And for Little Brother Shawndell, he enters this period of uncertainty with the extra assurance of having a Big Brother of eight years who's been there and done that.

Shawndell says his Big Brother Rafael is a "real man" who's been successful in life, family and his career.

And now, Rafael is using that experience to help Shawndell make campus visits and enter the next phase of his life with confidence, setting him up for success no matter what the future holds.

But this year's Community-Based Match of the Year is going above and beyond in their support for the program that supports their match.

Big Brother Glen and Little Brother Preston have taken it upon themselves to organize a Pickle Ball fundraiser in support of the BBBS organization.

And Preston has even launched the first Little-managed REACH activity: a chess club for interested Littles who want to learn the game.

So in this episode, we meet this remarkable match, learn what drives them, and hear how they've grown in their four years together.

But she never saw herself getting up at a fundraiser and SELLING her art, until Big Sister Sara gave her a little nudge.

Over three years together in the Mentor2.0 program, they've always worked together to chart Mariyah's path into the future.

And now, they can add Mentor2.0 Match of the Year to their list of wins.

With Keith, Olivia, and Carlos, we'll discuss the importance of mentorship, the challenges faced in recruitment and program development, and personal stories of mentorship that have shaped their lives.

The conversation highlights the organization's goals for the future, especially in light of National Mentoring Month, and encourages community involvement to support local youth.

So many people came out and shared stories of how Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee has changed their lives for the better.

In this episode, we hear from Big Sister Bailey, her Little Sister Davonna, and Davonna's real-life sister Chamiya, about a mentoring relationship that culminated in a trip to Alabama to stand up in Bailey's wedding.

And then, we meet Big Brother Rafael and Little Brother Shawndell, to hear about a time when Rafael's been-there-done-that advice empowered Shawndell to effectively advocate for himself in a situation where it would have been easy to lose his temper.

And it's truly our volunteer mentors who enable us to make such a massive impact on the community.

In this episode, we meet Trevor, a community-based Big Brother who’s putting other men on notice to step up and take a stake in their community.

And then we connect with Big Sister Betsy, who matched six years ago with her Little Sister Unasia, but didn’t realize she was basically getting ANOTHER mentee, Unasia’s twin sister Unique!

That's why, when Little Brother Nathan met his new Big Brother Glen, he knew they would be a great match.

No matter what they found to talk about, they were both super interested and wanted to learn more.

Now, years later, the pair has turned their broad interests into all kinds of diverse hobbies, including sailing with the Sea Scouts, working on bicycles and participating in archaeological digs.

And, as a result, Nathan has so many different options when it comes to his plans for the future.

As a freshman in high school, she's at that age where it's not "cool" to get excited about anything, and she's got to play it off chill not matter what.

But when she met her Big Sister Marchelle a little more than a year ago, that started to change.

Together, they've learned to match "each other's vibe," taking turns picking activities, trying new things together, and never "yucking" someone else's "yum."

In this episode, we learn about their adventures together, including ice skating, making cookies, live theater and sampling weird candy from TikTok.

We'll speak with Julie Novak, the Chief Youth Protection Officer for BBBS's national office, about her 30+ year career with the organization and her family's continuing involvement.

And longtime Milwaukee TV anchor Carole Meekins will join us to discuss the barriers to becoming a mentor, the intergenerational impact of mentoring, and the critical importance of addressing trauma in youth development.

At the same time, we cut the ribbon on our new headquarters nearby, cementing the next 50 years of our Milwaukee legacy.

For the Little Big Chats Podcast, we spent the entire afternoon chatting with matches, supporters and friends of the program to capture the impact that BBBS has had in its half-century in Milwaukee.

And in this episode, we hear from Kevin, a former Big and current member of the Board of Directors, about his experience with BBBS.

We also meet Kerry and Camille, a school-based match that has been together for two years.

Through elementary school, middle school and high school, Sheree was there for Gabrielle as a mentor.

But then, when Gabrielle turned 18 and her BBBS mentorship was set to officially end, they discovered they weren't ready to move on yet.

And their friendship has continued for the last 20 years. Gabrielle went out into the working world and met a fiancee, Sheree started a family... and they both discovered what a difference 20 years of mentorship can make.

But sometimes, these matches... match up AGAIN with another pair.

One big and little match pairs up with another, and the two groups end up spending as much time together as they do in their individual duos.

So in this episode, we meet Taylor and Xavier, a Mentor 2.0 match who have been together for two years... and their friends Kristof and Isaiah, another Mentor 2.0 match who got together more recently.

They'll share their unique story, their love of sports rivalries, and their aspirations for the future, as well as give us a peak at the unique sense of humor that brings them all together.

But, with her Little Sister Lupe winding down her time in high school, Gabbi actually has the chance to provide Lupe with all the advice and guidance that could have helped her thrive in the transition to college.

And here's the kicker... Lupe is listening, EAGERLY.

Together, this pair is touring campuses, sampling dining hall lunches, and preparing Lupe for a big leap into an ambitious career.

And, after hearing them together, you'll know exactly why they were selected as BBBS of Metro Milwaukee's 2025 Mentor 2.0 Match of the Year.

It's about having someone challenge him to think, solve and be curious about the big questions in life.

Whether it's playing mind-bending puzzle games, reading books on self-improvement, or asking big questions about the nature of the cosmos, his Big Brother Dan is ready to join him in every pursuit.

And together, there's no adventure too big for this pair to tackle.

But when they got matched up several years ago, they quickly fell into seemingly familiar roles as one another's chief supporters, rivals and antagonists.

This pair loves to play games, spend time outside, and give each other a good-natured hard time.

And now as 2025's School-Based Match of the Year, in this episode they'll discuss the positive impact of their bond, the activities they enjoy together, and their aspirations for the future.

We'll discuss our personal stories of mentorship, the importance of cultural humility, and the upcoming National Mentoring Month events aimed at promoting mentoring in the community. We'll also emphasize the need for more mentors and how individuals can get involved to make a difference in the lives of young people.

But not Little Brother Josiah; he eats it up.

Whether it's his budding interest as a gaming streamer, or the catalogue of music tracks he's voiced and mixed, Josiah's aspirations as a digital creator have him pursuing stardom.

And with the support of his Big Brother Miles, an entrepreneur and restauranteur, Josiah's dream-big ambitions can take root in the hard work and growth that help foster success.

So, when someone's Little Brother or Sister ages out of the program, it can be a minute before they're ready to jump back in and volunteer again.

But many former Bigs still want to find other ways to stay engaged with BBBS.

So in this episode of Little Big Chats, Dusty speaks with Matt, an alumni big brother and board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee. They discuss the journey of being a big brother and the importance of staying engaged with the organization even after formal mentorship ends.

Matt shares his personal experiences, and together, they talk about other opportunities for former Bigs to continue to support the BBBS mission.

It doesn't have to be the kind of big, flashy science experiments you see at school or on social media.

Ocean is happy to take what life gives her, try something new, and see what happens.

And with her Big Sister Siobhan, the world is their laboratory.

That is, until she met her Big Sister Anna five years ago.

Since then, they've developed an indelible bond, cemented in their mutual love of dogs, their senses of humor, and the kind of advice that can only pass from a grown woman to a growing girl.

And screen time is a habit than many people--not just kids--struggle to regulate.

But in this episode, we meet Little Brother CJ, who has taken a proactive approach to his screen time habits with the support of his Big Brother Matt.

A community-based match, they also discuss their shared interests such as sports, video games, and trying new food.

And, fortunately, she had a perfect carpenter's assistant waiting at the ready in her little sister Aaliyah.

Together, they've swung hammers, worked miter saws and built noodle boards.

And in the course of learning new skills and expanding their horizons, they've built a remarkable friendship as well.

These leaders represent the Littles, the Bigs and the parents of Littles, and help the board understand how their policy-making impacts the BBBS mission on a granular level.

So in this episode, we meet the current "Voices of the Mission:" Christiana, a former Little in the program; Chloe, a current Big; and Taheréh, a parent of a Little.

They'll discuss what they hope to be able to contribute to the organization, what they've learned about mentoring, and what are some of the questions they've always wanted to ask other stakeholders within the BBBS ecosystem.

Now a bombastic high schooler, it suffices to say that DayDay has really come out of his shell.

But with the love and support of mentors like Charles and Sarah, and dozens of horizon-expanding experiences along the way, it's no surprise that this young man has found his voice.

And this trio is now celebrating their selection as BBBS of Metro Milwaukee's Couples Match of the Year.

For a self-proclaimed introvert, all the new people and situations just seemed so overwhelming.

But when she matched with Maddie through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee's Mentor 2.0 program, that all began to change.

In her big sister, Briya found a new source of confidence and inspiration. She chanced upon an eager compatriot for sharing her unique cultural food heritage. She discovered a new reason to stand up just a little bit straighter.

And it turns out, when you're as tall as these two are, standing up straighter can create a BIG shift in perspective!

Because, frankly, not enough men are stepping up to the plate to volunteer as mentors with Big Brother Big Sisters.

And at BBBS of Metro Milwaukee, there are hundreds of young men just sitting on the waiting list.

Maybe you're scared you don't have what it takes, maybe you're afraid of the time commitment, maybe you just don't think you can make a difference.

But in this episode, we're going to introduce you to Otis, JT, Glen and Joseph: four Big Brothers who are proving that one man can make a difference in the world.

They'll talk about the mentoring myths that keep so many guys from volunteering, and share their own proudest moments as Big Brothers.

She's also an artist, and an entrepreneur, and a high honor roll student, and a member of various clubs and student orgs.

And, when she joined BBBS of Metro Milwaukee's Mentor 2.0 program, she hoped she was getting another life-shaping experience.

She was not disappointed.

As a match with her Big Sister Lauren, these two fast friends have broadened their horizons together, and turned their attention to preparing for Tahlia's next big adventure—college.

Make the life-changing mentoring relationships that BBBS facilitates available to more kids in the Milwaukee area.

From the caring adult mentors who shaped his own upbringing to his personal experience as a Big Brother, his unique background as a founder of other charities for young people to his grounding in the performing arts, Neil has a unique story and an unrelenting passion for youth programs.

So in this episode, we take the time to get to know BBBS of Metro Milwaukee's new CEO, and learn more about his plans for the future of the organization.

But just as much as Natalie supports Bre, Bre is there for Natalie, too. Because in that time, Natalie got married, added a dog to her family, and then became a Mom with the birth this year of her daughter.

And, as these two prove every day, going through the big events in life is better when you know someone has your back.

So with their favorite season, fall, coming up, Natalie and Bre are looking ahead to making even more memories and big moments together.

But when you speak with them now, it's clear why the Mentor 2.0 program is such an asset. And they have the added distinction of being selected as 2023's Mentor 2.0 Match of the Year, to boot.

Both Brian and Alfredo share an enduring love of the sport of soccer, which was the beginning of their bond.

And now, their friendship has grown to include career advice, travel, and an eye to this young man's bright future as he enters his senior year at Tenor High School.

As an only child at the age of 11, Aniyah was so excited to meet her big sister for the first time.

And now that high school graduation is upon her, she'll tackle her next adventures with the care and support of someone who's had her back for years.

Because, when these two get together, they are always daring one another to get outside their comfort zones. And they have a list of adventures to prove it, including Aniyah's upcoming trip to France.

But while they may be relatively new to being Big Brother / Little Brother, you can tell that these two already have tons in common, and have made enough memories to last a lifetime.

Whether it's supporting each other in the pursuit of their interests, like acting and volunteering, or the hilarious inside jokes that keep them in stitches, Chris and Austin have a lot to teach us about the definition of mentorship.

Together, they enjoy playing basketball. They enjoy watching basketball. They enjoy going to basketball games. And they especially love DEBATING the finer points of basketball history.

But after six years together, their relationship goes so much deeper than that, too.

And as we learn in this episode, a perfect match is about more than just agreeing (or disagreeing) on who the GOAT is. It's about growing together, supporting one another, and forming a lifelong bond.

Suzanne works in the film industry, and Lexi is a freshman and cheerleader at Ronald Regan High School in Milwaukee.

And, while they're both opinionated, they seldom end up arguing with one another. Instead, they've bonded over the activities they enjoy together, like experiencing and cooking new foods.

Lexi has the distinction of having received a letter from former First Lady Michelle Obama herself and speaking in front of the United Nations, and with Suzanne's encouragement, she is pursuing her dream of becoming an anesthesiologist.

Valerie (Big Sister) is a lab manager at UW-Milwaukee, and Lilly is a 19-year-old freshman studying nursing at Alverno College. The two have been together since their initial match when Lilly was 9, and have had fun learning and growing together.

Having been involved in each other's lives for a decade, these two are a great example of how a BBBS match can last a lifetime.

Couples matches are a small percentage of BBBS volunteers, but a great option for spouses or partners who are looking to volunteer together for a cause that has meaning and makes a difference.

Megan (Big Sister) was a school-based mentor before deciding to become a couples match with her boyfriend, Tyler (Big Brother). Megan works in accounting at PWC, and Tyler works in business at Saputo. They are matched with Josiah, a 10-year-old elementary school student. 

Together, they learn to have fun, enjoy the little things in life, be thoughtful of those around you, and best of all, enjoy lots and lots of food.

Couples matches are a small percentage of BBBS volunteers, but a great option for spouses or partners who are looking to volunteer together for a cause that has meaning and makes a difference.

Anna (Big Sister) and Angel (Big Brother) are a married couple from the Milwaukee area. Anna works at the Lynden Sculpture Gardens and Angel is an architect and works at Great Lakes Components. They are matched with Chase, an 11-year-old and sixth grader. 

Together, this match proves that nothing is too big for their imaginations, you're never too old to explore, and there are some incredibly interesting sea creatures in the ocean.

Morgan, a 7th grader at MacDowell Montessori, and her big sister Laura, a retired MPS teacher, meet for an hour each week to both work through Morgan's classwork, and to have some fun. The BBBS program has given Laura an opportunity to help Morgan put in the effort to get more out of her schoolwork, and it certainly shows.

In this episode Morgan and Laura talk about how their relationship has grown over their five years together, and ask each other some interesting questions.

Janina, a 7th grader from Waukesha, and her big sister Taylor are constantly learning—both from one another and the adventures they embark on with Big Brothers Big Sisters. From learning to ski, to baking, to appearing on this podcast, the program has given Janina and Taylor the opportunity to help one another grow through new and exciting experiences.

In this episode Janina and Taylor recount the many adventures they've experienced, both together and apart, in the 3+ years since they first met—and how they encourage one another to get out of their comfort zones.

But while Alyssa and Jonaya are still getting to know each other in a lot of ways, they're already best friends in all the ways that count, and it's clear to everyone that they are a perfect match.

Together, they've spent the last year making the most of Big Brothers Big Sisters' REACH events, learning to play tennis, attending Bucks games, sailing on Lake Michigan and having many more adventures. And they've discovered that, by being open to new experiences, they can make the small moments matter the most.

Prapti and Ryleigh are participants in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee's Mentor 2.0 program, and Ryleigh describes their relationship as "a lock with no key... an unbreakable bond" that she can count on at all times.

They'll share what inspires them, how they became so close in just two years, and what their big plans are for the future.

But as a pair of introverts, they quickly bonded while having adventures and exploring the city, trying new beverages at coffee shops and playing different board games. Charisma loves trips to the art museum, and has even recreated a painting that she saw on one of those trips. And now, they're making plans to go rummage sale-ing this summer.

From the get-go, it's clear that these two love to compete with one another, whether it's basketball, bottle-flipping or anything else. But Esayas tells us that his big brother has also inspired him to think about the future, and to approach everything in life with the mantra, "practice makes perfect."

They share with us some important lessons about keeping an open mind, and detail some of the adventures that have prompted growth, discovery and opportunities for bonding.