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.

Nerves don’t vanish on their own, they get trained. We sit down with Ximena, the Boys and Girls Club National Youth of the Year, to trace how a once-shy student became a poised speaker, athlete, and community leader. The through line is trusting the process: more reps on stage, more honest reflection about identity, and more supportive rooms where teens can practice leadership without pretending to be perfect.

We dig into the playbook for Youth of the Year candidates and any teen aiming higher: know your story, name the people and places that shaped you, and get comfortable building relationships with mentors and CEOs alike. Ximena shares Keystone memories that broadened her world, from meeting teens on military bases to learning how culture and community shape character. Along the way, sports keep her grounded: volleyball, soccer, and track become training grounds for time management, grit, and humility while college applications stacked up.

This conversation also highlights the power of real support. Corporate partners upgrading tech centers, scholarships like Panda Cares, and opportunities to co-judge creative contests open doors that talent alone can’t. There’s joy, too: Two Truths and a Lie, meeting John Cena and Denzel Washington, and a dream dinner with Justice Sonia Sotomayor that speaks to representation and ambition. If you care about youth leadership, public speaking, and building confidence that lasts, you’ll find practical takeaways and a lot of heart.

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A mic, a mission, and a village that won’t let you shrink. We sit down with Ximena, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year, to unpack how a sports-loving club kid became a confident advocate on national stages, from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. The story moves fast—junior staff summers turn into public speaking reps, MC gigs at the Keystone Conference, and a front-row seat to how major events are built. Along the way, she shares the nerves, the learning curve, and the moments that made her feel ten feet tall, like a whirlwind trip to Toronto and conversations with leaders who model presence without pretense.

What stands out is how community converts potential into momentum. Advisors and mentors at the Boys & Girls Club create real opportunities: hosting, co-leading programs, and meeting people who open new doors. That support powers focused advocacy, including a Teens Leading Change project in the Rio Grande Valley designed to help immigrant teens navigate language barriers and school transitions. We talk about meeting with a senator’s office, partnering with immigration lawyers, and pushing for teacher training through the state education agency—practical, local moves with system-level ripple effects. We also spotlight mental health initiatives at clubs, from calming corners to hands-on fairs that make coping skills feel normal and accessible.

Behind the highlights is the grind: AP tests, college essays, a week-long national competition, and leadership roles that stretch every hour of the day. Ximena lays out how she stays steady—early-morning “lock-in” writing sessions, leaning into energizing work, and remembering why the effort matters. A chance interview on a club podcast leads to a first legal internship, which leads to another, and soon a career path emerges: study business or political science, go to law school, practice business law, and one day serve in public office. If you care about youth empowerment, civic leadership, and turning opportunity into impact, this conversation will leave you fired up to take the next step.

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