth is on the case! In the MPY Scoop, you’ll hear community conversations about topics that matter from “what’s in a vape” to how social media “challenge culture” affects our perception of risk. This podcast is for students (ages 10+) and curious adults who want to become a little more media savvy.
Podcast: The MPY Scoop
Community Voices Weigh In on Important Topics to Youth
Series 1: Community Conversations on Vaping
For our first series, we’re looking to find the truth about vaping. What’s really in a vape? What does it do to your body? What is really happening is schools? How can someone quit? This series was funded by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program.
Episode 1: Just the Facts
What is actually in a vape? How does it work? What does it do to your body? Are there legal things you should be thinking about? In this episode, we interview 3 experts and answer these questions and more. Listen here.
More about our guests:
Susanne E. Tanski (MD MPH FAAP) is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Section Chief and Vice Chair of general pediatrics, and a practicing primary care pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Working within the Population Sciences Group at the Norris Cotton Cancer Center and the Koop Institute at Dartmouth, and with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Richmond Center, her current research includes a focus on tobacco use among adolescents and young adults, tobacco cessation for patients with cancer, media/marketing influences on adolescent drinking and smoking and the effects of corporate interests on health.
David Hedge is the Student Assistance Counselor for McLaughlin Middle School and works with students in a confidential setting in the following areas: Anger Management, the dangers of drugs and alcohol, and family issues to name a few. Mr. Hedge has been the SAP Counselor for the past 21 years and prior to that, he worked for the State of NH DCYF as an Assessment Worker assessing reports of abuse and neglect pertaining to drugs and alcohol.
Sheryl Brodeur has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and has worked for the State of NH for 19 years; 17 years as a Juvenile Probation & Parole Officer and 2 years as an Assistant Supervisor. She worked previously in the State of Florida as a Juvenile Probation Officer, and has also worked in residential and tracking prior to my employment with the State. She is part of the Advisory Board at the YMCA and involved with other community groups through Manchester.
To learn more about vaping, visit saveyourbreathnh.org. If you would like to quit vaping or other products, text “Start My Quit” to 855.891.9989 or visit mylifemyquit.org.
This episode was hosted by Claire Garand, and produced by Media Power Youth. This podcast is made possible by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program. You can learn more about their work at dhhs.nh.gov.
Music was +32 by Steve Combs on the album Steve Combs.
Episode 2: Youth Voices
In this episode, we’re going to find out what teens are really saying when it comes to vaping. What’s happening at school? In sports? How can you make the right decisions? Three young leaders discuss their experiences with vaping, and we hear from Christin D’Ovdio from the Save Your Breathe NH campaign on how to change the message youth are seeing about vaping.
More about our guests:
Amelia Opsahl is going into her Senior year at Keene High School, where she enjoys taking classes in math and French and is a member of the National Honors Society. Amelia is involved in several extracurriculars; she is the president of the Student Council, the Student Athletic Leadership Association, and the French Club, and is also a member of the Student Leadership Committee at the NHIAA. Amelia has participated in Varsity Indoor track and Outdoor track since her Freshman year and is excited to be going to her third season as Captain of the Varsity Cross-Country team.
Elsa Rogers is a junior at Dover High School. She is involved in programs including the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council, the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, and Dover Youth 2 Youth. Elsa believes in taking action in youth drug prevention to protect her peers and community.
Macy Graves is a high school senior involved in the PA Leadership Council of Athletics (LCA) and NHIAA Student Leadership Committee (SLC), as well as teams including the Global Premier Soccer NH (7 years), Seacoast United FC Bedford, Pinkerton Girls Varsity Soccer (3 years), and UMass Amherst Women’s Soccer 2025.
Christin H. D’Ovidio, MFA, CCPH, is a Media & Communication Project Director at JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc./John Snow, Inc. Ms. D’Ovidio works directly with clients to research, plan and implement media and marketing initiatives and creates social marketing programs to incite behavior change for good. She is experienced in research and campaign development for drug, alcohol, and tobacco prevention and cessation, coordinated chronic disease, oral health, and asthma, to name a few. Her skills include program development, management, and evaluation, formative research, social media, media production, brand development, web, and social measurement. Her project teams have won national awards in 2017, 2018, and 2019. She is a Certified Communicator in Public Health and is an adjunct professor at Rivier University.
To learn more about vaping, visit saveyourbreathnh.org
If you would like to quit vaping or other products, text “Start My Quit” to 855.891.9989 or visit mylifemyquit.org.
This episode was hosted by Claire Garand, and produced by Media Power Youth. This podcast is made possible by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program. You can learn more about their work at dhhs.nh.gov. Music +32 by Steve Combs on the album Steve Combs.
Episode 3: Quit with Confidence
What are the first steps to quitting vaping? Who can you go to for support? How can you find reliable information? Listen to find out the answers to these questions and more!
About our guests:
Nina DeMarco is the Substance Use Disorder Program Manager at Amoskeag Health. She is a dually licensed clinician, receiving her MLADC in August 2018 and her LICSW in July 2019. Along with coordinating the Medication Assisted Treatment Program at Amoskeag Health, she also provides behavioral health services to patients diagnosed with co-occurring disorders. She specializes in substance use disorder treatment, with a focus on recovery maintenance and motivational interviewing.
Nick Karwoski is a former National Team Triathlete and a current Professional Rower for Hydrow, the live outdoor reality rowing machine, as well as the CEO and founder of Tagalong, a company whose mission is to connect athletes to train and improve together (Managing over 70 professional athletes, many current and former National Team members across multiple sports including running, rowing, cycling, and swimming) Nick has his BA in International Business and Management (2010) from Dickinson College.
Sara Bresslin has been a part of Life of an Athlete, a program of the NHIAA, since November of 2016. Sara also has three years’ experience in crisis management and student conduct from her time working in Residential Life and Housing at New England College. Sara has her BS in Applied Exercise Science from the University of New England, MBA in Sports and Recreation Management from New England College, and is currently at Southern New Hampshire University working towards her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Sara is also a Certified Prevention Specialist.
To learn more about vaping, visit saveyourbreathnh.org
If you would like to quit vaping or other products, text “Start My Quit” to 855.891.9989 or visit mylifemyquit.org.
This episode was hosted by Claire Garand, and produced by Media Power Youth. This podcast is made possible by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program. You can learn more about their work at dhhs.nh.gov. Music +32 by Steve Combs on the album Steve Combs.