YRV Thought-Partner Podcast

As AI begins reshaping work, what happens to the identities we’ve built around our jobs? In this episode, we explore how productivity, job titles, and career status became tied to human worth, and why AI is forcing us to rethink that relationship. Through news clips, tech CEO commentary, and a look back at The Twilight Zone, this episode asks a deeper question: if we are not our work, then who are we?

AI can now write songs, generate art, and even mimic creative styles with surprising accuracy. So why are so many artists not impressed, but unsettled?In this episode, we explore how creators like Hayao Miyazaki and Nick Cave are reacting to AI-generated art. Their concern isn’t about quality. It’s about what’s missing: human experience, struggle, and emotional truth.

In this episode we explore the growing stigma around AI use in education, creative work, and the workplace. From accusations of cheating to fears about authenticity and job loss, we examine how judgment and anxiety are shaping the conversation more than the technology itself.

As AI companions become more emotionally responsive and always available, they’re changing how we experience loneliness, attachment, and connection. In this episode, explore the psychology behind AI companionship, parasocial bonds, and the risk of replacing human relationships with frictionless digital ones. Featuring expert clips from The AIX Factor podcast (discussion with Dr. Genevieve Ortowski on AI companionship) and the American Psychological Association’s Speaking of Psychology podcast (Ep. 408: “How will AI companions change our human relationships?” with Drs. Ashley Golden and Rachel Wood).

AI is moving fast. Work, creativity, and identity are changing with it. This episode explores the tension between human values and machine speed, and what the future could hold if technology outpaces our ability to adapt.

This final episode of 2025 looks back on a year of exploring connection, emotional loneliness, and the questions that shape how we live today. From defining friendship to understanding youth perspectives across the globe, the conversations challenged how we think about identity, belonging, technology, and societal divide.As a new year begins, the thought partnership continues. Stay curious. Stay connected.

As the holidays approach, Joyce explores how division at work and in society affects our well-being. A listener’s story about two rival managers sparks a new question: What’s the difference between having choices and having to pick sides? Plus, Chapter 8 of Human Glitch continues with Quinn’s night at Crenshaw High and a lesson in authenticity.

This week kicks off with a big question: Is this generation of youth fundamentally different, or are we just seeing familiar struggles through a new lens? Between tech overload and deepening ideological divides, the answers aren’t simple.Then in Human Glitch, Chapter 7:Caleb and River clash over whether their wealthy classmate Quinn belongs at a Crenshaw football game. What starts as a debate about inclusion becomes a deeper reflection on identity, loyalty, and the power of being seen.

In this new episode of Human Glitch, Quinn heads into a long-awaited therapy session with Dr. Han. As they talk, buried questions about trust, identity, and being “the strong one” begin to surface—pushing Quinn to confront what they've kept hidden.Host Joyce Coffey opens with a reflection on last episode’s big question and challenges the idea that we can simply ignore what others think.Share your thoughts on this episode: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this new chapter of Human Glitch, River confronts the pain of his mother’s absence and a father who won’t step in. As tensions rise at home, River begins to question what family really means.We also open the episode with a reflection on the pressure to justify our choices after high school and what it takes to stand firm in them.Share your thoughts on Chapter Five: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this chapter of Human Glitch, River wrestles with belonging, loyalty, and the courage to stand up for what’s right. As summer unfolds in Los Angeles, River finds himself caught between two worlds, his modest life with his father and the privileged halls of Harriet’s Prep. When he learns that a new policy will strip scholarships from student athletes like his best friend Caleb, River must decide whether to risk his own future to fight for fairness.To share your thoughts on Chapter Four, email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, we continue the Human Glitch series with Chapter III, told through the eyes of Caleb, a 16-year-old football standout in South Central L.A. Balancing school, sports, and caring for his younger siblings after his father's death, Caleb faces mounting pressure to hold everything together.With help from his best friend River and the ever-reliable Mama Dee, Caleb fights to stay focused on his dreams—while wrestling with the fear of losing everything.To share your thoughts on Chapter Three, email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠.

We’re back with Chapter Two of Human Glitch, a new coming-of-age novel from the YRV team, featured on the Thought-Partner Podcast. This serialized story follows a group of teens as they navigate identity, belonging, and the pressures of growing up in a fractured world.In this chapter, we shift perspectives to Quinn—a restless teen filmmaker growing up in the shadow of his famous director father. To share your thoughts on Chapter Two, email: ⁠[email protected]⁠.

Get an exclusive first listen to Human Glitch, a new coming-of-age novel from the YRV team. Set in Los Angeles, the story follows a group of teens as they navigate identity, loneliness, and belonging in a fractured world. In Chapter One, River—a high-achieving scholarship student—begins therapy with the renowned Dr. Han, convinced he doesn’t belong there. What unfolds is an unexpected, deeply human connection.To share your thoughts on Chapter One, email: [email protected].

In this episode of the YRV Thought Partner Podcast, host Joyce Coffey discusses emotional loneliness with guest Diana Aleksanyan, a sophomore at NYU Abu Dhabi. They explore how young people often feel isolated despite being socially active, especially during major life transitions. For further insights, Harvard University has addressed this issue in their talk series, "Confronting Our Epidemic of Loneliness." You can watch the discussion here: Confronting Our Epidemic of Loneliness | Education Now

Loneliness is a growing crisis among young people, deeply tied to mental health challenges like depression and anxiety. But what type of loneliness affects them most? In this episode, youth from around the world share their experiences, revealing that emotional loneliness—feeling unseen and unheard—is the most pervasive.📢 To ensure the protection of youth participants and maximize anonymity, all youth voices in this episode are AI-generated.Join the conversation at [email protected].

Welcome to the first Thought-Partner episode of 2025! As we step into a brand-new year, we explore one of the most profound aspects of human connection: friendship. Anchored by a touching poem, What Is a Friend?, this episode invites listeners to reflect on the timeless essence of friendship.Do you have a question you’d like us to answer with a poem? Send your questions to [email protected]. We look forward to featuring your question in a future episode!

Lori Cosgriff, President of the 29 Palms Food Pantry, discusses her background and the pantry's operations. They serve 200-250 families per month through three distribution programs, including a USDA distribution and a senior-focused distribution. The pantry faces challenges like rising food costs and fewer donations due to the pandemic, but relies on community support and volunteers to keep running. Lori emphasizes the importance of treating recipients with respect and understanding their struggles, while also encouraging self-sufficiency when possible. She expresses interest in increased collaboration and education around food insecurity in the local community.

Joyce interviews Linda Wong, a dynamic individual whose journey spans from humble beginnings in rural China to becoming an influential educator and leader. Linda shares her story of immigrating to the U.S. at a young age, navigating various jobs, and ultimately discovering her passion for education and leadership.Linda Wong is the founder and CEO of SPARK Academy, an educational organization that has been transforming the lives of children and families in the San Gabriel Valley for the past decade. As a vital partner of local school districts, SPARK Academy provides tutoring services in all subjects to thousands of students annually, from kindergarten through 8th grade.

In this episode of Youth Research Vox - Thought-Partner Podcast, host Joyce Coffey sits down with Søren Hermansen, Director of Samsø Energy Academy, to explore the power of community-driven sustainability. Søren shares his experience transforming the small Danish island of Samsø into a global leader in renewable energy, offering insights on how local involvement and ownership are key to successful sustainable development projects. They discuss the importance of evaluating a community's readiness for SDG initiatives, the impact of bottom-up versus top-down approaches, and how young leaders can take these lessons forward to drive change in their own communities. Tune in to hear how local action can truly create global impact!

In this episode, Joyce Coffey explores the complexities of Generation Z, a group often misunderstood by older generations. Through a heartfelt poem, the podcast gives voice to Gen Z's desires for understanding and support, urging older generations to see them for who they truly are and to stand by them in their journey.Do you have a question that you would like us to answer with a poem? Send your questions to [email protected]. We look forward to featuring your question in a future episode!

In this episode, Joyce Coffey interviews Sandy Smith, executive director of the Copper Mountain College Foundation, delving into her motivations and dedication. Sandy discusses her deep connection to the Hi-Desert community, her fundraising work, and her involvement in local organizations like the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club.Sandy highlights the community's collaborative spirit, which has led to achievements like the establishment of Copper Mountain College. She emphasizes the college's impact on students through its diverse programs and dedicated professors.

In this episode, Joyce delves into the unique and vibrant community of the Morongo Basin, located in Southern California, known as the “Hi Desert”, where residents treat their home like a living person. Joined by Steve Brown, a resident and lifelong journalist, they explore the intricate biodiversity of the desert, including the iconic Joshua tree and the ancient creosote bush. They also discuss what makes the community special, highlighting Steve's impactful work at Copper Mountain College.Steve Brown is an accomplished journalist and the public relations specialist at Copper Mountain College, where he oversees the award-winning publication, Cacti Chronicles.

Joyce Coffey delves into the difficulties that young people encounter today, such as division, violence, and emotional isolation. She brings on two young guests, Christina and Joleen, who have thrived academically and socially despite these obstacles. Christina, a student from an all-girls private high school, shares her experiences with the emotional challenges of forming relationships and emphasizes the significance of clear communication in friendships. Joleen, who attended a large public high school in Los Angeles with a predominantly minority student body and a majority non-minority teaching staff, also shares her perspective.

Join us for an insightful episode of "YRV Thought-Partner," where host Joyce Coffey engages with Dane Stickney and Shawnee McPhail, two trailblazers in educational reform. In this episode, they discuss the dynamic shifts needed within the education system, the role of educators and students in shaping these changes, and the specific challenges and opportunities presented by the global and local landscapes of education.McPhail, residing in Japan, delves into her efforts to integrate LGBTQ+ literature in classrooms, advocating for a broader representation and fostering an inclusive environment. Stickney, based in Denver, discusses his work on empowering youth through research and policy change, emphasizing the critical need for systemic transformations to accommodate student voices and needs.Together, they explore how rapid transformations and incremental shifts in education can coexist, and they highlight the importance of community and policy support in effecting lasting change. Tune in to hear about the transformative power of education when it is driven by dedicated individuals who are committed to empowering students and rethinking traditional frameworks.

Youth Research Vox presents, Thought-Partner, a new podcast exploring innovative solutions, challenging norms, and inspiring change! Join us as we dive deep with leaders from academia, industry, and activism. Tune in, become a thought-partner, and help us turn ideas into action. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform!