The Let’s Talk podcast series was launched in November 2021 as part of National Runaway Prevention Month. Let’s Talk is aimed at elevating the voices of young people as they share their stories and highlight the complexities and intersections that are witnessed by the 4.2 million young people experiencing homelessness across the United States each year.
CONTENT WARNING: THIS PODCAST FEATURES DISCUSSIONS THAT MAY BE TRIGGERING TO OUR AUDIENCES, COVERING TOPICS THAT INCLUDE SUICIDE, INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, INSTITUTIONALIZATION, GUN VIOLENCE, ADDICTION AND VARIOUS FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
Season 3
The Official NRS Podcast
Let's Talk!
Let's Talk: A Conversation w the NRS Youth Advisory Board
Let's Talk: The Positive Youth Development Approach w Midwest Youth Services
Let's Talk: A Conversation with 6th Street Center for Youth Program Manager Emily Pereira
Let's Talk: #NRPM2022 with NRS CEO Susan Frankel
Bonus Episode: Youth Helping Youth & The Importance of Mental Health Programming in Schools
Let's Talk: A Conversation with love is respect
Available Now
For this very special episode of Let’s Talk we are happy to welcome guest host Em deCordova, Prevention and Youth Engagement Coordinator at National Runaway Safeline (NRS). Em is joined by Rachel Litchman and Tony Davis-Robinson, NRS Youth Advisory Board Members, who share their lived experiences, and discuss ways that youth-facing organizations can collaborate with them to make change.
You can learn more about the Youth Advisory Board by visiting 1800RUNAWAY.org/YAB
Available Now
It’s week 3 of NRPM and we’re joined by Kayla Reno & Hannah Portwood from Midwest Services to talk about their Positive Youth Development Approach! We also talk about their awe-inspiring National Runaway Prevention Month campaign, the ADHD Child’s Bill of Rights, and the importance of meeting youth where they are.
Available Now
For the second week of NRPM we spoke with Emily Pereira, the Program Manager for the 6th Street Center for Youth and Heart Program at Youth4Change. In this episode we discuss developing unique plans for young people in need and the importance of giving them agency over their own journey. We also got to learn all about their mind-blowing National Runaway Prevention Month campaign and the many ways they involved the youth voice.
Click here to visit Youth4Change.
Click here to visit 6th Street Center for Youth.
Click here for the Ghost Poppy + 6th Street Center “Shine A Light” Candle.
Ep. 2 Let's Talk #NRPM2022 with National Runaway Safeline CEO Susan Frankel
Available Now
It’s officially National Runaway Prevention Month (NRPM) and we’re joined by Susan Frankel, CEO of the National Runaway Safeline. In this episode we discuss how NRPM has evolved over the past few years, the endless creativity of our NRPM partners, what to look forward to this November, and, of course, the importance of including the youth voice when talking about youth issues.
Click here to visit the NRPM home page.
BONUS! Let's Talk: Youth Helping Youth & Mental Health Programming in Schools with Max Neri
Available Now
In this bonus episode we are joined by Max Neri, an NRS Volunteer! Max shares valuable insight on what effective mental health programming in schools can look like, the importance of youth helping youth, and simple ways young people can make a difference in their own communities.
Learn more about National Runaway Safeline’s Youth Ambassador program for National Runaway Prevention Month, visit 1800RUNAWAY.org/ambassador
Ep. 1 Let's Talk: A Conversation with love is respect Director Angela Lee
Available Now
We’re kicking off season 3 with the incredible Angela Lee, Director at love is respect. In this episode we discuss domestic violence, teen dating violence, creating a safety plan, self-care, and the importance of open communication.
love is respect is the national resource to disrupt and prevent unhealthy relationships and intimate partner violence by empowering young people through inclusive and equitable education, support, and resources. To learn more about this incredible organization, visit loveisrespect.org.
love is respect’s “Self-care Checklist” is available here: https://www.loveisrespect.org/resources/self-care-checklist/
Season 2
The Official NRS Podcast
Let's Talk!
Episode 5 - Let's Talk: Trevor Project's Mental Health Survey
Episode 4 - Let's Talk: A Convo w/ Kimberly Waller
Episode 3 - Let's Talk: Child Abuse
Episode 2 - Let's Talk: Fenix Youth Project
Episode 1 - Let's Talk: Human Trafficking
Ep. 5 Let's Talk: The Trevor Project's 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health
Available Now
Fresh out of Pride Month we are joined by Dr. Jonah DeChants from The Trevor Project to discuss their 2022 Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health. Through the episode we learn about how youth self-identify, access to mental health resources, and how adults can be the person a young person in need can confide in.
From The Trevor Project: “Capturing the experiences of nearly 34,000 LGBTQ youth ages 13 to 24 across the United States, with 45% of respondents being LGBTQ youth of color and 48% being transgender or nonbinary, our fourth annual national survey is one of the most diverse surveys of LGBTQ youth ever conducted.”
Click here to learn more about the Trevor Project.
Ep. 4 Let's Talk: A conversation with FYSB ASsociate Commissioner Kimberly Waller
Available Now
Featuring Kimberly Waller
In this episode we are thrilled to learn from Kimberly Waller, the Associate Commissioner for the Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB). Kimberly goes into great detail about the FYSB’s priorities, what effective community-base outreach looks like, and tips on how you can combat youth homelessness locally.
Ep. 3 Let's Talk: Child Abuse
Available Now
Featuring Larel Jacobs
For episode 3 we are grateful to have an enlightening conversation with Larel Jacobs (of Childhelp.org) about reporting child abuse, having tough conversations with young people, and why more and more children under the age of 12 are reaching out to crisis service hotlines like Childhelp and National Runaway Safeline.
Childhelp is a US non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse.
Ep. 2 Let's Talk: Fenix Youth Project
Available Now
Featuring Amber Green
In episode 2, we spotlight the winner of our National Runaway Prevention Month 2021 “Shine a Light” Award, the Fenix Youth Project. Led by Executive Director Amber Green, the organization serves youth in eastern Maryland through their 24h youth drop-in-center, and youth organizing group programs. Through this episode, we learn about the mission of the Fenix Youth Project, how they demonstrate true leadership through their vision of young person-centered advocacy, and how their work aligns with what we do at the National Runaway Safeline.
Ep. 1 Let's Talk: Human Trafficking
Available Now
Featuring Sophia Eftimiades
In the season 2 premiere episode, Maria Taylor, NRS Prevention and Youth Engagement Coordinator, is joined by Sophia Eftimiades, a Case Response Specialist at Polaris. Throughout this episode, Maria and Sophia discuss definitions and signs of human trafficking, the important work being done throughout Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and how human trafficking intersects with NRS’ work and commitment to serving homeless and runaway youth.
Season 1
The Official NRS Podcast
Let's Talk!
Episode 6 - Let's Talk: Mental Health, Domestic/Gun Violence
Episode 5 - Let's Talk: Diagnosis, Disability & College
Episode 4 - Let's Talk: Indigenous Identity & Foster Care
Episode 3 - Let's Talk: Homelessness, Disability & Discrimination
Episode 2 - Let's Talk: Trauma, Immigration & Addiction
Episode 1 - Let's Talk: National Runaway Prevention Month
EP 6. Let's Talk: Mental Health, Domestic VIolence & Gun Violence
Available Now
Featuring Zachary Mallory
Zachary Mallory is a Kansas City native, whose passion is in mental health and suicide prevention. In their community, they provide services through Trauma-Informed Care and by prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion throughout their work both professionally and as a member of the NRS Youth Advisory Board. In this episode, Zachary shares their experiences with homelessness and housing insecurity, as a queer, non-binary person surviving domestic violence and gun violence.
EP 5. Let's Talk: Diagnosis, Disability & the College Experience
Available Now
Featuring Rachel Litchman
Raised in the Chicago suburbs, Rachel Litchman is a student studying Sociology and Women and Gender Studies at the University of Wisconsin. She is a member of the NRS Youth Advisory Board and the Dane County Youth Action Board. Rachel shares her experiences as a young person navigating the failures of our health care system, and how lack of diagnosis impacted the trajectory of her life.
EP 4. Let's Talk: Indigenous Identity & Foster Care
Available Now
Featuring Keeley BadWarrior
Keeley BadWarrior is from Rapid City, South Dakota, where she is currently a student at Western Dakota Technical College studying business and technology. Outside of her coursework, Keeley holds multiple jobs and is an active member of both the NRS Youth Advisory Board and the Rapid City Youth Action Board. In this interview, Keeley shares her experiences with homelessness and housing instability following her aging out of the foster care system.
EP 3. Let’s Talk: Homelessness, Disability & Discrimination
Available Now
Featuring EJ Valez
EJ Valez joins us from Kutztown College. In addition to their ambitious course load, EJ works four part-time jobs, is a member of both the NRS Youth Advisory Board and the Youth Council Advisory Board with the National Network for Youth, and serves as a consultant for Youth Collaboratory. In this interview, EJ describes how they have experienced the intersection of youth homelessness, disability, and discrimination, and discusses their goals for the future.
EP 2. Let’s Talk: Generational Trauma, Immigration and Addiction
Available Now
Featuring Mariana Aguire Rios
Mariana Aguire Rios is a Denver native and certified Peer Support Specialist who has years of experience in children’s advocacy. Currently working at DenverHealth as a care navigator and serving as a member of the NRS Youth Advisory Board, Mariana shares her experiences as a young person navigating the complexities of homelessness, generational trauma, immigration and addiction, and how that led her to where she is today.
EP 1. Let's Talk: National Runaway prevention Month
Now Available
Featuring Susan Frankel