Youth Voices. Real Conversations. Lasting Impact.
Jelleff Teen Talk is a youth-led storytelling and podcast initiative that helps young people build confidence, communication skills, empathy, and leadership through meaningful conversations.
Built around what teens actually need
Jelleff Teen Talk was designed to address three interconnected needs that are often overlooked in traditional youth programming.
Youth Voices Matter
Young people have important things to say about their lives, communities, and futures. Jelleff Teen Talk creates a structured platform where those voices are recorded, heard, and valued — not filtered through adult interpretation.
Mental Health & Well-Being
Storytelling is a proven tool for processing emotion and building resilience. When teens are given space to articulate their experiences, they develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, and a sense of purpose.
Safe Spaces for Real Conversations
Many teens lack environments where they feel genuinely safe to speak honestly. Our program creates that space — structured, supportive, and led by adults who listen without judgment.
Topics teens are talking about
No topic is off limits. These are the conversations that matter most to the young people in our program.
Interview with DC Artist Brian Bailey
Identity & Self-Expression
Teens explore who they are, where they come from, and how they want to show up in the world — through honest conversation rather than social media performance.
Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being
From anxiety and pressure to joy and resilience, participants bring real emotional experiences to the mic — helping normalize mental health conversations among young people.
Community, Justice & the Future
Youth discuss what is happening in their neighborhoods, what they want to change, and what kind of future they are working toward — grounded in their lived experience.
Listen to the latest conversations
Every episode is a real, unscripted conversation with teens in our program.
Minds Sets From All Over
Teens share their perspectives, experiences, and mindsets from all over the community.
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Conversations coming soon
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What participants gain
The benefits of Jelleff Teen Talk extend beyond the recording booth — they ripple outward to families and communities.
Youth Gain
Families Gain
Learn → Create → Share
A clear, three-phase model that takes teens from first-time participants to published media creators.
Build the Foundation
Participants learn the fundamentals of storytelling, active listening, podcast production, and ethical communication. Every teen starts as a student — developing the skills to speak with intention.
Make Something Real
Teens choose topics that matter to them, develop interview questions, and record authentic conversations. The content is entirely theirs — no scripts, no adult-approved talking points.
Reach the Community
Finished episodes are published and shared publicly. Youth participants become producers with a real audience — building pride, accountability, and a track record of meaningful work.
Help us amplify youth voices
Jelleff Teen Talk is community-powered. There are multiple ways to get involved.
Organizations
Support media production costs, equipment upgrades, or operational programming needs.
Mentors & Educators
Share your skills with teens — audio production, journalism, public speaking, or storytelling.
Community Members
Amplify youth voices by listening, sharing episodes, and becoming a guest on the show.
Get in touch
Whether you want to partner, volunteer, or just say hello — we'd love to hear from you.
We're always looking for community members, organizations, and mentors who believe young people deserve to be heard. Reach out and let's talk.