Photo: Coastal Alabama’s “What if you Knew?” Podcast team. Story as printed in the Q4 2024 ACCS Alabama Minute Newsletter.
At Coastal Alabama Community College’s Fairhope campus, a group of students is stepping into the spotlight to tackle society’s toughest issues. They’re not just raising their voices—they’re amplifying them through season two of their podcast, What If You Knew? By addressing heavy topics like substance abuse and mental health, these students are sparking crucial conversations that resonate far beyond campus.
“I joined the podcast because I witnessed an overdose when I was 16, and it stuck with me,” said podcast co-host Jenn Johnston. “I want people to know that if you experience something like that, you’re not alone—resources are available to help you.”
The podcast, a collaboration between the students and the Baldwin County Community Alliance, was fueled by a grant from the Alabama Department of Mental Health to address the opioid epidemic among young adults. Fairhope Campus Director Mandy Bezeredi has seen firsthand how the show has inspired the students to make a real impact.
“The most rewarding part has been watching the students transform,” said Bezeredi. “For example, after learning about Narcan at the CADCA 2024 National Leadership Forum in Washington D.C., the students were determined to bring that knowledge back to Fairhope. They quickly organized Narcan training for our campus community.”
Returning cast mates were recently sent to Chicago for another conference to learn more about new drug trends and prepare for season three.
“These are experiences that could happen to anyone,” said podcast member Oliver Jackson. “When listeners tune in, they should remember that these are real people with real challenges, and those challenges could affect any of us.”