Nine-year-old Ruby joins host Thea Sam on Cool Christmas Kids to share the joyful traditions that make her holidays special. From cozy gatherings at her grandma’s to favorite treats like coffee cake and memorable late-night stays, Host Thea describes family rituals, holiday meals such as lamb chops, and wish-list items including a Nintendo Switch and a wearable pillow. Thea recalls staying up until 3 a.m. at relatives’ homes and the fun of deciding an elf’s name from Ruby. This warm, kid-centered episode captures childhood wonder, family bonds, and the simple pleasures that define Christmas through a young, honest voice today.

🎧 Voice of Youth Podcast – Episode Description

Welcome to this season’s Voice of Youth podcast, featuring the inspiring voices of 4th and 5th grade students from Hemmeter Elementary School. This podcast celebrates youth storytelling and provides a platform for students to share their ideas, experiences, and perspectives with confidence.

The Voice of Youth Podcast is part of the Voice of Youth Program, a 10-week, hands-on podcasting and storytelling experience provided by United We Go and supported by the Unity Through Diversity. The program is designed to help youth build confidence, communication skills, and self-expression while learning how to turn their voices into meaningful stories.

Over the course of the program, students explore topics they care about, develop public speaking and storytelling skills, and experience the full podcasting process—from idea creation to recording. Be sure to listen until the end to hear student reflections on what they learned, the challenges they faced, and their favorite moments from the journey.

As the program continues to grow, the Voice of Youth Podcast is expanding to reach more cities and schools, including middle and high school students, creating even more opportunities for youth voices to be heard.

If your child is interested in joining the Voice of Youth Program in January, please keep an eye out for flyers coming home in student folders. Schools interested in bringing this program to their students, as well as organizations that support youth development or offer youth-empowering products or services, are encouraged to connect with us.

We are currently welcoming episode sponsors, program sponsors for our 2026 season, and in-class guest speakers.

📩 To learn more or get involved, please contact us at [email protected]

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