Speaking in First Draft

In this season finale of Speaking in First Draft, we dive into the world of student journalism with inspiring guests from the P.S. Weekly Podcast. Created by The Bell, a nonprofit committed to empowering students to become journalists and preserve independent media, P.S. Weekly explores pressing issues facing students and teachers in New York City schools.

Today's guests have investigated in their own podcast episodes a variety of these specific issues, from why AP Calculus is valuable to the curriculum, the shortcomings of the school bus system for disabled students, and the lasting impacts of the rise of school mergers. So, please welcome high school student journalists Noa Salas Adam, Mateo Tang O’Reilly, and Rayleen Laloi, as well as The Bell Staff members Sabrina DuQuesnay and Mira Gordon.

Listen to these brilliant students chat with Girls Write Now Mentor Ana Yglesias about how they found their journalistic voices through research and podcast development.

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin and Vahni Kurra

Editors: Annaya Baynes, Cassidy Duncan, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel

In collaboration with Born This Way Foundation’s Channel Kindness youth storytelling platform, Speaking in First Draft is excited to feature two powerful and emotive writers, Lisa Laman and Parker Ramey. Lisa reads her own work, while Parker's piece finds its voice through the loving presence of their partner, reminding us that some stories are not only told, they are carried. Get ready to hear these writers tell stories about their experiences as trans people navigating identity, connection, and the world.

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin and Vahni Kurra

Editors: Annaya Baynes, Cassidy Duncan, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel

Our Pride Month celebrations continue! This week, we are extremely excited to welcome photographer and activist Lola Flash, storyteller and writer Laura Hemingway, writer and tennis player Emilia Monell, and poet and mentee Zai Rivera. In conversation with GWN mentee Kama Barry, our guests leave no stone unturned when it comes to discussing the intersection of race, sexuality, and gender. You won’t want to miss this rich, intergenerational conversation about how navigating queerness has morphed over time amidst the ongoing fight for LGBTQ rights.

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin and Vahni Kurra

Editors: Annaya Baynes, Cassidy Duncan, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel

Let’s welcome novelist, screenwriter, and playwright Georgia Clark! Georgia is a romance writer whose stories widely and deeply capture audiences with the humanness of her queer characters. She is joined by Girls Write Now Teacher-In-Residence Kayla Dudley to discuss technicality and vulnerability in her newest novel, Play It Again. From her ensemble casts to writing across timelines, listen in to learn about this heartwarming story of first love, second chances, and the magic of finding your way back to the stage—and to the ones who knew you best.

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin and Vahni Kurra

Editors: Annaya Baynes, Cassidy Duncan, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel

As we come to a close on Mental Health Awareness Month this May, we figured it's time to acknowledge the elephant in the room - burnout. Unfortunately, it's something way too many of us creatives are all too familiar with, especially these days. To lead this much-needed conversation, mentee Ruby Nicholson speaks with fellow mentee Kayla Hunt and licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Kristie Norwood on maintaining wellness. From managing chaotic emotions to overwhelming social media feeds, this episode is a great reminder of how important it is for us creatives to know when we must choose ourselves.

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin and Vahni Kurra

Editors: Annaya Baynes, Cassidy Duncan, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel

This week, we’re diving into the intersections of journalism, climate change, and the realities of war. Heavy? We know. In the face of the many tumultuous circumstances we are all navigating across the globe, we at Speaking in First Draft hope to foster the hard conversations that are often few and far between. Prepare to hear from astute journalists Christabel Nsiah-Buadi and Jordan Gass-Poore, who draw on their many years of experience speaking with and reporting on the communities impacted by war and the climate crisis. Please also welcome Girls Write Now mentee and recent Barnard College grad Allison Su, who leads this truly riveting and timely conversation.

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin and Vahni Kurra

Editors: Annaya Baynes, Cassidy Duncan, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel

Today’s conversation moves through creativity, time, and what it means to claim your voice no matter your age or where you begin. Let us welcome mentee Jayla Hall Cabrera, who published a book in their senior year of high school, proving that there are no rules, no boundaries, and no “right time” to put something out into the world. In conversation with mentee Sanjana Rajesh, they reflect on themes of death, choice, and the fleeting nature of time, inspired by the vignette-style storytelling in The House on Mango Street. We will also get to hear about the creative process itself: what it means to let a project or collection expand into what it wants to be, to pivot, to experiment, and to embrace change rather than resist it. Listen in for a thoughtful, reflective conversation about storytelling, growth, and the courage to create on your own terms.

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin and Vahni Kurra

Editors: Annaya Baynes, Cassidy Duncan, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel

Have you ever wanted your words to create positive change? Let’s welcome educator, writer, and creator of the TV show Smarter in Seconds, Blair Imani Ali! In conversation with Girls Write Now mentee Deb Coffy, they discuss their lively experiences as activists and organizers for reproductive justice, and its deep intersections across race and racism, and sociopolitical issues. From the importance of education to accessibility and intergenerationality, our guests explore just how much power you have when you use your voice.

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin and Vahni Kurra

Editors: Annaya Baynes, Cassidy Duncan, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel

It's April Fool's Day, and we're bringing you a special, silly episode with some very hilarious guests in our lineup! Featuring standup comedians Hollie Harper and Lai Lai Liu and cartoonist Emily Flake, this episode is all about navigating the many shapes and forms of comedy. This conversation is led by Girls Write Now Mentee Zabe Renee, a participant in our Power of Punchlines learning Journey who is currently developing their own stand-up set! So, tune in to get your week's dosage of laughter and advice from the folks who've made it their job to help you smile just a bit more.

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin and Vahni Kurra

Editors: Annaya Baynes, Cassidy Duncan, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel

It’s Women's History Month, and we’re celebrating the vital impact of women in media and journalism. Let us welcome esteemed journalists Versha Sharma (Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue), Koa Beck (Former Editor-in-Chief of Jezebel and the co-host of “The #MeToo Memos” on WNYC’s The Takeaway), and Marina Fang (Former Senior Culture reporter at HuffPost). In conversation with Keitanya Klien, writer and former Girls Write Now mentee, they discuss their rich, generational experiences as women of color in the industry and share advice on how they built their careers. Listen to this honest, inspiring conversation about navigating the ever-changing media and journalism landscape, the importance of elevating marginalized voices, and the urgency of sharing your own story.

Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.

Host: Kathryn Destin

Producers: Kathryn Destin and Vahni Kurra

Editors: Annaya Baynes, Cassidy Duncan, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra

Music by Jaya Rao-Herel