Birthday Candle Lights in the Darkness: WLBP Pt. 2 with Shelly Calvert

The Hidden Reward of Mentoring: How Mentoring Brings Healing & Purpose to Adults | Dave Larson Pt. 2

What if the secret to solving the challenges facing our youth—and the lack of purpose felt by so many adults—was the same solution? In the powerful conclusion of our conversation, Dave Larson, Superintendent of the Miami County ESC, reveals why authentic, embodied relationships are infinitely more potent than any program in addressing the effects of childhood trauma recovery. This episode challenges the myth that you need to be perfect to help, arguing that our flaws and shared experiences are our greatest assets. Dave and Paul discuss the transformative, mutual healing that happens when an adult steps up for a child with a harder story. The reward for the volunteer mentor is a renewed sense of purpose that goes deeper than any career or hobby. If you are listening in Troy, Piqua, or Tipp City, Ohio, and you are looking for a meaningful way to make a difference right where you are, this is your invitation. The commitment is flexible, but the impact is profound. If you are ready to explore the fulfilling path of youth mentoring in the Miami County Ohio area, take the next step today: Fill out this no-commitment form to take the next step: https://tr.ee/mpmc [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://tr.ee/mpmc]_digital

Every Child Deserves a Village: The Truth About Kids Today & How You Can Help with Superintendent Dave Larson | Part 1

Kids today are facing more than most adults realize—and far more than many faced even a decade ago. Rising disconnection, childhood trauma, unstable home environments, and the loss of everyday supportive relationships have left too many young people in Miami County navigating life without the steady presence of a caring adult. In this powerful two-part conversation, Miami County ESC Superintendent Dave Larson opens up about the real state of our kids—what teachers, coaches, and school leaders are seeing every day, and why community-based youth mentoring has become one of the most urgent needs in our region. Dave shares personal stories of his own daughters walking through trauma, what he’s seen across classrooms and athletic fields, and why he believes every child—no matter their ZIP code, background, or family situation—deserves a village of supportive adults who won’t give up on them. You’ll hear: * Why so many kids across Miami County feel disconnected and unseen * What “kids from hard stories” truly face—and how healing relationships take root * The gap that volunteer mentors can fill, especially for youth navigating poverty, instability, or trauma * How simple, consistent presence—not expertise—changes a child’s trajectory * Why rebuilding our county’s “relational village” may be the most important work we do Whether you’re from Troy, Piqua, Tipp City, Covington, Bradford, or somewhere in between, this conversation will expand your picture of what local kids are carrying—and how you can play a real role in changing their story. If you’ve ever wondered whether you could be the steady, encouraging adult a young person is waiting for… this episode is your sign. Take the next step toward becoming a mentor—or simply explore what’s possible. Fill out this no-commitment form: https://tr.ee/mpmc_digital [https://tr.ee/mpmc_digital]

Birthday Candle Lights in the Darkness: WLBP Pt. 2 with Shelly Calvert

In this heartfelt conversation, Paul sits down with Shelly Calvert to explore We Love Birthday Parties and how simple monthly celebrations can change the trajectory of a child’s life. Learn how joy, consistency, and affirming words help kids from hard places begin to heal from childhood trauma, rebuild confidence, and open the door to long-term mentoring relationships across Miami County. From Troy to Piqua and Tipp City, discover how local volunteers are making a tangible difference for at-risk youth. If you want to help a child thrive, complete this 2-minute, no-commitment interest form to explore how you can become a mentor and support kids in your community: https://tr.ee/mpmc_digital [https://tr.ee/mpmc_digital]

We're So Glad You Were Born - We Love Birthday Parties w/ Shelly Calvert Part 1

Why Celebrating a Child’s Birthday Can Heal Trauma — We Love Birthday Parties What if a simple birthday party could change the trajectory of a child’s life? Join us as Shelly Calvert, founder of We Love Birthday Parties, shares how simple celebrations bring healing, dignity, and hope to kids from hard places in Miami County and beyond. Discover powerful stories of childhood poverty, birthday boxes, afterschool programs, and the life-changing impact of showing up for a child. If you want to mentor youth, volunteer locally, or support struggling families, this episode will inspire your next step. Shelly shares: * The moment God stirred her heart to serve kids in foster care and beyond * How a birthday party became a pathway to healing and hope * The incredible impact volunteers can make—sometimes in just one hour * The stories that keep her going when the work feels heavy * Why community-driven compassion is essential for collective well-being If you’ve ever wondered how to make a real difference in a child’s life—or how small acts of love can transform a whole community—this episode will move you and give you a clear path to get involved. 👉 Take a simple next step: Complete this quick 2-minute, non-committal interest form to explore how you can help care for at-risk kids throughout Miami County: https://tr.ee/mpmc_digital [https://tr.ee/mpmc_digital] 🎥 Watch the full interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rsUGUdINI48 [https://youtu.be/rsUGUdINI48] 00:00 – Kids who don’t know their birthday & the heart behind the mission 01:00 – Why birthdays matter so deeply for children 02:40 – Podcast introduction 03:00 – Who Shelly is and the vision of We Love Birthday Parties 04:20 – “How are the children?” — What kids are facing today 06:00 – Childhood trauma, overwhelmed parents & unseen stories 07:25 – Why one caring adult changes everything 09:00 – How volunteers can support and get involved 10:10 – What a typical birthday party looks like 11:50 – Different volunteer roles and personality fits 13:40 – Easy on-ramps to mentoring 15:00 – The message every child needs to hear 16:25 – How centers partner with We Love Birthday Parties 18:00 – Kids in deep poverty & the need for expanding the mission 19:40 – The “unseen mission” of birthday boxes 21:00 – What’s inside a birthday box & why it matters 22:40 – The impact on parents and family bonding 24:20 – Stories of healing and dignity 25:45 – How donations directly support families 28:00 – Why booking the event space fuels the mission 29:30 – The win-win of community rentals 31:00 – The essential emotional need only this mission fills 32:30 – Final encouragement & invitation to take a step 33:20 – Bonus: Why Part 2 is worth your time

Getting the Waitlist to Zero: Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Miami Valley with Paul Rubenstein

In this episode, Paul Rubenstein from Big Brothers Big Sisters Miami Valley shares how one caring adult can change the trajectory of a child’s life—and why the goal of bringing the youth mentoring waitlist to zero matters now more than ever. We explore how mentoring works, why so many local kids are waiting, and the practical steps anyone can take to make a life-changing impact in their own community. If you’ve ever wondered whether you could make a difference, this conversation will show you just how simple, meaningful, and powerful mentoring can be. 👉 Interested in exploring mentorship? Complete this 2-minute, non-committal form: https://tr.ee/mpmc_digital [https://tr.ee/mpmc_digital] 🎥 Watch the full interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BshvYWMigCs [https://youtu.be/BshvYWMigCs]