S2 E07: Making STEM Fun for Youth
Youth P.O.W.E.R. Podcast: With Kirk Berry
Release Date: 07/03/2022
S5: E06 Polishing Pebbles: Empowering Girls for Leadership and Success
Youth P.O.W.E.R. Podcast: With Kirk Berry
Kelly Fair, Founder and Executive Director of Polished Pebbles Girls Mentoring Program, joins the program to discuss her organization's mission to help girls become effective communicators at home, school, and in the workplace. She shares the origins of Polished Pebbles, which began with monthly Saturday sessions and has grown to serve over 50 communities in schools each year. The conversation explores their four core programs, including the Every Girl's A CEO initiative that provides career readiness skills and paid work experience, the Pink Hard Hats program introducing girls to careers in...
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S5: E05: Life Skills & Tail Wags: How the BOLO Project Transforms Teen Futures
Youth P.O.W.E.R. Podcast: With Kirk Berry
In this episode, we welcome Gila Kurtz, co-founder of The BOLO Project, who shares how her innovative dog-centric program helps teens develop emotional resilience, positive mindsets, and essential life skills through the transformative power of the dog-human bond. Gila shares remarkable success stories of teens who have overcome anxiety, depression, and communication barriers while gaining clarity about their futures. The episode reveals how The BOLO Project is helping teens overcome modern challenges and prepare for a successful future through this unique approach that leverages the...
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S5 E04: You Can Mentor: How One Man's Journey Is Changing Youth Across America
Youth P.O.W.E.R. Podcast: With Kirk Berry
In this episode of the Youth Power Podcast, we welcome Zach Garza, Founder and Executive Director of You Can Mentor. Drawing from his personal experience growing up without a father figure, Zach shares how mentors transformed his life, inspiring him to start his organization after discovering that 45 of his 65 student athletes lacked father figures at home. He discusses his journey from founding the Forerunner Mentoring Program to establishing You Can Mentor, emphasizing identity-based mentoring over "fixing" youth and the importance of consistent presence. Zach's core philosophy combines...
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S5 E03: Making Science Fun: How Nafees Norris is Transforming Youth STEM Education
Youth P.O.W.E.R. Podcast: With Kirk Berry
This episode features a conversation with Nafees Norris, a biopharmaceutical process engineer who is making science fun and accessible for kids in Philadelphia. Nafees shares how he went from being the only Black man in most professional science settings to creating an interactive lab where children can experience hands-on learning beyond traditional classroom experiments. Rather than making volcanoes and slime, his students work with industry-grade equipment and safe materials to tackle real scientific challenges through engaging competitions. Nafees opens up about initially feeling...
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S5 E02: When Passion Meets Purpose: Building Youth Programs from Scratch
Youth P.O.W.E.R. Podcast: With Kirk Berry
Tune in for a conversation with Christina DeJesus, founder of Part of the Change, an organization that uses art to empower and heal young people. Christina shares her journey from working in finance to discovering her passion for community service, particularly through art therapy and mentorship. She discusses her work in juvenile detention centers, where she conducts weekly art sessions with young girls, and her experience teaching both boys and girls at various youth camps. Christina offers valuable insights about starting a community-focused business without traditional prerequisites like...
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S5 E01: More Than Mentorship: STRIVE Initiative's Creative Approach to Youth Empowerment
Youth P.O.W.E.R. Podcast: With Kirk Berry
Join us as we sit down with David Charles, Co-founder and Executive Director of The STRIVE Initiative, a transformative youth development organization in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. From its grassroots beginnings addressing community vandalism to becoming a comprehensive youth empowerment program, STRIVE (Strengthening Tomorrow Requires Initiative and Vision Every Day) has evolved into a unique model that combines in-school mentoring, multimedia career training, and paid community opportunities for young people. Charles shares how the organization's partnership with the Pottstown School District...
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S4 E07: The Magic of Connection: An Innovative Approach to Youth Work
Youth P.O.W.E.R. Podcast: With Kirk Berry
In this episode, we are joined by K-Rahn Vallatine, founder of Inner Sun Consulting, about changes in youth development. K-Rahn shares his path from working with incarcerated youth to training professionals across the nation. He explains his trauma-informed success mindset model and methods for connecting with young people through consistent engagement and cultural understanding. This episode presents tools for youth workers, educators, and service providers. For more information,. visit:
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S4 E06: Making Philly Kids Fly: Building Youth Power Through Circus Arts
Youth P.O.W.E.R. Podcast: With Kirk Berry
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Alyssa Bigby, founder and director of Rebel Arts Movement, who is revolutionizing youth empowerment in Philadelphia through the transformative power of circus arts. In this episode, we explore how a unique blend of dance, tumbling, and aerial arts is creating pathways to success for underserved youth in Kensington. Discover how Rebel Arts breaks down financial and accessibility barriers to make circus arts available to all, regardless of background or ability. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in youth empowerment, arts...
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S4 E05: Inside Out and Beyond: Why Teen Mental Health Matters
Youth P.O.W.E.R. Podcast: With Kirk Berry
In this episode, you'll discover insights from Morgan Johnson, NCC, LPC, an adolescent mental health professional with a decade of experience. You'll learn about the importance of mental health care for young people and common misconceptions about therapy. Morgan shares successful outcomes from her practice, including helping teens overcome social anxiety and develop self-advocacy skills. She also explores how the movie "Inside Out" can be used as a tool for understanding emotions, and provides advice for young people interested in mental health careers.
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S4 E04: Service Learning: Empowering Youth to Lead Change
Youth P.O.W.E.R. Podcast: With Kirk Berry
In this episode of the Youth Power Podcast, host Kirk Berry interviews Amy Meuers, CEO of the National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC). With over two decades at NYLC, Amy shares information about the organization's mission to empower youth through service learning. She discusses how NYLC integrates service learning into educational curricula, fostering youth leadership and community engagement. Amy explains the importance of giving young people a voice and choice in their education, describing how this approach improves academic engagement and develops life skills. The conversation covers...
info_outlineJoanna Smith, Founder and CEO of Daley Smith Inc., joins the program to discuss the work that her organization is doing to expose students in grades K-12 to Science, Technology. Engineering and Math (STEM) related fields to increase the number of minorities in STEM careers. She reveals the innovative methods that are used to expose students to quality fun unconventional STEM and music programs, including roller skating classes!