Advertise on podcast: Gen Next: The Podcast for Curious Kids, Bold Teens, and the Adults Who Believe In Them

These three high school students realized younger kids aren't getting enough opportunities to learn about technology and cybersecurity, so they decided they would teach them. In this episode of GenNext, Ms. Cam sits down with Eric C., Eric K., and Alex, three students who designed and delivered hands-on cybersecurity workshops for Grade 7 and 8 students. Using Arduino boards, Chromebooks, and a lot of curiosity, they introduced younger students to computer networking, online safety, and the technology that powers our digital world. But this conversation goes beyond computers. It's about seeing a need, taking initiative, learning by doing, and discovering that you don't have to be an expert to share your knowledge with others. The Team shares: How their curiosity about technology and engineering beganWhy cybersecurity and digital literacy matter more than everThe inspiration that motivated them to create their own community projectWhat it was like designing and teaching hands-on workshops for younger studentsThe unexpected challenges they faced and how they solved themWhy teaching others became one of the best ways to deepen their own learningHow curiosity, teamwork, and taking small first steps can lead to meaningful change This episode is a reminder that some of the best ideas start with asking, How can I help? 🚀 Try This Challenge: This week, our two Erics and Alex each gave you a suggestion of how  to turn your curiosity into action. Design something. Eric K.'s challenge is to create a free account on OnShape, design a simple 3D object, and see if your local library has a 3D printer you can use. It's a fun way to turn a digital idea into something you can actually hold. Take the first step. Alex challenges you to stop waiting for the "perfect time." If you've been thinking about starting a project, don't try to finish it today—just sketch your idea, make a list, or spend 20 minutes getting started. Get inspired. Eric C. suggests exploring YouTube or another learning resource to discover projects that interest you. You don't have to invent something completely new. Find an idea you like, adapt it, and make it your own. Remember: every project starts with curiosity and every big project starts with one small first step. Links BEP Website: https://www.bepwr.ca/ Youth Creativity Fund: https://youthcreativityfund.ca/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GenNextPodcast Instagram: @thegennextpodcast  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gennext-podcast

What happens when three high school students realize that distractions and procrastination are getting in the way of learning? Instead of complaining about the problem, they decided to build a solution. In this episode of GenNext, Ms. Cam sits down with Grade 12 students Iman Alyousif, Nadia Radwan, and Afshal Fatima, the creators of ClockWise, an app designed to help students build healthier habits, reduce screen time, and stay accountable while working toward their goals. The Team shares: What it's really like balancing school, extracurriculars, and university applicationsWhy social media and constant distractions make studying harder than everHow they turned a problem they experienced themselves into a real projectThe process of researching, validating, and building an app as high school studentsHow mentorship, community support, and the Youth Creativity Fund helped bring their idea to lifeWhy young people shouldn't wait until they're older to start creating solutions This conversation is full of practical advice, honest reflections, and a powerful reminder that some of the best ideas come from the challenges we face every day.. 🚀 Try This Challenge: Iman, Nadia, and Afshal's challenge for listeners this week: For one week, put your phone away for two hours each day. During those two hours: No phoneNo social mediaNo YouTube on another deviceNo "just checking one thing" Use the time to work toward a goal that matters to you: Study for a testRead a bookExerciseLearn a new skillBuild somethingSpend time with friends or family At the end of the week, ask yourself: What did I accomplish?Was it easier to focus?How did I feel without constant distractions? You might be surprised by how much you can get done when your phone isn't competing for your attention. Links Clockwise IG: @clockwise_3 Clockwise LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clockwise-3/ Nadia Radwan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadia-radwan-49715331a/ Iman Alyousif:https://www.linkedin.com/in/iman-alyousif-34b753306/ Ingenious+ Grant: https://ingeniousplus.ca/ BEP Website: https://www.bepwr.ca/ Youth Creativity Fund: https://youthcreativityfund.ca/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GenNextPodcast Instagram: @thegennextpodcast  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gennext-podcast

What happens when a 14-year-old notices that students around him are overwhelmed… and decides to build a solution instead of just talking about it? In this episode of GenNext, Ms. Cam sits down with Grade 8 student, chess player, cadet, hackathon participant, and young builder Tanish Dave, creator of Mindful Mirror, an AI-powered app designed to help students manage stress, organize their thoughts, reflect through journaling, and feel more supported. Tanish shares: How video games sparked his curiosity for buildingWhat it’s really like to participate in hackathons as a teenWhy he believes students today feel unheard and overwhelmedHow he taught himself to build apps using AI toolsThe power of mentors, networking, and just starting before you feel readyWhy young people no longer need to “wait until they’re older” to create something meaningful This conversation is packed with insight, energy, and a reminder that some of the best ideas start with simply noticing a problem and taking the first step. 🚀 Try This Challenge: Tanish’s challenge for listeners this week: Grab a notebook, sticky notes, or your phone and start brainstorming ideas (even silly ones). Write down: problems you noticethings that frustrate peopletools you wish existedideas you think would make life better Then narrow your list down to your top 5 ideas. Links Tanish LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanish-dave-4176503b6/ BEP Website: https://www.bepwr.ca/ Youth Creativity Fund: https://youthcreativityfund.ca/ Instagram: _mindful_mirror Camelia website: https://camelianunez.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GenNextPodcast Instagram: @thegennextpodcast  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gennext-podcast

What if support for your ideas was closer than you think? In this episode of GenNext, Ms. Cam sits down with April Albano, Executive Director of the Business Education Partnership Waterloo Region and champion behind the Youth Creativity Fund, a program helping young people turn ideas into action. Together, they talk about: Why creativity often gets quieter as we get olderHow one supportive adult (or local organization) can change a young person’s pathWhy young people don’t need to have it all figured outHow the Youth Creativity Fund gives teens money, mentorship, and community to try bold ideasWhy done is better than perfect This episode is a reminder that you are not alone and there are people, programs, and communities that believe in what you can build. 🚀 Try This Challenge: This week, notice one thing that annoys you in your day. It could be: something at schoolsomething at homesomething in your communitysomething about how people do things Then spend 5 minutes brainstorming solutions. No judging your ideas. No pressure for it to be perfect. Just practice seeing problems like a builder. That’s where entrepreneurship starts. Links BEP Website: https://www.bepwr.ca/ Youth Creativity Fund: https://youthcreativityfund.ca/ Instagram: @bep_wr Camelia website: https://camelianunez.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GenNextPodcast Instagram: @thegennextpodcast  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gennext-podcast

What if being interested in many things was actually your advantage? In this episode of GenNext, we talk to Damian—a Grade 12 student who has spent years playing competitive soccer, coaching younger athletes, exploring creativity through drawing and woodworking, and now building a video editing business. At first glance, these might seem like completely different paths. But as Damian shares his story, a clear pattern emerges: the same skills—creativity, discipline, and curiosity—show up across everything he does. From seeing details in architecture most people overlook, to applying creativity on the soccer field, to editing videos and building real projects, Damian is a powerful example of what it looks like to develop range instead of choosing just one lane. This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt unsure because they have too many interests—not too few. We talk about: How creativity shows up in unexpected places (even in soccer)What competitive sports can teach you about discipline and consistencyTurning school assignments into real opportunitiesWhy enjoying what you do matters more than being “perfect”How different interests can actually connect and strengthen each otherWhy you don’t need to choose just one path If you’ve ever felt unsure because you’re interested in too many things… this episode will definitely hit home. 🚀 Try This Challenge: Pay attention to something today that most people would ignore. It could be a building, a video, a design, or even something in your everyday environment. Then ask yourself:  Why was it made this way?  How could it be different? Links Camelia website: https://camelianunez.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GenNextPodcast Instagram: @thegennextpodcast  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gennext-podcast

What if school actually prepared you for real life? In this episode of GenNext, we sit down with two grade seven teachers who are doing things differently and getting incredible results. Jennifer Schaefer and Jes Nielson are grade seven teachers at Groh Public School in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada and long-time teaching partners. They share how they’ve moved away from traditional teaching methods to create a more engaging, student-centered learning experience, one rooted in curiosity, collaboration, and real-world problem solving. Instead of memorizing content, their students are solving real community challenges, building empathy through real conversations and creating projects with real impact. This isn’t something nice to have “in theory”. It’s what is happening right now in their classroom. We talk about: Why traditional lesson planning can hold students backWhat “messy learning” actually looks like (and why it works)How removing tests changes everythingA powerful student-led project supporting newcomersWhat the future of education needs to look like If you’ve ever felt like school could be more,  this episode will definitely hit home. 🚀Try This Challenge: For educators: try one small “quarter turn” in your teaching practice this week. Find one interesting provocation (something real, surprising, or thought-provoking) and bring it into your classroom. Put it in front of your students and simply ask: “What do you think about this?” Let them talk. Let them wonder. Let them be curious. Links WRDSB Blog: Students Take the Lead with Design Thinking at Groh Public Schoolhttps://www.wrdsb.ca/blog/2023/10/26/students-take-the-lead-with-design-thinking-at-groh-public-school/ WRDSB Blog: Students Aim to Improve Experiences of Newcomers with Design Thinking https://www.wrdsb.ca/blog/2023/01/04/students-aim-to-improve-experiences-of-newcomers-with-design-thinking/ The Community that Groh Built (Full Version Youtube Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpefkvsR12c&t=661s Camelia website: https://camelianunez.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GenNextPodcast Instagram: @thegennextpodcast  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gennext-podcast

Ideas are everywhere. Builders are rare. In this episode, entrepreneur, investor and dad, Jay Shah explains why young people should stop waiting and start building. While Jay co-founded a company that was later acquired by Google, this conversation isn’t about getting rich or being famous. It’s about having a builder mindset starting in your youth. Jay talks about growing up around entrepreneurship, why building is a muscle anyone can train, and why young people today have the best moment in their lives to take risks and try things. He also shares what people misunderstand about success, why learning matters more than your resume, and how curiosity and action can shape your future. You’ll also hear about his newest project, Poppy, a device designed to give kids safe access to technology while encouraging curiosity, questions, and real-world thinking. This episode is packed with advice for students, parents, and anyone who wants to stop waiting and start building. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Why ideas are easy but action is rareThe truth about startups and successWhy young people should take risks earlyLearning vs resume buildingHow parents can raise curious kidsWhy Canada needs more builders Thy This Challenge 🎯 Jay gave you TWO challenges this week. Pick one and try it! Challenge 1: Build something with AI Think of a small idea for an app, website, or tool.  Use AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or other builders to create it even if you don’t know how to code. It doesn’t have to be perfect.  It just has to exist. The goal is to practice the builder muscle. Challenge 2:  Fix something in your community  Look around your school, your neighborhood, or your city. Is there something that bothers you? (ie. Something broken? Something that could be better?) Then find out: Who is responsibleWhy it works that wayWhat you could suggest to improve it Builders don’t just notice problems. They do something about them. Links Poppy: https://talkpoppy.com/ Jay’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaykshah/ Buffer Box: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BufferBox Google Acquires Buffer Box: https://financialpost.com/technology/google-snaps-up-waterloo-startup-bufferbox Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GenNextPodcast Instagram: @thegennextpodcast  GenNext LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gennext-podcast

What does it feel like to leave your country as a teenager and start over in a completely new place? In this episode of Gen Next, Ms. Cam talks with Cheyun and Eunseop, two international students from South Korea who came to Canada on their own to study in high school. They share what it’s really like to live far from home, learn a new language, adapt to a different school culture, and grow through challenges that most teens never experience. We also talk about something people don’t always think about such as the misconceptions local students sometimes have about international students, and how small actions can make someone feel included, understood, and welcome. This episode is about courage, independence, culture, and learning how to connect with people who grew up differently than you. In this episode, you’ll hear about: The pressure of school in Korea vs CanadaThe hardest part of being an international studentMisconceptions local students sometimes have about international studentsHow Canadian students can be more welcoming and inclusiveHow living abroad changed their mindset about life and successWhy doing something scary can make you stronger for life Try This Challenge 🎯 Do something that scares you a little this week.Talk to someone new,ideally an international student! Ask a question, try a new activity, or start a conversation with someone from a different culture. Links Camelia website: https://camelianunez.com/ Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GenNextPodcast Instagram: @thegennextpodcast  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gennext-podcast

Were you the kid who asked “why?” a little too much? Good news: as annoying you might think that may have been, it was actually the beginning of something big. In this episode of Gen Next, Ms. Cam sits down with Grade 11 student Dasha Turetska, a curious kid who grew into a teenager who builds, creates and cares deeply about her fellow classmates. From participating in various hackathons to launching Compass Tutoring during COVID to stepping up and running for Student Trustee, Dasha’s story is about seeing a problem and deciding to try. We talk about: Why asking “why?” is a strengthHow building confidence comes from doingWhat leadership really looks like (hint: it starts with listening)And how small acts of courage can lead to big growthThis episode is about moving from frustration to initiative, from ideas to action and from why… to try. 🎯 Try This Challenge: Start one conversation outside your comfort zone this week. Growth usually begins there. Links Camelia website: https://camelianunez.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GenNextPodcast Instagram: @thegennextpodcast  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gennext-podcast Compass Tutoring: https://compasstutoring.ca/ Dash WRDSB Trustee Candidate Intro:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut8h7lWfCOs&t=11s Dasha LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dasha-turetska/ Dasha Github: https://dashatur65.github.io/personal_website/

What if a school project didn’t end with a grade—but turned into something real? In this episode of Gen Next, Ms. Cam talks with Vishnu, a Grade 12 IB student who created JamBites, a beginner-friendly game design competition for middle and high school students. Vishnu shares: How he discovered codingWhy he chose Scratch for beginnersHow he built and led a teamThe challenges of finding a venueWhat he learned about leadership, creativity, and ownership This episode is packed with encouragement for young people to stop waiting and start building and for parents and educators to rethink what students are capable of when given autonomy. 🎯 Challenge: Learn one small coding skill this week and try to build something with it. Links Camelia website: https://camelianunez.com/ Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GenNextPodcast Instagram: @thegennextpodcast  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gennext-podcast JambBytes: https://www.jambytes.ca/

What does bravery look like when you’re a 9-year old? In this episode of Gen Next, Ms. Cam talks with three Grade 4 soccer players who went door to door selling poinsettias to raise money for their team. This is something that made their stomachs flip and their hearts race, but they did it anyway. One girl prepared a script. Others improvised. All of them felt nervous. And that’s the point. The girls share what it was like to: Knock on doors when they wanted to run awayHear “no” and keep going anywayUse a script (or forget it) and still succeedBuild confidence by finishing what they startedRealize that bravery grows after you take actionThey also brainstorm kid-approved ideas for selling, creating, and starting small businesses, and challenge listeners to try something a little scary themselves. 💡 Builder’s Challenge: Make something. Sell something. Or try one brave thing this week—with a script or without one. Because bravery doesn’t mean you’re fearless. It means you start anyway. LINKS Camelia website: https://camelianunez.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GenNextPodcast Instagram: @thegennextpodcast  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gennext-podcast

In this episode of Gen Next, Ms. Cam sits down with Olivia, Sophie, and Le Anne, the three teens behind LinkAge, an award-winning app designed to connect youth with lonely seniors through shared interests. What started with observations in their own families (with their grandparents), curiosity and care turned into interviews and testing in retirement homes to learning how to code and building a prototype for their app. Along the way, these young builders learned that meaningful impact doesn’t require being an adult, having perfect skills, or knowing all the answers. They know that it starts with noticing a problem and taking one small step. Together, they share: How the idea for LinkAge beganWhat surprised them when they met and worked with seniorsWhat it felt like to see someone use their app for the first timeHow the experience shaped their confidence, skills, and dreamsWhat they’re working on now and what they hope to build next This episode is a powerful reminder that young people don’t have to wait to contribute. They can build, connect, and create change right now. TRY THIS — Guest Challenge Send an email or text to someone you appreciate and tell them how grateful you are for them. Connect with us! Camelia website: https://camelianunez.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GenNextPodcast Instagram: @thegennextpodcast  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gennext-podcast

Welcome to Gen Next: The Podcast for Curious Kids, Bold Teens, and the Adults Who Believe In Them Ms. Cam shares that Gen Next exists to help young people see themselves as capable builders and contributors to the world around them, and to encourage them to take action even when they feel a little scared. Every episode features young creators and a Try This Challenge, a simple prompt that invites listeners to try something new and take action. Subscribe for new episodes and share this with a curious kid, bold teen, a parent, teacher or grownup who believes in them. Camelia website: https://camelianunez.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GenNextPodcast Instagram: @thegennextpodcast  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gennext-podcast