Justice4PrestonLord: Be an Upstander

Justice4PrestonLord, Inc.

Justice4PrestonLord: Be an Upstander is a podcast dedicated to inspiring awareness, accountability, and positive change in our communities. Through meaningful conversations with parents, educators, mental health professionals, community leaders, and individuals with lived experience, we explore topics such as violence prevention, bullying, social media influence, mental health, healing, personal responsibility, and the power of speaking up when something isn't right. Created in honor of Preston Lord, this podcast encourages listeners to move beyond being bystanders and become Upstanders ... people who choose courage, compassion, and action to help create safer schools, stronger communities, and a better future for the next generation. Together, we can turn awareness into action and make a difference, one conversation at a time.

Episodes

  1. Mar 20

    You Are More Than Your Worst Choice

    Shane openly tells his personal journey of bad choices, setbacks and then how one or two people can influence your life in a positive manner and start the road to recovery. He now is a recovery coach and mental health educator. He discusses how accountability from others and yourself is vital to creating successful positive changes in life. He assists children through adulthood with mental health challenges and illnesses. About Shane Watson: Shane is a speaker, behavioral health educator, recovery advocate, and founder of Silverladder LLC, where he focuses on mental health education, addiction recovery support, family advocacy, and youth prevention initiatives. With more than 14 years of personal recovery experience, Shane has dedicated his life to helping others understand that people are more than the mistakes they've made and that healing, restoration, and hope are possible. After surviving years of substance use, mental health struggles, incarceration, and the devastating consequences of addiction, Shane rebuilt his life through recovery, faith, accountability, and service to others. His powerful personal story has resonated with audiences across Arizona and beyond, leading to more than 600 presentations impacting over 100,000 students, parents, educators, community leaders, and professionals. Shane has extensive training in trauma-informed care, suicide prevention, youth mental health, crisis response, substance use prevention, and peer support. He is also an ASIST Suicide Intervention Trainer and former Prevention Specialist with notMYkid, where he spent nearly a decade educating youth and families on behavioral health topics including addiction, bullying, depression, self-harm, suicide prevention, and healthy communication. Known for his honesty, compassion, and ability to connect with people from all walks of life, Shane brings a message of accountability, grace, and transformation. Through his work, he continues to encourage others to seek help, break cycles of shame, and recognize that no one is defined solely by their worst choice. To contact with Shane, please do so through his website.

    You Are More Than Your Worst Choice

  2. Mar 20

    Bystander vs. Upstander: The Moment That Changes Everything

    This podcast episode focuses on empowering youth, parents, and communities with the tools needed to recognize dangerous situations, practice situational awareness, and respond safely before violence escalates. The discussion explores how speaking up, seeking help, and interrupting harmful behavior can make a meaningful difference in preventing tragedy and protecting others. The episode also addresses modern triggers of violence impacting today's youth, including social media influence, peer pressure, reputation, impulsive decision-making, and the pressure to gain attention or approval from others. Through honest conversation, listeners are encouraged to shift from being passive bystanders to confident upstanders who lead with courage, accountability, empathy, and positive action. The podcast highlights practical ways to build courage, strengthen communication skills, and develop healthy conflict resolution strategies that can help youth navigate difficult situations more effectively. It also emphasizes the important role parents, schools, and communities play in creating safer environments by fostering trust, open communication, emotional support, and shared responsibility in protecting one another. About Julio Chavez: Julio Chavez is a Gang Detective with Tempe Police Department and is currently assigned to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) State Gang Task Force (GIITEM) where has served in this capacity since 2021. Julio began his law enforcement career in 2016 as a patrol officer in Tempe. During his tenure as a Gang Detective, he has worked numerous gang cases and operations. Over the years, he has worked closely with local schools and youth programs to combat gang violence amongst juveniles in the state of Arizona. Prior to law enforcement, Chavez had the honor to serve his country for 12 years with the United States Marine Corps. "No kid is seeking anything when he joins a gang; he's always fleeing something. He's not being pulled; he's being pushed by the circumstances in which he finds himself." - Detective J.C. Chavez

    Bystander vs. Upstander: The Moment That Changes Everything

  3. Mar 20

    The Ripple Effects of Violence

    This podcast explores the deep and lasting impact violence and trauma can have on families, relationships, and the emotional well-being of both youth and adults. The discussion highlights warning signs of youth mental health struggles that are often overlooked, including behavioral changes, isolation, emotional withdrawal, anger, anxiety, and shifts in social interactions. The episode also examines how the ripple effects of violence can shape family dynamics, communication, trust, and interpersonal relationship skills long after a traumatic event occurs. About Myra Hurtado, LPC-S Myra is the Owner and Clinical Director of Healing Hearts Counseling. Myra approaches therapy with great empathy as she journeys with clients in their healing process. Creating a safe environment where trust is built, she journeys with clients as they work at mending pieces back together through psychotherapy and soul level healing. She specializes in treating trauma and believes strongly in the mind, body, soul connection of healing and wholeness. If a client chooses, Myra offers to serve clients from a faith-based perspective while meeting each client right where they are at with their individual differences, cultural backgrounds, beliefs and experiences. She works with adolescents, adults and families.Myra received her undergraduate degree from Arizona State University in Family Studies with an emphasis in Child Psychology and then earned her Masters of Professional Counseling at Grand Canyon University. Myra supervises, consults and facilitates training of other clinicians. She is a Certified EMDR therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant and offers consultation and supervision for clinicians. She is also trained in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Level 1 & 2, Play Therapy, and Sand Tray Therapy.For more information or to contact Myra, please do so through her website.

    The Ripple Effects of Violence

  4. Mar 20

    Be an Upstander in the Age of Social Media

    This podcast explores the importance of being an upstander and why speaking up, supporting others, and taking action matters in today's world. The conversation dives into the powerful influence social media and online platforms have on both youth and parents, including the growing pressures surrounding clicks, clout, popularity, and the real-life consequences that can follow harmful online behavior. The episode also highlights how parents can recognize warning signs, intervene early, and begin crucial conversations with their children about accountability, mental health, peer pressure, and online influence. Through honest discussion and practical insight, the podcast focuses on navigating a child's life in a positive, supportive, and proactive way while encouraging healthier communication and stronger family connections. About Katey McPherson:With over 27 years of experience as a teacher, counselor, and school administrator, Katie has dedicated her career to student and teacher social and emotional wellness. She currently leads professional development for Bark for Schools, protecting over 5 million children, and actively serves on youth mental health initiatives and advisory boards. Her work empowers families and educators to tackle digital challenges head-on. For more information or to connect with Katey, please go to her website.

    Be an Upstander in the Age of Social Media
  • 4 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

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About

Justice4PrestonLord: Be an Upstander is a podcast dedicated to inspiring awareness, accountability, and positive change in our communities. Through meaningful conversations with parents, educators, mental health professionals, community leaders, and individuals with lived experience, we explore topics such as violence prevention, bullying, social media influence, mental health, healing, personal responsibility, and the power of speaking up when something isn't right. Created in honor of Preston Lord, this podcast encourages listeners to move beyond being bystanders and become Upstanders ... people who choose courage, compassion, and action to help create safer schools, stronger communities, and a better future for the next generation. Together, we can turn awareness into action and make a difference, one conversation at a time.

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