Summer Youth Podcast Academy
The Summer Youth Podcast Academy is an immersive beginner podcasting workshop for New York City public school students, hosted by The Bell. The stories published here were reported, written, recorded, and mixed by our students in just three weeks.
Chatting at City League Coffee Roasters
Dane Damchek, owner of City League Coffee, shares his journey from roasting coffee in his garage to opening a Brooklyn coffee shop while reflecting on how family, community and legacy have shaped his definition of success.
Savoring the Flavor at Sabor Guayaco
Recent high school graduate and aspiring chef Randy Macias works at his mother’s Ecuadorian food truck, Sabor Guayaco, in Elmhurst, Queens. He dreams of one day opening his own restaurant.
Changing Perceptions at JVF Pantry
Jahvel Fraser, executive chef and owner of JVF Pantry, describes how he built his catering business, from the first jambalaya he cooked as a child to the prejudices he had to overcome to succeed in a high-stakes industry.
Live at LaRina
Silvia Barban shares her journey from her childhood in Italy, where she learned how to cook from her grandmother, to her present-day success as a TV food personality and owner of three popular Italian restaurants in Brooklyn.
Djon Djon and the Easter Dinner that Changed Everything
Before moving to the United States as a teen, chef Wesly Jean Simon, owner of Djon Djon in Brooklyn’s Prospect Lefferts Gardens, first had to learn how to cook ... an entire Easter dinner.
Sipping at Daily Provisions
At cafe chain Daily Provisions, barista Iphigene "Iphy" Murphy turns the seemingly mundane act of serving coffee into a gesture of care toward her customers.
Changing Hearts at Drive Change
Fred Sarabia is a culinary assistant at Drive Change, an organization that provides professional development and job opportunities to justice-involved youth. He tells the inspiring story of the hardships he overcame to get to where he is today.
Serving Slices and Stories at Sacco Pizza
Sacco Pizza owner Pete Cerasuolo shares his journey from growing up in the restaurant industry to running one of the favorite pizzerias in Hell’s Kitchen.
Flipping Frowns at Montague Diner
A popular Brooklyn Heights diner was the backdrop of many of Ben Gross’s favorite childhood memories. After it closed, Ben and his friends decided to carry on the restaurant’s legacy, purchasing the space and creating their own neighborhood institution: Montague Diner.
Sweetening Without the Sugar at Monshe
Melissa Groneveldt tells the story behind her gluten- and sugar-free cookie business, Monshe, and shares how her mother's memory keeps her going.
Mixing Topics at Twist It Top It
Co-owner of Twist It Top It, John Gurino, shares the story of how he transformed his family's frozen yogurt shop into a flourishing dessert cafe that has become recognized as a local destination.
Persevering at Cheryl’s Global Soul
Cheryl Smith, chef and owner of Cheryl’s Global Soul, tells the story of her journey to opening her beloved neighborhood restaurant, and the trials and triumphs of its 20 years in business.
The Passionate Professor
Professor Edward Miller reflects on over three decades of teaching and the city that’s challenged and inspired him.
The Teacher Behind the Desk
English teacher Molly Sherman reflects on the unseen side of teaching — the care, patience and persistence it takes to guide students through more than just lessons.
The Firefighter Who Never Gave Up
FDNY firefighter Braulio Roman shares how one act of kindness sparked his calling and how the job helped him grow as a father and man.
The Urban Designer Who Shapes the City
Zoning laws shape every building in New York City, but Talia Clarick, an urban designer at the Department of City Planning, uses creativity and design to make those rules easier to understand and help make the city more equitable.
The Indispensable Paraprofessional
Rayleen Laloi sits down with her mother, Colleen Chance, a Brooklyn paraprofessional, who supports students with disabilities, to uncover what the job really takes and why it matters so much in today’s classrooms.
The Taxi Lawyer Who Drives Change
Simeon Mesina, a lawyer in the Taxi and Limousine Commission’s prosecution unit, shares how his journey from practicing law in the Philippines to serving New York City shaped his work handling cases that keep the city’s taxi system running.
The Devoted Home Health Aide
Home health aide Ndey Demba opens up about the challenges and purpose of caregiving and how her care for patients keeps her going in one of New York City’s toughest yet most essential jobs.
The Architect of Motion
Luke Szabados, a project manager in the New York City Department of Transportation’s Transit Development Unit, shares how he’s helping redesign the city’s streets to make them safer and more connected for everyone.