Episode 228
Brayden Werschmidt
Kindness Advocate - Young Superhero - Upstander
“Brayden is one of those magical teens that you are always rooting for because he is doing the difficult meaningful things that you wish you were doing.”
Jeanne Pepper and Brayden Werschmidt June 2025
My guest, Brayden Werschmidt is a compassionate 13-year-old who celebrated his Bar Mitzvah with an inspiring Bar Mitzvah project that not only honored the memory of a my son, Blaze Bernstein but also took a firm stand against bullying. Brayden's story is one of proactive kindness and a desire to create a more inclusive world. Touched by the life and tragic passing of Blaze, whom he knew from religious school at University Synagogue, Brayden dedicated his Bar Mitzvah project to the Blaze Bernstein Memorial Fund. With a creative and engaging approach, he raised $300 for the "Blaze It Forward" initiative by selling river rocks to children, which they then had the opportunity to paint. These colorful symbols of hope and community were later placed in the rock garden at Borrego Park in Foothill Ranch during a community cleanup event.
Brayden's commitment to making a positive impact extends beyond his successful fundraising efforts and from his own experiences with bullying in elementary school. Determined to prevent other children from enduring similar pain, he has developed a slideshow that educates his peers on the crucial distinction between being a bystander and an "upstander." His presentation emphasizes the importance of standing up for those who are being bullied, transforming a personal struggle into a powerful lesson for others.
Through his thoughtful actions and courageous voice, Brayden Werschmidt has not only honored the memory of Blaze Bernstein but has also emerged as an impressive young leader, demonstrating wisdom and empathy beyond his years. His efforts serve as a powerful reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can create a ripple effect of positive change within a community. Brayden also demonstrated a profound understanding of community, empathy, and the importance of standing up for what is right. His work serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of "Blaze It Forward" and offers a hopeful example of youth leadership in action.
Hosted by: Jeanne Pepper
Guest: Brayden Werschmidt
Executive Producer: Jeanne Pepper
Producer: Eli Moskowitz
Original Theme: Jay Bernstein
Special Thank You to our volunteers, including Marla Weingart
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DISCLAIMER Jeanne Pepper is providing this podcast as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Jeanne Pepper unless so stated. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Ms. Pepper’s guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ms. Pepper. If you have any questions about this disclaimer or the content herein, please contact us at Producers@PepptalkswithJeanne.com #PeppTalkswithJeanne #JeannePepper #BlazeitForward
