In this episode, we continue the Human Glitch series with Chapter III, told through the eyes of Caleb, a 16-year-old football standout in South Central L.A. Balancing school, sports, and caring for his younger siblings after his father's death, Caleb faces mounting pressure to hold everything together.

With help from his best friend River and the ever-reliable Mama Dee, Caleb fights to stay focused on his dreams—while wrestling with the fear of losing everything.

To share your thoughts on Chapter Three, email: ⁠⁠podcast@youthresearchbox.org⁠⁠.

We’re back with Chapter Two of Human Glitch, a new coming-of-age novel from the YRV team, featured on the Thought-Partner Podcast. This serialized story follows a group of teens as they navigate identity, belonging, and the pressures of growing up in a fractured world.

In this chapter, we shift perspectives to Quinn—a restless teen filmmaker growing up in the shadow of his famous director father.

To share your thoughts on Chapter Two, email: ⁠podcast@youthresearchbox.org⁠.

Get an exclusive first listen to Human Glitch, a new coming-of-age novel from the YRV team. Set in Los Angeles, the story follows a group of teens as they navigate identity, loneliness, and belonging in a fractured world. In Chapter One, River—a high-achieving scholarship student—begins therapy with the renowned Dr. Han, convinced he doesn’t belong there. What unfolds is an unexpected, deeply human connection.

To share your thoughts on Chapter One, email: podcast@youthresearchbox.org.

In this episode of the YRV Thought Partner Podcast, host Joyce Coffey discusses emotional loneliness with guest Diana Aleksanyan, a sophomore at NYU Abu Dhabi. They explore how young people often feel isolated despite being socially active, especially during major life transitions.

For further insights, Harvard University has addressed this issue in their talk series, "Confronting Our Epidemic of Loneliness." You can watch the discussion here: Confronting Our Epidemic of Loneliness | Education Now

Loneliness is a growing crisis among young people, deeply tied to mental health challenges like depression and anxiety. But what type of loneliness affects them most? In this episode, youth from around the world share their experiences, revealing that emotional loneliness—feeling unseen and unheard—is the most pervasive.

📢 To ensure the protection of youth participants and maximize anonymity, all youth voices in this episode are AI-generated.

Join the conversation at podcast@youthresearchvox.org.

Welcome to the first Thought-Partner episode of 2025! As we step into a brand-new year, we explore one of the most profound aspects of human connection: friendship. Anchored by a touching poem, What Is a Friend?, this episode invites listeners to reflect on the timeless essence of friendship.

Do you have a question you’d like us to answer with a poem? Send your questions to podcast@youthresearchvox.org. We look forward to featuring your question in a future episode!

Lori Cosgriff, President of the 29 Palms Food Pantry, discusses her background and the

pantry's operations. They serve 200-250 families per month through three distribution programs, including a USDA distribution and a senior-focused distribution. The pantry faces challenges like rising food costs and fewer donations due to the pandemic, but relies on community support and volunteers to keep running. Lori emphasizes the importance of treating recipients with respect and understanding their struggles, while also encouraging self-sufficiency when possible. She expresses interest in increased collaboration and education around food insecurity in the local community.

Joyce interviews Linda Wong, a dynamic individual whose journey spans from humble beginnings in rural China to becoming an influential educator and leader. Linda shares her story of immigrating to the U.S. at a young age, navigating various jobs, and ultimately discovering her passion for education and leadership.

Linda Wong is the founder and CEO of SPARK Academy, an educational organization that has been transforming the lives of children and families in the San Gabriel Valley for the past decade. As a vital partner of local school districts, SPARK Academy provides tutoring services in all subjects to thousands of students annually, from kindergarten through 8th grade.