On Our Minds
Episodes
How drag queens are creating safe spaces in Missouri
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of On Our Minds Road Trip takes us to Columbia, Missouri, where drag performers are building community, creating joy, and challenging ste...
Inside Minneapolis’ giant pencil festival
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Why does Minneapolis celebrate a giant pencil every year? In this episode of On Our Minds: Road Trip, hosts Zack and Helena head to the “Land of 10,...
Driving through Colorado changed how I see my childhood
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On Our Minds is produced by teens with PBS News Student Reporting Labs. For our sixth season, hosts Zack from Southern California and Helena from Nort...
On Our Minds: Road Trip Official Trailer
10 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On Our Minds is a teen life podcast from PBS News Student Reporting Labs, produced by teens, for teens. Hosted by Zack from Southern California and He...
How to overcome imposter syndrome and find a sense of belonging
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 y...
Author Bryan Stevenson on grace, grit, and growing up
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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). ...
Finding yourself through books with Nic Stone and Mychal Threets
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
How these teachers use humor and stories to connect with their students
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What makes school fun? An inspiring teacher! Stories of gratitude for the people who devote their lives to helping students learn and grow: classroom ...
Teacher Appreciation: More Than A Week
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Voices across cultures: Viet Thanh Nguyen and the teen search for belonging
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen joins student reporter Khadeejah Khan for a thoughtful discussion on identity, memory, activism, and t...
Why family matters in shaping teens’ passions and identity
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 pas...
Bonus: NPR’s 1A features On Our Minds students: Ava, Jay, and Michelle
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 in...
Real Talk on Friend Groups with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford of Therapy for Black Girls
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Therapist Dr. Joy Harden Bradford discusses her book Sisterhood Heals: The Transformative Power of Healing in Community. Dr. Joy (host of the podcast,...
How friends shape who we are
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How do your friends influence and inspire you? Our friends change us, for better or for worse. The best friendships inspire us to become better versio...
On Our Minds Season 5 Trailer
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Listen to the official trailer for the fifth season of On Our Minds from PBS News Student Reporting Labs. This season will feature teenagers in conve...
What do the 2024 election results mean?
15 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The 2024 election brought about sweeping changes. Donald Trump's victory gave Republicans a majority in the U.S. Senate and maintained their control o...
How is fake news affecting the election?
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the increasing capabilities of AI, it can be extremely hard to tell what information is real or not these days. In this episode, students get ins...
NPR's 1A features On Our Minds students, Grace and Reesa!
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's a special episode! Hear 1A host, Jenn White, interview On Our Minds students Grace Go (from WA) and Reesa Venterea (from MN) about what issues ma...
Are young people being heard?
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Young people speak up about issues they care about…but are their voices heard? Students report on how the Israel-Hamas conflict is affecting young v...
Why do we have the Electoral College?
02 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Electoral College determines the outcome of the U.S. presidential election. But why does the U.S. have this system? What's the history? Why is it ...
Meet some of America's youngest politicians
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Members of Gen Z are running for office this November! Student reporters interview Averie Bishop (D-TX) and Wyatt Gable (R-NC) both running for a seat...
Does my vote matter?
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How much power does your vote have? What if you're a conservative and live in a blue state? Or a liberal and live in a red state? Or what if you're fr...
What does America mean to you?
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the first episode of this special season, students explore: What does America mean? Is the American Dream achievable? How have teens' thoughts and ...
On Our Minds: Election 2024 Trailer
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A special seven-episode season of On Our Minds, a teen life podcast from PBS News Student Reporting Labs focuses on the issues and impacts of the 2024...
Exploring students' global perspectives
15 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Students explore the benefits of study abroad and the importance of paying attention to international news, like what's going on in the Middle East. P...
Poet Yung Pueblo on the power of meditation
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Diego Perez, better known as Yung Pueblo, is a number one New York Times best-selling writer, widely known for his poems on Instagram. He recently spo...
What can teens do about gun violence?
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 tr...
Introducing Teacher Reporting Labs, a new podcast for teachers, by teachers
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
How to manage climate anxiety with activist Sophia Kianni
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
How legislation affects teens
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Over the last three years or so, states have proposed more legislation that would restrict or change the way teachers talk about race, American histor...
The U.S. Surgeon General on creating tech-free zones (Part 2)
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
The U.S. Surgeon General's advice to his teenage self (Part 1)
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
How imaginary worlds help us shape our real-world identities
28 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Our Minds' first podcast swap! We hope you enjoy this special episode from KUOW’s RadioActive.From video games and D&D to fandoms and cosplay...
Masculinity is more than being macho
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
American men are stuck in what's being called a "friendship recession." In this episode, students explore what's going on with young men and their men...
Confidently insecure with Lawrence the Band
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Clyde and Gracie Lawrence (the brother-sister duo of the Lawrence the Band) talk with James and Bree about their family and how making music is therap...
How music boosts our mood
24 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You asked, we delivered--an episode all about music! Students share what songs they love right now, and how music makes them feel and connects them to...
How do you define success?
10 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What does it mean to succeed at something? What even is "success"? Teens discuss what success means to them, how their definitions differ from their p...
On Our Minds Season 4 Trailer
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Our Minds Season 4 Trailer
Passing the Mic to Season 4 Hosts
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Season three hosts Ashley and Tyler introduce this season’s newest hosts, Bree Campbell and James Kim. Bree is a 17-year-old senior at Frank Sinatra...
Goodbye to Season Three
07 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ashley and Tyler are joined by student producers and SRL staff for a fun goodbye recording and celebration--reflections and news about what's coming n...
How nature helps you get outside of yourself
24 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ashley, Tyler, and student reporters discuss their personal experiences with being in nature and its benefits.Segments in this episod...
What you didn’t know about adoption or the foster care system
17 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ashley, Tyler, and student reporters explore how family situations like foster care and interracial adoption can affect young people'...
Tips for time management
10 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 h...
Live from SXSW EDU Podcast Stage!
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 hel...
Hank Green and U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo remind you to “be yourself”
26 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
At SXSW EDU, Tyler interviewed science content creator Hank Green, and student reporter Ingrid Smith interviewed former U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. ...
What the LGBTQIA+ alphabet spells for teen relationships
12 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 "...
How not to lose yourself in a relationship
29 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The American Pediatric Association emphasizes that behaviors and knowledge learned from teen relationships impact mental health and set a foundation f...
How to identify the signs of an unhealthy relationship with experts from One Love Foundation
15 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Katie Hood and Collin McClelland from One Love Foundation teach Ashley and Tyler how to recognize unhealthy behaviors in a relationship. Katie and Col...
How poetry lets you be so many things at once, with Chen Chen
01 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 r...
How teens find their voice through creativity and performance
15 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
On Our Minds Official Trailer
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On Our Minds is an Edward R. Murrow award-winning, student-led and student-produced podcast about the biggest mental health challenges young people fa...
How Jordan Chiles had to fill “the hugest shoes of all time” at the Olympics
01 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 US...
How LeBron James handles stress
18 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Students at I Promise School in Akron, Ohio interview one of the greatest basketball stars of all time: LeBron James!Student producers include Christa...
Why teens today face drastically different risks than other generations
04 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
How to choose a path after high school
21 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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, Ashl...
Passing the Mic to Season 3 Hosts
07 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 jun...
Navigating the journey through race and culture
29 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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. O...
How music helped save Madison Beer’s life
24 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Student Reporting Labs production assistant Jaylah Moore-Ross speaks with singer-songwriter Madison Beer about her album "Life Support," recovery, and...
The Power of a Mental Health Diagnosis
22 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
"All Boys Aren't Blue" author shares story about growing up Black and queer
17 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
LGBTQ+ teens on coming out to their immigrant parents
15 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, LGBTQ+ teens talk about the unique cultural challenges they face as children of first-generation immigrants of color, and On Our Mind...
Eating Disorder Recovery Stories
08 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Season 2: Why are we constantly comparing ourselves to others?
01 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Matt and Faiza discuss pressure and competition. You'll hear stories and conversations from students about their experiences with pre...
How filmmaker Ken Burns keeps the past alive with transformative storytelling
27 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Hosts Matt and Faiza speak with documentary filmmaker Ken Burns about his PBS film “Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness.” Ken Burns also o...
How to grieve and remember loved ones who have died
25 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 c...
Removing the "shame" of anxiety and depression with Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels
20 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ow...
Navigating the stress of growing up in middle school
18 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Matt and Faiza talk about the realities and struggles of middle school, with voices from current middle school students. You'll also ...
How to handle WarTok and stop doom-scrolling with Dr. Hina Talib
13 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Special Mental Health Correspondent Deesha Panchal interviews Dr. Hina Talib, a board-certified pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist, write...
How social life affects teen mental health
11 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Matt and Faiza explore stories of teen social life, from the dangers of comparing yourself to others, to what it's like seeing your generation depicte...
Debunking Myths About the Teenage Brain with Dr. Daniel Siegel
06 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Special Mental Health Correspondent Deesha Panchal interviews Dr. Daniel Siegel, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine. Dr. ...
How do I start a conversation about mental health?
04 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Speaking up can be hard. Matt and Faiza talk to guests about what mental health is and how to open up about our emotions and experiences. Check out We...
Season 2 Trailer
28 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On Our Minds — a podcast made by teens, for teens, all about teens — and mental health is back for another season! Season 2 is hosted by high scho...
Passing the Mic to Season 2 Hosts
15 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Season one hosts Noah and Zion recap presenting at SXSW EDU in Austin, Texas and then welcome Matt and Faiza, hosts for season two. Season two of On O...
Guided meditation with Tara Brach
02 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In a special bonus episode of "On Our Minds," hosts Noah and Zion talk to psychologist, author and well-known meditation teacher Tara Brach. Brach als...
The ups and downs of social media
25 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this season's final full episode of "On Our Minds," Noah and Zion talk about the positives and negatives of social media, and share stories from te...
"Depression can be a scary word"
18 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Depression can be connected to many situations including chronic physical conditions, seasonal change, and the mental health of those around us. In th...
COVID-19: Are we really ALL in this together?
11 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The phrase "we are all in this together," was used at the beginning of the pandemic to help unite people. In this episode, Noah and Zion share persona...
"Grades aren't everything"
04 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
School was a source of anxiety for many students during the pandemic. Noah and Zion discuss the highs and lows of virtual learning and share a wide ra...
It's OK not to be OK
28 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On Our Minds hosts Noah and Zion explore the stigma around mental health and share personal stories about social anxiety and combating panic attacks f...
Season 1 Trailer
12 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On Our Minds — a podcast made by teens, for teens, all about teens — and mental health. Hosted by high school students Noah Konevitch and Zion Wil...