Soundings

In this Episode, Emerson explores why people put themselves through the physically demanding experience of a run. Is it the flow state in running, the desire to feel untethered, or is it something else entirely? Produced by Emerson Prentice

This episode traces the history of livermush, a southern dish, from producer Ana Gray's family farm to a North Carolina factory, told through family memory, labor, and survival. What begins as a search for a childhood food becomes a story about inheritance, care, and quiet resistance. Produced with support from the Braden Storytelling Grant and the Stanford Storytelling Project. [This episode was...

Through the two possible journeys of an Aloha Shirt, Tead Count tells the story of the true cost of fast fashion. Music from Blue Dot Sessions. Interviewees: Barchi Gillai, Associate Director Value Chain Innovation Initiative, https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/labs-initiatives/vcii Lila Temple, Stanford FashionX, https://www.stanfordfashionx.com/ Research:a. https://www.sgs.com/en-be/n...

I Speak for the Trees is a podcast that explores the consequences of land use change. Join us as we investigate the parallels between The Lorax and the real world in order to address the issue of sustainable land use change. From local land clearing in Wisconsin, restoration of overgrazed ranchland in Texas, to green space implementation in Chicago, we highlight how technology, policy, education,...

Join Natalia, Iamanni, and Marjorie on a journey of investigating the connection of health inequity and sustainability in diabetes treatments! 

"Reimagining the Road Ahead" delves into the concept of car-free days, especially their implementation in Bogotá and Paris, the political and practical challenges to their widespread adoption, and the broader push to re-imagine urban spaces with fewer cars. Interviews:Enrique Peñalosa is a Colombian politician and urban strategist who served as mayor ofBogotá (1998–2000, 2016–2019). He is known fo...

The United Nations have called climate change the challenge of our generation. A growing body of environmental storytelling is bringing clarity to complicated climate conversations by casting a vision for a better future, and providing compelling, actionable climate change solutions. In this course, students have the opportunity to contribute to that conversation by creating a 10 to 15-minute narr...

Follow Jacob, Miles, and Victor through a story about musical exploitation, globalization, and hope, starting with the creation of Jazz and concluding with the future of Afrobeats.    Names: Jacob Matlof, Miles C. Selles, and Victor Chen Interviewees: Bolaji Oyedepo  Bolaji Oyedepo is an Nigerian American musician from Houston, Texas, paving his own way in the modern music industry with the fusion...

Katie Cheng, Lela Hanson, Reyna Duffy, and Will YuThis is a story about a girl named Katie who suddenly discovers that her seeminglystraight-laced, engineer dad used to lead a secret life as a graffiti artist. Fueled by curiosity andwonder, she sets out on a journey to learn more. From exploring hidden graffiti tunnels withfriends to having an eye-opening conversation with her dad, Katie uncovers...

How can supposedly green initiatives, such as battery recycling, still result in dirty outcomes? Community members in Vernon, California, fight to shut down a local battery recycling plantbecause its toxic waste is polluting their air, water, and soil. The company and governmentalagencies that are supposed to be responsible fail to listen and act, forcing the community to takeever more dramatic ac...

In an unprecedented political, social, and cultural climate where executive orders are being issued to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives nationwide, especially in educational institutions, three college-aged students from diverse racial backgrounds reflect on their experiences with racial discrimination and exclusion in K-12 education. In sharing their stories, they enga...

How exciting would it be if you actually tuned into that little voice in the back of your head? The one telling you to go for the thing you really want, even if it’s probably, most likely, definitely not what’s expected of you? Aren’t you curious how a girl can go from making pancakes in the kitchen with her mom one day to suddenly winning MasterChef Junior—only to lose her passion for cooking, th...

Sound Stories is a Stanford class for students interested in creating audio stories for radio, podcast, and other forms of sonic narrative. Students examine the craft elements of the audio form, popularized by programs such as This American Life, Radiolab, and Serial including skills for interviewing, scoring, and audio editing, and then work in small groups to create and produce a 10-15 minute na...

A story of the rise of electric vehicles and their promise to make a more sustainable planet. Yet this promise has proven to be detrimental to the quality of life for the people in the Congo. Sustainability Paradox pulls back the curtain on the realities of the electric car industry, and the promising solutions that might offer real, meaningful change. Produced by Sydney Davis and Jana Gomri with...

In this episode, Nathan, Ana, and Nia explore the importance of sustainable food practices, and how alternative, truly healthy food practices are not necessarily the most commercially produced and advertised ones. The episode aims to broaden the horizon of viewing food practices in a context beyond just your own plate. This episode was produced by Nathan Elias, Ana Nguyen, and Nia Patton, with sup...

What can you expect from Sound Stories? The 2024 class weighs in. Taught by Laura Joyce Davis through the Stanford Storytelling Project, this hands-on, workshop-oriented course is designed to teach you the fundamentals of podcast storytelling. Class work will include pitching, interviewing, scriptwriting, narration, audio editing, and sound design. You’ll learn time-honored principles for strong s...

Living Memory by Stanford Storytelling Project

Stories to Save the Planet is a podcast about the stories behind climate change solutions. The United Nations have called climate change the challenge of our generation. A growing body of environmental storytelling is bringing clarity to complicated climate conversations by casting a vision for a better future, and providing compelling, actionable climate change solutions. All work is produced by...

Have you ever felt like your cell phone is controlling your life, or that of someone you know? I’m sure you’ve asked yourself, “Why is it so addictive?” and then just scrolled once again. In this episode, dive into the new yet familiar world of TikTok as three Stanford students uncover the dangers of data collection, addiction, and algorithmic manipulation, shedding light on the impact of social m...

Have you ever felt like an outsider in a new place, not sure how to act? In this podcast, we delve deep into how Hawai’i has changed over the past 2000 years as a result of different groups of outsiders, from the military to tourists to scientists. Along the way, we might just discover how we all can be better outsiders to wherever we may visit.

Have you ever wondered how seemingly ordinary people are able to accomplish extraordinary feats? In this episode of Soul Searching, we explore this question and attempt to find the common threads between rowing across the Atlantic ocean, founding a start-up venture, and raising thousands of dollars for charity. Listen now to hear three amazing stories from some incredibly accomplished Stanford stu...

When’s the last time you spent an entire day without looking at your to-do list? Chances are —never. If so, you’ve come to the right place. Come take a break from your productive routine and join us as we uncover the layers of productivity, one checkbox at a time. Hold onto your Google calendars, because after this episode, you might just want to throw that to-do list away and join us as we lie in...

Sometimes you have to climb mountains to go on an adventure, other times the adventure is hidden right in front of you. Join us as we uncover a campus mystery in real time, one where the writing was on the walls the whole time. Are all of Stanford’s stories set in-stone?

Each year, the Stanford Storytelling Project awards Braden Grants to support the research, writing, and production of audio documentaries. The aim of the program is to help students learn how to tell powerful, research-driven stories based on testimony they gather through interviews, research, or oral history archives. Grantees receive up to $2,500, along with teaching, training, and mentorship fo...

Each year, the Stanford Storytelling Project awards Braden Grants to support the research, writing, and production of audio documentaries. The aim of the program is to help students learn how to tell powerful, research-driven stories based on testimony they gather through interviews, research, or oral history archives. Grantees receive up to $2,500, along with teaching, training, and mentorship fo...