Ordinary Humans

AI for Mental Health Support: How Kai Blends Human Empathy with Technology to Close the Care Gap

mental health

The mental health crisis has reached alarming levels across the globe. Rates of anxiety and depression continue to climb, with the World Health Organization is estimating that one in eight people worldwide now live with a mental health disorder. At the same time, access to care remains limited — especially for young people and…

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Latest

DisruptED
Technology for Good: Dug Song on Shaping a Better World Through Innovation and Impact (Part 3)

Detroit is redefining its role in the next era of American innovation. The conversation has shifted from what to build to how to build it in ways that deliver lasting impact. The goal is to do so sustainably, inclusively, and with the community at its core. The state’s growing network of research universities, multi-billion-dollar…

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DisruptED
Technology for Good: Dug Song on Shaping a Better World Through Innovation and Impact (Part 2)

As Michigan reclaims its identity as a hub of American innovation, the next industrial revolution looks far different from the assembly lines that once defined it. New initiatives like the forthcoming University of Michigan Innovation Center, alongside grassroots movements such as Black Tech Saturdays, are powering that resurgence. Together, they reflect a statewide belief…

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DisruptED
Technology for Good: Dug Song on Shaping a Better World Through Innovation and Impact (Part 1)

Technology is evolving faster than ever, and with that acceleration comes the question of whether we’re using it to make the world better or simply faster. As automation, AI, and cybersecurity shape the future of work and life, leaders are reexamining how innovation can drive not just profit, but progress. Michigan, once the cradle…

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Articles Education Technology
A DisruptED College Pathway with My Little Brother Reynard Robinson and Lifelong Mentor Dr. Caesar

As college undergoes a transformation, driven by technology, equity, and new definitions of success, DisruptED explores how the “college experience” is evolving and what that means for today’s students. With the traditional four-year path under growing scrutiny—only 41% of first-time, full-time undergraduates at four-year institutions actually earn their degrees within that time—a new model…

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Articles Education Technology
How Detroit Homecoming is Turning the City’s Diaspora into Champions of its Comeback (Ep. 2 with Mary Kramer)

Detroit’s resurgence story is impossible to ignore. Following decades of economic decline, the city has seen major revitalization, most recently highlighted when the NFL Draft drew over 700,000 visitors downtown. The stakes are high: Detroit’s growth depends not only on investments from billionaires, but on reconnecting with former residents whose personal and professional contributions…

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Articles Education Technology
Detroit Homecoming: The Event Driving Future Prosperity Through the Power of the Detroit Diaspora (Ep. 1 with Mary Kramer)

Detroit’s renewal is no longer a distant dream—it’s unfolding in real time. From reimagined neighborhoods to booming small businesses, the city’s momentum is visible on every corner. Major events, like recent large-scale sports and cultural gatherings, have showcased its vibrancy to hundreds of thousands of visitors. But the real engine of this revival may…

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Latest

caregiver
From Caregiver to Changemaker: How Purpose and Community Create Lasting Impact
November 5, 2025

Resilience isn’t just about enduring challenges — it’s about leading with compassion, patience, and faith, even when the path feels uncertain. It’s a quality embodied by every caregiver, whose daily acts of care and commitment reflect the essence of true leadership — helping others grow stronger through empathy, service, and understanding. In this episode…

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leaders
Great Leaders Share Knowledge, Build Trust, and Empower Future Talent
November 3, 2025

The conversation around skilled trades is shifting fast. After decades of “college for all” messaging, trade school enrollment is climbing steadily, signaling a renewed respect for hands-on, high-skill careers that literally keep the world running. In commercial HVAC and mechanical service, this change is not just academic — it’s shaping the next generation of leaders…

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NBA
Slow Stories in a Fast League: Why the NBA Still Deserves Real, In-Depth Journalism
November 3, 2025

In a sports world increasingly defined by short-form clips, social algorithms, and viral takes, long-form storytelling remains a vital counterweight — the place where depth, nuance, and narrative still matter. The NBA, perhaps more than any other league, sits at the center of this tension: every quote can become a meme, every story a highlight…

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skate
The Faith-Fueled Story Behind Camp Arnold Skate Church’s Mission to Reach Youth Through Skateboarding
November 2, 2025

As faith-based outreach evolves to meet younger generations where they are, skate culture has become an unlikely — yet powerful — frontier for transformation. In cities like Dallas, skateparks are serving as modern-day meeting grounds where faith, mentorship, and authenticity intersect. With youth mental health challenges on the rise — the CDC reports that…

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Other Ordinary Humans
From Bitter to Better: How Purpose and Second Chances Can Change Entire Communities (Ep. 2)
August 13, 2025

In the second installment of this powerful two-part series, DisruptED turns from personal origin stories to the enduring lessons that come from surviving life’s hardest seasons. For host Ron J Stefanski and guest John Valverde, President and CEO of YouthBuild Global, the conversation is rooted in lived experience: moments of deep loss, the resilience…

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From Bitter to Better: The Necessary and Difficult Journey to Second Chances (Ep. 1)
August 13, 2025

Some moments in life alter the course of who we are. For Ron J Stefanski, that moment came with the heartbreaking loss of his grandmother—a Polish immigrant who had stepped in to raise him after his mother passed, giving his childhood a foundation of love, steadiness, and strength. She was his anchor, his safe…

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Creating a Lifelong Learner’s Pathway with Kermit Cook, CEO at Penn Foster (Episode 2)
August 12, 2025

Artificial intelligence is no longer a fringe concept; it’s at the center of educational innovation. According to a 2023 Gallup poll, public confidence in higher education has dropped from 57% in 2015 to 36% in 2023, largely due to concerns around cost, value, and workforce preparedness. In a landscape where AI tools are swiftly…

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Creating a Lifelong Learner’s Pathway with Kermit Cook, CEO at Penn Foster (Episode 1)
August 12, 2025

Education is in a period of rapid reinvention as technology, economic pressures, and workforce needs redefine how people learn. College costs continue to climb, with average tuition at private nonprofit four-year institutions now exceeding $43,000 a year. Even public four-year colleges average over $11,000 annually for in-state students, and public two-year programs cost more…

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Building a Future-Ready Workforce: Disrupting Outdated Education with Employer-Driven, Community-Powered, Practical Skills Training
July 28, 2025

Workforce training is undergoing a radical transformation as industries face critical talent shortages and rapid technological change. Building a future-ready workforce requires rethinking traditional higher education models. These models emphasize broad academic development over targeted skill-building and struggle to keep pace with employer demands. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report…

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AI, Inclusion and Talent Strategies of the Future
July 16, 2025

As organizations race to integrate AI into every corner of business, an equally urgent conversation is emerging: How do we ensure this adoption doesn’t widen existing equity gaps? AI is both a disruptive force and an opportunity engine, as recent data shows that AI adoption among HR professionals jumped to 72 percent in 2025, up…

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Unity’s Jessica Lindl on Playing the Career Game Loop: Learning to Earn in the New Economy (Episode 3)
June 16, 2025

As AI, automation, and immersive tech accelerate disruption, the future of work is being reshaped faster than most institutions can adapt. Entry-level roles for recent graduates are shrinking, traditional degrees are being questioned, and lifelong careers are being replaced by continuous reinvention. In this climate, the most valuable assets are no longer technical certifications…

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Unity’s Jessica Lindl on Playing the Career Game Loop: Learning to Earn in the New Economy (Episode 2)
June 16, 2025

Today’s workforce is facing profound disruption, driven by automation, AI, and shrinking entry-level job opportunities. According to SignalFire’s 2025 State of Talent report, entry-level hiring in tech has dropped by 50% from pre-pandemic levels. In this shifting landscape, younger workers aren’t just seeking jobs—they’re demanding agency, feedback, and purpose. Game-based learning models like the…

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Unity’s Jessica Lindl on Playing the Career Game Loop: Learning to Earn in the New Economy (Episode 1)
June 16, 2025

As traditional career paths break down, economic mobility is being redefined by adaptability, not academic credentials. Today, 52% of college graduates are underemployed a year after graduation, working in roles that don’t require a four-year degree. Meanwhile, networking strategies like informational interviews yield one job offer per 12 conversations—far more effective than the one-in-200…

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