Hi, I am Aneesh Prasad, a 16-year-old from Massachusetts. Some of the biggest issues facing Gen-Zers today are mental health and well-being, racial equity, access to equal opportunities, social justice, and the environment. Come join me as I explore how we can tackle these issues by talking to experts in the field who have made a difference. Let's learn from them so we can make a difference too.
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Episode 2: Young Africa Flow Feebles with Elena Paolini
20:54
20:54
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20:54In this episode, I interview Elena Paolini. Elena shares her personal journey dealing with the stigma associated with menstruation and the physical and mental challenges that ensued. She also shares the field research on attitudes towards menstruation that she conducted in Nigeria. Eliana discusses the taboo in Africa against talking about menstrua…
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Season 3 titled "Young African Flow Feebles" is a special series of my podcast in partnership with Ruth Egbedi of the Young Africa Foundation. In this series, Ruth and I will interview young girls in Africa to provide a platform to break the myths surrounding menstruation and foster open conversations about this crucial aspect of women's health. In…
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Episode 11: Fighting Child Marriage, Gender Inequality and Climate Change in Indonesia with Alya Sabira
23:06
23:06
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23:06In this episode, I interview 19-year old Alya Sabira, the founder of Save the Youth Sukabumi in Indonesia. Alya shares the incredible work she is doing to tackle climate change and dismantle deep-rooted societal and cultural challenges such as child marriage and gender and education inequality. We discuss the role of government, legislation, and ad…
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Episode 10: Environmental Sustainability in the Med-Tech Industry with Cal St. Denis
22:14
22:14
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22:14In this episode, I interview Cal St. Denis, the Global Director of Sustainability at J&J MedTech. Cal shares his journey and his transition from commercial roles to leading J&J MedTech's sustainability efforts. We discuss J&J's environmental sustainability initiatives and Cal shares his insights on the challenges and advantages of developing more e…
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Episode 9: Empowering Youth and Leveling the Education Playing Field with Grace Paul
34:27
34:27
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34:27In this episode, I interview the founder of Opportunity Desk and iKapture Networks, Grace Ihejiamaizu-Paul. Grace shares her journey as her a social entrepreneur and educator and discusses how both iKapture and Opportunity Desk provide a platform to help young people in Africa prepare themselves to succeed in the workplace. We discuss the education…
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Episode 8: Educational Equity and Empowerment of Indigenous Youth in Brazil with Livia Maria Souza
34:40
34:40
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34:40In this episode, I interview Livia Maria Souza, the 19-year old founder of the Levanta Jovem Project in Brazil. Livia shares her journey as a change-maker that started when she was 12 years old and discusses the incredible work that she is doing to provide leadership training and mentorship to the Amazonian youth from the northern regions of Brazil…
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Episode 7: Tackling Gender Inequality and Period Poverty in Africa with Ruth Egbedi
22:10
22:10
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22:10In this episode, I interview Ruth Egbedi, the founder and President of the Young Africa Foundation and an Ashoka Young Changemaker from Nigeria. Ruth shares her changemaking story that began when she was 14 years old. Still in her teens, Ruth is striving to end the stigma associated with menstruation, eliminate period poverty and advance gender equ…
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Episode 6: Global alliances and India's role in the climate change effort with India's Lead Climate Negotiator Ravi Prasad
22:54
22:54
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22:54In this episode, I am in conversation with Ravi Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary of the Government of Assam. Mr. Ravi Prasad has held portfolios in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and has served as India's Lead Climate Negotiator under Prime Minister Modi's government. In this insightful and engaging conversation, we discus…
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Episode 5: Environmental Justice with Rebecca Bratspies
24:26
24:26
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24:26In this episode, I interview Rebecca Bratspies, Law Professor at CUNY School of Law and founding Director of the Center for Urban Environmental Reform. We discuss the role of legislation and advocacy in driving environmental justice. Professor Bratspies provides insight into the impact of individual choices, systemic change and education to address…
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Episode 4: Leadership, climate justice and equity with Corrina Grace
30:36
30:36
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30:36In this episode, I interview Corrina Grace, entrepreneur, consultant and author of The Weaver's Way. Corrina shares her inspiring journey from Australia to Guatemala where she now helps indigenous women and young people become leaders and entrepreneurs within their communities. We engage in a wide ranging conversation on leadership, climate justice…
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Episode 3: Sustainability and Entrepreneurship with Dheeraj Batra
20:05
20:05
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20:05In this episode, I interview Dheeraj Batra, Founder and CEO of The Propel Labs. Dheeraj and I engage in a wide-ranging conversation on how companies can think about sustainability, the trade-offs involved, and the role of government and policy in promoting sustainability. Dheeraj also shares how his consulting firm incorporates human centered desig…
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Episode 2: Moving from healing to thriving after experiencing trauma with Melissa Lombardo
31:22
31:22
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31:22In this episode, I interview author and advocate, Melissa Lombardo. Melissa shares her journey as a survivor of sexual assault and how she found the courage to move from healing to thriving. We discuss the power of storytelling and how Melissa was inspired to author her book Hurt, Healing, and Hope to support and help others who have experienced si…
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Episode 1: Supporting marginalized women and marginalized genders through art with Claire and Amaranthia Sepia
39:43
39:43
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39:43In this episode, I interview mother and daughter duo, Claire and Amaranthia Sepia. Claire and Amaranthia are the founders of Sista Creatives Rising, an organization devoted to promoting accessibility and visibility of marginalized women and marginalized genders in the arts. We discuss the unique challenges they faced as black women with disabilitie…
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Short teaser on what to expect in Season 2 of We Can Make a DifferenceBy Aneesh Prasad
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Episode 10: Social justice and storytelling with Jacci Turner
15:09
15:09
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15:09In this episode, I interview author Jacci Turner. Jacci has written a number of books for children and young adults with social justice themes. In this interesting episode, we discuss a myriad of topics ranging from social media addiction, teenage mental health issues and racial injustice. Finally, Jacci shares her advise for aspiring writers and G…
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Episode 9: Mental health, well-being, rescue dogs rehoming and storytelling with Carmen Leal
37:58
37:58
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37:58In today's show, I interview author Carmen Leal. In this insightful episode, Carmen talks about how she found hope and purpose through the adversities that she has faced. We talk about how she discovered her passion for rescue dogs and her work and advocacy for rehoming them, connecting people with dogs and how that has helped her and people overco…
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Episode 8: Disabilities and Rare Diseases Advocacy with Stephanie Duesing
39:07
39:07
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39:07In the episode, I interview Stephanie Duesing, author and CVI advocate. CVI is the number one cause of visual impairment in the world, yet not many people have heard about it. In this interview, Stephanie shares her journey and challenges as a parent of a child with CVI. She discusses how she has built awareness for the condition and the challenges…
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Episode 7: Enabling digital literacy in Africa with David Onilude
18:31
18:31
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18:31In this episode, I interview the founder of Tech Now Global, David Onilude from Lagos Nigeria. David Onilude is 21, and a Nigerian Digital Literacy Advocate, Front-end Developer, Internationally acclaimed Social Entrepreneur, Ambassador for TheirWorld, Ashoka Young Changemaker, and Teen Vogue 21 Under 21 Honoree. David and his team of Gen-Zers are …
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Episode 6: Building self-awareness and mindfulness for improved mental health and well-being with Tiffany Frey
28:31
28:31
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28:31In today's episode, I interview Tiffany Janel Frey, the founder of Breath Expressions. Tiffany shares her insights on the importance of practicing self-awareness and mindfulness to connect with ourselves and others. We discuss specific techniques to promote greater self-awareness. We also have a conversation on the pressures that young Gen-Zers fac…
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Episode 5: Empowering leadership and racial equity in the non-profit sector with Monisha Kapila
16:11
16:11
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16:11In this episode, I interview Monisha Kapila, the founder and co-CEO of ProInspire, a non-profit focused on delivering resources and programs to empower BIPOC social impact leaders. Monisha shares her journey and what inspired her to create ProInspire. We also discuss important issues related to racial equity in the non-profit sector, the unique cha…
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Episode 4: Gender Equality in the Workplace with chea seed Founder, Giselle Galper
27:39
27:39
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27:39In this episode, I interview Giselle Galper, the founder of chea seed, a career tracking app that helps individuals navigate their careers with confidence. Giselle shares her insights on how women experience career and performance review challenges that prevent them from advancing in their careers. We explore the external and internal biases that w…
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Episode 3: Building an eco-friendly toy brand in India with Meeta Sharma Gupta
25:57
25:57
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25:57In today's episode, I interview Meeta Sharma Gupta, the founder of Shumee, a "Made in India" toy brand that focuses on eco-friendliness and free play. Meeta shares her insights on why being eco-friendly and sustainable is increasingly relevant in the toy industry. She also discusses another aspect of their USP - "play" where her company believes th…
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Episode 2: Accessible Travel with Kristin Secor
22:29
22:29
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22:29In today's episode, I am in conversation with Kristin Secor, an accessible travel blogger and mental health counselor. Through her blog www.worldonwheelsblog.com, Kristin shares her experiences in the hopes that it will help others plan their own accessible travel. We discuss her passion for travel, the challenges she has had to deal with and the i…
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Episode 1: Entrepreneurship, sustainability and well-being with Josh Belinsky
24:20
24:20
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24:20In this episode, I interview Josh Belinsky, co-founder of Slate. Come listen to Josh share his entrepreneurship journey and his insights on trends related to sustainability and health and well-being. We also discuss the importance of purpose to appear authentic as a business and how failures and setbacks can actually propel us forward. Finally, Jos…
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Short teaser for what to expect on the We Can Make a Difference podcast.By Aneesh Prasad
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