The Power of Young People

Join us on this week's episode of The Power of Young People, as we sit down with Amber Wang, founder of Arts for All . Discover how Amber's passion for art and compassion led her to transform hospital experiences, helping patients cope with stress and emotional challenges through creative expression. From her early volunteering days to leading a community-driven initiative, Amber shares in...

In this episode, youth leader Nidhi Veerendra shares how her younger brother’s experiences navigating behavioral challenges inspired her passion for advocacy, youth leadership, and creating more inclusive communities through The Spectrum of Support . Through a conversation rooted in empathy and action, Nidhi reflects on the importance of elevating youth voices in decision-making and building stron...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Zoe Oli, a trailblazing young entrepreneur and CEO of Beautiful Curly Me . From a six-year-old girl inspired to create representation in toys, Zoe has grown into a leader impacting thousands of girls' confidence and identity. In this episode, she shares her incredible journey, the importance of representation in media and toys, and her vision for empoweri...

Join us as we explore resilience, youth leadership, and peer support in the aftermath of disasters. In this episode, Hurricane Ian survivors and young leaders from Kids4Kids Relief share their personal experiences navigating emotional challenges, restoring normalcy, and leading community recovery efforts. We discuss the vital role of trusting young voices during crises, the importance of peer supp...

Discover how empathy, community, and creativity shape impactful youth leadership in this inspiring episode of The Power of Young People.  In this week’s episode, we chat with Jissa George from ENGin Psychology Community about overcoming language barriers, fostering safe spaces, and empowering young voices. Learn how mental health literacy, active listening, and shared decision-making can transform...

Join us as we delve into the impactful work of Scholar Readiness , a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to empowering immigrant and underserved students. This episode explores how Avery, Oliver, and Ethan are teaching essential life skills, fostering near peer mentorship, and leveraging social media to help students navigate educational challenges and advocate for themselves. Listen in to hear their in...

Unlock the transformative power of youth entrepreneurship in this week's episode with Fenley and Jason, teenage co-authors of Down to Business . They share their journey, lessons from interviewing industry leaders, and how young people can harness innovation, leadership, and social impact to drive positive change. Discover practical tips, debunk myths about success, and learn why diversity, re...

Tune into this week’s episode of "The Power of Young People," where we sit down with Serah Alamer, a passionate youth leader behind the JustUs initiative.  Discover how Serah is transforming legal education—from reactive rule-following to proactive empowerment—by helping young people understand their rights and navigate systems of power. Through real stories and bold visions, she highlig...

Discover how young people are driving social change through technology, mentorship, and community service in this week's episode of The Power of Young People. We sit down with Nikki Kothapalli, founder of ApplyIT , a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to bridging the digital divide by connecting students with local businesses. Explore Nikki’s journey into technology and her passion for empowering y...

When trusted with the right tools, young people lead, innovate, and inspire real change. This episode reveals how a groundbreaking program is reshaping the future by empowering students to become protectors and advocates in their communities. Listen in to discover why youth-led action is the key to ending exploitation for good. Together, we break down the core pillars that make Project Protect Our...

Join host Amy Meuers in this week's episode of The Power of Young People as she chats with high school senior and AYUDA volunteer Alida Cuttriss. Discover how youth-led storytelling and empathy are transforming global health, especially for young people with diabetes across Latin America. Alida shares her journey of advocacy, the importance of education over supplies, and how empowering youth...

Join us as we sit down with Natalie, Mathew, and Clarissa—members of NYLC's Youth Advisory Council —to discuss the upcoming 2026 Youth Leadership Summit , themed "Finding Hope in the History, Past, Present, and Future." In this episode, they share their personal journeys, reflect on the significance of MLK Day, and highlight the power of youth-led activism and community service. Lear...

Join host in spotlighting three inspiring young leaders recognized by the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes . Meet Vivian Liu , Srihan Sankepalle, and Anisha Dhoot as they share their innovative projects. From art-based mental health support and microplastic solutions to sustainable agriculture, these changemakers prove that young people have the power to change the world. Discover how small id...

Join us as we celebrate the inspiring stories of the 2025 Gloria Baron Prize for Young Heroes —Aadi Kulkarni, Matthew Vila, and Alaina Zhang. These remarkable young leaders are making a tangible difference in their communities through innovative initiatives focused on digital literacy, music therapy, and environmental advocacy. In this episode, they share their journeys, emphasizing the importance...

In this week’s episode, we dive into the importance of youth empowerment and resilience, emphasizing that meaningful transformation begins at the grassroots level. Featuring insights from Janiyah Lockwood, the founder of Lake Michigan Roots , we learn how young people from Gary, despite being overlooked and underestimated, are standing up, leading, and driving change.  Janiyah’s story reminds us t...

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 th...

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. Sh...

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...

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 aspi...

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 imp...

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 herit...

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 i...

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 ma...

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 ho...

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 conver...