Shaping Our World

For 25 years, Plan to Protect has provided the highest standard of abuse prevention and protection for organizations serving children, youth and persons with disabilities. Melodie Bissell , president and CEO of Plan to Protect, stopped by the podcast to chat with host Chris Tompkins about the program's history, its methods, and the ways we can all do our part to safeguard the most vulnerable among...

Dr. William Quinn, Professor and Coordinator of Youth Development Programs at the College of Health, Education, and Human Development at Clemson University & Executive Director of Families4Change, Inc., stopped by the Shaping Our World podcast to talk about the importance of not just communicating with youth, but facilitating experiences and programs that allow them to thrive.

Building confidence in young people in an authentic way requires a degree of intentionality that may not have been as common in previous generations. It's the result of a combination of the shallowness in connection social media provides and the desire for young people to want to be heard and recognized without having the ability to articulate those desires. Mano is the visionary leader of PGC Bas...

Loneliness is something we typically find adults suffering with, but as we adopt more and more online ways of relating and socializing, it's introducing areas where our kids experience loneliness. Youth expert, Brett Ullman dives into this issue on today's episode and how we, as parents and youth workers can help battle this.

It's a time when kids are seeking more independence and starting to define who they are choosing to influence them through their formative teen years. There aren't many experts who look at this unique time in young people's lives, but today's guest, Rachel Naud, has made a career of sourcing great resources and thought leadership for parents and youth workers for this age group.

Shauna Barnes has had decades of experience working with young people in educational settings and in particular where she has served as a high school guidance counsellor.  She speaks about the numbness young people today feel as they experience life through social media apps and how you can find moments of influence for the young people in your life. 

Orlando Bowen is a former professional athlete, community advocate and inspirational speaker. His heart specifically lies in working with young people. He speaks holistically about helping young people truly engage with their community - including their peers and those who are both older and younger than them.  

It's no secret youth development doesn't have a one-size-fits-all solution. But what about kids that have autism? On today's episode, Chris speaks with Erin Butler, a behaviour therapist and specialist in working with students with autism with the Toronto District School Board.