What sets us apart is our commitment to ideological pluralism. We work with political independents who don’t fit neatly on the left-right spectrum. The most interesting people rarely do.
"From my time working, writing, and doing TV/radio for Young Voices, I developed a sense of voice and an ability to weave story, heart and evidence to my delivery. From becoming a published author, TV commentator and show host, Young Voices prepared me for all of it."
Stephen Kent
Public Relations Specialist, Consumer Choice Center
"Young Voices has equipped me with the tools to succeed in various aspects of the media space. Their training, expertise, and overall support are unmatched."
Cooper Conway
MPP Candidate, Pepperdine University
“Over the course of four years, I went from writing for my student newspaper, to becoming a regular political broadcaster on national television and radio programs, and from there, I became a news editor at one of the world's biggest newspapers. The training, guidance and wealth of connections that Young Voices provided was invaluable in spearheading my career. If you are an aspiring journalist, policymaker or commentator, then you must join the Contributor Program."
Bill Bowkett
Assistant News Editor, Daily Mail
“Thanks to the resume and confidence I was able to build as a Young Voices contributor, I'm now an editor at Reason, the premier libertarian media outlet. Without Young Voices, I would be nowhere near as sure of myself and my professional path as I am now."
Fiona Harrigan
Associate Editor, Reason Magazine
“Young Voices has taken my writing to new heights. They helped me transition from academic to popular writing and get published in outlets like National Review and the Wall Street Journal. Thanks to Young Voices, doors are opening for me as a public intellectual that I couldn't have gotten through on my own."
Alexander Salter
Assoc. Professor, Texas Tech University
“During my transition to law school, Young Voices has been truly instrumental, allowing me to leverage what I learn in the classroom in my writing. During my first semester, I published op-eds about issues that are important to me in national publications, including the Wall Street Journal and New York Post.”
Rachel Chiu
J.D. Candidate, Georgetown University
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This week on Moving Forward, the Young Voices radio show, we hear from contributors Xizi Daigle, Peter Biles, Oscar Gill-Lewis, and Harris Van Pate.
As the cost of living continues to rise and tensions mount over immigration issues, Canada has an option that could ease both challenges. Xizi Daigle says refugee sponsorship could help with immigration woes.
The latest installment of the Lord of the Rings series has plenty of funding but is lacking in some key areas. Peter Biles explains how the dialogue distracts from an epic tale.
The U.K. Postal Service has seen some serious drawbacks thanks to a vendor that has failed to deliver. Oscar Gill-Lewis reveals how robust procurement rules could help prevent another Post Office scandal.
A Biden administration proposal to limit Supreme Court terms might cause more problems than it solves. Harris Van Pate explains the drawbacks.
Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4136MDJgiRjuoYUZaSrV6J
ABOUT MOVING FORWARD: Young Voices sponsors a weekly radio show for our contributors to discuss pressing policy issues and their latest work. Moving Forward with Young Voices is hosted by Bryan Hyde and broadcasts on Radio St. George 100.3FM (KDXI-LP), a terrestrial radio station in Utah. It is also available to stream as a podcast on over 40 platforms including Podbean, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
Young Voices is thrilled to announce an expansion of our live events with the launch of NextGen Debates. At least once a quarter, Young Voices will host a formal Oxford-style debate with a live audience in downtown New York City. At the conclusion of these debates, audiences will have the chance to vote for a winner based on which speaker they thought made the most compelling argument.
If you haven't attended an Oxford-stye debate before, they're not your typical panel discussion. Expect to be provoked by engaging questions from a moderator and structured argumentation from debaters who are young, rising influencers in their field. And don't miss the afterparty! Every debate will be followed by a soiree to build a community of freethinkers from all walks of life.
We hope you can join us in person for one (or multiple) of our upcoming debates, but no worries if you're not located near New York City. Thanks to a partnership with the new streaming platform CiVL, Young Voices NextGen Debates will be broadcast live and available to watch shortly afterwards on every major streaming platform completely free of cost.
We're kicking off NextGen Debates with two events in October on topics related to the 2024 U.S. elections. Check them out below!
These two are just the beginning. We plan to return in early 2025 with more provocative NextGen Debates in NYC. Stay tuned for more upcoming events in Washington, DC this fall as well. Here's to the future!
Sincerely,
Casey Given
President & Executive Director
Check out the work of our Contributors as they get published in the Washington Examiner, Newsweek, RealClearPolitics, New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, and more!
The Vital Center: "The Moral Failure and Rational Politics of 'Enhanced Interrogation Techniques'" by Sam Raus
RealClearEnergy: "Air Conditioning Use Is Not a Moral Choice" by Jarrett Lash
Financial Post: "Refugee Sponsorship Could Help with Immigration Woes" by Xizi Daigle
Chicago Contrarian: "Chicago’s Parking Meter Deal Already Has Transit Reform in a Chokehold, the City Shouldn’t Make It Worse" by Micky Horstman
RealClearMarkets: "Why Wasn't the Debt Discussed at Last Week's Debate?" by Jill Jacobson
Reaction: "Robust Procurement Rules are Key to Avoiding a Repeat of the Post Office Scandal" by Oscar Gill-Lewis
Education Next: "Universal Eligibility Is the Beginning of Universal Educational Choice, Not the End" by Ed Tarnowski
The National Interest: "Calibrating U.S.-Kazakh Cooperation" by Alex Little
The Federalist: "After Court Strikes Down Affirmative Action, MIT Data Vindicates Discrimination Claims Of Asian Students" by Sheluyang Peng
DC Journal: "A Court Says Undocumented Immigrants Are Not Part of ‘the People’; Is It Right?" by Harris Van Pate
Financial Post: "Poilievre is Right — Canada is Broken. But More Government Won’t Fix it" by Sam Dagres
Harrison Griffiths on Times Radio
Ethan Watson on The 956 Drive Home
Victoria Churchill on Sky News Australia
Nathaniel Ogunniyi on Times Radio
Ethan Watson on Chicago's Morning Answer
Izabela Patriota on The 956 Drive Home
Ethan Watson on Alabama's Morning News
Ethan Watson on the CBN's Global Lane
This week on Moving Forward, the Young Voices radio show, we hear from contributors Kim-Leigh Tursi, Alex Xenos, Niklas Kleinworth, and Iulia Lupse.
Foreign workers who apply for H-1B visas don't detract from the U.S. economy, they add to it. Kim-Leigh Tursi says the U.S. attracts top foreign talent but tells the unlucky ones to go away.
The Electoral College has been a point of contention since the 2020 election. Alex Xenos explains that it's not a relic of slavery and is an important part of the structure of our Constitution.
States that purged their medicaid roles of individuals who were no longer eligible were warned that they would be harming millions of Americans. Niklas Kleinworth says, the doomsday narrative didn't happen and disenrolling the ineligible was actually a smart move.
The saga of Venezuelan freedom activist Maria Oropeza continues as she is held captive by the Maduro regime. Iulia Lupse has the latest update on Maria's situation.
Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2nbwLYY0Z8nltooTN5i13M?si=bda0f30975084da0
ABOUT MOVING FORWARD: Young Voices sponsors a weekly radio show for our contributors to discuss pressing policy issues and their latest work. Moving Forward with Young Voices is hosted by Bryan Hyde and broadcasts on Radio St. George 100.3FM (KDXI-LP), a terrestrial radio station in Utah. It is also available to stream as a podcast on over 40 platforms including Podbean, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
To contact Young Voices, email anders@joinyv.org
Members of Parliament are poised to pass a generational ban on tobacco in the UK. Oliver Dean says this would be a great time for the Tories to rediscover conservative policy-making.
Taylor Swift's endorsement of Kamala Harris marks yet another foray into politics for the popular singer. Alex Rosado explains why Harris may have wasted her presidential endorsement.
As the UK picks up the pieces from last month's rioting, the government is going all out to find and punish participants. Luca Watson says the riots prove that judges are willing to hand down harsh sentences--just not when it counts.
As the 1 year anniversary of the horrific Oct 7 attacks in Israel approaches, not everyone will be remembering it as a somber day. Hudson Crozier warns that some anti-Israel factions are planning Oct 7 celebrations.
Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2dyAGOt5L7AI4SV9teo40F
ABOUT MOVING FORWARD: Young Voices sponsors a weekly radio show for our contributors to discuss pressing policy issues and their latest work. Moving Forward with Young Voices is hosted by Bryan Hyde and broadcasts on Radio St. George 100.3FM (KDXI-LP), a terrestrial radio station in Utah. It is also available to stream as a podcast on over 40 platforms including Podbean, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
To contact Young Voices, email anders@joinyv.org
Check out the work of our Contributors as they get published in the Washington Examiner, Newsweek, RealClearPolitics, New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, and more!
Wall Street Journal: "Covid Relief Money Paid for a Water Park and Luxury Hotels" by Jacob Lane
New York Post: "How Politics and Social Media are Ruining Young People" by Daniel Idfresne
The American Spectator: "Gen Z is Clueless When It Comes to Voting" by Alex Rosado
American Thinker: "Local Government Still Works" by Jarrett Lash
Free the People: "A Tale of Two Rulings: Supreme Court’s Mixed Messages in Navigating Free Speech" by Nicole Shekhovstova
Next Steps: "K-12 Transportation Reform Needed to Increase Student Opportunity" by Cooper Conway
The American Spectator: "Delegation Dooms the Deficit" by Jill Jacobson
RealClearPolitics: "No, the Electoral College Is Not a Relic of Slavery" by Alex Xenos
Newsweek: "Ukraine's Kursk Offensive Could Make Peace Harder To Achieve" by Alex Little
RealClearPolitics: "Conservatives, Not Progressives, Are Freedom’s Champions" by Alexander Salter
Free the People: "The U.S. Attracts Top Foreign Talent and Tells the Unlucky Ones to Go Away" by Kim Leigh-Tursi
The American Spectator: "Oct. 7 Celebration Rallies Are on the Way" by Hudson Crozier
American Institute for Economic Research: "Kroger Invests $1B in Antitrust Defense" by Noah Gould
RealClearPolitics: "Using Law as a Political Weapon Undermines Public Trust in Elections" by Ryan Silverstein
The Center Square: "Oregon Democrats Should Support Their Voters by Supporting School Choice" by Cooper Conway
Conservative Home: "The Riots Prove Judges Will Give Harsh Sentences - Just Not When it Counts" by Luca Watson
DC Journal: "Outdated Pensions Hold Our Cities Back" by Mike Viola
Washington Examiner: "Campus Protests May Look Different This Fall" by Anna Wood
National Newswatch: "Why Can’t Canada Build More Homes?" by Daniel Dorman
DC Journal: "Why Cantwell Can’t Get a Spectrum Bill Over the Line" by James Erwin
RealClearReligion: "Latin American Evangelicals Offer Safety to Jewish Diaspora — There's a Catch" by Joseph Bouchard
RealClearPolitics: "Gen Z Should Not Be Fooled by Kamala’s Sudden Seriousness" by Ethan Watson
RealClearMarkets: "Don't Trust the DOJ As It Tries to Cut Up Apple" by Alex Rosado
Washington Examiner: "Taylor Swift Wasted Her Presidential Endorsement" by Alex Rosado
The American Spectator: "The Rings of Power Has ChatGPT Syndrome" by Peter Biles
Connor Vasile Fox News Radio Tour
Sophia Worringer & Noah Khogali on Sky News Breakfast
Alvin Hailin on The Mandy Connell Show
Aaron Pomertantz Fox News Radio Tour
Alexander Salter on Stacy on the Right
Daniel Idfresne on The 956 Drive Home (KURV)
Friend,
Since 2017, Young Voices has offered select cohorts of our writers a unique opportunity to explore specific policy issues through our "Policy Fellowships" program. These fellowships provide in-depth learning guided by lectures and mentorship from scholars at leading think tanks. I’m excited to announce that this fall, Young Voices will be launching our largest batch of fellowships to date, featuring three programs and 23 fellows. Read more about them below:
We’re looking forward to sharing the results of these fellowships as they conclude early next year. These programs are a testament to the continued growth of Young Voices' network of communicators for liberty. To learn more about Young Voices' recent accomplishments and future plans, check out our annual report linked below.
Sincerely,
Casey Given
President & Executive Director
This is the election cycle in which the Democratic Party, via Tim Walz, has incorporated the phrase "Mind your own damn business." Srisha Raj says, Gen Z isn't taking the bait and rejects the idea that willful ignorance equals freedom.
The Federal Trade Commission is scrutinizing Pharmacy Benefit Managers to determine their impact on the healthcare market. Patrick Hanks warns that the FTC studies are leaning on slant more than reason.
The Republican Party's newfound flexibility on abortion is causing complications for some faithful Catholics. Stanton Skejanec explains how VP nominee J.D. Vance is leaving some Catholic libertarians politically homeless.
The heated student protests at U.S. colleges and universities have created an uncertain future for free speech . Daniel Idfresne says that a lack of administrative leadership leaves students like him bracing for future protests
Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ffa6fIcqICDwAwaqAxKgm?si=v5K_1RuQRrKnMtvfLLCeyA
ABOUT MOVING FORWARD: Young Voices sponsors a weekly radio show for our contributors to discuss pressing policy issues and their latest work. Moving Forward with Young Voices is hosted by Bryan Hyde and broadcasts on Radio St. George 100.3FM (KDXI-LP), a terrestrial radio station in Utah. It is also available to stream as a podcast on over 40 platforms including Podbean, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
To contact Young Voices, email anders@joinyv.org
I’m thrilled to share with you Young Voices’ 2023-2024 Annual Report. For the 11th consecutive year, we’ve expanded our media reach, continuing to amplify the message of liberty across the globe. Check out the report here.
Over the past year, Young Voices:
These achievements wouldn’t have been possible without the support of dedicated individuals like you. Here’s to reaching even more milestones for freedom in the media!
Are you inspired by what you see? Click here to give a tax-deductible donation to support our work empowering the next generation of leaders for liberty.
Last month's Crowdstrike-Microsoft outage was a learning experience for millions of people. Xizi Daigle says one of those lessons is that the UK government must reform EU tech rules to avoid similar disasters.
Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea having far-reaching economic impact. Shay Khatiri explains that securing the Red Sea may require sinking Iran's navy.
Last month, Louisiana became the first state to allow surgical castration as a punishment for certain sex crimes against minors. Autumn Billings says the new law chooses revenge over public safety.
On August 6, officials from Venezuela's military counter intelligence agency took Maria Oropeza into custody for her opposition to the Maduro regime. Izabella Patriota joins us to discuss how the Ladies of Liberty Alliance (LoLA) is working to secure Maria's release.
Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6kL1Tx2vHu9LeNd30ZpX5j
ABOUT MOVING FORWARD: Young Voices sponsors a weekly radio show for our contributors to discuss pressing policy issues and their latest work. Moving Forward with Young Voices is hosted by Bryan Hyde and broadcasts on Radio St. George 100.3FM (KDXI-LP), a terrestrial radio station in Utah. It is also available to stream as a podcast on over 40 platforms including Podbean, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
To contact Young Voices, email anders@joinyv.org
Check out the work of our Contributors as they get published in the Washington Examiner, The American Conservative, Reason, American Mind, The Dispatch, and more!
The Times of Israel: "How Young Jews Can Save the Planet, And Each Other" by Ethan Brown
International Policy Digest: "Guess My Race. Here’s a Clue: It’s the Same as VP Harris" by Sheluyang Peng
The Detroit News: "Michigan Minimum Wage Hike Will Hurt Workers" by Tyler Curtis
Albuquerque Journal: "NM’s Bail Reform Status Quo is Unsustainable" by Hunter Thomas
Gazeta Do Povo: "A Esquerda Está Comprando a Propaganda Do Irã" by Joseph Bouchard
The American Spectator: "AI Isn’t Your Friend. Good Thing, Too" by Peter Biles
Comment Central: "The UK Government Must Reform EU Tech Rules" by Xizi Daigle
DC Journal: "A ‘Freedom Conservative’ Win Transforming Lives" by Frances Floresca
The Daily Star: "Louisiana's Surgical Castration Law Chooses Revenge Over Public Safety" by Autumn Billings
Washington Examiner: "No, Generation Z Won’t ‘Mind’ Its Own ‘Business’" by Srisha Raj
The American Conservative: "NATO’s Arctic Strategy Is an Overreaction" by Alex Little
Free the People: "Local Control Could Be the Answer to the Abortion Divide" by Lulia Lupse
Reason: "María Knew She Was Being Targeted': The Arrest of a Venezuelan Activist Exposes Maduro's Brutal Crackdown" by Lulia Lupse
Duluth News Tribune: "Democrats Owe Minnesota's Rep. Dean Phillips an Apology" by Alex Rosado
Reason: "In Argentina, the Private Sector May Save Soccer" by Eloy Vera
Chalkboard News: "Boredom — Not Cell Phones — is the Big Problem in Kansas Classrooms" by Ethan Watson
The Daily Wire: "Columbia’s President Abandons Ship. Students Like Me Brace For Election Protests." by Daniel Idfresne
New York Daily News: "Reject Prop 1, Which Harms Local Gov’t" by Ryan Silverstein
The Dispatch: "Appalachian Dynamism" by Sam Raus
RealClearReligion: "JD Vance’s Rise Assures the Political Homelessness of Libertarian Catholics" by Stanton Skerjanec
American Mind: "Big Tech’s Political Extremism Problem" by Isaac Willour
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: "Raising Missouri's Minimum Wage Will Make People Poorer" by Tyler Curtis
RealClearPolitics: "Harris' VP Pick Is a Win for Republicans" by Matthew Cookson
Reason: "Idaho Child Care Program Faces $16 Million Deficit as Bureaucrats Overextend Benefits" by Niklas Kleinworth
Alex Petropoulos on Times Radio
Jacob Lane's Fox News Radio tour
Victoria Churchill on The James Parker Show
Friend,
Happy Labor Day Weekend! The dog days of summer may be coming to an end, but Young Voices has not been sleeping. We hosted two big gatherings in New York City this past week — a speakers training for our new Dissident Project class and a panel with three student reporters on what's to come with campus protests. Check it out!
Meet the Dissidents: An Evening with the Dissident Project
The Dissident Project is Young Voices' speakers bureau connecting U.S. immigrants who escaped tyrannical regimes with high schoolers at no cost to schools. We welcomed seven new Dissidents from China, Cuba, Iran, and the former USSR last weekend and honed their public speaking skills to share their compelling stories about the importance of freedom to young audiences across the country. We also hosted a reception last Saturday night four our donors, partners, and friends to meet our new Dissidents in person. We have big plans for the fall!
The Left's Campus Playbook: Protests, Tactics, and Future DirectionsLast night, I hosted a panel with three Young Voices student journalists who made a splash on college campuses this past school year. Jonas Du from Columbia, Lexi Boccuzzi from Penn, and Tahmineh Dehbozorgi from GWU sat down to explore the recent anti-Israel protests on college campus, dissecting the philosophical, institutional, and free speech ramifications of the protests. We were joined by a number of Young Voices supporters and partners, including our friends at The Fund for American Studies and the David Network. Click here to listen to a recording of the talk.
Thank you to everyone who came out, and we hope to see more friends at future gatherings!
Sincerely,
Casey Given
President & Executive Director
Without urgent action, Canada is projected to have the worst economic growth among 38 advanced economies over the next few decades. Samantha Dagres explains the policies that will make it harder to succeed in Canada.
Media focus in the U.K. has recently been fixated on far right riots in response to immigration policy. Oliver Dean says the media is missing the real problem of knife crime.
President Biden's efforts to enact student loan relief have hit another constitutional roadblock . Ryan Silverstein lays out how Biden misses on student loan forgiveness--again.
Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Ohj6CMeNQnrHqo7ggmzkb
ABOUT MOVING FORWARD: Young Voices sponsors a weekly radio show for our contributors to discuss pressing policy issues and their latest work. Moving Forward with Young Voices is hosted by Bryan Hyde and broadcasts on Radio St. George 100.3FM (KDXI-LP), a terrestrial radio station in Utah. It is also available to stream as a podcast on over 40 platforms including Podbean, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
To contact Young Voices, email anders@joinyv.org
It's telling that European politicians have an axe to grind with budget airlines. Jeffrey E. Schulman Explains why it's a mistake to make a scapegoat out of those airlines.
Every industry is dealing with AI differently. Anna Wood reminds us that AI bans didn't work and it's time for teachers to embrace ChatGPT.
The more autonomy a person has, the less likely he or she is to engage in political violence. Alex Rosado explains how small government can minimize the frustration that arises from state interference.
California's high risk dashboard which tracked the financial health of high risk cities within the state has disappeared without a trace. Andrew Davenport says, the transparency may be gone but the dashboard should not be forgotten.
Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3R63J3IPlu5E3lQijYE0m3
ABOUT MOVING FORWARD: Young Voices sponsors a weekly radio show for our contributors to discuss pressing policy issues and their latest work. Moving Forward with Young Voices is hosted by Bryan Hyde and broadcasts on Radio St. George 100.3FM (KDXI-LP), a terrestrial radio station in Utah. It is also available to stream as a podcast on over 40 platforms including Podbean, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
To contact Young Voices, email anders@joinyv.org
Check out the work of our Contributors as they get published in the Toronto Sun, National Review, Houston Chronicle, City Journal, Chicago Tribune, and more!
Albuquerque Journal: "Supreme Court Failed to Address States’ Rights in Water Dispute Case" by Hunter Thomas
RealClearWorld: "Why Ukraine Should Not Be on an “Irreversible Path” Into NATO" by Daniel Corcoran
Albuquerque Journal: "School Choice is the Path to Ensuring Every Child Has a Quality Education" by Hunter Thomas
National Review: "Public Christianity Is as American as Apple Pie" by Alexander Salter
Chicago Tribune: "Candidates Shouldn’t Ignore Young Voters this Election" by Micky Horstman
City Journal: "A Flawed Venezuela Policy Backfires" by Daniel Di Martino
Gazeta Do Povo: "Lula's Pacifist Illusions About the Israel-Palestine Conflict" by Joseph Bouchard
Comment Central: "Labour Must Not Choke Lobbying with Red Tape" by Oliver Dean
RealClearEnergy: "Europe Is Attacking Budget Airlines. Living There Taught Me This Is a Mistake." by Jeffrey Schulman
Houston Chronicle: "Texas Should Ban Cell Phones in Schools" by Gary Frankel
Toronto Sun: "Want to Win in Canada? Sorry, That Might Not Be Possible" by Samantha Dagres
DC Journal: "Biden Misses on Student Loan Forgiveness — Again" by Ryan Silverstein
TechDirt: "Age-Gating Access To Online Porn Is Unconstitutional" by Santana Boulton
RealClearReligion: "The Classroom is the Battleground for Religious Freedom" by Sheluyang Peng
RealClearMarkets: "Trump Tariffs Betray GOP Promises To Voters" by Matthew Cookson
Washington Examiner: "European Tech Protectionism is Grounding Our Flights" by James Erwin
Conservative Home: "Tories Need to Rediscover Conservative Policymaking – and the Tobacco Ban is the Place to Start" by Oliver Dean
International Policy Digest: "Lula’s Reaction to Haniyeh Killing Feeds Antisemitism in Latin America" by Joseph Bouchard
Daily Express: "The Focus on Far-Right Riots Risks Leaving the Real Problem of Knife Crime Forgotten" by Oliver Dean
The Political Insider: "Biden’s Supreme Court Term Limit Proposal Would Hurt Both Parties, Not Just Republicans" by Harris Van Pate
Free the People: "J.D. Vance is Part of Unconstitutional Porn Ban Push" by Santana Boulton
DC Journal: "To Reduce Political Violence, Fight Statism" by William Rampe
Chicago Tribune: "Chicago Needs to Reset on Homelessness" by Mike Viola
Connor Vasile on The James Parker Show (WBAP)
Victoria Churchill interview on The Happy Women Podcast
Isaac Willour on Stacy on the Right
Juan Villasmil on Stacy on the Right
Nathaniel Ogunniyi on Times Radio
Isaac Willour on Stacy Washington NOW
Juan Villasmil on The Global Lane (CBN News)
Jill Jacobson on Stacy on the Right
Daniel Corcoran on Stacy on the Right
Sophia Worringer on Times Radio
Juan Villasmil on The Young Turks
Jonas Du on the show On Balance with Leland Vittert (NewsNation)
The Dissident Project is welcoming a new speaker class for the 2024-2025 school year. These incoming dissidents from countries including the People’s Republic of China, Iran, Cuba and Russia will take their testimonies into highschools across the country to share with the next generation of American students what it was like to live under totalitarian regimes.
Next week, our dissidents will be joining us in New York City for our Dissident Training Summit. Over the course of the summit, our new class will enhance their public speaking skills, film social media content, deepen their understanding of our program and learn how to effectively share their unique stories with student audiences across the nation.
We look forward to seeing how their stories will impact young Americans in the effort to dispel the allure of authoritarian ideologies. Here are our incoming dissidents for the 2024-2025 school year:
Alvin Hailin
People’s Republic of China
Alvin Hailin was born and raised in Beijing, but he and his family never held a Beijing "Hukou” — a registration in a caste-like system restricting Chinese citizens from freely moving and living within their own country. This eventually stimulated Alvin to attend an international high school in Beijing and prepare for admission to American universities.
During high school, Alvin learned to secretly use a VPN to access the Internet beyond the Great Firewall. This allowed him to discover facts hidden by the Chinese government and understand freedom and democracy through observing Taiwanese elections.
In the fall of 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Alvin began his studies at UC Santa Barbara but had to complete his entire freshman year remotely from China. During this time, he experienced the Chinese government's increased implementation of digital authoritarianism under the guise of pandemic control. In April 2021, Alvin's WeChat account was suspended after he criticized President Xi Jinping's incompetency in a group chat with nearly 200 members. Subsequently, local police officers threatened him, stating that he and his family would face severe consequences if he continued to express dissent against the Communist Party, the Chinese government, and their leaders.
Upon arriving in the United States, Alvin joined Young Americans for Freedom, aspiring to share his story with more Americans. He also became a Christian while overcoming his traumas. Alvin plans to graduate from UC Santa Barbara with a double major in Applied Mathematics and the History of Public Policy and Law in the spring of 2025. He intends to apply to law schools and become a lawyer in the future.
Alvin Guo
People’s Republic of China
Alvin "Chenhao" Guo is a defector from Communist China. He was an underground Christian, sharing Christianity and political criticism, and helping people evade Internet censorship as a high school student. He defected from Communist China after becoming a conscientious objector in 2018 at the age of 19.
Having witnessed the absolute deprivation of individual rights, rule of terror, and unrestricted oppression, Alvin sees America heading in a similar direction. He loves America and does not want it to become like Communist China. As a student leader on college campuses, he has been writing articles for multiple influential media outlets, organizing demonstrations, exercising freedom of speech, and working with legislators to protect American freedom. Alvin Guo recently graduated from Brigham Young University and is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). He is the current president of the Utah College Republicans and a member of the College Republicans national board.
Alvin is an educator, entrepreneur, and advocate of capitalism who believes in “Faith & Flag.”
Eliza Volkova
Russia
Liza is currently a senior at the GW School of Business and already owns and operates her own business. She was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and has previously lived in Moscow, Russia. She graduated high school at the age of 16 and found a passion for entrepreneurship. Before becoming a student at GW, Liza organized conferences in Moscow to promote her education startup, Campus Education. She is an official member of the Youth Council of the World Liberty Congress.
Shay Khatiri
Iran
Shay Khatiri is a vice president and senior fellow at the Yorktown Institute, where he studies the geopolitics of Eurasia. Trained as a military strategist at the Johns Hopkins University, SAIS, he has been widely published in prominent journals and newspapers on issues ranging from foreign policy to American patriotism. He lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Golbon Marandiz
Iran
Golbon, a cybersecurity student and community activist from Seattle, has recently brought Ladies of Liberty Alliance (LOLA) to Washington to fill a gap in the libertarian community. She is a passionate advocate for free speech and free markets. As a former political and religious refugee exiled from Iran, Golbon is now a fervent champion of liberal ideals. She currently serves as a data analyst intern at the American Heart Association, a student at the University of Washington-Seattle, and the chapter leader for LOLA.
Janna Blanter
USSR
Janna left the USSR in 1976 as a teenager, but the memories of the horrors she experienced remain vivid. She recalls bread lines, family members in gulags, and a pervasive fear of authority. Now, Janna serves as an adjunct faculty member and a board member for an oil drilling company, drawing on her past to educate and inspire others about the importance of freedom and human rights.
Gabriela Blanco
Cuba
Gabriela Blanco was born and raised in Havana, Cuba, under the communist regime that has ruled for over 6 decades now. Her family experienced the consequences of this terrible system firsthand; from having her great-grandparents’ business stolen and nationalized, to being separated from her father for over 10 years. At 23 years old she moved to the Cayman Islands by herself, where she lived for 7 years. In 2019 she came to the United States and was reunited with her father and siblings after nearly a decade apart.
During her journey she accepted Christ as her savior, and alongside her husband they traveled the country as testimony speakers for the Gideons International, an organization devoted to spreading the gospel around the world. She is also actively involved in ministry and her local church community in Austin, Texas.
Gabriela holds a master’s degree in Event Management from Falmouth University in the UK, has extensive experience managing large events of 30,000+ attendees and is currently a Project Management consultant for the largest sports field construction company in the US. She is also a mother of one. Her family and her faith remain her biggest passions, both directly impacted by the Cuban authoritarian regime. Gabriela is a voice for freedom, God, and family values and the effects of communist and socialist practices on family and life.
Friend,
Young Voices is thrilled to announce the arrival of a powerful new Dissident Project speaker class for the 2024-2025 school year. This year, we’re welcoming seven inspiring voices who are ready to share their incredible stories with high school students across the United States.
Next week, these brave speakers will gather in New York City for our annual Dissident Training Summit. At the retreat, they'll refine their public speaking skills and learn how to effectively share their experiences highlighting the importance of freedom for America’s youth.
Our new speakers hail from all corners of the world, including the People’s Republic of China, Iran, Cuba, and Russia. One dissident even brings a unique perspective from the former USSR, vividly recalling the breadlines and oppressive realities of a communist regime. Many of these courageous individuals are also successful entrepreneurs, showcasing how the American dream can become a reality when given the opportunity to thrive.
We can’t wait to see the impact this class of dissidents will have as they engage with students across the nation, sparking critical conversations and inspiring a deeper appreciation for the freedoms we often take for granted.
Together, we'll empower the next generation to stand strong against tyranny.
Sincerely,
Casey Given
President & Executive Director
Lobbyists often get a bad rap. Oliver Dean shares his thoughts on Prime Minister Keir Starmer's efforts to overhaul lobbying rules and how red tape may actually harm citizens of the U.K.
Young voters didn't have a large turn out in Chicago's Democratic primary election but Mickey Horstman says, that's no reason for candidates to write them off.
European Union officials have been quite serious about protecting their nations' tech companies. James Erwin makes the case that EU protectionism is crushing economic output.
Tariffs are often pushed as a way to protect American workers but there's another side to that coin. Matthew Cookson explains how Trump's proposed tariffs will betray GOP promises to voters.
Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/501qZr35RynZzzCKS0pOA8
ABOUT MOVING FORWARD: Young Voices sponsors a weekly radio show for our contributors to discuss pressing policy issues and their latest work. Moving Forward with Young Voices is hosted by Bryan Hyde and broadcasts on Radio St. George 100.3FM (KDXI-LP), a terrestrial radio station in Utah. It is also available to stream as a podcast on over 40 platforms including Podbean, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
To contact Young Voices, email anders@joinyv.org
Trust in the criminal justice system is falling in direct proportion to how politicized our prosecutors are becoming. Alex Xenos explains why it's happening and what needs to be done.
The term "peaceful protesters" is becoming strained by the actions of pro-Palestinian activists who threatened to kill both the president and the provost of George Washington University. Nate Phipps says those protests show the destructive side of anti-Israel activism.
The Murthy ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in June, was deeply concerning for advocates of free speech. Matt Cookson points out that the door has been left open for Congress and the president to protect free speech.
Democracy is struggling throughout the world but there is serious cause for concern in Canada. Daniel Dorman says, a big part of the problem there is that Trudeau is asleep at the wheel.
Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5nUwKQIo30CtdjiDJ2MIUM
ABOUT MOVING FORWARD: Young Voices sponsors a weekly radio show for our contributors to discuss pressing policy issues and their latest work. Moving Forward with Young Voices is hosted by Bryan Hyde and broadcasts on Radio St. George 100.3FM (KDXI-LP), a terrestrial radio station in Utah. It is also available to stream as a podcast on over 40 platforms including Podbean, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
To contact Young Voices, email anders@joinyv.org
Check out the work of our Contributors as they get published in Bitcoin Magazine, Orange County Register, Houston Chronicle, American Spectator, Deseret News, and more!
Deseret News: "Western Rangelands are Overpopulated with Wild Horses. Let's Spread the Word about Horse Adoption" by Madison Yablanski
American Thinker: "Reining in the Administrative State" by Ryan Silverstein
American Spectator: "Destroying Our Criminal Justice System" by Alex Xenos
Houston Chronicle: "What Texas A&M Needs — Really, Really Needs — in its Next Chancellor" by Gary Frankel
The Thomas B. Fordham Institute: "To Boost Attendance and Outcomes, Pay Students, Not Systems" by Cooper Conway and Gary Frankel
Bitcoin Magazine: "As D.C. Adopts Sound Money Principles, States Must Continue to Lead" by Niklas Kleinworth
RealClearWorld: "Trump’s Unconventional Approach Might Be the Key To Ending the Ukraine War" by Lulia Lupse
Free the People: "Small Government Can Prevent Political Violence" by Alex Rosado
RealClearPublicAffairs: "In Murthy Ruling, SCOTUS Leaves Room for Congress, President to Protect Free Speech" by Matthew Cookson
American Spectator: "Critics of Lolita Need to Learn How to Read Fiction" by Peter Biles
Orange County Register: "California’s High-Risk Dashboard is gone without a trace but should not be forgotten" by Andrew Davenport
The Political Insider: "Grants Pass Demands Response from Religious Communities" by Jarrett Lash
Harrison Griffiths on Times Radio
Frances Floresca's Fox News Radio Tour
Juan Villasmil on The News Forum Daily
Juan Villasmil on The WILS Morning Wake-Up
Juan Villasmil on Chicago's Morning Answer
Friend,
The world is watching Venezuela right now as protesters take to the street to rise up against a sham election giving dictator Nicolas Maduro a third term. Daniel Di Martino, founder of Young Voices' Dissident Project, reacted to the news with a powerful Fox Business appearance yesterday, diving into the opposition's proof of a stolen election and what might be next for his troubled home country.
The Dissident Project is empowering vital voices like Daniel's to tell the brutal truth about the tyrannical regimes they fled. In late August, we will welcome a new class of eight speakers from Cuba, Iran, Russia, Syria, and the former USSR for speaking and media training. Soon after, they'll be telling their stories and spreading the message of liberty to the next generation at high schools across the country and to the masses on TV, radio, and social media.
Events like last weekend's sham election in Venezuela highlight the need to empower freedom fighters like Daniel to make sure dictators don't define the narrative. With your help, Young Voices and the Dissident Project will continue to find and promote these bold freedom fighters for years to come.
Sincerely,
Casey Given
President & Executive Director
We're often encouraged to outsource our thinking and research to experts. Ethan Watson says, this November, the voters should think for themselves.
Sound money is becoming a timely topic of discussion at the state and federal level. Niklas Kleinworth explains why, as D.C. adopts sound money principles, states must continue to lead. *for more information go to bitcoin.org
The Supreme Court's overturning of the Chevron Deference has been cause for celebration in some circles. Harris Van Pate asks whether small government libertarians should be excited.
The war in Ukraine has dragged on with a terrible human toll. Iulia Lupse says Trump's unconventional approach might be the key to ending that war.
Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6T4Oyf0mCaxLkU1BUjhbmE
ABOUT MOVING FORWARD: Young Voices sponsors a weekly radio show for our contributors to discuss pressing policy issues and their latest work. Moving Forward with Young Voices is hosted by Bryan Hyde and broadcasts on Radio St. George 100.3FM (KDXI-LP), a terrestrial radio station in Utah. It is also available to stream as a podcast on over 40 platforms including Podbean, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
To contact Young Voices, email anders@joinyv.org
The days of unaccountable federal agencies may be coming to a close. Ryan Silverstein explains how the decision that ended the Chevron Deference has set the stage for reining in the administrative state.
Phone-free learning environments are a good starting point to getting young students back on track. Peter Biles says the next obvious step would be a return to actual books.
While AI is poised to change the world, there is still a lot of official resistance to it. Nathalie Voit says federal leadership needs to embrace AI or risk falling behind.
The state of California recently passed a law banning schools from notifying parents of their child's gender identity. Connor Vasile lays out the downside of the state supplanting parental authority.
Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/221l5ulCxqfSZqfX4TuERC
ABOUT MOVING FORWARD: Young Voices sponsors a weekly radio show for our contributors to discuss pressing policy issues and their latest work. Moving Forward with Young Voices is hosted by Bryan Hyde and broadcasts on Radio St. George 100.3FM (KDXI-LP), a terrestrial radio station in Utah. It is also available to stream as a podcast on over 40 platforms including Podbean, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
To contact Young Voices, email anders@joinyv.org
The recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump has cast the former president in a new, often favorable light. Juan P. Villasmil joins us to discuss Trump's Teddy Roosevelt moment.
If you've marveled at how expensive homes have become, there's an overlooked reason that we don't tend to think of. Jacob Fox explains how trade war with China is driving up home prices.
Joe Biden's failing health may make it seem like a no brainer to push him out of the presidential race. Alex Rosado cautions that this would be a mistake for the Democrats.
When the government steps in to bail industries out of bad business decisions, it creates a moral hazard. Tyler Curtis cautions that more deposit insurance won't prevent the next banking crisis.
Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5XgdSdPwBBkbD9KmnhBHEQ
ABOUT MOVING FORWARD: Young Voices sponsors a weekly radio show for our contributors to discuss pressing policy issues and their latest work. Moving Forward with Young Voices is hosted by Bryan Hyde and broadcasts on Radio St. George 100.3FM (KDXI-LP), a terrestrial radio station in Utah. It is also available to stream as a podcast on over 40 platforms including Podbean, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
To contact Young Voices, email anders@joinyv.org