the WONDER podcast

Sydney is always grateful to meet like-minded artists who understand the importance of using their platforms to raise awareness about important topics like mental health. This appreciation grows even deeper for those who are navigating the delicate balance of being both professional, touring musicians and nonprofit leaders simultaneously.

Si Martin is the CEO and founder of Heads Above The Waves, a nonprofit that raises awareness about depression and self-harm in youth, while promoting positive, creative ways to cope with the bad days, as well as an insanely talented musician. Sydney has had the privilege of witnessing Si perform drums—twice—with Novo Amor, one of her all-time favorite artists.

Sydney extends a heartfelt thank you to Si for being open to this exchange and can't wait for you all to listen to the conversation!

For this week’s episode, Sydney had the privilege of chatting with her good friend, Kenny Andejeski. Kenny is the founder of why[here]matters, a community building company founded on the belief that anyw[here] diverse groups of people come together, towards pursuing common cause, matters. They liaise between organizations, initiatives, local communities, and their leaders to foster social cohesion, belonging and civic health in an increasingly polarized society.

During their conversation, Kenny shares about his ‘why’, the start of his organization and the various projects that came from it, as well as community engagement, how to get involved to advance important work in our cities. He is determined to create spaces for people to share their stories and work together towards more connection and belonging.

For Episode 63 of The WONDER Podcast, Janvi Shah sits down with Mary Helen Montgomery, the Civic Storytelling Program Director at The Enterprise Center, to discuss the dynamic intersection of digital equity, civic engagement, and technological innovation. A key initiative under her leadership is Our Voices Chattanooga, a non-partisan, voter education series that aims to increase civic engagement among young people in our region.

Mary Helen is also the Director of Chattamatters, an innovative civic storytelling platform designed to bridge the gap between the community and local government. (Chattmatters was also the recent recipient of a One Chattanooga award last month because of their commitment to highlighting local stories and helping members of our community better understand WHY local issues matter!

Throughout their conversation, Janvi and Mary Helen dive deep into the importance of civic engagement, especially among youth, in the context of the upcoming presidential election. This episode sheds light on the power of youth voter turnout and the ripple effects it can have on society. Mary Helen emphasizes that young people have the potential to shift the course of elections, especially when it comes to issues like technology, equity, and community development. By being active participants in the political process, young voters can hold leaders accountable and influence policies that will shape the future. 

In the face of misinformation and growing distrust in media, Janvi and Mary Helen explore how platforms like Chattamatters provide a space for honest and transparent conversations about civic issues through nonpartisan civic information. This episode is a call to action for young listeners to get involved, stay informed, and recognize the role they play in shaping their communities and the nation.

In this episode, Janvi Shah sits down with Shadrina Booker, the Director of Community Engagement for Chattanooga and the leader of the Mayor’s Youth Council. Together, they delve into the transformative role of the Mayor’s Youth Council, exploring how young people across the city can actively participate in local government and the profound impact their involvement can have on their communities. In a world that often rushes forward, leaving youth voices unheard, this episode underscores the critical importance of integrating our younger generation into the decision-making processes that shape their future. Shadrina shares her inspiring journey—from her roots to her current position—and her unwavering commitment to fostering change. Listeners will gain insight into the barriers Shadrina has overcome, the milestones she’s achieved, and her ambitious vision for empowering youth to ensue meaningful societal change.

This episode is not just a conversation; it’s a call to action for all youth to step up, get involved, and help shape the world they want to inherit.

During one of the last few podcast episodes, Sydney mentioned there’d be a switch in hosts…. Janvi Shah is a junior at East Hamilton High School and has become one of Be The Change Youth Initiative’s Ambassadors of Change. At BTCYI, the goal has always been to get more youth involved in taking action and to give them opportunities to engage the community in what they are passionate about! This is why Janvi will be taking over the podcast…to talk with other community members about advocacy in areas she’s passionate about! Sydney wanted to introduce you all to Janvi, so you’ll get to know her heart and passions for creating positive change!

This podcast episode was recorded over a year ago. As creatives, musicians, advocates...humans...who have wrestled with their own mental health, Sydney Guerrette and Josiah Johnson have a conversation about the importance of listening and storytelling. (It was the first episode Sydney recorded since putting a pause on the podcast back in fall of 2022. Now, four episodes into this next chapter, and what's addressed is STILL applicable.) Throughout this episode, it's apparent that Johnson is an incredibly compassionate and transparent person who cares deeply for humanity. Johnson, who many people know from the band, The Head And The Heart, chats with Sydney about how his personal mental health journey influences his music, his openness about his struggles with addiction, and navigating the intersection of art and vulnerability.

Sydney met Scott Mulvahill last fall, after his show at Songbirds, a local music venue here in Chattanooga. Mulvahill's talent is inspiring; from being a singer-songwriter to upright bassist, the way those two worlds collide is something extraordinary to see. He’s been performing for over a decade, from working with artists like Bruce Hornsby to playing for NPR’s Tiny Desk series. In this episode, the two of them talk about their first interaction as well as the role music plays in their own mental health journeys and in helping others.

Sydney Guerrette and her brother, Brayden, had the opportunity to open for Emily Wolfe last year at Songbirds, a local music venue here in Chattanooga. Before the show, they talked with Wolfe and her band and of all the professional musicians they’ve opened for, this group was the most down-to-earth, humble, and gracious. This is one of the reasons why Sydney wanted to have this week’s guest, Johnny Radelat, on the podcast. She felt a level of respect and authenticity through their first interaction that she wanted to honor with even more conversation. Radelat's not only an insanely talented dummer and performer, but he’s also an incredible producer, songwriter, and overall a kind, authentic human. In this episode, the two of them touch on the importance of respecting others, gratitude & mindset, and advice for youth pursuing a similar career.

It's been awhile since our last episode, but we're back! Sydney, Founder of Be The Change Youth Initiative (BTCYI), and her mom, Deirdre, Operations Director at BTCYI, talk about the shift in direction, upcoming episode guests, and exciting news regarding the switch in HOST of this podcast. 2024 is going to be an exciting year.

This week’s guest is someone Sydney is inspired by and admires. Laurie A. Watkins is a Catalyst for Change, Policy Expert, Media Commentator, and political strategist. She’s Founder & President of her own consulting organization, an incredible speaker, executive coach, best-selling author, as well as a human rights and women’s rights advocate. (And she’s also President Obama’s former Policy Advisor!) Sydney's loved following Laurie on social media because she’s using her platform to not only educate others on important topics, but also encourage them to create change in their own ways, whether that’s by cultivating community, sharing their stories, voting, the list goes on. Her work is incredibly impressive, so get ready to learn so much more!