Podcasts about Youth engagement

Today, we're diving into one of the most urgent and complex challenges of our time: how to truly and equitably mitigate climate change, starting in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. This conversation spans a web of critical themes: climate finance, cutting-edge technologies, and most importantly, putting Indigenous communities at the forefront of protecting and restoring the planet's most vital ecosystems.Joining us is the brilliant Dr. Tracey Osborne, a professor at UC Merced and the Founding Director of the UC Center for Climate Justice. Tracey is also the visionary behind the Climate Justice Standard, a bold new framework that ensures climate solutions aren't just environmentally sound, but also socially just and community-led.Together, we unpack the Amazon's pivotal role in global climate stability, explore the promises and pitfalls of carbon markets, and hear how Tracey's firsthand work in the rainforest has reshaped her understanding of justice, resilience, and what it really means to live in balance with nature.Show NotesThe Climate Justice StandardUC Center for Climate JusticeAbout the Kawsay Nampi Project About Dr. Tracey OsborneTragedy of the commonsDr. Elinor OstromKeywords: climate change, indigenous communities, carbon markets, climate justice, Amazon rainforest, deforestation, environmental integrity, community-led projects, technology in climate solutions, youth engagementBiophilic Solutions is available wherever you get podcasts. Please listen, follow, and give us a five-star review. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn and learn more on our website. #NatureHasTheAnswers

The Nature Conservancy's Director of Youth Engagement, Kate Ireland and Marie Taylor, a young extern leader, talk about the National Geographic Society externship program. Then, Ryan Elman Langendorf, a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, speaks about the importance of sea otters and the health of kelp forests.

Chelsea from the Colac Otway Shire discusses the current Youth Art Competition at COPACC, plus a number of upcoming youth activities including some improv and drama workshops.Full details at https://www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/Community-services/Youth-Services/Colac-Otway-Youth-Events

Doro and Tricia welcome the First Lady of Virginia, Suzanne S. Youngkin, to Health Gig. Mrs. Youngkin talks about her journey into public service and the causes she champions, including increasing mental health support, addressing teen social media and smartphone usage, and reducing the use of harmful substances. She discusses her recommendations for healthier digital engagement and the role of schools in managing technology use. Mrs. Youngkin emphasizes the importance of fostering real-world experiences and the role parents have in modeling healthy behaviors, offering support to listeners that want to make a difference in their teens' lives.

In this episode of Angus Underground, hosts David Brown and Seana discuss their recent trip to Australia, sharing experiences of jet lag, the beauty of the country, and the kindness of its people. They transition into updates from Montana Ranch, including cattle management and the excitement of visitor season, and the upcoming calving season. The conversation shifts to the recent release of new maternal EPDs by the American Angus Association, sparking discussions on their implications and the importance of maternal traits in cattle breeding. David expresses skepticism about the new maternal EPDs. In the 2nd segment, the conversation reflects on the recent Australia Angus Expo 2025, highlighting its success, logistical challenges, and the camaraderie among participants. Jake Phillips, with Angus Australia, shares insights into the planning and execution of the event, emphasizing the importance of community and international collaboration in the Angus cattle industry. The discussion also touches on the competitive events held during the expo, including the pen show and elite female sale, and the engagement of youth and international participants. Looking ahead, the conversation considers the future of Angus cattle and the potential for continued growth and collaboration across borders. Sound Bites"What a fun time. Amazing. Such beautiful country.""The cows are fat. They're happy. I'm happy.""We just blew right past our hundredth episode.""These three new maternal EPDs, they have people talking.""Functional longevity is expressed in number of calves.""I simply cannot put any serious thought or emphasis on this EPD.""Maternal is a quality, not a quantity.""If a cow's feet are bad, she's definitely not maternal.""We need to continue to find and select the outliers.""You simply cannot make this crap up.""Our cup has never been more full.""Two days was not near enough.""If you get the cattle, you'll get the people.""We had zero injuries to cattle or people.""We wrote a page in history, I suppose.""We had 48,000 online viewers of the camp draft.""That was the best fellowship they have experienced.""The Angus family now is tighter than ever before.""What could be possible as opposed to what couldn't be?""I believe the U.S. is hosting the Angus Forum here in four years." Chapters00:00 Welcome Back and Jet Lag Tales02:40 Reflections on Australia: Beauty and Culture06:04 Cattle Management and Ranch Updates09:53 New EPDs and Industry Changes22:05 Deep Dive into $Maternal EPDs49:17 Upcoming Segments and Future Discussions51:16 Reflecting on Angus Australia's Angus Expo Success01:01:18 Angus Expo Logistical Challenges and Innovations01:12:11 Competitive Spirit: The Pen Show and Elite Female Sale01:18:42 Youth Engagement and International Participation01:30:06 Looking Ahead: The Future of Angus Cattle  Learn more about our sponsor, Montana Ranch, by visiting MontanaRanchAngus.com.

Dr Alex Ezeh, Global Health expert and contributor to the Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing, joins John Maytham to unpack urgent warnings from the latest report. With over one billion adolescents projected to face serious health risks by 2030, Dr. Ezeh outlines the global crises affecting young people — rising obesity, worsening mental health, climate stress, and a digitally saturated world. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Maytham speaks to Mokebe Thulo, CEO of Aware.org, about a ground-breaking nationwide study involving 1,100 teens that offers one of the most detailed pictures yet of youth alcohol behaviour in South Africa. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A couple weeks back, I spotted through the Global Food Forum that Nutrien Ag Solutions has decided to partner with Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia. This move marks a big investment in how the ag industry interacts with the next generation of producers. So I decided to ring up Carissa Buckland, who works in Nutrien as their Director of Corporate Affairs.Carissa shares her unconventional journey from studying history and politics to working on farms and eventually climbing the corporate ladder in agri-business. This conversation explores the wide variety of career paths in agriculture and the importance of helping young people navigate their way into the industry. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ag Workforce Challenges02:53 Nutrien's Graduate Program and Recruitment Strategies05:50 Diversity and Inclusion in Agriculture08:47 Partnerships for Education in Agriculture12:00 Career Opportunities Beyond Farming14:57 Empowering Women in Agriculture LeadershipResources:Nutrien Ag Solutions: nutrienagsolutions.com.auLearn more about PEIFA: piefa.edu.auHumans of Agriculture: humansofagriculture.com Rabobank Community Fund Applications [Podcast Partner]:Do you have, or know of a rural community initiative that needs financial support? Rabobank have proudly funded over $3 million towards local community projects since 2021 through their Rabo Community Fund supported by the Rabo Client Councils – a group of Rabobank clients who are passionate about making a positive difference. The Rabobank Community Fund helps regional grassroot initiatives that have meaningful impact across agri education, rural well-being, adaption, sustainability, natural disaster relief and rural urban connection.Applications to the Rabo Community Fund are open until May 1st, 2025. Find out more HERE.

Caitlyn has our senior prevention intern Emma in the studio to talk about where it all started and what has changed in her time interning at SAFE on Main. Emma shares a little about her next steps in college and how Mason High School Focus Areas of culture, inclusivity, and personalized learning helped her develop into the motivated person she is and be so rooted in service and change in her community.

The EU Commissioner Glenn Micallef shared with Euronews his concerns about potential budget cuts to Erasmus, following reports that some member states had proposed reductions in the 2025 annual budget.Although the budget was ultimately slightly increased, Micallef acknowledged ongoing discussions about the possible impact of the EU's shifting priorities—particularly toward defence and competitiveness—on future funding for cultural and youth initiatives like Erasmus in the 2028 long-term budget.The commissioner emphasized the EU's commitment to strengthening the Erasmus Plus Programme, highlighting its four-decade legacy of fostering European identity among millions of young people.Radio Schuman also brings you to key debates at the European Parliament as well as the situation of affordable housing in the EU.Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalists and production assistants Eleonora Vasques and Lauren Walker, audio editing by David Brodheim. Music by Alexandre Jas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special Guest: Maxime Bernier: A Fight for Canada's Future In this episode, the hosts are joined by Maxime Bernier, a candidate for Prime Minister in Canada, representing the People's Party. The conversation delves into Canada's current political landscape, focusing on issues such as mass immigration, economic policies, and the need for a new conservative movement. Burner discusses his party's platform, the challenges of running a populist campaign in a left-leaning media environment, and his optimism for the future of Canada. The hosts reflect on the importance of supporting principled leaders and the impact of political engagement. 00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement 00:33 Maxime Bernier's Campaign and Electoral Landscape 01:36 Mass Immigration and Its Impact on Canada 05:23 Political Parties and Immigration Policies 09:07 Separatist Movements in Canada 11:27 Economic Policies and Free Market Principles 14:16 Challenges and Future of the People's Party 23:12 Federal vs. Provincial Powers and Economic Union 31:37 Challenges in Wealth Creation 33:02 Balancing the Budget 35:40 Corporate Welfare and Subsidies 36:20 Environmental Policies and Carbon Tax 38:10 Building the People's Party 39:51 Philosophical Foundations 43:54 Youth Engagement and Future Prospects 47:36 Voting and Political Landscape 52:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this conversation, Sean, Catherine and Mark Hedstrom discuss the importance of skilled trades and the need to destigskilled trades, workforce development, career choices, education, trades awareness, youth engagement, skilled careers, labor shortage, vocational training, industry connection, skilled trades, education, workforce development, mentorship, social media, career choices, philanthropy, youth engagement, tradespeople, community involvementmatize blue collar jobs. Mark, the executive director of the Skilled Careers Coalition, emphasizes the necessity of engaging parents and students in exploring skilled career options. They explore the challenges of connecting students to opportunities in the workforce and the fragmented ecosystem that exists. Mark shares insights on the supply and demand for skilled labor and his passion for raising awareness about the viability of skilled careers as a pathway to economic stability. In this conversation, Mark Hedstrom discusses the evolving landscape of skilled trades, the importance of mentorship, and the impact of social media on youth career choices. He emphasizes the need for a shift in educational focus, exploring alternative pathways for the next generation, and the role of philanthropy in addressing workforce challenges. The discussion highlights the significance of passion in career choices and the necessity of community engagement to foster a new generation of skilled workers.

In this compelling podcast conversation, Pastor Jack and political commentator Charlie Kirk discuss pressing cultural and political issues that are shaping America today. Pastor Jack and Charlie discuss controversial topics such as men competing in women’s sports and the growing trend of young men embracing conservative values while educated women are increasingly aligning with liberal ideologies. Both men bring their unique perspectives - Charlie's data-driven political insight and Jack’s biblical worldview - making for an engaging conversation on the ever-changing landscape of American politics and culture. (00:00) Bold Conversations With Jack Hibbs(04:49) Revival Among Young Conservatives(14:13) Navigating Struggles in the Church(20:14) Leadership, Gender Roles, and Marriage(25:21) Cultural Shifts in Gender Dynamics(36:18) Political Activism and Youth Engagement(50:15) Charlie Kirk Appreciation and Support CONNECT WITH CHARLIE KIRK:Website: https://www.tpusa.com/Podcast: https://thecharliekirkshow.com/Youtube: https://tinyurl.com/2ntsshv9 CONNECT WITH PASTOR JACK:Website: https://jackhibbs.com/ Instagram: http://bit.ly/2FCyXpO Facebook: https://bit.ly/2WZBWV0 YouTube:  https://bit.ly/437xMHn DAZE OF DECEPTION BOOK:https://jackhibbs.com/daze-of-deception/CALLED TO TAKE A BOLD STAND PRE-ORDER:https://tinyurl.com/33d5dpaj Did you know we have a Real Life Network? Sign up for free for more exclusive content:https://bit.ly/3CIP3M99

Send us a textI had a powerful and inspiring conversation with Nigel Best, whose journey spans over 40 years of service in Nottingham. From his beginnings as a postman to becoming a teacher and eventually working in diversity and inclusion within the Nottinghamshire Police, Nigel's story is one of transformation, mentorship, and deep community engagement. He shared how his experiences as part of the Windrush generation shaped his identity and passion for education, and how DJing taught him adaptability—skills he later used to connect with youth and support underrepresented groups. We talked about everything from youth violence and media influence to the importance of empathy, authenticity, and proactive mentorship in both policing and education. Nigel's path—from guiding young teachers to launching his own successful diversity consultancy—shows how personal growth and cultural identity can be powerful tools for change.ACCESS THE PODCAST LIBRARY & EVERY EPISODE, DEBRIEF & DOCUMENT CLICK HEREPODCAST GIFT - Get your FREE subscription to essential Firefighting publications HERE A big thanks to our partners for supporting this episode.GORE-TEX Professional ClothingMSA The Safety CompanyIDEXHAIX Footwear - Get offical podcast discount on HAIX HEREXendurance - to hunt performance & endurance 20% off HERE with code ffp20Lyfe Linez -  Get Functional Hydration FUEL for FIREFIGHTERS, Clean no sugar  for daily hydration. 80% of people live dehydratedSupport the show***The views expressed in this episode are those of the individual speakers. Our partners are not responsible for the content of this episode and does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.*** Please support the podcast and its future by clicking HERE and joining our Patreon Crew

Roy and Caitlyn have local High School student and YEP intern Victoria on to share her story of domestic violence and the juvenile justice system. She shares about the support she received through her situation and how a teacher in her school made such a difference in her outcome in going through such a traumatic event.

Caitlyn and Roy bring local high school student Brooke into the studio to talk about being a youth leader in Warren County. Brooke shares why she is in leadership, what brought her to collaborate with SAFE on Main, and what she hopes to accomplish as a YEP student.

Chelsea from the Colac Otway Shire chats to Jof about a number of local upcoming events for youth whilst at the badge making stall at the Colac Kana Festival.This includes;- Youth Sunday Music Session on Sunday 23 March at Lake View Café- Creative Conservation: Youth Nesting Box Workshop Monday 7 April- Youth Art Workshops Thursday 10 April- World Art Day at Colac Library Tuesday 15 April- Youth Food Handling Course Wednesday 16 April- Youth Art Competition

In this episode of Ordinary Discipleship, Chris Johnson, Jacob, and Jessie Cruickshank dive into the critical balance between fun and faith in youth ministry. Are we simply entertaining young people, or are we truly discipling them? The discussion explores the power of mentorship, the need for spiritually mature leaders, and why young adults crave authentic relationships over flashy programs. Drawing from real-life experiences and brain science, the hosts challenge traditional youth ministry models and offer a fresh perspective on guiding the next generation toward spiritual maturity. Listen in as they share insights on what it takes to create meaningful discipleship experiences and how churches can rethink their approach to mentoring young people in today's complex world. Plus, discover how Whoology is equipping churches to foster deeper faith formation. ORDER Jessie's newest book, Ordinary Discipleship: How God Wires Us for the Adventure of Transformation → https://a.co/d/51j86DGFor more great stuff, check out: Ordinary Discipleship by Whoology: https://whoology.coFollow us on social media:https://instagram.com/ordinarydiscipleshiphttps://facebook.com/ordinarydiscipleshipFollow Jessie on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/yourbrainbyjessFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.s.cruickshank/Twitter: https://twitter.com/yourbrainbyjessJessie Cruickshank is a disciple-maker, wilderness guide, and ordained minister. She has trained thousands of people how to survive when their life depended on it and earned a Master's degree in experiential education at Harvard to learn how the brain works to help people train more effectively.The key to discipleship is not more information, but learning how to create intentional environments where people can learn and grow. By working with the brain and treating individuals as whole persons, you too can discover how God wired our brains for transformation. You already have all the tools you need, it is time to activate them in you and your church.

In this episode, Tudor speaks with political commentator Ryan Girdusky about various pressing issues in global politics, particularly focusing on the situation in Ukraine, the dynamics within the Democratic Party, and the rising interest in faith among young people. They discuss the implications of current political narratives, the challenges facing the Democratic leadership, and the potential for a resurgence of Christianity among younger generations. The Tudor Dixon Podcast is part of the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network. For more visit TudorDixonPodcast.com Check out Ryan's Substack at natpop.substack.com Subscribe to Ryan's Podcast HERE Follow Ryan on X Follow Tudor on X Find out more about this episode's sponsor Wired2Fish Coffee #politics #Ukraine #DemocraticParty #faith #RyanGirdusky #TudorDixon #commentary #leadership #youthengagementSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Young people are essential to the future of advocacy and social justice, but how do we create meaningful opportunities for them to engage? In this episode of Down the Rabbit Hole, Samantha, William, and Tracie are joined by TCFV interns Mishal Ali and Veronika Croan to explore youth involvement in the movement to end domestic violence and promote social change. They dive into the challenges young people face when trying to get involved, including organizational hesitancy and lack of awareness, and share creative outreach strategies that make engagement more accessible. The conversation highlights the power of mentorship, the importance of social media as a recruitment tool, and how organizations can align their messaging with their mission to foster an inclusive and empowering culture for youth. Whether you're an organization looking to better engage youth or a young person eager to make a difference, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Tune in to learn how to break down barriers, cultivate young leaders, and ensure that youth voices aren't just included but heard and valued! 

Calling all young hockey players and future broadcasters! In this episode of The Ride to the Rink, broadcaster Jamie Hersch joins Lee Elias to share how kids can turn their love for sports into an exciting career in broadcasting.

Charisse Rivers helps people build a better life with retirement planning. She also has a vested interest in making life better in Ocala. Today she highlights the efforts of Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken. Like this episode? Hit that Follow button and never miss an episode!

Kyle and Owen sit down with Coach Dave Barton, head coach of Falmouth High School's lacrosse program in Maine. They discuss the development of the sport in Maine, the importance of building a strong community and youth program, and how playing competitive out-of-state teams can elevate local lacrosse standards. Coach Barton shares insights into his journey from a high school goalie to a successful coach, the challenges of overcoming repeated playoff losses, and the joy of finally winning a state championship. The conversation also touches on the impact of recruiting and developing local talent for prestigious NESCAC schools and how it can shape the future of lacrosse in the state.   Topics   01:09 Guest Introduction: Coach Dave Barton 03:41 Coach Barton's Lacrosse Journey 05:08 The Unique Role of a Goalie 06:04 Coaching Philosophy and Team Dynamics 17:14 Maine Lacrosse Overview 22:19 The Challenge of Defense and Offense 22:35 Overcoming the Championship Hurdle 24:39 The Pain and Motivation of Losing 27:17 Building a Lacrosse Community 28:14 Strengthening Competition Through Out-of-State Games 30:25 Developing Lacrosse in Maine 33:18 The Importance of Quality Coaching 36:43 Youth Engagement and Program Building 43:03 The Role of Social Media and Local Recruitment 48:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

1. Sikyong Attends ICT Event Honouring Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi with Light of Truth Award, Joins NATA Conference with Richard Gere 2. Sikyong Penpa Tsering continues his official Visits in U.S. 3. CTA Celebrates 35th Anniversary of Nobel Peace Prize Conferment to His Holiness the Dalai Lama 4. DIIR released Statement on International Human Rights Violations in Tibet and China's Systemic Breaches of International Standards 5. Tibetan Parliamentary Delegation concludes Tibet Advocacy in the Netherlands 6. Tibetan Youth Leadership and Capacity Building Workshop Organised in Vienna 7. CTA Spokesperson Tenzin Lekshay Meets Tibet Support Groups in Vienna, Advocates for Youth Engagement and Human Rights 8. India Tibet Coordination Office Successfully Concludes Senior Journalist Outreach Program in Dharamshala 9. OoT Taiwan Participates in a Conference Discussing Relevance Between Tibetan Buddhism and Psychotherapy

Find out more about Camp Drive!Thanks to our sponsor AutoFix AutoShop Coaching!Tenise Chapman started Camp Drive. An innovative program focused on introducing kids ages 12-15 to the automotive industry through hands-on activities. She highlights the camp's aim to ignite interest in automotive careers and the significant community support that has bolstered its success. Tenise is doing good for her community, and you can too! 00:00 Camp Drive was created for aspiring technicians.03:54 Kids find inspiration at Black Hills Tires Camp.07:49 Inspired to start an automotive camp for kids.10:00 Avoid excuses; prioritize completing tasks efficiently.13:30 The Mayor's camp visit made a big impression.17:09 Excited kid dreams of future camp victory.21:10 Camp for kids with interactive tech activities.23:25 Promoting practical automotive skills for kids.27:15 Giving back $150,000 to community programs.29:07 Child's transformation at camp through hands-on learning.33:15 Start exploring interests early to avoid regret.35:04 Rooming with Paul Danner in camper.

Akeela Kongdora is the Youth Engagement and Volunteer Senior Associate at Asian Texans for Justice. Asian Texans for Justice (ATJ) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, who's mission is to connect Asian and Pacific Islander Texans to civic action and amplify AAPI leaders and voices through four major avenues of civic engagement, advocacy, youth leadership development, and coalition building. Alishba Javaid is a former fellow with ATJ's Youth Civic Engagement Fellowship. ATJ's Youth Civic Engagement fellowship is an educational experience that focuses on supporting Texas youth's academic, professional, or civic development and engagement. In this episode, we talk about ATJ's missions and values, especially in the current political climate, ATJ's Youth Engagement Fellowship and the ways fellows have touched many, many lives in the community. Resources mentioned: asiantexansforjustice.org learnourstories.org

In today's episode of the Means of Grace podcast, hosts Jesse Enniss, John Yeager and Jonathan LeMaster-Smith discuss the critical role of youth in the church, exploring the challenges of youth engagement, the importance of authenticity and vulnerability in ministry, and the misconceptions surrounding youth ministry. They are joined by special guest Shannon LeMaster-Smith, who emphasizes the need for churches to empower youth as co-creators in ministry and to adapt to their needs and interests. The conversation also touches on practical approaches to engaging youth and the vision for the future of youth ministry, highlighting the potential for transformation and renewal within the church community.   Chapters   00:00 The Role of Youth in the Church 07:53 Understanding Youth Engagement Challenges 14:39 Authenticity and Vulnerability in Youth Ministry 19:04 Misconceptions in Youth Ministry 29:37 Empowering Youth as Co-Creators 35:30 Practical Approaches to Youth Engagement 51:09 Dreaming of the Future of Youth Ministry  

Skip the Queue is brought to you by Rubber Cheese, a digital agency that builds remarkable systems and websites for attractions that helps them increase their visitor numbers. Your host is Paul Marden.If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website rubbercheese.com/podcast.If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on Twitter for your chance to win the books that have been mentioned in this podcast.Competition ends on 11th December 2024. The winner will be contacted via Twitter. Our guests:https://www.wethecurious.org/ Chris Dunford, Sustainability and Science Director at We The Curious As Sustainability and Science Director, Chris Dunford has been responsible for Sustainable Futures at We The Curious since 2011. During that time, he has introduced a sector-leading programme of environmental best practice, innovative technologies, and organisational change. In 2019, We The Curious became the first science centre in the world to declare a climate emergency and pledged to meet ambitious decarbonisation targets in this decade, implemented alongside climate change adaptation.Beyond We The Curious, Chris has held positions as Head of Environmental Sustainability at UKRI, Elected Director of the Bristol Green Capital Partnership, Mentor of Arizona State University's ‘Sustainability in Science Museums' Global Fellowship, and Chair of the ASDC Decarbonisation Group. Chris' background is in science communication and stand-up comedy. https://w5online.co.uk/Victoria Denoon is the Head of Visitor Experience at W5 Science and Discovery Centre.Victoria joined W5 Science and Discovery Centre in March 2020 and has responsibility for all aspects of W5's operations. She is also currently an ASDC Trustee. Prior to joining the team at W5, she worked in Higher Education in the United States for 15 years with a particular interest in advancing the careers of women in STEM fields. http://www.aberdeensciencecentre.org/Bryan Snelling is the CEO of Aberdeen Science Centre. He's been in this position for five years having started in November 2019. Bryan has worked in the visitor attraction sector for 11 years having previously enjoyed 6 years as CEO at The Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen. Bryan has worked in many sectors during his career including education having worked across the UK in Portsmouth and London before moving to Aberdeen. Bryan is originally from South Wales and in his spare time he enjoys playing the guitar, playing cricket and reading. https://www.sciencecentres.org.uk/Shaaron Leverment is the Chief Executive at The Association for Science and Discovery Centres.Shaaron is the CEO of ASDC and has over 20 years' experience working in science engagement and education. She stands for the value of science centres and museums for social good, as community assets that are accessible and relevant for a more diverse public.Shaaron joined ASDC in 2016 as the Deputy CEO. She is also the co-founding director of 'Explorer Dome' that engages over 70,000 children and adults every year. She leads on a number of national and international programmes and collaborations that aim to improve the relevance and accessibility of STEM for a more diverse public. As a past president of the British Association of Planetaria, she is also currently the EDI co-chair of the International Planetarium Society. Shaaron is mum to two boys, and the owner of a large hairy Golden Retriever.She is part of varied networks, working with schools, universities, science centres, museums and volunteer groups, as well as nation-wide professional associations and Government agencies. She has created and directed national and international (EU) science engagement programmes, including leading the Horizon 2020 Hypatia programme in the UK to support greater gender inclusion in informal science education, and is the driving force behind Our Space Our Future, supporting participative practice in space science outreach.Through work with ASDC, Ecsite and other international partnerships, Shaaron is known for her work to support greater equity and inclusion within our STEM education and engagement organisations, with the ambition of embedding more equitable practice for transformative organisation-wide change. Transcription:  Paul Marden: Welcome to Skip the Queue. A podcast for people working in and working with visitor attractions. I'm your host, Paul Marden. Now, today's episode is a special one. A few days ago I was at the Association for Science and Discovery Centre's annual conference recording in front of a live studio audience. Joined by a panel of the great and good from the Science and Discovery Centre community, Victoria Denoon, Head of Visitor Experience at W5 Science and Discovery Centre. Bryan Snelling, the CEO of Aberdeen Science Centre. Chris Dunford at ASDC Sustainability Group Chair and Sustainability Director at We the Curious. And Shaaron Leverment, the CEO of ASDC. Now, I have to say, this was a bit of a proof of concept for us and we had a few technical gremlins, but whilst the sound quality isn't brilliant, the conversations absolutely were. Paul Marden: So without further ado, let's go over to that recording I took a couple of days ago. Why don't we start with our icebreaker questions? So this is a tradition for the podcast and nobody has been prepared for this. So, Victoria, you'll like this one. It's a really easy one. Bauble or custard cream? Victoria Denoon: You said it was going to be easy. Paul Marden: Oh, no, I could give you my answer straight away. It's a firmly held belief for me. Of course, it's the only answer to that question. Bryan, you have to live in a sitcom for the rest of your life. Which one? And why? Bryan Snelling: Oh God, can I have the ball? But do you know what? The only one that sprung to mind was Only Fools and Horses. I think, you know, a bit of dodgy dealing here and there. Can't go wrong with that, I think. Yeah, Wheeler dealing, you know what I mean? Paul Marden: One day Wanda's There'll be millionaires. Chris, play 10 instruments or speak 10 languages. Chris Dunford: Oh, horrible. I'm going to go for 10 instruments because I feel as if Google can do the rest. But 10 instruments? I can finally record my own albums. Paul Marden: And Shaaron, last but not least, control time like Hermione or Fly Like Harry. Shaaron Leverment: Oh, God, fly Like Harry, Paul Marden: Really? Shaaron Leverment: Yeah, yeah, 100%. Paul Marden: You don't need a time turner to be in every session. That wasn't the latest question at all. Okay, let's get cracking then with the main interview. Shaaron, first question is for you. This year and next sees the 25th anniversary of the millennium funded science centers which saw a huge amount of investments into science communic engagement across the country. What did that do to shape science in the last quarter of the century? And where do you think it will take us next. Shaaron Leverment: Great question. Paul Marden: Thank you. Shaaron Leverment: Like 25 years ago, as I mentioned in my talk, even no one really knew what science communication was. You know, now obviously there's masters in it, there's people who are doing PhDs in it and I think it's actually becoming a very important part of policy and recognised as strategically important in terms of the way in which nation engages with science. And I do believe that's because we have these amazing places across the U.K. now. Let's be honest, like a lot of them existed beforehand. There was at least 6, including Satrasphere, which is now Aberdeen Science Centre, which existed before the Millennium centers. And then suddenly all of these centers were. But now we've got 60, nearly 70 across the entire places. The Lost Shore is just open, which is all about surf and science. Shaaron Leverment: I think science, referring to one of our keynotes, is really becoming part of culture. And then we're no longer looking at sort of museums and centres as like cathedrals of science. We're looking at them as real kind of cultural and community assets. So that's where I think. I think that's where the trajectory is going for the next 25 years. I'll just wrap that into the end of that. Paul Marden: This is a follow up for that and really anyone can join in on this one. Thinking more about where we go in the next 25 years, let's talk about funding streams because we had a big lump of money back just before the millennium projects get them kicked off and we're unlikely to see that level of lottery funding again. So how can centres, after all, they are visitor attractions and charities in many cases. How do they diversify their income streams? Victoria Denoon: I think there's two things about that and one's really important from the ASDC perspective because there's what we can do individually, but there's also what we can do collectively as a network. So you know, we are looking at that particularly from the Millennium Science Centre perspective. Victoria Denoon: And obviously that's a bigger voice if we do that together. So that's really important to have those conversations. At W5 we do that by increasing what we do for corporate hire. We do a W5 late program, which is an 18 plus evenings for adults to come down. And because we're going to be 25 years old next year, there's that nostalgia that really helps sell that. So we're looking at key events to drive revenue across the year to really get more people in our door who wouldn't come to us otherwise. Bryan Snelling: Yeah, I think it's obviously very important to diversify our income. But what we're talking about here, in terms of the money we got in 2019, you're only really going to get that sort of money again from very large institutions or government. And I think whether you're trying to persuade an individual to come and visit your science centre or local, national, devolved governments to give you money, it's all about the message that you're sending. It's about the science centres are really important part, and we were talking about it earlier on, the culture of what we're doing here. So whether you're just one individual or a multinational that has big bucks, you've really got to try and make them understand that. Chris Dunford: I think it's. Yeah, I think it's almost as well as diversifying to new funders, it's also diversifying what the existing funders will be happy to fund, because I think the funders understandably want the shiny new exhibition, the lovely new outreach in the brand advance, the school workshop photo opportunity. And those are all good things. And we couldn't do those things without the funders. But they'll need to. As these buildings getting older, they need to recognize at some point that those things can take place in the building where the roof leaks and it closes in the summer because the heat wave and the cooling system can't keep up. So I think if you're saying to the funders, yes, you can support this workshop, but we will need some contribution towards the rooms that the workshop take place in. Chris Dunford: So I think it'd be helpful to understand that. And to do that, we just need to make the case better to our value. So it's not just this extra news thing, but day to day supporting us to literally keep the lights on and keep the rain out of the roof. Bryan Snelling: Can I just add, I think there's also an important thing here about mission drift. We should be true to our own mission. We should know where we're going, our direction, and not have as much as possible. Because I understand it's a balance. Not have as much as possible. The funder direct what we do. It should be the other way around, or at least. And one of the big words of this conference that I've heard is collaboration. And we shouldn't just be doing it all the money, we should be actually understanding this is what we should be doing and this is how we're going. You should be coming on board with us. Paul Marden: You risk the tail wagging the dog, don't you? If all you do is chase the sources of funding. And you do that in a haphazard way. It's got to follow, as you say, it's got to follow the mission and the core values of the centre. Victoria Denoon: And it is a relationship, you know, it's like philanthropy and, you know, universities doing their work with donors. I mean, you really do have to have mutual respect and understanding and be looking for sponsors or funders or partners who have the same mission and values that you do. That conversation becomes a lot easier. Paul Marden: Absolutely. Shaaron, any thoughts? Shaaron Leverment: I think I agree with what they're saying. It's really well put. Paul Marden: This is an audience question and this is from Kate Allen from Purple Stars. And she asked me, is the A in steam in cooperate and why it's not a binary question. Chris Dunford: Right. Bryan Snelling: Look it up. Victoria Denoon: Yes. Bryan Snelling: Did you see the inflection in that? Paul Marden: Absolutely. Bryan Snelling: I think it's a two way process. I think that the A is very important. And again, I'm gonna repeat myself, but I think it's been a big part of what the conference has been about and it's been about collaboration. Yes, it's important, but it's a two way process because it's not all about us incorporating the arts. It's also about the arts incorporating the st, the E and the M and the science elements. So I think it's a two way process at the moment. I feel this is just my own opinion that it's a little bit more give than take. Shaaron Leverment: I think there's an interesting, you know, there's an interesting conversation of like, do you need an artist for it to be art? What is art and what is science? You know, and actually, you know, so much of, you know, the engagements that we see involve huge creativity, kids making planets and things like that in science. I do think that we need to use all the tools to get across these massive ideas. And I don't actually even know what science is anyway, so I'm on the back. Shaaron Leverment: And I also noticed in Tom Crick, when he was looking at the curriculum, they separate mathematics and numeracy from science and tech, you know, and so in science, tech engineering is often considered the invisible E in stem. Maths is often considered the invisible M in STEM in science and discovery centres, you know, and so the arts as well. I fully believe that we need to be trans and multidisciplinary 100%. But you know, I think it includes, you know, the music and everything. I think includes absolutely everything. So maybe these acronyms, which is not, they're not useful at all. Paul Marden: I don't think it helps. One of the things that we talked about when we first. We were spinning ideas around this episode, weren't we? And you talked about the idea that you shocked me, that science matters to me and I care about it. And it's something that I enjoy doing with my family. And to consider that isn't for the government to consider. That's not really part of culture because they're funded quite separately. It offends my roles, I think. Shaaron Leverment: But also, you know, it's just another beautiful way of looking at the world. You might look up at a night sky, you know, like Mara or Kilda, like we're hearing by Este. And you might look at it with eyes where you're just wondering at the jewelry of creation or making pictures in the stars. Or you might also be wondering about, well, maybe there's a planet out there. Shaaron Leverment: And I think you can look with all eyes and you can. It's all in wonder. And the fact that they are segregated, it comes back to school science, I think. I think actually in the normal world, as human beings, we don't have to separate them, but it's just very hard, especially when these are crazy funding lines. Like Tom mentioned the difference. I did not know that festivals are considered part of culture, but science festivals aren't. It's madness. Chris Dunford: It also depends in a way what you're doing. So if you're putting the A into STEAM  because you say that as a society, as a cultural attraction, we want to involve ourselves, then obviously, yes, we don't want to. You know, it's inclusive because as Shaaron said, they can. They bring different things to the table. But if you're putting an A in there because you're saying that art is the same as the others, then they're no different. But that's good. It's good that art and science kind of behave in different ways. So. So they both start with an idea or a question. They can both be kind of curious or stimulated by something. But then whether we do night sky or whatever, the way that art might scrutinise the night sky would be different to the way that science will scrutinise. And that's fine. Chris Dunford: They can complement each other. It's not. You need to recognize the differences in those kind of, I don't know, the intellectual disciplines, so they can support each other rather than say, well, artists, science, design. It's not as simple as that. They're different, but that's okay. Victoria Denoon: I do think they play a part together in making things more accessible to people. So if you look at major technology companies, they focus just as much on the design and the look of some of their products as they do on the actual technology that goes into them. So there's a lovely added experience there with putting that together. I think it's very important, but for different reasons. Paul Marden: Absolutely. There's been a lot of talk at the conference about diversity and inclusivity. To a certain extent, inclusion is about understanding who your audience is and understanding what it is that they need. Paul Marden: So let's dig into that about your three science centres. What are the customer demographics, what does the audience look like and what areas of diversity and inclusion are important to them? Victoria Denoon: Well, I think that assumes we've actually asked our audiences, you know, what is important to them. And I don't, you know, I'd like to sort of throw that over to other representatives for science centres because we have done some of that, but we probably haven't done it enough to be able to actually answer that question. That's something we are really looking at because we have a lot of different information about the demographics, but not really what they want to see us do. So we're looking at different focus groups and how to involve more people in that to get a better picture of that for our particular science centre. Bryan Snelling: I think we were very lucky to receive a lot of well enough ISF funding plus local funding to completely overhaul our science centre four years ago. What happened four years ago, it was wonderful. But as Shaaron said, we're actually not a millennium sites and we've been going for 36 years. I think tech request, slightly longer than us, Shaaron Leverment: 38.Bryan Snelling: There we go. But not many longer than us. But over that time we've asked and we found out a lot of information about what our visitors wanted. And similar to what Victoria said, we don't necessarily ask enough. We recognise that's a bad thing. We need and we are putting in place and now to evaluate to get feedback more. But back then were very aware of sort of things that we needed to do. We needed to be wheelchair user friendly. Bryan Snelling: So everything is now accessible throughout the science centre. We're one of the lucky places that have a changing places facility which is incredibly good and it's gone down very well. We also have a sensory space which was retrofitted admittedly. But if you look at our feedback on the online, that's gone down fantastically well and it allows some of our neurosensitive visitors just to calm down, go there and just take a moment and then come back and I think the very fact that we're a science centre, it's very hands on, it's very stimulating. Bryan Snelling: So having that has been a real wonderful addition to what we've got. And I think we've also got to remember financial inclusion. So a lot of the sort of sponsorship that we look for is to work with in Scotland. It's called simd, the Scottish Index for Multiple Deprivation. Chris Dunford: I'm sure there's a similar thing in England, but I want to know what it is. Paul Marden: We'll talk about that in a minute. Bryan Snelling: But we a lot of again, it's not mission drift when you are also doing it. A lot of our funders want to give us money so we can support those maybe who don't have as much money as the rest of us. So all of these things we've taken into account and parts of what we do at the science centre. Chris Dunford: Yeah. I suppose the question ultimately is when we ask our visitors what does inclusion, diversity mean to them, we won't get the answer we need. And that's because if you have a certain demographic who are visiting and you ask them diversity, inclusion, then obviously they will speak from their own life experience. But actually the people need to ask the people who aren't visiting. So in that respect, I mean the things we draw upon, we work closely with things like local council, so we have access to their data of who's living in the city and who's facing areas of deprivation and that kind of thing. Chris Dunford: So you can kind of fairly accurately figure out who's around you in your community and who's around you in your community isn't mirroring who's coming through the door and straight away you know where your focus areas are and the reason they might not be visiting, it might be economic, but it could also because there's things that you do unintentionally. It makes it look like you're not for them. Paul Marden: Yes. Chris Dunford: So only by engaging with them, seeing you through their eyes, will you understand maybe why you've been doing a thing which wasn't encouraged when they through the door. I suppose the last thing to say on that is often it's very tempting to think the inclusion thing is going to be groups that can't afford to visit and therefore Chapel saying it may be then detracting from the purely commercial enterprise we need to do to keep the buildings open and running. Chris Dunford: And for some areas who cannot afford to visit, then yes, that's an important part of what you do. But there could be areas, community who aren't visiting. And they can afford to visit because for some reason you're not currently for them, you can become for them. And you've also opened up a whole other market as well. So whether you're looking at it because you want more visitors financially, or you're looking at it because you want to be able to reach everyone, you need to ask who's in the city, who isn't here currently visiting and can we find out why they're not visiting? And then we just work through those challenge at a time until you hopefully are truly reflecting those around you. Paul Marden: I was at a Museum and Heritage Show earlier this year. There was a really interesting talk about inclusivity and making places accessible. And one of the key facts was that people that need an accessible place to visit, if they don't know something is accessible because you haven't communicated it properly, they will assume you are not accessible. And so having the changing places toilet and the sensory room is amazing. But you also have to communicate that to people in order for them to come and feel like it is a place for them. And that's. You're right, it's not about the charitable end of the organisation. It can be just a commercial thing. When you tell that story simply and easily for people, all of a sudden you are not going to market. Shaaron Leverment: We're sort of encouraging people. We've got an accessibility conference coming up in May which will be hosted by Winchester. And hopefully between now and then we can really support people with some of these amazing visual stories. Because I think you're absolutely right that you do need to know if it's accessible. You need to know what facilities you need to have those opportunities to know that there's a quiet space and what to expect. And then someone, honestly, if they know what's there and what's not there, then that's enough. Paul Marden: I've talked about this example before podcast, but Skipton Town Hall is an amazing example. They've got a museum whose name escapes me, but they won last year's Kids in Museum's Family Friendly award. But they have an amazing page that talks about their accessibilities with photos and videos where you can see the entrance, every entrance to the building and where that entrance will lead you to. It shows you the changing places toilet. You know, they are making it super easy for you to be able to understand that. And it's on your page, but it's a page that's hugely valuable on their website. Victoria Denoon: I think just beyond what you can do on your own. Site for that. There are organisations you can work with that tell people the story about what attractions in their area are accessible. So making sure you know who those groups are and working with them to get your story out and how you can support that's really important. Paul Marden: I've got Tudor in front of me from Eureka and I know that's something that Eureka has done a lot of is communicating the accessibility of what they deeds the outside world. I'm going to take your Scottish index of multiple deprivation and take that back to the uk. I'm going to talk a little bit about Cambridge Science Centre because they've passed two weeks ago, they've just opened their new building and one of the things that they talked about on the podcast with me was that part of the motivation for locating it on Cambridge Science park was because it is cheap by jail with one of the areas of multiple deprivation within the city. Paul Marden: They run youth groups in that area and what they found was that even though these kids are in a youth group associated with the Science centre and they are right next door to the Science park, those kids don't feel that a career in Science in the UK's hotspot for tech is a place where they could end up. Paul Marden: They just don't feel like it is of them. So how do we help those kids and families in those areas feel like science centres are for them and a career in the future and in science and tech is an opportunity for them? Bryan Snelling: I think when were redesigning the Aberdeen Science Centre, as I said, the only thing that's still there because It's a Category 2 listed building is the outer walls. But what we looked at that time was we said, well, how can we make it relevant to the northeast of Scotland? So we have three zones in the Science Centre which relates to either the up and coming or very much mature economies up there. We have an energy zone, of course we do, but space, you know, Shetland is on our patch, big patch, so is Sutherland and those of you who know Scotland, very big patch. That sort of space is a big part of what's happening up in northeast Scotland, but also life sciences. So we made it relevant so that people on an everyday sort of and kids can sort of relate to things. Bryan Snelling: I think we're the only city and people will help me out here and bring me down to size if that's the case. We have hydrogen buses in Aberdeen. I think we're one of the only, let's go like that. One of the only cities that currently do that and they see these things travelling through the city centre every day. But you know, they want to know more about that. So it's about making it relevant, making it day to day obvious that this, you can work in this because actually it's there or it's that or it's yes. The other thing is about showing the other careers that you can link it, you can focusing on space, but there's more than just that. You somebody said, yes, you also need to have a chef in the Antarctica. Bryan Snelling: So show them the other careers actually link in with this sort of and just make it relevant. Chris Dunford: Yeah, and I think obviously if you've got sections of society where there's young people who feel that science isn't for them, I think the first thing to recognise obviously is that they are in their lives. They're obviously getting messages that are telling them that's the case in the way in which children from other backgrounds are getting messages telling them what science is for them. And you can see that through the lens of the science capital. You can't control all of those, but you can control how you interact with them. Now, obviously what Cambridge did is they were able to physically relocate. Most of us aren't in that position in terms of the whole building, although that reached us the ability to do that on a complete short term basis. Chris Dunford: But I think again it's recognising that inclusion work is so much more than just kind of saying, “Hey, we are free. Why don't you come along today and you can visit for free or whatever.” It's the diversity of your staff and that's across the organisation. Because if they visit and they see someone that looks like them and that tells them that it is for them in a way in which it's going to be very difficult to do with the people actually working there don't look like people they would recognise as being in that kind of group in that way. It's about the activities themselves. So again, the ideas of kind of co development. So if you develop activities, rather than guess what you think they would like, just find out what they would like and involve them in those activities. Chris Dunford: So inclusion is difficult and it takes a lot of time because you can't just kind of put a sign on the door and say work for you now. You need to change the organisation. So it is enabling them to visit and then to keep that relationship going. That's the other thing that's very difficult. But I think if you did one funded visit and they came once and that was it, that might not be Enough to make them go, “Oh, so I can't be a scientist.” You get some kind of relationship with them going on over time. So yeah, it's a long, drawn out process, which means you need to look very hard at yourself and be prepared and brave to make changes in your own organisation. Because unintentionally you are probably putting some of the barriers there yourselves. Shaaron Leverment: I just want to echo that it really is about building those relationships. We ran a program called Explorer Universe across eight centres. And you know, we were all about extra partnerships and being brave and making new engagement to people who would never have thought to come through your doors. And you know, it ended up being like a year long of partnership building and then those relationships and almost all the programs were outreach. Some of them ended up, you know, as a celebratory event coming through the science centre. But it was very much going to where the kids were going to their space, you know, physically and emotionally and mentally, whatever, and working in partnership. So if you don't have the staff that reflect that community, then you can work in partnership and create those moments. Shaaron Leverment: And then when they do come to the centre, be there at the front door to welcome them. You know, I know you and it's very much, you know, like an experience floor In North Wales. Were working in a playground, you know, and talking all about them jumping off the playground with like parachutes, talking about friction and stuff like that. And one of the best quotes from that was like, I didn't realise this was science. You're like turning what they are doing and saying that you are a techie, techie person, you are a sciencey person, you are an engineer. That's what it is. Shaaron Leverment: You know, it's not saying this is what science is, you know, it's changing the capital that they have already into science capital to know that they are already inherent, as Osley said, inherent sort of scientists anyway. Paul Marden: Yes. Shaaron Leverment: So, yeah.Victoria Denoon: I think science centres are in a really wonderful space here to be able to do that because, you know, we do build relationships with community groups and schools all the time. And research has shown that these young people, why they see themselves in relation to their peers, that will attract them more than anything else into potential careers in science. So having a space where people can come and, you know, we don't tell them, don't touch that, don't do that. Victoria Denoon: You know, they can really fully get hands on and engage in things and having that opportunity. We just opened two years ago, our Learning Innovation for Everyone Space. We offer free school programs there, particularly in partnership with Microsoft and do coding workshops and things like that and lots of other activities and you can also do OCN accredited programs with us there. So it's really about getting them together as a group of their peers and showing them what's possible in that space. Paul Marden: That's amazing. So I'm a dev by background. Telling the story of Computer Science is not something that you see in every science centre that you go to. The whole kind of the history of computing, it exists in places, there are pockets of it. But it's not something that I want to coding club as well. But how many of my kids could go to a local science centre and feel that what they're doing when they're coding the robot and building some Lego is related to something that they see when they're at the science centre and that there's a mental leap to go from this fun thing that we're doing with this robot to the career that is amazing that I could have in the future. It's really hard. Paul Marden: Talking of kids, I'm a trustee at Kids in Museum and we talk a lot about getting the voice of young people who visit attractions and young people, they're worthy, they're in their career and incorporating that into the decision making, strategic direction of museums and science centres. I think it's definitely really important when we talk about climate emergency to get that younger voice in so that trustees don't all look like me. Let's talk a little bit about the youth platform and how you incorporate the youth voice into what you guys do. Who wants to take that one first? I can spot who cracks first. Bryan Snelling: Okay. I'm not very good at this, am I? You are very good. No, but I'm actually quite proud of what we do at Aberdeen. We about a year and a bit ago introduced a STEM youth ball and we're very pleased with that. We actually work with a local festival so it's ourselves and Aberdeen Tech Fest that jointly I say support, but actually they support us. The youth board, it's made up of secondary school kids, young people and last year was a pilot year and it went very well. We're now looking at developing it further. But what they do is they look at what they want to do, they work out what they want to do within a board situation. Bryan Snelling: They've got all the usual bits, chair and the secretary, but they work out that they want to deliver this program and then they'll go away, work together on the delivery of that program. They'll also work out the marketing side of things. They'll also do all of that. But I also, and my counterpart with TechFest also bring our ideas and say what do you think about this? And they give us a very. Paul Marden: Take some of them and rubbish a few I guess.Bryan Snelling: That's what it's for. Paul Marden: Exactly. Bryan Snelling: I mean, let's get out of the way in a safe space before we then go ahead and spend money on this thing. Paul Marden: The most brutal focus could possibly bring together. Bryan Snelling: But we're very pleased with that. The other thing that we're currently looking at doing is working with local university, Robert Goldman University, especially the architecture school, to redevelop our outer area, the garden. It was the only area that wasn't developed when we did inside. And we undertook a number of brainstorming sessions with the youngsters and I mean your 5 to 12 year olds to get their input. And we did that a number of ways, remember drawing or talking or writing, whatever. And that was really interesting. We'd obviously, as the adults had done a similar thing but what they brought was a completely different point of view and it's wonderful. Paul Marden: Excellent. Victoria, you can't not look at teacher. It's only going to encourage me to. Victoria Denoon: No, I think you know, to what Bryan was saying there. We haven't started yet but we're looking at this idea of creating a Y suite, you know, which is our youth suite, which would be young people that will come in and kind of meet once a quarter to help us with some of those decisions. Bryan was talking about Inspiring Science Fund. We also did a huge renovation at W5 as a result of that and that involved a lot of consultation with young people, with teachers, et cetera. And we do a lot of youth led programs but we're looking at really how do we engage that in this more strategic direction going forward. Paul Marden: I think it's hugely valuable, isn't it? When you take it from a consultation point to something that is actually helping to drive the strategy of the organisation. It's transformational. Sharoon, do you have any thoughts about that? Shaaron Leverment: Yeah, I mean I sort of see it from a bird's eye view really, you know. But you know we have our Youth Voice Award because last year our volunteers award was won by. Part of our volunteers award was won by Winchester young group of environmental activists that were really doing great things down at Winchester Science Centre and influencing one seekers charity. And anyone who was at dinner last night, you might have seen the video from Zed King who has done so much work supporting Centre for Life and making massive changes there and not just there, like actually across the network. We are. So we've got this Youth Voice award as one of the only awards that we give because it is so important. We are all about. Not all about, but we are a lot about young people. Shaaron Leverment: So they need to have voice but it's very difficult to be sure how to do that and to make sure that we're not putting too much pressure. I mean here at this conference you can. There we've got some young people coming in showing their bio robots. We've got. Obviously we had the Esports award last night and our next keynote we've got two younger panel members to do a discussion about eco anxiety and how that feels for them to influence the way in which we think about our climate engagement from the voices of people who are experiencing it and experiencing this massive grief and anxiety about their own futures. So yeah, there's a lot of work going on obviously over in Armagh as well, you know, especially with autistic families and you know, I think it's. Shaaron Leverment: Yeah, it's a growing area and we're putting a lot of effort into encouraging like hearing these stories and different things and you know, I know we the curated. Well, with your authority sharing, I might just throw that over to you. I mean I think that's a great piece of work. Chris Dunford: Yeah. On the climate side especially. One thing we've done in the past is work with Bristol City Council, Youth Council, I think I might say most councils will have something like this because they then feed into the UK lean Parliament. I think that's really useful for two reasons. Firstly, because it gives them a space when you talk about climate issues. But secondly, it's helping them to understand the process of democracy, which young people's possibly more important now than ever. I think that's really key because I think what often happens, especially at events like cop, is that inside the room you've got the politicians and decision makers who are struggling with this really difficult challenge of how do we decarbonise and knowing there isn't an easy thing to fix it. Chris Dunford: It's going to be a lot of trailblazers, compromise, a lot of hard work outside where you've got the young people kind of screaming desperately do something, finally find the solution and then have these two different worlds. So I think if you could bring those together to bring the youth Voice into those conversations. What are the trade offs? What are the decisions? Because the consequence of decisions they inherit not us. But also it's useful for young people because it helps them understand that there isn't an easy solution and yes, there's going on strike and it's making the message clear, but there's getting into discussion of what are the trade offs, what are the compromises, and that's how a democracy works. I think that's really useful. Chris Dunford: But the other thing I'd say is if you're going to engage with young people on this and also be prepared for the fact that they're clear, they know what they want and they want the allies to take action. So if you say to them, great, there's time to change that, you're creating a youth board so you can learn about climate change, they'll say, yes, but what are you doing to reduce your carbon emissions? So we're doing this group and we're going to get your views on that. Thank you, that's fine. What are you doing to reduce your carbon emissions? So if you're going to enter into this space, they know what they want from us. They want to take action to create deep, radical and rapid decarbonisation. Chris Dunford: So be prepared for that question because they will ask it and it's the right to ask it. We need to do stuff as well as having board. At the same time, you've got to be taking the action to show that you're copying the agency, what they want. Shaaron Leverment: Have you seen the recent DCMS call as well? I mean, it's obviously strategically important at government as well. So all funders and DCMS in particular are making an election in this. So, yeah, leading the way. Paul Marden: A beautiful segue to my next question, which is what, Chris, this one's for you really is what are ASDC members doing ahead of national targets to reach net zero? Chris Dunford: Yeah. So it's probably worth just causing phone. So, in terms of the national target, for anyone who isn't aware, net zero for the UK is 2050. And net zero essentially means that your carbon emissions are down to zero or they're not zero, then you're offsetting what emissions you are creating. So the balance of the atmosphere is 2 0. And it's really hard. And the reason it's really hard, whether you're a government or an organisation, is you're following the greenhouse gas protocol, which means it's across all three scopes, which essentially means it's the stuff you expect. Chris Dunford: So it's the energy from the grid, it's your fuel and vehicles, it's burning gas in your home or places where, but it's also emissions from all the stuff that you buy and the investments from your bank and your pensions and it's the emissions from your business who travel to visit you. It's huge. It's very complex. So it's difficult. That's essentially what it means, the claim in terms of what sciences are doing. So it's a mixed back. There's plenty of science centers who still don't have a specific claim decarbonisation target, whether that be net zero or 2050 or sooner. So that's one issue I think we need to. Those who have done that piece of work have to work those who haven't to support them, enable them and encourage them to create a space where they can do. Chris Dunford: Because your Internet provider probably has a Net Zero pledge on their website, your supermarket certainly does. Your local council will, your university. So with science centres, it might seem strange that we're actually behind those players rather than leaving it. And of those that do have targets, there's probably about seven science centres in the network. This is student, big museum. So in terms of. In terms of the main science centres and then Tampa Gardens and museums, if you include them, there's probably about 11 organisations who have a kind of a decarbonisation net zero net neutral aimed before 2015. They're mostly around 2030. And again, that's really hard. And those organisations are now figuring out what that means and just how difficult that is. Chris Dunford: There is also even project who have boldly gone for a net positive to say they'll actually be removing more carbon than releasing by 2030. But it's really hard. And the reason it's hard for science centres is we're not Marks and Spencers. We can't just hire a stable team overnight and throw money at this problem. So we're renting some organisations who are tight on time and money who now to take on this huge challenge. That doesn't excuse us from the challenge. So there's no easy solution on the fact that we have to put resource into this. And I think that's why there aren't more Net Zero aims on websites for the centres at the moment. But I think we can get there. We need to recognise it's hard. Chris Dunford: And finally, if you are doing lots of engagement, as I said with schools, then again you need to be backing this up with some kind of Net zero. So it's a mixed bag of the network. There's probably about 10 or so that have specific net zero aims and they're mostly around 2030, 2040. But my prediction is in the coming years, those organisations are going to make some really hard choices and actually say how they're going to do that, because we know from experience it's really difficult. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't be doing it. It means you have to push even harder than you were before. Paul Marden: Thank you. Bryan Snelling: Can I add something? Paul Marden: Of course. Bryan Snelling: I think decarbonisation is an important message, full stop, especially in Aberdeen, for obvious reasons. I hope we feel that we have an important duty almost to the visitors to the northeast of Scotland and beyond. Because I think how can we talk the talk about decarbonisation if we don't walk the walk? So there's an internal thing, which notwithstanding how difficult it is, we're just starting down that route. We've had an energy audit done of ourselves. We're now in the process of working out what that roadmap is, or maybe it should be a cycle path road towards net zero, but we need to work that out. But on the other side, we're also tasked with telling people, this is what you should be doing. This is the energy transition. Bryan Snelling: This is how you renewable energy in the future. So how can you do both? How can you do one without the other one? I mean, and I think we just need to be aware of that. And I think as the future goes back to the very first question about what's happening in the future, that's all big part of what we need to be looking at.Paul Marden: Conference is all about shaping future science together. What's your take home message from the different talks that you've been to, or possibly because we've not finished the conference yet that you're looking forward to. What's the standout moment? I know. So I would say for me, the standout moment was last night's awards. I mean, if you weren't overtaken by Zed's video, if you weren't moved by Hamish talking about. And for me, what they both demonstrated is that volunteering and engagement is a conversation. It's a two way street, isn't it? Because they weren't just there as a resource doing things, they were getting something from the relationship and giving back to the sense, etc. At the same time. For me, that bit was the most powerful. Shaaron Leverment: Yeah. And I think actually, you know, there's a lot of emotion there, you know, and it's incredible to someone stand up and say science and you saved my life. Paul Marden: Yes. Shaaron Leverment: You know, I think it was just incredible and very brave. And I think that kind of bringing that emotion into science, it's really important and remembering the people, even people. I think there's been quite a few messages about, you know, the safe spaces that we provide and that interaction with people and that genuine understanding. I think I'm really excited about. We're no longer sort of let science speak for itself and we're not going. Shaaron Leverment: You know, I think people are socially connecting and using emotion a lot more because first we feel right, first we feel and that is what our inclusive outcomes are all about. That it's what makes a difference for someone who is disengaged and doesn't feel that science and technology could be for them to feeling that maybe there's a place they need to feel they belong. So I'm really excited about that aspect of it. I also agree with everything that the elders are about. Bryan Snelling: Really. Shaaron Leverment: Yeah. Chris Dunford: I think several things yesterday for me resonated with the thing which Stephen Breslin said at the very start, which is that we come to these conferences anxious and slightly overwhelmed by the challenges we're facing and leaves feeling energized and positive with at least some of the solutions. And I think that's. That's a similar pattern that I experienced with these conferences. And I think through that lens I've been listening to all the challenges yesterday. And it's just our job is hard and potentially getting harder and as it gets harder, it's more important to society than ever. And I think that's the main thing I'm taking away. Chris Dunford: And I don't just mean things like the inclusion work and the decarbonisation work which we've spoken about during this session, but even things like one of the sessions that really stuck me yesterday was where the Science museum were talking in the lightning talks about their new AI exhibition and the fact that when all the many centers open they could have exhibits that explained Google of motion by pendulums and spinning things. A physical thing. And now we're having to have conversations about AI where there is no physical thing you can hold in your hands. Chris Dunford: There's a historical artefact, it's a circuit board doesn't tell you anything about what circuit board really does in terms of how it impacts society and how are we going to do science communication, science engagement around these challenging issues like AI which are then mounted up with all these kind of social problems with them, which again, the laws of motion that we come with. So, so I suppose I'm going away with that is the fact that our creativity is going to be tested more than before and our ingenuity and our ability to collaborate beyond our initial partners. So, yeah, for me, weirdly, it's about the science communication side and things like AI are going to make that really challenging. And how are we going to do that? Any of the answers other than the fact that we know we're not doing it alone, we're doing it as a network. And that's obviously big talk. Victoria Denoon: Yeah, I think it's the same thing. That remark by Stephen really is something that stuck with me because I did come here as well, thinking about the challenges we're facing, not just as a Science and Discovery centre, but also politically at the moment and just how pessimistic you can be about things. And really being in this conference with all of these amazing people makes you feel more optimistic about things and I think that's just really powerful and it carries you through. So for me, that's. And I think some of the conversations that have been happening here, I feel like since last year we've made a huge jump in terms of where the impact of our network is going with other people. And, you know, Tom's talk this morning really brought that home a little bit as well. So I'm feeling very optimistic. Paul Marden: Thank you. We always end our interviews with a book recommendation, which can be personal or professional. So, Victoria, do you want to share yours with everyone? Victoria Denoon: Well, I think when were talking about this, it was like, what's your favourite book? And for me, my favourite book is actually Pride and Prejudice. It's a book I would read over and could read over and over again. Jane Austen's musings. Paul Marden: Excellent. Bryan. Bryan Snelling: You know, this is the most difficult question that you're going to be putting to us. I've read, you know, fiction most of my life. I mean, you can't. I've always got a book, always looking at a book. So I don't actually have favourites. Why is it favourites? What I can say is my most recent book that I've read was the Thursday we're at the Club by Rich Lawson, which is quite nice. The most profound one was actually 1984. I read that when I was about 18 and I thought, wow. And that was really quite interesting. Followed swiftly by Animal Farm, of course. Paul Marden: So that's three recommendations bankrupt me over. Chris. Chris Dunford: So I've gone for War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells. I'm a big fan of, like, old sci fi books. It's different to modern sci fi. Sci fi books like Jules Byrne and H.G. Wells will just ramble on pages about scientific theories at the time. Things they read in nature. So it's genuinely kind of science fiction. But War of the Royals because it's just. It scares me every time I read it. Like it still scares me. Absolutely. And I quite enjoy that. And I don't know why. And there's something about the complete, you know, civilisation. Actually some shouldn't put on this thread too hard, but there's something fascinating about that. Kind of, as he describes it, the liquefaction of society is everything kind of falls apart and every time I pick it up, I'm terrified and I pick it up again, I'm still terrible. Paul Marden: Shaaron, lastly, yours. Shaaron Leverment: I had forgotten this is a question. Paul Marden: Chris had three books, so you can choose. Shaaron Leverment: I'll go for in my. In my head I go for I just off the cup. The Martian is great. When it's got a little bit tiresome with the whole potatoes, improve it. But it is a brilliant. Yeah, it's great. Paul Marden: We are done. If you enjoyed today's episode, please like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Thank you to my guests Victoria, Bryan, Chris and Shaaron, and my amazing ASDC Live studio audience. Paul Marden: Thanks for listening to Skip the Queue. If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review. It really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on Twitter for your chance to win the books that have been mentioned. Skip The Queue is brought to you by Rubber Cheese, a digital agency that builds remarkable systems and websites for attractions that helps them increase their visitor numbers. You can find show notes and transcriptions from this episode and more over on our website, SkiptheQueue.fm. The 2024 Visitor Attraction Website Survey is now LIVE! Dive into groundbreaking benchmarks for the industryGain a better understanding of how to achieve the highest conversion ratesExplore the "why" behind visitor attraction site performanceLearn the impact of website optimisation and visitor engagement on conversion ratesUncover key steps to enhance user experience for greater conversionsDownload the 2024 Rubber Cheese Visitor Attraction Website Survey Report

Ben sits down with Crows draftee and father-son pick, Tyler Welsh! We sat down with Tyler earlier this year, and went through it all:

This podcast episode of "Hustle and Flowchart" features a fascinating interview with Sam Ramsden, creator of the hit podcast "Silly Stories for Kids" and owner of an electrical business. Sam shares his journey from an electrical business owner to a successful podcaster. We also explore how he balances work, family, and creativity seamlessly, along with insights about his stories, inspirations, and the importance of positivity. What This Episode is About: Sam Ramsden joins us to discuss his unexpected podcasting success, how he infuses creativity into different aspects of his life, and the importance of understanding and nurturing unique family dynamics. His podcast, "Silly Stories for Kids," has taken off in unexpected ways, reaching almost 1.5 million downloads. Sam balances his electrical business, Ramp Electrical, with creative storytelling for children. He delves into his past experiences and influences, revealing how his father and father-in-law significantly impacted his trajectory. Unplanned Success Through Creativity Sam Ramsden, originally running an electrical business, never predicted the massive success of his podcast, "Silly Stories for Kids." This podcast started as a fun project for his children, encouraged by his father-in-law. It quickly gained traction, achieving nearly 1.5 million downloads within a year. Sam shares how he uses "Suno," a music AI, to create personalized songs for people at work and social gatherings, enhancing his storytelling endeavors. One interesting quote from Sam: "What started as bedtime stories has become a global phenomenon, all thanks to family encouragement and a bit of fun."  Suno Music AI: Suno The Role of Family and Personal Influences Sam's family plays a crucial role in his podcasting journey. His father-in-law suggested starting the podcast, which turned out to be a brilliant idea. Sam's passion for storytelling and creativity stems from his childhood, influenced deeply by his father. He emphasizes how positive influence and support from family members can profoundly shape one's work and creativity. Key takeaway: Supportive relationships and following one's passion can lead to unexpected success and personal fulfillment. Balancing Work, Life, and Creativity Managing an electrical business and running a successful podcast isn't easy, but Sam Ramsden does it with remarkable balance. Despite his busy schedule as a father of four, he finds joy in spontaneous creativity, often attributing it partly to ADHD, which he considers a superpower in storytelling. He shares that having a supportive wife helps him stay on track and manage his time effectively. Sam's wise words: "Balancing family, business, and creative endeavors is really about knowing what's important and giving time to those things." Handling Business Challenges Running Ramp Electrical presented many unforeseen challenges, especially during the COVID pandemic, which resulted in lost contracts and personal losses, including the passing of Sam's mother. These experiences have taught him valuable lessons about resilience and prioritization. Sam believes in learning from mistakes and emphasizes the importance of systems and processes, though he admits to needing help in consistently following them. Quote for inspiration: "Think of mistakes as lessons that guide you towards bigger success. Sometimes what not to do is just as important." Mental Health and Personal Growth Sam emphasizes the importance of mental health and seeing a psychologist to realign thoughts and provide self-grace when things don't go as planned. He compares mental health check-ups to regular servicing of a vehicle. This approach not only helped Sam maintain balance but also enabled him to bring more joy and positivity into his life and work. Key lesson: Taking care of your mental health is crucial for maintaining balance and gaining perspective, much like maintaining a vehicle to ensure it runs smoothly. Understanding and Communication Understanding one's thought processes can greatly enhance communication and empathy. Sam encourages asking others to describe their thinking processes to understand them better and reduce misunderstandings. He highlights that everyone thinks differently, and understanding this can help in fostering better personal and professional relationships. Example shared: Sam's nephew thinks in pictures, which was a revelation for Sam and helped him connect better with his nephew.  "Untethered Soul" by Michael Singer: Untethered Soul Resources from Episode Listen to Silly Stories for Kids Try Suno for yourself and send us the fun songs you create Check out the Yoto Players for your kids Conclusion Sam Ramsden's journey from an electrical business owner to a successful children's podcaster is inspiring and filled with valuable lessons. Emphasizing the importance of family, mental health, and understanding individual thinking processes, Sam's story teaches us that success often comes from following passions and staying true to personal values. Whether balancing work and life or handling business challenges, Sam's experiences offer a wealth of insights. This episode of "Hustle and Flowchart" is a must-listen for anyone juggling multiple roles or seeking inspiration on blending creativity and business. Two Other Episodes You Should Check Out StoryBrands: Frameworks to Make Marketing Simple with Dr. J.J. Peterson Creating Impactful Content: The Secret Sauce to Audience Engagement! with Luis Diaz Connect with Joe Fier What if you could have a FREE personal mentor on-demand?! With Joe's Hustle & Flowchart AI clone, you can tap into the knowledge from over 600 episodes any time! Whether you need advice on scaling, marketing, or productivity, my AI clone is here to help. Hubspot has launched a whole new suite of AI Tools, check them on the Hubspot Spotlight Check out other podcasts on the HubSpot Podcast Network Grab a 30-Day Trial of Kartra We want to hear from you. Send us the One Thing you want to hear on the show. Connect with Joe on LinkedIn and Instagram Subscribe to the YouTube Channel Contact Joe: joe@hustleandflowchart.com Thanks for tuning into this episode of the Hustle & Flowchart Podcast! If the information in these conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please head over to iTunes (or wherever you listen), subscribe to the show, and leave me an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!

This episode of the Cultivating Connections podcast features Pedro Cruz, the Executive Director of the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement (OYEA) for the City of Boston. Pedro shares his inspiring journey into youth work, rooted in his experiences growing up in the Boston's Villa Victoria community. He emphasizes the importance of relationships and community spaces that shaped his path, reflecting on how early jobs at local community centers ignited his passion for youth development. Pedro highlights the significance of mentorship in his own journey, and the importance of providing Boston youth with mentors today. Pedro provides an overview of OYEA's pioneering efforts to engage Boston's youth aged 14 to 25 which focuses a great deal on creating partnerships with a wide range of youth serving organizations. He explains their mission to amplify young voices in local decision-making and connect them with resources and opportunities often inaccessible to them.  He also shares successes such as building a network of over 1,100 individuals from nearly 400 organizations and reviving the Mayor's Youth Summit after a 20 year hiatus, demonstrating the demand for dedicated spaces and programs for young people. The episode concludes with Pedro discussing the upcoming Youth Needs Assessment survey, aimed at understanding what young people require during their non-school and non-work hours, further underscoring the office's commitment to serving Boston's youth effectively.  

In conversation with Rosevitha Ndumbu, Jessica Uiras and Ompha Tshamano In anticipation of the upcoming Namibian elections set for 27th November 2024, this episode focuses on youth participation in Namibia's political and public participation including electoral processes. The speakers, Rosevitha Ndumbu and Jessica Uiras, hosted by Ompha Tshamano discussed the topic. They identified significant barriers hindering youth engagement, notably the lack of civic education and awareness of the electoral process. The conversation challenges the idea of 'youth apathy' in Namibia and advocates for improved civic education initiatives to empower young people to actively engage in the political landscape. The conversation also highlights the structural challenges that young people face, such as high unemployment, which often hinders their political participation. There is a pressing need for political leaders and parties to strengthen their connections with young constituents to ensure that their interests are adequately represented in the decision-making process. Similarly, the speakers emphasise the role of technology and social media as crucial tools for mobilising and engaging young voters. Ultimately, this conversation highlights the need for the electoral landscape to be more adept and diverse to foster democratic participation.   Rosevitha Ndumbu is a Namibian researcher, digital rights advocate, and lawyer at the Institute of Public Policy Research. Her work involves fact-checking, research on corruption, human rights, and democracy, with a focus on law and technology, socio-economic issues, data protection, and cybersecurity. Rosevitha is affiliated with the Namibia Media Trust and is a member of the Global Shapers Windhoek Hub. She has served as Vice-President of the Internet Society Namibia Chapter and is an alumna of the African School on Internet Governance. Through her research and advocacy, Rosevitha aims to contribute to a well-informed Namibian populace and a secure digital landscape.   Jessica Uiras is a Human Rights Analyst, In-Country Researcher, and UNLEASH SDG Global Talent with a strong focus on Public Diplomacy and Rural Development. She is deeply committed to initiatives that promote democratic engagement, freedom of expression, and social justice in Namibia. Jessica currently serves as the Director of Communications at Rural Rise Namibia and is a co-founder of JAS Media cc. Additionally, she founded the Eagles Foundation, which advocates for marginalised communities, including young people with disabilities. She is also an alumna of the African School on Internet Governance. Ompha Tshamano currently serves as a Project Officer at the Expression, Information and Digital Rights (EIDR) Unit at the Centre for Human Rights. In addition to this role, he is pursuing a Master of Laws in socio-economic rights at the University of Pretoria and holds a keen interest in fostering the empowerment of vulnerable and marginalised communities within the digital era. This conversation was recorded on 26 August 2024. Youtube: https://youtu.be/MpQFogU6lns Music and news extracts: Inner Peace by Mike Chino https://soundcloud.com/mike-chinoCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/0nI6qJeqFcc imitless https://stock.adobe.com/za/search/audio?k=452592386

INTERVIEW: Tia Fleming on The Hive youth engagement project by Elliot Blyth on Radio One 91FM Dunedin

Transitioning from youth into adulthood can be very challenging, especially for students with disabilities. Members of the PaTTAN Youth Engagement Specialist (YES) team join PaTTANpod to discuss the importance of engaging students in transition planning, as well as resources and support available from the YES team.

Remember when you first stepped into a grand cathedral, and your gaze was pulled upward by the towering arches and intricate stained glass? That feeling of awe, once a cornerstone of Catholic worship, seems to be fading. In a time when ancient rituals meet modern interpretations, many wonder if we've lost touch with the sacred wonder that once drew people in. As we explore this shift, we'll shed light on why this change is happening and what it means for the faithful today. Discovering the reasons behind this transformation could lead us back to moments that inspire true reverence in our spiritual lives. Produced, Edited and mixed by Paul R. Long, OFSFor further Information visit our Website OurWalkTogether.comor contact: PaulLongOFS@gmail.com

In this episode of Sparking Success, Aaron Opalewski interviews CJ Karchon,  Vice President of IET and owner of multiple businesses in the defense and firearms industry. They discuss the evolution of IET, the challenges of navigating economic downturns, and the importance of controlled growth. CJ shares insights on pivoting to defense contracts during recessions, the significance of skilled trades, and innovative products like Night Fision and Glow Rhino. The conversation emphasizes the value of mentorship, resourcefulness in business, and the need for continuous learning and adaptation in a rapidly changing market.TakeawaysCJ's journey in the family business began in 2008.The importance of learning all aspects of a business.Economic downturns can provide valuable lessons.Controlled growth is essential for long-term success.Pivoting to defense contracts helped stabilize IET during tough times.Youth engagement is crucial in addressing the skills gap.Scrappy strategies can lead to innovative solutions.Resourcefulness is key in startup environments.Mentorship plays a vital role in workforce development.Continuous learning is necessary for business evolution.Chapters00:00 Introduction to CJ Karchon and IET01:57 The Evolution of IET and Family Business Dynamics05:47 Navigating Economic Challenges and Controlled Growth10:04 Pivoting to Defense: Adapting to Market Changes13:56 Expanding the Business Portfolio: Cammenga and Beyond17:47 Innovations in Night Fision and Glow Rhino22:03 The Importance of Skilled Trades and Youth Engagement30:09 Scrappy Business Strategies and Resourcefulness43:56 Reflections on Growth and Future Directions

Join me for a one-on-one discussion with Democratic Congressional Candidate Maura Keller (D-GA 3rd).

In this episode of Currents, special guest Grace Rajay, who heads up the global strategy committee at Big Ocean Women, discusses her experiences attending the UN hosted Nairobi Civil Society Conference and the upcoming Summit of the Future. The conversation delves into the true happenings at the UN, the relevance of grassroots perspectives, and the importance of self-reliance and family-oriented solutions. 00:00 Introduction of Grace Rajay and Her Role  01:20 Contrasts Between Textbook UN and Real UN 02:22 Youth Engagement and UN 2.0 04:34 Restructuring and Rebranding the UN 06:55 Documents and Compacts from the Summit 07:50 Experiences at the Nairobi Civil Society Conference 10:37 Emerging Themes and Debriefs 11:51 Concerns Over UN's One World Order Vision 15:18 Disconnect Between UN's Vision and Grassroots Realities 29:14 Pushing Digital Literacy Amidst Basic Challenges 35:21 Preparation for the Summit of the Future 37:00 Positive Feedback Loop of Effective Models 40:23 Successful Grassroots Projects 39:04 Upcoming Action Days Event 46:59 Call to Support Small NGOs   UN discussions with Carol on the Big Ocean Women youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@bigoceanwomen1489   A link to the summit of the future event! https://www.youtube.com/live/g5OXBNEpvsk?si=uYNNfO133L3qrm3D https://bigoceanwomen.org/ActionDays/

In this episode, Greg continues his conversation on Cambodia with two special guests from this Southeast Asian country. Together, they dive deeper into the influence of Buddhism and the transformative impact of clean water projects in rural villages. Discover the significant role young people play in the gospel movement, along with moving testimonies of new believers. You'll uncover practical challenges and compelling stories of bringing Christianity to remote areas without access to the gospel. Explore more about Unknown Nations at www.UnknownNations.com or connect with us at UnknownNations.com/contact.

Join me for a one-on-one discussion with Dr. Guy Golan, author of the book, "My Brother's Keeper: The complicated relationship between American Jews and Israel".

YouTube Description:Join us for an inspiring conversation with two remarkable veterans, Morris Bridges, the Commander of VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) for the State of Illinois, and Eugene Blackwell, Senior Vice Commander of the Illinois VFW. Both men have dedicated their lives to serving our country and continue to impact the veteran community today. In this episode, we discuss their military careers, the challenges and rewards of service, and the importance of mentoring the next generation. Learn about the invaluable skills and experiences gained through military service and the critical role organizations like the VFW play in supporting veterans and their families. If you or someone you know is considering a military career or wants to learn more about how to support veterans, this episode is a must-watch. Timestamps: Introduction to VFW Leaders Morris Bridges and Eugene Blackwell Morris Bridges on His Military Journey and the Impact on His Life The Importance of Mentorship and Education in the Military Overcoming Racial Barriers Through Military Service Eugene Blackwell's Military Experience and Global Perspective The Vital Role of Women in the Military The Technical Skills Gained in Military Service Encouraging Youth to Explore Military Careers Final Thoughts on Military Service and Mentorship Keywords: VFW, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Service, Morris Bridges, Eugene Blackwell, Veteran Support, Mentorship, Military Careers, Junior ROTC, Air Force, Army, Veteran Advocacy, Youth Engagement, Military Skills.

Chelsey Falzone does a lot for the youth baseball community with the Minnesota Twins - she serves as the Manager for Youth Engagement and she along with the Twins provide camps for children to learn the game of baseball. She also talks about a great event for getting youth girls involved in the game taking place next week! 

This episode of "The Church Planting Podcast" features Carrie Williams, Executive Director of Exponential Next, discussing the challenges and strategies of engaging the next generation in church planting. Carrie shares her journey from personal transformation to leading church initiatives and highlights the importance of apprenticeship and internships to involve young people. The conversation also explores various innovative church planting modalities like micro churches and network churches, which align with the strengths and interests of younger generations. Greg Nettle and Carrie delve into how different approaches, including entrepreneurial and hybrid models, can adapt to contemporary challenges and opportunities in church growth and disciple-making. Connect with Greg and Stadia Church Planting: https://stadia.org Connect with Carrie and Exponential Next: https://www.exponential.org/next Episode Outline with Timestamps: [00:00:23] Introduction of Carrie Williams and her background [00:01:08] Carrie's journey into ministry and church planting [00:02:06] Challenges of engaging the next generation in church planting [00:03:16] Discussion on apprenticeship and internships for youth [00:04:12] Effective strategies for mobilizing young people [00:05:55] Innovations and new modalities in church planting discussed [00:07:17] Shift in church planter demographics and implications [00:09:39] Growth and potential of micro churches and network churches [00:14:00] The hybrid model of church network discussed [00:17:00] Exponential's Shark Tank and support for innovative projects [00:21:13] Discussion on generational differences and engaging young leaders [00:23:15] Future of Exponential and achieving the mission of church multiplication [00:24:34] Carrie's current engagements and recommendations

Exploring AI in Cybersecurity: Insights from an Expert - CISO Tradecraft with Tom Bendien In this episode of CISO Tradecraft, host G Mark Hardy sits down with AI expert Tom Bendien to delve into the impact of artificial intelligence on cybersecurity. They discuss the basics of AI, large language models, and the differences between public and private AI models. Tom shares his journey from New Zealand to the U.S. and how he became involved in AI consulting. They also cover the importance of education in AI, from executive coaching to training programs for young people. Tune in to learn about AI governance, responsible use, and how to prepare for the future of AI in cybersecurity. Transcripts: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x0UTLiQY7hWWUdfPE6sIx7l7B0ip7CZo Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:59 Tom Bendien's Background and Journey 02:30 Diving into AI and ChatGPT 04:29 Understanding AI Models and Neural Networks 07:11 The Role of Agents in AI 10:10 Challenges and Ethical Considerations in AI 13:47 Open Source AI and Security Concerns 18:32 Apple's AI Integration and Compliance Issues 24:01 Navigating AI in Cybersecurity 25:09 Ethical Dilemmas in AI Usage 27:59 AI Coaching and Its Importance 32:20 AI in Education and Youth Engagement 35:55 Career Coaching in the Age of AI 39:20 The Future of AI and Its Saturation Point 42:07 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Following the Budget 2024 announcement two weeks ago, UNICEF Aotearoa has called for greater youth and family engagement in future budgets, highlighting the importance of youth voice and perspective in policy decision making.  Producer Elle spoke to the UNICEF Aotearoa Policy and Advocacy Manager Frances Cox-Wright about policy suggestions to reduce child poverty and involve youth voice in climate action. 

"You don't have to be a marine biologist to do this work. The field is shifting for everyone." Sean Russel is the Director of Youth Engagement for EarthEcho, and a lifetime ocean steward who has spearheaded conservation solutions from hosting youth-led summits to building ambassador programs under EarthEcho, founded by Jacques Cousteau's son and granddaughter.

Dante Plush Director of Youth Engagement, Comedian IG: @DanteFlush  “We need to address these educational barriers that are stopping our kids outside of school from getting a good education inside of school.” “What is there to be scared of?”  Dante Flush, Director of Youth Engagement, says he has the best job in the world as he supports and listens to changemakers every day and works to reject survival mode while engaging in the work. Growing up in a predominantly white conservative town, Dante experienced microaggressions and a sense of isolation, and had to navigate the college process as the first in his family to attend. As a history major turned teacher, he was presented with an awesome new opportunity that allowed him to address challenges outside of school and work to co-create with students. “Teach young people how to advocate for themselves.”  Dante's mission extends beyond the classroom, empowering students to address societal challenges. As a former teacher, he recalls the real drama in schools, highlighting the pressures and triggers educators face, especially in Title 1 schools, and the need to actively reject imposter syndrome. Through his advocacy and dedication, Dante embodies the belief that education is not just about academics but also highlighting the ways that students showcase their purpose, power and excellence.

Steven Robertson is an acclaimed keynote speaker, trainer, generational expert, author of "Aliens Among Us: 10 Surprising Truths about Gen Z", and the CEO of BOLD-Training. He inspires audiences and invigorates businesses as he shares from his experience of over 30 years. Steven emphasizes the unique characteristics that define each generation, shaped by the "perfect storm" of technology, world news, social media, and leadership or parenting styles. The conversation takes a deep dive into the challenges faced by Gen Z, the first generation to be digital natives, and how their communication styles differ from previous generations.  Steven Robertson also explains the concept of the "8-second filter," debunking the myth of the 8-second attention span, and highlights the importance of creating compelling content to engage effectively with younger generations. www.thedadedge.com/friday148 www.stevenjrobertson.com www.instagram.com/steven_j_robertson  

In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, Greg talks with Dr. Scott Todd, president of One Child and co-founder of Bridgeley, discussing the impactful role of church planting in caring for children globally. Scott shares insights from his extensive experience in child development and church collaboration, emphasizing the strategic use of technology through Bridgeley to foster intercultural relationships and direct support for children in need. They delve into the potential of churches as hope centers, where local champions (teachers, coaches, youth pastors) are empowered to support children's growth and development. The dialogue highlights the importance of strategic, faith-driven efforts to engage the next generation in meaningful causes, demonstrating how technological advancements can bridge the gap between supporters and frontline communities, thus enhancing the global church's mission. One Child: https://www.onechild.org/ Bridgeley: https://www.bridgeley.org/ 00:00:20 - Scott's Background and Connections with Stadia and Greg 00:02:33 - Scott Todd on the Mission of Reaching Kids in Hard Places 00:03:22 - Introduction to One Child and Bridgely 00:04:50 - The Role of Technology in Child Care 00:07:04 - Personal Sponsorship Stories and Bridgely's Impact 00:09:14 - Addressing Entitlement and Compassion through Bridgely 00:10:07 - How to Get Involved with Bridgely and One Child 00:11:42 - Global Perspective on Risks and Opportunities for Children 00:14:07 - Engaging the Next Generation with Purpose and Learning 00:17:11 - Parenting for Impact and Encouraging Young Agents of Change 00:19:01 - Raising Kids with Global Awareness and Compassion 00:22:07 - Hope Centers and the Church's Role in Child Development 00:25:37 - Practical Steps for Engaging with Bridgely and One Child

Nicole Casanova, Youth Engagement and Evaluation Specialist with the Washington State Department of Health, says her agency has created an online Teen Health Hub to answer teens' questions; Dr. Lindsay Weaver, ASTHO Member and State Health Commissioner for the Indiana Department of Health, discusses how Indiana health leaders were able to win state approval of a 1500 percent increase in public health funding; and an ASTHO webinar will dive into how performance management systems can help agencies improve practices within their environmental health divisions. Washington State Department of Health Webpage: Teen Health Hub WA ASTHO Webinar: Investing in Public Health Infrastructure – Indiana's Success Story ASTHO Webinar: Performance Management in Environmental Health ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed