Elevate Empathy's Share Chair Podcast

In our 100th episode, we get to practice empathy by listening to Lance's story. Lance is transitioning from female to male and his 18th birthday felt like a new life and a new opportunity. Understand more by listening more. Thanks for tuning in.

Elevate Empathy's The Share Chair Podcast is pleased to announce the 2017-2018 host, Madi Miller. (With only a few more episodes to go under Ashleigh's leadership, it's important to start out next year's host.) So, get to know her: her busy schedule, her attitude on leadership, her fun personality, her thoughtfulness, her empathy.

After an almost-three-week hiatus, Elevate Empathy's Share Chair Podcast is ready for the final two-month push of this year's season. Today, we hear from Loyola University in Chicago: Over her spring break, Loyola University student, Morgan Zygmunt, chose to go on an Alternative Break Immersion instead of vacationing. Loyola sends groups of students and leaders to places in need like Detroit, Michigan; Portland, Oregon; South Side of Chicago; etc. to immerse themselves in places that are struggling with issues like homelessness, food deserts, racial inequality, and more. Listen to hear Morgan's experience in East St. Louis, Illinois, where she immersed herself in a community struggling with racism and generational poverty.

Want to listen to someone who is passionate about what he does? Listen to this podcast with Mickey Wallace. Mickey is a former student from Muskegon High School who has gone on to work on his dreams and come back to Muskegon to continue working on his dream while influencing others. He talks about the value in volunteering and will encourage you to give your time and talents to help others.

After a devastating loss in the state basketball quarterfinals (though incredibly proud and supportive of his team) and attendance at a school assembly discussing leadership with guest speaker, Mike Smith, Justin Pederson finds a space on this week's Share Chair Podcast to make sense of the last week.

Emma France isn't your typical college student. Passionate about film and someone who struggles with mental illness, Emma took a different route from high school to college and she's hear to let people know that's okay. There are more ways than one to transition. Listen to this episode of The Share Chair Podcast to hear how Emma got to where she is today.

Julia, a sophomore, has learned a lot from her older brother who moved to a different school district. She has learned that just "being" in the halls can be kind of tricky. As a matter of fact, that realization has inspired her to work with her art teacher and a fellow student to create an upcoming art project.

Sydney Wassink is a senior at Hamilton High School who has not let autism slow her down. She has become a public speaker and an advocate for people everywhere who are living with autism. Her positive attitude and desire to help others inspires everyone with whom she comes in contact.

Listen to Jack talk about his significant change from 9th grade to now. This episode acts as a reminder that people change--sometimes, in significant ways. And why change? Possibly, for his sister.

Take a minute to put yourself in Steward Hubbert’s shoes. He’s a senior at Muskegon High School who has worked hard to be able to graduate this year. With such a friendly personality, many people might not be aware of the abuse he has gone through and the challenges he has overcome. Interested in learning more about foster care? http://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-73971_7117---,00.html

Kendra March, this week's interview, describes her passions: art and cheerleading. But when she opens up about the unique makeup of her family, she shines a light on love that many teens don't express.

In this week's episode, we talk to Phoebe: athlete, class president, strong student, and survivor of her father's passing. Listen to this mature young lady--really, she's just a freshman--talk about her life: the important stuff AND the challenging stuff, too.

Again and again, through this podcast, we're introduced to amazing young people who lead exciting lives. Eric Dunlap is one more of those. Eric discusses, in this episode, his love of theatre and his curiosity for business--AND how that combination could be a perfect match for his future.

Two weeks ago, yoga instructor Jane Donnelly took several teenagers and one teacher through a meditation circle. During the time, there was an opportunity to share personal experiences; therefore, those in attendance gained empathy. Jane showed it as a simple equation: time + sharing + listening = empathy. In this week's episode, three students discuss the experience of the Elevate Empathy Circle. The students went in not knowing each other and left--well--connected.

"Everything is mind over matter; if you want to change yourself, you can." These are strong words from Daniel, a senior at Spring Lake, who is working on making himself genuine after he spent years of trying to be who he thought he should be--both for his peers AND for his parents who were battling addiction. This is a great story from a cool young man. Take a listen. And share it with others who could benefit.

"If you have something to say and you believe that it is truly just, speak up." -Gracie Beechnau, Sparta Middle School This week, we highlight three stories from Sparta Middle School--Leah Sajdak's Language Arts classroom. This episode is a strong reminder that each of us, of any age, has our own story and that we are molded from them. Enjoy this week's episode as we learn from those living in those challenging, yet formative, middle school years. (You can read these stories at https://elevateempathy.com/from-sparta-middle-school/ and listen to even more middle school stories via https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JR47drBuJnEP2JqYKBqGfwl83e0H7QikLf9Qw4Olqgs/edit?usp=sharing.)

Anders is an exchange student at Hamilton High School. He shares his thoughts about what it's like to be an exchange student as well as the similarities and differences between American and Danish culture and schools.

Leah Pasquesi-Mika's words speak volumes--especially in the beginning of a new year. The Loyola University academic adviser has been through her own adversity when her father was diagnosed with early onset dementia. Yet, she has the strength to recognize her privilege in all situations. In this week's episode, Leah discusses how empathy, struggling, and love are all connected in her life--and in the world. "Whether it's someone on the train or someone who looks different than you, love is more needed when it's people who are different than us, when it's people on the margins of our society."

Listen and be infected with Gabe's passion: passion for his brother who is on the autism spectrum, passion for business, passion for tech education, and more. This is one fine dude with many great stories. Share away.

Devin Sanders is a 17-year-old Muskegon High School student who enjoys both football and theatre. He talks about how both of them have shaped who he is today. Devin encourages people to do what makes them happy.