TOBY Talk: All Things Teens and Volunteering

On Episode 50 of the TOBY Talk podcast, after a little break, this will be the final episode of 2019! Dom sits down with our Executive Director, Becca, to recap 2019 and to talk about some of the new things coming in 2020. You will also get to meet our new AmeriCorps Fellow, Zack. We will be gearing up the TOBY Talk podcast for the new year, so be sure to tune in for new episodes in 2020!

This week on the TOBY Talk podcast, we have a Lion's Heart intern double feature! This week we are combining episodes 48 & 49 with our Lion's Heart interns, Mandy and Audrey, to bring you some back to school and volunteering, as well as disaster preparedness tips!

This week’s guest on the TOBY Talk podcast is Christian Esteban, Executive Director at JOYA Scholars in Fullerton, California. The mission of JOYA Scholars is to inspire and prepare students from families of low-income communities in Fullerton to succeed through higher education.

This week on the TOBY Talk podcast, we have part one of our intern takeover. It is a very fun episode with Lion's Heart interns Mandy, Safaa, and Audrey talking about their experiences this summer, in and out of the Lion's Heart office.

This week’s guest on the TOBY Talk podcast is Mo Langley, the president and co-founder of Sandy Feet Initiative in San Clemente, California. Their mission is, “Fostering empowerment of siblings of children with special needs through beach programs and ocean conversation.”

This week's guest on the TOBY Talk podcast is Jemma Peterson, Database and Communications Coordinator for Fair Child Botanic Gardens in Coral Gables, Florida. Their mission is to save tropical plant diversity by exploring, explaining and conserving the world of tropical plants; fundamental to this task is inspiring a greater knowledge and love for plants and gardening so that all can enjoy the beauty and bounty of the #tropical world. They are one of the premier conservation and education-based gardens in the world and a recognized international leader in both Florida and international conservation. With 45,000 members and over 1,200 volunteers, Fairchild plays many roles, including museum, laboratory, learning center and conservation research facility, but its greatest role is preserving biodiversity, which the garden's scientists, staff and volunteers all contribute to on a daily basis.

This week on the TOBY Talk Podcast, Dom is joined by Safaa, Lion's Heart intern, to talk about some college prep tips & tricks for high schoolers and incoming high school freshmen. With summer heating up, you've got time and it's never too early to start preparing for college!

This week’s guest on TOBY Talk is David Droll, Executive Director and Co-founder of Hope Beyond Bridges in Houston, Texas. The organizations mission is to restore HOPE to the homeless by meeting spiritual, emotional & physical needs because a bridge is NOT a home. They help those hurting, hungry & homeless under bridges, in camps and/or along the streets and highways of Houston, Harris & Montgomery counties.

This week’s episode of the TOBYTalk podcast, our guest is Chris M King, Executive Coach, Motivational Speaker, Thought Leader, and Consultant for Executive Optimization. Dom and Chris talk about his journey to become an Executive Coach and discuss empowerment by removing the barriers to success.

This week’s guest on TOBY Talk is Kasey Williams, Program Vista for Urban Roots in Austin, Texas. As the only farm-based youth leadership organization in Austin, Urban Roots has been empowering youth and nourishing community for more than 10 years. Their mission is to use food and farming to transform the lives of young people and inspire, engage, and nourish the community.

This week’s guest on TOBY Talk is Cynthia Brian, Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are! in Moraga, California. Be the Star You Are! is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that collects and distributes books to and produces positive media messages for women, families, and youth at risk as a way to improve literacy and raise life skills and self-esteem. They help families and youth access positive, productive information and passionate role models that will lead them beyond the negative messages in the media, and on to becoming the individual stars that they are.

This week on TOBY Talk, Dom is joined by the founder of The College Blueprint and Lion’s Heart Board Member, Jan Kerchner! She founded The College Blueprint, LLC nearly 20 years ago with a vision and mission to assist students with finding the right collegiate fit. In addition to private college counseling, The College Blueprint, LLC also offers Test Prep, Tutoring and Academic Coaching.

On this week's episode, Dom interviews Justin Kruger, founder and CEO of Project Helping. The mission of Project Helping is improving mental wellness through kyndfulness. Kyndfulness includes volunteering, and intentional acts of kindness and gratitude. Their vision is for everyone to have an opportunity to improve their mental wellness every day. Project Helping organizes volunteer events specifically designed to make an impact both on people and on their community. Through volunteering, participants actively invest in their communities while also reaping the benefits of increased mental wellness. Project Helping was founded in Denver, Colorado in 2014. The organization has since expanded to Tampa, Florida and also hosts monthly volunteer experiences in San Diego, California.

On this week's episode of TOBY Talk, Dom sits down with Lion's Heart member Gerald to discuss a video he made with his group and his Lion's Heart experience. And then Audrey, Lion's Heart member and intern, takes over the podcast with her own interview of fellow Lion’s Heart members Sriya, Mandy, Mariam, and Safaa. It's a jam packed episode with TWO interviews for you in our first ever Lion's Heart Member Take Over!

This week on the TOBY Talk podcast, Dom is joined by guest co-host Audrey, Lion's Heart member and intern, and they sit down to talk with Meymuna Hussein-Cattan. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Tiyya Foundation, the only nonprofit organization in Orange County and Los Angeles that focuses on refugee youth, while helping the entire family. Tiyya serves more than 250 families annually and provides community support and educational opportunities for families of refugees, immigrants, and displaced Americans. They hope to create a community that fosters the development of self-sufficiency, ultimately helping program participants overcome obstacles and actively participate in society.

On this week's episode of TOBY Talk, Dom speaks with Nik Kennedy, Community Events Coordinator for I Love a Clean San Diego. The mission of I Love A Clean San Diego is to lead and inspire the community to actively conserve and enhance the environment through example, outreach, and local involvement. Their vision is to create a zero waste, litter-free, and environmentally engaged San Diego region.

It's AmeriCorps Week! On this episode of TOBY Talk, Dom sits down with two other AmeriCorps Fellows from his cohort, Laly & Stephen, to discuss all things AmeriCorps & their experience over their last two years of service.

This week on TOBY Talk, Dom speaks with Rob Scheer. Rob is the Founder of Comfort Cases in Rockville, Maryland. At Comfort Cases, they believe that every child deserves to feel a sense of dignity. Every child deserves to pack their belongings in a special bag that they can call their own. It is their mission as a charity to provide a proper bag, filled with comfort and essential items, to these brave youth in foster care on their journey to find their forever home. Every child deserves to know they matter.

On this week's episode of the TOBY Talk podcast Dom talks to David Adamo, volunteer coordinator for Bracken's Kitchen. They discuss the organization, it's programs, and David's non-profit and AmeriCorps experience. Bracken’s Kitchen is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Orange County California. Founded in 2013 by chef Bill Bracken Their mission is: "Through food recovery, culinary training and our community feeding program we are committed to recovering, re-purposing and restoring both food and lives."

On this week's episode of TOBY Talk, Dom talks with Haley Lebsack. She is the Outreach Director for Recycle Utah, a nonprofit organization that has served residents of Summit County since 1991. Their mission is to empower people to lead sustainable lives. They are committed to reducing waste and preventing ground water pollution in our community and offer a variety of collection programs, education programs, workshops, and events.

This week on the TOBYTalk podcast, Dom speaks with Brittany Goldsmith, the Volunteer Program Manager for the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy. They discuss her nonprofit journey and experiences, and the many ways to get involved as a volunteer at the Conservancy. The mission of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC) is to "preserve land and restore habitat for the education and enjoyment of all." Since its founding in 1988, the Conservancy has successfully preserved 1,600 acres of open space on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

On this week's episode of the TOBYTalk podcast , Dom talks with the founder of Saffyre Sanctuary in Los Angeles, California. Saffyre Sanctuary is a rescue and rehabilitation program that cares for horses that have been abandoned, abused, or neglected. By allowing them to rediscover their true nature, Saffyre Sanctuary provides every opportunity for them to experience the possibility of enjoying a second career, or offer them a well deserved retirement due to soundness issues, age, or owner hardships.

This week on the TOBYTalk podcast, Dom talks with David Groos, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Great Opportunities in San Juan Capistrano. The mission of Great Opportunities is to provide under advantaged kids with the opportunity to see their potential and understand that they can achieve anything if they believe in themselves.

Happy New Year TOBYTalk listeners! Our first podcast episode of 2019 is with Darlene Cullivan, Community Engagement Manager for Eskaton. Dom and Darlene discuss the benefits and importance of serving the senior citizen community, and volunteering with a purpose. As a community-based nonprofit in Sacramento, CA, Eskaton exists solely to fulfill its mission of enhancing the quality of life for seniors through innovative health, housing, and social services.

Thank you for an amazing year, TOBY Talk listeners! This is our last podcast episode for 2018. Hear from highlights from 2018 with special guest, Becca Tankersley. Plus, get a sneak peek at what's to come in 2019! Happy Holidays!

What is a S.M.A.R.T goal and how can you apply it to your life? Join Dom and Emma this week as they share top tips for setting awesome goals--and achieving success--just in time for the New Year!

Meet Susan Miller Kotses, the Vice President of Education and Community Engagement at Orange County's Pacific Symphony. How does one go from Opera singer to VP? How can teens get involved in music education and volunteer for great events in their community? Learn more this week on the TOBY Talk podcast!

Meet Glenn Llopis: Lion's Heart board member and leadership expert. He's a former C-suite corporate executive and entrepreneur of several successful companies, an accomplished author, and founder of his own consulting business, the Glenn Llopis Group. Hear his leadership story and tips for success this week on TOBY Talk!

Join us this week for the TOBY Talk podcast as we welcome John Forsyte, President of Orange County's Pacific Symphony! Hear about the importance of music and music education as well as ways you can volunteer to support the arts in your community. Plus, hear John's story about how volunteering has impacted his life and how music motivates him to be an inspirational leader!

During times of stress or anxiety, remembering to practice #mindfulness can be a great way to open yourself up to more positivity and strength. Join us for a very special edition of the TOBY Talk podcast as we hear from Jamie Lynn, a certified yogi and advocate of self-care! Plus, take part in a short calm breathing exercise to help you set your focus for your day!

Thank You for being a friend! Join us this week for #TOBYTalk as Dom and Emma recap some important fall reminders for Lion's Heart members! Plus, hear some tips for finding that perfect topic for your college application essay, learn about #GivingTuesday, and prep for an amazing fall season of thankfulness!

Dom and Emma tackle the scariest things about volunteering! With Halloween just around the corner, it's natural to think about some of the things that scare you--but what about volunteering? Maybe you aren't sure what to expect or are apprehensive about meeting new people. Listen to this week's #episode for confidence-building tips and more!

Are you a #lionsheartstrong member or Class Coordinator interested in The Congressional Award? Hear some answers to some commonly asked questions about this program and learn how Lion's Heart can support your participation! Plus, be on the lookout for more supporting materials in your toolkit coming soon!

How does Lion's Heart cultivate volunteer opportunities for teens across the country? Meet Shari, our Volunteer Outreach Manager! Hear her Lion's Heart story as well as her tips for connecting with nonprofits and setting volunteering goals!

Join us for episode 15 of TOBY Talk where we chat with the Lion's Heart Community Managers, Dawn and Anissa! Listen in as they share how volunteering has made a positive impact on their lives and their families. Plus, learn about what it means to be a Class Coordinator and how you can sign up to lead a group in your own chapter!

It's that special time of year where your heart is full and you want to give back to others during the holidays. Start planning your activities now! Listen to episode 14 of TOBY Talk as Dom and Emma share tips for fall and holiday service projects. Plus, hear important Lion's Heart member reminders!

Meet Derek Doyle, Director of Communications for The Congressional Award, America's Award for Youth. The Congressional Award is about challenge--a fun and interesting way for you to become more involved in something you already enjoy or try something for the first time. Lion's Heart is proud to now be a certifying organization for this program!

School's back in session and you have a million things on your plate! How do you de-stress and make time for Y-O-U? Check out Dominic's tips for self-care on Episode 12 of TOBY Talk! Plus, learn more about new service activity and project guides now available in the Lion's Heart Member Toolkit!

Meet Sara Newton: She volunteers with the University of California, Irvine to review scholarship applications. She joins Becca and Dominic this week to talk about tips and tricks for completing (and earning) your very own scholarships!

New school year means new challenges with making time for things. There’s so much that you need to do for school, college apps, and extracurriculars. Plus, you want to make sure you have time to spend with friends, family, and your Lion’s Heart peers! How do you stay on top of everything you want to do and stay sane? We’ll walkthrough a time fulfillment activity you can do with your group or on your own!

Why is it important to incorporate fitness in your regular routine? How does fitness go hand in hand with volunteering? What is GritCycle and how does this amazing fitness brand make a positive impact in the community? Join us for a special collaborative episode of TOBYTalk with TALKIN' GRIT!

What does it mean to rescue food and reduce hunger? How can you volunteer to support this cause? Learn more by tuning in to our special interview with Second Chance Foods Executive Director, Martha Elder. Second Chances Foods is a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing unsold, un-served, and aesthetically imperfect food and distributing it in an effort to reduce food waste and food insecurity.

Getting ready for back-to-school? Join us for Episode 7 of TOBY Talk where we share our Top 10 Tips and Tricks for starting a fresh year of school (all ages). Plus, learn about an upcoming special Lion's Heart event in Orange County, CA!

What's it like to be a teen volunteer? What does it mean to really connect with a cause you care about? Hear from Lion's Heart Teen Member, Audrey, as she shares her story of giving back and helping families in need with the Ronald McDonald House!

How does volunteering help you with college applications? What are some tips and tricks about surviving college once you are accepted? How can you use your community service experience to apply for scholarships? Learn these answers and more with #TOBYTalk Episode 5!

Meet Terry Corwin: Lion's Heart Founder and current Board Member. Where did Lion's Heart begin? Why is it important to volunteer? How does someone build a nonprofit organization from a good idea? Learn these answers and more with #TOBYTalk Episode 4!

So, you want to volunteer and help the environment? Join Dom and Emma as they share tips and tricks for volunteering during the summer and taking action outdoors! Get ideas for service projects, learn about some of our favorite organizations, and hear a special volunteer story by Lion's Heart Member, Grace! All this and more in Episode 3 of TOBY Talk!

Meet Becca Tankersley - Lion's Heart Executive Director. What exactly does an Executive Director do? What does it take to run your first marathon? What is coming up around the corner for Lion's Heart? Learn these answers and more with TOBY Talk Episode 2!

Our very first episode! Learn what TOBY Talk is and hear some teen volunteer stories. Share your stories with us via bit.ly/lhstory for a chance to be featured in an upcoming episode!