An Anderson Township nonprofit is giving local parents a new tool for one of parenting's toughest conversations: teaching young children about body safety and consent.

Step Up Anderson Township released Episode 33 of its podcast, "Step Up to Save Our Children," on Thursday, Aug. 20. The episode, titled "Don't Wait Until It's Too Late: Teaching Kids About Body Safety," features guest Elle Constantine from Educate Before Eight, a Detroit-based neuroscience prevention program for children ages 3 to 8.

Constantine discusses how parents can teach young children about healthy boundaries, consent, trusted adults and personal safety in age-appropriate ways, according to the episode description on Step Up's website. The episode also covers common misconceptions and strategies parents and caregivers can start using with preschoolers and elementary-aged children.

"The most important conversations you'll ever have with your child may need to happen sooner than you think," Step Up Anderson Township founder and director Denise Mayer wrote in the episode description.

The episode helps children build confidence, recognize unsafe situations and know when and how to seek help, according to the description.

Mayer, a 53-year Anderson Township resident, founded the volunteer-driven nonprofit to raise awareness about illegal drugs, vaping and underage drinking affecting young people, according to the organization's website. Step Up unites churches, businesses, schools and organizations across the community to promote youth well-being.

The podcast has produced 33 episodes covering youth safety topics. Recent installments addressed teen parties and alcohol, teen pornography and teen driving safety.

Before launching Step Up, Mayer created Brainstorm Magazine, a publication written by and for high school students that was distributed at 65 high schools across Greater Cincinnati in the late 1980s and 1990s. Her family attends Forest Hills Schools.

Episode 33 is available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Two additional resources referenced in the episode are educatebeforeeight.com and plantingseedsbooks.com, a children's book resource that helps kids as young as four learn to stay safe and speak up. The organization has not announced a date for its next episode.