voices of shaping our future

In May 2021, "Shaping Our Future" brought more than 600 young people together from across the country to discuss their insights on major societal issues our country is facing today. They discussed these issues in small groups, listened to panel experts offer their thoughts, and interacted with each other regardless of whether or not they agreed on the subject matter.

From the team that brought you Voices of America In One Room, this is Voices of Shaping Our Future.

In this special episode of the podcast, we have the privilege of sitting down with a group of thought leaders for a roundtable discussion about economic inequality and how it affects our everyday lives.

The conversation features Rajan Nathaniel, Chief of Staff and Policy Advisor to Mayor Kevin Lincoln in Stockton, CA; Rachel Gentry, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Finance Fellow who currently works for Representative Steven Horsford of Nevada; Yakov Feygin, the Associate Director in the Berggruen Institute's "Future of Capitalism" program, and; Alice Siu, Associate Director at the Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University.

The group begins its discussion with our panelists' individual thoughts on what economic inequality means to them, and how it impacts the world around us. The conversation continues with an exploration of the various policy proposals — namely minimum wage and universal basic income — that the participants of "Shaping Our Future" discussed earlier in the podcast season.

The Voices of Shaping Our Future podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, and is hosted by Alice Siu. This series is executive produced by the Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University, the Berggruen Institute, the Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University, and Tobe Agency.

For more information about our sponsors, please visit their websites:

• The Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University
• The Berggruen Institute
• The Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University

In May 2021, "Shaping Our Future" brought more than 600 young people together from across the country to discuss their insights on major societal issues our country is facing today. They discussed these issues in small groups, listened to panel experts offer their thoughts, and interacted with each other regardless of whether or not they agreed on the subject matter.

From the team that brought you Voices of America In One Room, this is Voices of Shaping Our Future.

Throughout this season, you’re going to hear from some of our “Shaping Our Future” online participants. In this episode, we meet Kareem and Sierra.

Kareem earned his bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations with a focus in Health Care. He is currently serving in the military, having recently been shipped out for training. As a registered Independent, he felt it was important to participate in our event to share his perspective and interact with viewpoints other than his own.

Originally from Galeton, PA, Sierra is a 21-year-old Creative Writing major at Southern New Hampshire University. She currently works as a writing tutor at Finger Lakes Community College in New York, and hopes to one day be a professor of English at a community college. She participated in our event because she thought it would be interesting to be able to discuss current political issues with her peers.

The Voices of Shaping Our Future podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, and is hosted by Alice Siu. This series is executive produced by the Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University, the Berggruen Institute, the Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University, and Tobe Agency.

For more information about our sponsors, please visit their websites:

• The Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University
• The Berggruen Institute
• The Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University

In May 2021, "Shaping Our Future" brought more than 600 young people together from across the country to discuss their insights on major societal issues our country is facing today. They discussed these issues in small groups, listened to panel experts offer their thoughts, and interacted with each other regardless of whether or not they agreed on the subject matter.

From the team that brought you Voices of America In One Room, this is Voices of Shaping Our Future.

Throughout this season, you’re going to hear from some of our “Shaping Our Future” online participants. In this episode, we meet Fiona, Dean, and Seth.

Fiona is a Psychology student at Lake Tahoe Community College in Lake Tahoe, CA. Admittedly someone who doesn’t know a lot about politics, she was eager to participate in the event when the opportunity presented itself so she could interact with others about the issues being discussed.

Dean is currently a sophomore at Harold Washington College in Chicago, IL. He hopes to eventually earn his bachelor’s degree in Economics, and is always on the lookout for opportunities to help him better his understanding of the world around him.

Seth works at an advertising start-up in Los Angeles, CA. Recruited for his current role while still in college, the 21-year-old is also a filmmaker and spends his free time volunteering. He is passionate about policy, and offered his insights on the various issues that were presented during the event.

The Voices of Shaping Our Future podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, and is hosted by Alice Siu. This series is executive produced by the Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University, the Berggruen Institute, the Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University, and Tobe Agency.

For more information about our sponsors, please visit their websites:

• The Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University
• The Berggruen Institute
• The Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University

In May 2021, "Shaping Our Future" brought more than 600 young people together from across the country to discuss their insights on major societal issues our country is facing today. They discussed these issues in small groups, listened to panel experts offer their thoughts, and interacted with each other regardless of whether or not they agreed on the subject matter.

From the team that brought you Voices of America In One Room, this is Voices of Shaping Our Future.

Throughout this season, you’re going to hear from some of our “Shaping Our Future” online participants. In this episode, we meet Isobel and Tanner.

Isobel is a 27-year-old Marketing Manager currently working for an essential services, non-profit organization in the Seattle area. Originally from Santa Cruz, CA, she moved farther north for college, where she attended Seattle University while studying Communications and French.

Tanner is a senior at Centre College in Kentucky who’s currently studying physics. Originally from Nashville, TN, he runs track in addition to being a full-time student, and is looking ahead to continuing his studies and earning an advanced degree, and anticipates a career in STEM following his education.

The Voices of Shaping Our Future podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, and is hosted by Alice Siu. This series is executive produced by the Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University, the Berggruen Institute, the Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University, and Tobe Agency.

For more information about our sponsors, please visit their websites:

• The Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University
• The Berggruen Institute
• The Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University

In May 2021, "Shaping Our Future" brought more than 600 young people together from across the country to discuss their insights on major societal issues our country is facing today. They discussed these issues in small groups, listened to panel experts offer their thoughts, and interacted with each other regardless of whether or not they agreed on the subject matter.

From the team that brought you Voices of America In One Room, this is Voices of Shaping Our Future.

In this special episode of the podcast, we have the privilege of sitting down with a group of thought leaders for a roundtable discussion about the Berggruen Institute’s Youth Environment Service, or YES campaign.

The conversation features Azzam Almouai, a member of the LA Conservation Corps; Kristy Drutman, an environmental educator and host of Brown Girl Green; Mark Paul, political economist and 2021-2022 Berggruen Fellow, and; Mary Ellen Sprenkel, CEO of The Corps Network; with a special introduction from Dawn Nakagawa, executive vice president and director of the future of democracy program at the Berggruen Institute.

The group begins their discussion with thoughts on the Biden Administration’s proposed Civilian Climate Corps (CCC) and the importance of designing a national service program that works for all Americans and meets communities where they are. The conversation continues with the group’s thoughts on how a CCC would reduce unemployment, the importance of spreading awareness and education around national service programs, and local-level organizing as a powerful tool in the fight against climate change.

The Voices of Shaping Our Future podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, and is hosted by Alice Siu. This series is executive produced by the Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University, the Berggruen Institute, the Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University, and Tobe Agency.

For more information about our sponsors, please visit their websites:

• The Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University
• The Berggruen Institute
• The Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University

In May 2021, "Shaping Our Future" brought more than 600 young people together from across the country to discuss their insights on major societal issues our country is facing today. They discussed these issues in small groups, listened to panel experts offer their thoughts, and interacted with each other regardless of whether or not they agreed on the subject matter.

From the team that brought you Voices of America In One Room, this is Voices of Shaping Our Future.

Throughout this season, you’re going to hear from some of our “Shaping Our Future” online participants. In this episode, we meet Kate and Benjamin.

Kate is a junior at Missouri State University who’s currently studying Microbiology and Chemistry. Since childhood, she's happily described herself as a scientist at heart, and currently spends her time as a behavioral ecologist studying bees.

Ben is a Project Manager at a landscaping company in Dallas, TX. He double majored in International Business and Economics, and is particularly passionate in his views on climate change, offering his thoughts on what has to be done and the disagreements we engage in regarding its solution.

The Voices of Shaping Our Future podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, and is hosted by Alice Siu. This series is executive produced by the Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University, the Berggruen Institute, the Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University, and Tobe Agency.

For more information about our sponsors, please visit their websites:

• The Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University
• The Berggruen Institute
• The Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University

In May 2021, "Shaping Our Future" brought more than 600 young people together from across the country to discuss their insights on major societal issues our country is facing today. They discussed these issues in small groups, listened to panel experts offer their thoughts, and interacted with each other regardless of whether or not they agreed on the subject matter.

From the team that brought you Voices of America In One Room, this is Voices of Shaping Our Future.

Throughout this season, you’re going to hear from some of our “Shaping Our Future” online participants. In this episode, we meet Iyanuolawa and Marketta.

Originally from Nigeria, Iyanu is currently a college student who also helps out her family’s pastry business. She came into the “Shaping Our Future” event with no expectations, but was happy to participate and meet new people.

Marketta is an activist who is heavily involved in reformative justice and public policies to help end homelessness. As a full-time student who’s extremely involved in different student organizations, she is a passionate voice who constantly represents the best interests of everyone she encounters.

The Voices of Shaping Our Future podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, and is hosted by Alice Siu. This series is executive produced by the Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University, the Berggruen Institute, the Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University, and Tobe Agency.

For more information about our sponsors, please visit their websites:

• The Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University
• The Berggruen Institute
• The Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University

In May 2021, "Shaping Our Future" brought more than 600 young people together from across the country to discuss their insights on major societal issues our country is facing today. They discussed these issues in small groups, listened to panel experts offer their thoughts, and interacted with each other regardless of whether or not they agreed on the subject matter.

From the team that brought you Voices of America In One Room, this is Voices of Shaping Our Future.

Throughout this season, you’re going to hear from some of our “Shaping Our Future” online participants. In this episode, we meet Cade and Harrison.

Cade is currently a graduate student at Sewanee: The University of the South in Tennessee. He is working on his Masters in Theology, and is originally from Sugarland, TX.

Harrison is also a graduate student who is earning his Masters degree in Public Policy and Management at Carnegie Mellon University. He is an AmeriCorps member and is currently situated in Philadelphia, PA.

The Voices of Shaping Our Future podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts, and is hosted by Alice Siu. This series is executive produced by the Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University, the Berggruen Institute, the Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University, and Tobe Agency.

For more information about our sponsors, please visit their websites:

• The Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University
• The Berggruen Institute
• The Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University

Last season, we heard from the participants of “America In One Room,” a landmark deliberative experiment that brought together more than 500 registered U.S. voters to discuss the most talked about societal issues affecting us today. The age range of participants ran the gamut, and we heard many interesting perspectives from our podcast guests.

For the second season of this podcast, we decided to focus on the 18–29 age cohort. Our "Shaping Our Future" event" was tailored to those who have never (or not) enrolled in post secondary education, currently enrolled students, and recent graduates. In this completely virtual event, we brought together more than 600 participants from all across the country. Over the course of two days, we discussed  the electoral college, national service, and economic inequality.

Like last season, a new episode will be published each week. For more information about our sponsors, please visit their websites:

• The Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University
• The Berggruen Institute
• The Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University