In this episode of the You Can Mentor Podcast, Zachary Garza interviews John Shearer, leader of Academy 4, a nonprofit mentoring over 4,200 fourth graders annually by partnering with local churches to build sustainable relationships with schools and families. John shares how his cancer journey led him to nonprofit work and highlights Academy Four’s programs, which equip children with leadership skills and foster community engagement. With a focus on love, service, and long-term commitment, the episode explores how mentoring transforms both children and volunteers, demonstrating the power of intentional relationships to create lasting change. https://academy4.org/

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Key Points

• Academy Four's programs include Spark Clubs and mentoring sessions.
• The mentoring program helps children develop leadership skills.
• Parents play a crucial role in their children's education and development.
• Academy Four aims to equip parents through community programs.
• The organization has a waiting list of schools wanting to join.
• John believes in the power of community involvement for positive change. Sustainability is key for community partnerships.
• Long-term commitment leads to deeper impact.
• Mentoring is about building relationships, not just numbers.
• Volunteers often receive more than they give.
• Love and service can transform communities.
• Every child deserves to feel known and cared for.
• Effective mentoring requires intentionality and structure.
• Community engagement can break down barriers.
• Relationships are reciprocal; both mentors and mentees benefit.
• The mission is to love and serve, not to fix.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Academy Four and John Shearer
05:07 John's Journey to Academy Four
09:56 The Mission and Programs of Academy Four
15:07 Building Relationships with Churches and Schools
24:55 Building Sustainable Community Partnerships
29:54 Long-Term Commitment to Schools
35:57 The Power of Love and Service
41:48 Transformative Relationships in Mentoring
47:52 Community Impact Through Mentoring

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In this episode of the You Can Mentor podcast, Zachary Garza sits down with Noah McGuffey, Mentor Coordinator at Forerunner Mentoring in Dallas, Texas. Together, they dive deep into Noah’s inspiring journey—from his childhood experiences abroad to how those formative years ignited his passion for mentoring. Noah opens up about the powerful mission of Forerunner Mentoring, shedding light on the real challenges of recruiting mentors and the vital role of fostering strong relationships with both mentors and mentees. Whether you’re an experienced mentor or just starting out, Noah offers valuable insights on how to attract the right people, onboard them effectively, and show genuine gratitude for their commitment. Don’t miss out on these actionable strategies that can take your mentoring efforts to the next level.

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Takeaways

• Noah's upbringing overseas influenced his passion for mentoring.
• Forerunner Mentoring aims to fulfill the potential of young boys without father figures.
• Building relationships is key to successful mentoring.
• Recruiting the right mentors is a continuous challenge.
• Church partnerships are vital for mentor recruitment.
• Mentors need to feel supported and valued to remain engaged.
• The onboarding process is crucial for mentor confidence and safety.
• Expressing gratitude to mentors enhances their experience.
• Transformative stories often emerge from mentoring relationships.
• Creating a culture of appreciation is essential for retention.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
03:03 Growing Up Overseas and Its Impact
05:46 The Role of Mentoring in Noah's Life
09:02 Forerunner Mentoring: Mission and Challenges
12:06 Recruitment Strategies for Mentors
14:45 Building Church Partnerships
18:02 Creating Positive Experiences for Mentors
19:55 Onboarding Process for Mentors
26:02 Retaining Mentors and Building Relationships
30:00 Stories of Transformation
38:59 Expressing Gratitude to Mentors

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If you are a mentoring leader, check out the You Can Mentor learning labs. We are a monthly leadership cohort that surrounds you with equipping and encouragement from other mentoring leaders. For an hour each month, we discuss a topic that will help you be a more equipped and encouraged leader. We have two cohorts: one for executives and one for program directors.

Check out our website for more info. www.youcanmentor.com

Also, check out our National Christian Mentoring Gathering, which is April 16-18, 2025 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Learn more about all we do at www.youcanmentor.com

In this podcast, John and Zach discuss the "motorcycle metaphor" to highlight important lessons about mentorship through John's experience riding motorcycles with his 18-year-old son. Here are the key takeaways:

1. Communication is Key: Effective communication is vital for mentoring, especially when introducing new experiences to a mentee. This includes preparing them beforehand, offering guidance during the experience, and debriefing afterward. It's crucial to anticipate challenges and communicate clearly about what to expect.
2. Superpower Observation: Mentors should be observant, noticing both verbal and nonverbal cues from their mentees. Just as John had to be extra aware of his son's safety while riding, mentors need to be attuned to their mentee's feelings and behaviors, sensing when something is off and offering support.
3. Modeling Learned Habits: Mentors should be mindful of their actions, as mentees often imitate them. John observed his son mimicking his riding posture, reminding him of the power of modeling positive habits. Mentors should lead by example, as mentees will often do what they see, not just what they hear.
4. Being Intentional: Preparation and intentionality are essential for effective mentorship. This means being intentional in conversations, actions, and even in how mentors approach situations with their mentees. It's about being present, clear, and thoughtful in every interaction.

In summary, effective mentoring requires communication, observation, intentionality, and modeling good habits. Mentors should guide, observe, and lead by example while always being prepared to learn from their own mistakes and offering grace when things go wrong.

This episode is packed with actionable tips that will take your mentoring to the next level. Whether you’re mentoring in your community, at work, or at church, these insights will make a real impact.

👉 Tune in now to learn how you can mentor like a pro!

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If you are a mentoring leader, check out the You Can Mentor learning labs. We are a monthly leadership cohort that surrounds you with equipping and encouragement from other mentoring leaders. For an hour each month, we discuss a topic that will help you be a more equipped and encouraged leader. We have two cohorts: one for executives and one for program directors. Check out our website for more info. www.youcanmentor.com

Also, check out our National Christian Mentoring Gathering, which is April 16-18, 2025 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Learn more about all we do at www.youcanmentor.com