UMN EXT Youth Development Podcast

Programming with youth during the pandemic required us to creatively think OUTSIDE the box and find solutions for how we continue to connect with youth through distance learning options.  Now that we are returning to a more “normal” programming environment… how do we capture what we have learned and continue to use what works? Samantha Lahman and Joe Rand share a program that was created as an in-person event, had to pivot due the pandemic and change to a program INSIDE a box that was delivered to the young person's home.  They share ways youth programs can utilize this "in the box" idea as we return to in-person and hybrid programming. Read the Transcript

Even with the best intentions… Youth programming isn't always successful… how do you evaluate those challenges and turn a failure into success? Listen to Extension educator, Nicole Kudrle, and two youth leaders, Maggie and Ryan, who turned an unsucessful youth event into an opportunity to reflect through a process that led to a new (and successful) version of the event. Read the Blog Read the Transscript

Learn about a virtual program that was created to teach youth about American Sign Language (ASL).  Educators Mindy Grant,  Bri Fisher, Jenny Cable share how they utilized statewide partnerships and local community members to access the expertise and experience needed to guide youth learning around ASL.  Youth voice was incorporated into a safe space to ask questions in order to have opportunities for deeper learning and greater understanding of ASL and the deaf community.

How can young people learn how to be better allies for their LGBTQ+ peers and ensure safe places for everyone to participate in youth programs? In this podcast, Joe Rand, Extension educator & Director of Diversity Equity Inclusion and Accessibility, Dianna Kennedy, Extension educator and two 4-H State Ambassadors, Victoria and Rachel discuss a youth-led initiative that created a program, called "Let's talk about Gender Identity” for youth to learn how to be better allies.  Although the program was delivered to 4-H members online, ways to implement the program in other youth settings and in-person are discussed.  LGBTQ+ Resources Listen to our youth-led podcast series, Clover Chat  Read the transcript

Over the last couple years youth workers have been forced into change and moved into situations where they had to be innovators… How can those experiences be utilized to continue in the mode of being changemakers? Becky Meyer (Center for Youth Development), Nate Meyer (Program Leader, Center for AFNR, and Mary Jo Katras (Program Leader, Center for Family Development) discuss how to capture the youth program innovation we've experienced and utilize a model to help practice empathy, be creative and strive for elegance. Link to Extension Program Innovation Website Link to Episode 38:  Innovative Youth Programs Read the Transcript

Youth can be effective in designing and implementing youth programs with adult guidance!  Karen Beranek and Jan Derdowski discuss the foundational research and models supporting authentic youth/adult partnerships while sharing real stories that bring this concept to life. Read the Transcript 

Jacquie Lonning and Amber Shanahan, Extension educators discuss the purpose and application of the 4-H Leadership Tree Model to provide leadership pathways for youth.  This model broadens the definition of leadership development as a process, rather than a position, that provides an environment for youth to nurture and grow their skills. Read the Blog Read the Transcript

This podcast explores the journey to leadership through the youth perspective as we hear stories from two MN 4-H State Ambassadors.  They also discuss the important role adults played in helping them discover and develop leadership skills.   Learn ways to participate in MN 4-H Listen to the Clover Chat Podcast created by the MN 4-H State Ambassors Read the transcript

How can we intentionally create inclusive and impactful outdoor learning experiences for youth?  Nicole Pokorney and Kristina Abbas share eight key components for developing inclusive, transformative outdoor learning experiences for youth, along with a few tips from their experience for program staff wanting to implement these ideas. Participate in 4-H Choose Your Outdoor Adventure Explore 4-H Outdoor Adventure Projects Read the Transcript

You evaluate your program by gathering input from the youth participants, parents/guardians and volunteer, but so many of us youth workers say to ourselves... I work with kids - not data!  Sam Grant, Evaluation Specialist, discusses three ideas youth workers can use to present and share numbers from evaluation data in more understandable (and fun!) ways. Read the Blog Sam's Evaluation Resources Webpage Read the Transcript

We know that incorporating reflection into our youth development programs is important for high quality experiences…. But how often do you bring reflection into your professional day? Karyn Santl, Extension educator, shares 3 ideas about how youth workers can implement reflective practices into their work. Read the Blog Read the Transcript

This podcast is Part 4 in a Series on Youth In Agriculture and focus on rural youth stress.  Aly shares both her personal and professional experiences with stresses in rural communities and offers effective practices for working with rural youth during stressful times. Website: Rural Youth Stress Read the Transcript

As part 3 in the Series on Youth in Agriculture,  this podcast focuses on how to create inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ youth in the Ag sector.  Joe, Samantha and Kari reflect as we hear directly from Kyle, 4-H alumni, about what his experience was like as a LGBTQ+ youth who had not yet come out, and is now an openly gay man.  Kyle shares, from his experience, what employers in Agriculture can do that will signal they have an inclusive environment.  He also discusses what youth workers in rural areas can do to educate themselves on the background of Gen Z and to be inclusive while providing opportunities for acceptance and grow in leadership roles.   Read the Blog: Cultivating Change by Joe Rand Website: Inclusive youth development programs for LGBTQ+ people Read the transcript

The Youth in Agriculture Series continues with Part 2: communicating with Gen Z on the Farm!  Samantha, Joe and Kari explore how farmers/producers can communicate with, set expectations, give parameters for social media use, open a feedback loop and establish norms between a youth employee and employer.  Samantha shares conversations she’s had with producers and we hear from a young person who answers questions about how he prefers to communicate with his employer. Read the Blog:  Gen Z: New Employee Training Read the Transcript

The Youth Development Podcast Season 4 kicks off with a Youth in Agriculture Series!  Samantha, Joe and Kari give an introduction to the topic, a conversation about current trends in Ag and how Generation Z youth will impact the workforce.  Using research data intermixed with fun personal stories, Samantha describes the characteristics of Gen Z (born 1997-2012) and what to consider when engaging this generation on the farm and in the industry of agriculture.   Read the Blog: Generational tensions can divide us, shared experiences connect us  (March 3, 2021) Read the Transcript

In this podcast, Quincy Powe, 4-H Alumni, shares his perspective of  how to address racial justice through youth voice.  Based on his experience as a youth and now his work as a young adult, Quincy provides insight of how to encourage youth to believe in their own voice, have youth create their own table (rather than inviting them to the "adult table") and continually re-educate yourself as a youth worker to truly meet the needs of youth in programs. Understanding and Confronting racial injustice website Read the transcript

What can we learn from young people who are talking about racial injustice in their community?  In this podcast, we will hear from two Hmong-American youth who participated in 4-H programs this past summer that provided a safe space to discuss racial injustice.  They share how it changed the way they think about these issues and has motivated them to continue the conversation with their peers.   Understanding and confronting racial injustice Website Read the Podcast Transcript

How do we, as youth workers, engage young people in important conversations about Race and racism?  And, why is it important that we do?  Listen to this podcast to learn how Minnesota 4-H Educators engaged young people in meaningful conversations about race and racism through a program called, "Let's Talk About Race".  They discuss how this program originated, its structure and how the youth responded. Read the Transcript Understanding and confronting racial injustice website

In this podcast Karyn Santl shares how all adults, including youth workers, parents/guardians, teacher and neighbors, can role model our reactions to difficult times for youth so that we can all emerge more resilient and better able to face future challenges.  Karyn encourages us to focus our energy, shift our lens and remember our purpose. Read the Blog Read the Transcript

In this podcast, Brenda Shafer shares tips on how to develop skills in having crucial conversations that are productive and successful.  She encourages listeners to start with heart, focus on what you really want, master your story, keep it "safe" and how to use contrasting statements to fix misunderstandings. More information on the book, "Crucial Conversations: Toos for Talking when stakes are high Read the transcript

What are ways that we can make Math exciting for young people through STEM programming? Educators and volunteers who lead experiences in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in non-formal and after-school settings will gain ideas on how to help youth overcome the negative attitudes they may have about math.  Micheal discusses how to connect mathematics to the activities and interests youth are passionate about while providing opportunities to influence math-related careers. Read the Blog STEM website for the U of M Extension, Center for Youth Development Read the Transcript

In Episode 41, Trisha provided information on how to recognize the warning signs and to help youth cope with stress.  In this Episode, she continues  that conversation with five tips on how to talk to youth during stressful times.  Those tips are: Be available, Stop and Listen, Think before you respond, Be patient, and Just be there. Read the Blog Read the Transcript

How can youth workers continue to build strong and creative programs during times of uncertainty and change?  Sam Grant, Evaluation Director, shares four ideas to jump-start new and creative  program planning when we’re forced to think differently about how we deliver those programs.   Read the Blog Evaluation Website Working with Youth from a Distance Podcast Transcript

How can we foster social and emotional well-being while social distancing?  Kate shares why Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and well-being is more important now than ever as she discusses the Ways of Being Model.  The model looks at how we navigate across the way of relating, ways of feeling, ways of doing and ways I am. Link to Website for SEL Toolkit Read the Blog Transcript

How do we ensure that we are creating environments that are inclusive for ALL young people in our programs?  To answer this question, Darcy shares seven tips for youth workers to consider while creating welcoming environments for youth programs. Link to website Transcript

How can you use a sudden change in how we deliver youth programs as an opportunity to improve?  In this podcast, Nancy discusses Kotter's eight steps for change and suggests how youth programs can use change as an opportunity to do things differently and in some cases, even better than it was before. Read the Blog Transcript:

Practicing the use of empathy is an important skill that takes intentional practice when listening to youth, volunteers and colleagues.  In this podcast, Karyn Santl discusses the difference between being empathetic and sympathetic while offering four attributes of empathy for youth practitioners to use during difficult times.   Read the Blog: Empathy Has Never Been More Important Working with Youth from a Distance Website

In this podcast Becky shares how to encourage community in youth programs in order to have intentionality in program design and ensure success and impact.  She specifically shares the idea of establishing patterns of behaviors and planning for potential program shifts, research that grounds a positive youth development approach to “community” feel in our programs and 4 Strategies to encourage community and foster youth belonging. Read the Blog! Podcast Transcript     

How can understanding trauma and brain development help youth workers better understand behaviors?  Join Susan Beaulieu as she shares concepts from the ACE interface curriculum that helps youth workers understand the impact of trauma on the developing brain.  She also shares resiliency factors and strategies that youth development professionals can implement. Link to Resource Link to MCCC Website with ACE's Resources   Podcast Transcript   Podcast Transcript

What does it mean to be a community-engaged researcher and what benefits does it have for programming in diverse areas?  In this podcast, Joanna shares her experience with engaging parents and youth of Somali heritage in community focused research.  She shares three key points that will help others be successful in this work: Collaborate with stakeholders Learn alongside the community Ensure reciprocity Read the Blog:  https://blog-youth-development-insight.extension.umn.edu/2019/05/the-benefits-of-community-engaged.html

Volunteers and paid staff  who work with youth take on many "roles" within programs.  In this podcast, Amber suggest that we add the role of "host" to the list.  She talks through the Art of Hosting Model and how youth programs can implement this concept. Read the Blog: https://blog-youth-development-insight.extension.umn.edu/2019/08/youth-work-and-art-of-hosting.html   Podcast Transcript

How does your program support youth identity development?  In this podcast, Jessica Russo defines "Integrated identity", discusses how it impacts young people and provides two factors that help with youth identity formation: 1) Developmental Experiences and 2) Developmental Relationships. Read the Blog www.extension.umn.edu/youth   Podcast Transcript

You evaluate YOUTH impact, but do you evaluate the collaborative efforts of partnering with other youth organizations? In this podcast, Betsy shares 6 Elements of Collaboration that partners should consider evaluating in order to strengthen relationships and improve programmatic efforts together. Read the Blog!   Podcast Transcript

Youth experience stress.  How can we, as parents, youth workers and volunteers, recognize warning signs and help youth cope with stress?  Trisha Sheehan provides tips and examples for adults to support youth in challenging times. Read the Blog    Podcast Transcript  

This podcast shares how to engage youth in meaningful ways to ensure they are developing skills and authentically feel like they have voice and choice in youth programs.Karen and Jan discuss 4 strategies to develop youth and adult partnerships: Developing positive relationships Mutually agreed upon expectations for each other Helping youth identify and develop their passion Share control and engage youth They also share resources to help organizations measure whether they are authentically engaging youth as partners in voice and choice.   Podcast Transcript

Are issues around human rights relevant for young people today? In this podcast, Kathryn discusses how she has provided a platform for youth to explore human rights and engage in topics that are important to them.  She shares insights for youth professionals to consider how to talk about important topics in youth programs and how to engage them in civil discourse. Read the Blog:  Human Rights and Youth Development   Podcast Transcript

Think of a time you tried an innovative, new approach to youth programming...  What made the change possible? In this podcast, Rebecca Meyer shares her insights on factors that motivate innovation in youth programming and she describes a model that showcases 5 factors that support the sometimes messy process on innovation, not just the product. Read the Blog:  https://blog-youth-development-insight.extension.umn.edu/2019/01/the-tension-that-sparks-youth-program.html Read the Journal of Extension Article:  https://joe.org/joe/2018september/pdf/JOE_v56_5a4.pdf   Podcast Transcript

Can you conduct focus groups in an online setting?  In this "podcast within a podcast", Kari and Sam discuss how focus groups were conducted with 4-H adult volunteers in a web-based online environment.  Kari shares the background of this project, how the online focus groups were set-up and what was learned from this process.     Check out Sam's Evaluation Website:  z.umn.edu/evaluatingprograms   Podcast Transcript

This podcast features Extension educator, Joe Rand, who continues our conversation on how we can strive to be inclusive youth programs for LGBTQ youth.  Joe challenges programs to consider whether your organizational COMMITMENTS to providing safety and equal opportunities for all youth are aligned with program PRACTICES. Read Joe's Blog Center for Youth Development Professional Development   Podcast Transcript

The third season of the Youth Development Podcast Series starts with a discussion on expressing gratitude.  Nancy shares 5 Strategies and helpful resources to improve skills as a grateful leader:  Schedule Gratitude Time, Speak Gratitude Language, Listen, Accept Gratitude from your team and Ask “How can I help?” Read the Blog Visit our website   Podcast Transcript

Why should you care about Data Viz?   Create reports that get read and data that gets used with the tips and tricks provided by Sam and Emily in this podcast!  They give information on Data Viz that you can use to help funders and stakeholders understand the impacts made in youth development program.   Read more on our Blog! Bad data viz can have bad consequences   Podcast Transcript

Do you have colleagues working alongside you to help meet your goals, discuss important issues in youth development and provide support & feedback?  In this podcast, Amber shares how you can utilize the Action Learning Approach strengthen this type of network in your role as a youth practitioner! Read the Blog:  http://blog-youth-development-insight.extension.umn.edu/2018/05/take-action-with-action-learning.html   Podcast Transcript

Do you know how to effectively communicate with financial stakeholders?  Learn tips and tools that will help you explain the impacts of youth development programs to key financial stakeholders.  Erin and Sam share their expertise on how to identify stakeholders, what they want to know about your program and real stories of success!  Stakeholder Analysis Tool :  https://z.umn.edu/stakeholder-analysis Listen to more podcasts at: http://uofmcyd.libsyn.com/   Podcast Transcript

Some words and phrases we use in youth programs can unintentionally exclude young people, even though our true intentions are to include.  In this podcast Joe Rand, Extension educator, shares 4 actions youth workers can put to practice that will make sure out-of-school time spaces are safe and inclusive.   Read the Blogpost: http://blog-youth-development-insight.extension.umn.edu/2018/05/dont-be-bro-be-ally.html   Podcast Transcript

What is Global Citizenship and how do we inspire youth to understand, relate and connect to other people?   This question is answered in a conversation with guests Dr. Jennifer Skuza and Jessica Russo.  Nationally recognized for their work in this area, Jennifer and Jessica share how youth workers can utilize the WeConnect curriculum to teach youth that they are participants of a global society and inspire a sense of understanding and confidence in relating and connecting to other people. WeConnect Curriculum:  http://www.extension.umn.edu/youth/mn4-H/projects/leadership/global-connections/weconnect/   Podcast Transcript

Does your youth organization really LISTEN to youth?  How are you providing authentic opportunities for youth to share their VOICE?  Join Karen as she describes how youth organizations can utilize Hart's Ladder of Participation and five concepts that will support that work.   Podcast Transcript

Discover how the U of M Center for Youth Development is facilitating a process with youth to build the "Culture of Health" in three communities throughout Minnesota.  Joshua, Joyce and Kaianne describe the partnerships that helped make this program possible, and share how youth are taking the lead in each community to plan events through Innovation, Planning and Implementation.   Podcast Transcript

Listen to this podcast to hear why Karyn Santl doesn't love camping, but she LOVES 4-H Camp!  Karyn describes the principles of positive youth development she uses while training youth counselors and shares how youth use these skills to plan, implement and evaluate experiences.  Read the Blog! Podcast Transcript  

How can we apply engineering to dog training?  Margo Bowerman uses her training experience with her dog, Orrie, as an inspiration to discuss the critical elements necessary to teach problem solving to young people.  The four critical elements are A System, Feedback, Time and Team.  She describes how we CAN "teach an old dog new tricks" as we teach problem-solving skills in youth development programs Read the Blog:  http://blog-youth-development-insight.extension.umn.edu/2018/03/applying-engineering-design-to-dog.html Podcast Transcript  

We all want our youth to succeed. We want them to win in the show ring or on the field or court.  But what does that win look like to you? Is it winning the game, or is it learning a new skill or improving their performance? Trisha discusses how being competitive and developing mastery can go hand in hand but there are times when that balance might need to be equalized.   Podcast Transcript

How can including youth voice in your evaluation practices improve your program? Listen to this podcast as Betsy shares three strategies that ensure youth have a voice in programs and she provides examples of how to utilize their input as an evaluation tool.   Podcast Transcript