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.
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.
The Social Worker Who Defied All Odds
Dr. Kathyanne Davis takes us through her journey as a social worker in NYC schools, revealing how her dedication to resilience, representation, and care shapes the lives of her students.
The Building Manager Who Has Lived Multiple Lives
Brice Bowman shares the story of how his journeys across continents shaped his work as a public servant in New York City.
The Track Coach Who Runs a Community
Coach Robert Dice shares the inspiring story of how he started West End Secondary’s underdog track team, now competing against New York City’s biggest schools.
The Doula Who Delivers
Follow Dawn Lee’s story as a community doula in New York City, where she supports families through birth and beyond and confronts the emotional, systemic, and policy challenges of care.