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The Playground

The Playground

Written by: Ascend Now
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Welcome to The Playground, where anything goes. We’re Ascend Now, an EdTech startup helping students ages 8-18 pursue their passions and reach their full potential. In each episode, our bright young students showcase their remarkable articulation abilities through talks. Our talented learners can interview their heroes, share their experiences or present their ideas in a talk format akin to TED presentations. Join us to be a part of this riveting dialogue where passion meets potential and dreams turn into reality.Ascend Now
Episodes
  • One Teen’s Story That Made Thousands of Others Feel Seen
    May 20 2026

    In this episode of Ascend Now Playground, we meet Ruhi Amin, the teenage author behind From Me to You: Lessons on Self-Love, Life, and Connections. Published in 2023, Ruhi’s book quickly became an Amazon bestseller and sparked conversations in classrooms and communities alike. She opens up about the writing and publishing journey, the courage it took to be vulnerable, and the powerful responses she's received from readers around the world. Tune in to hear how Ruhi turned pain into purpose, and how her words continue to inspire young people to speak up, heal, and connect.


    To buy the book: https://amzn.to/3IjC3m6


    To contact Ruhi about speaking engagements: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruhi-amin-a90556208/

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    41 mins
  • The Entrepreneur's Equation: Surina's own podcast
    Apr 15 2026

    What if you could decode the journey behind every successful entrepreneur? In this special episode, we feature 15-year-old Surina, the creator and host of The Entrepreneur’s Equation podcast. Surina shares how observing her dad’s work meetings as a child sparked her curiosity and how that led her to interview founders, explore the true meaning of success, and build a platform that breaks down the human side of entrepreneurship. From self-doubt to strategy, and from school struggles to bold ideas, this conversation shows how passion and persistence can launch powerful projects, even before adulthood.

    Link to her podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VkpiSvkbdioCrX11qJUD6?si=13be132676264224

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    15 mins
  • Turning Compassion into Action with Give-A-Paw
    Mar 18 2026

    In this inspiring episode of the Playground, we speak with Layla Will, the passionate teen founder of Give-A-Paw, a platform that lets animal lovers sponsor shelter dogs in Hong Kong. Layla shares how volunteering at a local shelter inspired her mission, and walks us through the journey of building a website, launching a social media presence, and overcoming real-world challenges like age restrictions and payment systems. From bake sales to future recipe books, Layla’s vision is clear: every small act of kindness can make a big impact. Tune in to hear how she’s turning compassion into action, one dog at a time.

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    20 mins
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