Abby, a youth minister in Michigan, shares how her faith journey has been shaped by practicing gratitude, connecting with people from a range of different beliefs and backgrounds, and taking time to understand the meaning behind the sacraments and structure of the Catholic Church. To center herself, Abby finds comfort in being near a body of water and carving out a prayer corner as a sacred space in her home.
Daniel, a college senior and a football quarterback at Duke University, describes how Judaism has provided him with a deep sense of community throughout all different stages of his life. Participating in weekly Shabbat dinners on his campus offers a weekly rhythm where he can take a break to breathe, reflect, and connect with other Jewish students and faith leaders. He also describes how being in conversation with friends and teammates from other faith traditions allows him to ask questions abou...
Lily, a sophomore in high school, compares her faith journey to her life as a ballet dancer, describing both as constants which offer her a source of comfort as well as happiness. A practicing Catholic, Lily also points to reading scripture, being in nature, spending time with her family, connecting with other Asian American teenagers in an advocacy group, and meditating as practices that ground her and give her outlets to express her faith.
Saad, a pre-med student in Chicago, shares how asking hard questions and traversing obstacles throughout his adolescence have deepened both his understanding and practice of Islam. He describes his daily prayer life where he can “talk to God as a friend” as well as acts of charity as essential sacred practices to feel connected to his local and global Muslim faith community.
Lucy, a college student at Villanova University, shares how she weaves an appreciation for tradition with a need for exploration in how she defines and approaches her spiritual life. Participating in small faith communities, playing music in various religious and non-religious spaces, and connecting with the natural world are practices she finds integral for nurturing her inner and outer life.
Springtide Executive Director Dr. Josh Packard talks with Marte Aboagye, producer of The Voices of Young People Podcast , about key themes and takeaways from Season 5, exploring how the 10 guests' stories correspond with our latest report: The State of Religion & Young People 2021: Navigating Uncertainty.
25-year-old Avthar describes the tech industry as a place of fulfillment for engaging problem-solving and being of service to others. He highlights the ways his current boss has built a positive work environment for offering constructive feedback and points to other trusted adults who have invested in his personal growth throughout his youth and young adulthood.
Combining a degree in Spanish and a passion for healthcare, 23-year-old Cristina offers a compelling look at her decision to pursue a career as a healthcare interpreter. She describes the importance of finding balance between work and life: making time to enjoy outside interests and friendships and connecting with a mentor who's working to build online community spaces with fellow Latinas.
While student-teaching during his final semester of college, Jesse shares how mentors are helping him cultivate both personal and professional growth, noting how even small, intentional gestures from them have impacted his life. He discusses practical ways he hopes to support his own students as an educator, including bringing principles of restorative justice into the classroom.
A lover of the arts, Mat is in his final semester of college and considering between career paths in music production, musical theater, or dance. He reflects on the challenges of entering the performing arts professionally during a global pandemic and offers perspective on the lessons he’s gleaned from mentors at work and school.
In her final college semester, and while preparing for graduate school at a seminary, Tatum shares her hopes of becoming a Methodist pastor, largely driven by her passion to root her work in disability justice. As a functionally blind person advocating for overall accessibility and awareness, Tatum draws helpful parallels between “spoon theory” and work-life balance.
14-year-old Lucy already has her hopes set on studying developmental psychology, specifically focused on child and adolescent development. She shares how her own mental health journey has led her to want to pursue work where she can offer children and youth the kinds of critical resources she's benefited from. In addition to her career ambitions, Lucy points to other sources of meaning in her personal life, including theater and Colombian dance.
23-year-old Abdalla shares his passion for engineering, the ways he hopes to see workplaces continue to grow in their inclusion efforts and strategies, and how his Muslim faith offers opportunities for meaning, mentorship, and growth.
High school senior Abby shares her hopes about what sort of work environment she might eventually engage in and reflects on the trusted adults who are helping her navigate her current commitments as well her next steps in terms of post-secondary education options.
Springtide Executive Director Dr. Josh Packard talks with Marte Aboagye, producer of The Voices of Young People Podcast about key themes and takeaways from Season 4 as it relates to our brand new report, Work / Life: Helping Gen Z Flourish & Find Balance.
Hear a preview of what’s to come in Season 4 of The Voices of Young People Podcast as all 8 guests answer the question, “What does work-life balance look like to you?” This season coincides with our latest report, Work / Life: Helping Gen Z Flourish & Find Balance (available at springtideresearch.org).
Thérèse speaks to her experience as a Roman Catholic and the ways she seeks to practice her faith individually and communally. She credits trusted adults, like youth leaders and her confirmation sponsor, for really being there for her and offering the space to process ideas as well as questions.
Hameeda shares why her current spiritual view has "God on hold for now," but why she nonetheless still holds some values and practices from her Muslim upbringing. She describes how her father encouraged her questions and curiosities around religion, and the ways—even after he's passed away—he continues to be a model of holding nonjudgmental space for others' spiritual journeys.
Austin describes how being a Reform Jew provides him with a meaningful faith tradition to both learn from and find connection, why he meditates or does yoga before his baseball games, and how his rabbi encourages not only his religious pursuits—but also offers him great advice for all aspects of life.
Matthew, a seminary student pursuing ordination within the Unitarian Universalist Church, offers his definition of the Divine, various spiritual practices he seeks to cultivate, and why he looks up to other faith leaders who demonstrate care and great listening.
Mackenna shares how her identity as a Christian shapes the ways she seeks to build and engage community, how music is a place where she finds spiritual connection, and the way she sees love for all people modeled by her dad, a pastor.
Chaltu describes the ways she practices and honors her faith as a Muslim woman, how the guiding principles of Islam give meaning to her life, and why the young people in her community see their sheikh as a trusted mentor.
Kellen offers personal examples of why he identifies as an atheist, the moral teachings he is committed to upholding and embodying, and how trusted adults in his life have demonstrated respect, love, and acceptance.
Jazmin shares why she identifies as spiritually fluid, what sort of practices she finds grounding—including meditation and intergenerational storytelling—and the type of faith community she hopes to engage in the future.
Karandeep describes why his Sikh faith is so foundational to his worldview and how, as a college student and an active member of his faith community, he aims to practice his religion in everyday moments.
Kaiya offers a glimpse into some of the questions she's holding as a college student deconstructing ideas from her upbringing in the LDS Church, and how she still finds meaning in seeking to connect to something bigger than herself.
Elijah May shares why acceptance and inclusion are driving characteristics of her Christian faith and how she incorporates prayer into her daily rhythms as a high school student.
Springtide Executive Director Dr. Josh Packard and Community Engagement Specialist Marte Aboagye discuss what makes season 3 so special: hearing 10 young people across age, race, affiliation, and gender, describe their spiritual perspectives and practices in their own words.
Jacee shares how pursuing a meaningful career was formed by leaders and organizations who modeled this value for her.
Bill sees accountability as a necessary component in his work life and a crucial value in his extracurricular interests as a student.
