changebuilders

Emiliana interviews Madelyn Quam about youth leadership, creative communication, and her work with organizations like Half the Story and Girl Up. They discuss digital well‑being, female empowerment, and how personal experiences shaped Madelyn’s advocacy. Madelyn shares practical advice for young leaders on finding your passion, overcoming fear of public speaking, avoiding burnout, and using creati...

Emiliana talks to Eric Landblom, a USMC veteran and dedicated mentor, about real-world mentorship, inclusive leadership, and how to turn challenges into growth. Their conversation draws on RYLA experiences, personal stories, and practical leadership philosophy. Eric explains techniques for building resilience, including box breathing and left-right coordinated movement, and emphasizes preparing ot...

Emiliana interviews Ankita Jaikumar about youth leadership, civic engagement, and the role of creative expression in politics. They discuss experiences from Girls State, AAPI representation in the South, and strategies for mobilizing young people across partisan divides. The episode explores how poetry and art open doors to political spaces, practical steps for getting involved with campaigns and...

In this episode, Emiliana talks with Maggie Hunter, an Athens Montessori teacher, about introducing civic life and service to young children through mock elections, hands-on campaigns, music and creative expression, and teaching respect, diversity and inclusion. Together they explore how early education can build empathy, reduce polarization, and help young people find their voices — with practica...