The Henry Puffer Podcast

On this week’s episode, we present a special two-part series featuring the 5th and 6th graders of the Henry Puffer Podcast Club. This year marks a bittersweet transition as we say goodbye not only to our 6th graders heading to middle school, but also to our 5th graders due to upcoming district school changes. Join us as students reflect on their experiences, favorite memories, and the friendships they’ve built through podcast club over the years. For me, this season is especially emotional, as this is the last group of students I’ve had the privilege of knowing and working with for the past four years.

On this week’s episode, we present a special two-part series featuring the 5th and 6th graders of the Henry Puffer Podcast Club. This year marks a bittersweet transition as we say goodbye not only to our 6th graders heading to middle school, but also to our 5th graders due to upcoming district school changes. Join us as students reflect on their experiences, favorite memories, and the friendships they’ve built through podcast club over the years. For me, this season is especially emotional, as this is the last group of students I’ve had the privilege of knowing and working with for the past four years.

Season 7, Episode 8 of the Henry Puffer Podcast features Jack Stanton, the standout sophomore guard for Princeton Basketball from Downers Grove, Illinois. You might remember Jack 2023 podcast debut from his junior year at Downers Grove North, now he’s taking the Ivy League by storm with clutch shooting, lockdown defense, and game-changing performances.

Last season, he poured in 17 points on 6-for-8 shooting against Yale, hit 12 points from three against Nazareth, and added steals, rebounds, and nonstop energy that lift the Tigers in every matchup. A First Team All-State honoree in high school and a 1,000-point scorer, Jack excels both on the court and in the classroom.

Tune in now to hear Jack’s remarkable journey on and off the court and see how he balances basketball, academics, and life at Princeton! Available now.

In this episode, our student-led podcast hosted by Claire along with Hunter, Rudy, Reagan W., Chase, Ben, and Emma B., and Lia sits down with Zoe McGrath, Director of Development at the West Suburban Humane Society. Zoe shares her journey into working in animal welfare, her passion for helping pets find loving homes, and what it’s really like to care for animals in need. From rescue and adoption stories to the everyday challenges and rewards of the job, she offers thoughtful insights into compassion, teamwork, and making a difference in the community. Guided by insightful questions from our hosts, Zoe also talks about the importance of kindness, responsibility, and how young people can help animals. Available now.

In this episode, our student-led podcast hosted by Claire along with Lily, Reagan P., Emma, Ben, Brooke, Lainey, Maddie, and Reagan W.sits down with Janice Christensen, President of Nora Fleming, Inc., devoted mother, and formerly of Downers Grove, now residing in Chicago and Florida. Janice shares her journey into leadership, the story behind the creation and growth of Nora Fleming, and what it’s really like to lead a successful creative business. From major decision making to everyday challenges, she offers thoughtful insights into entrepreneurship, creativity, and teamwork. Guided by insightful questions from our hosts, Janice reflects on the value of education, lessons learned along the way, and advice for young people interested in business and leadership. Available now.

In this episode, our podcast led by Hunter along with Emma, Sam, Ben, Claire, Lainey, Reagan P., Maddie, and Reagan W. sits down with Campbell Thulin, a junior at Downers Grove North and one of the most highly sought after recruits in the nation. With 17 Division I offers from elite programs including Harvard, Princeton, Penn State, and BYU, Campbell has made her mark as a standout both on and off the court. A true multi-sport athlete, she is an All-Conference and All-State performer in basketball and soccer and recently surpassed the 1,000-point milestone, becoming just the third player in program history to do so. She is joined by her teammate Ady Fanta, a 4.0 student and accomplished athlete who has committed to play Division I basketball at Northern Michigan University this fall. Together, they share their journeys, achievements, and what it takes to succeed at the highest level. Listen Now.

Keri Petsche is the owner and driving force behind Iced Custom Cookies by Keri, a successful small business specializing in beautifully decorated, custom cookies. With a passion for creativity and cookies, Keri has turned her love of baking into a thriving business. In Season 7, Episode 4 of the Henry Puffer Podcast, we welcome Keri to share her journey, insights, and the sweet story behind her cookie creations.

🎸 In Season 7, Episode 3 of the Henry Puffer Podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Briley—a 16-year-old singer-songwriter from Downers Grove, Illinois!

Briley has been singing since she could talk and has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Joffrey Ballet, and at countless festivals, block parties, and open mic nights. She writes her own music, puts her unique spin on fan-favorite covers, and has even shared the stage with Austin Edwards, the 2020 America’s Got Talent runner-up.

Join us as we dive into Briley’s inspiring musical journey and celebrate her extraordinary talent.

This episode’s amazing production team includes Claire, Hunter, Brooke, Lily, Reagan, Reagan, Emma, Lainey, and Maddie.

🎻 In Season 7, Episode 2 of the Henry Puffer Podcast, we welcome the extraordinary violinist Tiffany Moore! Tiffany’s story is one of resilience and unwavering passion. What began as a dream has grown into a remarkable journey. From her early days as a young artist to performing for thousands and inspiring a devoted community of more than 87,000 followers on Instagram. Her determination and raw musical talent have turned ambition into reality. 🎙️ Join hosts Sam, Lucy, Emma, Lia, Lainey, Maddie, Chase, Ben, Lily, and Brooke as they dive into Tiffany's inspiring journey, exploring her music, her challenges, and her extraordinary talent that continues to captivate audiences everywhere.

Season 7, Episode 1 of The Henry Puffer Podcast kicks off with an inspiring conversation featuring Sam Alden, a seasoned marathon runner and endurance athlete whose journey spans continents and countless finish lines. Originally from Manchester, England, Sam has proudly represented her country on the international running stage. Now based in Aspen, Colorado, she’s built an extraordinary résumé, having completed 45 marathons and counting. Her recent highlights include a 3rd-place overall finish at the Columbus Marathon and 1st place in her age group at a Chicago Marathon ,two standout performances in a long list of personal bests. Before settling in Aspen, Sam grew up in England, where her love for long distance running truly began to take shape. Driven, disciplined, and deeply connected to the running community, Sam brings a rare mix of elite-level experience and down-to-earth enthusiasm to every race and every conversation. You can catch her among the elite runners Sunday at the 2025 Chicago Marathon.🎧 Tune in now to hear Sam’s unbelievable journey from Manchester streets to marathon podiums around the world.