{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Inspiring Kids to Change the World - with Katie Bowers, Managing Director of The Harry Potter Alliance.mp3","description":"I\u2019d say that anyone who\u2019s paid attention to the news in the last few years, has been on social media\u2014or has just conversed with other human beings\u2014has probably gotten the sense now and then that the world seems on edge. Still, many of us parents can get so inspired by our own kids that we get the sense that they\u2019re going to change the world\u2014or at least their own corner of it. And a lot of kids might feel like they want to do exactly that.  But how to start? How to take the desire to do good and turn it into something real, something that can truly help people? That\u2019s the aim of my guest in this episode and the amazing organization she manages. I got to geek out a bit in this conversation because Katie Bowers is the managing director of the Harry Potter Alliance. No, it\u2019s not some sort of group where people talk about how awesome Harry Potter is. No, the HPA takes the passion that fans of Harry Potter and other books and movies have, and helps them turn that passion into action. As Katie says in our conversation: \u201cWhen people truly become passionate about a book or a character, it\u2019s because they see themselves in that hero.\u201d And the HPA has turned fans\u2019 passion into amazing results. With hundreds of thousands of members spanning 35 countries and six continents, the HPA has helped kids and adults create meaningful change around the world. They\u2019re pretty freaking awesome if you ask me! In our conversation, we talk about: The work of the HPA and how they \u201cturn fans into heroes\u201d Why Harry Potter and other fictional characters inspire fans to make social change How to decide what to do if you know you want to do something, but don\u2019t know what or how The power of \u201cunironic enthusiasm\u201d\u2014the best way to foster your child\u2019s eagerness to help How to help your kids develop leadership qualities needed to bring about change Why it\u2019s okay to be Neville Longbottom instead of Harry or Hermione Specific projects for preschoolers vs. elementary school aged kids vs. high schoolers Tips for when your child\u2019s project fails The importance of building a good team around you How to help kids handle the risks of the spotlight when they stand up for what they believe Why kids might have a better opportunity to build bridges with those with opposing viewpoints than adults How to teach kids to handle tough conversations with friends and loved ones with opposing views And the value of \u201ctime, patience, love, and a willingness to keep at it.\u201d Guys, I got fired up by this conversation\u2014it\u2019s a great launchpad for you and your kids to make the world a better place. If you get inspired by this episode, please take a screenshot of your podcast app as you listen, post it to your Instagram Story, and tag me @zendocsteve. You can also share this episode on Facebook and elsewhere by sharing the link www.drstevesilvestro.com\/106 ","author_name":"The Child Repair Guide with Dr. Steve Silvestro","author_url":"http:\/\/www.drstevesilvestro.com","html":"