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.
Family Affair
Trying to better understand his family dynamics, Kenneth unveils stories of past tragedies and trauma.
“I think I just got caught up in, you know, what happened to me. And instead of trying to turn things around, I just went with the flow.”
By Kenneth Stewart
In this episode, Kenneth explores the relationships between himself, his grandmother, and his mother. Trying to better understand his family dynamics, he unveils stories of past tragedies and trauma.
Kenneth is a recent graduate of John V. Lindsay Wildcat Academy. He is the co-owner of a Twitter page called “TheOnikaMagazine,” and a member of “Fruit of the Spirit” dance ministry at Highland Church. When Kenneth isn’t busy working or dedicating his time to church, he loves to go out with friends or just enjoy his personal time at home listening to music and delving into current news within pop culture.
The Summer Youth Podcast Academy is an intensive beginner podcasting workshop for New York City public school students, hosted by The Bell.
Great Aunt Living in a Crazy World
I sit down with my great aunt to discuss Ecuador's political struggles and how they impact our family.
“But what I know being an Ecuadorian must be your strong, brave, and adaptable to any challenges. And I’m happy to be related to two strong Ecuadorian Women.”
By William Ramos
I was born in Ecuador, but moved to the US at an early age. Because of this I’m completely oblivious to Ecuador's changes over the years, many of which were not the best. In this episode, i sit down with my great aunt to discuss some of Ecuador's political struggles and how they impact our family.
William is a senior at Bronx Leadership Academy II in Mott Haven. He helps tutor students in after school on Geometry, Algebra 2, and chemistry. He is an active member of art club and video game club, where he helps younger students socialize with a community where they can feel safe and comfortable. When William isn’t at school studying or sleeping until 12 pm, he helps to take care of his little brother and goes to the gym with friends.
The Summer Youth Podcast Academy is an intensive beginner podcasting workshop for New York City public school students, hosted by The Bell.
Don't Let it Hurt Me
Plagued by nightmares, my cousin Manar made a life-changing decision.
“If I don’t pray, I can’t sleep. If I change the way I am now, I’m afraid the nightmares will come back. I won’t let that happen.”
By Nora Dergam
When my cousin Manar came to visit me in NYC for vacation, I noticed that she had changed since the last time we saw each other. The events leading to her life-changing decision were questionable and frightening.
Nora is a senior at the Institute for Collaborative Education in Manhattan. She is constantly engaged in sports, music, writing, and weight lifting. She is also an active member in Model UN, performs at venues as a drummer with her band at school, and writes horror stories in her free time. She loves going on thrilling adventures whether it's hiking at night or even going to abandoned places!
The Summer Youth Podcast Academy is an intensive beginner podcasting workshop for New York City public school students, hosted by The Bell.
NYC Chaos Strikes!
In this episode, my friend Danny and I go on a journey to uncover the motives and desires of a young teen in a moment of chaos.
“Being from New York it has been my dream to want to give back to the community that made me who I am.”
By Christian Rojas Linares
As a teen in NYC and a member of Generation Z, it isn’t clear to me why my generation partook in the Kai Cenat giveaway in Union Square. In this episode, my friend Danny and I go on a journey to uncover the motives and desires of a young teen in a moment of chaos.
Christian is a senior at the High School of University Neighborhood High School (UNHS) in Manhattan. He is an active member of the UNHS community through supporting and partaking in school events. When Christian isn't focused on academics, he enjoys going to the gym as well as learning about what it takes to become an entrepreneur because he aspires to become one in the near future.
The Summer Youth Podcast Academy is an intensive beginner podcasting workshop for New York City public school students, hosted by The Bell.
He's a Local Gas Station Worker, but He's Also My Dad
I try to understand my dad’s job as a gas station worker, what it means to him and how it impacts our relationship.
“Even if he seems far away, he wants to remain close enough.”
By Tanvir Kaur
In this episode, I sit down with my dad and explore his experiences being a Gas Station worker. I try to understand my dad’s job, what it means to him and how it impacts our relationship.
Tanvir is a senior at Academy of American Studies. Although she doesn't love the overpopulation of New York, she appreciates the cultural diversity. She believes rich cultures grow richer knowledge. Tanvir is an aspiring photographer who hopes to capture everyday mundane moments.
The Summer Youth Podcast Academy is an intensive beginner podcasting workshop for New York City public school students, hosted by The Bell.
Trinidadian Culture, I Did Not Forget About You
My grandfather, who immigrated to the U.S. after growing up in Trinidad, has never spoken much about his Caribbean roots. I decided to interview him to uncover the reasons behind this absence.
“Yes yes yes. You can be Trini anywhere.”
By Santana Roach
I have noticed a lack of cultural representation in my Caribbean household, so I decided to interview my grandfather, Mack H. Brown, to uncover the reasons behind this absence. In this episode, I learn about the changes my grandfather experienced when immigrating to the States, ponder whether or not his cultural sacrifices were necessary and what they mean for me as a Caribbean-American moving forward.
Santana is a senior at the Frederick Douglass Academy II in Harlem. He enjoys his school year filled with conversation and connection as well as being intellectually challenged. Funny and relatable, as a high school student Santana deals with occasional procrastination but gets his assignments completed and turned in on time. When he doesn't feel flooded with work, he enjoys watching cartoons and talking with his friends.
The Summer Youth Podcast Academy is an intensive beginner podcasting workshop for New York City public school students, hosted by The Bell.
Trial and Error Ends with Triumph
Decide for yourself whether or not my older sister Mary is a “trial and error child.”
“Every time I say ‘I’m just not getting it,’ they say, ‘so you’re not trying hard enough?’”
By Fatou Diallo
I am the fourth child of a Guinean American household, and Mary is the eldest. In this episode I uncover all the hardships Mary endured so that her siblings wouldn’t have to. Listen to what the first twelve years of Mary's life in Guinea was like, before coming to America changed everything. Decide for yourself whether or not Mary is a “trial and error child.”
Fatou is a rising junior at Uncommon Collegiate. Fatou spends her free time at her robotics club where she’s constantly working to build and program a robot with her teammates. Fatou is a hardworking student who prioritizes her grades and is always looking to build her resume and experiences. She uses her leisure time to explore New York, its parks, its museums, everything!
The Summer Youth Podcast Academy is an intensive beginner podcasting workshop for New York City public school students, hosted by The Bell.
The Best of Our Abilities
My cousin Emily and I discuss our experiences living with disabilities in an ableist society.
“I think you have to...just keep trying. Because it’s really easy to give up when the world becomes very hard for you physically. When you feel like it’s not designed for you, and you don’t belong.”
By Ava Stryker-Robbins
In this episode, I chat with my cousin Emily about our experiences living with disabilities in an ableist society. Emily shares her story and thoughts on how advocacy and empowerment can lead to a more inclusive world.
Ava Stryker-Robbins is a rising senior at the Beacon School in New York City. She served as the head of design at her school’s literary magazine and is an active participant in her school’s debate club. She works as a reporter for the West Side Rag where she writes a weekly food column in addition to covering other local stories. Ava is a member of Manhattan Community Board 7, participates in the New York Civil Liberties Union’s Teen Activist Project, and served as an intern for the City Limits Accountability Reporting Initiative for Youth (CLARIFY). In her free time, Ava plays classical guitar and loves to knit.
The Summer Youth Podcast Academy is an intensive beginner podcasting workshop for New York City public school students, hosted by The Bell.
Better Life for a Taxi Driver
What does a “better life” mean to my father, an NYC taxi driver who immigrated to the U.S. from Egypt?
“I like to be the boss to myself. Nobody guide me.”
By Marcellino Melika
As the child of immigrants, I have often wondered what was in it for my parents when they decided to start a family in the U.S. In this episode, I talk to my father about the true meaning of a “better life” by comparing his experiences and struggles as a taxi driver in the U.S. to life back in Egypt.
Marcellino is a junior at Francis Lewis High School in Queens. He is a part of numerous clubs at his school including string orchestra and science research program. In his free time, he enjoys trying new things.
The Summer Youth Podcast Academy is an intensive beginner podcasting workshop for New York City public school students, hosted by The Bell.
The Last Name Comes First
I, like many immigrant children, have struggled with familial expectations my whole life.
“They put all their dreams and their goals into their kids and they forget, we’re people too.”
By Fanta Kaba
I, like many immigrant children, have struggled with expectations my whole life, and in this episode I get to the root of where they come from. I go on a journey with my father and older sister to discover where these expectations come from and how to deal with them.
Fanta Kaba is a senior at Beacon High School in Manhattan. She is passionate about advocacy and creating safe spaces for marginalized communities. She is also the president of Women's of Color Club, Live Poet Society, and the Captain of the girl's varsity basketball team. When she is not busy reading or playing basketball, she loves to hangout with friends and try new foods.
The Summer Youth Podcast Academy is an intensive beginner podcasting workshop for New York City public school students, hosted by The Bell.
Away From Home
As the daughter of an immigrant, I have always wondered what my father’s experience was like immigrating from Kenya to America.
“It wasn’t like a movie at all, I was just–I was there and then I was here.”
By Mahdia Tully Carr
As the daughter of an immigrant, I have always wondered what my father’s experience was like immigrating from Kenya to America. How did it shape him as a person? What perspectives are unique to his experience? In this episode, I sit down with him to uncover his family’s reasons for immigrating, his outlook on the whole process, and how he chooses to walk through the world because of it.
Mahdia is a senior at Repertory Company High School. She loves to read, write, sing, and perform— especially in her school's musical productions. In the future she hopes to perform on bigger stages, and in her down time she writes songs and draws.
The Summer Youth Podcast Academy is an intensive beginner podcasting workshop for New York City public school students, hosted by The Bell.
Unheard Voices With Monica Chestnut
My grandmother takes me on a journey through her childhood recollections, old tapes, demos and personal stories.
“I don’t take anything for granted. And if this is something that is meant for me, I just do what I got to do and I do it proudly.”
By Egypt Terry
As an artist myself, I have been influenced by the works of music and art since I was born. My grandmother, Monica Chestnut, similarly admired performing and using music as a means of joy, even though she didn’t end up pursuing it professionally. Within this episode, I ask my grandmother to take me on a journey through her childhood recollections, old tapes, demos and personal stories – hoping to shine light on her unheard voice.
Egypt is a senior at The Urban Assembly for Media Studies. She actively participated in various clubs including their school’s first Black Student Union and first Podcast Club, as well as mural and guitar club. Personally, Egypt takes part in binging cringey teen shows and going down the rabbit hole of controversial politics.
The Summer Youth Podcast Academy is an intensive beginner podcasting workshop for New York City public school students, hosted by The Bell.