The Passionate Youth Worker – Details, episodes & analysis

June 17, 2024 Season 5 Episode 2

Over the past four years, The Passionate Youth Worker podcast has been listened to in 106 different countries. Each of our 107 guests shared their unique stories with humility and grace. In this final episode, we reflect back on what their stories taught us about what it means to be a youth worker. And how their passion for serving our young people motivates and inspires us every day. Please, lend us your ears for this fond farewell!

Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this podcast's web page.

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June 3, 2024 Season 5 Episode 1

Khomas region, Namibia: Tuli Kamati has learned to transform challenges into triumphs. She generously shares all of her life lessons to benefit others. And she leads with both a strong heart and a determined mind to bring about social justice for herself and others. Tuli is a passionate advocate for reproductive rights and healthcare equity for women and girls. 

Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this podcast's web page.

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January 29, 2024 Season 4 Episode 19

Portland, Jamaica: Todd Haslam’s young life started out well. His father was his hero who loved and cared for him. But when his father suddenly left, everything was upended. His life became very rough. But he sees it all as a blessing. He had people around him who helped him stay grounded and become well-rounded. Both the good and the bad brought him to see his heart of goodness and compassion. In that, he found his passion for youth work. 

Accessibility Options: Watch the unedited video interview with subtitles or read the edited podcast transcript by visiting this podcast's web page.

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Kaduna, Nigeria: Ibrahim Yusuf lives his dream to work with youth with all his heart. Deeply loved but not always accepted by his parents, he started making poor choices in life. But everything changed when a mentor took him in, believed in him, and said “you are bigger than what you are doing.” That put hope in him and now he does the same for others through his Triumphant Youth Foundation.   

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Minnesota, United States: Colleen O’Neil felt she didn’t have a person she could be 100% honest with growing up. That experience shapes how she works with young people today. She knows young people want us to be genuine, honest, and always let them feel that they’re being heard. They respect and gravitate toward that. When we are authentic, sincere, and truly do sit back and listen is when we can do the best work with them. 

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Lusaka, Zambia: Tapela Banda says ‘different’ was never in her vocabulary growing up, she saw everyone just as human. She didn’t like the fact that society would stigmatize and discriminate against others for being different and that drives her passion for youth work now. She shares a beautiful belief in humanity, reminding us that somebody out there depends on our voice, depends on us. Keep speaking and keep being the light. 

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Minnesota, United States: Drew Althoff realized at an early age that he wasn’t a prototypical male. He calls his path to youth work a slow evolution, born from the desire to be a dad. He dedicates himself to being the adult he yearned for growing up, offering unconditional love to the young people he serves. Drew is all about lifting people up, meeting them where they need to be met, with hope in your heart. 

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Lusaka, Zambia: Mwape Chibuye grew up grateful for whatever she had and eager to share what she had to help others. She reflects on the mixture of good and challenges she moved through in her own life, crediting her mother’s support. A passionate youth advocate, Mwape says young people are hungry to make a difference and if they're given the right opportunities, they'll do that and maximize them to make even better opportunities.

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Ontario, Canada: Angela Hill always knew she wanted to be a youth worker. Growing up with an alcoholic parent instilled a passion and empathy to help others. She shares an uplifting perspective that fuels her ability to find the good in others every day, even when the work is difficult. She sees herself as an “aha junkie,” thriving on sparking those moments when youth workers and young people gain real insight to grow. 

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Utah, United States: Tua Kealoha seems born to be a youth worker; a Samoan heritage grounded in taking care of others and a Hawaiian name meaning ‘love.’ But his path began as a gang member. Now he’s a gang prevention specialist, using his own life experience and love to help other young people transform their lives.  

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