This bonus episode features Kaya Thomas and Alizha Vernon, the podcast fellows who helped shape and refine the scope of the podcast. During the summer, Kaya prepared for her incoming freshmen year at Northeastern University in Boston while Alizha prepared to enter her third year at UIC. They checked in with each other and talked about what it was like to produce a podcast under these unprecedented circumstances. This episode was edited for length and clarity. The words come directly from them.

To learn what our young people are saying about their experiences with producing a podcast virtually and going back to school during a pandemic, listen to episode seven of our podcast today.

In this episode, we will explore the normalization of harassment in some communities of color. Specifically, we will discuss how the adultification of Black teens impacts their mobility, safety, and bodily autonomy, and how these restrictions become everyday experiences of over-policing and sexual harassment.

We hear from a young person who participated in our Adolescent X study who shares her experience of being harassed while taking the CTA to and from school. In response to these stories, psychologist and University of Chicago researcher Dr. Darnell Motley talk about the process and impact of adultifying Black children and teens, And clinician and faculty researcher Dr. Melissa Gilliam discuss youth bodily autonomy.

Frankly. is a podcast that explores the health and wellbeing of adolescents from the perspectives and lived experiences of young people on Chicago’s South and West sides. Co-produced by Chicago youth Kaya Thomas and Alizha Vernon and Ci3 at the University of Chicago, Frankly. is a seven-episode series that builds on the findings from Ci3’s Adolescent X study, a research project that uses narrative-based research methods to explore the messages that young people receive about their bodies, identities, and sexual health. Frankly. centers the voices of young people marginalized by race, gender, and/or sexual orientation as they navigate various social environments, develop their identities, and understand the world around them. Frankly aims to contextualize the stories of young people by examining the ways in which structural barriers and institutions impede on their health and wellbeing.

. In this episode, we explore the mixed messages we receive about consent within our relationships, medical settings, and our family homes and how they affect our sense of bodily autonomy.

We will hear from Kaya Thomas, our co-host, about the ways family members have crossed her boundaries. Dr. Candice Norcott, clinical psychologist at the University of Chicago, will discuss how the dynamics we learn around consent when we’re young might play out in our romantic relationships. We’ll also delve into the role of family dynamics when it comes to consent with Dr. Darnell Motley, a clinical psychologist who we spoke with in our Reimagining Relationships episode. We’re also excited to speak with Ci3 founder, Dr. Melissa Gilliam, for this episode. Dr. Gilliam is a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist and the Ellen H. Block Professor of Health Justice at the University of Chicago. She will speak with us about how Ci3 collaborates with young people to broaden the definition and understanding of bodily autonomy.

Frankly. is a podcast that explores the health and wellbeing of adolescents from the perspectives and lived experiences of young people on Chicago’s South and West sides. Co-produced by Chicago youth Kaya Thomas and Alizha Vernon and Ci3 at the University of Chicago, Frankly. is a seven-episode series that builds on the findings from Ci3’s Adolescent X study, a research project that uses narrative-based research methods to explore the messages that young people receive about their bodies, identities, and sexual health. Frankly. centers the voices of young people marginalized by race, gender, and/or sexual orientation as they navigate various social environments, develop their identities, and understand the world around them. Frankly aims to contextualize the stories of young people by examining the ways in which structural barriers and institutions impede on their health and wellbeing.

In this episode, we explore the history surrounding experimentation on the bodies of Black women. We will also link this history to current disparities within reproductive healthcare. We hear from Drs. Candice Norcott and Melissa Gilliam on how inequities are ingrained in the reproductive healthcare system, Tomi Dugbo shares an uncomfortable experience with a doctor, and Nayla Vasquez discusses how she addresses inequities through art.

Frankly. is a podcast that explores the health and wellbeing of adolescents from the perspectives and lived experiences of young people on Chicago’s South and West sides. Co-produced by Chicago youth Kaya Thomas and Alizha Vernon and Ci3 at the University of Chicago, Frankly. is a seven-episode series that builds on the findings from Ci3’s Adolescent X study, a research project that uses narrative-based research methods to explore the messages that young people receive about their bodies, identities, and sexual health. Frankly. centers the voices of young people marginalized by race, gender, and/or sexual orientation as they navigate various social environments, develop their identities, and understand the world around them. Frankly aims to contextualize the stories of young people by examining the ways in which structural barriers and institutions impede their health and wellbeing.

Frankly. is a podcast that explores the health and wellbeing of youth from the perspectives and lived experiences of young people on Chicago’s South and West sides. Co-produced by Chicago youth Kaya Thomas and Alizha Vernon and the University of Chicago’s Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health, Frankly. is a seven-episode series that builds on the findings from Ci3’s Adolescent X study, a research project that studies narrative methods to explore the messages that young people receive about their bodies, identities, and sexual health. Frankly. centers the voices of young people marginalized by race, gender, and/or sexual orientation as they navigate various social environments, develop their identities, and understand the world around them. Frankly. aims to contextualize the stories of young people by examining the ways in which structural barriers and institutions impede their health and wellbeing.

Frankly. is a podcast that explores the health and wellbeing of youth from the perspectives and lived experiences of young people on Chicago’s South and West sides. Co-produced by Chicago youth Kaya Thomas and Alizha Vernon and the University of Chicago’s Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health, Frankly. is a seven-episode series that builds on the findings from Ci3’s Adolescent X study, a research project that studies narrative methods to explore the messages that young people receive about their bodies, identities, and sexual health. Frankly. centers the voices of young people marginalized by race, gender, and/or sexual orientation as they navigate various social environments, develop their identities, and understand the world around them. Frankly. aims to contextualize the stories of young people by examining the ways in which structural barriers and institutions impede their health and wellbeing.

Production Team:

Ireashia Bennett, Co-Host, Executive Producer, Sound Engineer

Kaya Thomas, Co-Host, Ci3 Fellow, Producer

Alizha Vernon, Ci3 Fellow, Producer

Melissa Gilliam, MD, MPH, Creator, Ci3 Founder, and Director

Valerie Reynolds, Senior Producer, Story Editor

Erisa Apantaku, Story Editor, Podcast Consultant

Liz Futrell, Project Manager, Producer

Crystal Tyler, Ci3 Executive Director and Story Editor

Erin Garcia, Story Editor

Adriana Brodyn, Story Editor and Researcher

Melissa Sherwin, Story Editor

Music featured in the episodes by Blue Dot Sessions and King Mastermind

In this episode, we’ll delve into the Chicago Public Schools evolving sex education curriculum. We’ll share findings from our Adolescent X research study, and we’ll identify the gaps within sex ed that have yet to be filled, like queer and disabled sex. We’ll hear from Sonam Rikha and our co-host, Kaya Thomas, about their experiences learning about sex within the CPS system, as well as from sex educators Eva Sweeney and Angela Townsend, who created spaces outside of school systems to fill those gaps.

Frankly. is a podcast that explores the health and wellbeing of youth from the perspectives and lived experiences of young people on Chicago’s South and West sides. Co-produced by Chicago youth Kaya Thomas and Alizha Vernon and the University of Chicago’s Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health, Frankly. is a seven-episode series that builds on the findings from Ci3’s Adolescent X study, a research project that studies narrative methods to explore the messages that young people receive about their bodies, identities, and sexual health. Frankly. centers the voices of young people marginalized by race, gender, and/or sexual orientation as they navigate various social environments, develop their identities, and understand the world around them. Frankly. aims to contextualize the stories of young people by examining the ways in which structural barriers and institutions impede their health and wellbeing.

Frankly. is a podcast that explores the health and wellbeing of youth from the perspectives and lived experiences of young people on Chicago’s South and West sides. Co-produced by Chicago youth Kaya Thomas and Alizha Vernon and the University of Chicago’s Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health, Frankly. is a seven-episode series that builds on the findings from Ci3’s Adolescent X study, a research project that studies narrative methods to explore the messages that young people receive about their bodies, identities, and sexual health. Frankly. centers the voices of young people marginalized by race, gender, and/or sexual orientation as they navigate various social environments, develop their identities, and understand the world around them. Frankly. aims to contextualize the stories of young people by examining the ways in which structural barriers and institutions impede their health and wellbeing.

Production Team:

Ireashia Bennett, Co-Host, Executive Producer, Sound Engineer

Kaya Thomas, Co-Host, Ci3 Fellow, Producer

Alizha Vernon, Ci3 Fellow, Producer

Melissa Gilliam, MD, MPH, Creator, Ci3 Founder, and Director

Valerie Reynolds, Senior Producer, Story Editor

Erisa Apantaku, Story Editor, Podcast Consultant

Liz Futrell, Project Manager, Producer

Crystal Tyler, Ci3 Executive Director and Story Editor

Erin Garcia, Story Editor

Adriana Brodyn, Story Editor and Researcher

Melissa Sherwin, Story Editor

Music featured in the episodes by Blue Dot Sessions and King Mastermind

In this episode, our co-host Kaya shares the types of messages and behaviors she learned as a child regarding romantic and platonic relationships and her process of unlearning them. She unpacks how the “Strong Black Woman” stereotype impacted how she connected with others.

Frankly. is a podcast that explores the health and wellbeing of youth from the perspectives and lived experiences of young people on Chicago’s South and West sides. Co-produced by Chicago youth Kaya Thomas and Alizha Vernon and the University of Chicago’s Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health, Frankly. is a seven-episode series that builds on the findings from Ci3’s Adolescent X study, a research project that studies narrative methods to explore the messages that young people receive about their bodies, identities, and sexual health. Frankly. centers the voices of young people marginalized by race, gender, and/or sexual orientation as they navigate various social environments, develop their identities, and understand the world around them. Frankly. aims to contextualize the stories of young people by examining the ways in which structural barriers and institutions impede their health and wellbeing.

Frankly. is a podcast that explores the health and wellbeing of youth from the perspectives and lived experiences of young people on Chicago’s South and West sides. Co-produced by Chicago youth Kaya Thomas and Alizha Vernon and the University of Chicago’s Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health, Frankly. is a seven-episode series that builds on the findings from Ci3’s Adolescent X study, a research project that studies narrative methods to explore the messages that young people receive about their bodies, identities, and sexual health. Frankly. centers the voices of young people marginalized by race, gender, and/or sexual orientation as they navigate various social environments, develop their identities, and understand the world around them. Frankly. aims to contextualize the stories of young people by examining the ways in which structural barriers and institutions impede their health and wellbeing.

Production Team:

Ireashia Bennett, Co-Host, Executive Producer, Sound Engineer

Kaya Thomas, Co-Host, Ci3 Fellow, Producer

Alizha Vernon, Ci3 Fellow, Producer

Melissa Gilliam, MD, MPH, Creator, Ci3 Founder, and Director

Valerie Reynolds, Senior Producer, Story Editor

Erisa Apantaku, Story Editor, Podcast Consultant

Liz Futrell, Project Manager, Producer

Crystal Tyler, Ci3 Executive Director and Story Editor

Erin Garcia, Story Editor

Adriana Brodyn, Story Editor and Researcher

Melissa Sherwin, Story Editor

Music featured in the episodes by Blue Dot Sessions and King Mastermind

CHAT organizer Cat talks about navigating their sexual identity while growing up in a religious and traditional Latinx household. Living within a restrictive environment made it difficult for them to understand their queerness and identity but finding community at the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health (ICAH) helped them accept themselves and come out to their family.

Frankly. is a podcast that explores the health and wellbeing of youth from the perspectives and lived experiences of young people on Chicago’s South and West sides. Co-produced by Chicago youth Kaya Thomas and Alizha Vernon and the University of Chicago’s Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health, Frankly. is a seven-episode series that builds on the findings from Ci3’s Adolescent X study, a research project that studies narrative methods to explore the messages that young people receive about their bodies, identities, and sexual health. Frankly. centers the voices of young people marginalized by race, gender, and/or sexual orientation as they navigate various social environments, develop their identities, and understand the world around them. Frankly. aims to contextualize the stories of young people by examining the ways in which structural barriers and institutions impede their health and wellbeing.

Frankly. is a podcast that explores the health and wellbeing of youth from the perspectives and lived experiences of young people on Chicago’s South and West sides. Co-produced by Chicago youth Kaya Thomas and Alizha Vernon and the University of Chicago’s Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health, Frankly. is a seven-episode series that builds on the findings from Ci3’s Adolescent X study, a research project that studies narrative methods to explore the messages that young people receive about their bodies, identities, and sexual health. Frankly. centers the voices of young people marginalized by race, gender, and/or sexual orientation as they navigate various social environments, develop their identities, and understand the world around them. Frankly. aims to contextualize the stories of young people by examining the ways in which structural barriers and institutions impede their health and wellbeing.

Production Team:

Ireashia Bennett, Co-Host, Executive Producer, Sound Engineer

Kaya Thomas, Co-Host, Ci3 Fellow, Producer

Alizha Vernon, Ci3 Fellow, Producer

Melissa Gilliam, MD, MPH, Creator, Ci3 Founder, and Director

Valerie Reynolds, Senior Producer, Story Editor

Robin Cogdell, Lead Graphic Designer

Erisa Apantaku, Story Editor, Podcast Consultant

Liz Futrell, Project Manager, Producer

Crystal Tyler, Ci3 Executive Director, and Story Editor

Erin Garcia, Story Editor

Soo-Young Lee, Story Editor and Researchr

Adriana Brodyn, Story Editor and Researcher

Melissa Sherwin, Story Editor

Music featured in the episodes by Blue Dot Sessions and King Mastermind