Stoked Podcast

Building Confidence Through Skateboarding | Tony Hawk on Stoked

Skateboarding isn't just a sport. It's an identity, a community, and a bridge that connects people across every cultural and regional divide. And no one understands this better than Tony Hawk. In this powerful conversation, Steve sits down with skateboarding legend Tony Hawk to explore how skateboarding has profoundly shaped his life and the lives of countless others. Tony opens up about how the sport gave him a sense of confidence and helped define who he is today. He reflects on the unique community that skateboarding creates, one that welcomes people from diverse backgrounds and fosters genuine connections that transcend barriers most other activities can't cross. Tony shares his perspective on witnessing the evolution of skateboarding over the decades, from its underground roots to its global reach today. He discusses what makes the skateboarding community so special and how it continues to bring together people who might never otherwise connect. The conversation touches on the cultural significance of skateboarding, the sense of belonging it provides, and why being part of this movement has been one of the most rewarding aspects of his journey. Through his work with organizations like Stoked, Tony continues to pass on these values to the next generation. Whether you're a skater, a fan of Tony Hawk, or simply curious about how action sports can change lives and build bridges, this episode offers an inspiring look at the power of community and confidence. Tune in to hear from a legend about what skateboarding really means beyond the tricks and competitions. Don't forget to subscribe for more conversations that matter. Chapters:  00:00 Introduction to Stoked and Tony Hawk  00:32 The Evolution of Skateboarding and Global Scenes Follow the Journey:  @thelarosiliere [https://www.instagram.com/thelarosiliere/] Get Involved with Stoke:  Transform lives through action sports and mentorship @stokedorg [https://www.instagram.com/stokedorg/] stoked.org [http://stoked.org] https://worldrecord.stoked.org/ [https://worldrecord.stoked.org/] Level Up Your Business: buildergrowth.io [http://buildergrowth.io] Design with Purpose: purposedesignbuild.com [http://purposedesignbuild.com]

The Joy of Teaching Kids to Skate | Mac Premo on Stoked and Mentorship

A skateboard can be more than just a piece of wood and wheels. It can be a gateway to confidence, community, and connection. Mac Premo knows this firsthand, and his work with Stoked has shown him the transformative power of teaching kids to ride. In this energizing conversation, host Steve Larosiliere sits down with Mac Premo to hear about his experiences engaging with youth through skateboarding and creative community building. Mac shares a memorable story about distributing skateboards to kids and teaching them their first tricks, from popping their first ollie to finding their balance. He talks about the pure joy and confidence that comes when a young person masters a new skill, and why those moments of achievement matter far beyond the skatepark. The conversation explores how skateboarding serves as more than just a sport. It's a tool for connection, a way to build supportive environments where kids feel encouraged to try, fail, and try again. Mac discusses the importance of hands-on experiences in youth development and how Stoked creates spaces where small victories are celebrated and every kid feels seen. Whether it's learning to drag your foot for that perfect ollie or simply showing up and being part of a community, these experiences build lasting confidence and inspire young people to keep pushing forward. If you're passionate about youth empowerment, community engagement, or the power of action sports to change lives, this episode will remind you why showing up and teaching matters. Tune in to hear Mac's inspiring stories and discover how skateboarding can open doors you never expected. Don't forget to subscribe for more conversations that matter. Chapters:  00:00 Creative Connections and Collaborations  00:34 Legacy and Lessons: Parenting Through Creativity Follow the Journey:  @thelarosiliere [https://www.instagram.com/thelarosiliere/] Get Involved with Stoke:  Transform lives through action sports and mentorship @stokedorg [https://www.instagram.com/stokedorg/] stoked.org [http://stoked.org] https://worldrecord.stoked.org/ [https://worldrecord.stoked.org/] Level Up Your Business: buildergrowth.io [http://buildergrowth.io] Design with Purpose: purposedesignbuild.com [http://purposedesignbuild.com] Connect with Mac at: https://www.loadedboards.com/ [https://www.loadedboards.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-tashman-5740b01/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-tashman-5740b01/]

Stoked 2.0: Six NYC School Deals, Stoked Plus, Demo, and 'Algorithmic Youth Development'

In this Stoked Edition, Steve Larosiliere and Cue Pierre move from style and first impressions to the real work of building programs and systems that meet young people where they are. They touch on how appearance shapes perception (mustaches, glasses, NYFW) and why Steve ultimately left NYC for Chicago—family, school access, and the cost-of-living calculus many parents face. Then they dive into Stoked 2.0: a practical update on school partnerships (six contracts signed and counting), how to close deals with principals (show up, bring coffee, make it easy), and an inside look at Stoked’s the new platform designed to track programs, participation, and impact in real time. The conversation introduces "algorithmic youth development," a fresh approach to mentorship that helps teens intentionally reprogram their social feeds toward positive goals, skill-building, and role models. They wrap with a quick update on Stoked's 20-year event and a reminder that the organization is no longer just talking about change. Key Topics Covered * Why presentation matters: mustaches, glasses, and being "seen" in youth culture (hello, NYFW). * NYC vs. Chicago for families: lotteries, school access, and the true cost of raising kids. * School partnerships update: six contracts signed (including HSFI), with more in the pipeline. * How to close with principals: show up with solutions (and coffee), make Stoked a flex they can share. * Quality vs. quantity: aim for fewer, deeper partnerships—or both if capacity allows. * Stoked 2.0 vision: meet youth on their phones with intentional, positive content. * "Algorithmic youth development": helping students reshape their For You pages toward goals and growth. * Systems thinking for teens: understanding and navigating education, tech, and other systems. * Stoked 20-Year Event: ticket sales, art auction, sponsorship outreach, and a fundraising run. * Stoked Plus reveal: admin dashboard, youth/coach logins, enrollments, attendance, and future features (programs, events, mentor signups). * Tracking what matters: logging hours across activities (like Fortnite tracks playtime) to close the opportunity gap. * From idea to build: the journey from "Stoked Plus" mockups (2013–2016) to a working platform today. Chapters 00:00 The Power of Appearance 00:55 Understanding Systems Thinking Ready to join the community? Here's how you can connect with us: Follow the Journey:  @thelarosiliere [https://www.instagram.com/thelarosiliere/] Get Involved with Stoke:  Transform lives through action sports and mentorship @stokedorg [https://www.instagram.com/stokedorg/] stoked.org [http://stoked.org/] Level Up Your Business: buildergrowth.io [http://buildergrowth.io/] Design with Purpose: purposedesignbuild.com [http://purposedesignbuild.com/]

Stoked Weekly Recap: 20th Anniversary, Mentor Pledge Record, and School Year Plans

In this first weekly recap of Stoked Podcast, Steve Larosiliere sits down with Stoked Program Manager Cue Pierre to share big updates and a bold challenge. The team is expanding to 10 schools, prepping a 20th anniversary celebration on November 6, and rallying the nation to break the world record for most mentoring pledges in 24 hours. You'll hear how they plan to mobilize thousands of supporters to commit to mentoring—and why this record matters for youth far beyond action sports. Cue reflects on his journey from part-time coach to program manager and the culture shift since Steve's return: more trust, creativity, and clarity in the work. They dig into summer highlights like the return of weekend skate mentor sessions and a month-long internship partnership at Camp Woodward, share fresh school-year program packages (Risers for middle school, Pathways for high school), and celebrate outcomes from last year's 308 registered "Stokers" to 45 high school graduates. The episode closes with a five-year vision: an ecosystem of mentors and experiences that help young people thrive—on boards and in life. Key Topics Covered * The big push: expanding Stoked to 10 schools and celebrating 20 years on November 6 * World-record attempt: mobilizing 2,000–3,000 mentoring pledges in 24 hours (current record: 1,500) * Meet Cue: from action sports coach to program manager—and how speaking up sparked his growth * Culture shift at Stoked: trust, autonomy, creativity, and becoming more AI-enabled for efficiency * By the numbers (last school year): 308 registered youth, 2,332 total session attendances, 1,300+ program hours, 62 returning participants, 45 HS graduates (NYC) * Summer wins: revived weekend skate mentor sessions; job-experience internship with Camp Woodward; partnership momentum (incl. Westside Skates) * New program design: "Risers" (middle school—high school readiness) and "Pathways" (high school—internships, snow trips, life/college planning) * Who Stoked serves: resilient, outspoken, optimistic youth who embody the core values—expanding across the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens (Rockaway) * Alumni spotlight: a former Stoker (Brooklyn) now a Wharton MBA; long-term partnership with Bronx Lab School (10+ years) * The five-year vision: a cycle of mentorship that creates options, community, and life-changing experiences for youth Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Weekly Recap  03:18 Meet Cue: Journey at Stoked  05:34 Changes and Growth at Stoked  08:44 Impact and Statistics of Stoked Programs  10:05 Summer Programs and Internships  12:29 Personal Journey and Career Development  16:42 AI Integration at Stoked  17:58 Team Dynamics and Program Repackaging  18:24 New Program Packages and Focus Areas  20:47 Understanding the Kids: Sentiment and Resilience  22:37 Alumni Success Stories and Community Impact  25:23 Looking Forward: Future Goals for Stoked Interested in mentoring or partnering? Visit stoked.org and follow along on Instagram and YouTube to join the record-setting pledge and support youth across NYC. Ready to join the community? Here's how you can connect with us: Follow the Journey:  @thelarosiliere Get Involved with Stoke:  Transform lives through action sports and mentorship @stokedorg [https://www.instagram.com/stokedorg/#] stoked.org [stoked.org] Level Up Your Business: buildergrowth.io [http://buildergrowth.io/] Design with Purpose: purposedesignbuild.com [http://purposedesignbuild.com/]

Every Student Can Be a Success Story | Stoked Plus Update

In this conversation, Steve Larosiliere and Cue Pierre discuss the current state of their after-school programs, focusing on student engagement and energy, the adjustments coaches are making, and the importance of social-emotional learning. They explore the challenges faced by students in credit recovery schools and the need for mentorship and career guidance. The conversation highlights the significance of building community and providing supportive environments for students, as well as future plans for the Stoked Plus platform. Takeaways - The school year is officially starting, with programs ramping up. - Engagement levels in after-school programs are high, with many students showing interest. - Social-emotional learning is a key focus in after-school activities. - Credit recovery schools aim to help students who have struggled in traditional settings. - Mentorship programs can provide valuable career guidance for students. - Building community is essential for student engagement and success. - Outdoor activities are important for student well-being and engagement. - The Stoked Plus platform is evolving to better support coaches and students. - Clear communication and support systems are vital for program success. - Every student has the potential to be a success story. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Updates on the School Year 02:45 Engagement and Energy in After-School Programs 05:48 Coaches' Adjustments and Support Systems 08:32 Social-Emotional Learning in Skate Programs 11:40 Understanding Credit Recovery Schools 14:22 Mentorship and Career Guidance Initiatives 17:22 Building Community and Overcoming Challenges 20:07 Exploring Opportunities for Outdoor Activities 22:35 Program Development and Future Plans 25:15 Operational Systems and Communication 28:18 Conclusion and Future Goals Ready to join the community? Here's how you can connect with us: Follow the Journey: @thelarosiliere [https://www.instagram.com/thelarosiliere/?hl=en] Get Involved with Stoke: Transform lives through action sports and mentorship @stokedorg [https://www.instagram.com/stokedorg/] stoked.org [stoked.org] https://worldrecord.stoked.org/ [https://worldrecord.stoked.org/] Level Up Your Business: buildergrowth.io [buildergrowth.io] Design with Purpose: purposedesignbuild.com [purposedesignbuild.com]