The Voices of Young People Podcast

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Produced by Springtide Research Institute, the Voices of Young People Podcast listens directly to young people as they respond to our research and talk about the issues impacting their lives.

Springtide Research Institute


    • Oct 8, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 28m AVG DURATION
    • 73 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Voices of Young People Podcast

    Cultivating Care with Gabriella, 18 & Mirelia, 16  

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 48:28


    Hear Gabriella, 18, in Washington and Mirelia, 16, in California describe who or what has shaped their ideas about civic engagement, highlight particular political or social issues they especially care about, and offer tips on ways that trusted adults can start these same conversations with young people in their sphere. Each episode in season 9 features a variety of ways that teens and twentysomethings view politics as well as their interest and involvement in civic life. Throughout six episodes, hear 12 different young people from across the US in conversation with one another and with Springtide's Head of Community Engagement, Marte Aboagye. This season is offered alongside the 2024 report from Springtide Research Institute, “Cultivating Care: How & Why Young People Participate in Civic Life.” Learn more at springtideresearch.org

    Cultivating Care with Aimee, 23 & Christian, 25

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 47:42


    Hear Aimee, 23, in California and Christian, 25, in Tennessee describe who or what has shaped their ideas about civic engagement, highlight particular political or social issues they especially care about, and offer tips on ways that trusted adults can start these same conversations with young people in their sphere. Each episode in season 9 features a variety of ways that teens and twentysomethings view politics as well as their interest and involvement in civic life. Throughout six episodes, hear 12 different young people from across the US in conversation with one another and with Springtide's Head of Community Engagement, Marte Aboagye. This season is offered alongside the 2024 report from Springtide Research Institute, “Cultivating Care: How & Why Young People Participate in Civic Life.” Learn more at springtideresearch.org

    Cultivating Care with Brendan, 22 & Lupita, 17  

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 56:16


    Hear Brendan, 22, in Nebraska and Lupita, 17, in California describe who or what has shaped their ideas about civic engagement, highlight particular political or social issues they especially care about, and offer tips on ways that trusted adults can start these same conversations with young people in their sphere. Each episode in season 9 features a variety of ways that teens and twentysomethings view politics as well as their interest and involvement in civic life. Throughout six episodes, hear 12 different young people from across the US in conversation with one another and with Springtide's Head of Community Engagement, Marte Aboagye. This season is offered alongside the 2024 report from Springtide Research Institute, “Cultivating Care: How & Why Young People Participate in Civic Life.” Learn more at springtideresearch.org

     Cultivating Care with Peyton, 15 & Sunny, 17  

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 46:00


    Hear Peyton, 15, in Florida and Sunny, 17, in Colorado describe who or what has shaped their ideas about civic engagement, highlight particular political or social issues they especially care about, and offer tips on ways that trusted adults can start these same conversations with young people in their sphere. Each episode in season 9 features a variety of ways that teens and twentysomethings view politics as well as their interest and involvement in civic life. Throughout six episodes, hear 12 different young people from across the US in conversation with one another and with Springtide's Head of Community Engagement, Marte Aboagye. This season is offered alongside the 2024 report from Springtide Research Institute, “Cultivating Care: How & Why Young People Participate in Civic Life.” Learn more at springtideresearch.org

     Cultivating Care with Joe, 19 & Mya, 17  

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 33:26


    Hear Joe, 19, in California and Mya, 17, in Minnesota describe who or what has shaped their ideas about civic engagement, highlight particular political or social issues they especially care about, and offer tips on ways that trusted adults can start these same conversations with young people in their sphere. Each episode in season 9 features a variety of ways that teens and twentysomethings view politics as well as their interest and involvement in civic life. Throughout six episodes, hear 12 different young people from across the US in conversation with one another and with Springtide's Head of Community Engagement, Marte Aboagye. This season is offered alongside the 2024 report from Springtide Research Institute, “Cultivating Care: How & Why Young People Participate in Civic Life.” Learn more at springtideresearch.org 

    Cultivating Care with Jonathan, 16 & Kate, 21

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 49:01


    Hear Jonathan, 16, in California and Kate, 21, in Washington D.C. describe who or what has shaped their ideas about civic engagement, highlight particular political or social issues they especially care about, and offer tips on ways that trusted adults can start these same conversations with young people in their sphere. Each episode in season 9 features a variety of ways that teens and twentysomethings view politics as well as their interest and involvement in civic life. Throughout six episodes, hear 12 different young people from across the US in conversation with one another and with Springtide's Head of Community Engagement, Marte Aboagye. This season is offered alongside the 2024 report from Springtide Research Institute, “Cultivating Care: How & Why Young People Participate in Civic Life.” Learn more at springtideresearch.org 

     Exploring the Sacred with Gabrielle, 24 & Viva, 21

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2023 48:23


    Hear Gabrielle, 24, in California talk with Viva, 21, in Minnesota about an experience that evoked a sense of wonder, awe, gratitude, deep truth, and/or interconnectedness. Each episode in season 8 features two different young people sharing a story detailing a sacred experience from their lives. This conversation is facilitated by Marte Aboagye of Springtide Research Institute and is offered alongside, “The State of Religion & Young People 2023: Exploring the Sacred.” Learn more at springtideresearch.org

     Exploring the Sacred with Anthony, 23 & Claire, 21

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2023 39:46


    Hear Anthony, 23, in California talk with Claire, 21, in Minnesota about an experience that evoked a sense of wonder, awe, gratitude, deep truth, and/or interconnectedness. Each episode in season 8 features two different young people sharing a story detailing a sacred experience from their lives. This conversation is facilitated by Marte Aboagye of Springtide Research Institute and is offered alongside, “The State of Religion & Young People 2023: Exploring the Sacred.” Learn more at springtideresearch.org  

     Exploring the Sacred with Brandon C., 23 & Sam, 17

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2023 37:36


    Hear Brandon, 23, in Indiana talk with Sam, 17, in New York about an experience that evoked a sense of wonder, awe, gratitude, deep truth, and/or interconnectedness. Each episode in season 8 features two different young people sharing a story detailing a sacred experience from their lives. This conversation is facilitated by Marte Aboagye of Springtide Research Institute and is offered alongside, “The State of Religion & Young People 2023: Exploring the Sacred.” Learn more at springtideresearch.org  

     Exploring the Sacred with Grace, 23 & Tábatha, 20

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2023 37:10


    Hear Grace, 23, in Kansas talk with Tábatha, 20, in Texas about an experience that evoked a sense of wonder, awe, gratitude, deep truth, and/or interconnectedness. Each episode in season 8 features two different young people sharing a story detailing a sacred experience from their lives. This conversation is facilitated by Marte Aboagye of Springtide Research Institute and is offered alongside, “The State of Religion & Young People 2023: Exploring the Sacred.” Learn more at springtideresearch.org  

     Exploring the Sacred with Brigette, 23 & Lensa, 16

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2023 42:25


    Hear Brigette, 23, in Arizona talk with Lensa, 16, in Colorado about an experience that evoked a sense of wonder, awe, gratitude, deep truth, and/or interconnectedness. Each episode in season 8 features two different young people sharing a story detailing a sacred experience from their lives. This conversation is facilitated by Marte Aboagye of Springtide Research Institute and is offered alongside, “The State of Religion & Young People 2023: Exploring the Sacred.” Learn more at springtideresearch.org  

    Exploring the Sacred with Brandon W., 23 & Diana, 16

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2023 53:05


    Hear Brandon, 23, in California talk with Diana, 16, in Colorado about an experience that evoked a sense of wonder, awe, gratitude, deep truth, and/or interconnectedness. Each episode in season 8 features two different young people sharing a story detailing a sacred experience from their lives. This conversation is facilitated by Marte Aboagye of Springtide Research Institute and is offered alongside, “The State of Religion & Young People 2023: Exploring the Sacred.” Learn more at springtideresearch.org

    A Mental Health & Gen Z Conversation with Adiam, 25 & Daniel, 24

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2022 48:39


    Hear Adiam, 25, in DC talk with Daniel, 24, in NV about their perceptions and experiences surrounding Gen Z and mental health. Season 7 coincides with our Springtide Series on Mental Health and features 16 young people discussing where they get messages about mental health, the people they turn to for support, how a sense of purpose plays a role in their overall mental wellbeing, and more.

    A Mental Health & Gen Z Conversation with Julianna, 14 & Talia, 16

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2022 33:43


    Hear Julianna, 14, in MN talk with Talia, 16, in CA about their perceptions and experiences surrounding Gen Z and mental health. Season 7 coincides with our Springtide Series on Mental Health and features 16 young people discussing where they get messages about mental health, the people they turn to for support, how a sense of purpose plays a role in their overall mental wellbeing, and more.

    A Mental Health & Gen Z Conversation with Chris, 20 & Zineb, 24

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2022 34:15


    Hear Chris, 20, in GA talk with Zineb, 24, in OH about their perceptions and experiences surrounding Gen Z and mental health. Season 7 coincides with our Springtide Series on Mental Health and features 16 young people discussing where they get messages about mental health, the people they turn to for support, how a sense of purpose plays a role in their overall mental wellbeing, and more.

    A Mental Health & Gen Z Conversation with Camila, 18 & Ellington, 15

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2022 36:55


    Hear Camila, 18, in LA talk with Ellington, 15, in NY about their perceptions and experiences surrounding Gen Z and mental health. Season 7 coincides with our Springtide Series on Mental Health and features 16 young people discussing where they get messages about mental health, the people they turn to for support, how a sense of purpose plays a role in their overall mental wellbeing, and more.

    A Mental Health & Gen Z Conversation with Ivan, 21 & Sam, 19

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2022 39:30


    Hear Ivan, 21, in NY talk with Sam, 19, in OR about their perceptions and experiences surrounding Gen Z and mental health. Season 7 coincides with our Springtide Series on Mental Health and features 16 young people discussing where they get messages about mental health, the people they turn to for support, how a sense of purpose plays a role in their overall mental wellbeing, and more.

    A Mental Health & Gen Z Conversation with Camden, 19 & Kaiya, 19

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2022 36:53


    Hear Camden, 19, in PA talk with Kaiya, 19, in NY about their perceptions and experiences surrounding Gen Z and mental health. Season 7 coincides with our Springtide Series on Mental Health and features 16 young people discussing where they get messages about mental health, the people they turn to for support, how a sense of purpose plays a role in their overall mental wellbeing, and more.

    A Mental Health & Gen Z Conversation with Grace, 16 & Mercer, 17

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2022 40:54


    Hear Grace, 16, in MA talk with Mercer, 17, in NC about their perceptions and experiences surrounding Gen Z and mental health. Season 7 coincides with our Springtide Series on Mental Health and features 16 young people discussing where they get messages about mental health, the people they turn to for support, how a sense of purpose plays a role in their overall mental wellbeing, and more.

    A Mental Health & Gen Z Conversation with George, 23 & Joe, 21

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2022 35:23


    Hear George, 23, in FL talk with Joe, 21, in CA about their perceptions and experiences surrounding Gen Z and mental health. Season 7 coincides with our Springtide Series on Mental Health and features 16 young people discussing where they get messages about mental health, the people they turn to for support, how a sense of purpose plays a role in their overall mental wellbeing, and more. Be sure to catch all eight conversations wherever you like to get your podcasts.

    Destina, Age 25

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2022 28:40


    Destina is a first-generation Chicana and a first-year PhD student. She talks about how the Catholic Church's violence against indigenous people, among other things, has made her question the religion she was raised in. Her close personal relationship with La Virgen -- who Destina understands as pre-Hispanic -- is the reason why Destina says she has not completely disaffiliated from the Church.

    Brian, Age 22

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2022 22:36


    Brian, a Peruvian graduate student, reflects on the role his family and their migration to the U.S. has played in his faith life. Brian shares that practices like prayer and weekly Mass not only deepen his personal faith, but also help him feel close to his family while he is away at school.

    Gaby, Age 24

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2022 30:26


    Gaby identifies as Catholic and Latina. She grew up going to Spanish-language Masses with her mom, even though they did not always feel welcome by the church community. Now, Gaby is a first-gen PhD student who continues to find meaning and value in going to Mass with her friends.

    Blanca, Age 20

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2022 20:25


    Rather than identifying as Catholic like the rest of her family, Blanca describes herself as spiritual. While she sometimes feels guilty that she does not share her family's religious beliefs, Blanca discusses how her new spirituality has greatly improved her mental health.

    Ryan, Age 22

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2022 40:20


    Ryan is a Mexican-American theater maker and producer living in New York City. Though he once felt called to join the priesthood, Ryan is no longer active in the Catholic Church. However, Ryan continues to feel connected to his heritage, community, and faith through his devotion to La Virgen de Guadalupe.

    Josué, Age 25

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2021 23:30


    Josué, a Chicanx media curator in Los Angeles, practices the Bahá'í faith and seeks to have love be the anchor in what connects them to Dao (the way) as well as the familial and community relationships that have shaped them and their sense of spirituality. To feel rooted, they look to nature, movement, art, meditation, and connection with others.

    Elyse, Age 15

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2021 11:25


    Elyse, a high school sophomore in Massachusetts, is a Catholic young person who emphasizes the importance of making space for questions as well as doubt within the realm of religion. Her spiritual practices include participating in school masses that are student-run, spending time with her family, and being alone to write or meditate.

    Christian, Age 22

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2021 23:54


    Christian, a senior at La Salle University, grew up in a Puerto Rican-Italian Catholic family but says he presently focuses on not seeing religion as “one-sided.” He utilizes daily meditation, solitude, conversations on faith, and literature with social justice themes to feel in touch with God, nature, and humanity.

    Zaina, Age 16

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2021 17:09


    Zaina, a high school junior in Massachusetts, shares how her exposure to Islam informs the way she pursues her own sense of spirituality while also borrowing practices she finds meaningful from multiple religions. To feel rooted, she spends time in nature and utilizes meditation, crystals, and wholistic healing.

    Amethyst, Age 24

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2021 28:25


    Amethyst, a professional dancer in Chicago, shares how they're seeking to connect histories and spiritual practices from the identities they hold as an African American, Indigenous, and Queer person alongside elements they find meaningful within Christianity. They describe God as a feeling of safety, look to nature to feel rooted, and utilize dance and beatboxing as forms of prayer.

    Abby, Age 24

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2021 32:21


    Abby, a youth minister in Michigan, shares how her faith journey has been shaped by practicing gratitude, connecting with people from a range of different beliefs and backgrounds, and taking time to understand the meaning behind the sacraments and structure of the Catholic Church. To center herself, Abby finds comfort in being near a body of water and carving out a prayer corner as a sacred space in her home.

    Daniel, Age 22

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2021 19:31


    Daniel, a college senior and a football quarterback at Duke University, describes how Judaism has provided him with a deep sense of community throughout all different stages of his life. Participating in weekly Shabbat dinners on his campus offers a weekly rhythm where he can take a break to breathe, reflect, and connect with other Jewish students and faith leaders. He also describes how being in conversation with friends and teammates from other faith traditions allows him to ask questions about his own faith practices.

    Lily, Age 15

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2021 22:41


    Lily, a sophomore in high school, compares her faith journey to her life as a ballet dancer, describing both as constants which offer her a source of comfort as well as happiness. A practicing Catholic, Lily also points to reading scripture, being in nature, spending time with her family, connecting with other Asian American teenagers in an advocacy group, and meditating as practices that ground her and give her outlets to express her faith.

    Saad, Age 26

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2021 34:10


    Saad, a pre-med student in Chicago, shares how asking hard questions and traversing obstacles throughout his adolescence have deepened both his understanding and practice of Islam. He describes his daily prayer life where he can “talk to God as a friend” as well as acts of charity as essential sacred practices to feel connected to his local and global Muslim faith community.

    Lucy, Age 21

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2021 25:15


    Lucy, a college student at Villanova University, shares how she weaves an appreciation for tradition with a need for exploration in how she defines and approaches her spiritual life. Participating in small faith communities, playing music in various religious and non-religious spaces, and connecting with the natural world are practices she finds integral for nurturing her inner and outer life.

    Navigating Uncertainty

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2021 17:25


    Springtide Executive Director Dr. Josh Packard talks with Marte Aboagye, producer of The Voices of Young People Podcast, about key themes and takeaways from Season 5, exploring how the 10 guests' stories correspond with our latest report: The State of Religion & Young People 2021: Navigating Uncertainty.

    Avthar: Finding Balance as a Technology Entrepreneur

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2021 66:42


    25-year-old Avthar describes the tech industry as a place of fulfillment for engaging problem-solving and being of service to others. He highlights the ways his current boss has built a positive work environment for offering constructive feedback and points to other trusted adults who have invested in his personal growth throughout his youth and young adulthood.

    Cristina: Becoming a Healthcare Interpreter

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2021 39:07


    Combining a degree in Spanish and a passion for healthcare, 23-year-old Cristina offers a compelling look at her decision to pursue a career as a healthcare interpreter. She describes the importance of finding balance between work and life: making time to enjoy outside interests and friendships and connecting with a mentor who's working to build online community spaces with fellow Latinas.

    Jesse: Restorative Justice & Studying Education

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2021 32:17


    While student-teaching during his final semester of college, Jesse shares how mentors are helping him cultivate both personal and professional growth, noting how even small, intentional gestures from them have impacted his life. He discusses practical ways he hopes to support his own students as an educator, including bringing principles of restorative justice into the classroom.

    Mat: A Creative Pursuing Musical Theater & Dance

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2021 38:59


    A lover of the arts, Mat is in his final semester of college and considering between career paths in music production, musical theater, or dance. He reflects on the challenges of entering the performing arts professionally during a global pandemic and offers perspective on the lessons he's gleaned from mentors at work and school.

    Tatum: Disability Justice with an Aspiring Pastor

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2021 41:59


    In her final college semester, and while preparing for graduate school at a seminary, Tatum shares her hopes of becoming a Methodist pastor, largely driven by her passion to root her work in disability justice. As a functionally blind person advocating for overall accessibility and awareness, Tatum draws helpful parallels between “spoon theory” and work-life balance.

    Lucy: Hoping to Become a Child Psychologist

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2021 28:11


    14-year-old Lucy already has her hopes set on studying developmental psychology, specifically focused on child and adolescent development. She shares how her own mental health journey has led her to want to pursue work where she can offer children and youth the kinds of critical resources she's benefited from. In addition to her career ambitions, Lucy points to other sources of meaning in her personal life, including theater and Colombian dance.

    Abdalla: A Passion for Biomedical Engineering

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2021 47:24


    23-year-old Abdalla shares his passion for engineering, the ways he hopes to see workplaces continue to grow in their inclusion efforts and strategies, and how his Muslim faith offers opportunities for meaning, mentorship, and growth.

    Abby: Considering Political Science/Law

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2021 30:51


    High school senior Abby shares her hopes about what sort of work environment she might eventually engage in and reflects on the trusted adults who are helping her navigate her current commitments as well her next steps in terms of post-secondary education options.

    Work / Life: Helping Gen Z Flourish & Find Balance

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2021 21:47


    Springtide Executive Director Dr. Josh Packard talks with Marte Aboagye, producer of The Voices of Young People Podcast about key themes and takeaways from Season 4 as it relates to our brand new report, Work / Life: Helping Gen Z Flourish & Find Balance.

    Preview of Season 4: Work / Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2021 12:00


    Hear a preview of what's to come in Season 4 of The Voices of Young People Podcast as all 8 guests answer the question, “What does work-life balance look like to you?” This season coincides with our latest report, Work / Life: Helping Gen Z Flourish & Find Balance (available at springtideresearch.org).

    Thérèse, Age 15

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2021 15:02


    Thérèse speaks to her experience as a Roman Catholic and the ways she seeks to practice her faith individually and communally. She credits trusted adults, like youth leaders and her confirmation sponsor, for really being there for her and offering the space to process ideas as well as questions.

    Hameeda, Age 23

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2020 23:20


    Hameeda shares why her current spiritual view has "God on hold for now," but why she nonetheless still holds some values and practices from her Muslim upbringing. She describes how her father encouraged her questions and curiosities around religion, and the ways—even after he's passed away—he continues to be a model of holding nonjudgmental space for others' spiritual journeys.

    Austin, Age 16

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2020 9:57


    Austin describes how being a Reform Jew provides him with a meaningful faith tradition to both learn from and find connection, why he meditates or does yoga before his baseball games, and how his rabbi encourages not only his religious pursuits—but also offers him great advice for all aspects of life.

    Matthew, Age 24

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2020 19:16


    Matthew, a seminary student pursuing ordination within the Unitarian Universalist Church, offers his definition of the Divine, various spiritual practices he seeks to cultivate, and why he looks up to other faith leaders who demonstrate care and great listening.

    Mackenna, Age 19

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2020 13:07


    Mackenna shares how her identity as a Christian shapes the ways she seeks to build and engage community, how music is a place where she finds spiritual connection, and the way she sees love for all people modeled by her dad, a pastor.

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