In the past few days, my phone has been a constant source of joy, buzzing with messages from friends and colleagues who are celebrating my television debut. I am the proud star of a commercial that I helped create.  A commercial that was inspired by my life experiences.  A commercial that lets me express who I am and how far I’ve come.  A commercial that is a testament to the strength of neurodiversity. My journey didn’t start here though. Throughout the twists and turns of my life, I’ve faced an array of challenges that have left an enduring mark on who I am today. As a young ..read more

Civic engagement depends on service to one’s community. Over the last two years, I have developed a global organization called Voters2Be that educates key demographic communities of Generation Z about civics, politics, and the importance of voting. Voters2Be provides free in-person and online classes to youth to boost civic engagement and ensure that teens feel prepared to be informed future voters and civic participators.  Two years ago, I was tutoring a group of students through an online tutoring class I started working at during the pandemic. When I asked if the students knew about th ..read more

From the tender age of 16, my heart belonged to two passions: football and helping others, especially Afghan women and children.  My days were filled with the sound of laughter echoing across the football field and the joy of making a difference in the lives of those around me. As the years flew by, my life seemed like a dream – filled with the excitement of playing football and the satisfaction of excelling in my studies. However, destiny had a grand plan in store for me, one that would change my life forever.  In a twist of fate, on that fateful day of August 15, 2021, the tranquil ..read more

In 2022, my family moved from the east to west coast, and I transitioned from middle to high school. Despite the beautiful Pacific Ocean backdrop for my first summer, I found myself sad and lonely. Maybe it was from being in a new place, the after effects of the pandemic, or simply being a teenager. I was lucky to find kind classmates who made me part of their community and to learn water polo and swimming for regular physical exercise. With that support, combined with expressing myself creatively through filmmaking, I was able to emerge.  Over the next year, friends shared with me proble ..read more

Picture this: You’re watching a comedy movie on a Saturday night, and enjoying some downtime with your pets, when suddenly you get the urge to look at your phone…You click on your social media app only to find that…your best friends are all out together and didn’t invite you?! How dare they! Your thoughts start to race: ‘Why am I not there? I’m such a loser to stay home on a Saturday night while all my friends are out.’ Then, you get caught in the spiral of mindlessly scrolling through other photos on your newsfeed, only to be inundated with posts of others appearing to live better lives than ..read more

Change can be very difficult. Whether it’s a new step in our lives or a new environment, it can be very stressful and easy to lose hope when we don’t know how things will turn out. Though these times can be tough, it is important to remember how much good can come from them. Yes, change can be unfamiliar or uncomfortable, but it can also be a new beginning and a chance to start anew. To remind you of the good things that result from change, check out these short animations by StoryCorps that illustrate hope, change, and new beginnings for the better. In this short video, Drew Lanham tells his ..read more

I turned twenty-four years old not long ago. Others, I suppose, would agree with me and claim they rejoiced. My birthday has been sorely neglected for quite some time. In recent years, it has served as a sobering reminder that, year after year, I remain a disaster. After a year, I still haven’t improved. There has been no miraculous alleviation of my despair. My anxiousness has intensified. After four years of sobriety, I am once again struggling with thoughts of self-harm. Sometimes, I choose to drink instead of asking for assistance. Just another year of disappointing the people I care about ..read more

“It takes a lot of courage to share about your addiction and share about your challenges.” In this Channel Kindness Radio episode, I interview my friend from Malawi, who struggled with substance abuse as a student. “It was easy for me to be influenced by people around me,” she said. “I realized I was doing this mostly to please them, to make them happy.” Throughout our conversation, my friend bravely talked me through her story and share some advice for anyone else who may be struggling with an addiction: “It’s important to have people you can confide in, people you can trust…Keep your circle ..read more

Offering grace to others is a deeply moving and life-changing act that promotes empathy, understanding, and compassion while overcoming judgment. Giving forgiveness and kindness is a deliberate decision made in recognition of our common humanity. Giving grace becomes a revolutionary act in a world that frequently thrives on criticism and judgment; it not only improves the lives of those receiving it but also helps to build a society that is more compassionate and harmonious. An essential component of extending grace to others is realizing that every individual is traveling a complicated and di ..read more

 When thoughts turn to Mexico, a variety of words naturally spring to mind: gastronomy, culture, entertainment, vibrancy, and, for some, the concept of home. However, certain terms rarely enter the mental landscape, such as political stability and social justice. Unfortunately, “mental health” is also not a widely considered concept in Mexico, largely due to a lack of awareness, limited access to treatment, and pervasive stigma. Having spent my entire life in Mexico, proudly born and raised, I’ve attended school here, formed enduring friendships, and triumphed over formidable challenges. My ..read more