Meet Dr. Zabina Bhasin

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Zabina Bhasin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Zabina, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I found my purpose by deeply listening to the stories of children and realizing that their voices were often overlooked or misunderstood. As I grew older, I recognized that I, too, had been a child whose voice wasn’t always heard. It became clear that the key to creating a better world starts with empowering the youngest among us. Through my personal experiences and professional work in mental health and education, I saw the tremendous impact of giving children space to express their needs, concerns, and ideas.

My purpose came into focus when I realized that my role was to be a bridge between youth and adults in their lives. Whether it’s advocating for mental health awareness, LGBTQ+ inclusion, or democratic engagement, my mission is to ensure kids know their voices matter and that they have the power to shape their own futures. I found my purpose through these moments of connection, where listening led to empowerment, and empowerment led to real change.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

What I do is simple but profoundly important: I create spaces where kids and young adults feel genuinely heard. Whether through Listen to the KidZ, our events, or educational resources, my work revolves around fostering open dialogue on crucial issues like mental health, social media literacy, financial mastery, and youth empowerment. I’m committed to equipping young people with the tools to express themselves, be confident, and navigate the challenges they face.

The most exciting part of my work is witnessing the transformation that happens when a child or teenager realizes their voice matters. In these moments, you see their confidence ignite, and it’s powerful. It’s not just about building better communication—it’s about building self-belief and resilience in the next generation. Our youth are facing an unprecedented amount of change, and to be part of a movement that helps them feel anchored, understood, and empowered is deeply fulfilling.

Currently, we’re expanding our reach with the Listen to the KidZ movement, including upcoming town halls and school programs that bring these vital conversations directly to communities. I’m also thrilled about an upcoming book and potential media projects that will allow me to get my message to a broader audience.

At its core, we are fostering a world where kids feel safe, validated, and ready to shape their future. That’s the mission, and every new project or event we launch is a step toward making that world a reality.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three qualities that most impacted my journey are empathy, resilience, and a commitment to lifelong learning. These have shaped everything I do, from how I connect with kids, young adults, and then the adults in their lives to how I approach challenges and growth.

First, empathy is foundational. To truly understand kids and meet them where they are, you have to step into their world without judgment. Empathy allows you to listen without imposing your own biases and to understand their experiences and concerns on a deep level. For those early in their journey, I recommend practicing empathy daily. Engage in active listening and seek to understand perspectives that differ from your own. Volunteering or working in environments where you support young people can help you develop this skill and apply it in real ways.

Resilience has also been essential. Working in mental health and empowerment means facing tough conversations, especially when advocating for voices that often go unheard. I’ve encountered skepticism, setbacks, and even some doubt along the way, but resilience keeps me moving forward. For those starting out, resilience is built by staying connected to your purpose and knowing that setbacks are part of growth. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and can remind you of your “why” when times get tough.

Lastly, the ability to keep learning has been invaluable. Youth issues are constantly evolving, so being open to new research, tools, and technologies has allowed me to stay effective and relevant. For anyone starting out, embrace the role of a student. Learn from everyone—colleagues, mentors, and, most importantly, from kids themselves. Never be afraid to say, “I don’t know, but I’m willing to find out.” That mindset will keep you adaptable and grounded in your journey.

In short, empathy connects you, resilience sustains you, and lifelong learning evolves you. Together, they’re the backbone of impactful work, and I encourage anyone on this path to cultivate and nurture these qualities intentionally.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Absolutely, we’re always looking for passionate partners who share our vision of empowering young voices. At *Listen to the KidZ*, we believe that collaboration amplifies impact, and we’re eager to work with individuals, organizations, and brands that are committed to supporting youth in areas like mental health, social media literacy, financial mastery, democratic engagement, and Acceptance/inclusion.

We’re particularly interested in partnering with educators, therapists, and community leaders who can help bring our curriculum and programming into schools, youth centers, and community spaces. We’d also love to connect with content creators, media platforms, and brands who are interested in spreading our message on a larger scale. For organizations that specialize in sports, the arts, or tech, there’s a lot of synergy to explore as we work to make these spaces more accessible and empowering for young people.

If you’re interested in collaborating, please reach out! We’re always open to exploring creative ideas, from joint events and workshops to innovative digital projects. You can connect with us directly through our website, where you’ll find contact information and more details about current initiatives. Together, we can create powerful experiences and resources for youth everywhere.

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