Let's Talk

[This episode features some coarse language, and discussions about suicidal ideation.]

In a special PRIDE episode of "Let's Talk" we're joined by novelist and comic writer Rex Ogle. Rex recently released Road Home, the final installment of his memoir trilogy that focuses on his experiences with poverty, abuse and homelessness. 

Rex is open and honest about his struggles with suicidal ideation, how RuPaul's Dra...

In this month's episode we're discussing chosen families with Covenant House New Orleans. We're joined by Rheneisha Robertson, CEO at Covenant House New Orleans, and Damien Rush, youth advocate with experience using Covenant Houses's programs and services.

Learn more about Covenant House New Orleans by visiting https://www.covenanthousenola.org.

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The Let's Talk podcast kicks off its 6th season with an episode in honor of Black History Month, featuring insightful conversations with Amea Smith and Antonio Davis-Robinson. Both Amea and Antonio serve as passionate advocates for youth mental health through their roles on the NRS Youth Advisory Board, and through their career choices.

In this episode we discuss the stigma surrounding mental health within the Black commu...

Season 5 comes to a close with a conversation about youth who have been involved in the juvenile justice system, and how the right opportunities can help them reach potential they don't necessarily see themselves. We are joined by the Margaret Windham, Executive Director at Cafe Momentum in Dallas, for a conversation about the incredible impact they've had in their community, the importance of community partnerships, and th...

In our penultimate episode for season 5, we are joined by Nancy Mullen and Carolyn Wahlskog from Youth Outlook in Naperville, IL. Nancy and Carolyn share what it's like to be on the receiving end of violent threats while hosting events with the goal of uplifting LGBTQ+ youth, especially those who identify as Transgender. We also talk about the some safety precautions for parents who wish to openly support their young queer-iden...

For this week’s episode of the “Let’s Talk” podcast, we talk with Natalie White, a licensed professional counselor with Sally Kate Winters Family Services (SKW). We discuss SKW’s evolution and growth from an emergency shelter to a transitional living program, basic living program, and child advocacy center. We also dig into mental health stigma and how young people are trying to combat this stigma when addressing issues at home. 

T...

We are excited to welcome Genoris Bridges from the Christopher Youth Center to the podcast! NRS was introduced to Genoris during the 2023 National Safe Place Network Conference in Louisville, KY! During an education session Genoris mentioned how it can sometimes be difficult to address issues related to family dynamics when all of the blame and expectations are being placed on the youth. Today, we revisit the topic and discuss the ...

November is National Runaway Prevention Month (NRPM), an awareness campaign designed to "shine a light" on the issues facing youth who have experienced homeless or may be considering leaving home.

In this special double-episode we are joined by Susan Frankel, Chief Executive Officer at the National Runaway Safeline (NRS), and Melanie Hill, Board Chair of the NRS Board of Directors. We discuss how NRS has grown over the p...

Ajax is a NRS Youth Advisory Board member who experienced abandonment during his early teen years. In this episode Ajax shares his experience with Child Protective Services, seeking help from school counselors, and what led him to joining the NRS Youth Advisory Board. Ajax also shares how the McKinney-Vento act ultimately changed his trajectory and led to him feeling like his life had turned around. 

Learn more about National Runaw...

National Runaway Safeline Youth Advisory Board members EJ Velez & Rachel Litchman return to the Let's Talk Podcast to discuss invisible disabilities and navigating the healthcare system as a young person experiencing homelessness.

Get involved by registering as an official 2023 National Runaway Prevention Month partner. Follow us on social media,  and consider donating to support crisis services and prevention programs...

In this episode of Let's Talk, we hear from Sharday Hamilton, the National Runaway Safeline Youth Fellow and a homeless youth advocate, who was living in her mother's abandoned home when her neighbors reported her to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services after she reached out to them for help. We discuss her courageous personal experience, the barriers to seeking help, and how The Night Ministry assisted S...

For the Season 5 premiere of Let's Talk we have the fortune of talking to Jillian Yearns, an 18-year-old youth homelessness advocated from Georgia. At a very young age, Jillian experienced abuse and was kicked out of her home on multiple occasions, eventually leading her to make the difficult decision to leave home for good. In this episode, Jillian shares what motivated her decision making, how judgmental adults and stigma pre...

Our conversation with 2023 Celebrating the Spirit of Youth Honoree, David Ambroz, continues! 

In part two we discuss the importance of focusing on past successes, rather than past failures. We also talk about how the foster care system has evolved over the past several decades, and why the first word that should come to mind of when thinking about homelessness is "education."

Click here to learn more about David Ambroz a...

Let's Talk is proud to welcome 2023 Celebrating the Spirit of Youth Honoree David Ambroz! David is a national poverty and child welfare expert/advocate, Emmy nominated, and best-selling author. He was also recognized by President Obama as an American Champion of Change. 

In part one of this conversation, hear David talk about the impact of having honest conversations with young people. David also talks about what inspired him t...

Angela Lee, Director at love is respect, returns to Let's Talk to discuss Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. In this episode, we learn about this year's theme for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month ("Be About It"), online harassment, enthusiastic consent, and unlearning harmful relationships stereotypes perpetuated by Hollywood.

• To watch love is respect's "Growing Up in the Digital World" webinar, click here!
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#BlueCampaign joins us for the third and final installment of our Human Trafficking series. Karinda L. Washington, Executive Director of Social Impact and Campaigns, talks us through this year's Human Trafficking Prevention Month events, and shares life-saving resources for business, organizations and individuals looking to make a difference in their communities.

Blue Campaign is a national public awareness campaign designed to edu...

For Part 2 of our human trafficking series, we are joined by Tina Bigdeli, Program Manager with National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). In our conversation with discuss sex trafficking recruitment on social media, child sexual abuse material, and what happens when you make a report to a resource like the Cyber Tipline.

NCMEC is the nation's largest and most influential child protection organization.  Learn ...

In this season's final episode we are joined by the Executive Director of the National Network 4 Youth (NN4Y), Darla Bardine. NN4Y is strongly devoted to empowering young people with lived experiencing by providing education about local and national politics, and creating opportunities for young people to network with congressional leaders and policy experts. They are also leading the charge in the reauthorization of the Runaway an...