Positive Alternatives

Positive Alternatives 5 Minute Thoughts - Just prior to recording this podcast I met with Congressman Bill Foster, US 11th District, who demonstrated his pre-politician chops of being a scientist by continually digging for the better answer. He has a 360 perspective of the addiction problems in our country and we would do well to listen to his thoughts on how mental illness can be a precursor to addiction. Please Subscribe

The Jorie Esser Interview - We do not work alone on an island when we are helping our teens make the important decisions of not using alcohol or drugs. Jorie Esser is the Project Coordinator for the DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team. They are a Drug Free Coalition in the northern area of the State of Illinois. This is our first of many interviews that will occur on Positive Alternatives.

Binge Drinking can kill you quickly, or it can kill you slowly. Regardless, the outcome is the same. You leave behind loved ones who ache at your passing. Alcohol is one of the addictions that plague us. We have to be informed and we have to remain focused. Are all drinks the same? Does body size or the sex of the person impact the outcome? We have some answers here that might surprise you. Do You like Our Content? Please Subscribe Today!

If I am going to demand in my speeches at high schools that the students persevere, and if I am going to demand from the offenders with whom I speak that they learn from their mistakes.....then I must not expect anything less from myself. This podcast, and all of my podcasts, are a message of perseverance and growth. Together We're Better!

Memorial Day through Labor Day....the 100 deadliest days. Our teens have an abundance of free time during the summer months. As parents we need to remain vigilant and repeatedly encourage our teens to make smart decisions during these not so lazy, hazy days. We owe it to them to be the strong parent. It will be the greatest love we can bestow.

In our community, our country, and the world we share we have varying opinions on each and every subject. This includes underage drinking. Some our strongly opposed, some view it as a rite of passage, and many don't give it a second thought. Where do you fall? In this episode this dad get's a little heated.

I can't say it enough.There is no more personal statement than using the term "Common Sense". It's such an individual canard. Everybody knows....Together We're Better.

Kindness toward others who may hold a different viewpoint is a key ingredient in making your world a better place. Stop, take a breath, and listen. We will all be better for that simple act.

Bench Trials in the DuPage County DUI Courts include 5 main players. There is the Judge, the Prosecutor, the Defense, the Arresting Officer, and the Defendant. Each plays a critical role in this process. I have seen well over 50 DUI Bench Trials in the past 18 months and each one is unique. Both sides fight hard for their client and the outcome is not always clear.

In this episode of 5 Minute Thoughts I share some local news stories regarding underage drinking parties that have happened nearby. Fortunately, no one suffered a tragic ending but unfortunately they did take dangerous and unnecessary chances.

Thirteen years ago this Father's Day weekend our son did not come home. He made some poor choices which cost him what was most precious. On Friday the 15th we held a collaborative anti-underage drinking event in our area to spread awareness, teach future leaders, and to honor a boy we miss each and every day.

Love is the bond that can not be broken, it is too strong for that. We are forever connected.

Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is what it will be. Stay in the moment and be Grateful for what you have. It's not that easy to do and it might take some work but your life will be richer if you live a life of thankfulness.

Since our last episode we have given out 3 scholarships to graduating High School Seniors, giver speeches to over 500 students, met with one U.S Congressman one on one, and have made significant headway on Jonathan's Garden. All in all it continues to be a retirement of passionate work.

Forgiveness is within each of us to use. The stress of not forgiving can cause damage to your soul and body. Even in the times of the deepest grief we will ever know; we must forgive before we can truly move forward.