Teens, Screens, and Drugs 3.0
Worried about your teen in 2025? You’re not alone. Today’s parents are navigating unprecedented challenges from AI Chatbots and deepfakes targeting teens to Fentanyl-laced drugs (even in counterfeit pills), and much more.
We’re bringing this conversation back after Hurricane Helene postponed our 2024 event. Join us for an updated, moderated panel discussion with [panelist names/credentials] as we explore:
✓ How AI and social media are reshaping teen mental health and identity
✓ The current drug landscape: what’s new, what’s deadly, and what parents often miss
✓ Brain science: why screens are so hard for teens (and adults!) to put down
✓ Practical strategies for having conversations that actually land
✓ Setting boundaries that work in real families, not just in parenting books
✓ Red flags to watch for and when to get help
This isn’t a lecture. It’s a real conversation for real parents dealing with real challenges in Asheville and beyond. Whether your teen is thriving or struggling, you’ll leave with concrete tools and the reassurance that you’re not navigating this alone.
This event will take place on November 5, from 6:00-7:00 pm at Wrong Way’s River Lodge. There is no cost for attending; however, space will be limited. Please RSVP to attend in person via this link! This event will be broadcast virtually for free via our YouTube platform! It is not necessary to RSVP if you plan to join virtually.
More information about our panel:
For over 35 years, Beth Hockman, M.S. has devoted her life to helping young people discover their strength and confidence through wilderness and experiential education. She holds a B.S. in Social Psychology and a M.S. in Experiential Education from Minnesota State University. Her career includes 18 years with Outward Bound in both the U.S and Africa. In 2006, she co-founded Asheville TAASC, a nonprofit that blends outdoor leadership and service learning into life-changing experiences for youth. In 2016, inspired by her twin daughters, Beth co-launched Girls TAASC, which remains one of her greatest passions- guiding girls to step beyond the restrictive, toxic societal narratives placed on them and embrace their adventurous, authentic selves. As a former teacher and Academic Director, Beth created innovative experiential curricula that earned national accreditation. For the past 17 years, she has also been an independent Love and Logic facilitator, supporting families and educators with practical strategies for raising responsible, resilient young people. In addition, she is adjunct faculty for the Center for Creative Leadership, a founding board member of Fernleaf Community Charter School, a TEDx speaker, a former homeschool mom, and the owner of her own parent coaching business. Her greatest adventure, though, is parenting her twin daughters. When she isn’t teaching or speaking, you’ll find Beth exploring the mountains of Asheville with her family and their two rescue Border Collies.
Kriya Lendzion, LCMHC, LCAS, CPS has journeyed from her own years as a “hot mess” teen in high conflict with her parents to becoming one of the nation’s leading youth addiction and prevention specialists. She has been a school counselor, adolescent therapist, and drug educator for over three decades. As a parent coach, speaker, and author, Kriya empowers adults to be “teen whisperers” with the youth in their lives, to help “addiction-proof” them for an increasingly risky and addictive world. Fondly known as “The Drug Lady” in our community, she regularly conducts drug and addiction education at schools across Buncombe County and provides programming, consulting, and training across the country.
As a Health Coach and Facilitator, Ariana Figueroa, NBC-HWC is dedicated to fostering a space where insight and meaningful change can flourish. In her Health Coaching work at Integrative Family Medicine of Asheville, she utilizes positive psychology, motivational interviewing, and the neuroscience of behavior change. In her free time, Ariana is pursuing a Master’s in Social Work. In her free time, you might find her kicking around a soccer ball with her son Luke, hitting the trails with her husband Christopher, gardening as a family, or enjoying a quiet moment with her knitting needles.