Simple Acts, Big Impact

Sanvi and Sumedha: The Bookmark Project

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Reading opens doors and provides opportunities, and for young people who find themselves in the hospital, research shows that books can boost positive emotions and oxytocin levels, while lowering stress hormones. My guests today, Sanvi and Sumedha from the Chicago area, understood the many benefits of reading and launched The Bookmark Project, a book collection and distribution effort, to empower young people and to spread literacy in their own community and around the world in places like Africa and India. They have collected and donated 41,000 books, and counting. The Bookmark Project is a youth-driven literacy initiative focused on building community and increasing access to books across the globe.

Follow and learn more @tbp_il

Crystal and Ellie: LEAP for Climate

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Today, as we kick off Earth Month, I am honored to share this conversation with Crystal and Ellie, two college students who became friends while doing Model UN in high school. They bonded over their shared concern for the environment, and launched LEAP, or Live Environmentally Active in the Present, a youth-led organization spreading awareness through education and a powerful publication called The Climate Chronicles.

Learn more at www.leapforclimate.wixsite.com and follow @leapforclimate

Edie Y.: We Are Artistic

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

My guest today, Edie Y., is a college student, a future educator and a champion of the arts - for EVERYONE. Edie started We Are Artistic to support artists and art lovers, and to create a safe and inclusive space for people of all abilities to engage in creativity.

Learn more at www.weareartistic.net and follow @weareartisticgroup

Maya and Mia F: Enough for Everyone

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Period poverty continues to be a major issue for so many women and girls in the United States. My guests today, sisters Mia and Maya F. from Florida, started Enough for Everyone, to ensure that women living marginally in their community have access to the personal hygiene products they need to maintain their health and dignity.

Learn more at www.enoughforeveryone.org or follow @enoughfor_everyone

Ryan T: Read Aloud Buddies and Little Acts of Kindness

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Sometimes the simplest efforts are the most impactful. Big-hearted high school senior Ryan T. launched Read Aloud Buddies along with his sister during the early days of the pandemic. The organization aims to match every child with an experienced high school or college student. The student volunteers read to their "buddy" improving language skills and literacy. Ryan also runs Little Acts of Kindness, baking cupcakes for children celebrating their birthdays while living in a shelter.

Learn more at www.readaloudbuddies.org or follow at @read_aloud_buddies if you'd like to start your own chapter.

Aaron H.: Indigenous Justice Coalition

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

My guest, Aaron H. from California, created the Indigenous Justice Coalition to support the many indigenous tribes in our country who have been denied their rights and benefits. Aaron felt a call to action, particularly on behalf of the Waccamaw tribe, which is indigenous to the Bay Area. He learned how to respond to grants, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of this work and visited Washington to lobby Congress. Aaron is a beautiful example of Dr. King's phrase, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

Learn more about starting a chapter or joining this important work at https://indigenousjusticecoalition.com/ and follow @indigenousjusticecoalition

Nell C.: My Hospital Story

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000

When a child is diagnosed with a rare and difficult disease, there is so much chaos and stress. The care that they are given in the hospital and the attitude and optimism of their family and support network are crucial. My guest today, Nell C., was diagnosed with a rare condition at the age of 9. She emerged from that very scary experience and is well and thriving now, with her disease in remission. She wrote a book during the early days of the pandemic called My Hospital Story, which is shared with patients and families, as well as medical students. Nell is a rare disease advocate and a beacon of light and kindness for children and families going through health challenges.

You can purchase My Hospital Story on Amazon and follow @myhospitalstory

Diya M.: EDSA

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000

In honor of Eating Disorders Awareness Week, I am honored to share this conversation with Diya- a high school senior who, through her own experience with an eating disorder as a young teen, decided to launch an organization, Eating Disorders Support and Awareness, or EDSA. Partnering with a national ED nonprofit, EDSA is a youth-led organization that raises awareness and provides peer-to-peer support.

Follow at @projectEDSA and learn more at www.projectedsa.wixsite.com

Brock M.: Project Socks

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Through his own curiosity, research and interest in giving back to his community in a meaningful way, Brock M from the Boston area figured out that socks are some of the most needed items among people experiencing homelessness. He launched Project Socks in the Fall of 2025 and has already made such a huge impact. This conversation covers so many topics that are foundational to my work and the themes of this podcast. Brock shows us that even the smallest thing can make the biggest impact in the lives of people in need.

Visit www.projectsocks.org to learn more and follow at @project.socks

Nora P.: Roots and Grounds

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Showing kindness to our elderly neighbors and those who are confined to facilities is some of the most gratifying and impactful service work we can do. My guest today, Nora P. from the Chicagoland area, created a beautiful organization called Roots and Grounds,a youth-led nonprofit serving seniors in retirement homes, offering complimentary planting and craft workshops.

Learn more at www.roots-and-grounds.com

Brandon: See The World Foundation

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000

My guest today, Brandon, tells us the story of the challenges he has faced in terms of his eyesight and the way that his mother helped him to face this challenge and overcome it, with hard work and optimism. Brandon created the See the World Foundation to help other children who struggle with issues around their sight. See the World empowers young leaders to take leadership roles and it ensures that clear sight is a right, not a privilege, by removing financial barriers to care.

Follow at @seetheworldfoundation or learn more at www.seetheworldfoundation.org

Rebecca Y: Read to Respond

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000

This Friday Jan 23 is National Reading Day, and to celebrate, I have a special episode to share today, featuring Rebecca Y, a high school student from California who created an incredible organization, Read to Respond. Rebecca has always been a voracious reader, and what began as a book club combined with community service has evolved into an international community of readers who are connecting and learning together.

Follow, sign up for the monthly newsletter or register for the online book meeting at @readtorespond.

Nyla: Stillmakers

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000

My guest today, 16-year-old Nyla, cares deeply about the mental health struggles of young people in her community. During the pandemic, she realized that she was not the only person who was feeling lonely, isolated, and worried. She created Stillmakers with a grant from the Riley's Way Foundation to help tweens in grades 6 - 8, to use creative expression to share their feelings. She hopes to normalize discussion around mental health issues, especially in this younger age group.

Learn more and follow @blkgirlstandingsun

Olivia W.: Healing Lens

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Creativity in all its forms can be healing, and can provide a welcome distraction for children going through treatment for pediatric cancer. My guest today, Olivia W, combined her passion for photography and her interest in becoming a pediatric oncologist to create Healing Lens, an organization that helps pediatric patients share their stories through photography.

Learn more at @healinglensproject

What Does Kind Leadership Mean to You?

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Happy New Year!
At the midway point of Season 4, I continue to be overwhelmed by the kindness, drive, purpose and optimism exhibited by my guests each week. During dark and troubling days in our world, these teen changemakers give me hope for a brighter future.

Instead of my usual interview, today, I'd like to share a short essay with you. The Riley's Way Foundation, which I've mentioned on the podcast many times, and for which I am a proud board member, hosted an essay contest this fall in honor of World Kindness Day. The topic was "what does Kind leadership mean to me" and five exceptional winners were selected. I'm going to read one of those winning essays for you today, written by Emily H. from California.

This essay is perfectly aligned with the themes of my new book! I'm delighted to announce that my third book, Simple Acts of Care: How to Help When Someone You Love is Hurting, will be published in December 2026 by The Collective Book Studio. This book is has been bouncing around my head for years and sharing these vulnerable stories and the life lessons I've learned over time has become a labor of love.

Stay tuned for more details in the coming year.

Alexis and Taylor: Bored No More

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Happy Holidays to you all, and welcome to this very special Holiday episode! Today I have the pleasure of sharing this conversation with sisters Alexis and Taylor, who started their organization, Bored No More with a simple goal - providing bags of games, toys, and crafts to hospitalized children who are away from their homes over the holidays. It is a perfect reminder that there are so many ways that we can share the true spirit of this season with people who are struggling. I hope this conversation will inspire you to be generous and spread a little extra joy this holiday season.

Learn more at https://borednomorecharity.org/ and follow @charityborednomore

Caitlyn and Chloe: The Wellness Box Foundation

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Sisters Caitlyn and Chloe K. from Las Vegas, learned about the very troubling issue of period poverty, and decided to do something about it. They created the Wellness Box Foundation which creates and distributes boxes containing feminine hygiene products and other toiletry items to girls and women living in shelter or experiencing homelessness.

Learn more at www.thewellnessboxfoundation.org @thewellnessboxfoundation

Divisha M.: Bow Bow Ties

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000

My guest today, 13 year old Divisha from Washington State, is a dog lover and social entrepreneur. As a 9 year old, she created Bow Bow Ties, an Etsy shop which sells hand-sewn bow ties and bandanas and donates the proceeds to help animal shelters in her community.

https://www.instagram.com/bow_bow_ties/

Emily B.: Teen Neuroscience Alliance

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Emily B., has a passion for neuroscience and psychology, and is committed to helping other young people with similar interests - especially those from marginalized groups without representation in neuroscience or healthcare. She created the Teen Neuroscience Alliance to help make neuroscience and psychology education accessible to everyone with an interest in the workings of the human brain.

Learn more at https://www.teenneuroalliance.com/ and follow @teenneuroalliance

Jake D. CyberAware

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000

If you have an older adult in your life, you may know that criminals frequently try various tricks and phishing scams to get them to hand over personal information or to send money. This is a huge problem affecting millions of people around the globe, with billions of dollars being stolen. My guest today, college student Jake, created CyberAware, to train teen volunteers across the country to go out to senior centers, libraries and nursing facilities, to teach older adults how to protect themselves from falling victim to these crimes.

Learn more at https://www.cyberawareofficial.org/ and follow @cyberawareofficial

Sarah G.: She's Got Goals

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000

As we've discussed on the podcast many times, representation matters, and thats especially true in the medical field. Young black and brown girls need to see people who look like them becoming physicians and taking on other leadership roles in healthcare. My guest today, Sarah, is a recent college graduate who will be attending medical school. Working in partnership with Sneakers to Scrubs, she created She's Got Goals for young girls on the South Side of Chicago. It is a sports-based initiative that empowers girls to explore careers in healthcare while understanding their own health and wellness through guest speakers and educational workshops focused on adopting healthy behaviors.

Learn more @sneakers2scrubs

Samuel and Julie: CLIP

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Since 2025 began, issues surrounding immigration, naturalization and undocumented citizens has been very much in the news cycle. What can get lost in all of the coverage of ICE raids and deportations are the stories of real people who are pursuing legal avenues to become US citizens. My guests today, Samuel and Julie, are the leaders of CLIP, which stands for Creating Legal Immigration Pathways, a student-run organization that helps non citizens in their California community to find accessible pathways to obtain United States citizenship. This work is timely, and important, and once again, young people are rolling up their sleeves to find real solutions to complicated problems.

Learn more and follow @clipcitizenship and www.clipcitizenship.org

Shriya: Artsphere

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Expressing ourselves through art is healing, and it celebrates our cultural heritage, it educates and it connects us to one another, fostering understanding among people from different backgrounds. My guest today, Shriya from Phoenix, understood this, and created Artsphere, which provides programs to boys and girls clubs, schools and camps in her community, to spread cultural awareness through artistic expression. Artsphere has directly impacted over 400 children across three states, fostering creativity and cultural appreciation.

Follow and learn more @artsphere2024

Kayla P.: Civic Success Project

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

With election day coming up next week, we need every young person to get engaged in our civic discourse, to care about our collective future and to share their talents and skills to make a difference. My guest today, Kayla P. from Illinois, started the Civic Success Project, an organization dedicated to transforming how young people connect with and participate in civic life - centering youth priorities and helping young people to realize their influence and make meaningful change in their communities. This is an incredibly powerful conversation for this particular moment in our democracy.

Follow and learn more @thecivicsuccessproject and www.civic-success.org

Rachel: Title IX Advocacy Initiative

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Title IX is federal legislation that prohibits discrimination based on general in any programs receiving federal funding. My guest today is a young woman who cares deeply about ensuring that everyone in her community understands their legal rights under title IX. Rachel, from Orange County, started the Title IX Advocacy Initiative and speaks passionately about the ways that young people who care about justice and fairness can make a difference in their communities.

To learn more, follow at @TitleIXAdvocacyInitiative

Munveer S.: Off the Stage

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

There's a common phrase used in mentorship and educational equity circles: You need to SEE it to BE it. My guest today understands the representation matters, and that young people need to see and hear from role models whose lived experiences mirror their own. Munveer S. from Menlo Park, California, started Off the Stage to connect young people to speakers, mentors and role models from diverse backgrounds.

Learn more on the Off the Stage website: www.offthestage.org

Sophie S.: Mental Health Advocacy and Truth from Today's Youth

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Sophie Szew is an incredible mental health advocate, writer and speaker. As an eating disorder survivor and proud Jewish Latina, Sophie combines their own experiences with injustice brought about by mental healthcare inequity with her passion for writing, advocacy, and leadership to uplift the voices of those with lived experiences and fight for the systemic destigmatization of marginalized bodies.

Her writing, under the banner Truth from Today's Youth, can be found at www.behavioralhealthnews.org. Connect with Sophie on LinkedIn.

Marisa and Rania: Pages4Progress

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Pages4Progress is a youth-led organization that is empowering incarcerated voices through literacy and learning. Founders Ranya and Marisa, along with co-founder Matthew, demonstrated incredible patience and perseverance in setting up this incredible effort. Pages4Porgress is helping to end recidivism and improve literacy among incarcerated people in New Jersey.

Follow and learn more at @pages4progress_ and www.pages4progressnj.com

Anya and Kendyll: Dancers Beyond Labels

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

TW: This episode talks about eating disorders

High School seniors from Maryland, Anya and Kendyll, are dancers whose lives have been affected by eating disorders. They bonded over their shared experiences, and joined forces to launch Dancers Beyond Labels, a nonprofit organization which works to address the youth dancer mental health crisis by: engaging with dance company directors, instructors, and aspiring dancers; providing nutrition education; promoting best practices around body-neutral dancer training and performance; and supporting dancers struggling with eating disorders and other mental health issues.

Learn more at https://www.dancers-beyond-labels.org/ and follow @dancers.beyond.labels

Lauren and Proksha: Forget Me Not International

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Intergenerational volunteerism is probably one of the most meaningful types of service. It is literally a win-win. Teens can learn so much from older adults and seniors get a tremendous emotional boost from spending time with young people. My guests today - Lauren and Proksha started ForgetMeNot International, a nonprofit that works to prevent cognitive decline in the elderly through conversation, music and art, while bridging the gap between generations through a pen pal companionship program.

Learn more at www.forgetmenotintl.net and follow @forgetmenotintl

Hunter G.: Food Rescue and A Taste of Home

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

My guest today, Hunter G. from Virginia, is a one-person food rescue warrior. He noticed that food at his local fast food restaurants and cafes was being thrown away, and asked if he could collect the food and get it to a local shelter where it would feed hungry neighbors. His commitment to food rescue - picking up after early morning swim practices - is inspiring, and a perfect example of how one person, committing to one simple act of kindness, can make a big difference. Hunter started a Taste of Home, Inc. has been honored by ReFED, an organization working across the food system to reduce food waste and hunger.

Learn more about ReFED at www.refed.org and connect with Hunter on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/hunterguthrie

Sophie K.: Chains of Hope

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the kickoff of Season Four! Sophie K. is a high school student from California whose recently launched organization, Chains of Hope, benefits charities supporting the people of Ukraine. As a first generation Ukrainian American, whose parents emigrated to the US after WWII, I was deeply touched by Sophie's heart for the Ukrainian people who continue to suffer after more than three years of conflict Sophie is also involved in environmental causes, and fostering productive and civil discourse among her peers. Follow Chains of Hope @chains.of.hope

Purchase necklaces supporting Ukrainian charities at https://www.chainsofhope.org/

Learn more about the Clean and Green Initiative at https://www.tcagi.org/

Learn more about Bipartisan Bridges at https://bipartisanbridges.org

Dylan Z.: Computers4People

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Our Season Three Finale!

I have interviewed more than 50 amazing young people this season, and we've covered a wide range of topics. I've learned so much, and continue to be inspired, every day, by the work of these changemakers. I'm ending the season on a super high note - Dylan Z. created Computers4People when he was only 15 years old, turning a hobby with friends into a social impact endeavor. Dylan's interest in refurbishing old computers evolved into an incredible nonprofit that helps get technology and training into the hands of people who need it so that they can improve their lives. Dylan has been named a "30 Under 30" by Forbes Magazine, and after graduation this month, he will be leading Computers4People full time. I hope this conversation will be inspirational and aspirational to everyone who wants to make a meaningful difference in the world.

Learn more at www.computers4people.org and follow @computers4people

Gwenevere P. The Persaud Foundation

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 28 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000

California teen Gwenevere P. started the Persaud Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the ocean through education, public involvement and conservation. Through online courses, an electronic newsletter and a podcast, she and her team raise awareness and share their love for marine biology. It is always so inspiring to speak to a young person who is on fire about an issue, and who has made a commitment, at such a young age, to make a meaningful impact. Learn more at https://www.thepersaudcatalog.org/ and follow at @thepersaudfoundation and @thepersaudcatalog

Vick and William: FishHut

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 21 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000

As we move through Mental Health Awareness month, my guests today, brothers Vick and William from Minnesota, approach the issue from an entirely new perspective - one that we've never covered on the podcast before. Their nonprofit Fish Hut empowers youth to get outdoors and into nature, and provides the tools that young people need to learn how to fish - a pastime that has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety.

Learn more at https://fishhut.org/ and follow @fishhutandcompany

Ananya D.: Replant

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 14 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000

As we acknowledge Period Poverty Awareness week, I'm honored to share this conversation with Ananya D. a high school senior who cares deeply about women living in refugee camps, and is especially concerned about their ability to have what they need to care for themselves and to maintain their dignity during their menstrual cycles. Ananya's drive and tenacity are an inspiration.

Learn more about her impressive work at https://www.helpreplant.org and follow @helpreplant.

Areen, Emily & Rachel: Generation Union

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 07 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000

This conversation is the perfect way to honor Older Americans Awareness month, which is celebrated in May. Intergenerational volunteering is so incredibly powerful. My guests today, high school students Areen, Emily and Rachel, started Generation Union with the mission of bridging the gap between generations. They empower youth to engage with institutionalized seniors and other patients living with Alzheimers disease. With a robust chapter program, Generation Union provides meaningful volunteer opportunities for teens and connection and joy to isolated elders.

Learn more at https://www.generation-union.org/ and follow @generationunion

Tanuj, Arjun and Shreyas: Mind4Matter

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000

As we kick off Mental Health Awareness month, I'm delighted to share this conversation with three big-hearted young men who care deeply about the mental health of their class mates and other youth around the world. Arjun, Tanuj and Shreyas started their nonprfoit Mind4Matter last Fall after observing a need for a safe space for teens to talk about stress and mental health struggles. Mind4Matter is a youth-led nonprofit with a strong chapter model that works to provide the tools people need to find strength and resilience in challenging times.

Learn more and follow @mind4matter.global

Madhvi4EcoEthics

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000

We wrap up Earth Month with this conversation with Madhvi C., and incredibly impressive young changemaker from Colorado. Since she was a very young child, Madhvi has been passionate about sustainability and advocacy around climate justice. She worked to remove styrofoam from her school, and has been instrumental in the passing of legislation around environmental issues in Colorado. She has addressed the UN, and was named a TIME kids of the year.

Learn more about her advocacy work and her nonprofit, Madhvi4EcoEthics at https://www.madhvi4ee.com/ and follow at @madhvi4ee

Ivy L.: Teen Coalition 4 Climate

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000

As we continue to celebrate Earth Month, I'm delighted to share this conversation with Ivy, a highschool student who started the Teen Coalition 4 Climate, an international youth-led organization with the goal of uplifting youth climate voices. Now in over 30 countries around the world, Teen Coalition 4 Climate publishes a YouZine - one of the first ever entirely youth-led climate justice magazines.

Learn more at www.teencoalition4climate.com or follow at @teencoalition4climate

Makayla: Clean Up The Beach

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000

We continue our celebration of Earth Month with this delightful conversation with Makayla C. whose love of the beaches near her home in Southern California, especially Venice beach, inspired her to create Clean Up the Beach, a youth-led beach clean-up organization.

Learn more at www.cleanupthebeachca.org or follow at @celan_up_the_beach_ca

Cash The Conservation Kid

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000

April is Earth Month and it is my absolute pleasure to kick it off with this delightful conversation with 14-year-old Cash from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Cash is an award-winning river and ocean conservationist and was named a top 5 Time Magazine Kid of the Year, and his platform is called, appropriately, The Conservation Kid. He cofounded an organization called The CleanUp Kids that engages young people all over the country in the important work of cleaning up our beaches and riverbanks. Cash's passion for the environment was sparked when he was only 7 years old. Once again, I am just blown away by the young people whose care and concern for our planet is sparked at a very young age, and who follow-through to lead the way for all of us.

Follow at @theconservationkid

@responsiblestewardship

Emma J.: Club Care

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 09:00:00 +0000

My guest today, Emma J. from New York City, took a painful experience - the loss of her father when she was only 13 years old - and turned it into a joyful and impactful nonprofit called Club Care. Now with chapters all over the country and one in Paris, Club Care volunteers fundraise and create care packages for pediatric cancer patients.

Learn more at www.clubcare.org

Ben B.: Whiskey Bravo

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 09:00:00 +0000

There is a phrase - "home of the free BECAUSE of the brave." My guest today, Ben B from New York, is an impressive young man with a passion for supporting our active duty military, their families and our honored veterans.We're living through a chaotic and divided moment right now and I hope that this conversation will remind us that our service men and women, and our veterans and wounded warriors, simply answered a call and made tremendous sacrifices, and they are deserving of our respect and our kindness.

Learn more at www.whiskeybravo.org or follow at @whiskeybrav

Maya M: Girls Run Global

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Running is a sport that instills confidence, strength, resilience and a sense of purpose. My guest today, Maya M, from Minnesota, is a first year at Georgetown and a member of the track and field team. During a gap year before starting college, she traveled to Tanzania and launched a special organization called Girls Run Global, which empowers girls and equips them with the skills to succeed through the sport of running.

https://www.girlsrunglobal.org/

Saeed: The Speaking Solution

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000

This Friday, the first Friday in March, is National Speech and Debate Day! To amplify the many benefits of this extracurricular activity, I'm excited to share this conversation with Saeed who, along with his cofounder Ammar, launched The Speaking Solution which shares the skills and joys of speech and debate with under-resourced young people in their community.

Learn more at https://thespeakingsolution.org/ and follow at @thespeakingsolution.

Savannah P.: Youth Advocate for Tourette Syndrome

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Tourette Syndrome is a neurological condition that may cause sudden repeated movements or vocal sounds called tics. My guest today, Savannah, was diagnosed with Tourettes when she was 7 years old, and now serves as a youth advocate for the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome. In this role, Savannah speaks to school children about Tourette Syndrome, she helps to raise awareness and organizes fundraising events for NJCTS and their important work.

Learn more about TS at https://njcts.org/.

JoJo F.: SheStyles

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000

My guest today realized that typical clothing donation drives serve the convenience of the donor instead of the recipient, and decided to do something about that. High school junior JoJo from Los Angeles, along with her sister Brooke, created SheStyles, an organization that elevates the clothing donation process to boost the self-confidence of the young women who need it the most.

Learn more @SheStylesofficial

Legacy J.: Little Legacies

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Fifteen-year old Legacy from St. Louis has been volunteering with her family since she was born. She started Little Legacies, a kids-for-kids community service organization with a simple three-fold mission - kids service and fun. Legacy has figured out what I tell parents and nonprofit founders all the time - that if you make volunteering fun and encourage young people to engage in service with their peers, they will want to continue to do this work.

Follow and learn more at @littlelegaciescommunityservice and follow Legacy at @thelegacyjackson

Jayshun: Black Youth Empowerment Network

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000

As we honor Black History Month in February, I'm honored to share this inspiring conversation with a young leader from Georgia named Jayshun, a student at Morehouse College. While he was still in highschool, Jayshun started the Black Youth Empowerment Network, an organization that is dedicated to fostering a sense of community amongst Black youth while providing the opportunities, resources, and tools to bridge the opportunity gap and combat the systematic barriers that are placed against them.

To learn more, visit https://www.byenetwork.org/ or follow at @wearebyen

Charlotte: Community Photobooth

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Creativity and artistic endeavors (like photography) can be a way of processing grief and isolation. My guest today, Charlotte from the Bay Area in California, knows this very well. She experienced the loss of her father only days before the pandemic lockdown started in the spring of 2020 and turned to photography as a way to get outside and channel her emotions into something positive. Her new hobby then turned into a generous service organization - the Community Photobooth - which allows volunteers to offer their photographic skills while raising money for charity.

Learn more at www.communityphotobooth.com and follow at @communityphotobooth

Ishani: Girls Rule AI

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000

My guest today, Ishani from New Jersey, has always loved math and is fascinated by AI. When she noticed that she was the only girl in a national computer science competition, she created a program called Girls Rule AI which empowers girls from around the world with the foundatonal knowledge and programming skills they need to build solutions using AI. Girls Rule AI offers free courses to small groups of girls in a friendly and supportive environment.

To learn more visit www.girlsruleai.org or follow at @girlsruleai

Sanja: Global Visioneers

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Sanja J. started Global Visioneers to inspire and empower youth to become global citizens and create a more interconnected future. Global Visioneers is a student-led nonprofit organization empowering global understanding and connectivity through language and cultural exchange initiatives.

Learn more at www.globalvisioneers.com or follow at @globalvisioneers

Mila: Climbing for Community

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Mila H. is a high school junior from Hoboken New Jersey who has had a passion for rock climbing since she was 7 years old. She turned that passion into a wonderful program called Climbing for Community which partners with the boys and girls club to make the lif-changing benefits of rock climbing accessible and inclusive to underserved young people in her community.

Learn more and follow at @ClimbingforCommunity

The gym where Climbing for Community holds classes is https://gravityvault.com/locations/hoboken-nj

Meazi: Kids for Kololo

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Meazi Light-Orr was born in a very remote village in Ethiopia called Kololo and adopted by an American family when she was a young child. After her mother established an elementary school in Kololo, Meazi was inspired to start Kids for Kololo and led an incredible fundraising campaign to improve education access by adding a middle school.

Learn more and follow at @kids_for_kololo

Ava S.: Ava Claus and Friends

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! I'm delighted to re-share this episode which originally aired in December, 2022. It is a perfect way to remember the true spirit of the Christmas holiday. Ava S. was only 6 years old when a classmate who was fighting leukemia inspired her to launch a project called Ava Claus, providing toys for children in the hospital. The effort turned into Ava Claus and Friends and a partnership with the Broward Children's Center.

Follow Ava's work at @avaclaus and learn more at www.avaclaus.com and www.bcckids.org.

Amelia: Lisowe's Lights

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000

A little LIGHT for your holiday season! Amelia from Arkansas started Lisowe's Lights when she was only eight years old, providing nightlights for children who are navigating the foster care system. Lisowe's Lights makes sure that children who need to leave their homes and to be placed in foster care will have a nightlight to help them feel safe in their new home.

Learn more at www.lisoweslights.com and follow at @lisoweslights

Akanksha and Claire: Sketching with Seniors

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000

My guests today, Akanksha and Claire from Atlanta, bonded over a shared love of art and a huge heart for the elderly. During the pandemic, they decided to create a free online art program called Sketching with Seniors to bridge the generational gap between young people who want to share their creativity and the isolated and lonely older adults who could benefit from the stimulation and connection.

Learn more at www.sketchingwithseniors.com and follow at @sketchingwithseniors

Henry L.: Chess Pals

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Henry L. launched his nonprofit Chess Pals when he was only 12 years old as his bar mitzvah project. Chess Pals has grown to serve hundreds of students in 9 public schools in California and 10 chapters around the country. Chess pals serves students in underresourced communities, and also creates intergenerational connections between teens and older adults.

Learn more at www.chesspals.org or follow @chesspals

Peyton: Eye of a Child

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Twelve-year-old Peyton starting fundraising and hosting collection drives for people experiencing homelessness in her Wisconsin community when she was only seven. As we kick of the "season of giving" this week, I hope this conversation will inspire everyone to find the time to help those less fortunate to have a bright and joyful holiday season.

Learn more at https://www.eyeofachild.org/ or follow @_eyeofachild

Ariela: Reducing Animal Stress

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000

My guest today, high school senior Ariela from Los Angeles, has a huge heart for rescue animals. In response to the Girl Scouts Gold Award initiative, Ariela created a nonprofit called Reducing Animal Stress, to help provide enrichment for shelter animals, and to help people understand that boredom and stress are triggers that cause rescue animals to act out. Providing handmade pet toys and other enrichment activities can help shelter animals to thrive and become better candidates for adoption.

Learn more at https://reducinganimalstre.wixsite.com/nonprofit or follow @reducinganimalstress

Ellis: DermaTeens

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Skin health is so important.

My guest today, high school senior Ellis, created DermaTeens, an international youth-led nonprofit dedicated to educating teens on skin health and promoting sun-safe habits. DermaTeens leads educational initiatives with global reach, provides access to sun protection, engages in health policy activism, and more to prevent skin cancer and promote healthy skin.

Learn more at https://dermateens.wixsite.com/dermateens and follow @dermateens

Lily and Maggie: Net Love

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered what happens to "dead" tennis balls, the ones that lose their bounce and are rejected by professional tennis players during their important matches? Well millions of them end up in landfills as non-compostible waste that releases methane into the environment. My guests today, tennis-playing sisters Lily and Maggie from New Jersey, started a nonprofit called Net Love to recycle and upcycle used tennis balls, reminding us once again that every person has the ability to take their passion and turn it into their purpose, making a real impact on the world.

Learn more at https://www.netlovenj.org and follow @netlovenj

Isaac and Ranen: OutVote

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0000

The election is next Tuesday.

My guests today, Isaac and Ranen, created an incredibly important organization called OutVote. OutVote is committed to registering and mobilizing LGBTQIA+ voters, partnering with LGBTQIA+ organizations and professionals on voter registration and mobilization efforts, and improving data collection for the LGBTQIA+ communities.

Learn more at www.outvotehq.org and follow @outvotehq

Nadia and Rhea: Safe & Aware

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0000

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so this episode is especially important and powerful. Childhood friends Nadia and Rhea from the Chicago area have created an organization called Safe and Aware to empower women and youth, focusing on safety and well-being, recognizing that everyone has the right to feel hopeful about the future.

Learn more at https://safeandaware.blog/ and follow @staysafe_beaware

Sophia: The Campaign for Gender Inclusivity

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Anna and Boston: Maine Youth Political Portal

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0000

It's not often that I am given the opportunity to share an episode to correspond with the launch of an important project! My guests today, Anna and Boston, are part of a team of people from Maine who, as part of Maine Youth Action, have created a platform called the Maine Youth Political Portal to help young people gain access to all resources they need to run for political office in Maine. The Portal website launches this Friday, October 11th! It is a powerful "youth for youth" model that can be replicated in every state across the country.

Learn more at www.maineyouthaction.org and www.maineyouthpoliticalportal.org.

Follow @maineyouthaction

Romy: MiSendero

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 11:00:00 +0000

My guest today is Romy, a college sophomore who created a special program called MiSendero. MiSendero is an independent high school student-led organization focused on integrating and connecting English learner students to school activities by creating a format in which they can earn volunteer hours as Spanish tutors, join school clubs, become leaders within the organization, and participate in academic writing competitions to achieve success. Since Romy began this important work in high school, it has expanded throughout her home state of California and across the United States.

Romy is the recipient of a Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award. Every year, the Helen Diller Family Foundation awards up to 15 Jewish teens with $36,000 each for their leadership efforts to change the world. From the environment to social justice to access to education and beyond, these young people are tackling big challenges in their communities and having tremendous impact. Applications are now open at www.dillerteenawards.org

Learn More about MiSendero at https://www.misendero.org/

Follow @misenderoyouth

Aani & Gage: Our Ode To You

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Aani and Gage are two friends from Arizona (now both freshmen in college) who bonded over their shared passion for playing musical instruments as well as volunteering with the elderly. Together they created Our Ode To You which allows musicians, singers and visual artists to share their passion for the creative arts with seniors living in nursing homes and memory care facilities.

Follow to learn more and connect @ourode2you

Ayana B.: Light on the Heart

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Ayana B. is passionate about understanding the human heart, and raising awareness about cardiovascular health. She created Ligh on the Heart, a nonprofit dedicated to alleviating the struggles of marginalized communities facing poor cardiovascular treatment by providing research advice to high school students, granting insights from medical and research professionals, and pushing for advocacy through legislation. Light on the Heart also creates and distributes Little Hearts Stem crates, providing interactive STEM activities for under-resourced students.

Learn more at www.lightontheheart.org and follow @light.on.the.heart

Grace L: Research to Empower

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Grace L. has a passion for research which was sparked when she was a curious 10 year old. She created a nonprofit called Research to Empower which seeks to inspire, support and empower aspiring young researchers, offering a master class, guidebook, resources and leadership opportunities to help students, particularly those from underrepresented communities, to achieve success.

Learn more and access all of Research to Empower's free resources at

www.researchtoempower.org and follow @research2empower

S3E1 Rohan S.: Let's Learn Foundation

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 11:00:00 +0000

Welcome back to Season 3 of Simple Acts, Big Impact: Celebrating Teen Changemakers. Today's episode is the perfect "back to school episode" about the importance of books, school supplies, and representation in storytelling.

Rohan S. and his sister Anya are the founders of the Let's Learn Foundation which hosts book drives and provides school supplies for under resourced students in central Texas.

Learn more at https://www.letslearninc.org/about and follow @letslearnfoundation

Kate and Rehaan: Impact 100 NYC NextGen

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Kate and Rehaan are student leaders of Impact 100 NYC NextGen, a teen giving circle and service cohort that makes grants to local nonprofits in NYC, and volunteers together in the community. We discuss the power of collective giving and volunteering with our peers.

Learn more at www.impact100nyc.org or follow @impact100nycnextgen

Ashley N.: Sargeant's Army

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 29 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Ashley N, is a highschool junior from Kentucky who started a nonprofit called Sargeant's Army which provides toiletry kits and outerwear for people experiencing homelessness and living marginally, especially our honored veterans. She's also a six time children's book author who donates 100% of the proceeds from her books back to her nonprofit.

Learn more at www.sargeantsarmy.org

Follow Ashley at @sargeantsarmy and @itsashleynevison

Charlie J.: Pass The Bricks

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 22 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000

My guest today, Charlie J., loved building with Lego's growing up and believes that every child deserves access to play and learning tools. He created Pass the Bricks, an organization that collects, sanitizes, sorts and distributes lego kits to children in his community who might not be able to afford them.

Learn more at www.passthebricks.org or follow @passthebricks

Lucy B.: Lucy's Love Blankets

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 15 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Lucy B from Nashville had an idea to make a homemade blanket for a friend as a birthday gift when she was only 8 years old. That thoughtful gift turned into an effort called Lucy's Love Blankets which provides handmade blankets for children going through an illness, a divorce in their family or the loss of a loved one - anyone needing a little extra love.

Learn more at @lucysloveblankets

Alex H.: Hero graphic novel and Create With Limits

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 08 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Today, in honor of Mother's Day this Sunday, I'm delighted to share a very special conversation with Alex H. Alex tells us the story of being raised by a single mother, and how he wanted to honor her hard work and sacrifice. He wrote and illustrated a graphic novel called HERO and created a project through which he interviews single mothers and gives them a platform to tell their stories.

Learn more at www.createwithlimits.org

Hero is available on Amazon.com

Maya P.: STEAM News and Fresh Opportunities

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 01 May 2024 09:00:00 +0000

On today's episode, New York teen Maya P. shares some of her many projects with us, including STEAM news, a global kids-for-kids newsletter that is dedicated to giving teens a voice and spreading important information about STEAM topics. She also created Fresh Opportunities which is a food rescue organizations that is working to fight food insecurity and hunger in her community.

Learn more at www.steamnews.org and www.freshopportunities.org

and follow at @freshopportunities and @steamnewsofficial

Ryan H.: Ryan's Recycling and Project 3R

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Ryan H. is a young social entrepreneur from California with a passion for recycling. I know - kind of an unusual thing for a teen to be excited about, but Ryan is a special young man with a true entrepreneurial spirit. He started a recycling service called Ryan's Recycling, he partners with a city-wide service called Recycle From Home and he created Project 3R, a program that teaches kids about recycling and raises awareness on environmental issues.

Learn more at www.ryansrecycling.com and follow @ryans_recycling

Elijah R.: Elijah's World QLD

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In celebration of Earth Month and Earth Day next Monday, this conversation with Elijah R. from Australia will inspire you. Elijah is a Coral Watch ambassador who travels around Australia with his family raising awareness and sharing his passion for looking after the environment. Follow along on Elijah's adventures on IG and FB

@elijahsworldqld

Learn more about saving the Great Barrier Reef by following these accounts:

@coral_watch

@tangaroablue

William B.: RoboRecovery

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +0000

This week is National Robotics Week, so I'm delighted to share this conversation with William B. a college student at Tulane University who created a nonprofit called RoboRecovery, which provides robotics kits and increases access to robotics education for under-resourced children in New Orleans.

Learn more at www.roborecovery.org

Te'Lario W.: The Garden Club Project

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Happy Earth Month!

I'm excited to share this conversation with a truly unique young man from Ohio. Te"Lario W. is a teen with a passion for gardening (which is not something you hear every day). He founded The Garden Club Project in his community to help end hunger and encourage kids to eat healthier. The Garden Club Project grows, harvests and shares produce with the community, and encourages young people to try new fruits and vegetables in order to create healthy eating habits.

Learn more at www.thegardenclubproject.org

Follow at @thegardenclubproject

And learn more about Te'Lario's mushroom business at www.tigermushroomfarms.com and @tigermushroomfarms_

Michelle S.: CFES and Love a Sea Turtle

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0000

In honor of Earth Month coming up in April, I spoke with Michelle S. who created two wonderful organizations, Community for Environmental Sustainability, which is a community garden, food distribution and nutrition education program, as well as Love a Sea Turtle, which is dedicated to youth leadership.

Learn more at www.loveaseaturtle.com and follow at @loveaseaturtle and @greenvillecommunitygarden

Spencer H.: NanaTech

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Have you ever tried to teach an older person how to use an app on their phone or another piece of technology? If so, you know how frustrating it can be - for both of you! Well, Spencer H. is a patient and kind young changemaker who took the time to do this with his own grandmother, and then decided to write a step-by-step instructional manual to help others.

You can purchase NanaTech: A Tech Teenager shares skills for getting the most out of your iPhone on Amazon at the following link:

https://www.amazon.com/NanaTech-Teenager-Shares-Skills-Getting/dp/B0CKKV8WBK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Z95G98C38T3I&keywords=nanatech+book&qid=1706979113&sprefix=nanatech%2Caps%2C228&sr=8-1

Nikita and Smera: GenXL

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 09:00:00 +0000

Nikita and Smera are highschool students in Massachusetts who realized that STEM instruction, which is so vitally important to every child, was simply out of reach for most. Instead of waiting around for adults to fix the problem they created GenXL, a nonprofit that provides free STEM lessons for more than 50,000 underresourced students all over the world, with the help of over 2000 volunteers.

Learn more and get involved at www.genxl.org or follow at @genxl

Ava M.: 18byVote

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 10:00:00 +0000

You can't turn on the news these days without hearing about the election coming up this Fall. The national and local elections are so important, and getting young people to engage in the electoral process is crucial. My guest today is a Ava Mateo, a young adult who is the Executive Director of 18byvote which is a non-partisan youth-led organization that helps 16, 17, and 18-year-olds understand how, when, and why to vote, ensuring equitable access to civic participation for everyone.

Ava is also an intern at the Riley's Way Foundation.

Learn more at www.18byvote.org and follow @18byvote

Follow Riley's Way @rileyswayfoundation

Josh A.: Clubfoot Connect

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000

On today's episode, we will all learn about a potentially devastating medical condition called clubfoot and the young man who was able to receive treatment to overcome it, and now wants to help others around the world receive the same treatment. With the help of a Curious Cardinals mentor, Josh A. created a website called Clubfoot Connect with allows him to fundraise, raise awareness, connect and share resources with clubfoot patients around the world.

Learn more at www.clubfootconnect.com

Follow @clubfootconnect

Learn more about Curious Cardinals at www.curiouscardinals.com

Sammie V.: Sammie's Buddy Bench Project

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Do you remember sitting alone in a playground and wishing someone would invite you to play? Well my guest today has had that experience and, after learning about "buddy benches" at camp, decided to do something about it. Sammie V. collects plastic bottle caps and recycles them to create "buddy benches" in her community (and around the world). The Sammie's Buddy Bench project helps the environment while providing a place for children to learn to be kind and inclusive.

Learn more about putting a buddy bench in your community at

https://sammiesbuddybenchproject.com/ and follow @sammiesbuddybenchproject

Anbini G.: Love and Sweet Bakery

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Happy Valentines Day. It's a perfect day to spread some love, friendship and joy, like my guest, Anbini G. - a high school senior from Seattle who started an organization called Love and Sweet Bakery which is "changing the world, one dessert at a time." With chapters all over the country, this effort allows youth to bake treats and donate them or sell them to raise money to help others in their communities.

Learn more and order treats at https://www.loveandsweetbakery.com/ or follow @loveandsweetbakery.

Ethan H.: Ethan's Heart

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000

My guest today, Ethan H., has been featured on many national media platforms for his organization called Ethan's Heart: Bags4Blessings which he started when he was only 7 years old.

Learn more at https://www.ethansheartbham.org/ and follow @ethansheartbham. This episode will inspire you because as Ethan says, "every day is a good day to help someone."

Mia P.: Kind Mouse

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

February is Random Acts of Kindness month so this episode featuring Mia P and her organization The Kind Mouse is a perfect way to kick it off. Kind Mouse helps children dealing with hunger and food insecurity in Mia's community of St. Petersburg Florida while encouraging the next generation of kind leaders with its "Mouse in Training" program.

Follow and learn more at http://thekindmouse.org/ or on social media @kindmouse and @beyoutifulbefly

Ned K: Education Blog

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 24 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

As we honor the International Day of Learning today, I'm delighted to share this episode with 7th grader Ned K. whose frustration with online learning during the pandemic sparked the creation of a blog dedicated to education. Learn more and subscribe to receive Ned's Blog at https://ned-kelly-blog.webflow.io/

Learn more about Curious Cardinals at https://www.curiouscardinals.com/

Jia and Taja: MyNetworkHer

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Today is International Mentorship Day (who knew, right?). You have to see it to be it. That phrase may be a little overused but it is also very true. This episode is all about the transformational power of mentorship, and two teen changemakers who saw a need for increased accessibility to female mentors, particularly for students from gender-marginalized communities. They created MyNetworkHer to fill this need.

Learn more and sign up for a mentor (or suggest a female leader in the STEM field to become a mentor) at www.mynetworkher.org and follow @mynetworkher.

Angie: Justice is Us

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

In honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service next Monday, I'm delighted to share this inspiring conversation with Angie, a teen from South Florida, who works with an organization called Justice is Us. The Justice is Us Project focuses on teaching civic education to Black youth in the United States and the Caribbean to encourage partnership in policy advocacy and community engagement.

Learn more @justiceisus.project.

Sydney: Be the Change

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 10:00:00 +0000

Sydney and her brother Brayden care about empowering youth to express their feelings through music and other forms of creative expression. They are committed to mental health advocacy, suicide prevention, and creating stronger communities. They believe youth should be seen, heard, and loved. Learn more and follow Be the Change @bethechangeyi and at www.bethechangeyi.com.

TW: this episode discusses suicide.

My 2024 Wrap-Up: Take-aways from the first half of Season 2

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Happy New Year! This week, I'll share my key take-aways from the first 16 episodes of Season 2.

- Teens changemakers are positive, kind, and enthusiastic. They give me hope.

- A few good things came out of the pandemic.

- Take a chance. Show up. Make the effort. It's always worth it.

- Be grateful. Keep working. Stay curious.

Thanks for listening. See you in 2024!

The Emily Meyer Foundation

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

When Emily Meyer was 4 years old, she was hospitalized on Christmas and woke to find a pile of toys at her bedside. So began her journey of collecting and distributing toys to hospitalized children every holiday season for the last 14 years!

Learn more at www.theemilymeyerfoundation.org or follow on social media @theemilymeyerfoundation

TunesforKidz

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 10:00:00 +0000

TunesforKidz (note the Z!) collects and distributes gently used musical instruments to children all over Nashville, Tennessee. The founder Manavi, and her team members Dylan and Riya, work to ensure that every child can experience the joy of musical expression.

Learn more at www.tunesforkidz.org or follow on IG @tunes_for_kidz

Leia K.: Confident Healthy Women

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000

The issue of period poverty is one that many people don’t understand or talk about. The truth is that many women cannot afford the feminine hygiene products that will allow them to be healthy and feel confident. Leia K. is a high school junior from New York City who coordinates a club called Confident Healthy Women that works to collect and distribute feminine hygiene products to women and girls who need them.

Follow on Instagram @Confidenthealthywomen.

Florine & Nicole: Early Entrepreneurs

Simple Acts Guide — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Early Entrepreneurs is a free program dedicated to empowering the next generation of female entrepreneurs. It was founded by Sophia Bustos, Sofia Broughman and Florine T. who is interviewed on this episode along with Nicole R. who joined Florine in expanding the program. Florine and Nicole are high school seniors who share their passion for business and entrepreneurship with girls around the world, giving them the tools they need to start their own businesses.

Follow on Instagram and Tik Tok @earlyentrepreneurgirls.

Neal C.: Codology

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Neal C. started Codology in June, 2022 to ensure that all kids - no matter their background or resources - can benefit from coding education and instruction. He has already built an impressive team and organization that has served thousands of young people in the Bay Area. Learn more about Codology at

www.codology.org

www.codin.app

on IG

@codologyorg

@trycodin

Arsh P.: Art By Arsh

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Arsh P. is a Chicago-based young artist who shares his beautiful work with the world in an effort to raise money for the St. Jude Children's Hospital and other local charities. He is also a Giving Tuesday Spark Leader who is part of a movement of youth changemakers making a positive impact on the world. As a reminder - Giving Tuesday is next Tuesday. As you celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends, make a plan to support a charity you care about on Giving Tuesday and throughout the holiday season.

Follow Arsh's journey as an artist and social entrepreneur on Instagram @ArtbyArsh

Connor W.: Connor's Kindness Project

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000

In celebration of World Kindness Day on November 13th, this episode features Connor W., a 14-year old from Massachusetts who started Connor's Kindness Project to bring kindness kits to children in need.

Learn more at www.connorskindnessproject.com and follow Connor's journey on Instagram @Connorskindnessproject.

Isaiah S.: Commissioner of Rochester School Board

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 08:00:00 +0000

At the age of 19, college sophomore Isaiah Santiago is one of the youngest elected officials in the United States. He is the Commissioner of the School Board in Rochester, New York. He started a program focused on providing mental health services to young people, and serves as a role model for youth around the state. Next Tuesday is election day. Let this episode serve as a reminder that everyone who can vote, should, and that we must give young people a seat at the table around discussions of education and mental health.

Follow Isaiah's journey on Instagram @isaiah_santiago_I

Kate J.: The Light Up Network

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 08:00:00 +0000

In early March, 2020, Kate J., a high school senior from Houston, TX, had a wonderful idea to launch an arts program in nursing homes. The pandemic quickly forced her to pivot her plans, and provided even more inspiration to move forward, as already isolated seniors suffered through long periods of isolation.

Learn more at https.//thelightupnetwork.wordpress.com and the anthology "The Joys of Me: Poems by the Extraordinary" is available now at www.barnesandnoble.com.

Natasha A: BelieveNBooks

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 11:00:00 +0000

October is National Book Month, and to celebrate, we are amplifying the story of Natasha A., a high school student from Florida who started BelieveNBooks during the pandemic. Natasha has collected and distributed over 75,000 and hopes to distribute 100,000 by the time she finishes high school. Natasha shares her love of books with children in her community so that every child can find the joy of reading and exploring different worlds.

If you'd like to learn more or donate, check out her website at www.believenbooks.org or follow on IG @believenbooks

Alex & Arabella: Wikivision

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Inspired by the vision of tomorrow, Wikivision is an organization created by two teens in Hawaii providing cataract surgery to elderly people who cannot afford this sight-saving procedure. The team at Wikivison also creates educational videos about important health topics and shares them on a YOUTUBE channel.

Learn more at www.wikivision.info and follow @wikivision808.

Jack D.: Kid Conservationist

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Every person who has ever been fascinated by an orangutan (or an ape, or gorilla or other amazing large primate) in the zoo will be drawn to this conversation. Jack D is an 8th grader from New Hampshire who is on a mission to get the orangutan off the endangered species list and to inspire kids and adults to care about our planet and all of the many endangered species on it.

To purchase Jack's children's book, Kawan the Orangutan: Lost in the Rainforest, or to learn more, check out www.kidconservationist.com or Jacks YOUTUBE channel of the same name. Follow him @kidconservationist.

Ike O.: Community Cookies

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Ike O. is a teen from Connecticut who harnassed her passion for baking into a social enterprise that raises funds for organizations in her community that are engaged in racial justice and equity work. Community Cookies selects a different organization to amplify and support each month, and treats can be ordered and shipped.

Learn more and support this effort on www.communitycookies.myshopify.com and follow Ike's journey on IG @communitycookiebars.

Austin P.: Save Our Salmon Through Art

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Austin is an artist and community organizer who believes in the power of public art to activate community members and neighbors around important causes. To learn more about Austin's Awesome Art or to purchase beautiful merchandise that supports the Save our Salmon initiation, visit https://www.austinsart.net/salmonmural or follow at @austins.awesome.art.

Holly and Jessie: Ta Ta For Now

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Did you know that 2 in 5 children cannot properly dress themselves? And that lack of clean clothes is one of the top reasons for school absenteeism? These are some of the things I learned in my conversation with Holly and Jessie, teen founders of an important nonprofit called Ta Ta for Now which provides clean, comfortable bras to underserved youth in their Florida community.

To learn more, check out

www.tatafornow.org

and follow on social media @tatafornow_supportthegirls

Krish S.: Power of Pawns

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the premier of Season 2!

This episode, featuring Krish S. and his fantastic organization Power of Pawns, is the perfect way to kick off a season full of incredible changemakers. I hope you'll tune in every Wednesday and be inspired.

Learn more about Power of Pawns at

www.powerofpawns.com

and follow on social media @powerofpawnschess

Season Wrap-up: Ian Sandler and Riley's Way Foundation

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 31 May 2023 08:00:00 +0000

After 37 episodes, 2000 downloads and listeners in 15 countries, I'm delighted to share this wrap up episode on which I interview Ian Sandler, the Founder of Riley's Way.

Learn more about Riley's Way at www.rileysway.org

Have a wonderful summer and please tune in after Labor Day for Season 2!

Chase H.: EcoBrothers and Read.Repeat

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 24 May 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Chase H. and his brother were pre-teens hanging out at their Mom's office when they stumbled upon boxes of children's books that were going to be destroyed. They decided to take those books and get them into the hands of children and librarians who needed them. They created an organization devoted to recycling and other environmental issues called EcoBrothers. Their book recycling program is called Read.Repeat.

Learn more on IG @readrepeatorg

Chase also mentions an organization called Better World Books

www.betterworldbooks.com

Arden P: Sports4Kids

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 17 May 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Arden P. started Sports4Kids, and after school sports program for under-resourced children, when he was only 13 years old. Explore his website to learn more, donate or, if you live in the San Diego area, sign up to be a volunteer!

www.sport4.org

Natalia R: A Teen's Guide to Dementia

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 10 May 2023 08:00:00 +0000

After her grandmother was diagnosed with dementia, Natalia R. created a community to help other teens who are dealing with a family member who is suffering from this difficult disease. She also volunteers with the elderly at a local nursing home.
Learn more and connect with other teens in this community on Natalia's website
www.ateensguidetodementia.com
and follow on IG @teensguidetodementia

Natalie also mentions the website https://www.neuroresilience.org/

Rosie Y.: Educational Equity & Curious Cardinals

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 03 May 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Rosie Y. is a high school senior from the Bay Area who is passionate about educational accessibility and equity. She works closely with Curious Cardinals, an organization that matches students with mentors, to make financial resources available to everyone who wants to have access to a mentor. Her work with Curious Cardinals inspired her work with another great nonprofit, Tipping Point Community (www.tippingpoint.org), a grant-making and social action fund that fights poverty in the Bay Area.

Learn more about Curious Cardinals at www.curiouscardinals.com

Michal R.: Flint Justice Partnership

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 08:00:00 +0000

University of Michigan alum, medical student and Riley's Way Call for Kindness Fellow, Michal R. reminds us about the Flint water crisis and tells us about the organization he started at the University of Michigan to help the citizens of Flint. Learn more about the Flint Justice Partnership on Instagram at @UMichFJP

Selena M: Sustainability by Tech

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 22:09:00 +0000

Selena M. from Dubai is only 8 years old but she is already committed to making an impact on environmental causes and educating young people about sustainability through technology. Follow her journey on Instagram @SustainabilitybyTech.

Read more about Simple Acts, Big Impact: Celebrating Teen Changemakers being named as one of the 25 Best Motivational Podcasts for Teens on Feedspot at https://blog.feedspot.com/motivational_podcasts_for_teens/

Lena F: Positively Lena

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 08:11:00 +0000

Lena F. from Atlanta, GA is only 13 years old, but she is a powerhouse changemaker! She is an author, a social entrepreneur and a philanthropist and she started pursuing her passions when she was only 7 years old.

Purchase her book "I love Me...and that's OK!" on her website https://positivelylena.com/

Follow her on IG @positivelylena

Learn more about the Kinship Family Initiative and follow on IG at @kinshipfamilyinitiative

The Stuyvesant Food Security Club

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 10:08:00 +0000

Each year, 119 billion pounds of food is wasted in the United States. That equates to 130 billion meals nearly 40% of all food in America is wasted. Today's guests - Skai, Max, and Ben - noticed how much food was being wasted in their school cafeteria and decided to do something about it.

Learn more about Food for All and The Stuyvesant Food Security Club at: www.foodforallnyc.org and on Instagram @stuyvesant_food_security_club

Grassroots Grocery (a network of community fridges) is mentioned in this episode. Learn more at www.grassrootsgrocery.org and on IG @grassrootsgroceryny

Encore Episode - Jackson R: 24 Miles in 24 Hours

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 08:03:00 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Jackson, a 17-year-old from Lake Oswego, Oregon whose passion for running inspired him to start a 24 miles in 24 hours challenge. He uses this effort as a fundraiser, and over the last three summers, he has raised over $12,000 for two local nonprofits.

Jackson has raised money for Hunger Fighters (a local food pantry that was started by a teenager)
and
Respond to Racism - a neighborhood effort to interrupt racism through dialogue, learning, and action.

Jackson's Go Fund Me Page

Encore Episode - Ava and Sophia P.: Donate to Dance

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 07:59:00 +0000

Follow Donate2Dance at @donate2dance or reach out to learn more about becoming an ambassador. Ava and Sophia can be reached through their website at www.donate2dance.org.

Laila L.: Arts on Pointe

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 08:52:00 +0000

Laila L. is a 10th grader from New York City passionate about dance and movement. Harnassing her interest in coding and legal studies, she is creating a nonprofit called Arts on Pointe to provide dance programs for underserved children and teens in her community. Stay tuned for social media and website information which are still under development. Laila mentions a mentorship program called Curious Cardinals that has helped her realize his vision.

Learn more at www.curiouscardinals.com

Ben M.: Teens Building Bridges

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 11:57:00 +0000

Ben M. is a high school senior from New York who created Teens Building Bridges to unite teens across cultural boundaries. Learn more and apply to organize events in your local community at www.teensbuildingbridges.org. On this episode, Ben mentions a summer internship with an organization called Civic Spirit. Learn more at www.civicspirit.org.

Isabella H.: I Matter

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 12:00:00 +0000

In the spring and summer of 2020, Isabella H. turned to poetry to help her process the pain she was experiencing as she watched the news coverage of the killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. She was inspired to create a forum for other young people of color to express their feelings through poetry and art. Working with the National Youth Foundation, she created a poetry and art contest called I Matter.

The contest is now open for submissions (until August 2023) - learn more at http://www.nationalyouthfoundation.org/i-matter/

Follow on IG at @nationalyouthfoundation

Michelle Q.: Stories to Heal

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 10:00:00 +0000

After the spike in anti-Asian prejudice in 2020, Michelle Q. worked collaboratively with AAPI students all over the country to create a beautiful children's book called Hello From Here: A Celebration of Asian American Identity. She worked with Writopia Lab to create and print the book (which can be purchased on Amazon).

Here are the links to explore:

Purchase the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hello-Here-Celebration-American-Identity/dp/B0B4QNL2FN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=FM0DA83FBA3Q&keywords=writopia+lab+hello+from+here&qid=1674145394&sprefix=writopia+lab+hello+from+her%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-1

Writopia Lab: https://www.writopialab.org/
Writopia Lab IG @writopialab
CreateCalifornia: https://createca.org/

Jonathan T: Helping Hands

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 11:50:00 +0000

The power of technology to change lives is sort of astonishing, as is this episode. College freshman Jonathan T. and his brother created an organization called Helping Hands which harnesses the power of young computer programmers all over the country to create 3-D printed prosthetic hands. I learned so much during this episode and was so impressed with Jonathan's enthusiasm and heart.

I hope you'll check out Helping Hands on IG @helpinghands.mb and if you'd like to get involved or learn more visit www.helpinghandsmg.org.

Jonathan also mentions an organization in Haiti called Food For the Poor and his brother is certified to make prosthetic hands through E-nable.

Miarri P: Green Goddess

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 11:50:00 +0000

Miarri Phillips is a college junior in Colorado who created a special extracurricular program called Green Goddess which provides a space for girls of color to be their authentic selves. Through outdoor exploration, holistic healing, career readiness, and mentorship, Miarri provides an opportunity for young girls of color to envision a future as environmental leaders. To learn more, follow on IG @green1goddess

Jahkil J: Project I Am

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 11:50:00 +0000

Jahkil J. is a 15-year-old social entrepreneur, student-athlete, dancer, author, and public speaker from Chicago. He launched Project I Am to raise awareness around the issue of homelessness and works to provide blessing bags filled with toiletries to those who are unhoused. He is celebrating a major milestone in this work in February, so I hope you'll follow him and support his work.

Find Jahkil on Instagram at @OfficialProjectIAm @JahkilJackson and learn more at www.jahjkil.com

Alexa K.: The Generation

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Alexa K is a high school junior who has created a robust online platform called The Generation that offers a curated database of jobs, internships, scholarships, and other resources for teens. The Generation allows teens to make meaningful connections, find opportunities and explore possibilities for future careers.

Check out and sign up to be informed of new opportunities on the website at www.thegeneration.net and follow on IG @thegeneration.ny
Alexa also mentions www.hackplus.io, an accessible nonprofit accelerator for student-led impacts.

Liam & Arson: Liam's Lunches of Love

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 10:48:00 +0000

Liam's Lunches of Love distributes meals and kindness to people who are experiencing homeless in the Cambridge, MA community. Liam created the organization when he was only 10 years old, and has distributed over 20,000 meals over the years. Liam and his friend and fellow volunteer Arson share their experiences with this important work, and remind us once again that "food is love." Follow Liam's Lunches of Love @liamslunchesoflove and learn more at www.liamslove.com

Avery K.: Love Carries On

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Avery K. is an energetic 15-year-old with ambitious goals, big dreams, and a heart for service. She started Love Carries On which provides duffle bags and luggage tags for children navigating the foster care system. I loved our conversation and I hope you will check out her efforts.

You can find Love Carries On on Instagram @lovecarriesondrive
And you can follow all of Avery's work @inspiredmelaninofficial and @askaveryk

Riley's Way Call for Kindness www.rileysway/call-for-kindness/

Together We Rise is a wonderful organization supporting children and teens in foster care www.togetherwerise.og

TogetherRising is a mutual aid organization started by the author Glennon Doyle www.togetherrising.org

Charlie, Alexa and Jack: MyFi

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 11:55:00 +0000

Charlie, Alexa, and Jack are high school seniors from New York City who have created a very special model of microfinancing for macro impact. With a passion for finance, entrepreneurship, and social justice, MyFiNYC provides small "game-changing" loans to communities in developing countries.
To learn more, check out their website www.myfinyc.org or follow on IG @myfi_inc
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/myfinyc/about/

Maya A.: The Latest News With Maya

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Follow Maya as she works toward her goal of recording 300 interviews! Check out Maya's interviews on her YouTube channel @popstarextraordinairemaya and follow her on Instagram and Tik Tok @thelatestnewswithmaya.

Zachary L.: Philanthropy4Technology

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 11:45:00 +0000

The pandemic certainly put a spotlight on educational disparities and the digital divide in the United States and around the world. Zachary L., a high school senior from NYC, has created an organization to help bridge that divide, Philanthropy4Technology.

If you'd like to learn more or to become an ambassador for Philanthropy4Technology, check out Zachary's website at www.philanthropy4technology.com or follow on social media @philanthropy4technology.

Ava S.: Ava Claus and Friends

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 11:55:00 +0000

It's the giving season and I'm delighted to share a special HOLIDAY edition of the podcast! Ava S. was only 6 years old when a classmate who was fighting leukemia inspired her to launch a project called Ava Claus, providing toys for children in the hospital. The effort turned into Ava Claus and Friends and a partnership with the Broward Children's Center. Listen and be inspired to give back in a meaningful way this holiday season. Follow Ava's work at @avaclaus and learn more at www.avaclaus.com and

Zach G.: Talk with Zach

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 09:43:00 +0000

Zach G. is a thoughtful, insightful teen who believes that we should engage in meaningful conversations about tough mental health issues. He created a media platform, Talk with Zach, that is an important space for teens to connect, access resources, and share their feelings. Everyone should follow this work on social media @talkwithzach and check out his website www.talkwithzach.org.

Sylvie S.: Philanthropic Giving and Mentorship

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 09:33:00 +0000

Sylvie S. is a New York City teen who is passionate about philanthropy and mentorship. She is an enthusiastic leader in PACT - the Philanthropic Advisory Council for Teens - at the UJA Federation of New York.

If you want to learn more about PACT or other teen leadership programs at UJA-Federation, check out the Center for Youth Philanthropy and Leadership at www.ujafedny.org/cypl-pact

C.J. M.: Blankies for My Buddies

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 11:30:00 +0000

CJ. is a big-hearted 15-year-old from Atlanta who turned a personal tragedy into an incredible purpose, providing blankets for people who are dealing with loss, trauma, and other hardships. He launched a nonprofit called Blankies for My Buddies. He wrote a children's book called "And Then There Was One." CJ is also a Giving Tuesday Spark Leader.

www.blankies4mybuddies.org
@blankies4mybuddies
www.givingtuesdayspark.org
@givingtuesdayspark
www.goodgriefbooks.net

Daisy H.: Including You

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Daisy H., a 13-year-old 9th grader from NYC, started Including You to create a community of learners and to promote friendship and inclusivity. If you'd like to learn more, or to become a mentor or mentee, check out www.includingyou.org or follow on social media @includingyou

Noah R.: Monarch Defenders

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 09:07:00 +0000

I hope today's episode will inspire you to become a Monarch Defender and to do all you can to help or planet and to save species nearing extinction.

Learn more about the monarch butterfly, biodiversity and becoming a Monarch Defender on Noah's website

www.monarchdefenders.org. Please follow him on IG @monarchdefenders

Noah also recommends a fantastic book for anyone that is concerned about our planet and what they can do to help:

Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts In Your Yard by Douglas Tallamy

Jacoby K.: Finance for Athletes

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 04:40:00 +0000

Today we will learn about financial literacy with Jacoby K., a high school senior from New Jersey. Jacoby was inspired to create a financial literacy curriculum after watching a documentary on ESPN (reminding us that inspiration to do good can come from anywhere!). Jacoby also teaches us the importance of finding a mentor to help turn your ideas and aspirations into reality.

In this episode, Jacoby mentions the documentary Broke which is part of the 30 for 30 series on ESPN. He also talks about finding a mentor through the Curious Cardinals platform. Learn more at www.curiouscardinals.com

To learn more about Finance for Athletes, check out the website at www.financeforathletes.com or follow on IG @finance.for.athletes

Hailey R.: Kid Caregivers

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 07:25:00 +0000

Hailey R. is a big-hearted teen whose mission is to help kids who have a family member with Alzheimer's. Her work is inspired by her love for her grandma, whom she calls her best friend, who lived with the disease. Her organization, Kid Caregivers, encourages young people to visit with institutionalized seniors, and to do puzzles with them. Intergenerational services is so powerful. I hope this episode will inspire you to spend some time with an elderly neighbor or family member.

Jackson R.: 24 miles in 24 hours

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 05:59:00 +0000

In this episode, we hear from Jackson, a 17-year-old from Lake Oswego, Oregon whose passion for running inspired him to start a "24 miles in 24 hours" challenge. He uses this effort as a fundraiser, and over the last three summers, he has raised over $12,000 for two local nonprofits.

Jackson has raised money for Hunger Fighters (a local food pantry that was started by a teenager) https://www.hungerfightersoregon.org/
and
Respond to Racism https://www.respondtoracism.org/
a neighborhood effort to interrupt racism through dialogue, learning, and action.

Jackson's Go Fund Me Page https://www.gofundme.com/f/7p2qu-24-miles-in-24-hours-food-insecurity-fundraiser

Emma Rose: Halloween Helpers

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 10:00:00 +0000

With Halloween coming at the end of the month, this is an important episode! We meet from Emma Rose Shapiro (who is my first adult guest on the podcast) who started a nonprofit called Halloween Helpers when she was just 12 years old. Halloween Helpers collects and distributes new and gently used Halloween costumes to children in need in the US and around the world. I hope this episode inspires everyone to think of ways to give back around their favorite holiday traditions.

To donate costumes, request costumes or learn more, go to

www.thehalloweenhelpers.com

Charlie H. - The Friendly Fridge Network

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 08:49:00 +0000

Have you ever seen a brightly painted refrigerator on the street and wondered what it was? On this week's episode we hear from Charlie H. who, along with a friend, launched The Friendly Fridge Network to help feed neighbors struggling with hunger and food insecurity.

Learn more about The Friendly Fridge Network

https://www.thefriendlyfridgenetwork.org/our-fridges

On Instagram @theheightsfriendlyfridge

Partners mentioned in this episode:

Meals on Main Street https://www.mealsonmainst.org/

The talented artist who painted the Fridge and a mural @underhillwalls

The original fiscal sponsor for the Friendly Fridge Network was Freedge https://freedge.org/

Gillian J.: Recovery Meetups

Simple Acts Guide — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 11:50:00 +0000

Gillian Johnson is the founder of Recovery Meetups, a virtual support and mentorship program for teens who are in recovery for disordered eating and other mental health issues.

You can learn more at: https://recoverymeetups.carrd.co/

Follow @recoverymeetups

For immediate assistance and resources around food disorders, visit https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

For more information about Riley's Way Foundation and The Call for Kindness Fellowship, check out www.rileysway.org

Ava and Sophia P: Donate2Dance

Simple Acts Guide — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 00:26:00 +0000

On this week's episode, I speak with Ava and Sophia P., two sisters from New York City who are passionate about dance. After years of lessons, rehearsals, and recitals, they realized that they had accumulated piles of dance shoes, leotards, and costumes. They decided to set up a collection box at their dance studio to collect gently used dance equipment and to donate it to under-resourced dance programs in the United States and around the world. Over the last four years, Donate2Dance has become the largest dance charity in the world. They connect with teens around the country who become "Ambassadors" for Donate2Dance, matching them with organizations in their local communities that can receive the costumes, leotards and shoes that are collected. Ava and Sophia have also partnered with dance schools around the world to provide dance lessons (via Zoom). Ava and Sophia talk to us about the great satisfaction they get from knowing how much a new leotard or a pair of tap shoes means to someone who wants to dance but doesn't have the resources to purchase the equipment they need to do so. They also remind us about how important arts education is in every community, and how unfair it is that the creative and performing arts are typically the first things to be eliminated during budget cuts.

Follow Donate2Dance at @donate2dance or reach out to learn more about becoming an ambassador. Ava and Sophia can be reached through their website at www.donate2dance.org.

Daniel K.: Fundraising, Access and Learning to Pivot

Simple Acts Guide — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 00:23:00 +0000

Welcome to Simple Acts, Big Impact: Celebrating Teen Changemakers. On this short weekly podcast, I will interview big-hearted 'tweens and teenagers who are volunteering, fundraising, starting nonprofits, and becoming social entrepreneurs and activists. I will amplify their stories and celebrate them, and share these stories with a world that could really use a dose of inspiration right now. On our first episode, I welcome Daniel K., a high school senior from New York City. Daniel tells us about a fundraising project that he launched around his passions - sports, fantasy football, and March Madness - and how he had to learn to be flexible and pivot in order to make an impact on an issue and a community he cares about. Daniel gives us some great reminders about tying service to activities we enjoy, and that we should always recruit friends to come along for the ride.

Daniel recommends the restaurant where he worked (and a place he loves), Kings of Kobe on 42nd Street and 11th Avenue in New York City, www.kingsofkobe.com, and he talks about supporting City Meals www.citymeals.org, which is the New York City branch of the national nonprofit Meals on Wheels.