How do young people really experience and talk about mental health?

In this episode of Detroit Youth Rising, Bobbi, president of the Detroit Phoenix Center Youth Action Board, sits down with Carter and Kevin to open up about their own mental health journeys. They talk about what the term means to them, how stigma and silence affect their communities, and the ways their personal struggles—from ADHD to panic attacks—have shaped their lives.

The conversation digs deep into the challenges youth face, from growing up in neighborhoods marked by violence to coping with bullying, grief, and family pressures. Carter and Kevin share how mental health issues have impacted their school years, relationships, and daily routines, while also reflecting on the lack of accessible and genuine resources for young people in Detroit.

Through their honesty and vulnerability, Carter and Kevin highlight the urgent need for better support systems. They call for therapy to be free, for schools to introduce mental health education early, and for communities to approach the topic with empathy rather than judgment. Their reflections shine a light on both the struggles and the resilience of young people navigating mental health today.

How do young people really experience and talk about mental health?

In this episode of Detroit Youth Rising, Bobbi, president of the Detroit Phoenix Center Youth Action Board, sits down with Carter and Kevin to open up about their own mental health journeys. They talk about what the term means to them, how stigma and silence affect their communities, and the ways their personal struggles—from ADHD to panic attacks—have shaped their lives.

The conversation digs deep into the challenges youth face, from growing up in neighborhoods marked by violence to coping with bullying, grief, and family pressures. Carter and Kevin share how mental health issues have impacted their school years, relationships, and daily routines, while also reflecting on the lack of accessible and genuine resources for young people in Detroit.

Through their honesty and vulnerability, Carter and Kevin highlight the urgent need for better support systems. They call for therapy to be free, for schools to introduce mental health education early, and for communities to approach the topic with empathy rather than judgment. Their reflections shine a light on both the struggles and the resilience of young people navigating mental health today.

What does career success look like when you're just starting out?

In this episode of Detroit Youth Rising, Bobbi, president of the Detroit Phoenix Center Youth Action Board, sits down with Elijah and Justin to talk about the path to building a career. They open up about their personal dreams—Elijah's interest in psychology and Justin's passion for finance—and the questions they're asking themselves as they imagine the future.

The conversation dives into the real challenges young people face when thinking about work. Elijah and Justin explore the skills they'll need, the importance of determination, and the obstacles that come with breaking into competitive fields. They also reflect on their first jobs at DPC, where they learned the fundamentals of professionalism, teamwork, and what it means to show up ready to succeed.

Throughout the episode, the youth share powerful insights on what career success means to them—not just money or titles, but finding work that is meaningful and sustainable. Their reflections highlight the resilience, curiosity, and honesty of young people navigating big decisions about their futures, offering inspiration for anyone who has ever wondered what it takes to turn ambition into opportunity.

How is media shaping the way young people see themselves and the world?

In this episode of Detroit Youth Rising, Bobbi, president of the Detroit Phoenix Center Youth Action Board, sits down with Christina and Kassidy to unpack the influence of movies, TV, and—most of all—social media. They share how youth are portrayed online, the pressures that come with constant exposure, and what they'd like to see change in the way their generation is represented.

The conversation dives into the mental health impacts of media, from comparison and misinformation to the addictive pull of scrolling. Christina and Kassidy speak openly about the positives—like connecting across distances and finding useful tools—and the negatives, such as unrealistic portrayals, harmful content, and the loss of face-to-face connection. They also reflect on what happens when young people take breaks from their phones and rediscover life offline.

Through their candid stories, Christina and Kassidy highlight the double-edged role of media in their lives. They reveal both the opportunities it offers and the harm it can cause, challenging listeners to think more critically about how technology is used—and how it could be reshaped to better serve today's youth.

What does a fair education system really look like?

In this episode of Detroit Youth Rising, Azaria, former president of the Detroit Phoenix Center Youth Action Board, sits down with Carter and Justin to talk about the role education plays in young people's lives. They share why access to learning is so important, how their own school experiences have shaped them, and what gaps they see between what's taught in classrooms and what students actually need to thrive.

The conversation touches on everything from financial literacy to mental health, with Carter and Justin opening up about the barriers that keep many youth from reaching their potential. They discuss the pressures of grades and rules, the weight of family and financial struggles, and the stereotypes students face in school. Both reflect on what parents, teachers, and administrators could do differently to make education more relevant and supportive.

Through honesty and personal stories, Carter and Justin highlight both the promise and the shortcomings of today's education system. Their perspectives remind us that while education is often described as the great equalizer, it only fulfills that role when every student has the resources, respect, and opportunities they need to succeed.

What do young people really think about money?

In this episode of Detroit Youth Rising, Bobbi, president of the Detroit Phoenix Center Youth Action Board, sits down with Elijah and Kassidy to talk about the role money plays in their lives. From learning financial lessons at home and through DPC programs to figuring out the difference between wants and needs, they share what financial responsibility looks like when you're still coming of age.

The conversation touches on budgeting, saving, and the challenges of managing limited resources. Elijah and Kassidy open up about how their families, mentors, and first jobs shaped their attitudes toward money. They also wrestle with big questions: Should schools teach financial literacy? Would the world be better off without money? And how do you balance being responsible with still enjoying life?

Through honesty and humor, Elijah and Kassidy reveal the pressures youth face around money—and the wisdom they're already gaining. Their reflections show not just the struggles, but also the resilience and creativity young people bring to financial challenges, offering a perspective adults would do well to hear.

In this special bonus episode, we talk to Courtney Smith, founder and CEO of the Detroit Phoenix Center (DPC). Smith shares how the organization began as a grassroots response to youth homelessness and grew into a broader movement driven by young people themselves.

She walks us through the evolution of DPC—from a simple drop-in center to a hub of innovative programs, including a mobile youth center—and explains how youth leadership shapes every aspect of the organization. From facility design to programming decisions, young people are treated as experts in their own lives.

Smith also challenges common myths about youth homelessness, emphasizing that it's often about instability and insecurity, not just lacking a bed. Many affected youth are hidden in plain sight.

Despite funding cuts and a challenging political climate, Smith remains hopeful. She highlights the power of community collaboration and celebrates the resilience of the youth DPC serves—the true heart of the organization.

Tysha and Malijah join host Zara Northover for an honest conversation about the relationships that shape young lives. They open up about their experiences with parents and other supportive adults, reflecting on what it takes to build trust, communicate openly, and feel truly understood.

The episode explores the challenges of being a teenager in today's world and the ways parental roles need to evolve with the times. Tysha and Malijah also emphasize that support doesn't always have to come from biological parents—mentors, teachers, and other caring adults can make a lasting impact.

At its core, this conversation is about connection—what it looks like, why it matters, and how adults can better show up for the young people in their lives.

Host Zara Northover sits down with two young men, Joseph and Rufus, for a raw and honest conversation about their personal experiences with gun violence. Speaking from lived experience, they offer insight into what drives young people to carry and use guns—including the roles that fear, protection, peer pressure, and reputation can play.

Joseph and Rufus reflect on how growing up around gun culture impacted their choices and how difficult it can be to break out of those cycles without support. They also share their thoughts on what real solutions could look like. From the need for stronger parental involvement to the value of early, honest education about guns, they emphasize approaches rooted in understanding rather than punishment. Their perspectives challenge stereotypes and offer a path forward grounded in empathy, prevention, and connection.

How does anxiety impact young people today? Justin and Ariael, discuss their personal experiences with anxiety, exploring its origins in areas like social media influence, peer pressure, and past trauma, including homelessness. Justin and Ariel share coping mechanisms they use, such as engaging in hobbies, spending time in nature, breathing exercises, journaling, and seeking support from trusted individuals. The discussion also touches on the importance of self-awareness and open communication about mental health struggles, particularly within friend groups, highlighting the significance of trust and empathetic listening. Hosted by Zara Northover.