Voices of Youth is a podcast dedicated to giving teens a safe place to be vulnerable about what they're going through.

This week, we hear from Carolyn in a conversation with a lot to unpack. We start by reflecting on 2020 (which is when the episode was recorded), and taking a moment to remember all the things to be grateful for. Throughout the talk, we explore the difference between being kind and letting people violate your boundaries...and later find out what happens when those boundaries aren't respected. Carolyn shares her story with courage and openness, even when I missed the heart of most of what she was saying. I didn't do the best job in this conversation, but don't let that take away from the power of Carolyn's story.

These are stories from people, for people. Welcome to Season 2, Episode 6 of Voices of Youth.

The pandemic has given us many opportunities to think and Carson is no exception. Whether it's state-mandated quarantine or hunkering down during a freeze, he's used the quiet to really reflect on what's going on inside. Pondering questions around growing up, making friends, and an increasingly uncertain future, we'll dive into the deep stuff in today's conversation.

This week, we're going to hear from Zoe and how she keeps a fighting spirit against all odds. Choosing courage over fear and adventure over sitting still, Zoe doesn't let anything stand in her way, not even the potentially life threatening conditions she deals with every day. Zoe's story is encouraging above all else, and a powerful reminder to keep on going.

We dive into Gabe's character universe and how it relates to the mental health battles he's faced. We'll find that each character has meaning, and that Gabe's writing provides an outlet for his emotions.

In this episode, we finish off our 2-part series with Liv, and this time we're switching focus to a topic that men especially need to learn from: sexual assault and the harassment women face every day.

Liv shares her story in this 2-part series to kick off Season 2! In this conversation, Liv fearlessly dives headfirst into the grueling struggle of depression and the process of regaining hope. One episode just couldn't do it justice. A quick warning for this week, there is some language and mention of suicide.

Voices of Youth is back for Season 2 with new voices! 2020 hit mental health hard and there is so much we're going through, but by telling our stories we can feel the support of never being alone. These are stories from people, for people. Welcome (back) to Voices of Youth!

In the wake of current events, it'd be undoubtedly wrong to be silent on what is happening in America right now...and what's been happening for centuries. Racial injustice must end and the youth are the ones who will end it. But who are we? What do we have to bring to this fight? How do we keep the momentum of change rolling? These are stories from people, for people. Welcome to Voices of Youth and Happy Juneteenth!

This week: It's the final episode of Season 1 with Lily. We talk about tons of different things like outdoors activities, fast food, and the best fashion ever. But we also talk about some deeper things like taking one moment at a time, letting go of past mistakes and not taking our present circumstances for granted. It's a message everyone needs to hear, especially in times like this.

In this week's conversation, we talk to Keeghan about faith, politics, and the wonderful questions that philosophers like to think about...but will probably never be answered. But we also talk about some harder things like Keeghan's struggle with depression and Asperger's. A quick disclaimer for today's show: As we discuss faith and politics, some controversial viewpoints come up. I challenge you to not let disagreement take away from Keeghan's story and bravery. Disagreement doesn't have to equal disrespect. These are stories from people, for people...told so that teens will know it's OK to talk about the hard stuff. Welcome to Voices of Youth.