Podcast Summary:
The Bobby Bones Show – BONUS EP: Music, Mentors & Making an Impact…Hyundai and YEAH! Changing Lives
Date: March 9, 2026
Host: Bobby Bones and team
Guests: Mariela (YEAH!), Josh Groban (Find Your Light Foundation)
Sponsor: Hyundai
Episode Overview
This bonus episode spotlights the transformative power of youth music education through Nashville-based YEAH! (Youth Empowerment through Arts and Humanities), the importance of access, collaboration, and community, and the role of partnerships—especially Hyundai and the Find Your Light Foundation—in expanding creative opportunities for young people. Mariela, YEAH!’s representative, shares inspiring stories and practical insights into breaking barriers for children from all backgrounds, while Josh Groban calls in to discuss his foundation’s ongoing support for arts education.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Josh Groban and the Find Your Light Foundation
- Josh's Backstory and Foundation Origins
- Josh credits his own public arts education for his success (01:13).
- Started his foundation after fans presented him a $25,000 check to kick it off.
- “Having a foundation was something that could be really worthwhile and very rewarding.” – Josh Groban (01:28)
- Find Your Light’s Mission
- Focus on sustaining in-school and after-school arts programs, especially as such programs face budget cuts.
- Offers grants to organizations like YEAH! with an emphasis on access and inclusion.
- Meaningful Partnerships
- Highlights collaboration with Mariela and YEAH!
- Thanks Hyundai for their support and calls attention to every contribution's impact.
The YEAH! Program: Philosophy and Approach
- Program Details
- Caters to ages 6–17.
- Goes beyond instruments: teaches collaboration, music industry roles, and self-expression (03:19).
- Unique Rules and Culture
- “Don’t be a donut, be a croissant”: Encourage openness and flexibility, not closed-off behavior.
- “We want kids to be open. We want them to be flexible. We want them to be welcoming instead of closed...” – Mariela (04:06)
Removing Barriers
- Scholarships for all applicants regardless of ability to pay.
- 10 locations across metro Nashville for convenience.
- Inclusivity: welcomes all genders, skill levels, and backgrounds.
- “From beginner to advanced, from female to trans, from poor to rich, from brown to black to white, every single person is allowed and welcomed and championed at YEAH!” – Mariela (04:40)
Kids’ Musical Journeys and Preferences
- Children mostly gravitate to guitars (most visible), but interests can shift with exposure (05:17).
- Providing access to diverse instruments and beat-making expands possibilities.
- Vocal and songwriting skills are increasingly popular.
Building Confidence and Growth
- Music as a vehicle for self-discovery and confidence—especially in supportive environments.
- “If it’s done in an environment that is celebrating and championing them, then that confidence can only go up.” – Mariela (05:55)
- Shy kids often step up for performances after transformative experiences at YEAH!
- “We had a child that 30 minutes before our camp showcase ... said, I’m going to do this. And it was because of everything they experienced leading up to it.” – Mariela (07:17)
Inclusion and Flexibility of the Program
- Example: A student transitioning into becoming male wanted drums, switched to bass, ended up loving it within two days (08:07).
- “This is not for a grade, this is not for a Grammy. This is for you.” – Mariela (08:43)
- Program adapts to the student, not the other way around.
Performance and Opportunities
- YEAH! ends sessions with student performances at historic Nashville venues (e.g., The Basement East, East Room, East Side Bowl).
- “They do perform on those stages that help them understand the power of performance and share that historic stage with so many people who are creating positive social change.” – Mariela (10:13)
- Mariela’s favorite venue: “My Living Room.” (10:42)
Accessibility: No Experience Required
- Kids with zero experience are welcome.
- Supportive teachers meet kids where they are and offer a variety of entry points (instruments, beat making, songwriting, etc.).
Early Excitement and Community
- YEAH! is open to the youngest learners (age 6).
- Young children are described as “free without any worries of making it sound right or look right.” (11:41)
- Sibling dynamics and anticipation from even younger kids fuel the camp’s energy.
The Dream for YEAH! – Future Goals
- Year-round, consistent programming (currently limited by funding/venues).
- Expand to two-week camps for deeper learning.
- Introduce more industry-related skills: audio, lighting, production, and recording.
- Provide entry points for non-performers interested in technical or behind-the-scenes roles.
- “There’s always someone behind everything we do.” – Mariela (13:40)
- “That mentality of collaboration and of being a soldier amongst soldiers can further inspire kids to take risks and to worry less about perfection, but about progress and about community...” (13:53)
The Critical Role of Funding and Hyundai’s Support
- Hyundai’s support is cited as essential to day-to-day operations.
- “Without support from Hyundai, we would not be able to sustain our operating expenses.” – Mariela (14:32)
- Nonprofit funding is increasingly competitive as giving capacity and grant availability decline.
Cultural Instruments and Program Limitations
- Currently focused on rock-band instruments due to available resources.
- Aspires to offer more world music instruments (e.g., accordions, steel drums), but lacks resources and specialized instructors for now.
- “We are always in need of better equipment. And when we reach that point, I will figure out what to do next...” – Mariela (15:56)
How Listeners Can Support
- Donations through yarocks.org/donate or yeah.kindful.com.
- Listeners can contribute one-time or monthly, sponsor programs, provide scholarships, or use corporate matching (16:45).
- Strong call to action for community involvement in nurturing youth creativity.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Josh Groban on the Power of Giving Back (01:28):
“It became very apparent to me when my fans presented me with a check at a concert...for $25,000. And they said, if you ever do a foundation one day, here’s your first donation. And I was so blown away by that.”
- YEAH!’s Philosophy (04:06):
“We want kids to be open...We want them to be flexible. We want them to be welcoming instead of closed and avoiding others to come into their lives.” – Mariela
- On Inclusion (04:40):
“From beginner to advanced, from female to trans, from poor to rich, from brown to black to white, every single person is allowed and welcomed and championed at YEAH!” – Mariela
- On Confidence (05:55):
“If it’s done in an environment that is celebrating and championing them, then that confidence can only go up.” – Mariela
- Music is for Everyone (08:43):
“This is not for a grade, this is not for a Grammy. This is for you.” – Mariela
- On Performance (10:13):
“They do perform on those stages that help them understand the power of performance and share that historic stage with so many people who are creating positive social change.” – Mariela
Important Segments & Timestamps
- Josh Groban Introduction & Find Your Light Foundation: 00:59–02:57
- What is YEAH! and its Philosophy: 03:13–04:15
- Open vs. Closed Mindset Rule ("Donut vs. Croissant"): 03:48–04:15
- Description of Scholarships, Access, and Inclusivity: 04:20–05:03
- Instrument Preferences & Providing Access: 05:03–05:47
- Confidence-Building Through Music: 05:51–06:18
- Transformational Stories of Shy Kids: 07:12–07:55
- Story: Student Finds Passion for Bass: 08:07–09:03
- Kids Performing at Historic Venues: 10:05–10:41
- Welcoming Complete Beginners: 10:50–11:26
- YEAH! Program’s Dream & Future Vision: 12:12–13:08
- Music Careers Beyond Instruments: 13:08–14:28
- Hyundai’s Support and Challenge of Funding: 14:28–15:06
- Offering World Music and Cultural Instruments: 15:06–16:21
- How to Support YEAH!: 16:21–17:12
Final Thoughts
This episode weaves together personal stories, programmatic insights, and passionate advocacy for making the arts accessible to all children, regardless of background. YEAH! stands as a model for holistic music education—celebrating diversity, lowering barriers, and planting seeds of confidence and possibility. Listeners are invited to support this community effort, with the collective message: investing in youth creativity means investing in a brighter, more inclusive future.