Nerves don’t vanish on their own, they get trained. We sit down with Ximena, the Boys and Girls Club National Youth of the Year, to trace how a once-shy student became a poised speaker, athlete, and community leader. The through line is trusting the process: more reps on stage, more honest reflection about identity, and more supportive rooms where teens can practice leadership without pretending to be perfect.

We dig into the playbook for Youth of the Year candidates and any teen aiming higher: know your story, name the people and places that shaped you, and get comfortable building relationships with mentors and CEOs alike. Ximena shares Keystone memories that broadened her world, from meeting teens on military bases to learning how culture and community shape character. Along the way, sports keep her grounded: volleyball, soccer, and track become training grounds for time management, grit, and humility while college applications stacked up.

This conversation also highlights the power of real support. Corporate partners upgrading tech centers, scholarships like Panda Cares, and opportunities to co-judge creative contests open doors that talent alone can’t. There’s joy, too: Two Truths and a Lie, meeting John Cena and Denzel Washington, and a dream dinner with Justice Sonia Sotomayor that speaks to representation and ambition. If you care about youth leadership, public speaking, and building confidence that lasts, you’ll find practical takeaways and a lot of heart.

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A mic, a mission, and a village that won’t let you shrink. We sit down with Ximena, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year, to unpack how a sports-loving club kid became a confident advocate on national stages, from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The story moves fast—junior staff summers turn into public speaking reps, MC gigs at the Keystone Conference, and a front-row seat to how major events are built. Along the way, she shares the nerves, the learning curve, and the moments that made her feel ten feet tall, like a whirlwind trip to Toronto and conversations with leaders who model presence without pretense.

What stands out is how community converts potential into momentum. Advisors and mentors at the Boys & Girls Club create real opportunities: hosting, co-leading programs, and meeting people who open new doors. That support powers focused advocacy, including a Teens Leading Change project in the Rio Grande Valley designed to help immigrant teens navigate language barriers and school transitions. We talk about meeting with a senator’s office, partnering with immigration lawyers, and pushing for teacher training through the state education agency—practical, local moves with system-level ripple effects. We also spotlight mental health initiatives at clubs, from calming corners to hands-on fairs that make coping skills feel normal and accessible.

Behind the highlights is the grind: AP tests, college essays, a week-long national competition, and leadership roles that stretch every hour of the day. Ximena lays out how she stays steady—early-morning “lock-in” writing sessions, leaning into energizing work, and remembering why the effort matters. A chance interview on a club podcast leads to a first legal internship, which leads to another, and soon a career path emerges: study business or political science, go to law school, practice business law, and one day serve in public office. If you care about youth empowerment, civic leadership, and turning opportunity into impact, this conversation will leave you fired up to take the next step.

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Joy is a powerful teacher—and at our Fall Classic at Topgolf, joy meets purpose to fuel real wins for kids in Benton County. We brought sponsors, board members, and community partners together in one lively space to raise funds, share stories, and spotlight the programs that turn club kids into confident leaders who carry their skills from the clubhouse to school, work, and beyond.

We kick off with our presenting sponsor, Mobil 1, on why we pivoted from a traditional golf tournament to Topgolf: connection. When everyone gathers in one place, introverts and golf pros alike, the energy changes. You hear how camaraderie turns into commitment and why the event now fills up in weeks. The conversation widens with leaders from Walmart who champion starting early, surrounding youth with mentors, and making learning joyful through hands-on programs like our Youth Unmuted podcast.

We go deeper with partners like Mondelez and Celebrate Arkansas, who share practical wisdom on authenticity, grit, and the life-changing power of being seen. You’ll hear about former Youth of the Year winners thriving, teens discovering their voice on a magazine cover, and the simple habit that compounds into growth: show up and improve a little every day. Board members reflect on two decades of impact, call the club a game changer for families, and outline what it will take to keep pace with regional growth—more sites, more mentors, and a community that keeps saying yes.

Amid playful golf questions and hype songs, a clear message stands out: belonging builds confidence, confidence shapes character, and character creates brighter futures. If you care about youth development, mentorship, robotics, sports, or simply building a stronger Benton County, you’ll find a reason to lean in.

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A broken leg in seventh grade. Meniscus tears, an ACL, even a fractured hip. Then a Super Bowl ring and a decision to build a life that outlasts the game. We sit with Malcolm Mitchell to explore the real engine behind his journey: a daily commitment to reading, a stubborn work ethic, and the kind of leadership that shows up as a warm jacket and a better pillow in a cold New England winter.

Malcolm walks us through the uneasy bond athletes form with pain and why he chose to become the best person he could be, not just the best player. He shares how being grounded by his mother’s discipline kept him on track at Georgia, how he navigated the NFL by doing the simple things consistently, and what it felt like to slam into the “rookie wall” just weeks before the biggest game of his life. The Tom Brady stories aren’t about touchdowns; they’re about being seen, supported, and reminded that self-talk can change outcomes. A handwritten card, read thousands of times, helped reset his confidence when it mattered most.

We also revisit Super Bowl 51 and dismantle the myth of the halftime speech. Bill Belichick’s message was disarmingly plain: play better to win. That clarity and the refusal to quit at 28–3 became a blueprint for how to handle setbacks in school, work, and life. If you’re a student up at dawn for “finish Fridays,” a parent modeling effort for your kids, or anyone battling burnout, Malcolm’s stories offer a practical playbook: show up, be coachable, stack small wins, and let your preparation speak.

If this conversation moves you, follow Youth Unmuted, share the episode with a friend who needs a push, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. Your support helps us bring more honest stories and real tools to young people everywhere.

Two worlds can shape a life: the one you’re born into and the one you can reach. We sit with Malcolm Mitchell, former New England Patriots Super Bowl Champion, children’s author, and Cox digital access ambassador, to unpack how opportunity, literacy, and community turn potential into progress.

Malcolm shares what it means to grow up in a “book desert” and then discover how access opens doors. We talk about the bridge between traditional literacy and digital literacy: finding credible sources, questioning what we read, and using information to make better choices. He explains why hope needs tools, how the internet can widen a young person’s lens when used with intention, and why reading is the compounding habit that accelerates every other skill.

We dive into the origins of Share the Magic Foundation and the moments that prove kids want to do meaningful things when given the chance. From classroom visits to picture books like A World Within Reach, Malcolm shows how stories can spark belief. We also explore real-world shifts, like a school’s phone ban that led to a 40% rise in library visits, and how to design environments that produce the outcomes we want. Along the way, we trade favorite reads, celebrate community power, and keep it real with a rapid-fire round that reveals Malcolm’s lighter side.

If you care about youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and practical steps to build critical thinking, this conversation will meet you where you are and push you forward. Listen, share it with someone who needs a nudge, and leave a review to help more people find the show. Want part two? Subscribe now, Malcolm’s NFL journey drops November 18th.