On Our Minds

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 10,000 Lakes” to explore one of the city’s most delightfully weird traditions: the Giant Pencil Festival on Lake of the Isles. From dancing pencil costumes to a dramatic annual “sharpening” ceremony, this story highlights how creativity, humor, and community spirit turn a fallen tree into a beloved public art celebration. Plus, the hosts share their own quirky stories, including some about Helena’s pet turkey, Juanita. Divya Thamman produced the story in this episode. Lead Producer Becky Wandel produced, edited, and mixed this episode. Additional production support was provided by Emily Hope Dobkin, Wyatt Mayes, Anthony Payne, Rawan Elbaba, and Caroline Frentz. Graphics by Anurag Papolu. Approval and Oversight by Editorial Director Marie Cusick and Executive Producer Leah Clapman. Special thanks to KUT, Jake Perlman, and WETA, as well as the Lake of the Isles Pencil Festival. Theme song composed and performed by Emilson Orellana Juarez and Jerick Romero Ciprian.

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 North Carolina head out on a road trip across the U.S. This first episode takes us to Winter Park, Colorado. Student journalist Theo shares a personal story about growing up, drifting from childhood traditions, and what it feels like to rediscover memories you didn’t even realize you’d forgotten. Along the way, hosts Helena and Zack reflect on their own ideas about nostalgia. Theo Bonavita produced the story in this episode. Lead Producer Becky Wandel produced, edited and mixed this episode with assistance from Wyatt Mayes. Additional production support was provided by Emily Hope Dobkin, Anthony Payne, Rawan Elbaba and Caroline Frentz, with graphics by Anurag Papolu. Approval and Oversight by Editorial Director Marie Cusick and Executive Producer Leah Clapman. Special thanks to KUT, Jake Perlman, and WETA. Theme song composed and performed by Emilson Orellana Juarez and Jerick Romero Ciprian.

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 Helena from North Carolina, this season takes you on an audio road trip across the United States. From Indiana to Minneapolis and beyond, hear real stories from young people about identity, growing up, mental health, creativity, and finding your place in the world. Every week, episodes will feature voices from across the country, sharing honest, personal moments that reflect what it’s like to be a teen today. First episode out April 15, 2026

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: Student voices: 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.

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.

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.

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.

Therapist Dr. Joy Harden Bradford discusses her book Sisterhood Heals: The Transformative Power of Healing in Community. Dr. Joy (host of the podcast, Therapy for Black Girls) talks with Bree Campbell (On Our Minds, Season 4 co-host) about sisterhoods, how to create a friend circle, and why boys and young men need supportive friend groups as well. Click here for this episode's transcript. This interview was produced by Bree Campbell, and this episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske with help from Associate Producer Wyatt Mayes. SRL intern Genesis Magpayo edited and mixed this episode.

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 versions of ourselves. Staying in touch is key, which is why pen pals and phone calls are important. Click here for this episode's transcript. Segments were produced by Sakeenah and Tanya from Aurora, Illinois, and Michelle from McLean, Virginia. This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske with help from Associate Producer Wyatt Mayes. SRL intern Genesis Magpayo edited and mixed this episode.

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 conversation with people they admire and look up to — in their families, local communities, and the literary world.

The 2024 election brought about sweeping changes. Donald Trump's victory gave Republicans a majority in the U.S. Senate and maintained their control of the U.S. House of Representatives. How are young people feeling, and what might these results mean? Click here for this episode's transcript. This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske, with help from Associate Producer Wyatt Mayes. Youth perspectives were collected by Yasmeen Sakr, Grace Go, Bree Campbell, Josephine Murphy, and Poojasai Kona. Segments were produced by Olivia Brandeis, Keely Crawford, Miranda Jatib, Adelaida Siaca Ortiz, and Nico Fischer. Research and fact-checking by Reesa Venterea, Yasmine Sakr, and Becky Wandel. Wyatt Mayes edited and mixed this episode.

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 insights and tips from experts and teen fact-checkers about how misinformation affects this election. Check out Samuel Larreal's Teen Vogue article here and click here for this episode's transcript. This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske, with help from Associate Producer Wyatt Mayes. Segments in this episode were produced by Simran Gupta from Georgia and Sophia Ortiz from Texas. Special guest Samuel Larreal from Teen Vogue and the Allbritton Journalism Institute. Research and fact-checking by Reesa Venterea and Becky Wandel. Frankie St Pierre Nelson edited and mixed this episode.

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 voters and activists, the story of Georgia students trying to voice opposition to a state education bill, and how schools often teach about political parties in a polarizing way. Click here for the episode's transcript. This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske, with help from Associate Producer Wyatt Mayes. Segments in this episode were produced by Khadeejah Kahn from California, Harrison Tran from Georgia, and Imania Mohamed from NJ. Research and fact-checking by Yasmine Sakr and Becky Wandel. Antonio Nevarez edited and mixed this episode.

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 so hard to change the Electoral College? And what could possibly improve it? This explainer episode gives you everything you need to know. Click here for this episode's transcript. This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske, with help from Associate Producer Wyatt Mayes. Segments in this episode were produced by Rebecca Kunze from California, Allison Pope from Idaho, and Carlos Guo from California. Research and fact-checking by Reesa Venterea and Becky Wandel. Wyatt Mayes edited and mixed this episode.

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 in their state legislature. Also hear from one of the country's youngest mayors, Jaylen Smith from Arkansas, about the impact he's had in his small town. Click here for this episode's transcript. This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske, with help from Associate Producer Wyatt Mayes. Segments in this episode were produced by students Poojasai Kona from Texas, Olivia Brandeis from California, and Aidan Booker from Ohio. Research and fact-checking by Yasmine Sakr and Becky Wandel. Wyatt Mayes edited and mixed this episode.

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 from a U.S. territory, like Puerto Rico, and don't have full voting rights? Students explore these questions and why, no matter what, you should still vote. Click here for this episode's transcript. This episode was produced by Lead Podcast Producer Briget Ganske, with help from Associate Producer Wyatt Mayes. Segments in this episode were produced by Maggie Lebeau from Illinois; Orion Boone from Florida; and Miranda Jatib and Adelaida Siaca-Ortiz from San Juan, Puerto Rico (first Puerto Rican participation in On Our Minds), with mentoring from Pilar Álamo and Sixto Ortiz at sjspr.radio. Research and fact-checking by Reesa Venterea and Becky Wandel. Antonio Nevarez edited and mixed this episode.