YRV Thought-Partner Podcast

This episode explores how real emotions help shape human identity in a world where AI can imitate empathy but cannot actually feel. Through Inside Out 2 and Soul , we reflect on anxiety, belonging, purpose, and the importance of protecting our ability to feel life.

How do our experiences shape who we become? In this episode, we explore how memories, relationships, and lived moments become part of our identity — and what happens when AI can capture, imitate, or learn from the traces of those experiences. Through clips from Inside Out 2 and 60 Minutes , this episode asks a deeper question: if AI can recreate parts of our lived experience, what makes those expe...

As AI begins reshaping work, what happens to the identities we’ve built around our jobs? In this episode, we explore how productivity, job titles, and career status became tied to human worth, and why AI is forcing us to rethink that relationship. Through news clips, tech CEO commentary, and a look back at The Twilight Zone , this episode asks a deeper question: if we are not our work, then who ar...

AI can now write songs, generate art, and even mimic creative styles with surprising accuracy. So why are so many artists not impressed, but unsettled? In this episode, we explore how creators like Hayao Miyazaki and Nick Cave are reacting to AI-generated art. Their concern isn’t about quality. It’s about what’s missing: human experience, struggle, and emotional truth.

In this episode we explore the growing stigma around AI use in education, creative work, and the workplace. From accusations of cheating to fears about authenticity and job loss, we examine how judgment and anxiety are shaping the conversation more than the technology itself.

As AI companions become more emotionally responsive and always available, they’re changing how we experience loneliness, attachment, and connection. In this episode, explore the psychology behind AI companionship, parasocial bonds, and the risk of replacing human relationships with frictionless digital ones.  Featuring expert clips from The AIX Factor podcast (discussion with Dr. Genevieve Ortowsk...

AI is moving fast. Work, creativity, and identity are changing with it. This episode explores the tension between human values and machine speed, and what the future could hold if technology outpaces our ability to adapt.

This final episode of 2025 looks back on a year of exploring connection, emotional loneliness, and the questions that shape how we live today. From defining friendship to understanding youth perspectives across the globe, the conversations challenged how we think about identity, belonging, technology, and societal divide. As a new year begins, the thought partnership continues. Stay curious. Stay...

As the holidays approach, Joyce explores how division at work and in society affects our well-being. A listener’s story about two rival managers sparks a new question: What’s the difference between having choices and having to pick sides? Plus, Chapter 8 of Human Glitch continues with Quinn’s night at Crenshaw High and a lesson in authenticity.

This week kicks off with a big question: Is this generation of youth fundamentally different, or are we just seeing familiar struggles through a new lens? Between tech overload and deepening ideological divides, the answers aren’t simple. Then in Human Glitch , Chapter 7: Caleb and River clash over whether their wealthy classmate Quinn belongs at a Crenshaw football game. What starts as a debate a...

In this new episode of Human Glitch , Quinn heads into a long-awaited therapy session with Dr. Han. As they talk, buried questions about trust, identity, and being “the strong one” begin to surface—pushing Quinn to confront what they've kept hidden. Host Joyce Coffey opens with a reflection on last episode’s big question and challenges the idea that we can simply ignore what others think. Share yo...

In this new chapter of Human Glitch , River confronts the pain of his mother’s absence and a father who won’t step in. As tensions rise at home, River begins to question what family really means. We also open the episode with a reflection on the pressure to justify our choices after high school and what it takes to stand firm in them. Share your thoughts on Chapter Five: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ podcast@youthresearch...

In this chapter of Human Glitch , River wrestles with belonging, loyalty, and the courage to stand up for what’s right. As summer unfolds in Los Angeles, River finds himself caught between two worlds, his modest life with his father and the privileged halls of Harriet’s Prep. When he learns that a new policy will strip scholarships from student athletes like his best friend Caleb, River must decid...

In this episode, we continue the Human Glitch series with Chapter III, told through the eyes of Caleb, a 16-year-old football standout in South Central L.A. Balancing school, sports, and caring for his younger siblings after his father's death, Caleb faces mounting pressure to hold everything together. With help from his best friend River and the ever-reliable Mama Dee, Caleb fights to stay focuse...

We’re back with Chapter Two of Human Glitch , a new coming-of-age novel from the YRV team, featured on the Thought-Partner Podcast . This serialized story follows a group of teens as they navigate identity, belonging, and the pressures of growing up in a fractured world. In this chapter, we shift perspectives to Quinn—a restless teen filmmaker growing up in the shadow of his famous director father...

Get an exclusive first listen to Human Glitch , a new coming-of-age novel from the YRV team. Set in Los Angeles, the story follows a group of teens as they navigate identity, loneliness, and belonging in a fractured world. In Chapter One, River—a high-achieving scholarship student—begins therapy with the renowned Dr. Han, convinced he doesn’t belong there. What unfolds is an unexpected, deeply hum...

In this episode of the YRV Thought Partner Podcast , host Joyce Coffey discusses emotional loneliness with guest Diana Aleksanyan , a sophomore at NYU Abu Dhabi. They explore how young people often feel isolated despite being socially active, especially during major life transitions. For further insights, Harvard University has addressed this issue in their talk series, "Confronting Our Epidemic o...

Loneliness is a growing crisis among young people, deeply tied to mental health challenges like depression and anxiety. But what type of loneliness affects them most? In this episode, youth from around the world share their experiences, revealing that emotional loneliness—feeling unseen and unheard—is the most pervasive. 📢 To ensure the protection of youth participants and maximize anonymity, all...

Welcome to the first Thought-Partner episode of 2025! As we step into a brand-new year, we explore one of the most profound aspects of human connection: friendship. Anchored by a touching poem, What Is a Friend?, this episode invites listeners to reflect on the timeless essence of friendship. Do you have a question you’d like us to answer with a poem? Send your questions to podcast@youthresearchvo...

Lori Cosgriff, President of the 29 Palms Food Pantry, discusses her background and the  pantry's operations. They serve 200-250 families per month through three distribution programs, including a USDA distribution and a senior-focused distribution. The pantry faces challenges like rising food costs and fewer donations due to the pandemic, but relies on community support and volunteers to keep runn...

Joyce interviews Linda Wong, a dynamic individual whose journey spans from humble beginnings in rural China to becoming an influential educator and leader. Linda shares her story of immigrating to the U.S. at a young age, navigating various jobs, and ultimately discovering her passion for education and leadership. Linda Wong is the founder and CEO of SPARK Academy, an educational organization that...

In this episode of Youth Research Vox - Thought-Partner Podcast, host Joyce Coffey sits down with Søren Hermansen, Director of Samsø Energy Academy, to explore the power of community-driven sustainability.  Søren shares his experience transforming the small Danish island of Samsø into a global leader in renewable energy, offering insights on how local involvement and ownership are key to successfu...

In this episode, Joyce Coffey explores the complexities of Generation Z, a group often misunderstood by older generations. Through a heartfelt poem, the podcast gives voice to Gen Z's desires for understanding and support, urging older generations to see them for who they truly are and to stand by them in their journey. Do you have a question that you would like us to answer with a poem? Send your...

In this episode, Joyce Coffey interviews Sandy Smith, executive director of the Copper Mountain College Foundation, delving into her motivations and dedication. Sandy discusses her deep connection to the Hi-Desert community, her fundraising work, and her involvement in local organizations like the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club. Sandy highlights the community's collaborative spirit, which has...

In this episode, Joyce delves into the unique and vibrant community of the Morongo Basin, located in Southern California, known as the “Hi Desert”, where residents treat their home like a living person. Joined by Steve Brown, a resident and lifelong journalist, they explore the intricate biodiversity of the desert, including the iconic Joshua tree and the ancient creosote bush. They also discuss w...