The Choices Matter Podcast

Eric W. Jones
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Self-Improvement

In partnership with highway safety offices, law enforcement and educators nationwide, The Choices Matter Podcast shares powerful stories that inspire students to make safe, smart decisions behind the wheel and in life. Hosted by Eric Jones, this Alliance-produced podcast features the program’s creator, key staff, and impactful speakers who change lives through personal stories. A must-listen for educators, counselors, safety advocates, and anyone committed to empowering the next generation to make better choices. Music by Twisterium - thanks for providing "Driving Music."

Episodes

  1. 05/08/2025

    Episode 8: Empowering Student Decisions with Choices Matter – Featuring Hillari Morgan

    The episode features a discussion with Hillari Morgan, Director of Youth Programs at Alliance Integrated Marketing Services. She is a former high school English teacher and director of SADD in Maine.   Hillari shares her unique perspective as an educator and program leader, discussing how Choices Matter uses personal stories and interactive materials to inspire students to make positive, responsible choices — both behind the wheel and in life. From real-life testimonials to measurable gains in student awareness, she walks us through the program’s success and the exciting vision for its future growth. Whether you're an educator, parent, or student, this episode offers insight into how one program is reshaping the way young people think about their choices — and why those choices matter more than ever.

  2. 05/07/2025

    Episode 7: Through a Daughter’s Eyes – Karen Torres on Loss, Awareness, and the Power of Choice

    Karen Torres joins us on The Choices Matter Podcast. She is a passionate advocate for safe driving and a featured voice for the Choices Matter program. Karen shares her personal story of losing her father — a highway worker tragically killed in a work zone by a distracted driver — and how that loss changed her as well as her family’s life forever. Speaking from a daughter’s perspective, Karen delivers a deeply moving call to action: to recognize the impact of every choice made behind the wheel, to be accountable, and to become champions of safety within our own communities. Karen’s mission is clear and urgent — to honor her father’s legacy by ensuring his story saves lives. This episode is a reminder that one moment of distraction can mean a lifetime of loss.

  3. 05/06/2025

    Episode 6: You D.E.C.I.D.E – Steve Emt on Redemption, Resilience, and How the Mistakes We Make Do Not Define Us

    In this unforgettable episode of The Choices Matter Podcast, we sit down with Steve Emt, a featured speaker for the Choices Matter program and author of You D.E.C.I.D.E: A Six Step Action Plan to Becoming the Hero of Your Own Life. A standout high school athlete, former West Point cadet, and UConn basketball walk-on, Steve’s future was bright — until one night in March 1995 when he chose to drive home drunk and crashed into a concrete abutment. He awoke from a coma to discover he was paralyzed from the waist down. Now a Team USA Paralympic curler and motivational force, Steve uses his story to inspire students across the country to make better decisions behind the wheel and in life. With honesty, energy, and purpose, Steve reminds us that while we can’t always undo our past, we can take control of our future — one choice at a time.

  4. 05/06/2025

    Episode 5: The Sky Is Not the Limit – Fletcher Cleaves on Why Our Choices Matter

    We are joined on the Choices Matter Podcast by Fletcher Cleaves, a nationally recognized speaker for the Choices Matter program and author of The Sky is Not the Limit: The Fletcher Cleaves Story. Fletcher shares his unique personal story — how a distracted driver changed the course of his life forever, forcing him off the road and into a wheelchair. With a message grounded in humor, resilience, and hope, Fletcher reminds us that while we can’t control everything, the decisions we do make carry weight.  Fletcher’s story is a powerful reminder that decisions made have consequences, and sometimes, those consequences reach far beyond ourselves.

  5. 05/04/2025

    Episode 4: One Day, One Choice – Cara Filler on Turning Tragedy into Purpose

    We welcome Cara Filler to this episode of The Choices Matter Podcast. She is a globally recognized traffic safety advocate and featured speaker for the Choices Matter program. Cara shares the heartbreaking story of losing her identical twin sister in a high-speed car crash — a tragedy she witnessed firsthand, just one day after their shared 18th birthday. For over 25 years, Cara has turned personal loss into purpose, reaching more than 2 million students across 5 countries with her powerful message about decision-making, peer pressure, and the lifelong impact of a single choice. Cara’s story is unforgettable, her message is life-saving, and her mission is clear: one day, one choice, can change everything.

  6. 05/04/2025

    Episode 3: Driven to Inspire – Sting Ray Robb on Racing, Resilience, and Why Our Choices Must Matter Behind the Wheel

    In this high-octane episode of The Choices Matter Podcast, we’re joined by Sting Ray Robb, rising IndyCar star and newly signed driver with Juncos Hollinger Racing for the 2025 season. Known for his faith, discipline, and drive to succeed, Sting Ray shares his powerful personal journey—both on and off the track. His Choices Matter speaking presentations allow him a great side-hustle to racing and a tremendous platform for choosing the right roads to travel. Beyond the world of motorsports, Sting Ray is a passionate advocate for safe driving. Motivated by a deeply personal family experience involving impaired driving, he uses his IndyCar Racing platform to deliver heartfelt, impactful messages about making responsible choices and staying focused on what truly matters. Whether you're chasing a dream or facing tough choices, Sting Ray’s story reminds us that perseverance, purpose, and personal responsibility are some of the key bricks that pave the road to success.

  7. 05/03/2025

    Episode 2: Enduring Regret – Chris Sandy on the Consequences of A Single Choice

    In this episode of The Choices Matter Podcast, we speak with Chris Sandy, the longest-tenured speaker for the Choices Matter program and author of Enduring Regret: Chris Sandy’s Life After Causing Death. On April 11, 2000, one decision changed everything. During a night of partying and drinking with friends, Chris was driving fast en-route to another party and caused a crash that took two lives. It led to his conviction and 3,117 days in prison. Today, Chris shares his personal story with students across the country, showing how one incredibly terrible choice can have devastating consequences. In partnership with highway safety offices nationwide, Choices Matter is a life-changing educational program using real stories like Chris’s to inspire students to make thoughtful, responsible decisions — behind the wheel and in everyday life. Chris’s message is one of accountability, empathy, and hope — a cautionary tale that reminds us all: the choices we make don't just affect us — they ripple out to everyone around us.

  8. 05/02/2025

    Episode 1: Why Choices Matter? An Origin Story and a Conversation with Brandon Vonderharr

    In this initial episode of The Choices Matter Podcast, we sit down with Brandon Vonderharr, a managing partner at Alliance Integrated Marketing Services.  The Choices Matter program was his brainchild as a high school senior and has become a life-changing program inspiring students to make safer, smarter decisions behind the wheel and in life. Brandon shares the deeply personal story that sparked the creation of the program and how real-life stories, peer conversations, and interactive materials are helping young people across the country recognize the impact of their choices. Supported by highway safety offices nationwide, Choices Matter is more than a school presentation — it's a movement.

  • 8 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

In partnership with highway safety offices, law enforcement and educators nationwide, The Choices Matter Podcast shares powerful stories that inspire students to make safe, smart decisions behind the wheel and in life. Hosted by Eric Jones, this Alliance-produced podcast features the program’s creator, key staff, and impactful speakers who change lives through personal stories. A must-listen for educators, counselors, safety advocates, and anyone committed to empowering the next generation to make better choices. Music by Twisterium - thanks for providing "Driving Music."

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