Y Gen Out Loud » featured

Same-sex marriage and the next generation

Tamara Bell — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:03:31 +0000

Joel Henderson, volunteer with Broadway Impact

In today’s episode, Keeping Up with Gen Y talks to Joel Henderson, a transplant to New York City who, in his free time, volunteers with Broadway Impact, a grassroots organization devoted to marriage equality.

On August 4, a federal district court judge struck down California’s ban on gay marriage, ruling that the prohibition violates the U.S. Constitution. To say the judge’s ruling caused a ripple heard round the country would be an understatement, as supporters and opponents of the controversial amendment try to figure out the next steps in this ongoing battle.

Henderson explains how Gen Y’s fight for same-sex marriage is similar to previous generations’ battles against discrimination of women and minorities. He also talks about how young people’s acceptance of marriage equality bodes well for its eventual integration into our society.

You can listen to the show below. And check out our Page on WomensRadio Network for more information about the show and our guests.

Gen Y affecting change in the legislative process

Tamara Bell — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:36:09 +0000

Leo Munoz, chief of staff for U.S. Congressman Charlie Gonzalez

In today’s episode, Keeping Up with Gen Y talks to Leo Munoz, chief of staff for U.S. Representative Charlie Gonzalez of San Antonio, Texas.

In the past couple of episodes, we have explored the relevance of the federal government to our every day life. In our discussion of the U.S. Supreme Court and the 2010 midterm elections, we learned about the need for Generation Y to stay informed about and engaged in their government. This week, we’re going to continue that conversation with a look inside the U.S. Congress.

Munoz gives the lowdown on how a bill really becomes a law, and how Generation Y can affect change earlier in the legislative process, when it can make a difference. But for those unable to follow every bill filed in the U.S. Congress, Munoz points out that the best, and easiest, way for young people to have their voices heard by their representatives is through the ballot box.

You can listen to the show below. And check out our Page on WomensRadio Network for more information about the show and our guests.

Attracting Gen Y to the ballot box

Tamara Bell — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:08:17 +0000

Professor Krista Jenkins, Associate Professor of Political Science, Fairleigh Dickinson University

In today’s episode, Keeping Up with Gen Y talks to Professor Krista Jenkins, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey.

In 2008, Generation Y voted at an impressive rate. As a matter of fact, the turnout for 18 to 29 year olds was second only to the 1972 election, which happened to be the first time that 18 to 20 year olds could even vote.

On November 2, the country will go back to the polls to elect members to the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and many state legislatures. Thirty-six states will elect governors and other statewide officeholders.

But are young people on track to have their voices heard in the midterm elections as they did in the presidential contest? Professor Jenkins helps us gauge Gen Y’s engagement level in the November races.

She discusses real world reasons why young people should be involved in the political process. After all, as she points out, when it comes to the important issues of the day, such as the economy and foreign policy, it is Generation Y who have the most to gain or lose by how legislators address them.

You can listen to the show below. And check out our Page on WomensRadio Network for more information about the show and our guests.

Generation Y applying entrepreneurial skills

Tamara Bell — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:53:44 +0000

Kevin Melgaard, co-founder of BeyondCredentials.com

Today’s episode of Keeping Up with Gen Y features Kevin Melgaard, the third guest in our new monthly series, “Y Gen Entrepreneurs.” The series focuses on the stories of young movers and shakers as they navigate their way through the challenges and joys of being their own boss.

Along with business partner Andy O’Dower, Melgaard co-founded BeyondCredentials.com, where qualified employers meet exceptional Generation Y in a setting different from your typical resume exchange. He joins Keeping Up with Gen Y to talk about the skills and mindset necessary for the next generation of entrepreneurs. He also discusses the need for employers to understand and embrace the work style of Generation Y in order to obtain and retain the future workforce.

New episodes of the “Y Gen Entrepreneurs” series air every second Wednesday of the month.

You can listen to the show below. And check out our Page on WomensRadio Network for more information about the show and our guests.

Making the case for the U.S. Supreme Court

Tamara Bell — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:42:25 +0000

Professor Stephen Wermiel, Fellow in Law and Government at American University Washington College of Law

In today’s episode, Keeping Up with Gen Y talks to Professor Stephen Wermiel, a Fellow in Law and Government and director of the Summer Institute on Law and Government at American University Washington College of Law.

With the Senate beginning consideration of Elena Kagan’s nomination to the United States Supreme Court, this seems like an ideal time for a primer on the judiciary. It’s easy for Generation Y to be confused about the jurisdiction, practices, and procedures surrounding the highest court in the country.

Our guide through this legal journey, Professor Wermiel, shares the steps by which the nine Supreme Court justices decide to hear cases. He also explains why the Supreme Court’s autonomy from voter opinion not only protects us from the tyranny of the majority but also preserves our democracy for future generations.

You can listen to the show below. And check out our Page on WomensRadio Network for more information about the show and our guests.

Training Generation Y to land dream job

Tamara Bell — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:08:07 +0000

Kelly Olin, Career Coaching and Training

In today’s episode, Keeping Up with Gen Y talks to Kelly Olin, the energetic Gen Y owner of Kelly Olin Career Coaching and Training in the Detroit area who is dedicated to helping her peers find solutions to their career and life gaps.

Olin shares ways college students can benefit from career coaching while still in school. She also offers fresh ideas on how job-seeking Gen Yers can impress potential employers and land the career of their dreams.

You can listen to the show below. And check out our Page on WomensRadio Network for more information about the show and our guests.

Gen Y taking charge of political destiny

Tamara Bell — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:04:59 +0000

Jaime Salazar

In today’s episode, Keeping Up with Gen Y talks to three politicos-in-training about how the next generation can take charge of their political destiny right now.

Jaime Salazar, a recent graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, and Aylin Saribudak, a senior at the university, are spending the summer learning the ins and outs of political campaigns at Mark Strama’s Campaign Academy in Austin. Brad Burnett, also a senior at the university, graduated from the academy in 2008.

The trio discusses why it’s important for young people to be engaged in the political process. It shouldn’t come as a big surprise that they believe social media play a key role in engaging young people in the process. But, they are also the first to admit that working towards a better tomorrow requires a commitment that goes beyond supporting a specific candidate. Affecting positive change in government and communities doesn’t happen through campaign slogans, but rather individuals banning together to make a difference.

Aylin Saribudak

Brad Burnett

You can listen to the show below. And check out our Page on WomensRadio Network for more information about the show and our guests.

Gen Y capitalizing on entrepreneurial dreams

Tamara Bell — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:59:23 +0000

Sean McCleese, founder and CEO of Student of Fortune.com

Today’s episode of Keeping Up with Gen Y features Sean McCleese, the second guest in our new monthly series, “Y Gen Entrepreneurs.” The series focuses on the stories of young movers and shakers as they navigate their way through the challenges and joys of being their own boss.

McCleese is founder and CEO of Student of Fortune.com, a California-based online tutorial company that connects students who need homework help with thousands of tutors who specialize in their areas of interest. He joins Keeping Up with Gen Y to talk about the importance of young people keeping the faith when starting their new ventures. He also offers his story as encouragement to other Generation Y who may believe their dreams of entrepreneurship are out of reach.

New episodes of the “Y Gen Entrepreneurs” series air every second Wednesday of the month.

You can listen to the show below. And check out our Page on WomensRadio Network for more information about the show and our guests.

Inspiring Gen Y to live full lives

Tamara Bell — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:46:26 +0000

Kimberlie Dykeman, author of Pure Soapbox

In today’s episode, Keeping Up with Gen Y talks to Kimberlie Dykeman, a motivational speaker, on-camera personality, producer, and author of Pure Soapbox, a collection of her soapbox vignettes that blends well-known quotes with well-honed commentary to promote living life to its fullest.

With her razor-sharp wit, Dykeman points out how young people can find relevance and revelation in the words of previous generations. She also explains the significance behind her Soapbox trademark, and shares her favorite quotes to inspire Generation Y to embrace and nurture their inner “soapbox.”

You can listen to the show below. And check out our Page on WomensRadio Network for more information about the show and our guests.

Creating economic prosperity under risky conditions

Tamara Bell — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:00:09 +0000

Farzana Ebrahimi, a businesswoman from Afghanistan

In today’s episode, Keeping Up with Gen Y talks to Farzana Ebrahimi, a Gen Y businesswoman from Afghanistan, who is fighting the country’s cultural norm and blazing her own path to economic prosperity. She was in the United States recently as a participant in a conference sponsored by The Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women’s Peace Through Business program. The Oklahoma City-based organization provides long-term business training to women entrepreneurs in war-torn countries, specifically Afghanistan and Rwanda.

Farzana talks about the difficulty she faces in trying to forge an entrepreneurial path in a society that doesn’t recognize women as business leaders. She also shares her plans to bring literacy and computer skills to all women and girls in Kandahar, despite governmental barriers.

You can listen to the show below. And check out our Page on WomensRadio Network for more information about the show and our guests.

Taking stock of Gen Y’s financial future

Tamara Bell — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:17:22 +0000

J.D. Lewis, financial representative with Aycock Financial Group

In today’s episode, Keeping Up with Gen Y talks to J.D. Lewis, a financial representative with Aycock Financial Group in Austin, Texas, who provides individuals and businesses with assistance in identifying their financial goals.

Young people are well known for “living in the moment,” putting off decisions about how best to secure their financial futures until they’ve reached important life milestones. But in these uncertain economic times, it’s crucial that Gen Y start planning, saving, and controlling debt while in their 20s.

Lewis talks about ways Generation Y can assess their financial health. With an eye to the future, he lays out steps for how young people can create and stick to budgets while beginning to build investment portfolios even during these turbulent financial times.

You can listen to the show below. And check out our Page on WomensRadio Network for more information about the show and our guests.

Coaching Generation Y to a happy future

Tamara Bell — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:41:06 +0000

Life Coach Francie Cooper

In today’s episode, Keeping Up with Gen Y talks to Francie Cooper, a certified professional Life Coach in Fort Worth, Texas, who specializes in transformational coaching for people in life transitions, who are reaching for something deeper and more meaningful in their lives.

As Generation Y enters the workforce, as employees or entrepreneurs, they face the challenges of balancing their need to exceed in their jobs with the desire to make a difference in the world. But how can this young generation best determine their strategy for professional and personal growth?

Cooper talks about the ways a life coach can help Generation Y find the perfect balance between work and other pursuits. And using a happiness formula created by the American Psychological Association, she shares the steps to how the next generation can increase their happiness level while reaching for their life goals.

You can listen to the show below. And check out our Page on WomensRadio Network for more information about the show and our guests.

Young workers at the head of the table

Tamara Bell — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:30:47 +0000

Nick Yaeger, co-founder and CEO of Y BizDev

Today, Keeping Up with Gen Y debuts a monthly series titled “Y Gen Entrepreneurs,” which focuses on the stories of young movers and shakers as they navigate their way through the challenges and joys of being their own boss.

This first episode features Nick Yaeger, co-founder and CEO of Y BizDev in Washington, D.C. He started the business in 2007, when he was 24 years old. Yaeger specializes in strategic development and communications, messaging and brand positioning.

Yaeger joins Keeping Up with Gen Y to talk about why Generation Y is particularly well suited for entrepreneurship. He also discusses the importance of creating support systems that incorporate all generations to encourage and strengthen our future business leaders.

New episodes of the “Y Gen Entrepreneurs” series will air every second Wednesday of the month.

You can listen to the show below. And check out our Page on WomensRadio Network for more information about the show and our guests.

The next generation of conservatives

Tamara Bell — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:30:33 +0000

Byron Bradshaw, blogger of "Red vs. Blue: Face Off Between Frenemies"

In today’s episode, Keeping Up with Gen Y talks to Byron Bradshaw, a recent transplant to New York City who, before moving to the East Coast, worked in Texas Republican politics as a legislative aide and clerk at the state Capitol as well as worked for a Republican fundraising firm.

Starting on June 7, Byron will be co-writing a blog, titled “Red vs. Blue: Face Off Between Frenemies,” on the Y Gen Out Loud news site.

Byron talks about the struggles of the National Republican Party to appeal to Gen Y at a time when the younger generation is starting to form their political alliances. He also shares his vision for how the party can reach out to the next generation of voters.

You can listen to the show below.

Gen Y women breaking through glass ceiling

Tamara Bell — Wed, 26 May 2010 13:56:12 +0000

Olga Garcia, co-founder of Young Women's Roundtable

In today’s episode, Keeping Up with Gen Y talks to Olga Garcia, a dedicated and passionate Gen Y bilingual social media, marketing and public relations strategist, who, in 2009, co-founded with Julie Kreager the Young Women’s Roundtable.

When less than 20 women helm Fortune 500 companies in 2010, it’s clear that women still have a ways to go to reach full equality with their male counterparts in the business world. To assist Generation Y women in opening doors, the Young Women’s Roundtable provides young professional women with access to businesswomen of influence, meaningful like-minded peer-to-peer conversations, and leadership development opportunities to further their careers in the private sector.

But what specific actions can young women take to break through the status quo? Garcia talks about how Gen Y women can navigate the business world in preparation for a seat in the boardroom. She also predicts that Gen Y women will finally break through the glass ceiling, allowing them to fulfill those expectations fostered in college.

You can listen to the show below. And check out our Page on WomensRadio Network for more information about the show and our guests.