Youth Unmuted
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.
Episodes
15 episodes
Ep. 15 - Generational Struggles: Tools for Better Mental Health
Generational trauma is a quiet thief that robs families of emotional stability before the next generation even has a chance to start. While awareness is higher than ever, the systems meant to provide support often remain difficult to navigate, ...
Ep. 14 - Mental Health: Breaking the Silence
Suffering in silence is a quiet profit killer for a child's potential, often disguised as "just being a teenager" or "acting out." In a world that is louder and more connected than ever, the stakes for youth mental health have never been higher...
Ep. 13 - Hunger in Arkansas: Holden Faces the Reality
Arkansas is ranked 50 out of 50 for food insecurity, and that statistic stops being “data” the moment you picture a classmate wondering where dinner will come from. We sit down with Holden J, our 2026 Youth of the Year, to talk about why hunger...
Ep. 12 - Club Kid to State Star: Holden’s 13-Year Journey
A kid walks up to the CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of America, shakes his hand, and says, “I want your job one day.” That sounds like a movie line until you hear what happened next and how it connects to youth leadership, mentorship, and big goa...
Ep. 11 - The Human Side of Retail: Walmart’s Heart in Local Communities
Food insecurity can feel like a problem that belongs to “someone else,” until you realize your community needs you and it needs you now. We’re back for part two with Kayla and Rachel from Walmart, and we get practical about how real hunger reli...
Ep. 10 - Saving Meals: Walmart’s Local Fight Against Hunger
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 ...
Ep. 9 - Breaking Labels in the SEC | With Coach Courtney Deifel
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 “ruthl...
Ep. 8 - Arkansas Softball’s Quiet Revolution
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 contend...
Ep. 7 - From Wall Street Dreams to Changing Lives
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 peopl...
Ep. 6 - From Club to CEO: Jim Clark’s Journey of Service
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, an...
Ep. 5 - From Shy to National Spotlight
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 trustin...
Ep. 4 - From Club Kid To National Voice
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 ...
Ep. 3 - Golf, Community, And Brighter Futures
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, ...
Ep. 2 - Malcolm Mitchell On Grit, Reading, And A Super Bowl Ring
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 commi...
Ep. 1 - From NFL to Literacy Leader with Malcolm Mitchell
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, lit...