Join host Amy Meuers in celebrating women in business with youth leader and gender equity advocate Naina Raju, a member of NYLC’s Youth Advisory Council.
Inspired by her research essay, “Women CEOs: Still a Unicorn? Takeaways for the Next Generation,” Naina dives into the challenges women face in leadership, the importance of mentorship, and how young voices can help bridge the gender gap at the top.
Discover stories of perseverance and empowerment, learn actionable ways to support aspiring women leaders, and explore how community and mentorship can turn rare “unicorns” into the norm. Tune in to be inspired and see how small actions can spark lasting change.
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Register for the Youth Leadership Summit!
Discover the inspiring journey of Nora Pearson, a high school junior and founder of Roots and Grounds, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting youth and seniors through hands-on plant propagation workshops.
In this episode of The Power of Young People, Nora discusses how intergenerational programming helps bridge the gap between generations, fosters community bonds, and promotes mutual learning. She shares how her experiences in Girl Scouts motivated her to create meaningful connections with seniors, and offers valuable insights on balancing nonprofit leadership with school life.
Tune in to learn how plants serve as a creative medium for relationship-building, the importance of mentorship, and practical advice for young changemakers eager to make a positive social impact.
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Enter the Write Strong, Drive Safe Essay Contest!
Join us as we sit down with Sharonda Allen, an inspiring adult leader and founder of Operation Grow—a 2025 Youth as Solutions® 9/11 Day Team and an innovative youth-led initiative in East Orange, NJ dedicated to addressing food deserts through sustainable agriculture and community empowerment.
Sharonda shares her journey of creating spaces where young people’s voices can be heard, emphasizing the importance of education, mentorship, and empathy in fostering leadership. She discusses how systemic issues like food insecurity are connected to broader historical contexts and highlights the transformative power of youth engagement.
Tune in to learn how Operation Grow is inspiring the next generation of changemakers and demonstrating that with guidance and compassion, young leaders can create lasting community impact.
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Tune into this episode featuring 17-year-old youth leader Anshul Nadendla, as he shares his inspiring journey of driving social impact through youth initiatives like YES, Youth Global, and NICE.
Discover how empathy, resilience, and a global mindset empower young leaders to foster community engagement, bridge cultural divides, and champion youth voices on the international stage.
Perfect for aspiring youth changemakers, this conversation highlights the importance of small wins, passion-driven leadership, and the power of youth collaboration to create meaningful global change.
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In this special episode, we honor 9/11 Day by reflecting on the enduring values of service, compassion, and community connection.
We sit down with Raymond Cardona and his mentor Lori Patton from Youth Revive’s Ignite Me Youth Team to discuss how young leaders are making a difference in Dallas by tackling homelessness through empathy and action.
They share powerful insights on peacemaking, the importance of recognizing shared humanity, and how youth-led initiatives can spark real social change. This conversation highlights the impact of small acts of kindness, the necessity of community involvement, and the vital role of nurturing youth leadership for a more compassionate society.
Whether you're interested in community service, social impact, or empowering young people, this episode offers inspiration and practical ideas to engage and uplift your community. Join us as we celebrate the spirit of service and explore how collective efforts and youth empowerment can create a brighter, more unified future!
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In this week's episode of The Power of Young People, we sit down with Nethanya Fonseka, a passionate young environmental leader and founder of Plant It Forward.
Inspired by Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax, Nethanya shares her journey into youth-led activism, highlighting projects like creating a micro forest in Warren, Michigan, and establishing a Native American Honor Garden to honor Indigenous heritage and promote environmental justice. They explore the vital role of community engagement, science, and innovation in tackling climate change, emphasizing that optimism and collaboration are key to building a sustainable future.
Join us to discover how young leaders are making a meaningful impact and how everyone, regardless of age, can contribute to a healthier planet.
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Join host Amy Meuers as she sits down with inspiring young leaders Natalie and Madelyn, members of NYLC’s Youth Advisory Council, to explore their journeys in youth advocacy.
They share powerful personal stories that have shaped their passions, focusing on critical issues such as financial literacy, eating disorder prevention, and digital wellbeing. Through their experiences, they highlight the importance of storytelling and public speaking as tools to inspire change and connect with diverse audiences.
Their stories serve as a reminder of the incredible potential young people have to lead, advocate, and create meaningful impact. Tune in for motivating insights and empowering messages that encourage young listeners to embrace their unique voices and take action in their communities.
Learn more about NYLC at nylc.org !
Join guest host and Youth Advisory Council member Natalie in this inspiring episode as she chats with Ashten Jones, a passionate advocate for community service and youth engagement through Inspire GOOD.
Discover how volunteering can be a powerful tool for personal growth and social impact, often in ways you might not expect. Ashten shares her journey, emphasizing that every act of kindness, no matter how small, can transform communities and individuals alike. Learn creative ways to get involved, harness the power of storytelling to inspire others, and find your own voice in service. Whether you're new to volunteering or looking for fresh inspiration, this conversation will motivate you to see service as a vital, impactful part of life—because, as Ashten says, “if you see a need, fill it.”
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Join us as we dive into an inspiring conversation with youth leader and NYLC Youth Advisory Council member, Feven Tesfaye! Together, we explore how young people across the country are driving advocacy, environmental justice, and community change.
This episode highlights the power of youth voices in decision-making, the impact of service learning, and the importance of civic engagement. Discover how youth-led initiatives and platforms like the Minnesota Youth Council are shaping a more just and sustainable future—and learn how adults can support and elevate youth leadership.
Whether you're a young leader or an advocate for youth empowerment, this episode offers insights and inspiration to amplify youth voices and foster meaningful change.
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Join us as we dive into the powerful world of youth activism, storytelling, and music in this episode of The Power of Young People. Featuring conversations with Portia Kamons and Tre Bosley—creators and young activists behind the transformative musical SEVENTEEN—discover how Gen Z is using art to confront urgent issues like gun violence and climate change.
Through heartfelt stories and raw conversations, explore how youth voices are shaping social justice movements, inspiring hope, and forging connections across communities. Tune in to hear how the power of music and storytelling can ignite change and amplify the voices of a generation determined to make a difference.
Learn more at nylc.org!
Join us in this episode of The Power of Young People as we speak with trailblazing youth leaders Pooja Tilvawala and Jacob Weissman.
Discover how organizations like the Youth Climate Collaborative and Young Planet Leaders are harnessing creativity, storytelling, and innovative technology to empower young changemakers. Dive into candid conversations about mental health, intergenerational collaboration, and the challenges faced by youth activists.
Whether you're passionate about climate justice, community engagement, or leadership development, this episode offers hope, practical insights, and a call to action for the next generation shaping a sustainable future.
Learn more at nylc.org!
Join host Amy Meuers on this inspiring episode of The Power of Young People as she chats with Ahmenra, the remarkable third-grade CEO Kid!
Despite her young age, Ahmenra has already started her first business, Noodle & Company, and launched the Aero Queens Initiative to inspire young girls to pursue careers in aerospace engineering and STEM.
In this conversation, Ahmenra shares her journey of dreaming big, the importance of storytelling in empowering girls, and the role of support and partnerships in turning her ideas into action. Whether you're a young innovator, a girl in STEM, or simply inspired by bold dreams, this episode celebrates the power of perseverance, creativity, and community to make a difference.
Learn more about Ahmenra's work at theceokid.ventures!
Learn more about NYLC at nylc.org!
In this episode of The Power of Young People, we sit down with Falisha Raval, an 11th-grade powerhouse and leader of Dear Asian Youth Houston. Join us as Falisha shares her transformative journey of advocacy and leadership, highlighting the vital role of empowering underrepresented voices in today’s society.
Discover how digital platforms can serve as powerful catalysts for storytelling, enabling young advocates like Falisha to amplify their messages and create social change. She unpacks her innovative project, Tandem Care, dedicated to supporting caregivers with personalized plans, and discusses the challenges that come with youth leadership, from overcoming imposter syndrome to managing time effectively.
With insights on the importance of community, resilience, and the actionable power of youth, this episode is a call to all young people to embrace their voices and take meaningful steps toward change. Tune in for a dose of empowerment—and hear how the next generation is stepping up to create a brighter, more inclusive future!
Learn more at nylc.org!
Hear from Natasha Agarwal, a 17-year-old powerhouse and founder of the nonprofit Believe in Books. Join us as we delve into Natasha's journey from observing the dire need for literacy resources during the COVID-19 pandemic to spearheading a national movement that has successfully distributed over 175,000 books to underserved children.
We explore the critical role of youth leadership in advocating for early literacy, and Natasha sheds light on the challenges of book deserts—regions with limited access to reading materials. She shares her innovative initiatives, including Page Turner, designed to assist children who lack adult readers at home, and discusses her recently published book, "Tales of African Women Trailblazers," which aims to inspire young girls across Africa.
This episode is a powerful reminder of the impact one young leader can have through community service, advocacy, and storytelling. Tune in to discover how we can all join the fight against book bans and champion literacy for the next generation, and learn how to take action today—because there’s no better time to be a catalyst for change than now.
Learn more about Natasha's work at https://www.believenbooks.org/.
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In this inspiring episode of The Power of Young People podcast, we sit down with trailblazing young leaders Nora Sun and Mila Henry to discuss their revolutionary efforts in the mental health advocacy.
A sophomore at Harvard, Nora launched mercuri.world to break down language barriers in accessing mental health resources. Eighth grader Mila created MH Boxes, a heartfelt initiative providing mental health care packages for young Black girls.
Tune in as they share their motivations, the hurdles they've faced, and their visions for a future where mental health support is accessible and equitable for all. Discover how community support and collaboration can amplify the impact of youth-driven initiatives, and get ready to be empowered by the stories of these remarkable advocates who are changing the narrative around mental health—one step at a time.
Join us for a conversation that emphasizes the importance of cultural sensitivity, personal experience, and building supportive networks on the path toward mental health advocacy.
Want to learn more? Visit nylc.org!
Join host Amy Meuers as she dives into the world of innovative science education in this episode of The Power of Young People. Listen in on her conversation with Saanvi Dogra, founder of Science Nexus—an impactful nonprofit on a mission to make STEM accessible to underserved communities. Saanvi shares her personal journey and the revolutionary approaches Science Nexus employs to engage youth through hands-on learning and community-centered initiatives.
Explore the crucial role of youth leadership and collaborative partnerships in effective education, and discover how low-cost materials can transform learning experiences. From powerful success stories to the unique challenges facing different communities, this episode is packed with insights for aspiring young innovators eager to make a global impact. Don’t miss out on the future of STEM education, where creativity, inclusivity, and experiential learning merge to shape the next generation of thinkers and leaders!
https://www.sciencenexus.org/
For more, visit nylc.org.
In this episode of The Power of Young People, we delve into the topic of safe driving through the lens of youth leadership. Featuring three passionate members from SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), this conversation sheds light on the pressing issues of distracted and impaired driving that affect teens today. Listen in as these young advocates have used their experience with NYLC's Youth as Solutions program to generate effective campaigns that aim to raise awareness and foster community engagement around driving safety.
Discover how youth leadership is not just about making rules—it's about igniting change within communities. The episode highlights the critical role of collaboration with community members and underscores the need for peer-driven initiatives that resonate deeply with fellow teens. With valuable insights on leveraging social media for awareness and the importance of listening to diverse perspectives, you'll learn how even small actions can lead to significant impacts.
Whether you're a teen driver, parent, educator, or community leader, this episode is a call to action for everyone to advocate for safe driving practices. Tune in to understand that every choice made behind the wheel can be a choice for life—and hear how today's youth are rallying to make our roads safer for tomorrow.
Join host Amy Meuers in this episode of the Power of Young People podcast, where she sits down with young leaders Kayla Pilgrim and Dylan Keith Humphrey from the Made By Us Youth 250 Bureau. As America approaches its 250th anniversary, they explore the pivotal role that youth play in shaping our democratic narrative.
Kayla and Dylan delve into their personal journeys and share insights on how youth engagement fuels civic action and social change. They discuss the transformative power of storytelling in connecting communities to their historical roots and emphasize the necessity of including young voices in decision-making processes.
Discover how to harness your influence in community service, learn the importance of accessibility in civic engagement, and find motivation in every small action that contributes to a brighter future. Tune in to this episode to be inspired by the passion and potential of the next generation of leaders!
Check out Youth250 Bureau!
Learn more at nylc.org
Join us in this episode of The Power of Young People where we dive deep into the global water crisis with Andrew Reese, the Director of School Programs at the Thirst Project. Discover how a young student’s spark can ignite a movement as Andrew shares his transformative journey from student leader to a full-time advocate for clean water access. With 785 million people lacking safe drinking water, Andrew discusses the vital role youth leadership plays in driving sustainability and community engagement in the fight against this crisis.
We’ll explore the importance of creative fundraising initiatives, the significance of community ownership in water projects, and how every small contribution can make a monumental impact. Andrew’s stories of success will not only inspire you but also empower you to take action—because change is possible when young voices rise up. Tune in and learn how you can join the movement to provide clean water to those in need and become a driving force for social change, regardless of your age or background!
Learn more about Thirst Project!
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In this episode of The Power of Young People, host Amy Meuers talks with Aanyaa Arora, a passionate senior at the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science. Aanyaa is not just a student but a dedicated advocate for inclusivity and a champion for special needs students. Together, they explore her transformative journey from peer tutor to grant recipient, discussing how she successfully implemented inclusive events in her community through the Make a Difference grant.
Listeners will learn about the vital role of connection, understanding, and adaptability in creating environments where every student can thrive. Aanyaa shares her insights on collaboration with educators, the joy of hosting inclusive events (including a memorable petting zoo!), and her vision for the future as she aspires to combine her love for medicine with her advocacy efforts.
Tune in to discover how young leaders like Aanyaa are paving the way for change, fostering community connection, and empowering every student to feel valued. Whether you're interested in education, personal growth, or social advocacy, this episode is a celebration of youth leadership and the impact of compassion.
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