Simple Acts, Big Impact

As we honor the International Day of Learning today, I'm delighted to share this episode with 7th grader Ned K. whose frustration with online learning during the pandemic sparked the creation of a blog dedicated to education. Learn more and subscribe to receive Ned's Blog at https://ned-kelly-blog.webflow.io/ Learn more about Curious Cardinals at https://www.curiouscardinals.com/  

Today is International Mentorship Day (who knew, right?). You have to see it to be it. That phrase may be a little overused but it is also very true. This episode is all about the transformational power of mentorship, and two teen changemakers who saw a need for increased accessibility to female mentors, particularly for students from gender-marginalized communities. They created MyNetworkHer to f...

In honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service next Monday, I'm delighted to share this inspiring conversation with Angie, a teen from South Florida, who works with an organization called Justice is Us. The Justice is Us Project focuses on teaching civic education to Black youth in the United States and the Caribbean to encourage partnership in policy advocacy and community engage...

Sydney and her brother Brayden care about empowering youth to express their feelings through music and other forms of creative expression. They are committed to mental health advocacy, suicide prevention, and creating stronger communities. They believe youth should be seen, heard, and loved. Learn more and follow Be the Change @bethechangeyi and at www.bethechangeyi.com. TW: this episode discusses...

Happy New Year! This week, I'll share my key take-aways from the first 16 episodes of Season 2. - Teens changemakers are positive, kind, and enthusiastic. They give me hope. - A few good things came out of the pandemic. - Take a chance. Show up. Make the effort. It's always worth it. - Be grateful. Keep working. Stay curious. Thanks for listening. See you in 2024!

When Emily Meyer was 4 years old, she was hospitalized on Christmas and woke to find a pile of toys at her bedside. So began her journey of collecting and distributing toys to hospitalized children every holiday season for the last 14 years! Learn more at www.theemilymeyerfoundation.org or follow on social media @theemilymeyerfoundation

TunesforKidz (note the Z!) collects and distributes gently used musical instruments to children all over Nashville, Tennessee. The founder Manavi, and her team members Dylan and Riya, work to ensure that every child can experience the joy of musical expression. Learn more at www.tunesforkidz.org or follow on IG @tunes_for_kidz

The issue of period poverty is one that many people don’t understand or talk about. The truth is that many women cannot afford the feminine hygiene products that will allow them to be healthy and feel confident. Leia K. is a high school junior from New York City who coordinates a club called Confident Healthy Women that works to collect and distribute feminine hygiene products to women and girls w...

Early Entrepreneurs is a free program dedicated to empowering the next generation of female entrepreneurs. It was founded by Sophia Bustos, Sofia Broughman and Florine T. who is interviewed on this episode along with Nicole R. who joined Florine in expanding the program. Florine and Nicole are high school seniors who share their passion for business and entrepreneurship with girls around the world...

Neal C. started Codology in June, 2022 to ensure that all kids - no matter their background or resources - can benefit from coding education and instruction. He has already built an impressive team and organization that has served thousands of young people in the Bay Area. Learn more about Codology at www.codology.org www.codin.app on IG @codologyorg @trycodin  

Arsh P. is a Chicago-based young artist who shares his beautiful work with the world in an effort to raise money for the St. Jude Children's Hospital and other local charities. He is also a Giving Tuesday Spark Leader who is part of a movement of youth changemakers making a positive impact on the world. As a reminder - Giving Tuesday is next Tuesday. As you celebrate Thanksgiving with family and f...

In celebration of World Kindness Day on November 13th, this episode features Connor W., a 14-year old from Massachusetts who started Connor's Kindness Project to bring kindness kits to children in need. Learn more at www.connorskindnessproject.com and follow Connor's journey on Instagram @Connorskindnessproject.

At the age of 19, college sophomore Isaiah Santiago is one of the youngest elected officials in the United States. He is the Commissioner of the School Board in Rochester, New York. He started a program focused on providing mental health services to young people, and serves as a role model for youth around the state. Next Tuesday is election day. Let this episode serve as a reminder that everyone...

In early March, 2020, Kate J., a high school senior from Houston, TX, had a wonderful idea to launch an arts program in nursing homes. The pandemic quickly forced her to pivot her plans, and provided even more inspiration to move forward, as already isolated seniors suffered through long periods of isolation. Learn more at https.//thelightupnetwork.wordpress.com and the anthology "The Joys of Me:...

October is National Book Month, and to celebrate, we are amplifying the story of Natasha A., a high school student from Florida who started BelieveNBooks during the pandemic. Natasha has collected and distributed over 75,000 and hopes to distribute 100,000 by the time she finishes high school. Natasha shares her love of books with children in her community so that every child can find the joy of r...

Inspired by the vision of tomorrow, Wikivision is an organization created by two teens in Hawaii providing cataract surgery to elderly people who cannot afford this sight-saving procedure. The team at Wikivison also creates educational videos about important health topics and shares them on a YOUTUBE channel. Learn more at www.wikivision.info and follow @wikivision808.  

Every person who has ever been fascinated by an orangutan (or an ape, or gorilla or other amazing large primate) in the zoo will be drawn to this conversation. Jack D is an 8th grader from New Hampshire who is on a mission to get the orangutan off the endangered species list and to inspire kids and adults to care about our planet and all of the many endangered species on it. To purchase Jack's chi...

Ike O. is a teen from Connecticut who harnassed her passion for baking into a social enterprise that raises funds for organizations in her community that are engaged in racial justice and equity work. Community Cookies selects a different organization to amplify and support each month, and treats can be ordered and shipped. Learn more and support this effort on www.communitycookies.myshopify.com a...

Austin is an artist and community organizer who believes in the power of public art to activate community members and neighbors around important causes. To learn more about Austin's Awesome Art or to purchase beautiful merchandise that supports the Save our Salmon initiation, visit https://www.austinsart.net/salmonmural or follow at @austins.awesome.art.

Did you know that 2 in 5 children cannot properly dress themselves? And that lack of clean clothes is one of the top reasons for school absenteeism? These are some of the things I learned in my conversation with Holly and Jessie, teen founders of an important nonprofit called Ta Ta for Now which provides clean, comfortable bras to underserved youth in their Florida community. To learn more, check...

Welcome to the premier of Season 2! This episode, featuring Krish S. and his fantastic organization Power of Pawns, is the perfect way to kick off a season full of incredible changemakers. I hope you'll tune in every Wednesday and be inspired. Learn more about Power of Pawns at www.powerofpawns.com and follow on social media @powerofpawnschess

After 37 episodes, 2000 downloads and listeners in 15 countries, I'm delighted to share this wrap up episode on which I interview Ian Sandler, the Founder of Riley's Way.   Learn more about Riley's Way at www.rileysway.org   Have a wonderful summer and please tune in after Labor Day for Season 2!  

Chase H. and his brother were pre-teens hanging out at their Mom's office when they stumbled upon boxes of children's books that were going to be destroyed. They decided to take those books and get them into the hands of children and librarians who needed them. They created an organization devoted to recycling and other environmental issues called EcoBrothers. Their book recycling program is calle...

Arden P. started Sports4Kids, and after school sports program for under-resourced children, when he was only 13 years old. Explore his website to learn more, donate or, if you live in the San Diego area, sign up to be a volunteer! www.sport4.org

After her grandmother was diagnosed with dementia, Natalia R. created a community to help other teens who are dealing with a family member who is suffering from this difficult disease. She also volunteers with the elderly at a local nursing home. Learn more and connect with other teens in this community on Natalia's website www.ateensguidetodementia.com and follow on IG @teensguidetodementia Natal...