During the Healthy Start Transformative Research Meeting (TRM), scientists, societal partners, and young people came together to explore one central question: how can youth take the lead in shaping societal change?

The podcast series Gen Change was recorded during the Healthy Start Transformative Research Meeting, organized by the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB), SYNC Lab EUR, Healthy Start Convergence, and the University of California, Berkeley. Five inspiring conversations form the basis of the podcast series, produced by Nadia Mentzel and Alessia Gebauer. In five episodes, researchers, professionals, and young people explore how youth can contribute to building a healthier, more resilient society.

Episode 1 – Being Young in Times of Crises
With Lysanne te Brinke (Erasmus University Rotterdam) and Martijn Janse (Lieve Mark Foundation).
How do young people experience the societal challenges of the 21st century? Do they feel heard and taken seriously and why is it so important to truly listen to their voices?
Listen to episode 1

Episode 2 – Ready or Not? Youths’ Unique Strengths and Capacities
With Ronald Dahl (University of California, Berkeley) and Kayla Green (SYNC Lab EUR, Albeda MBO).
What makes adolescence such a special period for developing resilience, empathy, and social engagement? And how can we better harness this potential?
Listen to episode 2

Episode 3 – Not in This Alone: What Do Youth Need to Contribute?
With Sarah-Jayne Blakemore (University of Cambridge) and Sophie Sweijen (SYNC Lab EUR, MIND Us).
What do young people need from their environment, parents, teachers, and institutions, to feel genuinely empowered and involved in addressing societal issues?
Listen to episode 3

Episode 4 – Tech as Trouble or Tool for Change?
With Wouter van den Bos (University of Amsterdam) and Frederiek Nabben (TIME OUT Foundation).
How can technology help young people raise their voices and actively contribute to societal change instead of making them passive observers?
Listen to episode 4

Episode 5 – Voting, Protesting, Posting: Youths’ Political Engagement
With Bert Bakker (University of Amsterdam) and Lotte Prins (Dutch National Youth Council)
Political decisions greatly impact youths’ lives. Yet in many countries, youth do not have the same opportunities to participate in politics as adults — and they’re often seen as politically disinterested. But is that really the case?
Listen to episode 5

The GenChange podcast series shows how science and creativity come together in understanding young people as true gamechangers.

Listen to all episodes here