Conversations with the Future

This is the final episode of Conversations with the Future. Around this time three years ago, I released the first episode of the Conversations with the Future Podcast. This project has been like my baby throughout almost my entire high school experience. I started this project because I noticed that there was a lack of motivation amongst my peers, and so I wanted to create something that would encourage teenagers to reach higher, dream bigger, and know that the work for a bright future can start right now.

In this podcast, I have interviewed 20 amazing young individuals from diverse backgrounds - aspiring doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, artists, and so much more! My hope has always been that these conversations served as a spark of motivation for those listening, a platform that I wish I had when I was trying to figure out my own career path and how to pursue it.

As some of you may know, I graduated from high school back in May of 2025, and I am about to start university! But because I am no longer a high schooler and I am starting an exciting but demanding new chapter in my journey, I have decided that now is the right time to bring the Conversations with the Future podcast to a close.

So before I go, I just want to say thank you. Thank you to everyone who listened, supported, and shared the podcast over the past three years. Thank you to my incredible guests who gave their time to share their wisdom and stories. I am sad, but so very grateful.

This has been Conversations with the Future. Thank you for letting me be part of your journey. And remember: we are the future of this world, and the future is yours to shape.

Background Music: One Love by Keys of the Moon

In this episode, Okey has a deeply insightful conversation with his long-time friend Henry, an incoming Grade 12 student in the IB Diploma Programme who is passionate about food security, environmental sustainability, and agriculture. In the future, he would like to work in a space where he can influence sustainable developments and protect the environment, whether that be through research, policymaking, or diplomacy. As the host of his very own podcast “Feed the Future,” Henry is speaking with experts and community leaders, exploring innovative solutions to world hunger crises from different perspectives and lenses. As a leader of the Ridley Action Alliance, he is galvanizing his peers to engage in local community initiatives combatting food waste and redirecting surplus food to those in need. For everybody who is passionate about environmental science and climate change or interested in how we can sustainably feed a growing population, this is the episode for you!

Want to Learn More About Henry and His Work?

Listen to Henry’s “Feed the Future” Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0CO5EwGQ3XrLnxxT3pVhMN

The Ridley Action Alliance Prepares Meals for Village of Hope Niagara: https://www.instagram.com/p/DD7HR2EP84G/

The Ridley Action Alliance Prepares Meals for Community Care: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ9IE8Qvu_W/

Yale Sustainable Food Program (YSFP) Podcast: https://www.sustainablefood.yale.edu/chewing-the-fat-podcast

In the third episode of Season 3, Okey is having a chat with his friend Joti, a 2025 Loran Scholar who has engineered an award-winning Braille-based communication device, TouchTalk, to support those experiencing deafness and blindness. Joti’s goal is to one day start a tech company in Canada, where he will continue to use his passion for engineering to develop technology that improves quality of life for all. In addition to being recognized nationally for making waves in the realm of affordable assistive technology, Joti also excels as a debater and has mentored younger students in debate and public speaking, thereby bridging the gap between natural and social science. But this episode is not just about big accomplishments and winning scholarships; it is about making a positive difference in society through science, technology, and advocacy.

Want to Learn More About Joti?

Joti's Loran Award Announcement: https://www.instagram.com/p/DH6cz8mydsO/?img_index=1

Saskatoon student invents deaf blind communication device: https://www.ctvnews.ca/saskatoon/article/saskatoon-student-invents-deaf-blind-communication-device/

Two Saskatoon teens receive $100,000 Loran Award:

https://www.ctvnews.ca/saskatoon/article/two-saskatoon-teens-receive-100000-loran-award/

Affordable Assistive Tech: Joti Gokaraju’s Award-Winning Braille Device: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhOdmsmJo3g

If you are a high school student in Canada and you are dedicated to making Canada and the world a better place, I highly recommend you look into the Loran Scholars Foundation and the amazing opportunities it offers for your post-secondary journey and beyond. Visit loranscholar.ca today to learn more.

In Episode 13, Okey is having a chat with a Grade 12 student named Dan, an exceptional visual artist who has been widely recognized for her versatile artistic abilities, her amazing talent, and her unique style! Dan desires to pursue a career in the world of animation, a highly profitable and competitive career path. By listening to this interview, not only will you learn about Dan’s journey as a young artist so far, but you will learn about the process of art university applications, and both the opportunities and challenges that come with pursuing art careers!

Want to Explore Some Art Resources?

Ethan Becker Discord Server: discord.gg/ethanbecker

Realm of Morro Discord Server: https://discord.gg/JVaUkQRnKs

Sycra's YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@Sycra

An Article By Dan: AI vs. Artists: https://www.thetigertimes.ca/opinion-ai-vs-artists-can-ai-replace-creativity/

To kick off Season 3, Conversations with the Future hosted a fantastic event called the “Exploring Tech Careers Webinar” in collaboration with Excel Your Future, an amazing federal level not-for-profit organization supporting students interested in STEM. Okey interviewed Najib, a Computer Engineering student at Western University; Tim, a Software Engineer at Amazon; and Shuja, a Medical Science and Computer Science student at Western University! This episode is the official recording of the webinar, and by listening to it, you will all learn about the various opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for those wishing to pursue a career in the dynamic industry of tech, as well as the skills and experiences needed to realize your goals!

Want to Learn More About Excel Your Future?

Official Website: excelyourfuture.ca

Instagram Handle: @excelyourfuture

Want to Connect with the Panelists?

Najib Masokun: linkedin.com/in/najib-maskoun-124577180/

Shuja Sayyid: linkedin.com/in/shuja-sayyid/

Timothy Art: linkedin.com/in/timothyart/

Resource Recommended by Shuja: Fast.ai

In the eleventh episode of Conversations with the Future, Okey is having a chat with Alex and Bobo, twin brothers in Grade 12 who have distinguished themselves as incredible mathematicians and dedicated STEM students in their academics and extracurricular activities. Bobo aspires to become an applied mathematician in the field of academia, and Alex aspires to become a mechanical engineer, building upon his strong foundation in mathematics. They are getting ready to head to very prestigious universities, and in this episode, they share some incredible strategies that have helped them get where they are. If you are interested in math, engineering, or STEM in general - this is the episode for you.

In the tenth episode of Conversations with the Future, Okey is having a chat with his new friend, Brian. Brian is a 12th grade student who has a particular interest in psychology, a subject that attempts to unravel the mysteries of the brain. Brian has many academic and extra-curricular accomplishments in the areas of psychology, neuroscience, and literature, such as co-founding The Neuro-Psy-ience Club at Ridley! Brian looks forward to continuing his studies into the graduate and postgraduate levels so that he can do research in psychology and related fields. I cannot wait for you all to learn from Brian’s experiences and learn valuable lessons from this intelligent, insightful, and reflective individual.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BRIAN

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Article - Brian Wang, Semi-Finalist in the JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu7NtynOqdz/

Article - Winners of McMasters Annual Local Brain Bee: https://pnb.mcmaster.ca/mcmasters-ann...

Documentary - Vel Phillips: Dream Big Dreams: https://www.pbs.org/video/wpt-documen...

Study App Recommended by Brian: https://www.ankiapp.com/

MUSIC CREDIT

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One Love by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon

Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...

Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

In this episode, Okey is having a chat with his friend Charlotte, a 12th grade student who aspires to become a professional hockey player after playing Division I Hockey at the University of Wisconsin! During her career, she hopes to coach and inspire the next generation. As a multi-sport athlete who has a number of amazing athletic accomplishments at a young age, Charlotte shares many insights in this episode that will be helpful to student-athletes in high school who want to learn how they can play their elite sports at the top level.

Learn More About Charlotte:

⁠Charlotte's Official Instagram Page⁠

Article: PIECKENHAGENS REPRESENT CANADA TOGETHER

Article: Ridley crew a force on and off the water

In this episode, Okey interviews three high school entrepreneurs: Emma, Taha, and Jemimah. These are exemplary students who are running successful businesses and also thriving in their academics at the same time! This interview is split up into three segments that follow the initial stages of entrepreneurship, which are the ideation, the planning, and the execution. In each of these segments, our young entrepreneurs will be sharing their valuable insights and business experiences, and my hope is that by the end of this episode, you will all have the necessary information to embark on your own business ventures as high school students!

Watch this Episode on YouTube

Learn More About Emma:

Emma’s LinkedIn Profile

LivEm Jewelry Website

The Massis Sisters Support the Shoebox

Ridley Students Pack Shoeboxes for the

Personal Instagram: @emma.massis 

Business Instagram: @livemjewelry

Learn More About Taha:

Taha’s LinkedIn Profile

Personal

Business

Learn More About Jemimah:

Jemimah’s LinkedIn

Blitz Bundles Website

Personal Instagram: @luuvjj

Business

In the first episode of Season 2, Okey is having a chat with Nantume, an international student from Uganda! She aspires to be a human rights lawyer to ensure social equity and uphold people's rights. Nantume has a passion for helping the less fortunate, supporting the underprivileged, and shaping a brighter future for generations to come. During this interview, I am confident that each of you will be inspired by Nantume's story. I can't wait for you all to learn about how the challenges Nantume has faced in her life have helped her become the changemaker that she is today!

Watch this Episode on YouTube

Learn More About Nantume:

Nantume’s LinkedIn

Youngsters’ Appeal Instagram Page

The Story of Nantume’s Personal Project (p.35)

Period Poverty Petition

Nantume on the Empathy to Impact Podcast