A skateboard can be more than just a piece of wood and wheels. It can be a gateway to confidence, community, and connection. Mac Premo knows this firsthand, and his work with Stoked has shown him the transformative power of teaching kids to ride.

In this energizing conversation, host Steve Larosiliere sits down with Mac Premo to hear about his experiences engaging with youth through skateboarding and creative community building. Mac shares a memorable story about distributing skateboards to kids and teaching them their first tricks, from popping their first ollie to finding their balance. He talks about the pure joy and confidence that comes when a young person masters a new skill, and why those moments of achievement matter far beyond the skatepark.

The conversation explores how skateboarding serves as more than just a sport. It's a tool for connection, a way to build supportive environments where kids feel encouraged to try, fail, and try again. Mac discusses the importance of hands-on experiences in youth development and how Stoked creates spaces where small victories are celebrated and every kid feels seen. Whether it's learning to drag your foot for that perfect ollie or simply showing up and being part of a community, these experiences build lasting confidence and inspire young people to keep pushing forward.

If you're passionate about youth empowerment, community engagement, or the power of action sports to change lives, this episode will remind you why showing up and teaching matters. Tune in to hear Mac's inspiring stories and discover how skateboarding can open doors you never expected. Don't forget to subscribe for more conversations that matter.

Chapters:

00:00 Creative Connections and Collaborations

00:34 Legacy and Lessons: Parenting Through Creativity

Follow the Journey:

@thelarosiliere

Get Involved with Stoke:

Transform lives through action sports and mentorship

@stokedorg

stoked.org

https://worldrecord.stoked.org/

Level Up Your Business:

buildergrowth.io

Design with Purpose:

purposedesignbuild.com

Connect with Mac at:

https://www.loadedboards.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-tashman-5740b01/

Creativity isn't about having the right skills. It's about finding your voice. And for the mentors and community members connected to Stoked, that journey of self-expression has been transformative.

In this inspiring conversation, host Steve Larosiliere sits down with Cabell Molina, Christine Wexler, Jack Laroux, Lamont Joseph White, and Todd Mintz to explore how Stoked helped shape their understanding of art, creativity, and what it means to express yourself. The group shares how their experiences with the organization taught them that you don't need to draw to create something meaningful. From collage and fiber art to working with everyday materials, they break down the barriers that stop so many people from seeing themselves as creative and show why artistic expression comes in countless forms.

Beyond technique, the conversation dives into the therapeutic power of art and how it serves as a vital outlet for self-expression, especially for young people navigating their identity and emotions. The panel discusses how Stoked's approach to mentorship encourages kids to explore different forms of creativity without the pressure of perfection, empowering them to discover their own unique voices. This episode celebrates how programs like Stoked create space for growth, confidence, and the freedom to express yourself authentically.

Whether you're connected to Stoked, passionate about youth empowerment, or simply curious about how creativity can change lives, this episode offers a fresh perspective on art, mentorship, and the courage to create. Tune in and discover why everyone has an artist inside them waiting to emerge. Don't forget to subscribe for more conversations that matter.



Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Artists

00:47Art as a Therapeutic Medium

Follow the Journey:

@thelarosiliere

Get Involved with Stoke:

Transform lives through action sports and mentorship

@stokedorg

stoked.org

https://worldrecord.stoked.org/

Level Up Your Business:

buildergrowth.io

Design with Purpose:

purposedesignbuild.com

Jennifer Gonzalez found her answer, and her community, through Stoked, a youth mentorship nonprofit that uses action sports to empower the next generation.

In this heartfelt conversation, host Steve Larosiliere sits down with Jennifer to explore her two-decade journey with Stoked. From discovering the organization as a young volunteer to becoming a dedicated mentor who found her voice, built lifelong friendships, and learned invaluable lessons about confidence, community, and connection. Jennifer opens up about how working with kids through Stoked not only shaped her approach to parenting but also sparked unexpected personal growth that influenced her entire career path.

Now a health and wellness entrepreneur specializing in gut health and colonic therapy, Jennifer shares how the nurturing mindset she developed as a Stoked mentor continues to inform her work today. The conversation weaves together powerful themes: the transformative impact of mentorship, the surprising connection between gut health and mental well-being, and why creating space for fun and play matters more than we realize, for kids and adults alike.

As Stoked celebrates its 20th anniversary, this episode is a beautiful reminder of how one organization can ripple out to touch countless lives, creating waves of positive change that last for generations.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Stoked and Jennifer Gonzalez

02:36 Building Community Through Stoked

05:50 The Impact of Mentorship on Personal Growth

08:42 Memorable Experiences with Stoked

11:14 Career Evolution and New Ventures

13:54 The Importance of Gut Health and Well-being

16:22 Celebrating 20 Years of Stoked

Follow the Journey:

@thelarosiliere

Get Involved with Stoke:

Transform lives through action sports and mentorship

@stokedorg

stoked.org

https://worldrecord.stoked.org/

Level Up Your Business:

buildergrowth.io

Design with Purpose:

purposedesignbuild.com