Y Gen Out Loud » Gen Y

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.

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.

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.

Looking for jobs in all the right places

Lauren Phillips — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:03:01 +0000

It’s been a while since my last article, but I’ve been busy. Unfortunately, I haven’t been busy being employed. A life without a daily purpose can really weigh you down. Though, I’m glad to report, it’s not been all doom and gloom.

I’m still searching for my perfect job (or even an imperfect one). But instead of planting myself in front of my laptop and cruising the job boards, I’m taking advantage of networking events here in Austin. Even if you don’t live in Austin, I’m sure there are similar functions in cities all over the country.

Last week, I attended one in particular. Y Gen Out Loud hosted it, so I’m not exactly unbiased in my opinion about it. But if you have the opportunity to attend a comparable event, definitely do so. This wasn’t your typical, run-of-the-mill Happy Hour, where young, desperate attendees listen to older, wiser folks with careers go on about how jobs are available and we just need to work harder to land one.

No, this was different. Take one 6^th Street venue, toss in three professionals in social media, career counseling, and finance (David Neff, Valerie Hausladen, and J.D. Lewis, respectively), add ice cold beers, mix all together and, voila, you have “Networking with Purpose!” Of course, you may be wondering, aren’t bars the designated place for love networking, not job networking? Well, I’m no expert on the best locations to look for careers, but I can tell you that this event was the opposite of stuffy and uncomfortable.

I walked around the patio, introducing myself and talking to others, some in the same boat as me, some employed with job leads. But the thing was, I was just myself. And I have come to believe, over these months of unemployment, that the secret to networking is being confident in who you are and what you have to give as an employee.

I left that night with four business cards from four new acquaintances. The event was fashioned to provide an intimate space where professionals and young wannabes could talk about the best ways to achieve their career goals. And I guess I made an impression, because two of the business cards I snagged were from folks who forwarded my resume to potential employers.

I feel like a broken record, but from one unemployed to another, the key right now is NETWORKING! Wherever you go, don’t be afraid to ask about opportunities, shake hands, and ask for business cards.

But don’t stop there. The follow up is just as important and could help you nab that perfect job you yearn for. Believe me, I feel your pain. But make sure to take advantage of all the networking events in your hometown, even the ones that seem atypical. You never know where they might lead you.

The man with a plan

Tamara Bell — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 19:40:40 +0000

After President Obama’s address to the nation last night, I am cautiously optimistic that we can plug the gaping hole in the Gulf while simultaneously starting the conversation on ways to wean us from oil.

I know that my esteemed frenemy had problems with the focus of Obama’s speech. The president should first steer us through the worst environmental crisis in the history of the United States, and then start talking about our energy policy. But, for my part, I’m glad Obama laid out his vision for how he wants to move forward once this crisis is behind us.

Yes, I know he didn’t go into the specifics of what a reformed energy policy would look like, so some might dismiss this as just a bone to his more progressive supporters who have not been pleased that he hasn’t yet pushed for tough reform measures in light of the disaster.

We can't continue to be ostriches about our energy policy

But for right now, I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt. I think he is serious about wanting to tackle our addiction to fossil fuels. And make no mistake. We will have to address that issue sooner rather than later. And it will be PAINFUL. Weaning ourselves from our oil addiction will not be pretty. For a while, we’ll be a nation of crack whores, strung out and begging for our next fix. But eventually, we’ll clean ourselves up and start on the path to a more productive and safe life.

And here’s where, if I were a member of Gen Y, I would be screaming from the rooftops that all you older generations have got to pull it together and solve this problem before we take over as leaders. Actually, if I were Gen Y, I would be royally pissed that once again, the over 40 crowd thinks they can do whatever they want and pass all the consequences onto us. But that’s just me.

Some people would rather bury their heads in the sand, oblivious to the dangers of our continued dependence on oil. My hope, though, is that Gen Y will embrace the idea that a green energy policy is achievable now, and use their massive numbers to force the president as well as Congress to make real changes before our next environmental disaster.

A lesson in failed leadership

A lesson in failed leadership

Byron Bradshaw — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 13:30:52 +0000

I think today I’m going to dive right into my topic: the oil “spill” in the Gulf. (By the way, is it really OK to call it a “spill” now? A spill is what happens when a 4 year old tries to pour themselves a glass of milk or I try to snow ski. This is not a spill. Shouldn’t we be using a different word to better reflect the magnitude of the situation? I guess we can give props to the BP Public Relations people for doing something beneficial for their company.) What I’d really like to focus on is the speech that President Obama made from the Oval Office last night in regards to the worst environmental disaster our country has ever faced.

I guess I should give a caveat: I am not an Obama fan (surprise, surprise). There’s a laundry list of things I don’t like about him, and in fact the way he and his administration have been handling this crisis are going to be at the top of the list going forward. First of all, I would like to point out that last night was Day 58 of the crisis, and 8 weeks after it happened. It is absolutely ridiculous to me that Obama has waiting this long to speak to the country about what’s happening in the Gulf. For me, this was a “feel good” speech and a Public Relations move for the President himself. There were many, many cushy words but no concrete plans. Speaking in ambiguity, he almost (almost!) makes his speech hard to argue against. It’s hard to disagree with generalities. Because his administration has completely failed as a leader in this situation, the President reverted to doing what he does best: politicizing the situation 2/3 of the speech he gave wasn’t about cleanup or recovery, but about energy policy. (Don’t get me wrong – I’m a huge proponent of alternative/green/renewable energy sources, but last night was NOT the time for sermon.)

The most concrete thing he said last night was he was going to “force” BP to create some sort of an escrow fund to help compensate those who have suffered from the disaster. While I agree that BP should be held responsible for their actions, it sets a VERY bad precedent for a President to promise to the American people that he is going to force a private entity to do anything. Sometimes, I think Obama forgets he is a President, and therefore his domestic policy power is severely limited. Legally, he can’t force BP to do anything. Obviously, BP should (read: will because they seriously need a PR boost) comply and be responsible for the company’s actions. However Obama should not be taking credit for this at all, because it’s really out of his hands.

What the President should have been focused on last night was cleanup and recovery, and we heard hardly any of that. Obama’s insincere proselytizing isn’t going solve anything in the Gulf. It just left us with gushing oil well in the gulf that needs to be plugged, and another in Obama’s face that needs to be stopped up as well.

As always, I’ll appreciate your comments!

Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions.

–Harold S. Geneen

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.

My Republican Manifesto, Part 2

Byron Bradshaw — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 22:52:13 +0000

Howdy, everyone! In my last post I discussed a bit of syntax and gave you some background and insight into my own life. We left off with me saying that in while in college, the Republican Party began to appeal to me. I want to talk a bit more about that now. BUT, before I begin, I want to start with a warning: post is not for the fainthearted. I’m going to attempt to explain the theory of my political beliefs with being theoretical. Also from time to time, I will (not just might) say things that you won’t not agree with. So batten down the hatches and take a deep breath, because here we go…

It’s a fact that no two single people are the same. We don’t look, act, think, or feel the same way. Our life experiences, while are sometimes similar and run parallel, never are identical. Therefore the government shouldn’t treat its citizens as if they are all the same. In an individualistic society like ours, the only true way to achieve happiness is personal liberty. Individual rights (and the responsibilities that go with them) are intrinsically the foundation of a free and happy society. Because of this, for me the single most important value that that a political party can prioritize is limited government. By limiting the reach of government into individuals’ lives, its citizens are therefore empowered. In The Declaration of Independence states that men are born with rights of life, liberty, and property. These rights were endowed by a higher power and are inalienable. We’ve all heard that phrase, but I don’t think we’ve taken the time to really think about what they mean. It simply means that rights are not conferred us by our government. Government was instituted by men to protect the rights they already have. The only reason a government exists to protect its populace. Nothing more, nothing less.

This is the absolute basis for my identification of the Republican Party, and you’ll find me referencing this as I make many of my arguments over the course of our journey here. In fact, it bleeds into my other “core” belief: government spending must be reigned and taxation must be controlled. Lower taxes mean that individuals are given the power to make their own economic choices – and most of the time those choices are infinitely wiser than any government would make. Economic freedom expands prosperity as. Too much government regulation stifles a country’s opulence. Sadly, today’s Democratic Party would rather sacrifice economic growth in order to steer behavior, choices, and change the way every citizens live their lives. If our government is truly limited and acting constitutionally, there is no need for the out of control spending that most Democratic Party members seem to enjoy.

Our free economy has given our country the highest standard of living in the world. It rewards us for hard work, creates unbelievable opportunities, and reveres charity. Freedom means choices, not mandates. For me, the Republican Party absolutely embodies these ideas of limited government and free(er) economies. These are the foundations on which I base most of my political convictions. I know I don’t agree with every sing le thing listed in the Republican Party platform. However, this party is the one that exemplifies the values that I hold dear and therefore is why I can proudly say: I identify with the Republican Party.

Whew. How was that for y’all? Hopefully I didn’t get too muddy in my explanations. If you need further clarification on why I believe what I do, or have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave your thoughts below. I’d LOVE to hear from my readers.

“None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license.” –John Milton

My Republican Manifesto, Part 1

Byron Bradshaw — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:02:28 +0000

Hi everyone! Thanks for starting this journey with me – I’m very excited about the possibilities that lay before us, and am extremely grateful that you’ve chosen to come along for the ride. You’ve probably read a bit about me from my bio, and by now you can probably figure out that I’m the “Red” part of our little twosome here. I’ve titled my first set of posts “My Republican Manifesto” because I hope to give you all deeper insight to my cognition and as to why I identify with the Republican Party.

First off, I want to begin with a little syntax clarification. You will hardly ever hear me use the phrases. “I am a Republican” or, “She is a Democrat.” In today’s political landscape, too often are personal ideologies affected by party platforms. Personally I believe that individuals’ personal values should shape the party policies as a whole. Therefore I use the phrase, “I identify with the Republican Party,” because I believe it better portrays the association of political parties and their members. Too often the “independents” in our country (which admittedly is the largest percentage of our population) believe that they cannot vote for or identify with a party because they don’t agree with every single issue on a party’s platform, and that is simply not the case. If I can accomplish anything by writing, it would be to empower individual Americans to step up and let their political opinions be heard, especially by those who are currently heading our political parties.

Now on to a bit about myself: I know most probably have the preconceived notion that since I’m from a small town in rural Texas I was somehow “born a Republican,” as if there’s a small birthmark in the shape of an elephant on my rear end. While it is true and research shows that an upbringing normally has a great effect on people’s political beliefs, I don’t think that was the case with me. In fact, my parents and grandparents were very much “Southern Democrats.” To tell you the truth, I had no idea where I stood on the political spectrum until I got to the University of Texas. There the field of study is called “Government” not “Political Science” and it takes a very theoretical approach to the discipline. Within my first few months of studying, I found that “Republicanism” actually spoke to my personal beliefs. I could go into a very technical discussion of why I began to identify with the Republican Party by quoting Milton, Locke, and other political geniuses, but I think it would be a good idea for my readers to stay awake. So if anyone is actually looking for some “light reading” (ha), feel free to comment or email me and I can point you in the right direction. I was particularly by the ideas of limited government, fiscal responsibility, and the distinctions between rights and privileges.

In my next post I’ll delve a little further into the specifics of what those mean to me and what I enjoy about identifying with the Republican Party. Be sure to come back and read, because I’ll also deal with being a *gasp* gay Republican. In the meantime, be sure to read Tamara’s posts and to comment! We want to hear from you, folks!

“Education begins the gentleman, but reading, good company and reflection must finish him. “ –John Locke

My Republican Manifesto, Part 2