MentorChat

S7: E5 A Conversation with Greg Spencer

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0400

This year is TMP's 30th Anniversary! And we're ready to celebrate mentoring at our Magic of Mentoring on October 21st. To kick off the celebration, we had the opportunity to speak with Greg Spencer of Spencer MacCleary & Associates and Board Chairman of The POISE Foundation! Mr. Spencer is this year’s Thieman Award Honoree, and TMP will be presenting this award to him at The Magic of Mentoring. Join us to hear about his work and about the powerful impact of meaningful relationships.

More about Greg Spencer - https://spencermaccleary.com/leadershipteam/

POISE Foundation - https://poisefoundation.org/

Get your tickets for the Magic of Mentoring! - https://mentoringpittsburgh.org/news_posts/magic-of-mentoring-2025

The Power of Relationships: How and Why American Adults Step Up to Mentor the Nation’s Youth - https://www.mentoring.org/resource/the-power-of-relationships/

S7: E4 A Conversation with Al Valentine from 100 Black Men of Western PA

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0400

100 Black Men, Inc. began in New York in 1963 and was instituted in Western PA in 1987. The specific focus of the 100 Black Men of Western PA, Inc. is mentoring, and the organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life of the African American community and educational opportunities for at-risk African American youth in the Greater Pittsburgh Area. In this episode, we talk with Al Valentine, President of 100 Black Men of Western PA, about their work. Listen in to hear all about the ways they uplift and support youth and the incredible impact that they’ve had in the community!

100 Black Men Of Western PA - https://pgh100bm.org/

Get your tickets for the Magic of Mentoring! - https://mentoringpittsburgh.org/news_posts/magic-of-mentoring-2025

S7: E3 A Conversation with Karen Dreyer from APOST

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Many of us have memories of after school club meetings, sports practices, tutoring sessions, and maybe even building robots! This out-of-school-time activities can be a huge part of young people's lives and help them build skills and discover new interests and opportunities. APOST (Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School-Time) is a convener, connector and collaborator with out-of-school time (OST) providers. They strive to strengthen and advocate for high-quality OST experieinces that support youth development. Listen in to this episode as we talk with Karen Dreyer from APOST about the value of OST experiences and their essential role in our schools and community!

APOST - https://www.afterschoolpgh.org/

The Latest Research on the Impact of Afterschool and Summer Programs (2024) - https://afterschoolalliance.org/documents/The-Latest-Research-on-the-Impact-of-Afterschool-and-Summer-Programs-2024.pdf

The Value of Out-of-School Time Programs (2017) - https://wallacefoundation.org/report/value-out-school-time-programs

S7: E2 A Conversation with Bekezela Mguni from Dreams of Hope

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Through the power of the arts, Dreams of Hope provides the region’s lesbian, gay, sexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and allied (LGBTQIA+) youth a welcoming environment to grow in confidence, express themselves, and develop as leaders. And they’ve been doing this work for over 20 years! Join in as we talk with Bekezela Mguni about the importance of mentors who protect, honor, and support young people and the impact of grounding relationships in love and possibility.

Dreams of Hope - https://www.dreamsofhope.org/

No-Cost Technical Assistance from TMP - https://mentoringpittsburgh.org/news_posts/technical-assistance-from-tmp

S7: E1 The Power of Mentoring

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0400

Kicking off Season 7, we had the opportunity to talk with Bigs & Littles from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater PGH! Hear first-hand about the impact of mentoring as they share about their mentoring relationship and the fun and joyful memories that they've had together. We're so excited to share their stories in this episode and to celebrate the power and legacy of mentoring this season.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater PGH - https://www.bbbspgh.org/

S6: E5 Expanding Networks of Support with Frank Kamara

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this conversation, Sophia and Ashley talk with Frank Kamara about how building next works of support for youth is an important part of giving them access to new spaces and exploring new possibilities and opportunities. Paying attention to their feedback and their interests can help caring adults and mentoring programs find ways to build relationships and connect them with others!

Chapter 12: Expanding Networks of Support by Sara Schwartz of Suffolk University discusses how, by helping mentees strengthen existing relationships and form new connections, mentors can encourage the exploration of diverse pathways and improve their mentee’s access to new opportunities.

MENTOR’s Becoming a Better Mentor Guide

The Consortium for Public Education

NEED

Impact Community Initiative

Youth Places

FAME

The Mentoring Partnership

S6: E4 Effective Conversations about Behavior Change with Coach Bob Jones

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Sports can be a big part of a young person’s life, and few know this better than Coach Bob Jones who has been coaching youth football for more than 30 years! Caring adults – including coaches – can use sports to connect with young people in many ways and can provide valuable opportunities to talk with youth about behavior change. Join us for this chat with Coach Bob Jones about how he intentionally builds relationships with young people through sports and navigates conversations about positive behavioral changes!

Chapter 11: Effective Conversations about Behavior Change by Samuel D. McQuillan of the University of South Carolina discusses how some of the most effective ways to encourage positive behavioral changes in a mentee are to ask questions, engage in active listening, and express empathy and understanding.

S6: E3 Goal Setting and Support with Dr. Deanna Sinex at Youth Enrichment Services and the City of Pittsburgh Youth Civic Leadership Academy

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Goal setting can be challenging at any age. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Deanna Sinex about how Youth Enrichment Services (YES) and other supporting partners work with the City of Pittsburgh to implement the Youth Civic Leadership Academy (YCLA) and help youth explore career fields, learn valuable skills, and gain access to unique opportunities. Their holistic approach to mentoring is clear in how they support youth in setting goals that are relevant to their own definitions of success and carefully consider the young person’s values, interests, and experiences. Listen in on the conversation to hear all about it!

Chapter 10: Goal Setting and Support by Ed Bowers of Clemson University discusses how intentionally supporting a mentee through the process of setting and pursuing goals is one important way a mentee can guide them towards discovering new passions and a strong sense of purpose.

MENTOR’s Becoming a Better Mentor Guide

City of Pittsburgh Youth Civic Leadership Academy

Youth Enrichment Services

Community College of Allegheny County

https://www.partner4work.org/

Heinz History Center

S6: E2 Expanding Networks of Support with Justin Pacini at Crossroads Foundation

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0400

Crossroads Foundation approach to supporting their young scholars ensures that each young person has access to a diverse network of adults and peers. Join us for a conversation with Lead Counselor Justin Pacini about how their program centers relationship building and expanding the social capital of young people to help them access educational opportunities and achieve their potential!

MENTOR’s Becoming a Better Mentor Guide

Crossroads Foundation

S6: E1 Working with Others in the Mentoring Relationship System with Coy Thompson at Connecting Champions

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 06:00:00 -0400

A mentoring relationship doesn’t usually happen in isolation – there are lots of important people in the lives of young people! Connecting Champions knows this and is always intentional about working with others close to their mentees to help ensure the positive outcomes. Join us for this discussion with Coy Thompson about how Connecting Champions collaborates with mentors, guardians, doctors, social workers, and others to support young people with cancer in learning about their passion, explore professions, and navigating the cancer journey.

Chapter 7: Working with Others in the Mentoring Relationship System by Thomas E. Keller of Portland State University discusses how making an effort to get to know the other adults in a mentee’s life can improve a mentor’s understanding of and ability to communicate with their mentee.

S5: E5 Honoring Youth Voice & Building Power with Adelaide Moschler, Manager of Learning & Development at MENTOR Independence Region

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0400

What does it mean to honor youth voice? How do we share power with young people and allow them agency in mentoring relationships? In this episode, we talk with Adelaide Moschler and start at the very beginning with what youth voice is and what it means. Listening to young people can help you build stronger relationships with the young people you know and creates connections based on mutual trust and respect. Listen in to learn valuable strategies to help you honor the voices of the young people in your life!

Chapter 8: Honoring Youth Voice & Building Power by Elizabeth Santiago & Minnie Chen of MENTOR discusses how, in order to elevate youth voice, adults must learn to listen critically and step back to share power with young people.

Additional Resources:

MENTOR’s Becoming a Better Mentor Guide

MENTOR Independence Region

S5: E4 Facilitating Group Interactions with Kristy DeCola, Training Coordinator at KEYS Services Corps

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400

When you’re working with a group of young people, how do you make sure that everyone feels seen and heard? Mentoring isn’t always one-to-one with a young person and how you approach connection and relationship building can look differently in a group. In this episode, we talk with Kristy DeCola about how to facilitate mentoring relationships with groups of young people.

Chapter 6: Facilitating Group Interactions by Gabriel Kuperminc of Georgia State University discusses how to build a strong sense of belonging and create community when mentoring within groups of young people.

Additional Resources:

MENTOR’s Becoming a Better Mentor Guide

KEYS Service Corps

S5: E3 Practicing Cultural Humility with Jenni Walkup Jayes, Mentorship Program Manager at Hello Neighbor

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Hello Neighbor in Pittsburgh works hard to foster a welcoming and supportive community to our newest neighbors. In this discussion with Jenni Walkup Jayes, we discuss the important role that cultural humility plays in making this happen. It’s not always easy! But making an effort to self-reflect as well as learn about the young people in your life is essential in building a trusting relationship where youth feel seen, heard, and safe.

Chapter 2: Practicing Cultural Humility by Bernadette Sanchez of the University of Illinois-Chicago discusses how it is essential to engage in continuous self-reflection as a mentor and the importance of making opportunities to learn about your mentee’s identity and cultural experiences.

Additional Resources:

MENTOR’s Becoming a Better Mentor Guide

Hello Neighbor

S5: E2 Making Room for Fun & Play with Kelly Rottmund, Teen Services Coordinator at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0400

What’s more fun than talking about…well…fun! At the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, staff know how important fun and play is when creating welcoming spaces and building relationships with young people. In this episode, we talk with Kelly Rottmund about all the work and intention that’s happening behind the scenes to make sure that the library is a place where young people feel valued and have a good time!

Chapter 3: Making Room for Fun & Play by Michael Karcher of the University of Texas-San Antonio discusses how, by centering joyful experiences, mentors can develop stronger and more meaningful connections with mentees.

Additional Resources:

MENTOR’s Becoming a Better Mentor Guide

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

S5: E1 Welcome to Season 5!

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0400

What can I do to be a better mentor? In Season 5, Ashley & Sophia invite guests from local organizations and affiliate partners to discuss MENTOR’s Becoming a Better Mentor Guide: Strategies to Be There for Young People. This guide is a free resource written by experts, and it benefits any adult looking to support young people and is full of real-world advice and tangible, evidence-based strategies. If you’re looking to be a better mentor and strengthen your relationships with the young people in your life, look no further! Season 5 is just for you!

Additional Resources:

MENTOR’s Becoming a Better Mentor Guide

Search Institute’s Developmental Relationships Framework

S4: E6 Interview with Laurie Barnett Levine, Chief Executive Officer, Mental Health America of Southwestern PA

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0400

If you listened to our first episode this season, you know that the second leading cause of death in people ages 10-34 is suicide. In this episode, our guest Laurie Barnett Levine, Licensed Social Worker and Chief Executive Officer at Mental Health America of Southwestern PA, talks about the climbing rates of suicide as a result of the COVID pandemic and how Mental Health America of SWPA is responding to this crisis.

Laurie also discusses the long term impacts the pandemic will have on access of mental health services and the workforce. When you’re done listening, make sure to visit mhaswpa.org to learn more about the programs and services Mental Health America of SWPA has to offer including, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Awareness Training.

If you or a loved one has thoughts of suicide, we encourage you to reach out for support by calling or texting the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988.

Additional Resources:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. Callers are routed to the nearest accredited crisis center based on their location.

Crisis Resolve

Everyone experiences moments of crisis in life. You might be struggling with depression or substance abuse. Or maybe you’re overwhelmed by problems at work, feeling lonely, or having a conflict with a loved one. Whether your problem is large or small, talking with someone can help. Most of all, don’t wait for a problem to get out of control. Just call resolve Crisis Services for help at 1-888-796-8226.

Trevor Project

866-488-7386 National organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.

Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. Crisis Text Line is here for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment

UpStreet Pittsburgh

UpStreet is a free teen mental wellness program that offers drop-in consultations with therapists, scheduled therapy appointments, text-based peer support, and support groups for teens.

S4: E5 Interview with Dr. Elizabeth Joy, Founder & CEO, JoySociety

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Dr. Elizabeth Joy, CEO & Founder of JoySociety, chats with us about her research and theory…Success as a Protector Factor. You might be surprised at what Dr. Elizabeth Joy uncovered in her research! In this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Joy talks about redefining and reimagining success as something more holistic to help mentors and caring adults, be intentional in supporting young people beyond career and financial “success”. We hope you enjoy this chat as much as we did!

Additional Resources:

JoySociety.com

S4: E4 Interview with Youth Panel (Chavi Beck, Aneesha Kandala, Giavanna Cella) featuring...Sarah Pesi, Policy Associate and Deborah Murdock, Program Manager, Jewish Healthcare Foundation

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 19:10:00 -0400

This is a special episode of Mentor Chat where we are talking with young people directly. As caring adults, sometimes we think we know what’s best for young people, but without including them in the conversation and recognizing them as experts of their lives, do we really have their best interest at heart? In this episode, three young people share their thoughts and feelings about the topic of youth mental health, specifically how adults can offer support through listening and elevating their voice. We are also joined by Sarah Pesi and Deborah Murdock from the Jewish Healthcare Foundation who created a forum for teens to advocate for addressing mental health as a part of health.

Additional Resources:

PA Youth Advocacy Network

S4: E3 Interview with Nicole Homerin, Inclusion Communities Manager and Kristin Humphrey, National Disability Mentoring Coalition Director from Partners for Youth with Disabilities

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 11:32:00 -0400

Our guests, Nicole Homerin and Kristin Humphrey, from Partners for Youth with Disabilities share the importance of accessibility (specifically disability accessibility) when it comes to supporting youth mental health and wellbeing. This episode is loaded with information and resources on how mentors and other caring adults can best support young people with disabilities. You will learn about the intersection of trauma and disability, universal design and the recognition of long COVID as a disability. Have your pen and note pad ready!

Additional Resources:

Partners for Youth with Disabilities

MENTOR’s Resources for Mentors around Race, Inclusion, and Cultural Respect

Mentor’s Celebrating Disability Inclusion

National Disability Mentoring Coalition Disability Mentoring Certification

CPI Trauma Handout

Ableism and Racism: Roots of the Same Tree Podcast with Ibram X. Kendi and Rebecca Coakley

Youth Mental Health Resource Guide

S4: E2 Interview with Dr. Stephanie Romero, Executive Director of Awaken Pittsburgh

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 15:52:00 -0400

In this episode of Mentor Chat, guest Dr. Stephanie Romero, Executive Director of Awaken Pittsburgh, chats with Michelle & Ashley about her personal mindfulness & meditation practices and how it changed the trajectory of her career. She is now inspiring educators, students, healthcare professionals and organizations to reduce stress and seek clarity in their daily lives.

Additional Resources:

www.awakenpittsburgh.org

Breath Counting Guided Meditation

www.nationalcouncil.org

https://hminnovations.org/meditation-app

S4: E1 Interview with Misty Woody, Chief Development Officer from Allegheny Family Network

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 06:00:00 -0400

We are excited to kick off this season of Mentor Chat with guest Misty Woody, Chief Development Officer at Allegheny Family Network. Allegheny Family Network delivers services through individual parent-to-parent support, support groups, parent education opportunities, the Parent Support Line, and social events. In this episode, Misty takes a deep dive into the services and resources that are available through the network, but, more importantly, shares an aspiring story of hope and recovery!

This is a very informative episode for parents and guardians, especially those who have lived experience of raising a child with mental health or behavioral health concerns. We invite you to listen in and share with others!

Additional Resources:

Allegheny Family Network

Allegheny Family Network Parent Support Line 1-888-273-2361

PA Parent and Family Alliance Emotional Safety Plan for Parents

S3 E5 Taking Care of the Helpers

Thu, 26 May 2022 19:37:08 -0400

As we recorded the final episode of this season, our nation was in the grips of tragedy following mass shootings in Buffalo, NY, Orange County, CA and Uvalde, TX. Events like this are heartbreaking and have, unfortunately, become all too common. Now more than ever, it's important for caring adults to be there for young people and to foster open, honest conversations that help them feel safe and supported. Please refer to the Additional Resources for more information on helping young people in the wake of tragedy and trauma.

In this episode, Michelle and Ashley wrap up the season and share a little about what's to come. They talk about how, in order to best support young people and their mental wellbeing, we have to take care of ourselves too. Listen in to hear from some familiar voices about how they practice self care as well as exciting details about the next season!

Additional Resources

The Mentoring Partnership of SWPA

MENTOR's Supporting Youth in the Wake of Trauma

Creating a Mental Health Plan Template

Creating a Mental Health Plan Session Recap

Social Media & Mental Health Among Teens

S3 E4 Where Youth Live, Learn, Work, & Play with Brenda Jimenez

Fri, 13 May 2022 14:30:10 -0400

Imagine if we surrounded young people with mentors everywhere that they live, learn, work, and play. And not only with new connections, but also through recognizing and building upon the important relationships that are already there! In our last interview of Season 3, we talk with Brenda Jimenez, CEO of MENTOR New York about this potential and more. Listen in to hear about the incredible work happening in New York related to access, racial equity, and being there for young people.

Additional Resources

MENTOR New York | https://www.mentornewyork.org

MENTOR New York's Racial Justice Framework | https://www.mentornewyork.org/racial-equity

Sign up for the Becoming a Better Mentor Live Coffee Chats with Sophia!

https://www.mentoringpittsburgh.org/news_posts/becoming-a-better-mentor-live-coffee-chats

Credits

Hosted, written, and produced by Michelle Thomas & Ashley Wineland with The Mentoring Partnership of SWPA | www.mentoringpittsburgh.org

Music is "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

S3 E3 Mentoring in the Workplace with Charline Alexandre-Joseph

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 13:00:08 -0400

Entering into the workforce as a young person is tough! In this episode of Mentor Chat, we talk with Charline Alexandre-Joseph, Senior Director of Systems Innovation (formerly Director of Workforce Development) at MENTOR, about recruiting, supporting, and retaining young people in a workplace. This is a conversation relevant to adults, young people, employers, and employees - so don't miss out!

Additional Resources:

Connect | Focus | Grow | https://www.mentoring.org/connect-focus-grow/

MENTOR's Workplace Mentoring | https://www.mentoring.org/resource/workplace-mentoring/

O*NET OnLine | https://www.onetonline.org

Credits:

Hosted, written, and produced by Michelle Thomas & Ashley Wineland with The Mentoring Partnership of SWPA | www.mentoringpittsburgh.org

Music is "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

S3 E2: Becoming a Better Mentor with Mike Garringer

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 15:08:52 -0400

Wouldn't it be nice if there was a handbook for everything? Well now at least there's a guide for how to be a better mentor to young people! In the first interview of the season, Ashley and Michelle talk with Mike Garringer, Director of Research and Evaluation at MENTOR about MENTOR's new free resource for any adult. Becoming a Better Mentor: Strategies to Be There for Young People is rooted in research, written by experts, and includes real-world advice and strategies for how mentors can “be there” for young people. You don't want to miss this relevant and informative conversation!

Additional Resources:

Becoming a Better Mentor: Strategies to Be There for Young People | https://www.mentoring.org/resource/becoming-a-better-mentor/

Credits:

Hosted, written, and produced by Michelle Thomas & Ashley Wineland with The Mentoring Partnership of SWPA | www.mentoringpittsburgh.org

Music is "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

S3 E1: The Mentoring Movement

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 15:24:30 -0400

You've heard us talk all about mentoring, but what does working in the mentoring field really look like? Who is TMP and what do we do? What's happening in the mentoring movement nationally and in other places around the country? In this introduction to Season 3, Michelle and Ashley provide some context around these questions and lay the groundwork for an exciting season talking with affiliate partners around the country who are pushing the mentoring movement forward!

Additional Resources:

Elements of Effective Practice for Youth Mentoring

Learn about Technical Assistance from TMP

Find out more about all of TMP's trainings!

Credits:

Hosted, written, and produced by Michelle Thomas & Ashley Wineland with The Mentoring Partnership of SWPA | www.mentoringpittsburgh.org

Music is "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

SPECIAL EPISODE: A National Mentoring Month Conversation with Gregg Behr

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 16:38:28 -0400

January is National Mentoring Month, and in honor of that, we have a special feature episode of Mentor Chat that you don't want to miss! We had the pleasure of sitting down with Gregg Behr to talk about strategies for creating atmosphere's of learning through Everyday Mentoring. In this episode, Gregg touches on Remake Learning Days, defines learning sciences, and shares a cool passion that sparked joy for him during the pandemic and thus inspired some young people in his neighborhood! As National Mentoring Month comes to a close, join us in conversation and reflect on the ways you are helping support the next generation of leaders and change-makers.

Additional Resources:

When You Wonder, You're Learning | http://whenyouwonder.org

Remake Learning | https://remakelearning.org

Thank you to Gregg Behr:

Gregg Behr, executive director of The Grable Foundation, is a father and children’s advocate whose work is inspired by his hero, Fred Rogers. For more than a decade, he has helped lead Remake Learning—a network of educators, scientists, artists, and makers he founded in 2007—to international renown. Formed in Rogers’ real-life neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Remake Learning has turned heads everywhere from Forbes to the World Economic Forum for its efforts to ignite children’s curiosity, encourage creativity, and foster justice and belonging in schools, libraries, museums, and more. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and also Duke University, Gregg holds honorary degrees from Carlow University and Saint Vincent College. He’s an advisor to the Brookings Institution and the Fred Rogers Center, and has been cited by Barack Obama, Richard Branson, and the Disruptor Foundation as an innovator and thought leader.

Credits:

Hosted, written, and produced by Michelle Thomas & Ashley Wineland with The Mentoring Partnership of SWPA | www.mentoringpittsburgh.org

Music is "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

S2 E5 - Season 2 Wrap Up!

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 13:00:00 -0400

Join Ashley and Michelle as they wrap up the season and discuss impactful moments from the interviews with Dr. Dana Winters, Dr. Harriet Schwartz, and Principal Eric Harper. Do you have questions or thoughts of your own? Share them with us! Leave a review or visit our website to get in touch!

Stay Connected with TMP:

Help us continue to deliver free training to caring adults in the community | https://www.mentoringpittsburgh.org/pages/give

Thank you to Dr. Dana Winters, Dr. Harriet Schwartz, and Principal Eric Harper.

Credits:

Hosted, written, and produced by Michelle Thomas & Ashley Wineland with The Mentoring Partnership of SWPA | www.mentoringpittsburgh.org

Music is "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

S2 E4 - Principal Eric Harper

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 14:04:50 -0400

The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented challenge for schools, students, and educators. At Duquesne Elementary School, Principal Harper and his team continue to face those challenges. Even so, Everyday Mentoring has remained at the heart of what they do. Listen in to our last interview of Season 2 as we talk with Principal Harper about how they've embedded Everyday Mentoring into their school relationships and the ways the pandemic has impacted that.

Additional Resources:

Duquesne City School District | dukecitysd.org

Thank you to Eric Harper:

Mr. Harper is a team-oriented individual who advocates for children. Born in 1975 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania and a 1994 graduate of McKeesport Area High School, Mr. Harper was offered a full scholarship to attend the University of Cincinnati. He graduated from the College of Education with a Criminal Justice Degree with a minor in Psychology in 1999.

After graduation, Mr. Harper worked as a therapeutic specialist for the ArchDiocese of Greater Cincinnati's - St. Joseph Orphanage for two years. Returning to Pennsylvania in 2001, he began a career as a vocational counselor for The United States Department of Labor's - Pittsburgh Job Corps for several years. Following the Pittsburgh Job Corps, Mr Harper worked for several public schools within the Pittsburgh Public School System.

Over the past ten years, Mr. Harper has dedicated his services to Duquesne Elementary School operating under several different job duties and titles, most recently as the Student Services Coordinator up until the 2018-2019 SY.

The start of the 2019-2020 School Year Mr. Harper started his principalship as Duquesne's Elementary School Principal under a PA Emergency Principal Certification (PK-12). Mr. Harper enrolled in postgraduate studies at Point Park University studying Administrative Education with a principal certification (K-12) in March of 2019. His targeted graduation date is March 2021. Since then, Mr. Harper completed his Master's program in Administrative Education in March of 2021 as anticipated.

Credits:

Hosted, written, and produced by Michelle Thomas & Ashley Wineland with The Mentoring Partnership of SWPA | www.mentoringpittsburgh.org

Music is "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

S2 E3 - Dr. Harriet Schwartz

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 13:04:22 -0400

When we talk about mentoring, what we're really talking about is relationships. Just because it may not be called "mentoring," doesn't mean that it isn't an important relationship. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Harriet Schwartz - author and professor - about what it means to have growth-fostering relationships and how we can be intentional about using the "good things" to make even the smallest interaction meaningful.

Connect with Dr. Harriet Schwartz:

www.harrietschwartz.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRDOz9GWfIxLKk344EjvvAQ

Twitter: @Harriet Schwartz

Linkedin @https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrietschwartz/

Instagram: @ConnectedProfessor & @HarrietLSchwartzPhotography

Thank you to Dr. Harriet Schwartz:

Harriet L. Schwartz, PhD, is Professor of Relational Practice and Higher Education in Antioch University’s PhD in Leadership and Change program. She is the author of Connected Teaching: Relationship, Power, and Mattering in Higher Education. She also writes in the public domain, addressing social justice issues including racism, sexism, and homophobia. Harriet is lead scholar for education as relational practice and a leadership team member for the International Center for Growth in Connection, the intellectual home of Relational Cultural Theory and related research and practice. Harriet lives in Pittsburgh.

Credits:

Hosted, written, and produced by Michelle Thomas & Ashley Wineland with The Mentoring Partnership of SWPA | www.mentoringpittsburgh.org

Music is "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

S2 E2 - Dana Winters

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 18:15:00 -0400

MentorChat's first guest of Season 2 is Dana Winters from the Fred Rogers Center! In this episode, we're talking with Dana about how the simplest interactions with young people can make a huge mentoring difference. Everyday Mentors - the "helpers" - who support kids can be anyone from teachers, to coaches, to crossing guards, and the work that they're already doing to make sure that young people feel seen and heard is worth recognizing! Listen in for some great and uplifting discussion about how - to quote the great Mr. Rogers - "the deep and simple is far more essential than the shallow and complex" when impacting the lives of youth!

Additional Resources:

Fred Rogers Center | https://www.fredrogerscenter.org

Simple Interactions | https://www.fredrogerscenter.org/what-we-do/simple-interactions/

Thank you to Dana Winters:

Dana Winters, Ph.D., is the Rita McGinley Executive Director of the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College. Her extensive field research from interviewing prisoners to shadowing crossing guards, from observing Head Start teachers and developing coaches in early childhood systems has informed the co-development of the Simple Interactions approach to support children, families, and their helpers. Dr. Winters describes and affirms the essential and relational practices of professionals across early education and intervention, out of school time learning, healthcare, family engagement, and more. She is an experienced applied researcher who has served as co-principal investigator and program evaluator for consecutive NSF-funded early childhood research and intervention projects in the areas of early literacy, social emotional development, and early mathematical learning. She leads numerous foundation and government project grants to improve early childhood systems and family engagement practices. Dr. Winters serves as a UNESCO Faculty Fellow in Children and Youth Studies, collaborating with faculty around the world in the advancement of empathy development and adult-child relationships across developmental settings. She received her Ph.D. in administrative and policy studies from the University of Pittsburgh.

Credits:

Hosted, written, and produced by Michelle Thomas & Ashley Wineland with The Mentoring Partnership of SWPA | www.mentoringpittsburgh.org

Music is "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

S2 E1 - What's Everyday Mentoring?

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 12:29:50 -0400

Description:

Season 2 of our Mentor Chat podcast focuses a lot on Everyday Mentoring and we're kicking things off with our first episode, which tackles an obvious first question: what is Everyday Mentoring? You may remember us referencing Everyday Mentoring last season. Well, now we're shining a spotlight on the essence of Everyday Mentoring and how adults everywhere can use it to make a mentoring difference in the lives of kiddos they see regularly. Everyday Mentoring is an important piece of the mentoring puzzle and it plays a critical role in our work to surround kids with 360 degrees of mentoring support -- in school, at home and in the community. So settle in and listen to some personal stories and fun facts that will pave the way for our future Everyday Mentoring episodes!

Credits:

Hosted, written, and produced by Michelle Thomas & Ashley Wineland with The Mentoring Partnership of SWPA | www.mentoringpittsburgh.org

Music is "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Every Kid Needs a Champion," Rita Pierson

MentorChat is back!

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 13:58:06 -0400

Season 2 is coming soon, and this time we're talking about Everyday Mentoring! Everyday Mentoring recognizes that adults everywhere can make a mentoring difference for youth in their daily lives. We'll be taking deep dives and talking with experts to understand what Everyday Mentoring looks like in action and how all caring adults can utilize it to help support youth succeed and thrive. Check back soon for Episode 1 - we can't wait to chat more!

Credits:

Hosted, written, and produced by Michelle Thomas & Ashley Wineland with The Mentoring Partnership of SWPA | www.mentoringpittsburgh.org

Music is "Cheery Monday" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) | Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

S1 E5 - Dishing with the Boss

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 16:42:15 -0400

Episode 5 - Dishing with the Boss

Settle in for a one-on-one with TMP Executive Director, Colleen Fedor. In her 20+ years at the helm of our organization, she's seen the growth and evolution of mentoring in our community and across the country. She's sharing some of her highlights and hopes for the future as we close out this first series of podcast episodes.

S1 E4 - Making the Most of Mentoring

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 15:22:00 -0400

Episode 4 - Making the Most of Mentoring

We've covered the bases on why mentoring is so important and the positive impact it can have. But still, 1 in 3 young people who want a mentor don't have one. How can we close this gap? One thing we can do is teach kids to seek out mentors in their own networks. Equipping youth with the tools they need to find support for their goals is invaluable. Share this episode with a young person in your life, or take the key learnings out into the world with you as you encourage and uplift your young people!

S1 E3 - Meaningful Mentoring Moments

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 17:00:12 -0400

Episode 3 - Meaningful Mentoring Moments

It's all hands on deck for this episode of MentorChat! The entire TMP Team is gathering 'round the mic to share how mentoring has impacted each of our lives. In sharing our personal stories, we'll also challenge you -- our listeners -- to think about the mentors in your life. What does that relationship mean to you? What would you say to that person now? Grab your favorite hot beverage and pull up a chair as we spill the tea on some of our meaningful mentoring moments!

S1 E2 - Mentoring Myths

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 20:12:24 -0400

Episode 2 - Mentoring Myths

In our last episode, we talked about how important mentoring is. So why isn't everyone mentoring? In this episode, we're going to tackle mentoring myths. From "I don't have time" to "my kid doesn't need a mentor," we're discussing things people may think about mentoring that aren't necessarily true. Tune in to learn more about how you can make mentoring a perfect fit for you or a young person in your life.

Additional Resources

MentoringPittsburgh.org -- check out our trainings, Online Resource Library and upcoming events

Everyday Mentoring Weekly Tips -- sign up to receive mentoring tips in your inbox each week

Mentoring Connector -- search volunteer opportunities near you

S1 E1 - Why Mentoring Matters

Thu, 21 Jan 2021 16:35:21 -0400

Episode 1 - Why Mentoring?

Obviously given the title of our podcast -- Mentor Chat -- you know we're talking all things mentoring. But in this first episode, we're going to lay the groundwork for all our discussions moving forward. Why mentoring? We're going to help you explore how mentoring may have impacted your life. Who helped you get to where you are today? Who are those people who have always been there for you? Now more than ever, caring connections and strong relationships are important and we're going to talk about how mentoring plays an important role in our lives. Whether it's a formal program or informal Everyday Mentoring, everyone can benefit from mentoring. Let's get this conversation started!

Additional Resources:

MentoringPittsburgh.org -- Trainings, Online Resource Library

Everyday Mentoring Weekly Tips - Sign up here!

Mentoring Connector -- Search volunteer opportunities near you!

Stay inspired: Link to "If You Mentor Me" clip