Ep. 1 - From NFL to Literacy Leader with Malcolm Mitchell

Two worlds can shape a life: the one you’re born into and the one you can reach. We sit with Malcolm Mitchell, former New England Patriots Super Bowl Champion, children’s author, and Cox digital access ambassador, to unpack how opportunity, literacy, and community turn potential into progress.Malcolm shares what it means to grow up in a “book desert” and then discover how access opens doors. We talk about the bridge between traditional literacy and digital literacy: finding credible sources, questioning what we read, and using information to make better choices. He explains why hope needs tools, how the internet can widen a young person’s lens when used with intention, and why reading is the compounding habit that accelerates every other skill.We dive into the origins of Share the Magic Foundation and the moments that prove kids want to do meaningful things when given the chance. From classroom visits to picture books like A World Within Reach, Malcolm shows how stories can spark belief. We also explore real-world shifts, like a school’s phone ban that led to a 40% rise in library visits, and how to design environments that produce the outcomes we want. Along the way, we trade favorite reads, celebrate community power, and keep it real with a rapid-fire round that reveals Malcolm’s lighter side.If you care about youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and practical steps to build critical thinking, this conversation will meet you where you are and push you forward. Listen, share it with someone who needs a nudge, and leave a review to help more people find the show. Want part two? Subscribe now, Malcolm’s NFL journey drops November 18th.Join teen host Holden on the 4th and 18th of every month for new episodes of Youth Unmuted, proudly presented by the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County. Stay Connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthunmutedpod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@youthunmutedFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581181750280 LinkedIn: Youth Unmuted