Marijuana, Anxiety, and How to Talk to Youth About Addiction (with Amber Hollingsworth)

Host Carmen continues her conversation with addictions counselor Amber Hollingsworth on Youth Empowerment Radio, focusing on teen marijuana use and practical ways to support young people. Amber explains that marijuana can be physically and psychologically addictive and is hard to identify because its negative impacts develop slowly, often increasing anxiety and depression while users believe it helps. She argues vaping may worsen use behavior by removing barriers and enabling frequent, hidden consumption. On support, Amber advises avoiding direct confrontation that triggers defensiveness and power struggles; instead, “pull information out” by asking questions, helping youth define their own “lines in the sand,” and connecting choices to their values. She recommends teaching early symptoms of addiction rather than scare tactics, urges adults to build credibility by acknowledging perceived benefits, and shares books she likes: 10X Is Easier Than 2X, Scaling/Scaling Up, and 10X. Amber directs listeners to her YouTube channel, Put the Shovel Down.

00:00 Welcome Back

00:45 Marijuana Normalization

02:48 Slow Burn Effects

03:38 Ocean Current Analogy

05:48 Physical Dependence Signs

06:14 Vapes Versus Joints

08:15 Supporting Youth Recovery

10:16 Pull Truth Out

12:32 Let Them Define Lines

16:19 Early Addiction Symptoms

18:04 Build Trust Credit

20:57 Book Recommendations

23:29 Where To Find Amber

24:06 Final Thanks

Youth Empowerment Radio | Season 3 • Episode 11 (Part 1)

Do you really have to hit rock bottom before things can change?

In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, host Carmen sits down with addiction counselor and Put the Shovel Down creator Amber Hollingsworth to challenge some of the biggest myths surrounding addiction—especially among youth and young adults.

Amber brings over 20 years of experience working with individuals and families affected by addiction. Together, they explore what addiction actually looks like before it becomes obvious, why "waiting for rock bottom" can do more harm than good, and how families can become part of the solution instead of feeling powerless. The discussion is grounded in real-world experience and offers practical insight for parents, caregivers, educators, professionals, and young people alike.

In this episode:

• Why you don't have to hit rock bottom to begin recovery
• The difference between experimentation, substance use, dependency, and addiction
• Early warning signs families often miss
• Why addiction is often about coping—not just substances
• The developmental impact addiction can have on youth
• Common misconceptions parents have about alcohol and marijuana
• Why Amber believes the "addictive personality" can actually become a superpower when directed in healthy ways

If this conversation helps you, please consider:
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Suggested Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
01:08 – Meet Amber Hollingsworth
03:30 – Why families shouldn't wait for "rock bottom"
06:00 – What "Put the Shovel Down" really means
08:20 – Amber's unexpected journey into addiction counseling
15:10 – Growing up around addiction without recognizing it
19:40 – What actually defines addiction?
24:10 – Experimentation vs. addiction
29:00 – When substances become a coping mechanism
34:20 – Youth addiction vs. adult addiction
39:15 – Emotional development and addiction
44:20 – Does income or social status matter?
48:30 – "Don't ask why the addiction—ask why the pain?"
55:40 – Is the addictive brain broken?
59:20 – Turning addiction into a superpower
1:05:40 – Common myths parents believe
1:13:00 – Should parents let teens drink at home?
1:20:00 – The most common substances affecting today's youth

🎙 Youth Empowerment Radio amplifies the voices of youth, professionals, advocates, and leaders working to improve the lives of young people through honest conversations about mental health, resilience, recovery, leadership, and lived experience.

#YouthEmpowermentRadio #MentalHealth #YouthMentalHealth #AddictionRecovery #Recovery #FamilySupport #SubstanceUse #YouthVoice #Hope #Prevention #Podcast #Spotify #YouTubePodcast #BehavioralHealth #RecoveryJourney

Nature, Community & Accessibility in Adaptive Outdoor Recreation | Youth Empowerment Radio S3E10 (Part 2)

Host Carmen continues her conversation with Katie Ostadewick of Colorado Discover Ability about how outdoor recreation supports mental, physical, and social wellbeing, including work with local VA recreational therapy and veterans. Katie describes participants arriving discouraged by weather or doubt and leaving with smiles, new friendships, and meaningful conversations outside clinical settings, emphasizing sun exposure and nature as a “happy place.” She shares the impact of returning people to activities they love, including an avid mountain biker who became a wheelchair user, and explains CDA’s focus on independence—measured less by numbers served than by renewed confidence, family involvement, and participants pursuing equipment, grants, and recreation on their own. They discuss designing accessibility from the start (ramps, door width/placement, restrooms), transportation barriers, clear signage informed by lived experience, and breaking stigma, illustrated by an adaptive golfer outperforming others. Katie recommends The Hard Parts by Oksana Masters and Spoke by Spoke by Spoke by Dr. Terry Chase.

00:00 Welcome Back Intro

00:49 Nature As Healing

03:57 Community Through Outdoors

04:41 Mountain Biker Comeback

08:23 Measuring Real Impact

13:02 Outdoor Culture Of Help

14:22 Designing Accessible Spaces

19:00 Breaking Disability Bias

21:53 Book Picks And Wrap Up