100% Real With Ashleigh Ewald Talk Show

To wrap up 2025, I sit down with William He, CEO and Founder of Dream for America, to discuss how his organization is reshaping Gen Z political engagement across campuses and digital spaces. Check them out here on Instagram: @dream.foramerica. We talk about what inspired Dream for America, how it mobilizes young people beyond online activism, and what recent election trends reveal about Gen Z’s priorities. We also explore the role of digital media and how to sustain youth civic engagement as we head into 2026 and 2028. 

Former Biden White House Press Office Chief of Staff and Advisor Yemisi Egbewole joins me for an exclusive conversation you won’t want to miss. You have probably seen her frequently on Fox & Friends News and other national TV shows speaking about the political climate.

From life behind the scenes in the West Wing to launching her own firm, Podium Strategies, Yemisi shares surprising insights, hard-earned lessons, and the art of shaping political messages for both the press and everyday voters. She opens up about what success means beyond politics, who inspires her, and her best advice for the next generation of changemakers. Listen, enjoy, and share!

In this episode, you'll dive into how Jalen Darcel Robinson (JROB Darcel), a 27-year-old TikTok comedian from Detroit, crafts prank and challenge videos that resonate and go viral. With 2.6 million followers and 69 million likes on TikTok, 600k on Instagram, often featuring family, friends, and POV-style storytelling, he’s a master at turning everyday moments into shareable content. Listen, learn, and enjoy hearing directly from JROB, hosted by your own Gen Z host. Fun fact: This is his very first podcast episode.

In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, this episode features Tony Award-winning actor BD Wong in a powerful conversation on identity, Asian American representation, and finding your voice. From M. Butterfly to Jurassic Park and Mr. Robot, BD shares his journey breaking barriers in Hollywood and offers advice to young people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, on how to embrace who they are and lead change through media. 

Please enjoy, listen, share, and check out the YouTube visual interview as well.

In this 100% Real With Ashleigh Ewald Talk Show's first episode of 2025, welcome the mega influencer Karissa Dumbacher, aka Karissa Eats, insight about all things food and fun. She shares who she’d love to have dinner with, her favorite cuisine, and the joy of exploring new flavors. With millions of followers, Karissa’s passion goes beyond eating—she hopes to inspire young people to embrace food without fear and develop a healthy relationship with it. Please tune in for our lighthearted yet insightful conversation about food, self-love, and dream dinner guests! 

Welcome the self-proclaimed Pro-Democracy journalist from The Independent and co-founder of Rantt Media, Ahmed Baba. In this episode, Ahmed shares his insight on combating misinformation and the techniques he used to detect it. He strives to pursue journalism and storytelling through his motto of “tell it like it is.” The influential and national journalist Ahmed Baba also provides insights on how young people should remember that rejections are simply redirections and never to give up. Listen now on all listening platforms! 

The special guest, Isaac Hayes III, founded the software company and app Fanbase. He launched the Fanbase app in 2018 to help creators monetize their work. Listen in as we discuss how his family’s legacy of his father being the iconic musician Isaac Hayes helped him become where he is now. Isaac Hayes III also shares insight into the best career decisions he ever made and his successful habits. During this episode, listeners will hear from influential figures who have already made it big in their field and how to push through their worst times.  

What is one of the best ways to learn to do something? It is by learning from the best. Please welcome Netflix hit Young Royals Show’s Carmen Gloria Pérez, who plays the character Linda, Simon’s mother. Listen to Carmen’s insight on not allowing your past struggles to determine your potential and how she became a Hollywood actress. The purpose of this episode is to give younger people the opportunity to learn how to positively impact the world through various methods, whether through music, acting, teaching, or public service. Enjoy listening and learning! 

Republished the episode originally from my The Stormy Petrel Times podcast. Want to learn from an international politician how different countries govern and how other countries go about their political parties? Listen to one of the Estonian politicians who visited Oglethorpe University’s meet-and-greet politics class, Kristo Enn Vaga. At only 27 years old, Kristo Enn Vaga went from being a pro-cyclist in France to an elected politician representing the Estonian Reform Party. Join us as he shares how he became involved in politics and why. Aside from providing advice on how young people can get involved in politics, Kristo also discusses how international parties work and that politics is not a destination but a journey. 

Republished the episode originally from my The Stormy Petrel Times podcast. Please welcome Georgia’s 1st Muslim woman and Palestinian American to ever serve in the state’s House of Representatives, Ruwa Romman. Listen in on the conversation between former Oglethorpe University Student Body President of 2014-2015 and now with me, 2023-2024 president. Her journey into bringing representation into local politics and setting a hopeful example for those who come after her, Ruwa, will inspire you never to give up and not to be afraid of being a force to be reckoned with.