Young Global Leaders

Jason Patent

Need a dose of hope? Listen to these conversations with inspiring young people from around the world.  If you want to hear what forging common ground looks like in practice, look no further.  I met these youngsters during the 2024-25 academic year, when I was Dean of Baret Scholars, a global gap year program with around 100 students from 40+ countries. We traveled together to seven global regions over the course of 8 1/2 months, during which they formed a tight-knit, loving community, grounded in the certainty that we collectively create a better future for all. They've generously agreed to let me interview them, so that their wisdom, optimism, and brilliance can shine forth for everyone's benefit.  You'll hear terms like "morning program," "afternoon options," "fellows," "fellowships," etc. These refer to different design elements of the program. The details don't matter; you'll be able to get the basic meaning from context.  Enjoy!

  1. Aug 11

    Leni Holzapfel

    I had fun sitting down with Leni Holzapfel for this conversation, the final one in Season 1 of Young Global Leaders. Follow Leni on Instagram @Lenitocca and on LinkedIn. One resource Leni mentions during our call: Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman. Some highlights from our conversation: Identity, Optimism, and Reframing Indecisiveness Leni shares what drives her character: a natural inclination toward happiness and curiosity about others. She discusses how she used to struggle with indecisiveness, and how she eventually learned to reframe that trait as an act of trust in the future. Background and Finding Baret Scholars Growing up in the culturally blended region of South Tyrol (Italy), Leni developed an early curiosity about different cultures. This led her to EMIS in Tel Aviv, where she experienced cross-cultural coexistence among Israeli, Palestinian, and international students firsthand during challenging political times. Her search for continued global exposure ultimately led her to apply to Baret Scholars. Unlearning Competitiveness & Shifting to Abundance Leni details her journey from being hyper-competitive to adopting an abundance mindset. She credits the supportive Baret community with helping her learn to do things purely for the joy of the experience. Practicing Gratitude and Post-Program Reentry Highlighting a tradition of daily "gratitude circles" started during her gap year, Leni reflects on the importance of noticing small details in everyday life. She discusses using this practice to stay grounded during the transition back home after an intense year of global travel. Intercultural Communication and Cosmic Perspective Offering advice on building relationships across diverse backgrounds, Leni emphasizes entering conversations with an open mind, listening to understand rather than respond, and keeping a "cosmic perspective" — remembering our shared human needs on this planet. Sustainable Urban Planning & Grounded Hope Looking to the future, Leni outlines her interest in European urban planning that prioritizes sustainability without causing severe gentrification or displacement. She concludes with a call for "grounded hope," rejecting the idea that optimism is naive, and advocating for trust in humanity's potential for good. If you enjoyed the episode, please hit FOLLOW and give us a 5-star rating. You'll never miss an episode, and others will find us more easily. Also, please tell your friends about it. If you have any specific feedback to help improve the pod, please leave it here. To learn more about me, have a look at my website and / or follow me on Substack and LinkedIn.

  2. Aug 5

    Mehroz Mir

    I sat down with Mehroz Mir for an inspiring and broad-ranging conversation. A few highlights: The Path to Leeds: Mehroz details his winding journey across university options — from Cornell visa delays to short stints in Dublin and New Delhi — before finding his footing in the UK, where he enjoys the independence of university life."A Mosaic of Loved Ones": Mehroz explains his relational view of identity: that who he is is simply a reflection and culmination of all the people, family, and friends he has ever loved.Hosting Baret Scholars in Kashmir: Recalling a trip where he hosted nearly 20 Baret Scholars in his hometown of Srinagar, Mehroz discusses breaking down local stereotypes and sharing the beauty of Kashmir with his friends.Unlearning Stereotypes: From navigating language and dietary needs as a Muslim student traveling through China, to exploring the Amazon Rainforest and Sicily, Mehroz highlights how well-designed global travel can help reshape worldviews.Listening and Human Connection: Why living alongside international peers replaced abstract news media with real, empathetic human stories, prompting Mehroz to become more informed and politically engaged.Looking Ahead: Mehroz narrates the challenges and opportunities of balancing math studies with an interest in film, navigating his first independent Ramadan and Eid far from home, and finding hope through poetry, art, and love.If you enjoyed the episode, please hit FOLLOW and give us a 5-star rating. You'll never miss an episode, and others will find us more easily. Also, please tell your friends about it. If you have any specific feedback to help improve the pod, please leave it here. To learn more about me, have a look at my website and / or follow me on Substack and LinkedIn.

  3. Jul 29

    Antony Saleh

    I had the pleasure of sitting down with Antony Saleh. Follow Antony on Instagram @saleh.antony. Some highlights from our conversation: Background & Baret Scholars Gap Year: Antony reflects on growing up in a diverse, non-international school in Jerusalem and taking a gap year with Baret Scholars prior to starting college. He discusses overcoming initial pushback from his college counselor, and how traveling through multiple countries broadened his global perspective and prepared him for university life. Unlearning Stereotypes & Growth: Antony shares the importance of unlearning cultural stereotypes shaped by social media, learning to prioritize mental health and individual self-reflection, and developing time management skills while traveling. Adjusting to Post-Program Life: He describes the transition from the high-dopamine experience of constantly traveling, to finding beauty and appreciation in the consistency of everyday life and familiar surroundings. Cross-Cultural Communication: Antony highlights key insights gained from living and traveling with peers from over 40 countries, including the power of mindful word choices, avoiding harmful assumptions, and recognizing shared human values across cultural differences. Current Life at Rice University: Now in his second semester at Rice, Antony praises the university’s green campus, robust mental health resources, and supportive environment. He shares his comfort with not having every step of his future planned out yet. Finding Hope in the World: Antony concludes with a message on focusing on human kindness over cynicism, illustrating his point with a story of a remote Kenyan village offering 14 cows to Americans after 9/11 as a symbol of pure empathy. If you enjoyed the episode, please hit FOLLOW and give us a 5-star rating. You'll never miss an episode, and others will find us more easily. Also, please tell your friends about it. If you have any specific feedback to help improve the pod, please leave it here. To learn more about me, have a look at my website and / or follow me on Substack and LinkedIn.

  4. Jul 21

    Olivia Centeno

    Cultivating Presence, Purpose, and Hope with Olivia Centeno In this episode, I sit down with Olivia Centeno, a first-year student at Duke university who is double-majoring in Public Policy and Environmental Sciences & Policy. Olivia shares about her journey from leaving Spain at age 16 for United World College (UWC) Mostar, to taking a global gap year with Baret Scholars, to navigating her first year at Duke. We explore how to stay grounded in the present, build meaningful community across cultures, and use personal, story-driven action as a source of hope. Keep up with Olivia on YouTube and on the Duke Gap & Yap podcast. Key Takeaways & Highlights The Mindset of Staying Present: Olivia reflects on her shift from long-term anxiety to present-moment positivity, noting how bounded timeframes (like a two-year boarding school program or a gap year) offer reassurance to take risks and be present.Turning Gap Year Inspiration into Action: After experiencing the transformative impact of a gap year, Olivia co-created The Duke Gap & Yap podcast to help incoming students navigate deferrals and hear real gap-year success stories.Using Platforms for Real-World Impact: From creating viral campus tour videos for UWC Mostar, to profiling local guides in Kenya, Olivia discusses how authentic storytelling on social media can create tangible economic and social impact.Cross-Cultural Dialogue & Deep Listening: Drawing from intense cohort discussions on climate action and privilege, Olivia outlines her framework for resolving conflicts and navigating cross-cultural spaces: active listening, sitting through discomfort, and recognizing shared human values.Redefining Hope: Olivia shares a powerful perspective on environmental and social advocacy inspired by a campus talk from Pete Buttigieg: Hope is not a passive feeling; it is the consequence of action.If you enjoyed the episode, please hit FOLLOW and give us a 5-star rating. You'll never miss an episode, and others will find us more easily. Also, please tell your friends about it. If you have any specific feedback to help improve the pod, please leave it here. To learn more about me, have a look at my website and / or follow me on Substack and LinkedIn.

  5. Jul 13

    Nico Zamora

    This episode, we're joined by Nico Zamora. Follow Nico on Instagram @_nicozamorag, at on LinkedIn here. Here are some highlights from our delightful conversation: Curiosity Over Fear: Nico defines himself by his curiosity, which consistently pushes him to explore the unknown despite natural feelings of fear or isolation.Language and Emotion: He highlights how Spanish captures love with more nuance than English, distinguishing between the profound "Te amo" and the caring "Te quiero."Rejecting Rigid Timelines: His global travels helped him unlearn the idea that life, education, and careers must follow a strict, predefined structure to be successful.Cross-Cultural Communication: Nico approaches cultural differences by remembering our shared humanity and underlying desire for happiness.De-escalating Differences: To communicate effectively across cultures, he relies on smiling, lowering his voice, and actively listening so others do not feel attacked or threatened.Future Plans & Finding Hope: Summer Work: He is returning to Bolivia to work at a mental health and addiction center alongside a psychiatrist who originally inspired his interest in neuroscience.Studying Abroad: He plans to study art, history, and theater in London to broaden his perspective and connect artistic human expression back to behavioral neuroscience.Spreading Hope: Niko stays hopeful by finding beauty in small moments, specifically the simple act of smiling at strangers and sharing positive daily interactions.If you enjoyed the episode, please hit FOLLOW and give us a 5-star rating. You'll never miss an episode, and others will find us more easily. Also, please tell your friends about it. If you have any specific feedback to help improve the pod, please leave it here. To learn more about me, have a look at my website and / or follow me on Substack and LinkedIn.

  6. Jun 8

    Belén Pérez Wicht

    In this episode, I sit down with Belén Pérez Wicht, a first-year UC Berkeley student double-majoring in environmental engineering and business. Belen shares her journey from Peru to California, reflecting on how her recent experience with the Baret Scholars program fundamentally reshaped her perspectives on life, success, and ambition. We dive into the competitive culture of elite universities, the profound difference between a "have-to" versus a "can-do" mindset, and the power of finding abundance and creativity within daily routines. Key Takeaways: The Berkeley Pressure Cooker: Belen discusses navigating a highly competitive university environment where students often define their self-worth by productivity, and why she consciously chooses to prioritize fulfillment over sheer output.The Power of "Can" vs. "Have To": Drawing from a neuroscience lecture on class attendance and human psychology, Belen explains how shifting from obligation to capability removes limits on what you can achieve.Unlearning at the Ashram: Belen shares a pivotal moment from her travels in India where an 80-something-year-old woman at an ashram completely reframed her deep anxiety about college admissions into a lesson on trust and peace.Creative Pillars & Expansion: From keeping massive, collaborative travel journals to exploring photography, Belen highlights how staying connected to creativity helps her stay grounded despite a heavy engineering workload.Follow Belén on Instagram @belen.perezwicht and on LinkedIn. If you enjoyed the episode, please hit FOLLOW and give us a 5-star rating. You'll never miss an episode, and others will find us more easily. Also, please tell your friends about it. If you have any specific feedback to help improve the pod, please leave it here. To learn more about me, have a look at my website and / or follow me on Substack and LinkedIn.

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Need a dose of hope? Listen to these conversations with inspiring young people from around the world.  If you want to hear what forging common ground looks like in practice, look no further.  I met these youngsters during the 2024-25 academic year, when I was Dean of Baret Scholars, a global gap year program with around 100 students from 40+ countries. We traveled together to seven global regions over the course of 8 1/2 months, during which they formed a tight-knit, loving community, grounded in the certainty that we collectively create a better future for all. They've generously agreed to let me interview them, so that their wisdom, optimism, and brilliance can shine forth for everyone's benefit.  You'll hear terms like "morning program," "afternoon options," "fellows," "fellowships," etc. These refer to different design elements of the program. The details don't matter; you'll be able to get the basic meaning from context.  Enjoy!