Power Your Story

What's YOUR favorite scary movie? This episode was produced by Malik, Jason, Charme, Melah, Amina, James, Rose, Diego, Yesenia, Brandon, Anaiya, Brian, LeLe, Lania, Julissa, David, Oliva, Cha'Raye, Anthony, and Joy. Edited by Olivia. Enjoy the show! Click here to let us know what you liked about the episode. http://www. PowerYourStoryPodcast.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/poweryourstorypodc...

Have you ever felt pressure to look or act a certain way because of beauty standards on social media? We're discussing the pressures of beauty standards online and offline. We talk about the unrealistic expetations highlighted on social media and how they can affect mental health, especially for young girls and teens. From diet culture to damaging trends, both men and women are affected by the thi...

Open Mic episodes are where we pick a topic and share whatever's on our mind that day about it. Money is always a hot topic and this round table does not disappoint! What do YOU think? Will money ever buy you happiness? This episode features Adrian, Aden, Jessica, Moriah, Maya, Ciara, Briana & Ms. Klunder. Enjoy the show! Click here to let us know what you liked about the episode. http://www. Powe...

Is it okay to watch sad movies? How do you get through world tragedies? What if you don't have supportive family members? We talked with Ms. Shelby Grace, a school social worker, about these questions and more. She even taught us a cool breathing technique to use when we feel stressed! This episode was produced by ChuYing, Christian, Aliz, José, Toni, Carlos, Uriel, and Jonas. Enjoy the show! Clic...

We got to speak with Dr. Ava Thompson Greenwell back in 2021 about her documentary Mandela in Chicago , which we also got to screen in our podcasting program. The film tells the story of Nelson Mandela's historic visit to Chicago in 1993, three years after he was released from prison and one year before he became South Africa's first Black president. But Dr. Ava Thompson is not just a filmmaker. S...

Shockingly, we are revisiting an open mic episode that was recorded all the way back in 2021, when we were trying to process devastation brought about by California wildfires. Here we are again in 2025 with more devastation. For more information, we also like this episode from Imperfect Paradise: LAist Newsroom Answers Your Questions About the Fires. Our hearts go out to everyone who has been and...

Our student producers from Ray Graham interview one of their favorite teachers (they have a lot of them), Ms. Jones about her experiences playing, coaching, and teaching sports. They also touch on life skills, community-based instruction, and even... math. This episode was produced by Emilio, Gabby, Anabel, Semaje, Devonte and also features Uriel, Rafael, Diego, Daniel, and Patty. Enjoy! Click her...

Coming out of summer break, fall is in full swing! What were your summer highlights and what, if anything, is the shadow side? What's so great about Roblox. Plus, WAS there a song of the summer? Our student producers weigh in on this open mic episode from summer 2024. This episode features Kayley, Diego, Rafael, José, Angel, Gabby, Daniel, Niimah, Ke'Nya, Jamyra, Alex, Edgar, Youssef, Devonte, Uri...

What if it turns out something you clearly remembered never happened that way... but tons of people also remembered it the same way you did? Were you all just confused? Or did we slip into an alternate timeline? KitKat, The Monopoly Man, JFK... maybe it's all a conspiracy! Open Mic is where we pick a topic and then any of our producers can hop on the mic to say what comes to their mind. This episo...

Leo tells his coming out and offers advice for others who are struggling with revealing aspects of their identity. He also shares ideas for the friends, family and community who want to support them. This episode was produced, written and hosted by Leo. Graphic design by Mel. Enjoy! Click here to let us know what you liked about the episode. http://www. PowerYourStoryPodcast.com Facebook: http://w...

Alex shares her experiences trying to fit in and find her friend group in high school. This episode was produced, written and hosted by Alex. Graphic design by Cha'Raye. Enjoy! Click here to let us know what you liked about the episode. http://www. PowerYourStoryPodcast.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/poweryourstorypodcast Instagram: @PowerYourStoryPodcast YouTube: After School Matters - Pow...

What have you always wanted to ask a teenager about their high school experience? We are taking questions! Could be about classes, challenges, social media, pop culture, bullying, future dreams, our podcasting program, or anything you're curious about. Keep the questions clean and classy! You can send them through our contact page https://poweryourstory.libsyn.com/site/contact or DM us on Instagra...

Pam Covarrubias is a podcaster (like us). On her show, Café con Pam, she hosts interviews over cafécito about mental health, liberation, and entrepreneurship. AND she teaches people how to use Emotional Freedom Technique, or "tapping", to help with anxiety, stress, and fear. She showed us how to do it and you can follow along and try it too. Don't forget to check out Pam's website and listen to Ca...

Not every high school teacher goes to college with that as their career goal. Hear the story of how Mr. Amusa, one of Uriel's favorite teachers, came to love his work. Plus, he shares with Uriel the best and worst parts. This was recorded at school between classes. This episode was produced and recorded by Uriel. Enjoy! Click here to let us know what you liked about the episode. http://www. PowerY...

A short round table looking at love from different angles. This episode was features Daniel, Devonte, Aliz, and Jackie. Enjoy! Click here to let us know what you liked about the episode. http://www. PowerYourStoryPodcast.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/poweryourstorypodcast Instagram: @PowerYourStoryPodcast YouTube: After School Matters - Power Your Story Podcast *** Power Your Story is prod...

Dancer and Fitness Instructor Ramón Muñoz returns with more insight into how to teach an excellent dance fitness class, how to choose the right music, and hope for the future. We also got to take a mini-Zumba class with him before our interview. Everyone was smiling! This episode features Jayson, Dorian, Antar, Lailah, Keynia, Elijah, David, Zion, Nkili, Steven, Kenneth, and Darius. Enjoy! Click h...

Taylor Swift's career has been nothing short of a global phenomenon. Between her 2023 Eras Tour and Super Bowl appearances, her fan base just keeps growing! Whether you're a Swiftie or not, join us for this conversation about why we think she's so popular, and whether $20,000 is TOO much to pay to see her in concert. This episode was produced and co-hosted by Maya, Adrian, Corey, and Leo. Enjoy! C...

What happens after high school? Will you go to college? Get a job? How do you take care of your responsibilites and follow your dreams? Adrian has some ideas in this solo episode. This episode was produced and hosted by Adrian, with support from Maya. Enjoy! Click here to let us know what you liked about the episode. http://www. PowerYourStoryPodcast.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/poweryour...

Are you nervous to sing in public? Or do you love to use your voice? Does singing make you feel good? Davin Youngs is a singer and voice coach who creates immersive sound experiences called The RESET to help people relax and feel more connected. We got to do some improvisational singing with Davin before our interview. Check out his music on Spotify, Apple Music... whereever you stream audio. You...

Ramón Muñoz is one of Chicago's favorite Zumba instructors. He joined our class online for a mini session and after we worked up a sweat, we got to interview him about exercise, dance, social media and more! Check out his classes and merch at https://www.ramonmunozdf.com/about and learn some moves on Instagram @rmdancefitness. This episode features Jackie, Uriel, Emilio, Frederick, Jonas, and Lesl...

What kind of music do you like? How do you design the best playlist? What's your earliest memory of music? WARNING: Aden cannot be held responsible for the smile this episode will put on your face. Enjoy! Click here to let us know what you liked about the episode. http://www. PowerYourStoryPodcast.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/poweryourstorypodcast Instagram: @PowerYourStoryPodcast YouTube...

Why do YOU love watching NFL? Anneth, Dalilah, and Simone are talking about why we enjoy football, who is our favorite team, what we think about refs and more. Note: We recorded this in Fall 2023 BEFORE the 2024 Super Bowl, so find out whether our predictions were right! Enjoy! Click here to let us know what you liked about the episode. http://www. PowerYourStoryPodcast.com Facebook: http://www.fa...

Our student producers in the Podcast Tech program at Ray Graham Training Center wanted to share their holiday wishes and a cup of good cheer! But beware... Santa's watching you. Thank you for another amazing season of Power Your Story! Enjoy! Click here to let us know what you liked about the episode. http://www. PowerYourStoryPodcast.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/poweryourstorypodcast Ins...

What's your favorite Christmas tradition? Song? How do you feel about pumpkin spice? Gingerbread? Candy canes? And... is one of our producers a Grinch? You be the judge! This episode features student producers from our fall 2023 session of the Gallery 37 program at After School Matters. Enjoy! Click here to let us know what you liked about the episode. http://www. PowerYourStoryPodcast.com Faceboo...

What do you like to do for Halloween? Favorite costume? Best candy? Our newest student producers share their Halloween opinions in this bonus episode. This episode was produced by Dorian, Jayson, Damaria, Mya, Shigaki, Steven, Lailah, Kenneth, and Antar. Special appearance by our Program Director Ms. Klunder. Additional music support from Elijah, Ethan, Keynia, Samuel, and Darius. Enjoy! Click her...