Young voices. Big issues. Welcome to Youth Rising by NCS! The podcast for young people, made by young people. It’s the final episode in Season 2 but never fear, we’re not leaving you alone. We’re wrapping up the season with three brilliant guests from the world of social media, reality TV and relationships, sharing their experiences on finding your people.

First up, Youth Rising team member Nelly speaks to Finley Tapp from Love Island about what makes a healthy relationship, how to maintain those golden long term friendships while still being open to new ones and why not everything should hinge on making a great first impression.

Youth Rising team member Sofie chats to Alex Hobern, winner of Channel 4’s The Circle, and his girlfriend, Milly Logan, about using the internet to find community. Alex explores his relationship with socialising as part of The Circle and he and Milly share how we can use social media to form authentic new friendships.

Later Runoh, also from the Youth Rising team, puts your questions to Anna Williamson, the Celebs Go Dating Love Guru. They cover everything from first loves, to flirting, to arguments and ghosting.

Reading List

Zero Negativity by Ant Middleton

Where Is The Love by Anna Williamson

The Secret History by Donna Tart

If you feel affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, you can head to themix.org.uk for free advice and support for under-25s on relationships, mental health and more.

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Young voices. Big issues. Welcome to Youth Rising by NCS! The podcast for young people, made by young people. It’s episode 9 and in the penultimate episode of the series, we’re talking about overcoming hurdles, going for gold and striving for serotonin as we look

at the relationship between sport and mental health.

We're joined by leading voices from the world of sport to explore the benefits of exercise to physical and mental well-being, but also what happens when the pressure of pushing yourself to achieve becomes too much.

Olympic diver Jack Laugher opens up about his personal journey overcoming anxiety and low self-confidence, explains why his bronze Olympic medal means more to him than his silver and gold, and shares his tips for anyone struggling right now. Journalist, presenter and podcaster Charlie Webster shares how sport helped her through her teenage years and still does today, and why we should all be kinder to ourselves when we don’t make it off the sofa. And Paralympian, presenter and Celebrity Masterchef winner Kadeena Cox talks about how she processed the shift in her career after being diagnosed with MS.

This week we also heard from Erin Williams at Stonewall about the amazing work they’ve been doing with their Rainbow Laces campaign and from the Head of Youth Services, Kayleigh Harris at Sport in Mind, who spoke to us about the incredible sport workshops they do with young people to help with mental health struggles.

If you feel affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, themix.org.uk offer advice and support for under-25s.

Reading List:

Achieve The Impossible by Gregory White

Born To Run by Christopher McDougall

The Mamba Mentality: How I Play by Kobie Bryant

Mindset: A Mental Guide for Sport by Hans Dekkers and Jackie Reardon

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It's just call her Audrey, your mamacita Milena Sanchez and Sidje from Youth Rising by NCS… aaaooooowwwwwww! (If you know, you know!) This is the podcast for young people, by young people, and in this week’s very special episode, we’re joined by two thirds of The Receipts podcast to chat about adulting. To many young people, The Receipts are like big sisters, so who better to go to for advice?

We took to social media to ask what questions you’d like to ask Audrey and Milena and boy did you deliver! Sidje poses your burning questions to get their top tips  on everything from friendships, to dating inspiration, to how to handle job interviews and hustle culture. Plus they squeeze in a quick round of Never Have I Ever and share life hacks to help you get through your to-do-lists.

And on top of all that, we’ve got a Q&A on money management, with Nick Smith-Patel from MyBnk.

Hit play for a jam-packed episode!

Reading List

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

Keep The Receipts by Tolani Shoneye, Audrey Indome and Milena Sanchez

Things Nobody Tells You When You're Growing Up by Fiona Clark. 

Follow us @ncs

Follow Audrey @just_callme_audrey

Follow Milena @milenasanchezx

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Another episode, another incredible lineup of guests to talk about the issues that matter most to our generation. This is Youth Rising by NCS, the podcast for young people, made by young people. On today’s episode we’re having a look at privacy and ask the question: in this day and age, is privacy a luxury? Being part of online communities and participating in social media has become the norm. We’ve become accustomed to having access to people’s private lives and there can be an expectation on what we should be privy to, especially when it comes to celebrities.

We are joined by retired British Army captain and Mermaids patron Hannah Graf MBE and her husband, actor, writer and co-Mermaids patron Jake Graf about their decision to share their relationship and parenting journey on social media.

How do we navigate being online and still retain a sense of our private lives? Are we able to be on social media and not feel exposed? And is it possible to stay truly connected with our peers without an online profile? Listen along to hear their insights.

Plus, the Youth Rising team share their perspectives on consent when it comes to parents sharing images of their children online, and Kate Edwards from the NSPCC talks us through some practical ways to stay safe online and where to turn to if you experience any problems.

Reading List

The Truth by Terry Pratchett

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Attwood

1984 by George Orwell

Technically Wrong: Sexist Apps, Biased Algorithms, and Other Threats of Toxic Tech by Sara Wachter-Boettcher

Follow us @ncs

Follow Jake Graf @jake_graf5

Follow Hannah Graf @hannahw253

If you’d like to know more about how you can help with the issues covered in this episode head over to the NSPCC for more information.

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Another episode, another incredible lineup of guests to talk about the issues that matter most to our generation. This is Youth Rising by NCS, the podcast for young people, made by young people. This week we’re asking the question: what’s next for the anti-racism movement? To help us answer are activist and influencer Munroe Bergdorf and author and activist Patrick Hutchinson.

Through activism, social media and a growing social consciousness we are more aware than ever of all the types of racism that still exist and that need to be addressed and discussed – but are also able to recognise positive changes and celebrate all different backgrounds and races.

Later we’re joined by  comedian and creator of BBC Three’s Muzlamic, Aatif Nawaz, who chats to us about challenging racism in the media and how he uses his comedy to tackle social justice.

Reading List:

Consumed: The Need for Collective Change: Colonialism, Climate Change, and Consumerism by Aja Barber

Natives by Akala

How We Kneel, Why We Rise by Micahel Holding

Rapunzella, Or, Don’t Touch My Hair by Ella McLeod (available to pre-order now, out everywhere 7th July)

Follow us @ncs

Follow Munroe Bergdorf @munroebergdorf

Follow Patrick Hutchinson @iampatrickhutchinson

Follow Aatif Nawaz @aatifnawaz

Show racism the red card, this is the UK's leading anti-racism educational charity.

We’d also recommend The Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, which works with 13-30-year-olds in the UK who come from disadvantaged backgrounds,with the aim of inspiring and enabling them to succeed in the career of their choice.

When it comes to mental health we’d suggest Black Minds Matter UK, a non-profit organisation for people aged 13- 25. They’re passionate about change that will bring about a more equal and just society for all.

Lastly check out Stand Against Racism & Inequality, a UK charity that provides support for victims of any type of hate crime. From racism and homophobia to sexism and ageism.

As always make sure you head to our show notes for more information about how we can ALL help.

This week Muhsin also introduces NCS Mixtape ‘22, the soundtrack from, and for, our generation. The exclusive Mixtape ‘22 film is available on Youtube now. Check it out here.

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Young voices. Big issues. Welcome to Youth Rising by NCS! The podcast for young people, made by young people. This week we’re exploring gender - what it means and the expectations society puts on it. From the perceived conceptions of gender, to how we understand it. In 2022, how do we move forward with accepting and expressing gender outside of existing binaries?

Youth Rising team member Haleem speaks to Jamie Raines and Shaaba Lotun, Youtubers, couple and childhood best friends about the stages of transition, the dysphoria that can surround it and family support.

Later, Ella speaks to life coach, model and activist, Harnaam Kaur, about body hair, society's pressure around gender and finding your own expression. 

Reading List:

Manifesto for Misfits by Glyn Fussell

Transmission: My Quest to a Beard by Alex Bertie

Light Is the New Black: A Guide to Answering Your Soul's Callings and Working Your Light by Rebecca Campbell

Follow us @ncs

Follow Jamie Raines @jammi.dodger

Follow Shaaba @sherbetlemon007

Follow Harnaam Kaur @harnaamkaur

If any of the issues raised in this episode have affected you, you can find free support and advice at stonewall.org.uk  

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Young voices. Big issues. Welcome to Youth Rising by NCS! The podcast for young people, made by young people. With multiple world governments declaring a climate emergency and COP26 engaging many in vital conversations, this episode feels particularly timely and important. We’re so excited about our guests this week, who are all responsible for doing incredible work in service of Mother Earth. Youth Rising team member Lottie kicks off the episode interviewing Ella and Amy Meek, founders of Kids Against Plastic. They chat about starting small, the devastating effect of single use plastics on the oceans and the value of litter picking!

We’re also joined by Dr Mya-Rose Craig aka Bird Girl UK, the prominent British Bangladeshi ornithologist, environmentalist, diversity activist as well as a writer, speaker and broadcaster. In February 2020, Dr Craig became the youngest person to be awarded an honorary Doctorate of Science D.S.c. h.c.aged just 18. She has spent seven years campaigning and founded the much-needed Black2Nature, an organisation which fights for equal access to nature for VME (Visible Minority Ethnic) people in a bid to combat racism within conservation. She tells host Muhsin about how green spaces improve our mental health, the anxiety that VME communities feel outside of cities and how racism intersects with climate activism.

Later we have an enlightening chat with Nicola Brown, a producer on the BBC’s Blue Planet II. Nicola has also worked on the BBC impact campaign Our Blue Planet as well as a BBC Earth VR series and BBC Earth’s original YouTube channel Earth Unplugged. At her current company Freeborne Impact, Nicola’s projects include work with Netflix and some exciting new work in the ocean space. Haleem and Nicola discuss the power of stories and how digital storytelling can have astonishing effects on the climate conversation.

Plus, a roundtable discussion with our Youth Rising team members. Pubudika, Paige and Sofie discuss how email subscriptions and fast fashion habits increase your carbon footprint. Meanwhile, Ellie at Greenpeace sounds the alarm for our generation - the planet won’t look like it does now when we’re our parents' age.

Why not try some of our guests’ suggestions? Organise a litter pick in your local area, lend your voice to bring about change on issues and, if you’re feeling climate anxiety, make like Mya and get out into nature - being in green spaces does wonders for our mental health and it’s really energising to be around other people who care about the planet.

Reading List:

The Go Giver by Bob Burg

The Is An Uprising by Mark Engler and Paul Engler

Working Hard, Hardly Working by Grace Beverly

I Quit Plastic by Kate Nelson

Follow us @ncs

Follow Dr Mya-Rose Craig @birdgirluk

Follow Amy and Ella @kidsagainstplastic

Follow Greenpeace @greenpeaceuk

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Young voices. Big issues. Welcome to Youth Rising by NCS! The podcast for young people, made by young people. 

This week our team chats to some great guests about how we can all work at making society less ableist. Our Youth Rising Team member Lottie kicks us off with an interview with Lucy Edwards. The wonderful Lucy is known for popularising the hashtag #BlindNotBroken and talks to Lottie about losing her sight as a teenager, relearning to pour a cup of tea, and how her guide dogs Olga (aka Bogsy) and Molly (aka Miss Molly Moo) support her.

Plus, a discussion with our Youth Rising team, as contributing editors Haleem and Paige talk about Paige’s experiences of living with autism. Paige shares how living with their autism intersects with their social anxiety, how autism is frequently misunderstood and how we can all be more aware.

Paige also chats to actor and comedian Tim Renkow about laughing at himself, disabled representation in the media and how ignorance creates more obstacles than malice. Tim moved to the UK to study creative writing after being born in Mexico City, growing up in North Carolina, attending art school in Memphis and building his career as a comedian in New York. He is the star of his own show, Jerk, on the BBC (it’s hilarious).

Youth Rising team member Nelly also speaks to the amazing Isabella Evans, aka Isabella Signs. Sixteen year old Isabella, along with her brother Lucus with Down syndrome, her brother Alexander with Cerebral Palsy and her mini-me little sister Indiana, are on a mission to teach the world to sign. She and Nelly deep dive into the difference between BSL (British Sign Language) and Makaton, signing along to songs and how she wants to make the world a better place one sign at a time.

Later, Kiera from the NCS Youth Voice Forum has a twin sister with complex needs and shares some excellent insights into how able-bodied people can consider accessibility.

Remember: never distract a guide dog, there is SO MUCH ability in disability and the goal is not equality but equity.

Reading List:

Kika & Me by Amit Patel

Break The Mould by Sinéad Burke

Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally by Emily Ladau

Follow us @ncs

Follow Lucy Edwards @lucyedwardsofficial

Follow Isabella Evans @Isabellasigns

Follow Tim Renkow @TimRenkowcomedy

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The content in this episode relates to questions asked by young people about sex education and is intended for those aged 16 and over. If you feel affected by any of the issues raised, the incredible people at Brook.org.uk and Stonewall.org.uk offer free advice and support.

Young voices. Big issues. Welcome to Youth Rising by NCS! The podcast for young people, made by young people. 

We’re so excited about our guests this week, who are all here to fill the gaps in your sex education knowledge. The amazing artist, Sunday Times bestselling author, activist and podcaster Florence Given kicks us off, chatting with Sidje, from the Youth Rising team, about pleasure, shame, sexual aftercare and boundaries.

We’re also joined by the fabulous author, activist and campaigner against period poverty, Amika George MBE. Youth Rising team member Haleem asks Amika about setting up the Free Periods campaign when she was just 17, the challenges preventing better access to menstrual products, destigmatising periods and why her work gained such traction.

Plus, we have a roundtable discussion with our Youth Rising team, including doctor-in-training Pubudika, about the different kinds of contraception, and hear from Isabella and Esther, two members of the team behind the Brighton Period Project. The campaign was inspired by Amika’s work and they give us some information on how totackle period poverty in our local community.

Later the wonderfully wise physiotherapist, student doctor and influencer, Tiffany Sequiera aka Gynae Girl, chats to Muhsin about sexual health. Gynae Girl wants us to normalise talking about everything from penises to orgasms, to be in regular communication with our partners and to buy a bottle of lube and keep it in the top drawer!

Why not try a few of Gynae Girl’s suggestions? To make sure you and your partner stay committed to communication, set aside time to ask each other five questions about sex each month; If sex is painful, go and see your GP; and if you’re sexually active make sure you’re getting tested for STIs at least once a year.

Reading List:

The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf

Period by Emma Barnett

The Wonder Down Under by Dr Nina Brochmann and Dr Ellen Stokken Dahl

Sex Education: A Guide To Life

Follow us @ncs

Follow Florence Given @florencegiven

Follow Gynae Girl @gynaegirl

Follow Amika George @amikageorge

Follow Brighton Period Project @brightonperiodproject

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Young voices. Big issues.

Welcome to Youth Rising by NCS!  The podcast for young people, made by young people. We have an amazing roster of guests this week starting with the inimitable creator, author and body positive activist Megan Jayne Crabbe. Megan chats to our Youth Rising producer Lottie about where negative body image starts, reminding yourself that you are not an exception to your own self-love, and toxic positivity.

We’re also joined by the incredible A&E doctor, comedian, TikTok star and self-titled ‘long boi’ Maddy Lucy Dann. Maddy talks to producer Sofie about her respect for the body as a medical professional, not giving negativity brain space and embracing her differences.

Later singer songwriter Emma Cannon talks to Youth Rising co-host, Mushin, about overcoming anxiety, listening to her gut, and having confidence in her music.

What’s more, we have a round table discussion with our Youth Rising team, chat to Kai McGill about self-esteem at school, and look at what we can do practically to encourage us to love ourselves. Don’t say we don’t spoil you!

Inspired by former hindu monk Jay Shetty’s 20 day meditation challenge, we’re starting our own Youth Rising 20 day self care challenge. We want you to do something every day that makes you feel good. Take a bubble bath! Say Yes to something new! Dance around your kitchen! Then tag us in your pictures and videos using #YouthRisingSelfCare.

Reading List:

The Body Is Not An Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor

This Is Going to Hurt; ‘Twas The Night Shift Before Christmas by Adam Kay

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown

Women Don’t Owe You Pretty by Florence Given

Places on the NCS Summer ‘22 experience are now open for 16-17 year olds. To find out more head to wearencs.com

NCS Mixtape ‘22 is a collaboration between young people and young faces on the music scene, to produce an original soundtrack for your lives, inspired by what really matters to you. It will drop in March.

Follow us @ncs

Follow Megan @meganjaynecrabbe

Follow Maddy Lucy Dann @maddylucydann

Follow Emma Cannon @emmacannonmusic

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