On Our Minds with Bree & James Student Reporting Labs

Since 2020, guns have been the number one cause of death for children and teens in the U.S. According to Dr. Robin Gurwith (expert on the impact of trauma and disaster on children), hearing stories about how teens have been affected by lockdowns and gun violence can help us honor victims and lead to action steps. Click here for this episode's transcript.

Segments were produced by Lydia Tong, Nora, Brian, and Jaylin. This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske with research and fact-checking by Simran Gupta. Frankie St. Pierre Nelson from KUOW's RadioActive edited and mixed this episode.

Bree and James pop in to tell you about a new teacher-focused podcast by Student Reporting Labs.

Hosted by longtime SRL teachers Mike Conrad of Royal Oak High School and Michael Kaufman of the Frederick V Pankow Center in Michigan, Teacher Reporting Labs pairs two educators from different areas of the country in each episode for conversations about the challenges they face as teachers, their experiences in the classroom, their triumphs, and the impact of their engagement with public media and amplifying student voices.

Sophia Kianni was the youngest member of the United Nations’s first Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change. She talks with Bree and James about why she started an organization dedicated to translating climate information and resources and getting involved with Born This Way Foundation, which helps support youth mental health. Click here for this episode's transcript.

This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske. Frankie St. Pierre Nelson from KUOW's RadioActive edited and mixed this episode.

Over the last three years or so, states have proposed more legislation that would restrict or change the way teachers talk about race, American history, gender, and sexuality. In this episode, students discuss critical race theory, anti-LGBTQ bills, and also legislation helping students' mental health. Click here for this episode's transcript.

Segments were produced by Leeya Chaudhuri from Raleigh, North Carolina, and Noah Konevitch from Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske produced this episode with help from Associate Producer Jaylah Moore-Ross. Alayna Ly from KUOW's RadioActive edited and mixed this episode.

In the second part of Bree and James's conversation with the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy advises on how to create tech-free zones to limit time on social media. James also asks a few fun questions about Elmo and chocolate chip pancakes. Click here for this episode’s transcript.

Have a question or message for On Our Minds? Fill out this form.

This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske with help from Associate Producer Jaylah Moore-Ross. Frankie St. Pierre Nelson from KUOW's RadioActive edited and mixed this episode.

The U.S. Surgeon General's advice to his teenage self (Part 1)
Teen mental health is one of the U.S. Surgeon General's top priorities. In part one of two, Bree and James talk with the Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, about his mental health as a teenager and tips for combating loneliness and isolation. Click here for this episode’s transcript.


Have a question or message for On Our Minds? Fill out this form.


This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske with help from Associate Producer Jaylah Moore-Ross. Frankie St. Pierre Nelson from KUOW's RadioActive edited and mixed this episode.