the WONDER podcast
What would happen if we truly valued one another, celebrated diversity, and encouraged each other to create positive change in the world? This is the reason the WONDER podcast was created. We believe empathy is cultivated by listening to the life experiences of our neighbors. By creating a healthy environment, where we truly see and hear one another, dignity is restored. Then and only then, will people feel loved.
Episodes
January 31, 2025 • 66 mins
Sydney is always grateful to meet like-minded artists who understand the importance of using their platforms to raise awareness about important topics like mental health. This appreciation grows even deeper for those who are navigating the delicate balance of being both professional, touring musicians and nonprofit leaders simultaneously.
Si Martin is the CEO and founder of Heads Above The Waves, a nonprofit that raises awareness a...
Mark as Played
January 24, 2025 • 51 mins
For this week’s episode, Sydney had the privilege of chatting with her good friend, Kenny Andejeski. Kenny is the founder of why[here]matters, a community building company founded on the belief that anyw[here] diverse groups of people come together, towards pursuing common cause, matters. They liaise between organizations, initiatives, local communities, and their leaders to foster social cohesion, belonging and civic health in an ...
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October 4, 2024 • 21 mins
For Episode 63 of The WONDER Podcast, Janvi Shah sits down with Mary Helen Montgomery, the Civic Storytelling Program Director at The Enterprise Center, to discuss the dynamic intersection of digital equity, civic engagement, and technological innovation. A key initiative under her leadership is Our Voices Chattanooga, a non-partisan, voter education series that aims to increase civic engagement among young people in our region.
Ma...
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August 9, 2024 • 25 mins
In this episode, Janvi Shah sits down with Shadrina Booker, the Director of Community Engagement for Chattanooga and the leader of the Mayor’s Youth Council. Together, they delve into the transformative role of the Mayor’s Youth Council, exploring how young people across the city can actively participate in local government and the profound impact their involvement can have on their communities. In a world that often rushes forward...
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May 17, 2024 • 27 mins
During one of the last few podcast episodes, Sydney mentioned there’d be a switch in hosts…. Janvi Shah is a junior at East Hamilton High School and has become one of Be The Change Youth Initiative’s Ambassadors of Change. At BTCYI, the goal has always been to get more youth involved in taking action and to give them opportunities to engage the community in what they are passionate about! This is why Janvi will be taking over the p...
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May 3, 2024 • 63 mins
This podcast episode was recorded over a year ago. As creatives, musicians, advocates...humans...who have wrestled with their own mental health, Sydney Guerrette and Josiah Johnson have a conversation about the importance of listening and storytelling. (It was the first episode Sydney recorded since putting a pause on the podcast back in fall of 2022. Now, four episodes into this next chapter, and what's addressed is STILL applicab...
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April 19, 2024 • 44 mins
Sydney met Scott Mulvahill last fall, after his show at Songbirds, a local music venue here in Chattanooga. Mulvahill's talent is inspiring; from being a singer-songwriter to upright bassist, the way those two worlds collide is something extraordinary to see. He’s been performing for over a decade, from working with artists like Bruce Hornsby to playing for NPR’s Tiny Desk series. In this episode, the two of them talk about their f...
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April 5, 2024 • 77 mins
Sydney Guerrette and her brother, Brayden, had the opportunity to open for Emily Wolfe last year at Songbirds, a local music venue here in Chattanooga. Before the show, they talked with Wolfe and her band and of all the professional musicians they’ve opened for, this group was the most down-to-earth, humble, and gracious. This is one of the reasons why Sydney wanted to have this week’s guest, Johnny Radelat, on the podcast. She fel...
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March 24, 2024 • 26 mins
It's been awhile since our last episode, but we're back! Sydney, Founder of Be The Change Youth Initiative (BTCYI), and her mom, Deirdre, Operations Director at BTCYI, talk about the shift in direction, upcoming episode guests, and exciting news regarding the switch in HOST of this podcast. 2024 is going to be an exciting year.
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October 31, 2022 • 39 mins
This week’s guest is someone Sydney is inspired by and admires. Laurie A. Watkins is a Catalyst for Change, Policy Expert, Media Commentator, and political strategist. She’s Founder & President of her own consulting organization, an incredible speaker, executive coach, best-selling author, as well as a human rights and women’s rights advocate. (And she’s also President Obama’s former Policy Advisor!) Sydney's loved following Laurie...
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October 7, 2022 • 43 mins
This week's guest on the WONDER podcast is Rebecca Burd. Rebecca and her husband, Dan, are producers of Speak Life End Bullying The Musical. They are also the directors of Speak Life Performing Arts Company. In 2000, deeply impacted by a story of bullying, they began writing a script that would eventually lead to the creation of a nation wide stage show and now a film. (Rebecca is also one of the authors contributing to The Musical...
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September 30, 2022 • 29 mins
This week's guest on the WONDER podcast is Amanda Haidet, a licensed clinical social worker based in New Jersey. She opened A Brighter Tomorrow Wellness Center in 2019. Its focus is on customer service, client support, and providing a relaxing and aesthetically appealing environment. Amanda and her team hope people feel like a part of their family from the time they arrive until the completion of their treatment. Amanda is incredib...
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September 2, 2022 • 28 mins
This week's guest is another Instagram connection. One of Rachel Limerick's Instagram posts popped up on the Be The Change Youth Initiative (BTCYI) feed a month or so ago. She was selling her pottery as a fundraiser to give back to the Chattanooga community. Sydney immediately reached out because it is the purest example of what BTCYI is all about…. using your gifts to help create and support change in your community. But, she has ...
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August 19, 2022 • 22 mins
Today’s conversation is an important one, especially if you’re a young woman and have ever been uncomfortable whether that’s in your gym, working out, your place of employment, or even walking down the street. But, it’s equally important for men to listen to this conversation and hear the perspectives of women. This week’s guest is Melo Russell! She has founded an organization called Unfazed and its focus is to empower women to use...
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July 29, 2022 • 37 mins
This week's guest has actually been on before. Avery Kelley was a guest on Episode 049 with Miarri Phillips, talking about the importance of engaging in difficult conversations when we feel ill-equipped to navigate certain topics. Today, Sydney's having her on to talk about ALL THE INCREDIBLE things she is doing. At 14, Avery has her own Facebook talk show, is the co-director of a documentary, the founder of Love Carries On… and th...
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July 1, 2022 • 25 mins
This episode's guest is Gillian Johnson, the founder of Recovery Meet-Ups. Recovery Meet-Ups is a virtual, monthly meet-up initiative that connects high schoolers in recovery from disordered eating. First, Sydney has always wanted the WONDER podcast to be about elevating the voices of youth working to create change in their communities, and Gillian is doing just that. Second, Gillian and her friends are raising awareness about some...
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June 17, 2022 • 34 mins
There’s been several shootings over the past week that have gained national attention. And with everything that’s happened, Sydney had a desire for this week's conversation to be about the topic of gun violence.
Issues like these are never easy to talk about it, but what the Guerrette/Catlett family found from their travels around the country and from their work in Chattanooga, a lot of people want to have these conversations. But...
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May 27, 2022 • 26 mins
Sydney met today’s guest through Instagram. These are quickly becoming the favorite connections… people just reaching out saying, “Hey, I love what you’re doing and would really like to get involved.” And then they say what gift or talent they can bring to the table, so to speak. This is Sydney's heart and the motivation for the work being done at Be The Change Youth Initiative (BTCYI). The BTCYI team wants people to see what they'...
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April 22, 2022 • 38 mins
Some of you might recognize today’s guest from a reality tv show called Teen Mom, but Mackenzie Edwards has spent the last few years using both her influence and her story to create change and transformation in her life and the lives of others. Sydney met her through her last guest, Arnold Alexis, who is the consummate connector, especially in Chattanooga. But, Mackenzie’s story reaches far past their little city in TN. Mackenzie a...
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April 8, 2022 • 41 mins
This week's guest is someone many people have told Sydney that she should know because they would be immediate friends. Arnold Alexis knows Chattanooga, especially the culture of Chatt, better than anyone and has a heart for giving back to the community. He’s also passionate about normalizing the conversation around mental health and uses his social media platform to do it. Arnold and Sydney talk anxiety, genuine community, and bot...
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