Embers Valo

With the start of Pride Month, we at Valo are excited to share a very special episode with all of you. This month our hosts engaged in conversation with Gia Drew, who serves as the Executive Director of EqualityMaine. Listen to Gia talk about her experiences as the first out transgender public school teacher in Maine, one of the only transgender athletic coaches in the country, and her role at the oldest and largest organization dedicated to creating a fair and just society for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Mainers.

For the May edition of Embers, we are elated to be joined by two amazing athletes and Mainers, Eavan O’Neill and Skyler Samuelson Espinoza. In 2020 Eavan was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease called Stargardt's Disease that causes vision loss. Following her diagnosis and the onset of the pandemic, Eavan took to the outdoors by running, which soon grew into a passion. A year later, Eavan ran the Maine Marathon, raising money for research to find treatment for genetic eye diseases, and her passion for long distances continues. Though initially a collegiate rower, Skyler found herself as a “pilot” on the United States’ Paralympic Cycling team, following her success as an individual cyclist. As an athlete with unimpaired vision, Skyler teams up with a visually impaired athlete to race in tandem.

Earlier this month our Embers podcast hosts, Levi and Lyla, led a workshop at the New England Youth Identity Summit showing other teens the power of podcasting. The usual hosts took a backseat in this month's edition and allowed the workshop’s participants to engage in a meaningful conversation which was recorded and compiled into the most recent episode. Give it a listen to get a glimpse into the power of youth podcasting and teens’ capacity to guide and be a part of meaningful conversations.

This month, the Valo teens sat down for a conversation with Bowdoin student, writer, and New England Youth Identity Summit keynote speaker, Weatherspoon. Together they discussed the role of art and expression in emotional wellbeing. Tune in to hear from this inspiring author!

This month, the Valo teens sat down for a conversation with marathon runner and Olympic gold medalist, Joan Benoit Samuelson, along with Maine Girls’ Cross Country Runner of the Year, Ruth White. Together they discussed the role that movement, community, and sports can play in our emotional wellbeing.

Tune in to listen to this inspiring episode!

In the latest episode of our podcast, Embers, the Valo teens sat down with author and environmental activist, Rick Bass, for a conversation on the role that young people play in climate activism. Together they explored climate anxiety, the importance of empowering youth, and the energy that comes from focusing on what stirs your heart. You won't want to miss this episode!