A new academic year is here, and we are kicking things off with a highly anticipated "Teacher Spotlight"! Host Collin Crawford welcomes Mrs. Elaine Castoro to the Straight from the Mustang’s Mouth studio for an in-depth conversation about her distinguished career at Brick Memorial High School.

In this lighthearted and insightful episode, we peel back the curtain to learn about Mrs. Castoro beyond the grade book. She reveals the key to her heart (it’s a deep and abiding love of chocolate) and walks us down memory lane as she shares touching stories about some of the most meaningful and memorable gifts she has received from her students over the years. Tune in for an episode filled with laughter, appreciation, and plenty of sweet moments.

We are kicking off the 2026/2027 school year with a cinematic showdown on Straight from the Mustang’s Mouth! Hosts Mr. Bloom and Mr. Stefanelli are joined in the studio by senior Kane Uhrich, who is making his highly anticipated podcast debut, for our official "Coming-of-Age" Movie Draft.

The rules are simple, but the competition is fierce: each host must draft their ultimate roster of classic films that best capture the humor, heart, and high-stakes drama of growing up. From teenage anthems to timeless high school masterpieces, who built the absolute best lineup?

After you listen to the picks, we want to hear from you! Cast your vote for the ultimate draft winner using the official poll link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeDPyGjY8evy4lmVjBcqcyzG16VYWzMcBiAgf-akyFTt8nYZQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Tune in, review the rosters, and help decide who reigns supreme!

The countdown to the new school year is officially on! With the first day of school right around the corner on September 3rd, host Emma Crowley is stepping up to help the newest members of our community transition into high school.

In this episode, Emma sits down with a panel of last year's freshmen alongside a few seasoned upperclassmen to reflect on their own first-year experiences at Brick Memorial. From decoding the hallways and balancing schoolwork to getting involved in clubs and sports, our guests share their honest stories and biggest lessons learned.

Whether you are trying to figure out lunch block, wondering how to make new friends, or just feeling those classic first-day jitters, tune in to get the ultimate insider advice on how to conquer your freshman year and make the most of your time as a Mustang!

Summer is in full swing, but we are looking back before we look forward! In this special summer edition of "Overrated, Underrated, or Just Right," freshman English teacher Mr. Stefanelli sits down with a panel of rising sophomores: Lia Mammano, Emma Smith, and Mya Rattray.

Before the new school year kicks off at Brick Memorial, the group takes a hard look at the common freshman English curriculum. They dive headfirst into three iconic works of literature that every incoming freshman has to read: To Kill a Mockingbird, The Odyssey, and Romeo and Juliet.

Are these classic tales timeless masterpieces that deserve their legendary status? Are they hidden gems that students secretly enjoy? Or are they completely overrated pieces of history? Tune in to hear what actual students from across the freshman class think about the books, the characters, and whether the drama in Verona still translates to high school today.

The debate continues! We are back with another installment of our newest segment, "Overrated, Underrated, or Just Right," inspired by Mrs. Decker’s first block Investigation class. This time, we are moving away from the drive-thru and diving straight into the music charts.

Returning guests Max Larson and Chris DiChiara, and Christian Murphy are joined by Phoenix Cortes and Cayden Concepcion to break down three of the biggest names in music today. The group takes a hard look at the discographies and cultural impact of country sensation Zach Bryan, pop breakout Chappell Roan, and hip-hop giant Travis Scott.

Is the hype surrounding these artists well-deserved? Are they being overlooked by the mainstream? Or is their current status exactly where it should be? Tune in to hear the guys defend their playlists and settle the score on these musical powerhouses.

Put on your tinfoil hats, because we are launching a brand new segment this week on Straight from the Mustang’s Mouth! Welcome to the premiere episode of "Debunked," a series where besties Izzy LaBruno and Layla Ambrose dive headfirst into the world of famous conspiracy theories to separate actual facts from total ridiculousness.

For their debut episode, the duo is tackling one of the biggest conspiracies in history: the claim that the moon landing was completely faked on a Hollywood soundstage. From "waving" flags in space to missing stars and director confessions, Izzy and Layla break down the internet's favorite talking points and explain exactly why they don't hold water.

Perfectly timed, this premiere episode is airing on July 20th—the 57th anniversary of the REAL Apollo 11 moon landing. Tune in to hear the girls celebrate history by shutting down the myths with logic, science, and plenty of laughs!

We are bringing the debate straight to the lunchroom in this week's installment of "Overrated, Underrated, or Just Right." Guests Colin Prendergast, Zach Pirnik, Tyler Pierce, and Sam Kurek take over the studio microphones to review the culinary lineup at Brick Memorial High School. The group sinks their teeth into three of the most famous options available on the daily school menu: the cafeteria pizza, the classic chicken patty, and the legendary breakfast-for-lunch favorite, french toast sticks.

Which of these items is the undisputed king of the lunch block? Is one of them secretly flying under the radar as an underrated masterpiece? Or are we all just caught up in the nostalgia of a comfort food menu? Tune in to hear the panel break down the flavors, the textures, and the overall lunchtime experience at BMHS.

Samantha Kurek, president of the class of 2026, gives her graduation speech.

Graduation day is finally here, and we are bringing the most anticipated speeches of the year straight to the studio speakers! In this very special edition of Straight from the Mustang’s Mouth, we honor the top academic leaders of the graduating class.

Listeners will get an exclusive, front-row seat as Valedictorian James Gillen delivers his powerful valedictorian address, followed by Salutatorian Allison Kennedy reading her inspiring salutatorian speech. Together, they reflect on the challenges overcome, the memories made in the hallways of Brick Memorial, and the exciting, unwritten chapters that lie ahead for the entire class. A massive congratulations to the incredible Class of 2026! Tune in for a beautiful celebration of hard work, dedication, and the bright future of our newest Mustang alumni.

The music department takes center stage this week on Straight from the Mustang’s Mouth! We are thrilled to introduce sophomore Mackenzie Thompson in her official podcast hosting debut as she sits down for a highly anticipated "Teacher Spotlight" with Brick Memorial's very own chorus teacher, Mr. Bettys.

Mackenzie puts her teacher on the hot seat to uncover the mysteries of the choir room. We dive deep into his personality to answer the ultimate question: is Mr. Bettys a strict, ultra-organized Type A, or a relaxed, go-with-the-flow Type B? Plus, we get an exclusive, unfiltered look inside his desk drawers to find out exactly what snacks keep him fueled through a long day of rehearsals, scales, and harmonies.

Tune in for a fun, lighthearted conversation that strikes all the right chords!