Formative

New York Edge
  • 5.0 (16)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Formative, from New York Edge, is the podcast where the leaders of today are interviewed by leaders of tomorrow! Our intrepid co-hosts, all between the ages of eleven and fourteen, conduct long-form interviews with successful adults from the worlds of business, science, the arts, and beyond.

  1. David and Nicholas: Making the Choice and Jumping In

    7H AGO

    David and Nicholas: Making the Choice and Jumping In

    David Fugate, entrepreneur and CEO of Akamai Construction in Hawaii and X-Golf in New York City, joins middle schooler Nicholas to talk about leadership, teamwork, and taking chances. He shares how he’s always envisioned being a leader, why building the right team is so important, and how moving around and taking risks has been one of the best gifts he’s given himself. Nicholas learns from David why keeping your word and following through on your promises matters just as much as taking bold steps.

    12 min
  2. Eliot and Dayvion: Creating to Connect

    DEC 23

    Eliot and Dayvion: Creating to Connect

    Eliot Salome Diaz, graffiti and mural artist, joins middle schooler Dayvion to talk about life as a creative. Eliot shares how he navigates his interests in both art and business, what his work teaches about creating from the heart and with passion, and his love of hip hop. Dayvion learns from Eliot how making art from a generous, expansive place can open unexpected doors of opportunity.

    14 min
  3. Linda and Torlisa: We’re Still Learning and Teaching

    DEC 16

    Linda and Torlisa: We’re Still Learning and Teaching

    Linda Anstendig, former English professor at Pace University, joins middle schooler Torlisa to talk about the joys of learning and teaching. Torlisa comes into the conversation admitting that English has always been her least favorite subject, but Linda shows her how reaching out to a teacher for guidance can really change the way you learn. Linda also shares why pursuing an English major is a worthy choice, how she learned to become more assertive, and she tells the story of a powerful student experience that stuck with her.

    14 min
  4. Robert and Dayvion: Being the Messenger

    DEC 9

    Robert and Dayvion: Being the Messenger

    Robert Barletta, Executive Vice President at Marino Public Relations, joins middle schooler Dayvion to share what it’s like to work as a publicist. He tells stories from his early days in government and politics, explains how he helps clients handle emergency situations, and shows why entrepreneurs need a publicist to be the voice of their brand. Dayvion learns from Robert why even after years in the business, staying excited and passionate about your work can make all the difference.

    14 min
  5. Ellen and Aiden: The World Is Our Classroom

    DEC 2

    Ellen and Aiden: The World Is Our Classroom

    Ellen Kackmann, Senior Vice President of Affordable Housing at the Albanese Organization, sits down with middle schooler Aiden for a thoughtful conversation about what it means to build a career with purpose. Ellen talks about what inspires her to help create affordable housing, and why this work means so much to her. She also shares how creative writing became one of her go-to outlets, and tells the story of how she finally stopped being scared of math by tackling it head-on. This episode is all about trying new things, facing fears, and finding the work that lights you up.

    16 min
  6. Clara and Nicholas: Telling Stories That Matter

    NOV 25

    Clara and Nicholas: Telling Stories That Matter

    Award-winning journalist and author, Clara Bingham, joins us to kick off the season with a powerful conversation about truth-telling. Clara shares with us what first pulled her toward journalism, why the work can be both demanding and deeply rewarding, and how her focus on social justice and women’s issues has shaped her career. She also reflects on the difference between seeking fame and seeking purpose, and why she believes doing meaningful work matters most.

    19 min
  7. Grizel, Shania & Dayvion: Bright Lights, Big Breaks

    OCT 7

    Grizel, Shania & Dayvion: Bright Lights, Big Breaks

    As we wrap up Season 10 of Formative, we hang out with Grizel Del Valle: a singer, actress, and all-around powerhouse with a knack for bold moves. Middle schoolers Shania and Dayvion jump into a heartfelt chat about spotting the perfect moments to take a leap and finding the guts to go for it. They also learn about the ways social media can open doors, what it’s really like being an independent artist, and the story behind being called La Chachi.

    18 min
  8. Kat and Briana: Getting Out of Our Own Way

    SEP 30

    Kat and Briana: Getting Out of Our Own Way

    Kat Yeh has reinvented herself from sports marketer to beloved children’s author and poet, creating stories that inspire and delight. In this episode, middle schooler Briana talks with Kat about chasing sparks of inspiration, how she learned to overcome her own doubts, and which of her book characters she wishes she could be. Tune in for an introspective conversation about doubt, courage and chasing curiosities.

    21 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Formative, from New York Edge, is the podcast where the leaders of today are interviewed by leaders of tomorrow! Our intrepid co-hosts, all between the ages of eleven and fourteen, conduct long-form interviews with successful adults from the worlds of business, science, the arts, and beyond.

Information

  • Creator
    New York Edge
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    106
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 320448
  • Show Website
    Formative