For Lauren, STEM is about more than science experiments.

In this episode of The Story Place, Lauren shares why STEM education matters for young people today and how curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking help kids grow into future changemakers. From hands-on projects to unforgettable moments like studying a gray whale that washed up on shore, Lauren reflects on the joy of helping kids discover the world around them.

It’s a conversation about wonder, learning, and giving young people the confidence to ask questions and explore what’s possible.

🎧 Listen now and follow The Story Place for more YMCA stories. To share your story with us, send us an email or voice note to [email protected] and we may feature it on a future podcast.

In this episode of The Story Place, Tom shares how aquatics can build confidence, connection, and lifelong skills at every age. From toddlers learning coordination and comfort in the water, to adults finding calm and confidence through swimming, Tom reflects on the impact the pool can have far beyond swim lessons.

His passion is simple: help people feel comfortable enough to jump in.

It’s a conversation about play, belonging, and why the YMCA pool is about so much more than swimming.

Subscribe and share your YMCA story with us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ or through the link in the show notes. Your story may be featured in a future episode. There is no place like this place.

In this episode of The Story Place, Andi reflects on the moments that make the YMCA more than a building. From walking into a cycling class terrified, to watching families find support during unimaginable seasons of life, to seeing older adults experience the same joy and connection as kids at camp, her stories remind us what community can look like at its best.

This episode is a powerful reminder that the Y is not just a place people go. It is a place where people are seen, supported, and reminded they belong.

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Share your story with us at [email protected] and it might be featured on a future podcast.

In this episode, Melissa reflects on the quiet ways the YMCA becomes a place of support, connection, and care for people from all walks of life.

From a woman experiencing homelessness finding dignity and kindness through everyday interactions at the Y, to moms finding friendship and relief in group exercise classes, Melissa shares how community is often built in simple but meaningful moments.

What begins as a workout, a shower, or a class can become something much deeper. A safe place. A support system. A reminder that people are not alone.

Because sometimes the stories we never see are the ones that matter most.

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What happens when people from completely different backgrounds come together and just go for it?

In this episode, Jason shares how spaces like the Y create unexpected connection across age, experience, and background. What starts as a simple activity quickly becomes something more.

From first-time moments to unforgettable experiences, it is about the energy, the encouragement, and the realization that you belong there.

Jason reflects on how something as simple as skating can become a bridge. A place where kids, adults, and entire communities connect in ways that would not happen anywhere else.

Because sometimes, all it takes is one shared experience to bring people together.

Subscribe and share your YMCA story with us at [email protected]. Your story may be featured in a future episode.

What if youth sports were not just about a safe space, but a brave one?

In this episode, Aria and Bailey share how YMCA youth sports create environments where kids are supported to take risks, grow, and build confidence. Drawing from their own experiences, they now help create those same opportunities for the next generation.

From first attempts to unforgettable moments, it is about more than the game. It is about trying, belonging, and discovering what is possible. They also reflect on the growing visibility of girls in sports and how what was once questioned is now becoming normal.

Subscribe and share your YMCA story with us at [email protected]. Your story may be featured in a future episode.

What does it really mean to design for belonging?

In this episode, Lincoln reflects on his first impression of the YMCA and how quickly it became something more than just a place. What started as a simple question, “Is this just a gym?” turned into a deeper understanding of what the Y truly creates.

Belonging. Friendship. Community.

These are not things you can draw or build in a traditional sense. They are felt.

Lincoln shares how his work is rooted in creating spaces and experiences that help people feel something real. In a world that often trends toward isolation and independence, he speaks to the YMCA’s unique ability to bring people together.

Because at the end of the day, we all need each other. Sometimes we just need a place that gives us a reason to connect.

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Gael’s story is about belonging, growth, and finding your place.

In this episode of The Story Place, Gael shares how the YMCA helped shape her journey through community, mentorship, and opportunity. From her early experiences at the Y to where she is today, her story reflects the lasting impact of a place that invests in people.

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From participant to leader, JJ Frank’s story reflects the heart of the YMCA.

In this episode of The Story Place, JJ shares how youth programs, mentorship, and community support helped shape his path and how he’s now creating those same opportunities for others. It’s a conversation about belonging, leadership development, and the lasting impact of the YMCA.

Whether you’ve grown up in the Y or are discovering it for the first time, this episode offers a powerful reminder of how community can change lives.

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This is The Story Place — where stories come to life.

Hosted by the YMCA of Snohomish County, this podcast highlights the people, moments, and mission that make our community stronger.

From everyday wins to life-changing experiences, these are the stories behind the Y — and the stories that connect us all.