Simple Acts, Big Impact

We all know that books hold the key to language and literacy. My guest today, Sahana, a high school senior from Ohio, has always had a passion for words and reading and was a finalist in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. She launched the Young Learners Foundation, an organization with the goal of advancing youth literacy with free books and programs, which has already donated over 18,000 books to children in need. Learn more at www.younglearnersfoundation.org and follow @younglearnersfoundation

My guest today, HS sophomore Evan Z., cares deeply about making the streets of his community safer for everyone - drivers, walkers and bicycle riders. He started NextGen Community Builders, an organization dedicated to empowering youth through traffic and transportation safety programs. Evan is involved in the highest levels of his town's government and has been recognized with a Community Achiever Award recognizing his dedication to civic engagement and youth leadership. Learn more at https://gonextgen.org/ and follow @nextgencommunitybuilders

Origami is a traditional Japanese art of folding paper, typically without cutting or gluing, to create intricate, beautiful and colorful shapes. It can be a meditative practice, and is an art form often passed down from one generation to the next. My guest today, Juan R.F. shares the story of Origami for Good, an organization with the mission to spread joy, one fold at a time. Volunteers in chapters around the world create origami art and share it with others who are in need of joy and connection. Learn more and sign up to create a chapter at www.origamiforgood.org and follow @origamiforgood

Over the four years of doing this podcast, I have had the privilege of learning about some incredible social impact projects that take a unique approach to solving a difficult problem, but my guest today has one of the most interesting stories I've heard.  Keshav, a high school junior from Houston Texas, started playing the bagpipes in 2nd grade. After making a connection between lung capacity and the practice of blowing into the bagpipes, he created Pipes for the People to help children and adults who live with cystic fibrosis and other lung diseases. Learn more at www.pipesforthepeople.com

After the loss of her beloved grandmother, Jiya J. from Texas realized that she missed the warm connection she had with her grandmother, and reached out to local senior centers and nursing homes to find a way to volunteer to paint with the residents. Her nonprofit, Young and Old United, grew out of this personal passion project and has spread across the state of Texas, engaging over 100 student volunteers. Jiya's joy around this work is infectious, and she has some very important things to say about the way that youth changemakers are treated by adult decision makers. I left this conversation inspired and with a huge smile on my face, with an even deeper belief that intergenerational volunteerism is perhaps the most powerful type of service that can benefit our communities. Learn more at www.youngandoldunited.org or follow @youngandoldunited

Reading opens doors and provides opportunities, and for young people who find themselves in the hospital, research shows that books can boost positive emotions and oxytocin levels, while lowering stress hormones. My guests today, Sanvi and Sumedha from the Chicago area, understood the many benefits of reading and launched The Bookmark Project, a book collection and distribution effort, to empower young people and to spread literacy in their own community and around the world in places like Africa and India. They have collected and donated 41,000 books, and counting. The Bookmark Project is a youth-driven literacy initiative focused on building community and increasing access to books across the globe. Follow and learn more @tbp_il

Today, as we kick off Earth Month, I am honored to share this conversation with Crystal and Ellie, two college students who became friends while doing Model UN in high school. They bonded over their shared concern for the environment, and launched LEAP, or Live Environmentally Active in the Present, a youth-led organization spreading awareness through education and a powerful publication called The Climate Chronicles. Learn more at www.leapforclimate.wixsite.com and follow @leapforclimate

My guest today, Edie Y., is a college student, a future educator and a champion of the arts - for EVERYONE. Edie started We Are Artistic to support artists and art lovers, and to create a safe and inclusive space for people of all abilities to engage in creativity. Learn more at www.weareartistic.net and follow @weareartisticgroup

Period poverty continues to be a major issue for so many women and girls in the United States. My guests today, sisters Mia and Maya F. from Florida, started Enough for Everyone, to ensure that women living marginally in their community have access to the personal hygiene products they need to maintain their health and dignity. Learn more at www.enoughforeveryone.org or follow @enoughfor_everyone

Sometimes the simplest efforts are the most impactful. Big-hearted high school senior Ryan T. launched Read Aloud Buddies along with his sister during the early days of the pandemic. The organization aims to match every child with an experienced high school or college student. The student volunteers read to their "buddy" improving language skills and literacy. Ryan also runs Little Acts of Kindness, baking cupcakes for children celebrating their birthdays while living in a shelter. Learn more at www.readaloudbuddies.org or follow at @read_aloud_buddies if you'd like to start your own chapter.

My guest, Aaron H. from California, created the Indigenous Justice Coalition to support the many indigenous tribes in our country who have been denied their rights and benefits. Aaron felt a call to action, particularly on behalf of the Waccamaw tribe, which is indigenous to the Bay Area. He learned how to respond to grants, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of this work  and visited Washington to lobby Congress. Aaron is a beautiful example of Dr. King's phrase, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Learn more about starting a chapter or joining this important work at https://indigenousjusticecoalition.com/ and follow @indigenousjusticecoalition

When a child is diagnosed with a rare and difficult disease, there is so much chaos and stress. The care that they are given in the hospital and the attitude and optimism of their family and support network are crucial. My guest today, Nell C., was diagnosed with a rare condition at the age of 9. She emerged from that very scary experience and is well and thriving now, with her disease in remission. She wrote a book during the early days of the pandemic called My Hospital Story, which is shared with patients and families, as well as medical students. Nell is a rare disease advocate and a beacon of light and kindness for children and families going through health challenges. You can purchase My Hospital Story on Amazon and follow @myhospitalstory

In honor of Eating Disorders Awareness Week, I am honored to share this conversation with Diya- a high school senior who, through her own experience with an eating disorder as a young teen, decided to launch an organization, Eating Disorders Support and Awareness, or EDSA. Partnering with a national ED nonprofit, EDSA is a youth-led organization that raises awareness and provides peer-to-peer support. Follow at @projectEDSA and learn more at www.projectedsa.wixsite.com

Through his own curiosity, research and interest in giving back to his community in a meaningful way, Brock M from the Boston area figured out that socks are some of the most needed items among people experiencing homelessness. He launched Project Socks in the Fall of 2025 and has already made such a huge impact. This conversation covers so many topics that are foundational to my work and the themes of this podcast. Brock shows us that even the smallest thing can make the biggest impact in the lives of people in need. Visit www.projectsocks.org to learn more and follow at @project.socks

Showing kindness to our elderly neighbors and those who are confined to facilities is some of the most gratifying and impactful service work we can do. My guest today, Nora P. from the Chicagoland area, created a beautiful organization called Roots and Grounds,a youth-led nonprofit serving seniors in retirement homes, offering complimentary planting and craft workshops. Learn more at www.roots-and-grounds.com

My guest today, Brandon, tells us the story of the challenges he has faced in terms of his eyesight and the way that his mother helped him to face this challenge and overcome it, with hard work and optimism. Brandon created the See the World Foundation to help other children who struggle with issues around their sight. See the World empowers young leaders to take leadership roles and it ensures that clear sight is a right, not a privilege, by removing financial barriers to care.  Follow at @seetheworldfoundation or learn more at www.seetheworldfoundation.org

This Friday Jan 23 is National Reading Day, and to celebrate, I have a special episode to share today, featuring Rebecca Y, a high school student from California who created an incredible organization, Read to Respond. Rebecca has always been a voracious reader, and what began as a book club combined with community service has evolved into an international community of readers who are connecting and learning together.  Follow, sign up for the monthly newsletter or register for the online book meeting at @readtorespond.

My guest today, 16-year-old Nyla, cares deeply about the mental health struggles of young people in her community. During the pandemic, she realized that she was not the only person who was feeling lonely, isolated, and worried. She created Stillmakers with a grant from the Riley's Way Foundation to help tweens in grades 6 - 8, to use creative expression to share their feelings. She hopes to normalize discussion around mental health issues, especially in this younger age group. Learn more and follow @blkgirlstandingsun

Creativity in all its forms can be healing, and can provide a welcome distraction for children going through treatment for pediatric cancer. My guest today, Olivia W, combined her passion for photography and her interest in becoming a pediatric oncologist to create Healing Lens, an organization that helps pediatric patients share their stories through photography. Learn more at @healinglensproject

Happy New Year!At the midway point of Season 4, I continue to be overwhelmed by the kindness, drive, purpose and optimism exhibited by my guests each week. During dark and troubling days in our world, these teen changemakers give me hope for a brighter future.Instead of my usual interview, today, I'd like to share a short essay with you. The Riley's Way Foundation, which I've mentioned on the podcast many times, and for which I am a proud board member, hosted an essay contest this fall in honor of World Kindness Day. The topic was "what does Kind leadership mean to me" and five exceptional winners were selected. I'm going to read one of those winning essays for you today, written by Emily H. from California.This essay is perfectly aligned with the themes of my new book! I'm delighted to announce that my third book, Simple Acts of Care: How to Help When Someone You Love is Hurting, will be published in December 2026 by The Collective Book Studio. This book is has been bouncing around my head for years and sharing these vulnerable stories and the life lessons I've learned over time has become a labor of love. Stay tuned for more details in the coming year.

Happy Holidays to you all, and welcome to this very special Holiday episode! Today I have the pleasure of sharing this conversation with sisters Alexis and Taylor, who started their organization, Bored No More with a simple goal - providing bags of games, toys, and crafts to hospitalized children who are away from their homes over the holidays. It is a perfect reminder that there are so many ways that we can share the true spirit of this season with people who are struggling. I hope this conversation will inspire you to be generous and spread a little extra joy this holiday season. Learn more at https://borednomorecharity.org/ and follow @charityborednomore

Sisters Caitlyn and Chloe K. from Las Vegas, learned about the very troubling issue of period poverty, and decided to do something about it. They created the Wellness Box Foundation which creates and distributes boxes containing feminine hygiene products and other toiletry items to girls and women living in shelter or experiencing homelessness.  Learn more at www.thewellnessboxfoundation.org @thewellnessboxfoundation

My guest today, 13 year old Divisha from Washington State, is a dog lover and social entrepreneur. As a 9 year old, she created Bow Bow Ties, an Etsy shop which sells hand-sewn bow ties and bandanas and donates the proceeds to help animal shelters in her community.https://www.instagram.com/bow_bow_ties/

Emily B., has a passion for neuroscience and psychology, and is committed to helping other young people with similar interests - especially those from marginalized groups without representation in neuroscience or healthcare. She created the Teen Neuroscience Alliance to help make neuroscience and psychology education accessible to everyone with an interest in the workings of the human brain. Learn more at https://www.teenneuroalliance.com/ and follow @teenneuroalliance

If you have an older adult in your life, you may know that criminals frequently try various tricks and phishing scams to get them to hand over personal information or to send money. This is a huge problem affecting millions of people around the globe, with billions of dollars being stolen. My guest today, college student Jake, created CyberAware, to train teen volunteers across the country to go out to senior centers, libraries and nursing facilities, to teach older adults  how to protect themselves from falling victim to these crimes. Learn more at https://www.cyberawareofficial.org/ and follow @cyberawareofficial

As we've discussed on the podcast many times, representation matters, and thats especially true in the medical field. Young black and brown girls need to see people who look like them becoming physicians and taking on other leadership roles in healthcare. My guest today, Sarah, is a recent college graduate who will be attending medical school. Working in partnership with Sneakers to Scrubs, she created She's Got Goals for young girls on the South Side of Chicago. It is a sports-based initiative that empowers girls to explore careers in healthcare while understanding their own health and wellness through guest speakers and educational workshops focused on adopting healthy behaviors. Learn more @sneakers2scrubs

Since 2025 began, issues surrounding immigration, naturalization and undocumented citizens has been very much in the news cycle. What can get lost in all of the coverage of ICE raids and deportations are the stories of real people who are pursuing legal avenues to become US citizens. My guests today, Samuel and Julie, are the leaders of CLIP, which stands for Creating Legal Immigration Pathways, a student-run organization that helps non citizens in their California community to find accessible pathways to obtain United States citizenship. This work is timely, and important, and once again, young people are rolling up their sleeves to find real solutions to complicated problems. Learn more and follow @clipcitizenship and www.clipcitizenship.org  

Expressing ourselves through art is healing, and it celebrates our cultural heritage, it educates and it connects us to one another, fostering understanding among people from different backgrounds. My guest today, Shriya from Phoenix, understood this, and created Artsphere, which provides programs to boys and girls clubs, schools and camps in her community, to spread cultural awareness through artistic expression. Artsphere has directly impacted over 400 children across three states, fostering creativity and cultural appreciation. Follow and learn more @artsphere2024

With election day coming up next week, we need every young person to get engaged in our civic discourse, to care about our collective future and to share their talents and skills to make a difference. My guest today, Kayla P. from Illinois, started the Civic Success Project, an organization dedicated to transforming how young people connect with and participate in civic life - centering youth priorities and helping young people to realize their influence and make meaningful change in their communities. This is an incredibly powerful conversation for this particular moment in our democracy. Follow and learn more @thecivicsuccessproject and www.civic-success.org

Title IX is federal legislation that prohibits discrimination based on general in any programs receiving federal funding. My guest today is a young woman who cares deeply about ensuring that everyone in her community understands their legal rights under title IX. Rachel, from Orange County, started the Title IX Advocacy Initiative and speaks passionately about the ways that young people who care about justice and fairness can make a difference in their communities. To learn more, follow at @TitleIXAdvocacyInitiative

There's a common phrase used in mentorship and educational equity circles: You need to SEE it to BE it. My guest today understands the representation matters, and that young people need to see and hear from role models whose lived experiences mirror their own. Munveer S. from Menlo Park, California, started Off the Stage to connect young people to speakers, mentors and role models from diverse backgrounds. Learn more on the Off the Stage website: www.offthestage.org  

Sophie Szew is an incredible mental health advocate, writer and speaker. As an eating disorder survivor and proud Jewish Latina, Sophie combines their own experiences with injustice brought about by mental healthcare inequity with her passion for writing, advocacy, and leadership to uplift the voices of those with lived experiences and fight for the systemic destigmatization of marginalized bodies. Her writing, under the banner Truth from Today's Youth, can be found at www.behavioralhealthnews.org. Connect with Sophie on LinkedIn.

Pages4Progress is a youth-led organization that is empowering incarcerated voices through literacy and learning. Founders Ranya and Marisa, along with co-founder Matthew, demonstrated incredible patience and perseverance in setting up this incredible effort. Pages4Porgress is helping to end recidivism and improve literacy among incarcerated people in New Jersey. Follow and learn more at @pages4progress_ and www.pages4progressnj.com  

TW: This episode talks about eating disorders High School seniors from Maryland, Anya and Kendyll, are dancers whose lives have been affected by eating disorders. They bonded over their shared experiences, and joined forces to launch Dancers Beyond Labels, a nonprofit organization which works to address the youth dancer mental health crisis by: engaging with dance company directors, instructors, and aspiring dancers; providing nutrition education; promoting best practices around body-neutral dancer training and performance; and supporting dancers struggling with eating disorders and other mental health issues. Learn more at https://www.dancers-beyond-labels.org/ and follow @dancers.beyond.labels

Intergenerational volunteerism is probably one of the most meaningful types of service. It is literally a win-win. Teens can learn so much from older adults and seniors get a tremendous emotional boost from spending time with young people. My guests today - Lauren and Proksha started ForgetMeNot International, a nonprofit that works to prevent cognitive decline in the elderly through conversation, music and art, while bridging the gap between generations through a pen pal companionship program. Learn more at www.forgetmenotintl.net and follow @forgetmenotintl  

My guest today, Hunter G. from Virginia, is a one-person food rescue warrior. He noticed that food at his local fast food restaurants and cafes was being thrown away, and asked if he could collect the food and get it to a local shelter where it would feed hungry neighbors. His commitment to food rescue - picking up after early morning swim practices - is inspiring, and a perfect example of how one person, committing to one simple act of kindness, can make a big difference. Hunter started a Taste of Home, Inc. has been honored by ReFED, an organization working across the food system to reduce food waste and hunger. Learn more about ReFED at www.refed.org and connect with Hunter on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/hunterguthrie  

Welcome to the kickoff of Season Four! Sophie K. is a high school student from California whose recently launched organization, Chains of Hope, benefits charities supporting the people of Ukraine. As a first generation Ukrainian American, whose parents emigrated to the US after WWII, I was deeply touched by Sophie's heart for the Ukrainian people who continue to suffer after more than three years of conflict Sophie is also involved in environmental causes, and fostering productive and civil discourse among her peers. Follow Chains of Hope @chains.of.hope Purchase necklaces supporting Ukrainian charities at https://www.chainsofhope.org/ Learn more about the Clean and Green Initiative at https://www.tcagi.org/ Learn more about Bipartisan Bridges at https://bipartisanbridges.org 

Our Season Three Finale! I have interviewed more than 50 amazing young people this season, and we've covered a wide range of topics. I've learned so much, and continue to be inspired, every day, by the work of these changemakers. I'm ending the season on a super high note - Dylan Z. created Computers4People when he was only 15 years old, turning a hobby with friends into a social impact endeavor. Dylan's interest in refurbishing old computers evolved into an incredible nonprofit that helps get technology and training into the hands of people who need it so that they can improve their lives. Dylan has been named a "30 Under 30" by Forbes Magazine, and after graduation this month, he will be leading Computers4People full time. I hope this conversation will be inspirational and aspirational to everyone who wants to make a meaningful difference in the world. Learn more at www.computers4people.org and follow @computers4people

California teen Gwenevere P. started the Persaud Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the ocean through education, public involvement and conservation. Through online courses, an electronic newsletter and a podcast, she and her team raise awareness and share their love for marine biology. It is always so inspiring to speak to a young person who is on fire about an issue, and who has made a commitment, at such a young age, to make a meaningful impact. Learn more at https://www.thepersaudcatalog.org/ and follow at @thepersaudfoundation and @thepersaudcatalog

As we move through Mental Health Awareness month, my guests today, brothers Vick and William from Minnesota, approach the issue from an entirely new perspective - one that we've never covered on the podcast before. Their nonprofit Fish Hut empowers youth to get outdoors and into nature, and provides the tools that young people need to learn how to fish - a pastime that has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. Learn more at https://fishhut.org/ and follow @fishhutandcompany

As we acknowledge Period Poverty Awareness week, I'm honored to share this conversation with Ananya D. a high school senior who cares deeply about women living in refugee camps, and is especially concerned about their ability to have what they need to care for themselves and to maintain their dignity during their menstrual cycles. Ananya's drive and tenacity are an inspiration. Learn more about her impressive work at https://www.helpreplant.org and follow @helpreplant.

This conversation is the perfect way to honor Older Americans Awareness month, which is celebrated in May. Intergenerational volunteering is so incredibly powerful. My guests today, high school students Areen, Emily and Rachel, started Generation Union with the mission of bridging the gap between generations. They empower youth to engage with institutionalized seniors and other patients living with Alzheimers disease. With a robust chapter program, Generation Union provides meaningful volunteer opportunities for teens and connection and joy to isolated elders. Learn more at https://www.generation-union.org/ and follow @generationunion

As we kick off Mental Health Awareness month, I'm delighted to share this conversation with three big-hearted young men who care deeply about the mental health of their class mates and other youth around the world. Arjun, Tanuj and Shreyas started their nonprfoit Mind4Matter last Fall after observing a need for a safe space for teens to talk about stress and mental health struggles. Mind4Matter is a youth-led nonprofit with a strong chapter model that works to provide the tools people need to find strength and resilience in challenging times. Learn more and follow @mind4matter.global

We wrap up Earth Month with this conversation with Madhvi C., and incredibly impressive young changemaker from Colorado. Since she was a very young child, Madhvi has been passionate about sustainability and advocacy around climate justice. She worked to remove styrofoam from her school, and has been instrumental in the passing of legislation around environmental issues in Colorado. She has addressed the UN, and was named a TIME kids of the year. Learn more about her advocacy work and her nonprofit, Madhvi4EcoEthics at https://www.madhvi4ee.com/ and follow at @madhvi4ee

As we continue to celebrate Earth Month, I'm delighted to share this conversation with Ivy, a highschool student who started the Teen Coalition 4 Climate, an international youth-led organization with the goal of uplifting youth climate voices. Now in over 30 countries around the world, Teen Coalition 4 Climate publishes a YouZine - one of the first ever entirely youth-led climate justice magazines. Learn more at www.teencoalition4climate.com or follow at @teencoalition4climate

We continue our celebration of Earth Month with this delightful conversation with Makayla C. whose love of the beaches near her home in Southern California, especially Venice beach, inspired her to create Clean Up the Beach, a youth-led beach clean-up organization. Learn more at www.cleanupthebeachca.org or follow at @celan_up_the_beach_ca

April is Earth Month and it is my absolute pleasure to kick it off with this delightful conversation with 14-year-old Cash from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Cash is an award-winning river and ocean conservationist and was named a top 5 Time Magazine Kid of the Year, and his platform is called, appropriately, The Conservation Kid. He cofounded an organization called The CleanUp Kids that engages young people all over the country in the important work of cleaning up our beaches and riverbanks. Cash's passion for the environment was sparked when he was only 7 years old. Once again, I am just blown away by the young people whose care and concern for our planet is sparked at a very young age, and who follow-through to lead the way for all of us. Follow at @theconservationkid @responsiblestewardship

My guest today, Emma J. from New York City, took a painful experience - the loss of her father when she was only 13 years old - and turned it into a joyful and impactful nonprofit called Club Care. Now with chapters all over the country and one in Paris, Club Care volunteers fundraise and create care packages for pediatric cancer patients. Learn more at www.clubcare.org

There is a phrase - "home of the free BECAUSE of the brave." My guest today, Ben B from New York, is an impressive young man with a passion for supporting our active duty military, their families and our honored veterans.We're living through a chaotic and divided moment right now and I hope that this conversation will remind us that our service men and women, and our veterans and wounded warriors, simply answered a call and made tremendous sacrifices, and they are deserving of our respect and our kindness.  Learn more at www.whiskeybravo.org or follow at @whiskeybrav

Running is a sport that instills confidence, strength, resilience and a sense of purpose. My guest today, Maya M, from Minnesota, is a first year at Georgetown and a member of the track and field team. During a gap year before starting college, she traveled to Tanzania and launched a special organization called Girls Run Global, which empowers girls and equips them with the skills to succeed through the sport of running.https://www.girlsrunglobal.org/