I Can Relate

In this season finale, the I Can Relate hosts reflect on their personal growth and the friendships they've built through the podcast. Charlie shares his final thoughts as a graduating senior, while the team (Isabel, Caroline, Andromeda and Nikeese) discusses their favorite episodes, how they've gained confidence, and the impact of bringing diverse teen voices together. A heartfelt look at how auth...

Teen hosts (Charlie, Nikeese, Isabel, and Caroline) break down the hidden symbolism and political messaging in Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show. From Gil Scott Heron influences to the "great American game" metaphor, they explore how artists use their platforms for activism and why critical media analysis matters more than ever. A deep dive into art, politics, and generational divides.

The teen hosts open up about their personal struggles with trauma, from divorce to family illness to abandonment issues. When hiding behind invisible shields feels easier than talking, how do you heal? Music that speaks to your soul, leaning on friends who understand, or just having someone nearby — discover what helps these teens cope when life gets overwhelming. Progress isn't perfection, but as...

In Season 5, Episode 2 of the I Can Relate podcast, the hosts take a deep dive into the fascinating—and sometimes tricky—world of language and humor among teens. From the ever-changing landscape of the euphemism treadmill to the ways words take on new meanings in different social contexts, this episode explores how our language choices shape relationships and reflect our values. The conversation g...

Kick off Season 5 of I Can Relate with an inspiring and raw conversation featuring Charlie, Andromeda, Caroline, Nikeese, and Isabel. These teens tackle the weighty topics of career pressures, college decisions, and the clash between adult expectations and their personal dreams. From navigating societal timelines to dealing with parental aspirations, they offer a candid look at the struggles and t...

On the season finale of I Can Relate, host Ellie Johnson speaks with Lee’s Summit Police Officer Amanda Geno and ReDiscover Board President and CEO Jennifer Craig about a recent Youth Mental Health Forum at the Summit Technology Campus.

On this special episode of I Can Relate, Ellie and Isabel talk to guest Erica Miller, Lee’s Summit R-7 School Board member, about the school board and what they can and are doing to make life better for students.

Returning to the ever-complex subject of growing up, hosts Ellie, Conner, Nikeese, and Charlie discuss how little teens are actually prepared for adulthood and what adults can do to make things better on this episode of I Can Relate.

On this episode of I Can Relate, hosts Charlie, Conner, and Maieva discuss the harrowing presence of book bans in schools and libraries across the country and why everyone should work to end this practice of censorship.

On this episode of I Can Relate, hosts Ellie, Isabel, and Nikeese talk about womanhood and why life is difficult for women and girls of all ages.

On this episode of I Can Relate, hosts Lauren, Ellie, and Conner discuss the release of the Barbie film, its representation of feminism and why understanding women’s issues is important for everyone.”

On the premiere episode of I Can Relate, hosts Ellie, Conner, and Charlie discuss the nuances of growing up and life as a senior in high school.

Teen life can be hard. Sometimes just transitioning from one grade level to the next can be particularly hard. In this season 3 finale, Charles, Ellie, Nikeese and Lilly start off talking about the all important transition from middle to high school, but soon shift to conversations about the many pressures faced during a school year and close with some suggestions on how teachers and administrator...

Five members of the I Can Relate crew return to the vault for a conversation on pressures surrounding their performances in school and how it sets them up for their post-high school lives.

Join Karson, Hayden, Charles, and Nikeese in the vault for an enlightening conversation on the various forms of pressure they face from peers, siblings, parents, and teachers. Discover their insights on embracing individuality, staying true to oneself, and overcoming societal fear of change.

Height, weight, shape — they all fit in to how we view ourselves, and often how we think others view us. Karson, Gianni & Aliyah sit down for a conversation about all of these things and how they deal with body image and how they handle pressures brought on by the images we see on social media.

This week, five of our teen hosts enter The Vault for a candid conversation about social media — how they use it, why they use it and if it's a positive form of communication with peers and family.

In the season 3 premiere, Hayden, Karson, Nikeese, Charles & Ellie jump in to tackle conversations important not only among themselves and their peers, but also among the country's adult population — gender and sexual identity and identity and how to show empathy and respect in conversation.

Dealing with loss. We all have to deal with grief at some point in our lives and it always seems a little harder when we're young. On this episode, the gang talks about a specific loss they had to deal with just days after high school graduation. (Originally published on July 30, 2021)

Chidera, Rylee and Chawnta'le sit down for an honest look at, and discussion of, social media — how they use, when they use and deciding when to put down the phone and walk away. (Originally published on July 16, 2021)

Kicking off season 2 of I Can Relate, Kalvin, Devynn and Aliyah talk about race, diversity and the role of allies. (Originally published on July 9, 2021)

The I Can Relate crew wanted at least one more episode. There was one more topic they needed to tackle. In this episode, Chidera leads a frank conversation with Hudson, Devynn and Rylee about diversity and race and getting comfortable participating in conversations about one of our most uncomfortable topics. (Originally published on October 6, 2020)

Recorded mid-lockdown, the I Can Relate crew talk about discovering the things that keep them motivated during difficult times. (Originally published on July 3, 2020)

Hudson, Chidera, Rylee and Devynn recorded this episode via video conference while in the midst of the region's stay-at-home orders early in the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. They wanted to take the opportunity to talk about mental wellness during stressful times, and what they had learned about themselves during weeks isolation and finishing the 2019-2020 school year through online learning. (Origin...

What are our relationships like? What do we want and expect? What do our friends think? Rylee, Chidera, Hudson and Devynn pose some of these questions to peers before sitting down for an honest conversation on dating and relationships. (Originally published on June 19, 2020)