On Our Minds

Student Reporting Labs
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On Our Minds is an Edward R. Murrow award-winning podcast about teen life, produced by teens for teens in collaboration with PBS News Student Reporting Labs. Season 6 will be an audio road trip exploring what’s unique about teen life in every corner of the country through hyperlocal stories about cities, towns, and neighborhoods. Coming spring 2026.

  1. How to overcome imposter syndrome and find a sense of belonging

    06/04/2025

    How to overcome imposter syndrome and find a sense of belonging

    Have you ever felt doubt and insecurity about your abilities or accomplishments? It's a normal feeling but it can be hard! Who can help? A mentor in your community who believes in you and helps you find a sense of belonging. Click here for this episode's transcript. Segments were produced by Alia and Ginger from New York City. Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske produced this episode with editing and mixing by Wyatt Mayes and help from Genesis Magpayo. Ryan Janes is the camera and audio operator.

    18 min
  2. Author Bryan Stevenson on grace, grit, and growing up

    05/28/2025

    Author Bryan Stevenson on grace, grit, and growing up

    You are more than your grades, your struggles, or your past, says Bryan Stevenson (author of Just Mercy and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative). Stevenson shares his journey defending the wrongly accused and why he's hopeful about the next generation. Click here for this episode's transcript. The conversation was produced by Kiran Bhatia from Brookline, MA. Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske produced this episode with editing and mixing by Genesis Magpayo and help from Wyatt Mayes. Ryan Janes is the camera and audio operator.

    16 min
  3. Finding yourself through books with Nic Stone and Mychal Threets

    05/21/2025

    Finding yourself through books with Nic Stone and Mychal Threets

    How can you figure how what kind of person you want to be? Through books, says YA writer Nic Stone and viral-librarian Mychal Threets. Nic and Mychal share their wisdom about finding yourself and finding joy through reading. Click here for this episode's transcript. Segments were produced by Beatrix and Katherine from Austin, Texas. Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske produced this episode with editing and mixing by Wyatt Mayes and Genesis Magpayo. Ryan Janes is the camera and audio operator.

    18 min
  4. How these teachers use humor and stories to connect with their students

    05/14/2025

    How these teachers use humor and stories to connect with their students

    What makes school fun? An inspiring teacher! Stories of gratitude for the people who devote their lives to helping students learn and grow: classroom teachers, librarians, and principals. Click here for this episode's transcript. Segments were produced by Jay from Southlake, Texas; Marium and Aruja from El Paso, Texas; and Connor and Jay from Clinton Township, Michigan.  Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske produced this episode with editing and mixing by Wyatt Mayes, with help from Genesis Magpayo. Ryan Janes is the camera and audio operator.

    19 min
  5. Teacher Appreciation: More Than A Week

    05/09/2025 · BONUS

    Teacher Appreciation: More Than A Week

    To wrap up Teacher Appreciation Week, we present this special BONUS episode where we flipped the mic and gave space to educators who reflected on the small moments that make it all worth it—student shoutouts, surprise gifts, and memories that linger. This episode is an audio love letter to the people who keep showing up: one student, one story, one rubber duck at a time. Click here for this episode’s transcript.  Featured educators:  AJ Chambers, Columbia,  South Carolina  Evan Andre, Meadville, Pennsylvania Jared Agard, Beaverton, Oregon Jennifer Wax, McKeesport, Pennsylvania Jen Chaffman, Huntersville, North Carolina  Julie Tiedens, Black River Falls, Wisconsin  Heather Putnam, Goodyear, Arizona Michael Kaufman, Clinton Township, Michigan  Mindy Pavone, Clinton, New York Student voices: Anastasiia – Leander, Texas Alexis – Clinton Township, Michigan Brianna – Clinton Township, Michigan Ani – Royal Oak, Michigan Beatrix – Austin, Texas Roury – San Diego, California Zion – Clinton Township, Michigan Have a story about teaching you'd like to share? Record a voice memo and upload it here.  SRL Senior Manager of Community Engagement Manager Emily Hope Dobkin and Youth Media Producer Justin Rhodes produced this episode with support from Senior Youth Programming Director Victor Fernandez and Youth Media Producer Becky Wandel. Wyatt Mayes edited and mixed this episode.

    9 min
  6. Voices across cultures: Viet Thanh Nguyen and the teen search for belonging

    05/07/2025

    Voices across cultures: Viet Thanh Nguyen and the teen search for belonging

    Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen joins student reporter Khadeejah Khan for a thoughtful discussion on identity, memory, activism, and the role of art in "abolishing the conditions of voicelessness." In addition, Annalise shares a conversation with her father about growing up Chinese in Ecuador and how he embraces his multiple cultures. Click here for this episode's transcript. Segments were produced by Annalise from Danville, CA and Khadeejah from Santa Clara, CA. Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske produced this episode with editing and mixing by Genesis Magpayo, and help from Wyatt Mayes. Ryan Janes is the camera and audio operator.

    19 min
  7. Why family matters in shaping teens’ passions and identity

    04/30/2025

    Why family matters in shaping teens’ passions and identity

    Family bonds shape who we become and what dreams we have for our lives. Teens open up to their parents and siblings about what matters most: their passions, identity, and culture. Click here for this episode's transcript. Segments were produced by Ava from Black River Falls, WI; Priscilla from Danville, CA; and Denver from Orlando, FL; and Dylan from Boston, MA. Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske produced this episode with editing and mixing by Wyatt Mayes, with help from Genesis Magpayo. Ryan Janes is our camera and audio operator.

    16 min
  8. Bonus: NPR’s 1A features On Our Minds students: Ava, Jay, and Michelle

    04/28/2025 · BONUS

    Bonus: NPR’s 1A features On Our Minds students: Ava, Jay, and Michelle

    It’s a special episode! Hear 1A host, Jenn White, interview On Our Minds students, Ava (from WI), Jay (from TX), and Michelle (from VA) about who inspires them. 1A is produced by WAMU and distributed by NPR.

    46 min
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About

On Our Minds is an Edward R. Murrow award-winning podcast about teen life, produced by teens for teens in collaboration with PBS News Student Reporting Labs. Season 6 will be an audio road trip exploring what’s unique about teen life in every corner of the country through hyperlocal stories about cities, towns, and neighborhoods. Coming spring 2026.

Information

  • Channel
    Student Reporting Labs
  • Creator
    Student Reporting Labs
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    76
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 NewsHour Productions LLC. All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    On Our Minds

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