Substance Abuse and Young People: Christina and Kevin
Detroit Youth Rising
How do young people really experience and talk about mental health? In this episode of Detroit Youth Rising, Bobbi, president of the Detroit Phoenix Center Youth Action Board, sits down with Carter and Kevin to open up about their own mental health journeys. They talk about what the term means to them, how stigma and silence affect their communities, and the ways their personal struggles—from ADHD to panic attacks—have shaped their lives. The conversation digs deep into the challenges youth face, from growing up in neighborhoods marked by violence to coping with bullying,...
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The Mental Health Challenges We Face: Carter and Kevin
Detroit Youth Rising
How do young people really experience and talk about mental health? In this episode of Detroit Youth Rising, Bobbi, president of the Detroit Phoenix Center Youth Action Board, sits down with Carter and Kevin to open up about their own mental health journeys. They talk about what the term means to them, how stigma and silence affect their communities, and the ways their personal struggles—from ADHD to panic attacks—have shaped their lives. The conversation digs deep into the challenges youth face, from growing up in neighborhoods marked by violence to coping with bullying,...
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Building Careers After High School: Elijah and Justin
Detroit Youth Rising
What does career success look like when you’re just starting out? In this episode of Detroit Youth Rising, Bobbi, president of the Detroit Phoenix Center Youth Action Board, sits down with Elijah and Justin to talk about the path to building a career. They open up about their personal dreams—Elijah’s interest in psychology and Justin’s passion for finance—and the questions they’re asking themselves as they imagine the future. The conversation dives into the real challenges young people face when thinking about work. Elijah and Justin explore the skills they’ll need,...
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Media and Our Generation: Christina and Kassidy
Detroit Youth Rising
How is media shaping the way young people see themselves and the world? In this episode of Detroit Youth Rising, Bobbi, president of the Detroit Phoenix Center Youth Action Board, sits down with Christina and Kassidy to unpack the influence of movies, TV, and—most of all—social media. They share how youth are portrayed online, the pressures that come with constant exposure, and what they’d like to see change in the way their generation is represented. The conversation dives into the mental health impacts of media, from comparison and misinformation to the addictive pull of...
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Detroit Youth on Education: Carter and Justin
Detroit Youth Rising
What does a fair education system really look like? In this episode of Detroit Youth Rising, Azaria, former president of the Detroit Phoenix Center Youth Action Board, sits down with Carter and Justin to talk about the role education plays in young people’s lives. They share why access to learning is so important, how their own school experiences have shaped them, and what gaps they see between what’s taught in classrooms and what students actually need to thrive. The conversation touches on everything from financial literacy to mental health, with Carter and Justin opening...
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Talking About Money Challenges: Elijah and Kassidy
Detroit Youth Rising
What do young people really think about money? In this episode of Detroit Youth Rising, Bobbi, president of the Detroit Phoenix Center Youth Action Board, sits down with Elijah and Kassidy to talk about the role money plays in their lives. From learning financial lessons at home and through DPC programs to figuring out the difference between wants and needs, they share what financial responsibility looks like when you’re still coming of age. The conversation touches on budgeting, saving, and the challenges of managing limited resources. Elijah and Kassidy open up about how...
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Bonus: A Conversation with DPC Founder Courtney Smith
Detroit Youth Rising
In this special bonus episode, we talk to Courtney Smith, founder and CEO of the Detroit Phoenix Center (DPC). Smith shares how the organization began as a grassroots response to youth homelessness and grew into a broader movement driven by young people themselves. She walks us through the evolution of DPC—from a simple drop-in center to a hub of innovative programs, including a mobile youth center—and explains how youth leadership shapes every aspect of the organization. From facility design to programming decisions, young people are treated as experts in their own lives. ...
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Parenting Today: Tysha and Malijah
Detroit Youth Rising
Tysha and Malijah join host Zara Northover for an honest conversation about the relationships that shape young lives. They open up about their experiences with parents and other supportive adults, reflecting on what it takes to build trust, communicate openly, and feel truly understood. The episode explores the challenges of being a teenager in today’s world and the ways parental roles need to evolve with the times. Tysha and Malijah also emphasize that support doesn’t always have to come from biological parents—mentors, teachers, and other caring adults can make a lasting impact....
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Growing Up With Gun Violence: Joseph and Rufus
Detroit Youth Rising
Host Zara Northover sits down with two young men, Joseph and Rufus, for a raw and honest conversation about their personal experiences with gun violence. Speaking from lived experience, they offer insight into what drives young people to carry and use guns—including the roles that fear, protection, peer pressure, and reputation can play. Joseph and Rufus reflect on how growing up around gun culture impacted their choices and how difficult it can be to break out of those cycles without support. They also share their thoughts on what real solutions could look like. From the need for...
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Coping With Anxiety: Justin and Ariael
Detroit Youth Rising
How does anxiety impact young people today? Justin and Ariael, discuss their personal experiences with anxiety, exploring its origins in areas like social media influence, peer pressure, and past trauma, including homelessness. Justin and Ariel share coping mechanisms they use, such as engaging in hobbies, spending time in nature, breathing exercises, journaling, and seeking support from trusted individuals. The discussion also touches on the importance of self-awareness and open communication about mental health struggles, particularly within friend groups, highlighting the significance of...
info_outlineIn the second season of the Detroit Phoenix Center Podcast, we turn the mics around and talk to Detroit's youths about the challenges that they are facing. In each episode, they discuss a common misconception that adults have about today's young people.