In this episode of the YouthRise Podcast, host Queeny Gong chats with Jamie Zhang, a senior at West Vancouver Secondary School, about his experience in the IB program. Jamie shares insights on managing the academic pressure while pursuing his passions for sports and robotics. Tune in for a deep dive into life as an IB student and practical tips on …

Join me as I chat with bestselling author Olivia Rose Darling and debut author Jamie Harrow. Tune in to hear Olivia and I chat about characters struggling with physical touch after abuse and her love of dragons, and to hear Jamie and I chat about power and abuse inside the world of college sports and finding a community and family after trauma.…

Join me as I welcome back author Rebekah Faubion to talk about her newest book 'The Lovers.' Tune in to hear us chat about second chance romances, how you're never too old to live your authentic identity, and to hear her recommendations for starting tarot.Av Megan Bjerke

Join me as I chat with NYT bestselling author Amie Kaufman and bestselling author Katie Zhao. Tune in to hear Amie and I chat about the power fantasy has to change a life and vulnerability in strong characters, and to hear Katie and I chat about writing a supernatural heist and characters struggling with identity.…

In this episode of the YouthRise Podcast, host Queeny Gong sits down with Max Wen, a freshman from Toronto, Canada, to discuss pushing beyond comfort zones and breaking through social barriers. Max shares his personal challenges, key moments of growth, and the valuable lessons he learned during a transformative trip to San Francisco. Tune in for an…

Join me as I welcome back NYT bestselling author Allison Saft to talk about her newest book 'A Dark and Drowning Tide.' Tune in to hear us chat about writing a murder mystery after she swore never to write another, anti-Semitic folklore, and writing delicious, complicated, 'we-refuse-to-acknowledge-our-feelings' romance.…

Join me as I chat with USA Today bestselling author Jenna Levine and NYT bestselling author Karina Halle. Tune in to hear Jenna and I chat about side characters getting their own story and the pressure put on women not to be single, and to hear Karina and I chat about tough guys deserving of love and messy second chances.…

In this episode of the YouthRise Podcast, Owen Qin, a sophomore at Collingwood School, shares his insights on taking charge of one's financial future from a young age. We dive into the mindset, strategies, and habits that can guide you toward financial leadership. Whether you're just beginning your financial journey or looking to enhance your appro…

Join me as I chat with romance author Emma Noyes and romance author Katie Shepard. Tune in to hear Emma and I chat about happily chaotic families and OCD representation in romance, and to hear Katie and I chat about her love of home makeover shows and second chance romances.Av Megan Bjerke

In this episode of the YouthRise Podcast, we challenge the status quo and explore how young women are reshaping the business world. Join us as we delve into the unique experiences and innovative projects of Hasini Mandava, a rising junior at Leander High School in Austin, Texas, who is breaking barriers and setting new standards in the industry. Wh…

Join me as I chat with #1 NYT bestselling author Kiersten White and YA fantasy romance author Rachel Moore. Tune in to hear Kiersten and I chat about using Dracula as source material and characters becoming more than their creators, and to hear Rachel and I chat about writing for younger teens and our love of Brendan Fraser.…

Join me as I chat with USA Today bestselling author Elyssa Friedland and debut fantasy author Moira Buffini. Tune in to hear Elyssa and I chat about how money can change people and complicated sibling relationships, and to hear Moira and I chat about transitioning from writing plays to novels and the influence of propaganda.…

In this episode of the YouthRise Podcast, host Queeny Gong sits down with Vicky Chen, a rising senior at Havergal College in Toronto, to discuss her impactful project, Together4Tomorrow—a youth-led initiative tackling youth homelessness. Vicky shares the personal experiences that ignited her passion for this cause, how she mobilized her peers, and …

Join me as I chat with NYT bestselling author Lana Harper and young adult author Isabel Strychacz. Tune in to hear Lana and I chat about heavier themes in romcoms and the complex path of healing, and to hear Isabel and I chat about love letters to the horror genre and settings being their own characters.…

In this special episode of the YouthRise Podcast, host Queeny Gong sits down with Angie Zhang, a graduate of SFU's Computer Science program, to explore her extraordinary adoption story. Angie opens up about her journey of finding her biological parents and the powerful emotions that came with reconnecting with her roots. Through her story, we delve…

Join me as I chat with USA Today bestselling romance author Grace Reilly and bestselling romance author Sarah Hawley. Tune in to hear Grace and I chat about closing out a series and never regretting taking a chance on love, and to Sarah and I chat about haunted dealings on eBay and being worthy of love exactly how you are.…

Join me as I chat with USA Today bestselling romance author Jen Deluca and debut romance author Mallory Marlowe. Tune in to hear Jen and me chat about reinventing your life and her love letter to Florida, and to Mallory and me chat about being loved by someone who doesn't judge you and exploring heavier themes in romcoms.…

In this episode of the YouthRise Podcast, host Queeny Gong is joined by two high school seniors, Grace Park and Olivia Zhao, to explore the impact of the digital age on today’s youth. Together, they dive into the pros and cons of digital accessibility and social media, discussing how teenagers navigate technology in their daily lives. Tune in for a…

Join me as I chat with NYT bestselling YA fantasy author S. Jae-Jones. Tune in to hear JJ and I chat about fairytale influences and those characters who burrow themselves into our minds and don't let go.Av Megan Bjerke

Lily Yangliu is a rising junior at Mulgrave School in Vancouver, Canada. Despite her age, Lily has made significant strides in her community through her dedication to sustainability and civic engagement. Tune in to hear Lily share her journey, the projects she's passionate about, and her advice for other young people looking to make a difference. D…

Join me as I chat with #1 NYT bestselling author Ava Reid and debut romance author Danica Nava. Tune in to hear me and Ava chat about the grittiness of the play that shall not be named and villainized women, and to hear Danica and I chat about the toxicity of corporate America and the pressure of 'Ember' being the first Native American romcom to be…

Join me as I chat with #1 NYT bestselling fantasy author Hannah Nicole Maehrer and debut YA fantasy author Keshe Chow. Tune in to hear Hannah and I chat about being a Booktok sensation and how the writing community helped her mental health, and to hear Keshe and I chat about horror themes in fantasy and writing strong female Chinese characters.…

Join me as I chat with NYT bestselling romance author Elena Armas and NYT bestselling fantasy author Romina Garber. Tune in to hear Elena and I chat about 90's rom-coms and complicated father/daughter relationships, and to hear Romina and I chat about morally gray characters and vivid, atmospheric settings.…

Join me as I chat with NYT bestselling YA fantasy author Laura Sebastian and USA Today bestselling romance duo Ali Brady. Tune in to hear Laura and I chat about star magic and sisterhood, and to hear Alison, Bradeigh, and I chat about nostalgic summer camps and ex-best friends.Av Megan Bjerke

Join me as I chat with USA Today bestselling romance author Jessica Joyce. Tune in to hear us chat about second chance romances, how Sweet Valley High books influenced her love of romance, and who our favorite character is on New Girl.Av Megan Bjerke

Join me as I chat with #1 NYT and USA Today bestselling YA fantasy and romance author Lexi Ryan and romance author Holly James. Tune in to hear Holly and I chat about psychoanalyzing characters and being in the spotlight, and to Lexi and I chat about characters working through severe trauma and about never giving up on your dreams.…

Join me as I welcome back USA Today bestselling author Julie Soto to talk about her newest book 'Not Another Love Song.' Tune in to hear us chat about Reylo fanfic, mixing business and pleasure, and writing women who can have it all.Av Megan Bjerke

Join me as I chat with bestselling romance author B.K. Borison and debut romance author Gabriella Gamez. Tune in to hear Gabriella and I chat about love squares and her love letter to librarians, and to hear B.K. and I chat about beautiful sibling relationships and finding your person.Av Megan Bjerke

Join me as I chat with NYT bestselling romance duo Krista and Becca Ritchie and with bestselling romance author Kirsty Greenwood. Tune in to hear Krista, Becca, and I chat about complicated family dynamics and all things X-Men, and to hear Kirsty and I chat about finding a community and making the most out of your life.…

Join me as I chat with NYT bestselling YA fantasy author Tricia Levenseller and award winning author Sarah Beth Durst. Tune in to hear Tricia and I chat about feminist fantasy and villains getting their own love stories, and to hear Sarah and I chat about our love of talking plants and cozy fantasy that feels like a warm hug.…

Join me as I chat with NYT bestselling author Ashley Poston and YA/adult author K.X. Song. Tune in to hear Ashley and I chat about small town romances and being the main character in your own life, and to hear K.X. and I chat about the corruption power can bring and women breaking the molds they've been placed in.…

Join me as I chat with debut YA fantasy author Amber Chen and bestselling romance author Laura Hankin. Tune in to hear me and Amber chat about fantasy based on real-life and how a single idea can spark a hundred different outcomes, and to hear Laura and I chat about romance spanning years and grand gestures.…

Join me as I welcome back USA Today bestselling romance author Alicia Thompson to talk about her newest book 'The Art of Catching Feelings.' Tune in to hear us chat about her love of baseball, mental health in professional athletes, and unselfish lovers.Av Megan Bjerke

In this episode, join host Queeny Gong and guest Selin as they tackle the age-old challenge of procrastination among high school students. As a fellow junior navigating the rigorous IB program and a great number of extracurriculars, Selin provides firsthand insights into the struggles and strategies for overcoming procrastination. Tune in for pract…

Join me as I chat with NYT bestselling romantasy author Carissa Broadbent and debut romance author Safa Ahmed. Tune in to hear Carissa and I chat about true morally gray characters and high stakes tournaments, and to hear Safa and I chat about racism in theater and a need for South Asian romances.Av Megan Bjerke

Join me as I chat with USA Today bestselling author K.A. Linde and romance author Claire Kann. Tune in to hear K.A. and I chat about monsters in New York and Celtic mythology, and to hear Claire and I chat about queer girlies and haunted connections.Av Megan Bjerke

Join me as I welcome back bestselling author duo Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka to talk about their newest release 'Heiress Takes All.' Tune in to hear us chat about what it takes to plan a heist and how an underestimated character is the best kind of character.Av Megan Bjerke

Join me as I bring back bestselling romance author Liana De la Rosa, this time to chat about her newest release 'Isabel and the Rogue.' Tune in to hear us chat about women who break the mold and characters with something to prove.Av Megan Bjerke

Join me as I chat with bestselling romance author Hannah Bonam-Young and young adult author Desmond Hall. Tune in to hear Hannah and I chat about her transition from indie publishing and traditional and divisive tropes, and to hear Desmond and I chat about tackling difficult topics in young adult and Jamaican influences.…

Join me as I chat with NYT bestselling romance author Rachel Lynn Solomon and bestselling romance author Tarah Dewitt. Tune in to hear Tarah and I chat about small town dynamics and the small things that make a love story, and to hear Rachel and I chat about long distance relationships and mental health representation in young adult books.…

In this episode, we dive into the significant donation made by Horizon Hope for Youth (H2Y) to our local community and explore the profound impact it's having. We're joined by Mrs. Sara Bell, principal of Chartwell Elementary School in West Vancouver, Canada, who provides an in-depth look at how the funding is being utilized. Tune in to hear an ins…

Join me as I chat with award winning young adult author June Hur. Tune in to hear me and June chat about one of Korea's darkest kings and why she loves writing young adult historical fiction.Av Megan Bjerke

Join me as I chat with NYT bestselling young adult author Lauren Blackwood and debut fantasy author Sydney J. Shields. Tune in to hear Lauren and I chat about fighting for family and taking charge of your destiny, and to hear Sydney and I chat about a grandmother's love and finding the magic in our lives.…

Join me as I chat with NYT bestselling paranormal romance author Nalini Singh and romance author Lily Chu. Tune in to hear Lily and I chat about diversity in fashion and complicated family dynamics, and to hear Nalini and I chat about intricate world building and connection in romance.Av Megan Bjerke

Join me as I chat with #1 NYT bestselling YA fantasy author Judy I. Lin and bestselling YA author Lili Wilkinson. Tune in to hear Judy and I chat about intricate world building and how reading fantasy helped her adjust to life in Canada, and to hear Lili and I chat about Toadmen and writing strong friendships.…

In this episode, I delve into the intricate web of gendered pricing, uncovering the hidden truths behind the pink tax phenomenon. Join me as I dissect the economic disparities faced by women in consumer markets, explore legislative efforts to combat price discrimination, and discuss practical strategies for navigating this systemic issue. Tune in t…

Join me as I chat with bestselling romance author Mazey Eddings and debut romance author Myah Ariel. Tune in to hear Mazey and I chat about sapphic romance and our love of Jonathan Bailey, and to hear Myah and I chat about racism in the film industry and how her mom's story influenced her debut book.…

In part 2 of this series with Alexandra, we discussed the pervasive negativity on social media platforms and its detrimental impact on the mental well-being of young individuals. Through personal anecdotes and heartfelt reflections, we shed light on this pressing global issue, aiming to raise awareness and empower teenagers to navigate digital spac…

Embark on a compelling journey with Alexandra Ye as she navigates through childhood hardships, competitive skating triumphs, and unexpected ventures into pageantry. Discover resilience, ambition, and the pursuit of dreams in this inspiring tale of overcoming obstacles and seizing opportunities on the path to success.…

Join me as I chat with NYT bestselling fantasy author Hannah Whitten and bestselling viral romantasy author Kate Golden. Tune in to hear Hannah and I chat about messy love triangles and writing middle books in a trilogy, and to hear Kate and I chat about cliffhanger endings and what makes a good book boyfriend.…