The Round Table: A YVote Podcast

As Zohran Mamdani steps into office as Mayor of New York City, YVote youth unpack what actually changes when leadership shifts. This episode explores what happens immediately, what takes time, and how transitions of power impact schools, housing, policing, immigration, and youth programs, with a focus on how young people can stay engaged beyond election day.

In this episode, YVote youth unpack what safety really means in the presence of police and why Commissioner Jessica Tisch’s role in Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s incoming administration has become a point of controversy. Through personal reflections, data from the Innocence Project, and an honest conversation about policing, surveillance, and youth vulnerability, they explore how power shows up in our communities and what young people can do to take action.

Welcome back to The Round Table! This week, our hosts Kassandra and Preena are joined by Shennell McCloud, a visionary leader redefining civic engagement. Together, they dive into a conversation that bridges two worlds we rarely talk about together: wellness and infrastructure and how their intersection is essential to building lasting justice. Too often, civic leadership is measured by rallies, votes, and policy wins. But what about the systems that support the people doing the work?

What if true, sustainable change means protecting not just rights, but rest? Not just momentum, but mental health? In this episode, we explore why burnout and overwork are not sustainable models for engagement and how movements can thrive when wellness is treated as a core part of organizing.

We also examine how neglecting mental health and community care weakens civic infrastructure. From physical spaces to digital platforms like The Sanctuary, we spotlight ways to intentionally build systems of care that fuel resilience and action.

Shennell’s work offers powerful insight into what it means to build structures that support both freedom and function, especially in communities that have been over extracted and under-resourced for generations. Together, this conversation reminds us that justice work isn’t just about fighting back, it's also about building up, and that starts with caring for ourselves and each other.

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Welcome back to The Round Table! In this week’s all host episode, Kassandra, Daniella, Preena and Viola dive into the current state of U.S. democracy, how it’s shifted over time, the changing roles and behaviors of public officials, and the corruption that threatens to shake the system at its core.

From the NYC mayoral race to Trump’s digital fundraising tactics to ICE detention practices, the hosts break down the latest headlines. They explore the growing public disillusionment with government, education, and immigration and the apathy that seems to be everywhere. Drawing a powerful comparison to the musical Cabaret, they ask: how do we get people to care? How do we hold leaders accountable? And what unique role do young people play in all of this?

The conversation also looks at digital political activism, the importance of real, human connection in movements, the danger of performative politics, and whether rebuilding trust in government is even possible. Rebuilding trust won’t be easy; it'll take transparency, accountability, and real systemic change. But it’s possible. And more than that, it’s necessary. Now is the time to speak up, take action, and push for a democracy that actually reflects and respects the people it serves.

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Welcome back to The Round Table! This week, our hosts Kassandra, Preena, and Sauda sit down with Dr. Paul Zeitz a physician, public health expert, and democracy advocate whose work spans from global health to civic transformation. With decades of experience leading responses to the HIV/AIDS crisis and now focusing on constitutional renewal and citizen empowerment, Dr. Zeitz brings a unique blend of medical insight, political strategy, and community action to the table.
In this episode, we dive deep into what it means to radically rethink democracy in the 21st century. Dr. Zeitz talks about his mission to help everyday people reclaim power, build inclusive systems, and take bold action to heal what's broken in our society. From citizens' assemblies to new approaches to constitutional reform, he offers not only critique, but clear strategies for reimagining civic life and amplifying youth voices.
We also explore how young people can be powerful agents of change despite the challenges of polarization, disengagement, and injustice. This conversation is about possibility, action, and the future we can build together.
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Welcome back to The Round Table! This week, our hosts Daniella, Kassandra, and Preena sat down with two time Emmy Award winning filmmaker Kayona Ebony Brown, whose work bridges art and activism. Known for her powerful storytelling in both sports and female centered narratives, Kayona shares how her creative journey from radio DJ to filmmaker has been fueled by resilience, purpose, and a deep belief in the power of storytelling.

In this episode, Kayona opens up about the setbacks that shaped her career and how failure can be a tool for growth, leadership, and social impact. She reflects on her work on high profile projects like Before Jackie, a Super Bowl feature starring Viola Davis, and her current fictional sports series Coach Quinn, which challenges gender norms in the NFL.

If you’ve ever wondered how creators balance big dreams with real world discipline, this one’s for you. Kayona shares the daily routines that keep her grounded, including meditation and gratitude practices, and how emotional discipline helps her thrive in a fast paced industry. With big plans to fund her first feature film and expand her company, Siingle, Kayona continues to use her platform to inspire, empower, and spark civic engagement.

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Welcome back to The Round Table! This week, our hosts Daniella and Sauda speak with Corinne Lerma, a Youth250 Bureau member. She is one of 100 young adult fellows who not only advise, but also collaborate with nonprofit organizations. But, Corinne’s commitment to helping young learners doesn’t just stop there. In addition to this, she is also a preschool educator, a Cincinnati Museum Center instructor, an artist, and a writer. Together, Corinne and the hosts dive into her passions, her journey, and how she manages to balance so many roles at once.

Starting with the roots of Corinne’s interests in history, the arts, civic engagement, and education, the hosts explore how her rural upbringing shaped her perspective, her thoughts on the future of art, and her personal creative process. Corinne shares how she realized college wasn’t the right path for her, how working with 4-5 year olds helped her define her core values, and why civic education at an early age matters. She also reflects on the challenges she’s faced and the achievements she’s proud of despite them.

The conversation wraps up with a look at Corinne’s role in the Youth250 Bureau and how that opportunity came to be, before she turns the tables and asks the hosts to share their own favorite ways to stay civically engaged.

Tune in to hear what Corinne and the hosts strive to make time for and why it’s essential to nurturing civic minded communities.

Welcome back to The Round Table! This week, our hosts Kassandra, Daniel, and Zarina sit down with Alice Sheehan, CFO of AllSides Technologies. Alice is passionate about promoting media literacy and works closely with teachers and students across all 50 states to encourage understanding of opposing viewpoints on important civic issues. She believes strongly in teaching young people “how to think,” not “what to think.”

During the episode, Alice shares her journey into civic engagement and explains how her early involvement in local issues shaped her passion today. She talks about the value of focusing efforts where they can have the biggest impact, starting within one’s own community. Alice also reflects on the challenges young people face when trying to prioritize so many civic and political issues at once.

The conversation highlights growing concerns around civil discourse and the decline of respectful dialogue between opposing sides. Alice discusses the role of social media in deepening political divides, pointing out how platforms are often separated into “liberal” and “conservative” spaces. This separation, she explains, makes it harder for individuals to truly understand different perspectives.

Throughout the episode, Alice offers thoughtful insights on media literacy, political discourse, and active civic engagement. Her experiences show why developing critical thinking skills and engaging thoughtfully with others is more important than ever.

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Welcome back to The Round Table!

This week, our hosts Kassandra, Sauda, and Viola sit down with Christopher Albert De La Roa, Web Producer and Content Manager at DoSomething.org. Christopher shares his personal background in art and activism as an independent broadcaster, media and content producer, storyteller, and self proclaimed “student of the absurd.”

Reflecting on his upbringing, witnessing injustice and facing family struggles Christopher discusses how he found both escape and empowerment through art. He shares his take on the evolving role of social media as a “double-edged sword,” offering thoughtful advice on how to navigate content creation and consumption. He also highlights the artists who have broken through societal barriers to bring forward stories that reflect the experiences of often overlooked communities.

Together, the group dives into media films, books, and more that portray marginalized groups with care, as well as those that miss the mark. Christopher emphasizes the importance not just of which stories get told, but who gets to tell them, and how that shapes the broader cultural narrative. The conversation rounds out with a powerful discussion on the role of humor in healing, the impact of activism on education and careers, and the need to move beyond fear, seek support, and speak your truth.

Listen in to find out why that matters and how to begin.

Welcome back to The Round Table! This week, our hosts Daniel, Inyoo, Kassandra and Sauda sat down with Emma Post and Max Szuchman, seniors at Mamaroneck High School in Southern Westchester and passionate advocates for youth voter engagement. As part of a four year civic engagement program at their school, they have dedicated the past two years to increasing voter turnout among both young people and Hispanic communities.

Emma and Max have witnessed firsthand a troubling trend: many of their peers are disengaged from the political process, with eligible students choosing not to vote in the 2024 election, often believing their vote wouldn’t make a difference. Concerned by this widespread apathy, they took action, launching initiatives to register and pre-register high school seniors while raising awareness about the power of voting.

In this conversation, they shared their experiences running a voter registration drive that successfully registered over 300 students. They also highlighted the impact of every vote, pointing to swing states like Michigan, where election outcomes were determined by just a few thousand ballots. Their efforts extend beyond their school, as they work with Assembly Member Nily Rozic to advocate for a bill allowing 17 year olds to vote in primary elections if they turn 18 by the general election.

Emma and Max’s work is a powerful reminder that young people have the ability to shape the future of voter engagement. By starting early, they are proving that every vote and every effort to increase participation matters.

Thanks for listening!