What Teenagers Are Teaching Adults About Peace with Sasan Korangy and Vail Brokaw

In this special episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast for the International Day of Peace, Dr. Robin Stern welcomes Sasan Korangy and Vail Brokaw, co-founders of Young Leaders for Peace, a program developed in partnership with the University for Peace in Costa Rica and its New York office.

Sasan and Vail share how their interest in peacebuilding began not with world leaders or international negotiations, but with the everyday conflicts they saw around them: arguments at lunch tables, tension in families, unresolved grievances, and conversations that became heated long before anyone felt heard. Their work grew from a simple but powerful idea: peace is not only something nations pursue. It is something we practice in our homes, schools, friendships, and communities.

Together, Robin, Sasan, and Vail explore the difference between "negative peace" - the absence of open conflict - and true peace, which requires honest dialogue, emotional awareness, repair, and the courage to stay in conversation. They discuss how Young Leaders for Peace teaches students conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, leadership, sustainability, and the "power of the pause" so they can bring those skills back into their own communities.

This conversation is an inspiring reminder that peacebuilding begins in small moments: listening before reacting, choosing words carefully, staying curious when we disagree, and learning how to move through conflict without losing dignity—for ourselves or for one another.

To check out this and other episodes, head over to robinstern.com.

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Dr. Robin Stern's Books:

The Gaslight Effect

The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide

Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders

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