Pop, Speak, Lead: Charis Roussel

Army of Help: Anabella Sai

In this episode, Onaedo Ezenwa interviews Anabella Sai, a high school student and founder of the Helping Heroes Fund, an organization dedicated to supporting veterans. Anabella shares her journey from starting the organization as a school club to transforming it into a nonprofit that has raised over $100,000. She discusses the challenges veterans face, such as financial insecurity and mental health issues, and emphasizes the importance of empathy and community in addressing these challenges. Anabella also highlights the role of youth in bringing fresh perspectives to longstanding issues and the importance of staying grounded in the organization's mission. The conversation touches on the impact of the Helping Heroes Fund, the importance of collaboration, and Anabella's vision for the future, including legislative advocacy and expanding the organization's reach. The episode concludes with a light-hearted lightning round of personal questions, revealing Anabella's personality and interests.

The Spikey Solution: Abigail Goddard

In this episode of the Voice4You Podcast, host Jeshwant Vana interviews Abigail Goddard, a young entrepreneur and founder of Spiky, a company dedicated to combating drink spiking. Abigail shares her journey from a passion for filmmaking and music to creating a safety product that addresses a significant issue on college campuses. The conversation explores her motivations, the development of Spiky, marketing strategies, and her achievements in competitions like DECA. Abigail emphasizes the importance of discretion in safety products, the role of social media in marketing, and her future plans for growth and networking in college. In this engaging conversation, Abigail Goddard shares her entrepreneurial journey, discussing how she raised $50,000 for her business through competitions and the lessons learned from her experiences with teamwork and leadership. She reflects on the challenges of managing a team, the thrill of competition in DECA, and the impact of media exposure on her journey. Abigail also emphasizes the importance of mental health in high-pressure environments and offers valuable advice for aspiring leaders about the significance of asking for help and pursuing passions authentically.

Pop, Speak, Lead: Charis Roussel

What happens when a terrified freshman decides to speak anyway? Charis Roussel did, and it changed everything. In this episode of the Voice For You podcast, host Jeshwant Vana interviews Charis Roussel, a young leader in the FBLA community. Charis shares her journey from being terrified of public speaking to becoming a prominent figure in FBLA, serving in various leadership roles. She discusses her experiences at the National Leadership Conference, the importance of networking, and the lessons learned from her campaign for National Secretary. Charis emphasizes the value of resilience, collaboration, and believing in oneself as essential qualities for aspiring leaders.

Building Bridges: Christian Love

In this conversation, host Onaedo Ezenwa interviews Christian Love, founder of Opportunity Bridge 901, about his mission to centralize access to leadership opportunities for students in Memphis. Christian discusses the challenges students face in finding resources, the importance of equitable access, and the need for sustainability in youth‑led initiatives. He reflects on his experiences as a young leader, the impact of receiving recognition through awards, and the skills he has developed along the way. The conversation highlights how shared information can strengthen communities and underscores the power of youth‑driven efforts to create lasting change.

Behind the 38th Parallel: Bahnya Kim

In this episode of the Voice For You podcast, host Jeshwant Vana interviews Bahnya Kim, a dynamic young leader and founder of 38 Freedom, a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for the rights of North Koreans. Bahnya shares her journey as a Korean American, her passion for public speaking, and her involvement in extracurriculars such as speech and debate, while reflecting on the challenges and rewards of building 38 Freedom—an initiative inspired by her firsthand exposure to the North Korean community and her commitment to raising awareness about their struggles. She also discusses the competitive nature of speech and debate, the unique obstacles she faces as a female competitor, and the importance of staying focused amid distractions and negativity. The conversation underscores the power of youth activism, concluding with Bahnya’s advice to aspiring changemakers to remain committed to their passions and recognize the strength of their voices in driving meaningful change.