On this episode we're joined by student journalists Poojasai Kona and Nico Fischer. They are wrapping up their time as this season's hosts for On Our Minds: Election 2024, a podcast run by the PBS News Hour Student Reporting Labs. Poojasai is an 11th grader at Frisco High School in Texas. Nico is an 11th grader at Santa Clara High School in California.

You'll also hear from Christine Zirneklis, the organization's director of communication and partnerships and Briget Ganske, youth media producer and lead podcast producer for Student Reporting Labs.

The two students, who come from vastly different backgrounds, share insights into the skills they've gained from working on the podcast (particularly the importance of gaining self-confidence), the need for diverse youth perspectives in media, and stories of their triumphs and rejections. They also talk about balancing school and their outside activities and managing their mental health.

Christine and Briget share some background on the program, what is so impressive about the students who work on it, and how other students can get involved. Both students saluted Student Reporting Labs, as well as ...

Poojasai's salutes: Neha Madhira, New Voices

Nico's salutes: Amanda Vigil, digital producer and youth specialist at KQED Public Radio and Washington Post reporter Arelis Hernández

Notable Links

Where to find On Our Minds Election 2024 (select your app of choice)

https://studentreportinglabs.org/on-our-minds/

Teen Vogue article referenced by Nico about conspiracy theories aimed at Latino men

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/conspiracy-theories-young-latino-men-gaming-sports-sites

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