CaseyCast - the monthly podcast of The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Michele Jacobs on Helping Young People Earn, Learn and Thrive in Atlanta

On the lat­est episode of CaseyCast, the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Pres­i­dent and CEO Lisa Law­son talks with Michelle Jacobs, asso­ciate vice pres­i­dent of col­lege and career ready at Unit­ed Way of Greater Atlanta, about how Career Ready ATL is reimagining pathways to work for young people. Career Ready ATL is a youth apprenticeship program designed to support young people ages 16 to 24 who are furthest from opportunity — including those involved in foster care, the juvenile justice system or disconnected from school and work. Through partnerships with employers, schools and community organizations, the initiative combines paid, on-the-job learning with education and wraparound supports to help young people build sustainable careers.

Nicole Clifton on How Employers Can Help Young People Thrive

Nicole “Nikki” Clifton, president of social impact at UPS and president of the UPS Foundation, joins the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Lisa Lawson to discuss how companies can support young people through jobs, mentoring and community partnerships — from delivering vaccines to fighting trafficking to creating career pathways.

Adriana Galván on the Adolescent Brain, Stress and Systems that Support Young People

Adolescence is a time of both vulnerability and possibility. UCLA professor Adriana Galván — a leading researcher on the adolescent brain — joins Casey Foundation President & CEO Lisa Lawson to discuss how brain science can guide education, justice, and social systems to better support young people on their path to adulthood.

Introducing Thrive: A Special CaseyCast Episode With Lisa Lawson

Lisa Lawson, president and CEO of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, introduces her new book Thrive: How the Science of the Adolescent Brain Helps Us Imagine a Better Future for All Children. In this special short episode, Lisa shares why adolescence is not just a challenge to navigate but an opportunity to help young people ages 14 to 24 flourish — and previews upcoming CaseyCast conversations inspired by the book.

How Medicaid and EMS Corps Are Creating New Futures for Young People | Alex Briscoe on CaseyCast

What if Medicaid could do more than cover doctor visits? What if it could change lives? In this episode of CaseyCast, public health expert Alex Briscoe joins host Lisa Lawson to explore how rethinking Medicaid can unlock better mental health care, build a more diverse workforce and empower young people. Alex shares the story of EMS Corps, a program he helped launch that trains young adults — many with experience in foster care or juvenile justice — to become emergency medical technicians. With mentorship, stipends and real career options, EMS Corps is proving that workforce development can be a healing intervention. Hear how this model is scaling nationally — and what it takes to turn policy into purpose.