On Our Minds

Members of Gen Z are running for office this November! Student reporters interview Averie Bishop (D-TX) and Wyatt Gable (R-NC) both running for a seat in their state legislature. Also hear from one of the country's youngest mayors, Jaylen Smith from Arkansas, about the impact he's had in his small town. Click here for this episode's transcript.

This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske, with help from Associate Producer Wyatt Mayes. Segments in this episode were produced by students Poojasai Kona from Texas, Olivia Brandeis from California, and Aidan Booker from Ohio. Research and fact-checking by Yasmine Sakr and Becky Wandel. Wyatt Mayes edited and mixed this episode.

How much power does your vote have? What if you're a conservative and live in a blue state? Or a liberal and live in a red state? Or what if you're from a U.S. territory, like Puerto Rico, and don't have full voting rights? Students explore these questions and why, no matter what, you should still vote. Click here for this episode's transcript.

This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske, with help from Associate Producer Wyatt Mayes. Segments in this episode were produced by Maggie Lebeau from Illinois; Orion Boone from Florida; and Miranda Jatib and Adelaida Siaca-Ortiz from San Juan, Puerto Rico (first Puerto Rican participation in On Our Minds), with mentoring from Pilar Álamo and Sixto Ortiz at sjspr.radio. Research and fact-checking by Reesa Venterea and Becky Wandel. Antonio Nevarez edited and mixed this episode.

In the first episode of this special season, students explore: What does America mean? Is the American Dream achievable? How have teens' thoughts and feelings about the country changed since they were in elementary school? Hosts also interview PBS News Capitol Hill Correspondent Lisa Desjardins about her early involvement in politics. Click here for this episode's transcript.

This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske, with help from Associate Producer Wyatt Mayes. Segments in this episode were produced by students Grace Go from Washington and Natalie Erzal from Texas. Research and fact-checking by Yasmine Sakr. Frankie Saint Pierre Nelson edited and mixed this episode.

A special seven-episode season of On Our Minds, a teen life podcast from PBS News Student Reporting Labs focuses on the issues and impacts of the 2024 election for young people. 

Students explore the benefits of study abroad and the importance of paying attention to international news, like what's going on in the Middle East. Plus, Bree and James announce a special season of On Our Minds coming this fall! Click here for this episode's transcript.

Segments were produced by Alexia Nastasia and Miriam Reichenberg. This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske with help from Jaylah Moore Ross. Research and fact-checking by Simran Gupta. Alayna Ly from KUOW's RadioActive edited and mixed this episode.

Diego Perez, better known as Yung Pueblo, is a number one New York Times best-selling writer, widely known for his poems on Instagram. He recently spoke with students at SXSW EDU about his writing and the healing power of mediation. Click here for this episode's transcript.

The conversation with Diego Perez ("Yung Pueblo") was produced by Amelie Perez, Chloe Lewcock, Pierce Martin, and Autumn Rodgers at SXSW EDU with support from teachers David Winter at McCallum High School and Trina Moore at Rouse High School. This episode was produced, edited, and mixed by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske.

Since 2020, guns have been the number one cause of death for children and teens in the U.S. According to Dr. Robin Gurwith (expert on the impact of trauma and disaster on children), hearing stories about how teens have been affected by lockdowns and gun violence can help us honor victims and lead to action steps. Click here for this episode's transcript.

Segments were produced by Lydia Tong, Nora, Brian, and Jaylin. This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske with research and fact-checking by Simran Gupta. Frankie St. Pierre Nelson from KUOW's RadioActive edited and mixed this episode.

Bree and James pop in to tell you about a new teacher-focused podcast by Student Reporting Labs.

Hosted by longtime SRL teachers Mike Conrad of Royal Oak High School and Michael Kaufman of the Frederick V Pankow Center in Michigan, Teacher Reporting Labs pairs two educators from different areas of the country in each episode for conversations about the challenges they face as teachers, their experiences in the classroom, their triumphs, and the impact of their engagement with public media and amplifying student voices.

Sophia Kianni was the youngest member of the United Nations’s first Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change. She talks with Bree and James about why she started an organization dedicated to translating climate information and resources and getting involved with Born This Way Foundation, which helps support youth mental health. Click here for this episode's transcript.

This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske. Frankie St. Pierre Nelson from KUOW's RadioActive edited and mixed this episode.

Over the last three years or so, states have proposed more legislation that would restrict or change the way teachers talk about race, American history, gender, and sexuality. In this episode, students discuss critical race theory, anti-LGBTQ bills, and also legislation helping students' mental health. Click here for this episode's transcript.

Segments were produced by Leeya Chaudhuri from Raleigh, North Carolina, and Noah Konevitch from Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske produced this episode with help from Associate Producer Jaylah Moore-Ross. Alayna Ly from KUOW's RadioActive edited and mixed this episode.