Youth organizers are reshaping democracy from the ground up with a level of purpose and urgency that’s impossible to ignore.

This episode of Participation Trophy takes a clear look at how youth are driving real change through community-based organizing. Topher Williams talks with Dakota Hall of the Alliance for Youth Action, who explains why young people are stepping up in such large numbers and how rising costs, shrinking opportunities, and a desire for honest leadership shape their political energy. Dakota shares the personal moments that sparked his own commitment to organizing, and he reflects on the lessons that help him move through self-doubt and stay grounded in the long tradition of people who fought for justice before him. What does meaningful action look like in a moment that feels overwhelming? How do young leaders build power without losing hope?

Join Topher and Dakota in this conversation to get a glimpse of where democracy is headed and the growing role youth play in shaping it.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Do Young People Really Care About Democracy?

01:34 How Dakota Hall Builds Youth Power Nationwide

03:41 The Economic Issues Driving Young Voters

10:08 How Young People Can Organize in Conservative States

12:31 Combating Isolation and Creating Community

14:37 The Life Lessons That Shaped Dakota’s Leadership

18:23 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Through History and Legacy

26:47 Dakota’s Early Awakening to Injustice

30:24 Three Actions Anyone Can Take to Fight Authoritarianism

31:38 What Makes Wisconsin Unique