changebuilders

Creative Communication & Young Leadership: Voice, Vulnerability, and Change

Emiliana interviews Madelyn Quam about youth leadership, creative communication, and her work with organizations like Half the Story and Girl Up. They discuss digital well‑being, female empowerment, and how personal experiences shaped Madelyn’s advocacy. Madelyn shares practical advice for young leaders on finding your passion, overcoming fear of public speaking, avoiding burnout, and using creativity to drive social change. Music by Pixabay.

Leading Beyond Yourself: Mentorship Lessons from a Marine Pilot

Emiliana talks to Eric Landblom, a USMC veteran and dedicated mentor, about real-world mentorship, inclusive leadership, and how to turn challenges into growth. Their conversation draws on RYLA experiences, personal stories, and practical leadership philosophy. Eric explains techniques for building resilience, including box breathing and left-right coordinated movement, and emphasizes preparing others to lead through shared experiences, community, and deliberate practice. Listeners will get concrete takeaways for emerging leaders and mentors: seek mentors, create inclusive teams, embrace failure as rehearsal, and take the first step toward leading and learning. Music by Pixabay.

Poetry, Politics, and Power: Youth Voices in the South

Emiliana interviews Ankita Jaikumar about youth leadership, civic engagement, and the role of creative expression in politics. They discuss experiences from Girls State, AAPI representation in the South, and strategies for mobilizing young people across partisan divides. The episode explores how poetry and art open doors to political spaces, practical steps for getting involved with campaigns and nonprofits, and concrete advice for young organizers ready to take action. Music by Pixabay.

From Classroom to Community: Teaching Kids to Lead and Serve

In this episode, Emiliana talks with Maggie Hunter, an Athens Montessori teacher, about introducing civic life and service to young children through mock elections, hands-on campaigns, music and creative expression, and teaching respect, diversity and inclusion. Together they explore how early education can build empathy, reduce polarization, and help young people find their voices — with practical classroom examples and actionable advice for parents and teachers. Music by Pixabay.