On Our Minds

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.

Listen to the official trailer for the fifth season of On Our Minds from PBS News Student Reporting Labs. 

This season will feature teenagers in conversation with people they admire and look up to — in their families, local communities, and the literary world.

The 2024 election brought about sweeping changes. Donald Trump's victory gave Republicans a majority in the U.S. Senate and maintained their control of the U.S. House of Representatives. How are young people feeling, and what might these results mean? Click here for this episode's transcript.

This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske, with help from Associate Producer Wyatt Mayes. Youth perspectives were collected by Yasmeen Sakr, Grace Go, Bree Campbell, Josephine Murphy, and Poojasai Kona. Segments were produced by Olivia Brandeis, Keely Crawford, Miranda Jatib, Adelaida Siaca Ortiz, and Nico Fischer. Research and fact-checking by Reesa Venterea, Yasmine Sakr, and Becky Wandel. Wyatt Mayes edited and mixed this episode.

With the increasing capabilities of AI, it can be extremely hard to tell what information is real or not these days. In this episode, students get insights and tips from experts and teen fact-checkers about how misinformation affects this election. Check out Samuel Larreal's Teen Vogue article here and 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 Simran Gupta from Georgia and Sophia Ortiz from Texas. Special guest Samuel Larreal from Teen Vogue and the Allbritton Journalism Institute. Research and fact-checking by Reesa Venterea and Becky Wandel. Frankie St Pierre Nelson edited and mixed this episode.

It's a special episode! Hear 1A host, Jenn White, interview On Our Minds students Grace Go (from WA) and Reesa Venterea (from MN) about what issues matter most to them as first-time voters, and their thoughts on misinformation. 

1A is produced by WAMU and distributed by NPR.

Young people speak up about issues they care about…but are their voices heard? Students report on how the Israel-Hamas conflict is affecting young voters and activists, the story of Georgia students trying to voice opposition to a state education bill, and how schools often teach about political parties in a polarizing way. Click here for the 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 Khadeejah Kahn from California, Harrison Tran from Georgia, and Imania Mohamed from NJ. Research and fact-checking by Yasmine Sakr and Becky Wandel. Antonio Nevarez edited and mixed this episode.

The Electoral College determines the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. But why does the U.S. have this system? What's the history? Why is it so hard to change the Electoral College? And what could possibly improve it? This explainer episode gives you everything you need to know. 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 Rebecca Kunze from California, Allison Pope from Idaho, and Carlos Guo from California. Research and fact-checking by Reesa Venterea and Becky Wandel. Wyatt Mayes edited and mixed this episode.

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.