This week we bring you a special episode from Annalise Huang, one of our 2025 Podcast Fellows.The episode features an in-depth conversation with Kayla Pilgrim, a 19-year-old founder of Civic Success, about her journey in civic engagement, the motivations behind her work, and the innovative ways her organization is inspiring young people to participate in civic life. Kayla discusses the challenges and opportunities of modernizing civic engagement, the impact of social media, the barriers young people face, and the importance of sustained, meaningful involvement. The episode concludes with practical advice for young listeners looking to get involved in their communities. 00:00 Introduction to the Democracy Group Network 00:23 Welcome to Civically Thinking 01:19 Meet Kayla Pilgrim: A Young Civic Leader 02:40 Kayla's Journey into Civic Engagement 05:20 The Civic Success Project 10:01 Challenges and Innovations in Civic Engagement 14:44 The Role of Social Media in Civic Engagement 17:58 Personal Challenges and Staying Engaged 23:36 Advice for Young People on Getting Involved 26:13 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsKnow a student interested in democracy and podcasts? Send them over to our fellowship to apply: https://www.democracygroup.org/fellowship Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.