In this special behind-the-scenes bonus episode of Youth Unfiltered, the creators step out from behind the conversations and reflect on the journey of making the podcast itself. The hosts reintroduce themselves and look back on how they felt entering the series — rating their comfort levels at the start and comparing them to where they are now.

They share their favorite moments from the experience, what surprised them most, and the skills they gained along the way — from storytelling to the technical side of podcasting. The conversation also explores how creating Youth Unfiltered shaped their confidence, creativity, and interest in continuing in the podcast space.

Wrapping up with honest reflection, the group offers advice they’d give themselves before starting the series and discusses what they wish they’d had more time to explore.

🎧 An honest, reflective look at youth not just as voices — but as creators, collaborators, and future storytellers.

Music By Ceaz
Produced By DSTRCT9 Creative Solutions

In the final episode of Youth Unfiltered, students reflect on the conversations that shaped the series — connecting the dots between lived experience, community impact, stigma, messaging, and the development of new strategies.

They offer practical pointers on how youth can support their peers and strengthen their communities, emphasizing connection, compassion, and accountability. The episode also highlights resources for students seeking support, education, or involvement, ensuring listeners leave with tools — not just ideas.

Closing on a forward-looking note, the hosts encourage other young people to step into the podcast space, share their stories, and use their voices as instruments for change.

🎧 This episode is both a reflection and a call to action — reminding listeners that youth voices matter, and meaningful change starts when they’re heard.

Music By Ceaz
Produced By DSTRCT9 Creative Solutions

In this episode of Youth Unfiltered, students shift from critique to creation — exploring what prevention and engagement could look like when youth voices lead the strategy. Drawing inspiration from the Iceland prevention model, highlighted through a TED Talk, the conversation focuses on connection, belonging, and proactive support rather than punishment.

Students discuss the importance of increased extracurricular opportunities, from sports and affinity groups to chess clubs and peer tutoring. Ideas like bringing animals into schools through partnerships with organizations such as the Humane Society, hosting midday assemblies with interactive, festival-like energy, and featuring youth facilitators or trusted teachers all emerge as ways to strengthen school culture and reduce risk.

The episode also breaks down which outreach methods actually resonate. Visual and social-first strategies — billboards, flyers, stickers, pins, and YouTube or Instagram ad campaigns — are seen as effective, while emails and platforms like WeChat or WhatsApp are largely ignored.

🎧 This episode is about building real solutions — grounded in connection, creativity, and the belief that prevention works best when students feel seen, supported, and involved.

Music By Ceaz
Produced By DSTRCT9 Creative Solutions

In this episode of Youth Unfiltered, students take a critical look at past prevention and awareness campaigns — unpacking what resonated, what missed the mark, and why intention doesn’t always equal impact.

They highlight campaigns that felt effective, including Friends for Life, Locks Save Lives, and We Can Wait, noting that these efforts were more thoughtful, inclusive, and consistent in their messaging. In contrast, they examine ineffective approaches like D.A.R.E., Just Say No, fear-based scare tactics, and culturally tone-deaf messaging — including billboard campaigns that felt ignorant, stigmatizing, or targeted at specific communities.

The conversation digs into what truly makes a campaign work: being expansive in who it reaches, using clear and straightforward language (not slang), centering students’ voices, and focusing on support and coping rather than punishment. Peer-led groups emerge as a key factor in building trust and credibility.

Ultimately, this episode challenges institutions to rethink how prevention is communicated — and asks who campaigns are really designed for when students don’t feel seen, heard, or respected.

🎧 A necessary conversation about messaging, missteps, and how to do better moving forward.

Music By Ceaz
Produced By DSTRCT9 Creative Solutions

In this episode of Youth Unfiltered, students confront the stereotypes and assumptions tied to substance use — and the damage those stigmas create. They challenge the idea that you have to consume to fit in, while also pushing back against the notion that using automatically defines someone as a bad person.

The conversation explores how judgment shifts depending on perception. Longtime users are often labeled as lost causes, while new users may receive concern and sympathy. Students unpack how these double standards affect behavior, grades, and how peers and adults respond to them.

The discussion widens to include those connected to users — friends who are blamed by association, parents who internalize guilt, and influential figures who are called out for not doing enough with their platforms to create change. The episode also touches on how consumption is normalized in college culture and how racial and social dynamics shape who is judged, protected, or punished.

🎧 This episode challenges listeners to rethink stigma, accountability, and compassion — and to consider who really bears the weight of these narratives.


Music By Ceaz
Produced By DSTRCT9 Creative Solutions