Youth Unmuted

Boys & Girls Club of Benton County
  • 5.0 (5)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE

Youth Unmuted is where Benton County teens grab the mic and keep it real. Hosted by teen Club member Holden, each episode mixes unfiltered energy with authentic conversations about the things that matter most, from sports and leadership to mental health, community, and the everyday ups and downs of teen life.Along the way, Holden welcomes special guests with stories worth hearing, adding fresh perspectives and unforgettable moments to the mix. It’s not just talk; it’s laughter, hot takes, and powerful stories that show teens aren’t just preparing for the future, they’re shaping the present. Plus-Club members gain hands-on experience in media, storytelling, and leadership that sets them up for success in every part of life.Plug in, turn it up, and discover what happens when today’s youth go completely unmuted.

  1. 8H AGO

    Ep. 13 - Hunger in Arkansas: Holden Faces the Reality

    Arkansas is ranked 50 out of 50 for food insecurity, and that statistic stops being “data” the moment you picture a classmate wondering where dinner will come from. We sit down with Holden J, our 2026 Youth of the Year, to talk about why hunger became his platform, what food insecurity really looks like day to day, and why it can stay hidden even in communities that look like they’re doing fine from the outside. We get practical fast. Holden breaks down simple ways to help that don’t require a huge budget or a perfect plan: donate what you can, volunteer at a food bank, support local drives, and consider building or stocking a blessing box so families can access food and essentials with dignity. We also talk about how community partners, sponsors, and donors make youth programs possible at the Boys and Girls Club of Benton County, and why giving time matters just as much as giving money. Then we switch gears with a “this or that” game, share favorite memories from trips and conferences, and reflect on how advocacy grows through friendship, mentorship, and real support. From Washington, DC conversations with senators to the everyday work of showing up for kids, the takeaway is clear: community care is not theoretical, it’s built through action. Subscribe to Youth Unmuted wherever you get your podcasts, share this with someone who cares about youth leadership and fighting hunger, and leave a review to help more listeners find us. Where would a blessing box help most in your community?

    33 min

  2. APR 4

    Ep. 12 - Club Kid to State Star: Holden’s 13-Year Journey

    A kid walks up to the CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of America, shakes his hand, and says, “I want your job one day.” That sounds like a movie line until you hear what happened next and how it connects to youth leadership, mentorship, and big goals that start in ordinary places. We’re joined by Ashley (today’s host) and Holden Jeffries, our 2026 Youth of the Year for Arkansas and local winner, to rewind his Boys and Girls Club journey from age six to senior year. Holden shares the small moments that built real confidence: after-school routines, summer field trips, gym games, a childhood talent show, and the friendships that stick for life. We also talk about how club programs create a bridge between school and home by teaching practical life skills and values, including Passport to Manhood and the mentors who helped shape Holden’s idea of what it means to show up for others. Then we get very specific about the Youth of the Year process: the essays, resume, cover letter, recommendations, interviews, and the memorized speech that pushes teens to clarify their story and their platform. Holden explains why he chose food insecurity in Arkansas, how he raised funds for non-perishable food, supported blessing boxes, and worked to reduce the stigma around hunger. You’ll also hear how networking and courage opened doors, including time at national headquarters after that now-famous handshake. If you care about teen leadership development, scholarship opportunities, community service, or the real impact of Boys and Girls Club programs, hit subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review. What cause would you choose as your platform?

    29 min

  3. MAR 18

    Ep. 11 - The Human Side of Retail: Walmart’s Heart in Local Communities

    Food insecurity can feel like a problem that belongs to “someone else,” until you realize your community needs you and it needs you now. We’re back for part two with Kayla and Rachel from Walmart, and we get practical about how real hunger relief works on the ground, from your local food bank to the nationwide partnerships that help food reach families. We talk about simple actions that actually add up: volunteering at a food pantry, showing up consistently, and using campaigns like Walmart's Fight Hunger. Spark Change to turn everyday shopping into support through participating items, register roundups, and online giving connected to Feeding America. We also share the side of corporate philanthropy that people don’t always see, including how much Walmart associates care and how unsold food donations help reduce food waste while supporting local hunger relief. Then we zoom out to what happens when disaster hits. Kayla and Rachel explain how Walmart disaster relief can bring essentials into a community fast, including services set up in parking lots and partner support that helps people get through the first chaotic days. We also highlight Spark Good programs and grant paths that can help smaller nonprofits, plus volunteer options for introverts who want to contribute with skills like graphic design or application support. If you’ve ever wondered how to help with hunger in Arkansas or where to start with community volunteering, this conversation gives you a clear first step. Subscribe to Youth Unmuted, share this with a friend who wants to make a difference, and leave a review so more people find the episode.

    25 min

  4. MAR 4

    Ep. 10 - Saving Meals: Walmart’s Local Fight Against Hunger

    Hunger is not abstract where we live; it shows up in Arkansas families deciding between groceries and gas. We sat down with Kayla Burton and Rachel Spencer from Walmart to unpack how a massive retailer can still act like a neighbor, channeling national scale into local impact. The heart of our talk is proximity, keeping dollars, food, and decision-making close to the people who need them most. We break down Fight Hunger. Spark Change. Walmart’s long-running partnership with Feeding America that turns everyday shopping into real meals. You’ll hear how a checkout prompt, an online gift, or a box of cereal marked as a participating item can route funds straight to your local food bank. Suppliers play a pivotal role by labeling pantry staples that unlock donations, making it easy for shoppers to support hunger relief without changing their routine. Beyond fundraising, we dig into the logistics that truly determine whether fresh food reaches tables. Food banks function like regional distribution centers for thousands of pantries and meal sites, and Walmart associates are the hands that pull, sort, and ship still-good food every day. We talk numbers, hundreds of millions of pounds donated annually, and why infrastructure matters: refrigerators, freezers, shelving, and simple tech upgrades that cut waste and speed up delivery. You’ll also hear about pilots that repurpose retail platforms so food banks can notify stores they’re en route, plus the growing role of mobile pantries and the future promise of same-day delivery for access. What keeps us hopeful is the culture of giving and the willingness to face hard data together. Community leaders, associates, suppliers, and nonprofits are aligning around bold but practical moves; capacity grants, smarter routes, local governance, and year-round collaboration. If you care about food access, you’ll come away with a clear picture of what works now and what could scale next. If this conversation moves you, share it with a friend, subscribe to Youth Unmuted, and leave a review with one idea you think would improve food access where you live.

    28 min

  5. FEB 18

    Ep. 9 - Breaking Labels in the SEC | With Coach Courtney Deifel

    Champions don’t just show up on game day, they find their voice long before the first pitch. In the second part of our conversation with Coach Courtney Deifel, we unpack how confidence on the field becomes courage in life, why “nice” and “ruthlessly competitive” can live in the same coach, and how language and labels still shape how women leaders are seen. From the subtle double standards to the head-on charge through stereotypes, this conversation is a playbook for building athletes who speak up, stand firm, and win together. We dig into defining moments: the first super-clinching celebration etched in memory, a two-strike swing that flipped a regional, and the surge of belief you can feel from a dugout to the last row. Beyond highlights, we get practical about growing women’s sports, expanding facilities, amplifying visibility, and building a professional pathway that matches the passion in the stands. Coach Deifel shares the heart of her program: athletes feel chosen and trusted, which turns potential into performance and raises everyone’s ceiling. The story widens to legacy and family. Strong mentors at home, a sister who set the competitive standard, and players who become part of the family shape a culture where kids learn that sport is what you do, not who you are. Failure becomes a teacher, adversity a muscle. Along the way, we trade reflections on coaches who change lives, the power of honest feedback, and the simple, radical advice to young women: be yourself, and go for it. If you care about women’s sports, athlete development, leadership, or the mindset that turns pressure into joy, this one’s for you. Subscribe to Youth Unmuted, share this episode with a teammate or coach, and leave a review telling us your biggest “go for it” moment.

    31 min

  6. FEB 4

    Ep. 8 - Arkansas Softball’s Quiet Revolution

    What if the real edge in college sports isn’t a new playbook but a stronger sense of belonging? We sit down with Arkansas softball head coach Courtney Deifel to unpack how a California catcher with a passport full of stamps built an SEC contender by pairing uncompromising standards with human care. From a childhood spent on fields across tiny towns to lifting a national championship trophy at Cal, she shares how a love for fundamentals, team diversity, and steady leadership became the backbone of a winning program. Courtney opens up about the evolution of college athletics; more resources and visibility, but louder pressure too. She tackles the realities of social media, NIL, and the transfer era, and why connection matters more than ever. Arkansas returned its roster this summer, a testament to the culture she’s built: athletes who feel safe, seen, and valued bring their best selves to the field. Her philosophy blends high standards learned from a detail-driven high school coach with the freedom she experienced under a non-micromanaging college mentor, proving that excellence and authenticity can coexist. Her time playing professionally in Japan adds a unique lens. We explore the beauty of disciplined defense, the limits of negative motivation, and how communication cuts across languages when the goal is shared. Travel in Thailand, Kenya and Europe further shaped her approach, reinforcing the power of hospitality, perspective, and humility. The takeaway is clear: fundamentals create trust, freedom fuels expression, and belonging sustains performance when the landscape shifts. If you care about leadership, culture, and building teams that last, this conversation delivers practical wisdom you can use on any field. If this resonated, follow and subscribe to Youth Unmuted, share the episode with a friend, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find the show.

    29 min

  7. JAN 18

    Ep. 7 - From Wall Street Dreams to Changing Lives

    What if your dream job at 18 isn’t your purpose at 38? We sit with Jim Clark, CEO and President of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, to chart how a finance-minded kid became a leader devoted to expanding opportunity for millions of young people. The story moves from lecture halls to club halls, showing how the right team, mission, and mindset can turn ambition into impact. We dig into leadership the honest way, by naming mistakes. Jim shares why waiting too long on a poor fit slows everyone down, and how hiring slow, acting fast, and keeping dignity at the center protects culture. You’ll hear practical takeaways on feedback, transitions, and building teams that match values with performance. Then we lighten things up with a teen slang showdown that proves curiosity is a bridge: “bussin,” “no cap,” “sus,” “slay,” “mid,” “bet,” “cooked,” “low-key,” “fire,” “bro,” and “drippy” all make an appearance and spark genuine connection. Away from the office, Jim finds balance on golf courses, water skis, and snowy mountains, reminding us that play fuels better decisions. The conversation widens with stories from the Oval Office, where Jim met Presidents Obama, Trump, and Biden to advocate for after-school programs, youth safety, STEM access, and mentorship. The through line is simple and strong: try the Club before you judge it. Whether you want a creative outlet, a place to study, a path to a first job, or just friends who push you forward, there’s a lane for you. If this resonated, follow Youth Unmuted, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review to help more teens find a space that feels like theirs. Your voice matters, join the conversation and tell us what you want to hear next.

    21 min

  8. JAN 5

    Ep. 6 - From Club to CEO: Jim Clark’s Journey of Service

    Doors open when someone hands you a real microphone. That’s the energy we bring to a candid conversation with Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, about what it truly takes to help young people feel seen, heard, and prepared for the future. We trace Jim’s journey from a corporate role in Milwaukee to leading a national movement, and we get honest about why he stayed: the transformative power of safe spaces, caring adults, and programs that turn potential into momentum. We dig into the nuts and bolts of leadership and growth. Jim shares how Greater Milwaukee’s Clubs doubled and tripled across key metrics by rallying a thousand-person team around a clear mission, a compelling vision, and a culture that makes work meaningful, and yes, fun. He breaks down leadership as listening, strategy, and alignment, and explains why he hires people who outshine him in specific areas. We also talk about the heartbeat of the Clubs: 77,000 paid professionals who bring consistency, mentorship, and everyday encouragement that keeps teens engaged and moving forward. From there, we examine the gaps between adults and teens: the art of listening beyond the surface, the need to grant real independence, and the reality of modern communication where texts and social platforms carry the conversation. Programs like Think Lead Create Change and Youth of the Year become case studies in youth voice and advocacy, helping teens tackle issues like food insecurity and mental health while exploring future careers. Holden shares first-person moments; speaking to community leaders, building this podcast, that show how a spotlight can reshape confidence and purpose. If you care about youth leadership, community impact, nonprofit strategy, and practical ways to support the next generation, this conversation offers both heart and how-to.  Subscribe, share with a friend who mentors or coaches, and leave a review with the one change you think would most help teens thrive.

    25 min
See All (13)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Youth Unmuted is where Benton County teens grab the mic and keep it real. Hosted by teen Club member Holden, each episode mixes unfiltered energy with authentic conversations about the things that matter most, from sports and leadership to mental health, community, and the everyday ups and downs of teen life.Along the way, Holden welcomes special guests with stories worth hearing, adding fresh perspectives and unforgettable moments to the mix. It’s not just talk; it’s laughter, hot takes, and powerful stories that show teens aren’t just preparing for the future, they’re shaping the present. Plus-Club members gain hands-on experience in media, storytelling, and leadership that sets them up for success in every part of life.Plug in, turn it up, and discover what happens when today’s youth go completely unmuted.

Information

  • Creator
    Boys & Girls Club of Benton County
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Youth Unmuted
  • Show Website
    Youth Unmuted