About this Podcast
The PYD Lab is the podcast for implementers and young leaders who want to examine innovative approaches to Positive Youth Development and hear stories of young people leading change in their communities.
The bi-monthly podcast features changemakers working on youth-related projects around the globe. Each episode includes three new PYD resource recommendations:
- A Published reading source recommended on a youth development-related topic (book, article, report).
- A resource authored by or a project gaining traction led by a Young leader.
- A Disruptive, innovative idea or resource that does or will tackle a youth-related challenge.
Hosted by journalist and YP2LE Senior Communications Manager Natasha Zena, this podcast is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), under the terms of YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation Contract. The content and opinions expressed in this podcast are the sole responsibility of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
Where to listen
Season 4 | Episode 4 – A Fond Farewell: Celebrating 5 Years of Youth Engagement
Listen now!
Join us for the final episode of The PYD Lab as we celebrate five incredible years of YP2LE. In this special episode, we are thrilled to welcome three amazing guests who have been integral to YP2LE: Project Director Lindsey Woolf, Youth Engagement Facilitator Zunaira Ali, and YouthLead Ambassador Kushal Naharki. They share their unique perspectives and experiences, reflect on their roles, and the long-term impact of the activity. It’s a perfect time to celebrate the achievements of YP2LE and take a nostalgic trip down memory lane.
“Season 4 Episode 4” from The PYD Lab YP2LE. Released: 2024. including music from I Breathe by Simon Jomphe Lepine and Inspiring Showreel by OKO ©copyright licensed under a creative commons Attribution (CC BY-SA 3.0).
YP2LE Recommendations
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Season 4 | Episode 3 – Using Photography as a Tool in Development
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Photography can be a catalyst for change and a tool for development, all while fostering Positive Youth Development. In this enlightening episode of The PYD Lab, our guest, former USAID Care Leaders Council member Bertha Lutome, shares compelling insights on how photography has not only captured the essence of communities but also spurred positive change. Join us for an inspiring conversation that underscores the role of photography in development and the importance of a balanced narrative.
“Season 4 Episode 3” from The PYD Lab YP2LE. Released: 2024. including music from I Breathe by Simon Jomphe Lepine and Inspiring Showreel by OKO ©copyright licensed under a creative commons Attribution (CC BY-SA 3.0).
YP2LE Recommendations
Arts for Community Development: Starter Kit
Season 4 | Episode 2 – Fixing a Wasteful System: Young Entrepreneurs Working Towards a Green Economy
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If we are looking to clean up our economic system, we need to look at our current production process. The PYD Lab welcomes Sofia Sydorenko, a Ukrainian zero-waste entrepreneur, and Hillary Proctor, Senior Director of Economic Opportunities at Making Cents International. They provide an insightful conversation on transitioning to a green economy and how young entrepreneurs and program implementers can do their part.
“Season 4 Episode 2” from The PYD Lab YP2LE. Released: 2024. including music from I Breathe by Simon Jomphe Lepine and Inspiring Showreel by OKO ©copyright licensed under a creative commons Attribution (CC BY-SA 3.0).
YP2LE Recommendations
YouthLead’s Climate Change Starter Kit
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Season 4 | Episode 1 – Understanding Mental Health in Positive Youth Development
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Join us for an interesting conversation on mental health as we examine its intersection with positive youth development. In this episode, we delve into pressing issues affecting youth's mental well-being — from rapid information consumption to invisible mental health issues and past experiences. We look at utilizing best practices in a trauma-informed approach while promoting overlapping aspects of mental health found in The Positive Youth Development Framework. Plus, we give implementers better insight into integrating mental health into their youth programming.
“Season 4 Episode 1” from The PYD Lab YP2LE. Released: 2024. including music from I Breathe by Simon Jomphe Lepine and Inspiring Showreel by OKO ©copyright licensed under a creative commons Attribution (CC BY-SA 3.0).
YP2LE Recommendations
Integrating Mental Health and Psychosocial Support into Youth Programming: A Toolkit
Guest Recommendations
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Marginalized and Underrepresented Groups Toolkit (Coming soon)
On the Design of a Youth-Led, Issue-Based, Crowdsourced Global Monitoring Framework for the SDGs
Season 3 | Episode 6 – Leading the Way to Green Careers for the Next Generation
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Sustainability professional and Founder of The Climate Education Initiative Project, Azeez Tobi Abubakar, joins us in The PYD Lab to share his passion for climate action, sustainable development, and innovation. We discuss green job opportunities for Nigerian youth and Azeez shares essential skills young people need for success in the sector.
“Season 3 Episode 6” from The PYD Lab YP2LE. Released: 2023. including music from I Breathe by Simon Jomphe Lepine and Inspiring Showreel by OKO ©copyright licensed under a creative commons Attribution (CC BY-SA 3.0).
YP2LE Recommendations
The Role of Sustainable Consumption and Production Starter Kit
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Season 3 | Episode 5 – Digital Transformation and Inclusion: Insights from Trinidad and Tobago
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In this episode of The PYD Lab, we delve into the multifaceted and growing world of digital literacy with Digital Transformation Analyst, Steffon Lewis, hailing from the Ministry of Digital Transformation in Trinidad and Tobago. Lewis talks about ethical tech use, the rise of artificial intelligence, worrisome trends, and the delicate balance between internet regulation and personal freedoms.
“Season 3 Episode 5” from The PYD Lab YP2LE. Released: 2023. including music from I Breathe by Simon Jomphe Lepine and Inspiring Showreel by OKO ©copyright licensed under a creative commons Attribution (CC BY-SA 3.0).
YP2LE Recommendations
Season 3 | Episode 4 – Unifying to Support LGBTQIA+ Youth and Their Human Rights
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We are celebrating and commemorating PRIDE Month in the United States by turning the spotlight on helping LGBTQIA+ youth build positive youth identities, calling for economic equity, and advocating for human rights. Guest advocate and lawyer Nandini Tanya Lallmon leads us in a thoughtful discussion on advocacy and shares insights into the challenges of campaign reform.
“Season 3 Episode 4” from The PYD Lab YP2LE. Released: 2022. including music from I Breathe by Simon Jomphe Lepine and Inspiring Showreel by OKO ©copyright licensed under a creative commons Attribution (CC BY-SA 3.0).
YP2LE Recommendations
Supporting LGBTQI+ Rights Starter Kit
Youth Influencing Local Policy Starter Kit
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Season 3 | Episode 3 – Embracing Equity: How Abimbola Ajala is Making Sure No Girls are Left Behind
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Bridging the gap for young women and girls is top of mind this International Women’s Day as we are all called to Embrace Equity. The PYD Lab welcomes entrepreneur and former YouthLead Ambassador Abimbola Ajala, founder of LendAHandAfrica. We learn about her organization’s determination to make sure girls are educated too, and why messaging and getting others on board matters in achieving equity.
“Season 3 Episode 3” from The PYD Lab YP2LE. Released: 2023. including music from I Breathe by Simon Jomphe Lepine and Inspiring Showreel by OKO ©copyright licensed under a creative commons Attribution (CC BY-SA 3.0).
YP2LE Recommendations
Tipping Point, A Workshop with Resources for Gender Transformative Change hosted by the YP2LE Gender CoP.
“I Bleed Different” Mini-documentary produced by Abimbola.
Season 3 | Episode 2 – The Future of Food: Using a Circular Economy to Organically Innovate Tomorrow’s Food Sources
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Organismal zoologist Collin VanBuren and agroindustrial entrepreneur Johan Sebastian Chavez Mosquera join us for an exciting episode on food waste and sustainability. Learn more about the impact of USAID's Bureau for Resilience and Food Security, how using a circular economy to organically innovate tomorrow’s food sources can help with sustainability, and why using small insects to transform organic waste into food might be the wave of the future.
“Season 3 Episode 2” from The PYD Lab YP2LE. Released: 2022. including music from I Breathe by Simon Jomphe Lepine and Inspiring Showreel by OKO ©copyright licensed under a creative commons Attribution (CC BY-SA 3.0).
YP2LE Recommendations
Reducing Food Waste at Home How-to Article
The Role of Sustainable Consumption and Production: Starter Kit
Guest Recommendations
Feed the Future Innovation Labs Are Supporting Youth Article
NextGen Ag Impact Network [NGIN]
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Season 3 | Episode 1 – The Entrepreneur Adventure
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Rasmus Jakobsen and Anxhela Bruci are two young entrepreneurs running startups with social good at their core. From starting up to dealing with growing pains, they share their journeys and perspectives on running businesses in Greenland and Albania, and what they want policymakers to know about young business owners.
“Season 3 Episode 1” from The PYD Lab YP2LE. Released: 2022. including music from I Breathe by Simon Jomphe Lepine and Inspiring Showreel by OKO ©copyright licensed under a creative commons Attribution (CC BY-SA 3.0).
YP2LE Recommendations
Season 2 | Episode 5 – Save Our Sisters: AfyAfrika's founder discusses her personal journey to fight FGM
Listen now!
Content warning: This episode contains a discussion about female genital mutilation (FGM), gender-based violence, and domestic violence.
It is estimated that more than three million girls will be at risk of FGM this year alone. Catherine Kimaren Mootian joins The PYD Lab as not only a survivor of FGM, but as an advocate for its eradication through her organization, AfyAfrika. Catherine shares her own powerful story and how her project, Scars to Stars, is helping other survivors find their voice and feel seen.
“Season 2 Episode 5” from The PYD Lab YP2LE. Released: 2022. including music from I Breathe by Simon Jomphe Lepine and Inspiring Showreel by OKO ©copyright licensed under a creative commons Attribution (CC BY-SA 3.0).
YP2LE Recommendations
What Works Page for Adolescent Girls
How to Fight FGM/C Through Social Marketing
Season 2 | Episode 4 – How to Engage Youth in Conflict Situations
Listen now!
Content warning: This episode contains a conversation about conflict areas/situations, trauma, mental health and psychosocial support, and how one program is working with youth in Ukraine.
Listen in on a timely, informative conversation on how implementers can keep programs responsive to youth and staff needs during times of conflict. We examine rapid program considerations and the dos and don’ts of working with youth in conflict situations and areas through a positive youth development lens. Plus, we get insight on USAID’s UNITY Activity and how some programs are adapting to assist Ukrainian youth during this time.
“Season 2 Episode 4” from The PYD Lab YP2LE. Released: 2022. including music from I Breathe by Simon Jomphe Lepine and Inspiring Showreel by OKO ©copyright licensed under a creative commons Attribution (CC BY-SA 3.0).
YP2LE Recommendations
Considerations for Violence Prevention, Peace, and Security
Guest Recommendations
Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
Season 2 | Episode 3 – A Ray of Hope: Ineza Grace Lights the Path Toward Inclusive Environmentalism
Listen now!
Ecofeminist Ineza Umuhoza Grace says it is going to take the inclusion of youth and women to truly protect the environment and have climate justice for all. In this episode, we dive into the challenges young leaders of color confront when growing their organizations while trying to avoid the trappings of tokenism. Plus, Ineza shares how her organization, The Green Protector, is contributing to Rwanda’s sustainable development and inspiring the next generation of climate justice warriors.
“Season 2 Episode 3” from The PYD Lab YP2LE. Released: 2022. including music from I Breathe by Simon Jomphe Lepine and Inspiring Showreel by OKO ©copyright licensed under a creative commons Attribution (CC BY-SA 3.0).
YP2LE Recommendations
Beyond Alarm Bell Ringing: Young People & Climate Change Action Webinar
The Role of Sustainable Consumption and Production: Starter Kit
Guest Recommendations
The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael Alan Singer
Vanessa Nakate’s Twitter @vanessa_vash
Season 2 | Episode 2 - The Mighty Trio: How three women are leading the charge against gender-based violence
Listen now!
Content warning: This episode contains a discussion about gender-based violence, domestic violence, and women and children seeking emergency shelter.
WoMen Against Rape (WAR) has been a safe haven for women and children in Botswana for the last 28 years. WAR’s Executive Director Peggie Ramaphane, Research Coordinator Helen Anne Apps, and social worker Gofileone Gontle Samakabadi visit The PYD Lab to talk about the vital role their work plays in the Northwest District and how USAID’s Collective Action to Reduce Gender-Based Violence (CARE-GBV) is helping them build an internal culture of resilience and wellness thanks to their Small Grants Program.
“Season 2 Episode 2” from The PYD Lab YP2LE. Released: 2021. including music from I Breathe by Simon Jomphe Lepine and Inspiring Showreel by OKO ©copyright licensed under a creative commons Attribution (CC BY-SA 3.0).
YP2LE Recommendations
Integrating Mental Health and Psychosocial Support into Youth Programming: A Toolkit
Activism Against Gender-based Violence: Starter Kit
Guest Recommendations
Season 2 | Episode 1 - Can intentional online mentoring still have a profound impact?
Listen now!
On Season 2’s opening episode, we are asking the question: With many of us still meeting virtually, is it possible for mentoring to have a profound impact online? We explore the possibilities with Youth Development Specialist Sarah Sladen and Youth Empowerment Advocate and Mentor Philbert Aganyo. Listen in for insights on how mentorship can occur in a variety of spaces, why even adult mentors need training, and how the new YouthLead Mentorship Initiative will help young people find and connect with mentors to ultimately increase personal and professional growth.
“Season 2 Episode 1” from The PYD Lab YP2LE. Released: 2021. including music from I Breathe by Simon Jomphe Lepine and Inspiring Showreel by OKO ©copyright licensed under a creative commons Attribution (CC BY-SA 3.0).
YP2LE Recommendations
YouthLead Mentorship Initiative
5 Ways Mentoring Can Positively Impact Your Life
Mentorship Toolkit for Mentors
Guest Recommendations
#MeWeSyria, now called MeWeIntl, was founded by Mohsin Mohi Ud Din, and is a program of Ashoka’s Youth Venture
Training the adults to work more inclusively and effectively with young people.
Season 1 | Episode 5 - A Deeper Dive into Positive Youth Development with the Journal of Youth Development
Listen now!
In this episode of The PYD Lab, we get the scoop on the Journal of Youth Development’s special issue on Positive Youth Development (PYD). We talk to issue co-editors Cassandra Jessee and Dr. Lisa Lauxman about putting the issue together, the changing PYD landscape and what YouthPower2: Learning and Evaluation learned from analyzing 17 Cross-Sectoral Youth Assessments. Learn more about the special issue here.
“Episode 5” from The PYD Lab YP2LE. Released: 2021. including music from the Genetics by Dream Youth and Elevator by Jahzzar ©copyright licensed under a creative commons Attribution (CC BY-SA 3.0).
YP2LE Recommendations
“Reset the way you think about youth” Blog post by Cassandra Jessee
Higher Education and Transformation (HEET) Community of Practice meeting on Strengthening Positive Youth Development in Higher Education.
USAID's Positive Youth Development E-Course: PYD 101
Guest Recommendations
Season 1 | Episode 4 - A Toolkit to Design Better Youth Center Programs
Listen now!
We talk to Katie Green, co-author of the Youth Center Toolkit, about utilizing Positive Youth Development to improve program effectiveness and design better youth centers and safe spaces. Learn more about the Youth Center Toolkit and the importance of developing a Theory of Change to strengthen your program’s objectives.
“Episode 4” from The PYD Lab YP2LE. Released: 2021. including music from the Genetics by Dream Youth and Elevator by Jahzzar ©copyright licensed under a creative commons Attribution (CC BY-SA 3.0).
YP2LE Recommendations
YP2LE Learning Network Webinar: Designing Better Youth Center and Safe Space Programming
Youth Engagement Community of Practice
Positive Youth Development Illustrative Indicators
Guest Recommendations
Season 1 | Episode 3 — Democracy on the Move: How Young Voices Are Uniting for Change
Listen now!
Scott Warren of Democracy Moves shares his perspective on building a youth-led global movement for democracy. Learn why youth have always been at the forefront of change and how enabling them to lead now, rather than later, can have a meaningful impact on their communities.
“Episode 3” from The PYD Lab YP2LE. Released: 2021. including music from the Genetics by Dream Youth and Elevator by Jahzzar ©copyright licensed under a creative commons Attribution (CC BY-SA 3.0).
YP2LE Recommendations
Youth in Civic Engagement Starter Kit
Bonus:
Guest Recommendations
“Generation Citizen: The Power of Youth in Our Politics”
Youth: All for Social Justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Season 1 | Episode 2 - Room to Grow: The Power of Safe Spaces for Young Women
Listen now!
In this episode of the PYD Lab, Natasha speaks with young changemaker Cynthia Nyongesa and Lisa Jenga of Generation Unlimited, exploring the issues women and girls still face and why safe spaces for young women and girls are so important.
“Episode 2” from The PYD Lab YP2LE. Released: 2021. including music from the Genetics by Dream Youth and Elevator by Jahzzar ©copyright licensed under a creative commons Attribution (CC BY-SA 3.0).
YP2LE Recommendations
Safe Spaces for Girls Starter Kit
Guest Recommendations
UNICEF ADAP Guidelines for Adolescent Participation and Civic Engagement
Season 1 | Episode 1 - Brave Enough to Demand Change
Listen now!
In this inaugural episode, The PYD Lab explores the threats facing women in politics in Brazil. YouthLead Ambassador and law student Fernanda Ribeiro talks the rise of Femicide, the dangers of advocating for the dismantling of structural violence and the health crisis Brazilians face in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the blog on Youthlead.
“Episode 1” from The PYD Lab YP2LE. Released: 2021. including music from the Genetics by Dream Youth and Elevator by Jahzzar ©copyright licensed under a creative commons Attribution (CC BY-SA 3.0).
YP2LE Recommendations
Youth in Peace and Security Starter Kit
Youth in Civic Engagement Starter Kit
Toolkit For Youth Inclusion in Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance