Shows
The Passionate Youth WorkerTodd Haslam: I Want to Help Because I Wanted the HelpJanuary 29, 2024 Season 4 Episode 19Portland, Jamaica: Todd Haslam’s young life started out well. His father was his hero who loved and cared for him. But when his father suddenly left, everything was upended. His life became very rough. But he sees it all as a blessing. He had people around him who helped him stay grounded and become well-rounded. Both the good and the bad brought him to see his heart of goodness and compassion. In that, he found his passion for youth work. Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the...
2024-01-2926 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerHelen Cheromiah: I Can Relate Because I’ve Lived ItJanuary 16, 2024 Season 4 Episode 18New Mexico, United States: Helen Cheromiah was raised by a teenaged mom, grew up in poverty, and struggled to find her people and her right path. Still, she knows every experience went into making her the person she is today. And that person is someone who is guiding and positively impacting the lives of young people who need the same kind of help she needed as a child. Her story is relatable and refreshing.Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting...
2024-01-1627 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerBenedetto Zanca: Authenticity Matters, Be Genuine and AuthenticJanuary 2, 2024 Season 4 Episode 17Maryland, United States: Benedetto Zanca developed a selfless nature, coming through a difficult childhood. Anything he may have lacked didn’t really set him back. Instead, he focused on being of service, guided by his strong faith and the values his mom instilled in him. He’s making a meaningful impact for youth workers and young people. His joy comes from seeing others succeed. Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this podcast's web page.Support the show
2024-01-0228 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerCharlotte Gordon: Focus on Your Mental HealthDecember 18, 2023 Season 4 Episode 16England, United Kingdom: Charlotte Gordon had a rough childhood due to difficulties of undiagnosed ADHD. But rather than simply living with the many challenges, she chose to leverage those challenges into strengths. That shift led her to craft an uncommon vibrancy in her approach to youth work. She shares her hard-earned wisdom with such humility, you will be both inspired and uplifted.Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this podcast's web page.Support the show
2023-12-1828 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerEsha Mohammed Abdallah: Becoming Bold and Speaking Up for Young PeopleDecember 4, 2023 Season 4 Episode 15Mombasa, Kenya: Esha Mohammed Abdallah struggled with self-doubts and very low self-esteem as a young person. But the constant support of her mother helped her find ways to outgrow her limitations. Now she uses those stories of both pain and possibility to help other young women build their own self-confidence. She champions youth voice in Kenya and is a steadfast advocate for creating opportunity for young people.Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this podcast's web page....
2023-12-0428 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerYaya Cochran: A Servant’s HeartNovember 20, 2023 Season 4 Episode 14Minnesota, United States: Yaya Cochran is the living definition of being a servant youth worker. Her selfless nature and servant heart compel her to create a world where children are able to show up as their most authentic selves. She does that with such passion, commitment, and truly remarkable altruism. Her story offers a rare opportunity to consider your own youth work in a much bigger way.Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this podcast's web page....
2023-11-2028 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerMichelle Kissinger: Being Durable and InquisitiveNovember 6, 2023 Season 4 Episode 13Pennsylvania, United States: Michelle Kissinger has literally made her life a work of art. She explores her primal wound of being abandoned as a child and her search to find healing and growth from that trauma. Her story is an ode to self-awareness, being inquisitive, and her durability. She invites us “to bring the arts more deeply into our model of care for youth and youth workers to help them sustain themselves more deeply, and handle the heavy emotional labor that we all carry, working alongside the youth that we care so deeply for.”
2023-11-0630 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerAlyssa Clark: Don’t Let Fear Stop You, Keep Pushing ForwardOctober 23, 2023 Season 4 Episode 12California, United States: Alyssa Clark grew up a shy child and often felt alone even in her big family. She felt safest staying out of the limelight, staying quiet. But even at a young age, she recognized that as a kind of fear. Through connections with caring adults, she learned to push through her fear. And she turned her own life experience into a mission of helping others. Her insights will inspire you.Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this...
2023-10-2337 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerJosh Wagner: Flicking On The LightsOctober 9, 2023 Season 4 Episode 11California, United States: Josh Wagner had an unimaginably hard start in childhood. His parents were consumed by addiction, he was separated from his brother at the age of three, and was out on his own by age eight. In and out of trouble until a foster mom changed his life. His story is a powerful example of how your past does not define you. He says being a social worker, helping young people, is the most rewarding work he’s ever done.Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or re...
2023-10-0932 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerAllie Birdseye-Hannula: Bonus Edition - How to Talk to PorcupinesOctober 5, 2023 Season 4 Episode 10Minnesota, United States: Allie Birdseye-Hannula has the heart of a teacher and a curious nature that helps her keep learning and growing. Self-awareness and practical self-reflection are strengths she relies on to improve her youth work skills. Through trial and error, she developed communication tools to engage more effectively with youth who are demonstrating prickly personalities in the moment. And she’s turned her learning into a book she hopes will help other youth workers, too.Allie’s book is available on her website www.howtotalktoporcupines.com or from Itas...
2023-10-0530 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerPrincess Awa-Ada Kisob: The Power of Sharing Your Power With OthersSeptember 25, 2023 Season 4 Episode 9Minnesota, United States: Princess Awa-Ada Kisob seems like a natural born leader and she always knew she wanted to be a youth worker. She started her own nonprofit as a young teen to support immigrant and refugee youth. Princess follows her mother’s lead as a fighter, an advocate, and a generous spirt. She leads quietly, being present, centering and creating space for others.Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this podcast's web page.Support the show
2023-09-2532 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerDr. Paul “Paulie” Gavoni: It’s Not About Intent, It’s About ImpactSeptember 11, 2023 Season 4 Episode 8Florida, United States: Dr. Paul “Paulie” Gavoni is a behavior scientist, educator, author, and speaker. He shares how his lived experience opened up the path for how he could help others. His insights about human behavior and the need to become a keen observer of your own behavior and how it impacts young people will give you plenty of food for thought.Visit https://linqapp.com/paul_gavoni?r=link to find his books and connect.Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast tran...
2023-09-1133 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerOdane Brooks: Your Challenges are Preparing You for Something GreaterKingston, Jamaica: Odane Brooks is a leading voice in Jamaica and the Caribbean on issues of public policy and youth leadership. His story is told through the lens of his leadership experience, sharing practical wisdom and inspiration for all youth workers. And his thoughts about the importance of inclusion and empowerment for young people will surely resonate with you.Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this podcast's web page.You can also listen to Odane’s own podcast that was mentioned in th...
2023-08-2834 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerSylvester Chabuka: There is Nothing Difficult For a Person That Has HandsAugust 14, 2023 Season 4 Episode 6Lilongwe, Malawi: Sylvester Chabuka grew up in Malawi, the poorest country in the world. He, like many children in Malawi, suffered the effects of extreme poverty and malnutrition. But his grandmother instilled in him an unshakeable belief that there was no challenge he could not solve. Now he is solving the problem of malnutrition for children throughout his country and the world. His story will amaze and inspire you.Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this podcast's web page.
2023-08-1431 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerRyan Berg: Change Happens at the Speed of TrustJuly 31, 2023 Season 4 Episode 5Minnesota, United States: Ryan Berg found his way to youth work through his career in theater. Drawn to the impact of storytelling and impactful engagement with community, he took a job as a mentor for LGBTQI youth and found his fit. He shares his story with insight and self-awareness that humbly illuminates what all youth workers know about trust. And sprinkles in nuggets of wisdom for those who wish to grow. Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this podcast's web p...
2023-07-3131 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerSoua Thao: Be Your Authentic SelfJuly 17, 2023 Season 4 Episode 4Minnesota, United States: Soua Thao shares their ongoing journey of fully stepping into their queer and Asian identities. The challenges they face and lessons they're learning along the way all inform how they shows up for the young people they serve. They have embraced the opportunity at QUEERSPACE collective to be their full self in their job. And you’ll hear why they think that is so important for all youth workers as well.Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting th...
2023-07-1730 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerAngie Erickson: Are You Doing the Things That You Set Out to Do?July 5, 2023 Season 4 Episode 3Minnesota, United States: Angie Erickson, as you’ll hear, is accomplished yet humble like so many youth workers. She has an optimistic outlook and is especially intentional about using self-reflection as a kind of compass to keep her on track for moving forward with what she sets out to do. What gives her hope is seeing how young people are changing the world. Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this podcast's web page.Support the show
2023-07-0529 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerNdiilokelwa Nthengwe: Believe in Young People and Make Sure They are Confident in ThemselvesJune 19, 2023 Season 4 Episode 2Khomas Region, Namibia: Ndiilokelwa Nthengwe is an artist at heart and her story reflects the creative ways she brings both her art and her heart so fully into all that she does as an advocate and activist for LGBTQIA+ folks and young people. She has accomplished much in a short time but as you’ll hear, she’s still stretching to do more to help young people become leaders in whatever way they can.Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this...
2023-06-1933 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerBrad Fulton: We're Not in it For the Income, We're in it For the OutcomeJune 5, 2023 Season 4 Episode 1California, United States: Brad Fulton never sought to be a teacher or to work with young people. But he came to believe God created him for this purpose. And when he stopped struggling against that, he really found a passion for making a difference. His story is an honest take on the ups and downs that led him value being connected to his purpose by creating positive connections with young people.Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this podcast's web...
2023-06-0531 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerMarquise Bowie: Be What You NeededMay 22, 2023 Season 3 Episode 26Minnesota, United States: Marquise Bowie took a difficult path through his young years into adulthood. Involvement with drugs, gangs, guns, and trauma led to a 12-year prison term. But that’s when his transformation happened. He says he’s got a masters in disasters and he uses his life lessons now to transform street energy into community energy with young people. His humility is an inspiration and a lesson to us all.Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this podcast's web...
2023-05-2231 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerPeter Wieczorek: It’s Their Journey, We Just Need to Trust ThemMay 8, 2023 Season 3 Episode 25Minnesota, United States: Peter Wieczorek has drawn on his life experience to shape his own ideal career serving young people. Now he can’t imagine doing anything else. His optimism for and about young people inspires him as much as it does them. He always finds something to smile about and his story may make you smile too. Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this podcast's web page.Support the show
2023-05-0831 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerJade Schleif: Be Calm, Be Curious, and Lean InApril 24, 2023 Season 3 Episode 24Minnesota, United States: Jade Schleif is YIPA’s training coordinator. She honed her ability to build trusting relationships as a youth worker and brings that same ability to her work for youth workers now. Her impact is literally global! And her care, compassion, and curiosity are endless. She shares her struggles with anxiety and depression as openly as she shares her strengths and successes. You’ll feel like you’re listening to a friend.Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this p...
2023-04-2431 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerJeff Dwyer: Hold on to Your DreamApril 10, 2023 Season 3 Episode 23 New York, United States: Jeff Dwyer has always charted his own course. He knows that comes with both the good and the bad, but it makes him who he is. And he doesn’t regret his experiences. He’s got an inner strength and drive that he relies on. But as you’ll hear, he’s a softy at heart when it comes to working with young people! Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this podcast's web page.Support...
2023-04-1028 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerA.J. Rinaldi: Become More, Do More, Be More CommittedMarch 27, 2023 Season 3 Episode 22Pennsylvania, United States: A.J.Rinaldi embodies a determination to pursue being the best that he can be for young people and helping others do the same. He is a motivational speaker, leadership coach, and youth development consultant whose stories will enlighten, inform, and inspire you. His wholehearted devotion to service shines through his words.If you’d like to connect with A.J., check out PIT 2 Purpose on Facebook, Instagram, and email. Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the...
2023-03-2733 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerVanessa Rogers: Listen More, Speak Less, and Really Listen to What They’re SayingMarch 13, 2023 Season 3 Episode 21London, England: Vanessa Rogers brings her whole self to her work for young people with a unique combination of self-awareness, humility, and honesty. She has had her own challenges and learned to use them to better hear and understand the young people she works with. She’s always looking for creative ways to connect and inspire growth. Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this podcast's web page.Support the show
2023-03-1330 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerJack Witt: Relationships Carry the Weight of the Good we BringFebruary 27, 2023 Season 3 Episode 20California, United States: Jack Witt has an innate passion for people development. He intensely understands the need for self-awareness in service to others. His story is a thoughtful exploration of the dynamics of our relationships with young people and with ourselves.Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this podcast's web page.Support the show
2023-02-2728 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerCatherine Kita: It Doesn’t Matter Where You’re Coming FromFebruary 13, 2023 Season 3 Episode 19Southern District of Malawi: Catherine Kita was just 13 years old when she took on inequity for girls in Malawi. Her experience with the normal but difficult stage of getting her period sparked a fire in her to speak out in spite of cultural norms and taboos. She started a movement to address period poverty and challenged her government to make changes. Her vision, courage, and compassion make this an amazing story you have to hear.Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by ...
2023-02-1331 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerAbubaker Sekatuka: Tell Your StoryJanuary 30, 2023 Season 3 Episode 18Eastern Region of Uganda: Abubaker Sekatuka views the experiences of his life as stories that have helped him become who he is. Though some of his childhood experiences were tough, and he’s had his share of challenges and pain, he somehow finds the positive. Telling his stories is a strength born of struggle. It takes courage to be honest and transparent but he knows that is how he helps others.Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this po...
2023-01-3028 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerFrancis Yengistic: Everybody Has to Have HopeJanuary 17, 2023 Season 3 Episode 17Minnesota, United States: Francis Yengistic seems to see the good in everything. Though his own circumstances growing up were difficult, the guidance and support of his beloved grandmother made it possible to view life full of hope and optimism. He’s dedicated his life to service. He shares his story and lessons from his grandmother, to help young people and youth workers believe in themselves, too. Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this podcast's web page.Support the...
2023-01-1728 min
The Passionate Youth WorkerClayton Bolton: Knowledge, Wisdom and UnderstandingSt Catherine, Jamaica: Clayton Bolton did not have access to many resources or opportunities growing up as a child in Jamaica. But what he did have was an innate drive and resourcefulness to do better for himself and his family. It has helped him excel and now he shares those lessons to help other young people.Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this podcast's web page.Support the show
2023-01-0227 min