In this episode of the Just Say Something Podcast, Phil Clark talks with Laura Allen Kerlin from Communities In Schools of South Carolina about how surrounding students with consistent, caring support helps them stay in school and succeed in life. Laura explains how Communities In Schools partners directly with Title I schools to provide on-campus support through site coordinators who address attendance, basic needs, mental health, and long-term student success.

Laura shares what a typical day looks like inside schools, from one-on-one case management to small groups and school-wide initiatives, and why relationships are at the heart of everything they do. She highlights the importance of being a trusted adult for students who may be facing barriers at home, at school, or in their communities.

The conversation also touches on success stories, including graduation outcomes, workforce connections, and students giving back to their schools. The episode closes with a look at Communities In Schools’ future growth across South Carolina and a reminder that when communities come together, students do not have to navigate challenges alone.

#CommunitiesinSchools #JustSaySomething #WorkforceConnections #SouthCarolina

In this episode of the Just Say Something Podcast, Phil Clark welcomes back Tiffney Davidson-Parker, Executive Director of NAMI Greenville, for an in-depth conversation about mental health support, advocacy, and community impact across the Upstate.

Tiffney explains how NAMI is structured nationally, statewide, and locally, and why every dollar raised by NAMI Greenville stays right here in the community to support free education, support groups, and outreach. She also shares updates on new and expanding programs, including a Youth Advisory Board, peer-to-peer and family-to-family education classes, weekly support groups, veteran-focused services, and on-demand resources for families navigating the school system.

Tiffney addresses common misconceptions about mental health, emphasizing that support is not just for those with a diagnosis, but for anyone navigating stress, anxiety, life transitions, or caregiving challenges. The episode highlights upcoming NAMI Greenville events, including the NAMI Walk, golf tournament, and awareness-building community gatherings, and closes with a powerful call to advocacy. Listeners are reminded that mental health support is a community responsibility, help is available at no cost, and no one has to navigate these challenges alone.

To learn more about NAMI Greenville, visit: https://namigreenvillesc.org/

In this episode of the Just Say Something Podcast, Phil Clark welcomes back Norma Jean Suarez from Unity Health on Main to talk about what’s new, what’s growing, and what’s next for community-based health care in Greenville. Norma Jean shares updates on Unity Health on Main's services, including expanded mental health care, primary care access, and a new satellite location at Upstate Circle of Friends, all focused on making care accessible and affordable for uninsured and underinsured families.

Phil and Norma Jean also discuss Unity Health’s holistic, wraparound approach, from behavioral health and psychiatry to case management and the “Food Is Medicine” program that supports patients managing chronic conditions. The conversation looks ahead to a shared vision for a community nonprofit hub in Greenville, a collaborative space designed to reduce barriers, strengthen partnerships, and better serve families in one central location.

The episode closes with a reminder that trusted, compassionate care and strong nonprofit collaboration are essential to building healthier communities, and that Unity Health on Main remains a safe, welcoming medical home for families across the Upstate.

#unityhealthonmain #normajeansuarez #justsaysomethingpodcast

In this episode of the Just Say Something Podcast, Phil Clark shares an exciting announcement about a brand-new fundraiser coming to Greenville in 2026. The Sip Off is a first-of-its-kind mocktail competition designed to bring the community together for a fun, creative, and high-energy evening without alcohol.

Set for Thursday, February 26, 2026, at The Schoolhouse in Travelers Rest and catered by Southern Way Catering, The Sip Off will feature talented local mixologists, community celebrities stepping behind the bar, live entertainment, food pairings, and a lively auction. Phil explains how this inaugural event is about more than great zero-proof drinks. It’s about connection, creativity, and supporting prevention programs that help young people and families thrive.

Save the date, watch for tickets after the first of the year, and consider getting involved as founding sponsors as The Sip Off begins what Just Say Something hopes will become a new Greenville tradition!

Buy tickets and become a sponsor here: https://givebutter.com/TheSipOff

In this episode of the Just Say Something Podcast, Phil Clark offers a refreshing and compassionate take on New Year goal setting. Instead of pushing rigid resolutions, planners, or pressure to “get it right” by January 1, Phil invites listeners to slow down and consider what growth could look like with more grace and flexibility.

He explores simple, meaningful ideas such as staying connected with loved ones, parenting with presence instead of pressure, taking anxiety seriously, and allowing plans to change without labeling it as failure. Drawing on insights from the American Psychological Association, the Child Mind Institute, Harvard Health, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Phil reminds listeners that progress often begins with one honest conversation or small step, not a perfect system.

The episode encourages listeners to define success on their own terms and to choose goals rooted in compassion, rest, and connection. Phil closes with a powerful reminder that worth is not measured by checklists or resolutions, and that moving into the new year with curiosity and kindness can be more impactful than any perfectly planned goal.

Happy New Year!

In this episode of the Just Say Something Podcast, Phil Clark addresses the ongoing opioid crisis and what meaningful prevention looks like inside our homes and communities. He explains how fentanyl continues to drive overdose deaths across South Carolina, often through counterfeit pills that look like legitimate prescription medications and are frequently sold through social media platforms teens use every day.

Phil walks parents and caregivers through practical, effective prevention steps, including safe storage and disposal of medications, recognizing misinformation, and having calm, honest conversations with kids that focus on facts rather than fear. He emphasizes that many young people are not seeking dangerous substances but are unknowingly exposed through pills they believe are safe.

The episode also highlights the importance of community partnerships such as The Power Collective and Compass of Carolina, which provide coordinated prevention education, mental health support, and resources for families. Phil reminds listeners that prevention works best when it is rooted in connection, knowledge, and shared responsibility, and that families are not facing this challenge alone.

In this episode of the Just Say Something Podcast, Phil Clark focuses on one of the most urgent prevention issues facing families today: how vaping and nicotine use are showing up in new, harder-to-detect ways among teens. He explains how modern vaping devices are designed to be hidden in plain sight and how marketing on social media platforms makes these products appear harmless, despite serious risks to developing brains.

Phil walks listeners through the warning signs parents and caregivers often miss, including subtle physical and behavioral changes, and shares research-backed guidance on how to start calm, nonjudgmental conversations with kids. He emphasizes that curiosity, facts, and consistent communication are far more effective than fear or confrontation.

The episode also highlights the role of prevention partnerships across Greenville County, including Smoke Free South Carolina, Compass of Carolina, and The Power Collective. Together, these organizations are working to support families, strengthen emotional well-being, and build a community safety net where kids know they matter and do not have to navigate these risks alone.

#PowerCollective #JustSaySomething #OpiodPrevention #SmokeFreeSC #AirPreserve

In this episode of the Just Say Something Podcast, Phil Clark tackles one of the biggest challenges facing families today: keeping kids safe in a digital world where every app comes with hidden risks. Drawing from research by the U.S. Surgeon General, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the DEA, and the Child Mind Institute, Phil explains how social media affects youth mental health, exposes teens to substance-related content, and increases vulnerability to anxiety, cyberbullying, and dangerous online marketing.

He offers practical, accessible strategies for parents, from watching for signs of digital stress and having calm, consistent “micro conversations,” to adjusting privacy settings, encouraging offline activities, and explaining risks with facts rather than fear. Phil reminds listeners that perfect monitoring isn’t the goal; connection, curiosity, and open communication are what truly keep kids safe.

The episode closes with encouragement for parents to seek support when needed and to remember that no matter how complicated the online world becomes, they remain their child’s most powerful protective force.

#justsaysomethingpodcast #parenting #screentime #digitalage