[00:00:00] Digital Dominos. Today I'm really happy to have Molly Brealey with me. Molly, thank you so much for being here. What's nice for this topic, one reason I'm really happy to have you, is we have a common passion. And I met you because of your activities in supporting youth to fill the skills gaps in education.

And that what would actually was probably the most [00:00:30] inspiring thing that I did all of 2023. To work with the youth together with you. So can you tell us a little bit about that? Yeah, thanks Angee, and thanks so much for having me today. Really, uh, looking forward to our conversation. Yeah, so what you were just talking about there, but was FLOTa.

So I founded FLOTa Future Leaders of Tomorrow, amplified with a co-founder Freddy, um, a couple of years back. And it's all around. The entrepreneurial and essential skills for the next [00:01:00] gen specifically. And the vision is around empowering the next gen to realize their full potential by really amplifying and progressing their career outcomes and, and really preparing them for the future world of work and equipping them with entrepreneurial and life skills.

Um, so yeah, what we, we did last year was we designed and delivered a two day entrepreneurial workshop. Um, and it was at, um, UTC in Sheffield on the Olympic Legacy Park and for their students. And [00:01:30] basically established a community of resources, masterclasses, events. And during the two days, the students were set a challenge, which was a challenge given by the university locally.

And they had to basically solve that and present it back in terms of their idea in a Dragon's Den style at the end, and it was amazing. I absolutely loved it. We got some really, really positive feedback, so it really sparked a lot of innovation during the two day event. There was a lot of meaningful conversations between the students, [00:02:00] and to really solve local challenges through technology, basically.

The project, yeah, it was just a really, really great couple of days, and I think everyone really enjoyed it and got a lot out of it, so it was really, really great. Yeah, it was amazing and to see, and actually I've taken quite a bit of that, um, to Data Girl, the whole Data Girl concept, because one thing that I noticed very strongly with this group, uh, I was one of the mentors.

I had maybe eight, eight or 10, there were 16, [00:02:30] 15 or 16 year olds. They were using, they were on a different planet. Right with technology. Um, and I think people that are much older like me can, uh, are used to something is new. You teach, the youth to use it, but with technology, there's not much to teach because they, in a sense, they're already using it.

So what you need to teach them is, Maybe missing skills around using it, not to use it. You need to maybe tell [00:03:00] them, stop for a moment and think about this and this. And it was really eyeopening for me. And that's why I said, okay, when I'm going to do this Data Girl. I need to do it in a way that they're teaching themselves as well, because they probably know stuff that, that I, uh, won't have any experience with.

So yeah, it was, it was truly inspirational. Just to kind of transition into the topic, um, at hand that we're going to talk about. [00:03:30] What did you notice in the next gen about the isolation and lost connections working with them? Yeah, I think there was a few things. I think one thing I was really surprised at was considering all these students were in the same year group.

A lot of them didn't know each other previously to the event, which. I would have said at school I would have known everybody in my year group, and I was really surprised by how of the lack of connection they'd had between each other. And I think that was a massive [00:04:00] thing, was sort of like that sort of human connections was a massive thing.

The other thing was at the start of when they were sort of getting to know each other and it was, it was very awkward and the conversations and it was really great to be involved as a mentor to sort of see that unfold because by the end of day two, everyone was high fiving. There was a real like atmosphere, like a team atmosphere in there, which was really amazing to see.

But also. I think the [00:04:30] first thing that people went to was when thinking of the idea. So they thought of the idea and they just wanted to get on and go with it. So they put it into ChatGPT. This is what we're going to do. This is what we want. This is how we're going to solve that. Create us a PowerPoint deck.

And so they sort of went on that process and then. We went and saw it and we were like, that's really not authentic to what we're thinking or how we wanted to look. We all had this image in our heads, all slightly different from the team. And they were all saying, Oh no, that needs to change. There was a quite a lot that needed [00:05:00] changing to make it really authentic.

And for them to speak to it. So it needed a lot of changing again on a second iteration when they decided, okay, who's going to speak to what part and things like that, and tried to make authentic with what they wanted to say and how they wanted to come across. So I think that was really interesting during the two day event, for sure.

There was definitely like a bit of an imbalance to start with, quite like tech heavy. And then knowing you had to present it in like person made it a bit more [00:05:30] authentic and bringing in the human element to it, which was really nice. I think that's so important what you just said about authentic and the human element, because, uh, tech is often presented as often in the media as well is going to replace human, uh, humans and, and people are scared.

Uh, people are confused. I mean, every day there's now OpenAI has presented a robot that everyone is presenting [00:06:00] as the, is going to replace who knows what. Um, but it's not authentic. Right. And before we were chatting about a book that you had read about how important authentic connections are. Do you want to say something about that?

Because it was really powerful what you told me before. Yeah, so it was a book I was reading from Johann Harrian. It was all around, I think the title was Lost Connections, but it was always, He was sort of discussing and arguing about depression, basically. He was talking about it [00:06:30] being like a chemical imbalance, but really the influence was a lot broader in sort of social and environmental factors.

And these are all like loneliness, like that sort of disconnection from meaningful work, like a lack of community, um, that all sort of relate to this human connection and how that can really have an effect on mental wellbeing, which was basically what it all came to and how you need to build strong communities, make work or rethink how your work culture [00:07:00] or prioritize meaningful working environments or outside of work to like prioritize your mental well being and sort of like how you go back from lost connections.

Because in society now and like it's really easy to have those lost connections and just go to go totally digital. Um, but it's how to like strike the balance between both. Which is really interesting. It's a really great read. Thank you. Um, what I always ask myself is obviously I was pretty old by the time I had [00:07:30] a first dumb phone, much talking about smartphones, but the next gen, uh, the younger generation, did they, in your experience, see, digital connections as non authentic or the, the, the, the communities that are built there, do they feel the difference?

Um, obviously it won't, can be compared to someone who lived many years without it, but how do you feel that they, that they see that in terms [00:08:00] of potential replacement, that they feel? I think it's a, an interesting one. I mean, definitely I saw it from going into the schools that prior there was like almost a lack of community, but from bringing those groups together, there was definitely a community by the end of it and there was so much enjoyment that they got out of it.

So. For instance, when they first came in, people were on their phones. By the end of it, there were no phones. Everybody was socializing, chatting, having lunch together, all those sorts of [00:08:30] things. So I think they all felt a difference. And then even that they had the confidence from that experience, going into school and saying hi to other people that aren't in that sort of specific subject areas and things like that.

So I think it has bolstered a, like a confidence piece. But I think There, there's definitely a balance between both of them. And I think that's something that's quite overlooked is that there's a lot of things around like how to use technology and things like that. And [00:09:00] it's really important to use it safely.

And I think there's a lot more that can be done around how to use the digital space, but in a safe manner, but also in terms of, it's also really overlooked in the soft skills. So like how to communicate and like how that empathy and all those things, because a lot of the students really struggled and like really didn't want to be involved and got really nervous over the thought of doing a pitch presentation and that's that sort of like in person piece that I'd say there's a lot [00:09:30] less confidence in rather and that's really like a life essential skill that I know a lot of the time it's considered a soft skill but it is an essential skill um and I think that's really overlooked um personally and I think they just don't a lot of yep next gen don't have the confidence Um, so revert to say if they're applying for something, they'll revert to just putting an email in or a digital rather than picking up the phone or knocking on the door or seeing someone in person.

I think it seems [00:10:00] like a more natural approach to just send an email rather than to sort of have a conversation. That's true. That's a good point. The way that they just blossomed, as you said, in two days, every one of them, uh, you, you saw these potential presidents of state really, who were doing the presentation.

Really, it was amazing. Yeah. And, and actually what was the most powerful was how simple it was. [00:10:30] In, in a sense, in the simplicity of getting them together and talking things through building, as you said before, an authentic community, working towards a common goal. And yeah, how do you think it kind of gets that way in terms of the educational system?

Because the educational system obviously is, is not necessarily built. for a generation that doesn't naturally communicate outside, [00:11:00] personally communicate outside of school. Yeah, I think education is like a really crucial part that they play in this preparation piece. I think striking the right balance in terms of making sure that they're thriving, confident, and really, Yeah, have a really increased knowledge within digital world and everything that's a part of it, but also not overlooking the life skills, those really essential communication interpersonal skills, um, and striking the balance between both.[00:11:30]

And I think it's all around so that the students come away. from school confident that they can forge like these meaningful connections whether it be online or offline because it can be done on both and it really is powerful but it's being able to do on both because it is, yeah, they're both essential in navigating the next steps of what they want to do and their purpose of where they're going to take After school, basically.

Yeah. I mean, exactly. I think just, just, uh, [00:12:00] getting them talking more, communicating more. Do you think that school should, um, teachers should try to build in different types of, uh, activities considering kind of the counterbalance? Obviously it's nothing against the teachers. I mean, the technology is moving so fast.

Even the tech experts can hardly keep up. Uh, what do you think teacher and parents in your view, your experience can do considering limited resources, uh, and energy, [00:12:30] uh, to, to help reconnect the next gen? Yeah, I think Like you say, there's the UTC school is quite unique because they do coursework. So there is points where they have to present and do collaboration with groups and things like that, which is really great.

But the traditional school approach doesn't really allow for that sort of, it's very much aimed around the test and the schooling and. the tests aren't set, they're like personal tests that, you know, you, you set your [00:13:00] exams, they're not, you present to students or you use those soft skills as much. So I think it's really interesting.

I think there's a lot that can be done. And I think the UTC do that really well in terms of when they set coursework and team projects and things like that, which is really great. I think the second thing that's quite interesting is I know I get a sense, like, that sense of community, and I know I get my sense of community from doing sport, for instance, because you play sport and there'd be a sense, like, there's a community feel to [00:13:30] it, and a group of people that you create relationships with through sport, um, and it's, I think it's just ensuring that every student has that community.

So whether it be anything like cooking or whatever it is, it's not necessarily sport, but there always needs to be, I think for every student, that outlay or that place where they can go and get meaningful connections. And it's like time away potentially from tech, whether it be like in nature or, well, whatever it is, learning a new skill, but doing it in a [00:14:00] community with lots of people, I think is really great.

It comes a lot more naturally than in terms of building relationships because you're doing something you're all passionate around and it creates that common bond or like purpose or drive that you can all sort of. Yeah, it just, it makes it so much easier to, to develop those relationships. And so I think there's a lot of things that can be done around that.

Um, and also just so surprised that since the school, you find it at school as a community, how many students aren't aware of other people [00:14:30] within that community? Um, and so how can you foster those together and bring different groups of people into different events? Like the two day workshop we did, it's bringing people from three different courses and having a meet and meet.

like people from each course, which was really nice in terms of Like creating more relationships. Uh, so I think, yeah, there's quite a lot that can be done. It's just, yeah. Navigating is, it's going to be different for every student. You want to make sure that, yeah, it's the one for [00:15:00] them and not too far out their comfort zone, but something they're going to enjoy and get something out of, you I think that's an excellent point, actually, what you said about needing a community and a group that you belong to.

It used to be, back in the day, that people said you have to do these other activities, non academic activities, so you can build your resume, you can make friends, you can build your personality. But I feel, now, it has a completely different weight. [00:15:30] Because now, as you said before, it's actually a life skill.

And you, I don't know how a person can really prosper. even survive with a proper mental health in such a tech heavy world where there's so much, even the AI chat bots are starting to call the users back and connect to WhatsApp and do very worrying things. So yeah, I really think it's, it's got a whole new [00:16:00] weight now.

To keeping, um, connected to, to the offline world and the world around them. Yeah, I definitely agree. I think, like you say, there's a whole new meaning to it. Seeing as so many people work remotely and from home and things like that, there's a whole new meaning in terms of using and doing the things that bring you joy and finding those things that are really good for your mental well being that are mixed with the human interaction.

Um, I know [00:16:30] that I have to make a real conscious effort to join clubs, to do different sports, to get out and meet people. Otherwise I could just stay at home and men, that's just not gonna keep me happy. I must admit, I love, uh, going to be seeing people and things like that. So you have to make a real effort.

To go and do those things, but you know that in the, that how much you always come away happy that you've done it. Does that make sense? It's really, really interesting. Cause I think it's also not just next gen, but like a whole host of people that you got sort of stuck in your [00:17:00] cycle. Um, but you need to make sure that you make time for those connections and people.

Um, And again, that can be done online as well, but there is a real need for also and a place for in person interactions. I think online, one thing that, that I, um, feel I was thinking about the other day is that the competition is almost not fair because online is everything is personalized. Actually, it's not, it's not almost, it actually is unfair, like everything [00:17:30] is personalized.

So it's going to give you exactly what it thinks you like. To keep you there, and the real world can't offer you that. Like, so it's really, you have to take a step back and see what life is like when you don't have always everything you want put on a silver plate, so to speak. Yeah, so I think that's, that's one really important reason to kind of like an only child that always gets what they want from their parents.[00:18:00]

Throw them into children's groups early. So, oh yeah, I think that's really great. Thank you. Um, is there anything else you think, especially in terms of AI as a kind of a final thought? Um, because you said they, they jumped right into, into ChatGPT and started using ChatGPT and also different social media.

Do you have a feeling that, that there's some kind of nervousness there, uh, in the youth? Like we've seen the older generations [00:18:30] or, or, um, is it more, that's just a part of life and that's it? Yeah, I think there was a real mix if I'm honest. There was two students in particular that I'm thinking about in the group that jumped straight into tech and, okay, let's get ChatGPT to do the PowerPoint and things like that.

And then there was other students that wanted to think about the plan more, be a bit more strategic, and then put in really meaningful, in terms of what they wanted out of the ChatGPT and to work with the ChatGPT as much as they wanted. And some people didn't touch it at [00:19:00] all, which is quite interesting.

So there was a real diverse, um, um, mix and I think that that came from as well from the students because a quarter of the students were tech students and a quarter were health and then a quarter was sport and a lot of the sports students because they're out there playing sport it's a very in person course um and engagement that they were all really happy to chat and just discuss it and to we're quite a lot of the time with the students that wanted to present the tech students just want to get on go straight away and just get it done.

And the sort of [00:19:30] health students were like, let's think about this and put a bit more meaning. So it's quite interesting in terms of the three different groups. So I think it's really mixed. Some students are just really, really confident in using that. And that's great. Some are a little hesitant and some don't really use it at all.

And I think that's the same as well throughout. Like, the whole population. I've also spoken to many, many parents in the last three, four months, and obviously, each parent has a different approach, um, from a certain age, and and I think that's one reason why the [00:20:00] ed the education preparing them can't be a one size fits all, because they're on, as you just said, the different planets.

They still have common needs. As you said, the human side, it's, it's, I agree is very, very much overlooked. Even the tech people will be focused on the tech and maybe not thinking about the human side. There's not many people talk about that. So yeah, I think, I think we're going in the right direction to, to give them, to change the narrative and we're going to [00:20:30] give them power.

The, the youth, the next gen. And I really am thankful for your insights. Um, Amazing. Thanks, Angee. Thanks so much for having me. I've really enjoyed our conversation today. Thank you. You, too.. Bye. Bye. Please let us know what you think about what we're talking about in this episode and the others. Check out more about us and subscribe at digi-dominoes.Com.

Thank you so much for listening. I'd also like to thank our sponsor Data Girl and Friends. Their mission [00:21:00] is to build awareness and foster critical thinking about AI, online safety, privacy, and digital citizenship through fun, engaging, and informative content. Check them out at data-girl-and-friends.com.

Until next time, stay curious and keep learning.

Digital dominoes.