On Our Minds is an Edward R. Murrow award-winning, student-led and student-produced podcast about the biggest mental health challenges young people face. In each episode, two teen reporters guide you through stories by high schoolers from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs about the teenage experience that connects, educates and inspires listeners of all ages.
Special Episode: Passing the Mic
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 Our Minds drops in May 2022 — stay tuned! This episode was produced by Zion Williams and Noah Konevitch and edited by Student Reporting Labs Youth Media producer Briget Ganske with production assistance from Jaylah Moore-Ross. Click here for this episode’s transcript.Season 2 Trailer
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 school students Matt Suescun and Faiza Ashar, and features personal stories from students all around the country and conversations with experts and influencers about mental health issues like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, grief, identity and more.How do I start a conversation about mental health?
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 Well Being’s Mental Health Language Guide for more resources. Click here for this episode’s transcript.Debunking Myths About the Teenage Brain with Dr. Daniel Siegel
Special Mental Health Correspondent Deesha Panchal interviews Dr. Daniel Siegel, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine. Dr. Siegel explains that teens are not “raging” with hormones, as many people think. Instead, what’s really going on? The teenage brain is being remodeled. Read more about Dr. Siegel’s work here. Click here for this episode’s transcript.
From FOMO to Euphoria: How social life affects teen mental health
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 depicted on TV shows like Euphoria. Click here for this episode’s transcript.How to handle WarTok and stop doom-scrolling with Dr. Hina Talib
Special Mental Health Correspondent Deesha Panchal interviews Dr. Hina Talib, a board-certified pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist, writer, and teen media creative based in New York City. Dr. Talib gives young people advice on having a healthier relationship with news media consumption. She also advises that while media can “make us feel anxious,” it can also teach us new things, so finding balance is critical for young people. Click here for this episode’s transcript.Middle School Struggles: Navigating the stress of growing up
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 hear from celebrities on what middle school was like for them, what they would tell their younger selves about what they wish they would have known, and advice to students today. Click here for this episode’s transcript.“If you remove the shame, you remove the pain” with Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels
Student reporter Jacob Tacdol talks to Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels from Run-DMC, the popular hip-hop group from the 80s and 90s. McDaniels shares his own story of depression and suicidal thoughts, learning about his adoption, and then finding “the most powerful thing” — therapy. Click here for this episode’s transcript.LGBTQ+ teens on coming out to their immigrant parents
In this episode, LGBTQ+ teens talk about the unique cultural challenges they face as children of first-generation immigrants of color, and On Our Minds Season One host Noah Konevitch joins Matt to discuss their experiences as LGBTQ+ teens in high school. Click here for this episode’s transcript.
“All Boys Aren’t Blue” author shares story about growing up Black and queer
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 the controversy surrounding his book, and why book bans are detrimental to marginalized communities. Click here for this episode’s transcript.Life After Death: grieving and remembering loved ones who have died
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 can help us grieve and remember those who are gone. Click here for this episode’s transcript. Note: This episode was produced before the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Our hearts and prayers go out to the community and our whole country.How filmmaker Ken Burns keeps the past alive with transformative storytelling
Hosts Matt and Faiza speak with documentary filmmaker Ken Burns about his upcoming PBS film Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness. Ken Burns also opens up about his own life, losing his mother to cancer, and how filmmaking and storytelling has the power to keep the past alive. Click here for this episode’s transcript.Why are we constantly comparing ourselves to others?
In this episode, Matt and Faiza discuss pressure and competition. You’ll hear stories and conversations from students about their experiences with pressure, competition, and failure — including a conversation with the 2021 National Spelling Bee winner, Zaila Avant-garde. Plus, you’ll get tips and advice on combating these issues. Click here for this episode’s transcript.
Eating Disorder Recovery Stories
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 Mitchell about sharing her recovery journey online. Matt and Faiza also talk to psychologist Lisa Damour on how eating and food can affect the well being of teens. Click here for this episode’s transcript.
The Power of a Mental Health Diagnosis
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 about what it’s like to get formally diagnosed with a mental health condition. Click here for this episode’s transcript.
How music helped save Madison Beer’s life
Student Reporting Labs production assistant Jaylah Moore-Ross speaks with singer-songwriter Madison Beer about her album “Life Support,” recovery, and overcoming the stigma of mental health. Click here for this episode’s transcript.Navigating the journey through race and culture
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. On Our Minds season one host Zion Williams also makes an appearance to interview writer and comedian Baratunde Thurston about his new show “America Outdoors” on PBS. Click here for this episode’s transcript.Season 1 Trailer
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 Williams, On Our Minds features personal stories from students across the United States, and conversations with experts about mental health issues like anxiety, depression, isolation and more.It’s OK not to be OK
On Our Minds hosts Noah and Zion explore the stigma around mental health and share personal stories about social anxiety and combating panic attacks from teens in Michigan and Texas. This episode includes actress Asia Jackson describing how she copes with anxiety and depression and features tips from adolescent health physician Dr. Hina Talib on how to stay proactive when it comes to your mental health. Click here for this episode’s transcript.
“Grades aren’t everything”
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 range of stories from students across the country about how changes in learning impacted their mental health. This episode includes a conversation with mental health counselor Edith Porter about the youth mental health crisis and tips on how to cope with stress inside and outside of school. Click here for this episode’s transcript.
COVID-19: Are we really ALL in this together?
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 personal stories from young people who explore whether that phrase feels true or not, and discuss how they have been impacted by social and racial inequities. Later in the episode, Zion talks with clinical psychologist Dr. Ryan DeLapp about the connection between inequality and mental health. Click here for this episode’s transcript.
“Depression can be a scary word”
Depression can be connected to many situations including chronic physical conditions, seasonal change, and the mental health of those around us. In this episode, Noah and Zion share stories from young people dealing with chronic conditions such as POTS and depression, and give tips on how to combat feelings of isolation. Throughout the episode, Noah talks with clinical therapist Cheryl Aguliar about ways to address depression and get help.
We talk about suicide in this episode. If you or anyone you know is in distress, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Click here for this episode’s transcript.
The ups and downs of social media
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 teens grappling with the effects of information overload on their mental health. Special guest Jeffrey Donald, who coordinates mindfulness practices for Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, explains the benefits of activities such as yoga and meditation to find balance in our hyperconnected worlds. Click here for this episode’s transcript.
Bonus Episode: Guided meditation with Tara Brach
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 also leads them and listeners through a guided meditation to help recognize, center and acknowledge emotions. Click here for this episode’s transcript.Passing the Mic to New Hosts Ashley and Tyler
Season two hosts Matt and Faiza introduce this season’s newest hosts, Ashley He and Tyler Pullum. Ashley is a 16 year-old junior at Upper Arlington High School in Columbus, Ohio. And Tyler is a 17 year-old senior at Shadow Creek High School in Pearland, Texas. Click here for this episode’s transcript.How to choose a path after high school
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, Ashley and Tyler hear from several teens on their post-high school plans — whether it’s college, trade school, a gap year, or going right into the work force. Click here for this episode’s transcript.
Why teens today face drastically different risks than other generations
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 into words (…which is what we do at On Our Minds!). Click here for this episode’s transcript.
How LeBron James handles stress
Students at I Promise School in Akron, Ohio interview one of the greatest basketball stars of all time: LeBron James! Watch a longer video of their conversation with LeBron James here.