Teens empowering teens to change the world. Join us for inspiring conversations, actionable advice, and real-world stories of young people making a difference.
From Classroom Project to Classroom for All: Arjit Singh on Building In4Music
On this episode of the Global Impact Council podcast, host Asher Stubbs talks with Arjit Singh, a violinist, pianist, and self-taught programmer who turned an 8th grade English assignment into In4Music, a completely free app that brings music lessons to anyone with a device and an internet connection — no ads, no fees, no paywalls. Arjit walks through how the idea grew from a class project inspired by Warriors Don't Cry into a real app launched his freshman year, the backend rebuild he and his co-founder had to do after realizing they'd built the design before the functionality, and the moment a friend who couldn't afford lessons made the mission click for him. He also talks about recruiting teachers from his local orchestra community, the three App Store rejections before launch, and what he wishes he'd known about impact projects before he started. Find In4Music at thein4music.org or on the App Store, no account fees required.
14 Sept 2026
Rare to Accessibility: Pranav Mahendran on Building a Teen Council for VACTERL Syndrome
On this episode of the Global Impact Council podcast, host Maya Ayubzadeh sits down with Pranav Mahendran, an Eagle Scout who's turning his own experience with VACTERL syndrome into a support system for other teens. Pranav shares how carrying medical equipment on scouting trips pushed him to found a teen council inside the Pull Through Network, an organization that's supported him since he was two years old. He talks about getting his first proposal rejected, learning to be vulnerable about his condition in front of people who don't share his exact experience, and why empathy has been the core value guiding him through it all. Pranav also opens up about what he's learned about leadership, why he believes even small, tight-knit communities can drive real change, and what advice he'd give to any teen looking to start their own impact project. Connect with Pranav on LinkedIn or reach out directly if you want to talk impact project ideas, and consider supporting the Pull Through Network if this conversation moves you.
2 Sept 2026
Declan Li: Why Deploying Good Science Isn't Always Right
Declan Li has spent two years researching hydroponic biofertilizers at Caltech, hunting for a sustainable alternative to the chemical fertilizers currently degrading soil worldwide. But along the way, he ran into a problem no lab experiment could solve: even perfect science fails when the systems deploying it never stop to ask whether they should. In this episode, Declan unpacks the gap between whether a technology works and whether it's right to release it, using everything from a century-old fertilizer process to a recent AI model shutdown as examples, and makes the case for treating ethics as a required step, not an afterthought. He also opens up about the fear of failure, why he'd rather try and fall short than never try at all, and his advice for other teens looking to break into research: reach out, cast a wide net, and don't wait for permission.
25 Feb 2026
Saisha’s Research Roadmap: Emerging Researchers Incubator
In this episode, we’re joined by Saisha, a high school junior with a strong background in research and data analysis, who currently conducts research in university labs and has presented her work at schools like UCLA.
Saisha shares the moments that made her realize research wasn’t just “for the future,” but a tool she could use right now to understand what’s happening in her community—especially around mental health. We talk about how curiosity leads to better questions, why data can sharpen an impact project, and how students can begin research even if they don’t feel “ready.”
Saisha also introduces the Emerging Researchers Incubator, a program designed to help high schoolers get started with research—no matter what their path looks like.
If you’ve ever thought, “I want to do research, but I don’t know where to start,” this episode is your starting point.
You can join the Emerging Researchers Incubator through this link: https://www.globalimpactcouncil.org/emerging-researchers-incubator-private
6 Dec 2025
Bridging Tradition and Innovation: Abbas’ Journey in Science, Faith & Impact
Step into another inspiring episode of the Global Impact Council Podcast, where teens empower teens to change the world.
In this conversation, host Maya Ayoubzadeh sits down with Abbas, a 12th-grade student whose mission is to preserve what matters while pushing the boundaries of innovation. From conducting immunotherapy research using computational biology and Nobel Prize–winning tools, to elevating his community by securing official language credits for his heritage tongue Lisana Dawat, Abbas shows what it truly means to lead with both heart and purpose.
Together, they explore:
💡 How a family member’s medical journey sparked Abbas’ passion for biomedical research
💡 His bold leap into cold-emailing professors and finding a mentor
💡 The long, challenging process of advocating for language recognition at the district and state level
💡 How faith, values, and scientific curiosity can coexist — and even strengthen each other
💡 Why meaningful impact takes time, resilience, and reflection
Abbas also shares how he’s working to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation, and why he believes students don’t have to choose between honoring their roots and advancing in modern fields like medicine and research.
If you want to hear a powerful story about perseverance, culture, leadership, and the courage to start — this episode is for you.
🎧 Listen now, be inspired, and grow your impact.
And be sure to check out Abbas’ own show, Conversations in Science and Faith, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more.
19 Aug 2025
Illia on Building Interceptor Drones to Protect Ukraine
Ilia is a teen innovator turning curiosity into impact. 🇺🇦✨ What started as a racing drone project became an ambitious mission: creating interceptor drones to defend Ukrainian cities from attacks. In this episode, Ilia shares his journey from coding to hardware, the challenges of inventing in wartime, and how small steps can lead to world-changing solutions.
19 Aug 2025
Wyatt vs. Styrofoam: How a Teen Inventor is Fighting Waste
Meet Wyatt, the middle schooler who turned a class project into Terius — a 100% biodegradable Styrofoam alternative. 🌍♻️ In this episode, he shares how he went from “just a kid in my garage” to winning competitions, proving that passion + persistence = real impact.
26 Jul 2025
Breaking the Silence: How Saisha Is Leading the Mental Health Movement for Teens
In this episode, Krisha interviews Saisha, a student leader working to transform how schools approach youth mental health. From organizing international conferences and raising funds for AIM Youth Mental Health, to launching a school club and diving into neuroscience research, Saisha’s impact project is driven by collaboration, curiosity, and purpose. She shares how moving to a competitive new environment opened her eyes to the silent struggles students face—and how that inspired her to take action. Tune in to hear how one teen is combining science, communication, and heart to advocate for mental health equity and empower others to lead.
26 Jul 2025
Abracadabra for a Cause: Daniel Zhang's Inspiring Story of Charity Magic
Prepare to be amazed by Daniel Zhang, a magician, philanthropist, and aspiring game developer with a passion for making a difference. Daniel's journey began with a simple magic trick, but his drive to create and inspire has led him to Mongolia, where he shares the joy of magic with underprivileged children. In this episode, we explore: ✔️The birth of Charity Magic: Discover how Daniel's love for magic evolved into a powerful force for good. ✔️Creating magical experiences for kids: Learn about the impact of his charity magic camps and the smiles they bring. ✔️ Fundraising for a cause: Explore Daniel's dedication to organizing fundraising events for children's charities. ✔️The power of giving back: Hear how Daniel's passion is making a real difference in the lives of young people. Tune in to be inspired by Daniel Zhang's story and discover how magic can create a brighter future for children in need.
26 Jul 2025
From Butcher Shop to Global Impact: How Asher Stubbs Built an International Youth Leadership Program
What started as a family story about resilience and entrepreneurship turned into an unforgettable global impact project. In this episode, Krisha interviews Asher Stubbs, a rising senior from Arizona, about the origin and impact of CUSCA Trips—a 10-day youth leadership program in Peru built around faith, entrepreneurship, culture, and self-reliance. Asher shares how his great-grandmother’s legacy inspired him to co-create this immersive experience, taking 16 American teens on a journey that included cultural immersion, a micro-internship with Peruvian entrepreneurs, and deep cross-cultural friendships. He opens up about the logistical challenges, the emotional breakthroughs, and what’s next for this deeply personal initiative. Whether you're a student, an educator, or someone passionate about making a difference, this episode will leave you inspired to think bigger about the power of youth, heritage, and global connection.
1 Dec 2024
Harshmit Verman: A Teenager's Guide to Financial Freedom
Meet Harshmit Verman, a teen entrepreneur, and founder of Teen Financial Insights. Harshmit isn't your average high schooler. He's a passionate advocate for financial literacy, driven to empower his generation with the tools they need to succeed. From leading his school's business club to interning at an asset management firm, Harshmit has a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective on the world of finance. In this episode, we dive into: The inspiration behind Teen Financial Insights: Discover what sparked Harshmit's mission to tackle financial illiteracy among teens. Empowering through education: Learn how Harshmit is making financial knowledge accessible and engaging for young people. Building a more equitable future: Explore his initiatives to address inequities in the business world and create a more inclusive environment. Advice for aspiring changemakers: Hear Harshmit's insights on taking action, making a difference, and building a successful impact project. Tune in to be inspired by this remarkable young leader who's changing the game for teenagers and the future of finance.
28 Nov 2024
Meet Srihith: The Teen Finance Expert
Join us as we talk to Srihith Tirnati, a passionate advocate for teen empowerment and financial literacy. Srihith recently spearheaded an impactful project, delivering SELF Seminars to over 400 students in India. He'll share his journey, the driving force behind his dedication to this cause, and how TILC and his family played a crucial role. Discover how Srihith is making a real difference in equipping young people with essential financial knowledge.
28 Nov 2024
Inspiring the Next Generation of Coders: Erica Chemmanoor's PYQUEST
In this episode, we chat with Erica Chemmanoor, the creator of PYQUEST, an innovative app that teaches kids how to code in Python through engaging mini-games. Erica shares her passion for introducing kids to the world of programming and the challenges she faced in finding accessible and quality resources in her area. We delve into the inspiration behind PYQUEST, the role of the Global Innovation Challenge (GIC) in supporting its development, and Erica's vision for the future of PYQUEST in empowering young minds with valuable coding skills.
23 Nov 2024
Meet Khavya -Teen Tech Trailblazer Tackling Mental Health Crisis with AI 🧠
Meet Khavya, a high school senior who's developed an AI-powered chatbot to help peers struggling with mental health. This virtual therapist offers a 24/7 safe space, providing empathetic listening, personalized support, and tailored resources thanks to cutting-edge natural language processing and machine learning. Tune in to discover how Khavya built this amazing impact project, the ethical considerations of AI in mental health, and her plans to expand its reach. This is a story of youth innovation, technological empowerment, and the potential of AI to revolutionize mental healthcare, led by a remarkable young woman.
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