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In this powerful episode, we sit down with Kyle Wimmer, Founder and CEO of 424 Impact to talk honestly about youth substance use, mental health, and what prevention really looks like today. Drawing from his own lived experience and years of working with teens, parents, and communities, Kyle shares what substances are most concerning right now, why many parents are unknowingly underestimating risk, and how early exposure, trauma, and mental health challenges intersect with substance use.Kyle Wimmer is a national motivational youth speaker and a teacher at Mountain Range High School in Westminster, Colorado. He uses his own 10 years of sobriety to relate and connect with youth regarding the dangers of addiction (in any form) but specifically to vape and other substances in a way that addresses prevention, intervention and recovery. He is the founder of “FOUR 24’s” which is a movement to challenge youth (or anyone for that matter) to abstain for 24 hours, 24 days, 24 weeks until eventually 24/7 free and sober of their vice. The main goal is to make April 24th the National Day of Sobriety. After hearing his presentation, over 800 vapes have been willingly turned in to him, punishment free. He has spoken numerous times on a national level via online conferences as well as at schools around the nation and has been featured in various publications.This conversation goes beyond scare tactics. We discuss:
- The trends parents are missing
- How to have effective, age-appropriate conversations with kids
- Warning signs families should not ignore
- What actually helps reduce risk and build resilience
- Why hope and connection are essential parts of prevention
Whether you’re a parent, educator, or community member, this episode offers practical guidance, encouragement, and a clear call to action to help protect and support young people before a crisis occurs.
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