Mentorship Podcasts

Creator: Juan Pizano
Community Partner: Boys and Girls Club
Cohort Theme: Spatial Justice and Resilience in the Face of Climate Change, Alton, IL
Faculty Mentor: Stephanie Batson, Applied Communication Studies

Project History

Our research team began from the premise that health disparities resulting from spatial and environmental injustice affect the growth and academic development of youth. Building on research into the impact of mentorship programs as well as our own positive experiences of being mentored, we implemented a mentorship program that included engaging activities for students at the Boys and Girls Club. These activities allowed us to introduce ourselves and encouraged them to express themselves in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. Creating a safe space was important for having open communication among all participants. We encouraged activities that helped the kids explore their interests and aspirations. Research indicates that having a trustworthy mentor who can relate to the youth—like a peer mentor rather than a traditional mentor—can significantly enhance attendance and academic performance (McDonald, K., & Fischer, T. 2014). At first, the mentees were more reserved and hesitant to talk to us. However, over time, we noticed that they started to open up more. This change happened because, as mentors, we were closer in age to the students, which made it easier for them to relate to us. They saw us as peers who understood some of what they were going through, which helped them feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings. As a result, they became more engaged and willing to participate in activities and conversations, making our relationship stronger. This positive change in the students’ behavior is a testament to the effectiveness of our mentorship program.  

A Podcast for Potential Mentors and Mentees

Following our semester of mentorship, I distilled my experiences and lessons learned into two podcasts, one for mentors and the other for students interested in being mentored. These podcasts are informed by my own personal experiences of participating in a mentorship program as a child, my academic research on the impact of mentoring, and our experiences developing and running a mentorship program.

Podcast to Mentors

In this podcast, I share my firsthand experiences being mentored by the Local Investment Commission (LINC)in their after school program during my elementary school years, offering a unique perspective on how effective mentorship can shape a child’s life. I make sure to highlight a variety of things like:

• Who the LINC program is
• Why I stayed at the after school program
• The larger role LINC had in our community
• What activities we did
• Areas for improvement

I hope this podcast provides valuable insights to anyone looking to enhance their afterschool or mentorship programs for your audience. By sharing both the strengths and potential areas for growth in a community-driven setting, like LINC, the goal for me was for my listeners to use it to their benefit. So please sit back, and enjoy!

Podcast for Mentees

If you’re interested in personal growth, leadership, or the dynamics of mentorship, this podcast is for you! As you listen to this short podcast, I’ll be sharing insights from my own experiences as a mentor, diving deep into key aspects like: 

• Motivations behind becoming a mentor 
• The critical role of trust and relationship-building 
• Lessons I learned throughout the experience 
• What I’d do differently if I could go back in time 

By integrating relevant research from previous classes, I provide credible perspectives that can help you understand effective mentorship and how it translates into real-world practices. Whether you’re an aspiring mentor or just curious about the mentoring process, you’ll gain valuable takeaways that could shape how you approach collaboration, connections, and personal development. I hope you enjoy and can learn something new from my podcast!