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Youth Unmuted

Author: Boys & Girls Club of Benton County

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Youth Unmuted is where Benton County teens grab the mic and keep it real. Hosted by teen Club member Holden, each episode mixes unfiltered energy with authentic conversations about the things that matter most, from sports and leadership to mental health, community, and the everyday ups and downs of teen life.
Along the way, Holden welcomes special guests with stories worth hearing, adding fresh perspectives and unforgettable moments to the mix. It’s not just talk; it’s laughter, hot takes, and powerful stories that show teens aren’t just preparing for the future, they’re shaping the present. Plus-Club members gain hands-on experience in media, storytelling, and leadership that sets them up for success in every part of life.
Plug in, turn it up, and discover what happens when today’s youth go completely unmuted.

10 Episodes
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Hunger is not abstract where we live; it shows up in Arkansas families deciding between groceries and gas. We sat down with Kayla Burton and Rachel Spencer from Walmart to unpack how a massive retailer can still act like a neighbor, channeling national scale into local impact. The heart of our talk is proximity, keeping dollars, food, and decision-making close to the people who need them most. We break down Fight Hunger. Spark Change. Walmart’s long-running partnership with Feeding America t...
Champions don’t just show up on game day, they find their voice long before the first pitch. In the second part of our conversation with Coach Courtney Deifel, we unpack how confidence on the field becomes courage in life, why “nice” and “ruthlessly competitive” can live in the same coach, and how language and labels still shape how women leaders are seen. From the subtle double standards to the head-on charge through stereotypes, this conversation is a playbook for building athletes who spea...
What if the real edge in college sports isn’t a new playbook but a stronger sense of belonging? We sit down with Arkansas softball head coach Courtney Deifel to unpack how a California catcher with a passport full of stamps built an SEC contender by pairing uncompromising standards with human care. From a childhood spent on fields across tiny towns to lifting a national championship trophy at Cal, she shares how a love for fundamentals, team diversity, and steady leadership became the backbon...
What if your dream job at 18 isn’t your purpose at 38? We sit with Jim Clark, CEO and President of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, to chart how a finance-minded kid became a leader devoted to expanding opportunity for millions of young people. The story moves from lecture halls to club halls, showing how the right team, mission, and mindset can turn ambition into impact. We dig into leadership the honest way, by naming mistakes. Jim shares why waiting too long on a poor fit slows everyone...
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 mom...
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 high...
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 t...
Joy is a powerful teacher—and at our Fall Classic at Topgolf, joy meets purpose to fuel real wins for kids in Benton County. We brought sponsors, board members, and community partners together in one lively space to raise funds, share stories, and spotlight the programs that turn club kids into confident leaders who carry their skills from the clubhouse to school, work, and beyond. We kick off with our presenting sponsor, Mobil 1, on why we pivoted from a traditional golf tournament to Topgo...
A broken leg in seventh grade. Meniscus tears, an ACL, even a fractured hip. Then a Super Bowl ring and a decision to build a life that outlasts the game. We sit with Malcolm Mitchell to explore the real engine behind his journey: a daily commitment to reading, a stubborn work ethic, and the kind of leadership that shows up as a warm jacket and a better pillow in a cold New England winter. Malcolm walks us through the uneasy bond athletes form with pain and why he chose to become the best pe...
Two worlds can shape a life: the one you’re born into and the one you can reach. We sit with Malcolm Mitchell, former New England Patriots Super Bowl Champion, children’s author, and Cox digital access ambassador, to unpack how opportunity, literacy, and community turn potential into progress. Malcolm shares what it means to grow up in a “book desert” and then discover how access opens doors. We talk about the bridge between traditional literacy and digital literacy: finding credible sources...
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