Have you ever felt doubt and insecurity about your abilities or accomplishments? It's a normal feeling but it can be hard! Who can help? A mentor in your community who believes in you and helps you find a sense of belonging. Click here for this episode's transcript.

Segments were produced by Alia and Ginger from New York City. Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske produced this episode with editing and mixing by Wyatt Mayes and help from Genesis Magpayo. Ryan Janes is the camera and audio operator.  

You are more than your grades, your struggles, or your past, says Bryan Stevenson (author of Just Mercy and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative). Stevenson shares his journey defending the wrongly accused and why he's hopeful about the next generation. Click here for this episode's transcript.

The conversation was produced by Kiran Bhatia from Brookline, MA. Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske produced this episode with editing and mixing by Genesis Magpayo and help from Wyatt Mayes. Ryan Janes is the camera and audio operator.  

How can you figure how what kind of person you want to be? Through books, says YA writer Nic Stone and viral-librarian Mychal Threets. Nic and Mychal share their wisdom about finding yourself and finding joy through reading. Click here for this episode's transcript.

Segments were produced by Beatrix and Katherine from Austin, Texas. Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske produced this episode with editing and mixing by Wyatt Mayes and Genesis Magpayo. Ryan Janes is the camera and audio operator.  

What makes school fun? An inspiring teacher! Stories of gratitude for the people who devote their lives to helping students learn and grow: classroom teachers, librarians, and principals. Click here for this episode's transcript.

Segments were produced by Jay from Southlake, Texas; Marium and Aruja from El Paso, Texas; and Connor and Jay from Clinton Township, Michigan. 

Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske produced this episode with editing and mixing by Wyatt Mayes, with help from Genesis Magpayo. Ryan Janes is the camera and audio operator.  

To wrap up Teacher Appreciation Week, we present this special BONUS episode where we flipped the mic and gave space to educators who reflected on the small moments that make it all worth it—student shoutouts, surprise gifts, and memories that linger. This episode is an audio love letter to the people who keep showing up: one student, one story, one rubber duck at a time.

Click here for this episode’s transcript. 

Featured educators: 

Student voices:

Have a story about teaching you'd like to share? Record a voice memo and upload it here. 

SRL Senior Manager of Community Engagement Manager Emily Hope Dobkin and Youth Media Producer Justin Rhodes produced this episode with support from Senior Youth Programming Director Victor Fernandez and Youth Media Producer Becky Wandel. Wyatt Mayes edited and mixed this episode.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen joins student reporter Khadeejah Khan for a thoughtful discussion on identity, memory, activism, and the role of art in "abolishing the conditions of voicelessness." In addition, Annalise shares a conversation with her father about growing up Chinese in Ecuador and how he embraces his multiple cultures. Click here for this episode's transcript.

Segments were produced by Annalise from Danville, CA and Khadeejah from Santa Clara, CA. Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske produced this episode with editing and mixing by Genesis Magpayo, and help from Wyatt Mayes. Ryan Janes is the camera and audio operator.  

Family bonds shape who we become and what dreams we have for our lives. Teens open up to their parents and siblings about what matters most: their passions, identity, and culture. Click here for this episode's transcript.

Segments were produced by Ava from Black River Falls, WI; Priscilla from Danville, CA; and Denver from Orlando, FL; and Dylan from Boston, MA.

Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske produced this episode with editing and mixing by Wyatt Mayes, with help from Genesis Magpayo. Ryan Janes is our camera and audio operator.  

It’s a special episode! Hear 1A host, Jenn White, interview On Our Minds students, Ava (from WI), Jay (from TX), and Michelle (from VA) about who inspires them. 1A is produced by WAMU and distributed by NPR.

Therapist Dr. Joy Harden Bradford discusses her book Sisterhood Heals: The Transformative Power of Healing in Community. Dr. Joy (host of the podcast, Therapy for Black Girls) talks with Bree Campbell (On Our Minds, Season 4 co-host) about sisterhoods, how to create a friend circle, and why boys and young men need supportive friend groups as well. Click here for this episode's transcript.

This interview was produced by Bree Campbell, and this episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske with help from Associate Producer Wyatt Mayes. SRL intern Genesis Magpayo edited and mixed this episode.

How do your friends influence and inspire you? Our friends change us, for better or for worse. The best friendships inspire us to become better versions of ourselves. Staying in touch is key, which is why pen pals and phone calls are important. Click here for this episode's transcript.

Segments were produced by Sakeenah and Tanya from Aurora, Illinois, and Michelle from McLean, Virginia. This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske with help from Associate Producer Wyatt Mayes. SRL intern Genesis Magpayo edited and mixed this episode.