034: Underage Drinking and Substance Abuse Prevention and Support + Traveling the World for Pennies on the Dollar with Jim Carroll and Chris Klesh

In this episode of Saving With Steve, host Steve Sexton is joined by Jim Carroll, who served as the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) beginning in 2019 as part of a distinguished career in public service, and Chris Klesh, a Travel Guru, Corporate Wellness Expert, and leading expert on vacation ownership systems, knowing the best travel deals available and utilizing that knowledge for maximum customer benefit.

For 40 years, SADD, the nation's premier youth health and safety organization, has worked to empower teens, engage parents, mobilize communities, and change lives around the issues of traffic safety, substance abuse, and personal health and safety. Through a national network of peer-led chapters in middle schools, high schools, and colleges, SADD equips students with the resources they need to advocate for change in their communities. 

My first guest, Jim Carroll, served as the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) beginning in 2019 as part of a distinguished career in public service. His work shows a commitment to saving lives, as defined by ONDCP’s mission, to aid those who are suffering from substance use disorder and ensure that they are provided and presented to the path of recovery, proper preventive education, and stopping the flow of substances in the US. Under Carroll’s lead, the number of deaths due to overdose decreased for the first time in 30 years.

He joins us today to discuss the importance of supporting positive influences in the lives of our children, and identifying the warning signs of underage substance abuse. Chris also shares information about parent to parent advice and support, guidelines about not drinking and the consequences for breaking them, support for identifying alcohol-free activities, and educational resources for teens to make positive choices every day.

It’s travel season… And, we all know that trying to plan a dream vacation can be rather daunting and way beyond our budget. But, how would you like to travel the world for pennies on the dollar? My second guest, Chris Klesh, is a retired corporate marketing executive turned Travel Guru, Coach, and expert speaker on corporate wellness and the benefits of travel and leisure.

He joins us today to share insider tips and tricks for traveling and going on the dream vacations you deserve without breaking the bank—sometimes as much as 90% off normal prices! Chris also talks about the benefits of travel and leisure, the key safety concerns for travel in the “new normal environment, the best resources for getting the most current information for travel deals, how travel will change in the next 12 months, and the top 3 tips for families to save the most money on their travel.

Jim Carroll served as the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) beginning in 2019 as part of a distinguished career in public service.

His work shows a commitment to saving lives, as defined by ONDCP's mission, to aid those who are suffering from substance use disorder and ensure that they are provided and presented to the path of recovery, proper preventive education, and stopping the flow of substances in the U.S.

Under Carroll's lead, the number of deaths due to overdose decreased for the first time in 30 years. Jim is the Senior Policy Advisor at SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), the nation's premier youth health & safety organization that works to empower teens, engage parents, and mobilize communities.

"SADD has been leading the charge in youth prevention for 40 years," said Carroll. "I'm looking forward to working with SADD students across this country to address the deadly epidemic that is substance-use, ensuring that every young person can achieve the bright future they deserve."

Now in its 40th year, SADD is working to raise awareness of the new dangers that students and parents face in navigating the years of adolescence.

At SADD, Carroll works to inform SADD programming and policies, highlighting the tremendous work done by the over 7,500 chapters of SADD across the country in middle schools, high schools, college, and community groups.

Coach Chris Klesh is a retired corporate executive who loves to travel and stay at highly desirable vacation resorts with national renown for quality, service and amenities

He's a leading expert on vacation ownership systems, knowing the best travel deals available and utilizing that knowledge for maximum customer benefit.

"How can I spend more affordable time in the places I love?" became a consuming goal. Coach Chris devoured every bit of information from every source on travel. He asked travel experts every conceivable question about the profession.

What started as a hobby became his passion. He dedicated himself to knowing more, to talking with consumers every place he visited. He asked exactly what they wanted, other places they liked to visit, and why.

Coach Chris recognized the trends, the concerns and the reality. With all his research and personal experience within the system, he also saw opportunities. For instance, he can:

  • Double the number of weeks at a resort for the same price as one
  • Obtain upgrades to larger suites and ocean-view rooms
  • Provide the best deals on restaurants, golf and skiing, sporting events and show tickets to Broadway plays or Las Vegas superstar performances

Coach Chris is a 'cultural jock' with hobbies ranging from skiing, music, theater, tennis, golfing, boating, kayaking, mountain biking, traveling, and reading. In 2002, he transformed those hobbies into a fervent business, Lifetime Leisure Experiences.