Young people are facing an epidemic of loneliness. With screens constantly in their hands and groups of friends around them, students still feel isolated, disconnected, and uncertain.

This lack of connection impacts many areas of their lives—from school attendance and graduation rates to risky behaviors that prevent them from reaching their full potential.

For 35 years, Right Moves for Youth has been tackling this issue head-on.

Through weekly group meetings led by staff, school resource officers, and sometimes community volunteers, Right Moves provides teens with the opportunity to connect, build relationships, and gain the support they need to overcome life’s challenges.

Ryan Grammatico, from Right Moves for Youth, joins us to talk about how the organization is helping students not only achieve academic success but also become better employees, better citizens, and more prepared for the future ahead.

You’ll Hear:

(05:28) The challenges that youth in schools in Charlotte are facing right now

(08:03) What young people are sharing about their experiences with rising mental health challenges and feelings of disconnection

(14:06) What makes Right Moves for Youth so different from other after-school programs or youth mentoring programs

(22:26) How they demonstrate the impact of their work through measurable results

(33:23) A success story of a young girl who, after participating in the program, now works at the organization

Connect with Ryan and learn more about Right Moves for Youth.

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Read the full show notes HERE.

As Election Day approaches, the importance of voting is at the forefront of many conversations.

However, a healthy democracy relies not just on ballots cast, but on active, connected, and informed communities—what we refer to as civic health.

Today, we’re taking a closer look at the concept of civic health and how data—from voting rates to social trust—can reveal a lot about the strengths and challenges our communities face.

We’ll also discuss how nonprofits can help promote civic health without stepping into partisan territory.

You’ll hear:

(0:59) What civic health is and the challenges it faces

(03:57) National trends in civic engagement

(09:07) State-level insights from Georgia and North Carolina

(12:51) Five ways nonprofits can strengthen civic health

Every nonprofit has a story to tell, but how they tell it can make all the difference.

In an attempt to build a social presence, they may present complex issues too simply or stage moments for quick soundbites.

This is where powerful, story-driven video can create a better narrative.

Matt Pearl, founder of Pearl Impact Media, has years of experience in journalism. He now helps nonprofits amplify their impact through compelling video storytelling.

While storytelling can be complex, Matt shares his simple approach that emphasizes clarity, authenticity, and empathy.

You’ll Hear:

(04:15) Three key components that make a video story truly compelling

(11:08) The challenges nonprofits face when trying to embrace video

(14:29) An example of a successful nonprofit video campaign

(18:45) Matt’s advice for nonprofits who are just starting to explore video production

(22:51) What emerging trends in video production and digital storytelling nonprofits should pay attention to

(26:46) How to weave both data and personal storytelling into video content

Connect with Matt and learn more about Pearl Impact Media.