Ep. 17 - Failing Forward: Mia Hamm's Growth Mindset

Ep. 17 - Failing Forward: Mia Hamm's Growth Mindset

Natural talent alone will never sustain a career at the elite level of competition. As the landscape of professional sports evolves with new investments and structural shifts, understanding how to navigate personal doubt is crucial right now. We sit down with former professional women's American soccer player and Olympic gold medalist Mia Hamm to explore the mindset required to turn setbacks into long term success. We get into the tactical side of personal development and what it really means to build a resilient team. The conversation covers navigating the emotional weight of international competition, addressing food insecurity through global experiences, and the growing financial valuation of professional franchises. A key realization emerges when Mia explains that true work ethic is defined by maintaining your standard of excellence even when no one is taking notes or checking the clock. The reality of reaching the top of the podium involves deep disappointment and personal doubt. Transitioning from a local standout to a benched national team player requires a complete recalibration of ego and a willingness to face the heavy reality of your own limitations. You will walk away from this episode with a practical framework for processing failure, understanding the mental cost of elite performance, and recognizing that simply showing up is only the very first step in the process. If you care about youth development, building resilient teams, and the business of professional sports, you will get a lot from this. Please make sure to subscribe to the channel and share this episode with someone who needs a shift in their leadership perspective. What is a specific personal failure you have experienced that ultimately made you a stronger teammate? Join teen host Holden on the 4th and 18th of every month for new episodes of Youth Unmuted, proudly presented by the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County.  Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthunmutedpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@youthunmuted Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581181750280  LinkedIn: Youth Unmuted

Ep. 16 - Empowering Young Athletes: Mia Hamm’s Mission for Women’s Sports

Unpredictable environments and high stakes pressure can easily cause young athletes to lose their footing before they even step onto the field. In a world where youth sports often prioritize external expectations over internal development, finding authentic confidence is the ultimate challenge for the next generation. In this episode of Youth Unmuted, host Holden sits down with soccer legend and Olympic Gold Medalist Mia Hamm to break down what it really takes to build a lasting athletic legacy. We sit down to unpack the foundational mechanics of elite athletic journeys and sustainable team culture. Mia Hamm shares tactical insights into developing an adaptive leadership style, navigating high-pressure media environments, and the logistical realities of competing at the Olympic level. She also details her philosophy on why team trust acts as a safety net for calculated risks and performance mistakes during training. True athletic success is rarely a straight line, and the path is often paved with intense nerves, strict routines, and systemic barriers that force young girls out of sports prematurely. Walk away with a concrete understanding of how structured routines offer a sense of control in chaotic environments, alongside an awareness of the cultural shifts required to keep young athletes engaged. True empowerment requires shifting focus away from traditional molds and toward building genuine self-assurance through performance. If you care about youth athletic development, fostering team trust, and expanding opportunities in women's sports, you’ll get a lot from this conversation. Make sure to subscribe to the channel and share this episode with a coach, player, or parent who needs to hear it. What is the most impactful piece of advice you received from a coach or teammate that completely changed how you perform? Let us know in the comments below. Join teen host Holden on the 4th and 18th of every month for new episodes of Youth Unmuted, proudly presented by the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County.  Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthunmutedpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@youthunmuted Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581181750280  LinkedIn: Youth Unmuted

Ep. 15 - Generational Struggles: Tools for Better Mental Health

Generational trauma is a quiet thief that robs families of emotional stability before the next generation even has a chance to start. While awareness is higher than ever, the systems meant to provide support often remain difficult to navigate, leaving parents and youth feeling isolated in their struggle. In this episode, Misty Ingalls and Lupita Perez Lopez return to discuss the practical realities of child advocacy and the environmental factors that shape mental wellness. We sit down to explore the tactical side of emotional regulation and how targeted interventions can change a child's trajectory. The conversation covers the "Missing Middle" of mental health support, the implementation of media-based curriculums like Inside Out and Lilo and Stitch, and the specific challenges of cyberbullying in the digital age. Misty and Lupita share their unique philosophy on "strength-based" advocacy, moving away from clinical judgment to work alongside families as teammates. The unglamorous truth is that mental health isn't just about a single "aha" moment; it involves navigating broken systems and addressing the stigma that still exists within specific cultural communities. You will walk away with a better understanding of how environmental factors like home life and support systems dictate wellness and why self-care is a non-negotiable requirement for those in leadership or caregiving roles. If you care about youth advocacy, breaking generational cycles, and practical mental health tools, you’ll get a lot from this. Please subscribe to Youth Unmuted and share this episode with a parent or educator who needs to hear it. What is one small "green flag" you’ve started looking for in your own daily routine or relationships? Join teen host Holden on the 4th and 18th of every month for new episodes of Youth Unmuted, proudly presented by the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County.  Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthunmutedpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@youthunmuted Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581181750280  LinkedIn: Youth Unmuted

Ep. 14 - Mental Health: Breaking the Silence

Suffering in silence is a quiet profit killer for a child's potential, often disguised as "just being a teenager" or "acting out." In a world that is louder and more connected than ever, the stakes for youth mental health have never been higher because the internal noise can become deafening without the right support systems. We sit down with Misty Ingalls and Lupita Perez Lopez, two dedicated child advocates from the Boys and Girls Club of Benton County, to discuss how we can better protect the mental well-being of the next generation. We get into the tactical ways that organizations can bridge the gap between school and home through trauma-informed care. Our conversation covers the implementation of onsite calm centers, the "iceberg method" of identifying underlying needs, and the importance of establishing holistic wellness routines for teens. Misty and Lupita share their "secret sauce" for building trust, which involves moving past the initial behavior to address the core human need for safety and regulation. The unglamorous truth is that mental health support is not a one-time fix but a consistent, often difficult commitment to breaking generational cycles and taboos. You will walk away with a deeper understanding of the subtle warning signs of isolation and practical grounding techniques that any young person can use when they feel overwhelmed. This episode serves as a vital reminder that while professional resources are essential, the simple act of a trusted adult listening without judgment remains one of the most powerful tools in our kit. Join teen host Holden on the 4th and 18th of every month for new episodes of Youth Unmuted, proudly presented by the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County.  Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthunmutedpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@youthunmuted Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581181750280  LinkedIn: Youth Unmuted

Ep. 13 - Hunger in Arkansas: Holden Faces the Reality

Arkansas is ranked 50 out of 50 for food insecurity, and that statistic stops being “data” the moment you picture a classmate wondering where dinner will come from. We sit down with Holden J, our 2026 Youth of the Year, to talk about why hunger became his platform, what food insecurity really looks like day to day, and why it can stay hidden even in communities that look like they’re doing fine from the outside. We get practical fast. Holden breaks down simple ways to help that don’t require a huge budget or a perfect plan: donate what you can, volunteer at a food bank, support local drives, and consider building or stocking a blessing box so families can access food and essentials with dignity. We also talk about how community partners, sponsors, and donors make youth programs possible at the Boys and Girls Club of Benton County, and why giving time matters just as much as giving money. Then we switch gears with a “this or that” game, share favorite memories from trips and conferences, and reflect on how advocacy grows through friendship, mentorship, and real support. From Washington, DC conversations with senators to the everyday work of showing up for kids, the takeaway is clear: community care is not theoretical, it’s built through action. Subscribe to Youth Unmuted wherever you get your podcasts, share this with someone who cares about youth leadership and fighting hunger, and leave a review to help more listeners find us. Where would a blessing box help most in your community? Join teen host Holden on the 4th and 18th of every month for new episodes of Youth Unmuted, proudly presented by the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County.  Stay Connected: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthunmutedpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@youthunmuted Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581181750280  LinkedIn: Youth Unmuted