GenNext: The Podcast for Curious Kids, Bold Teens, and the Adults Who Believe In Them

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 meaningfulThis 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 betterThen narrow your list down to your top 5 ideas.LinksTanish LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanish-dave-4176503b6/ BEP Website: https://www.bepwr.ca/Youth Creativity Fund: https://youthcreativityfund.ca/Instagram: _mindful_mirrorCamelia website: https://camelianunez.com/YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GenNextPodcastInstagram: @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 pathIf 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?LinksCamelia website: https://camelianunez.com/YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GenNextPodcastInstagram: @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 buildersThy This Challenge 🎯Jay gave you TWO challenges this week. Pick one and try it!Challenge 1: Build something with AIThink 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 itBuilders don’t just notice problems.They do something about them.LinksPoppy: https://talkpoppy.com/Jay’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaykshah/Buffer Box: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BufferBoxGoogle Acquires Buffer Box: https://financialpost.com/technology/google-snaps-up-waterloo-startup-bufferboxYoutube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GenNextPodcastInstagram: @thegennextpodcast GenNext 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.LinksCamelia website: https://camelianunez.com/YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GenNextPodcastInstagram: @thegennextpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gennext-podcastCompass Tutoring: https://compasstutoring.ca/Dash WRDSB Trustee Candidate Intro:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut8h7lWfCOs&t=11sDasha LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dasha-turetska/Dasha Github: https://dashatur65.github.io/personal_website/

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.LINKSCamelia website: https://camelianunez.com/YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GenNextPodcastInstagram: @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 ThemMs. 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/@GenNextPodcastInstagram: @thegennextpodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gennext-podcast