On Our Minds

In this episode, Ashley, Tyler, and student reporters explore how family situations like foster care and interracial adoption can affect young people's well-being and sense of identity. Segments in this episode were produced by Juan from Cincinnati, Ohio; Ashley from Columbus, Ohio; and Nat from St. Charles, MO. This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske and edited by Mercede...

In this episode, Tyler and Ashley hear from students and psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour about how teens can manage their time and improve their mental health. Segments in this episode were produced by Maria and Sanzeda from Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan; Claire and Michaela from Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland; and Vaishnavi Kumbala from Haynes Academy for Adv...

Ashley and Tyler record in person and in front of a live audience at the SXSW EDU podcast stage! They share stories about needing help, asking for help, and what good help looks like. Audience members share their powerful teenage experiences. This episode was produced and edited by Student Reporting Labs Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske. Follow us: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StudentRepo...

At SXSW EDU, Tyler interviewed science content creator Hank Green, and student reporter Ingrid Smith interviewed former U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. Both Green and Harjo talked about how to "be yourself." This episode was produced and edited by Student Reporting Labs Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske. Follow us: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StudentReportingLabs/ Twitter: https://twitter.c...

While Florida first passed a law limiting LGBTQ+ student rights at school in March 2022, as many as 19 other states have considered a version of the "Don't Say Gay" bill . Hear how an LGBTQ+ teen in Florida navigates the environment at school, what TV shows get right—or not—about teen LGBTQ+ relationships, and learn how some teens are not interested in romantic relationships at all. Stories in thi...

The American Pediatric Association emphasizes that behaviors and knowledge learned from teen relationships impact mental health and set a foundation for building healthy relationships in adulthood. Hear how teens break the cycle of an unhealthy relationship, find their own identity, cope with break-ups, and handle friends or partners who trauma-dump through digital communications. Stories in this...

Katie Hood and Collin McClelland from One Love Foundation teach Ashley and Tyler how to recognize unhealthy behaviors in a relationship. Katie and Collin also give tips on how to help a friend or loved one who might be in a harmful relationship. This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske and Production Assistant Jaylah Moore-Ross. Editing by Youth Media Producer Mohammad Pash...

On Our Minds host Ashley interviews one of her all-time favorite poets, Chen Chen. They talk about poetry, identity and sexuality and then Chen Chen reads us one of his favorite poems, called "Study Abroad, Hefei, China." This episode was produced and edited by Rawan Elbaba, with help from Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske. Follow us: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StudentReportingLabs/ Twit...

The creative arts can be the universal language for teens who find it hard to communicate how they are feeling because of language barriers, cultural differences, social injustices, or anxiety. Hear how poetry, dance, film, and theater have provided an outlet for teens to process difficulties and help manage their mental health. Stories in this episode were produced by Katarina from Lake Travis Hi...

On Our Minds is an Edward R. Murrow award-winning, student-led and student-produced podcast about the biggest mental health challenges young people face. In each episode, two teen reporters guide you through stories by high schoolers from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs about the teenage experience that connects, educates and inspires listeners of all ages. Follow us: Facebook: https://www.fac...

Student reporter Mahi Jariwala speaks with Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles about how she stepped in for Simone Biles to win an Olympic medal for Team USA. Mahi, Ashley, and Tyler also talk about their own experience with sports and offer tips for physical and mental success. Click here for this episode’s transcript. This episode was produced by Mahi Jariwala from Monte Vista High School in Danville,...

Students at I Promise School in Akron, Ohio interview one of the greatest basketball stars of all time: LeBron James! Student producers include Christan, Jenisha, Dominick, and Aliza from I Promise in Akron, Ohio with help from educator Susan Mongold. Watch a longer video of their conversation with LeBron James here . This episode was produced by Production Assistant Jaylah Moore-Ross with help fr...

New York Times reporter Matt Richtel talks with Ashley and Tyler about why there's a teen mental health crisis and the benefit of putting experiences into words (...which is what we do at On Our Minds!). This episode was produced by Student Reporting Labs Youth Media producer Briget Ganske. Follow us: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StudentReportingLabs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/reportingla...

A recent study found that only about half of high school graduates say they definitely plan on going to college. In this episode of On Our Minds, Ashley and Tyler hear from several teens on their post-high school plans -- whether it's college, trade school, a gap year, or going right into the work force. Student producers include Zion from the Frederick V. Pankow Center in Clinton Township, Michig...

Welcome to SEASON THREE! Season two hosts Matt and Faiza introduce this season's newest hosts, Ashley He and Tyler Pullum. Ashley is a 16 year-old junior at Upper Arlington High School in Columbus, Ohio. And Tyler is a 17 year-old senior at Shadow Creek High School in Pearland, Texas. This episode was produced by Student Reporting Labs Youth Media producer Briget Ganske. Follow us: Facebook: https...

In this episode of On Our Minds, Matt and Faiza tackle topics like racism and bigotry and how each can have a negative impact on teen mental health. On Our Minds season one host Zion Williams also makes an appearance to interview writer and comedian Baratunde Thurston about his new show "America Outdoors" on PBS. Student producers include Sophia, Ryan, Keyon, and Blake from F.V. Pankow Center in C...

Student Reporting Labs production assistant Jaylah Moore-Ross speaks with singer-songwriter Madison Beer about her album "Life Support," recovery, and overcoming the stigma of mental health. This episode was produced by SRL production assistant Jaylah Moore-Ross with help from Briget Ganske. Follow us: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StudentReportingLabs/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/reportingl...

In this episode of On Our Minds, Matt and Faiza explore specific diagnoses like ADHD, OCD, and Schizoaffective Disorder. They also speak to a doctor about what it's like to get formally diagnosed with a mental health condition. Featuring a story produced and edited by Lily from Midland Trail High School and Fayette Institute of Technology in Fayette County, West Virginia. Guests include Kristen St...

Student reporter Emma Hagood talks to George Johnson, author of the memoir All Boys Aren't Blue , about growing up Black and queer. Johnson talks about the controversy surrounding his book, and why book bans are detrimental to marginalized communities. This episode was produced by Student Reporting Labs Youth Media Producer Chris Schwalm with help from Briget Ganske. Follow us: Facebook: https://w...

In this episode, LGBTQ+ teens talk about the unique cultural challenges they face as children of first-generation immigrants of color, and On Our Minds Season One host Noah Konevitch joins Matt to discuss their experiences as LGBTQ+ teens in high school. Student producers include Nandita from Georgia. Other student voices include Ellie and Claire from Georgia; Eloise from Haldane High School in Co...

Hosts Matt and Faiza hear from Alice of Austin, Texas who shares her story of eating disorder recovery and talks to British social media influencer Ro Mitchell about sharing her recovery journey online. Matt and Faiza also talk to psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour on how eating and food can affect the well being of teens. The story in this episode is from Alice in Austin, Texas. This episode was produc...

In this episode, Matt and Faiza discuss pressure and competition. You'll hear stories and conversations from students about their experiences with pressure, competition, and failure -- including a conversation with the 2021 National Spelling Bee winner, Zaila Avant-garde. Plus, you'll get tips and advice on combating these issues. Student voices include Jeremiah from Rouse High School in Leander,...

Hosts Matt and Faiza speak with documentary filmmaker Ken Burns about his PBS film “Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness.” Ken Burns also opens up about his own life, losing his mother to cancer, and how filmmaking and storytelling has the power to keep the past alive. This episode was produced by Student Reporting Labs Youth Media Producer Briget Ganske with help from Jaylah Moore-Ross. Fo...

In this episode, Matt and Faiza explore how to process the death of a friend or family member, that it's OK to be sad, and that art and storytelling can help us grieve and remember those who are gone. Student producers include Tyler from Dominion High School in Sterling, Virginia, and Sierra and Shyla from Beaverton Academy of Science and Engineering in Beaverton, Oregon. This episode was produced...

Student reporter Jacob Tacdol speaks with Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels from Run-DMC, the popular hip-hop group from the 80s and 90s. McDaniels shares his own story of depression and suicidal thoughts, learning about his adoption, and then finding "the most powerful thing" -- therapy. This episode was produced by Student Reporting Labs Youth Media Producers Mohammad Pasha and Briget Ganske. Follow us: Fa...