Last fall, King County Metro and many other Washington transit agencies made fares free for youth 18 and under. Fabian Hernandez-Angel is one of these youths who uses this program to get to and from school. But, he’s going to be turning 19 soon, meaning he’ll no longer be eligible for the program. RadioActive's Colin Yuen has more.Episode webpage: https://www.kuow.org/stories/public-transit-is-now-free-for-youth-but-what-happens-when-you-turn-19[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

Last fall, King County Metro and many other Washington transit agencies made fares free for youth 18 and under. Fabian Hernandez-Angel is one of these youths who uses this program to get to and from school. But, he’s going to be turning 19 soon, meaning he’ll no longer be eligible for the program. RadioActive's Colin Yuen has more.Episode webpage: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/public-transit-is-now-free-for-youth-but-what-happens-when-you-turn-19" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.kuow.org/stories/public-transit-is-now-free-for-youth-but-what-happens-when-you-turn-19</a>[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

Public transit is now free for youth. But what happens when you turn 19?

For many first-generation Americans, it can be hard to balance multiple cultures. Amadou Gaye was the first member of his Senegalese family to be born in the United States. Growing up, his mom stressed the importance of prioritizing his education while maintaining a connection to his Senegalese heritage. RadioActive’s Idrissa Gaye has this story about what he learned from his older brother.Episode webpage: https://www.kuow.org/stories/one-teen-embraces-his-senegalese-american-identity[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

For many first-generation Americans, it can be hard to balance multiple cultures. Amadou Gaye was the first member of his Senegalese family to be born in the United States. Growing up, his mom stressed the importance of prioritizing his education while maintaining a connection to his Senegalese heritage. RadioActive’s Idrissa Gaye has this story about what he learned from his older brother.Episode webpage: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/one-teen-embraces-his-senegalese-american-identity" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.kuow.org/stories/one-teen-embraces-his-senegalese-american-identity</a>[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

The best of both cultures: How one teen embraces his Senegalese-American identity

When you think of hula, you might picture dances you’ve seen in Disney movies, or on a summer trip to Hawaiʻi. But that’s just scratching the surface of what hula is. There’s so much more. And RadioActive Youth Media’s Terina Papatu is here to show you.Episode webpage: https://www.kuow.org/stories/the-story-of-one-kumu-keeping-her-hula-lineage[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

When you think of hula, you might picture dances you’ve seen in Disney movies, or on a summer trip to Hawaiʻi. But that’s just scratching the surface of what hula is. There’s so much more. And RadioActive Youth Media’s Terina Papatu is here to show you.Episode webpage: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/the-story-of-one-kumu-keeping-her-hula-lineage" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.kuow.org/stories/the-story-of-one-kumu-keeping-her-hula-lineage</a>[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

How one kumu keeps her hula lineage

Growing up, RadioActive's Indigo Mays loved going to the doctor’s office. She went to the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic in the Central District. But that location has been closed for more than a year. Now, Mays explores the history, recent controversy, and legacy of the Odessa Brown Clinic.Episode webpage: https://www.kuow.org/stories/the-legacy-of-the-odessa-brown-clinic[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

Growing up, RadioActive's Indigo Mays loved going to the doctor’s office. She went to the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic in the Central District. But that location has been closed for more than a year. Now, Mays explores the history, recent controversy, and legacy of the Odessa Brown Clinic.Episode webpage: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/the-legacy-of-the-odessa-brown-clinic" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.kuow.org/stories/the-legacy-of-the-odessa-brown-clinic</a>[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

The legacy of the Odessa Brown Clinic

A festival featuring six plays written, produced, and performed by Deaf creatives is back. Deaf Spotlight, a Seattle arts non-profit, hosted its third Short Play Festival in March. It was in-person this year, after moving online due to the pandemic. RadioActive’s Dash Pinck takes us there.Episode webpage: https://www.kuow.org/stories/deaf-creatives-put-a-springtime-spin-on-seattle-theaterThe episode webpage includes an ASL version of this story. [RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

A festival featuring six plays written, produced, and performed by Deaf creatives is back. Deaf Spotlight, a Seattle arts non-profit, hosted its third Short Play Festival in March. It was in-person this year, after moving online due to the pandemic. RadioActive’s Dash Pinck takes us there.Episode webpage: <a href="deaf-creatives-put-a-springtime-spin-on-seattle-theater" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.kuow.org/stories/deaf-creatives-put-a-springtime-spin-on-seattle-theater</a>The episode webpage includes an ASL version of this story. [RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

Deaf creatives put a springtime spin on Seattle theater

In February, the city council voted to make Seattle the first city in the country to ban discrimination based on a person’s caste. The vote was a watershed for those who say that caste discrimination exists even in the United States. And for one supporter of the measure, it was a chance to open up about an identity that she had kept hidden. Episode webpage: https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-leader-ignites-change-in-sharing-caste-identity-[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

In February, the city council voted to make Seattle the first city in the country to ban discrimination based on a person’s caste. The vote was a watershed for those who say that caste discrimination exists even in the United States. And for one supporter of the measure, it was a chance to open up about an identity that she had kept hidden. Episode webpage: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-leader-ignites-change-in-sharing-caste-identity-" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.kuow.org/stories/seattle-leader-ignites-change-in-sharing-caste-identity-</a>[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

Seattle leader ignites change by sharing caste identity

RadioActive is transmitting some weirdness into the airwaves. What happens when RadioActive youth producers can make *anything* they want? Some weird and wonderful radio magic, that’s what. Listen to an hour of our creative, experimental, and just-plain-weird audio stories on this RadioActive showcase. Episode webpage: https://www.kuow.org/stories/radioactive-showcase-experimentalRadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This stories in this showcase were entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.

RadioActive is transmitting some weirdness into the airwaves. What happens when RadioActive youth producers can make *anything* they want? Some weird and wonderful radio magic, that’s what. Listen to an hour of our creative, experimental, and just-plain-weird audio stories on this RadioActive showcase. Episode webpage: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/radioactive-showcase-experimental" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.kuow.org/stories/radioactive-showcase-experimental</a>RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This stories in this showcase were entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.

‘Transmitting weirdness into the airwaves.’ An experimental RadioActive showcase

In 2020, Sah Pham was on a road trip with her mother through Vancouver Island. Along that journey, she recorded an audio piece about her mother’s passage across the ocean from Vietnam.That story originally aired about three years ago for KUOW's RadioActive. Since then, Pham has been named Seattle Youth Poet Laureate and is graduating from college. We catch up with Pham to talk about her latest book of poetry and the influence her mother's story has on her journey into an uncertain future.We can only make Soundside because listeners support us. Make the show happen by making a gift to KUOW:https://www.kuow.org/donate/soundside

In 2020, Sah Pham was on a road trip with her mother through Vancouver Island. Along that journey, she recorded an audio piece about her mother’s passage across the ocean from Vietnam.That story originally aired about three years ago for KUOW's RadioActive. Since then, Pham has been named Seattle Youth Poet Laureate and is graduating from college. We catch up with Pham to talk about her latest book of poetry and the influence her mother's story has on her journey into an uncertain future.We can only make Soundside because listeners support us. Make the show happen by making a gift to KUOW:<a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/soundside" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.kuow.org/donate/soundside</a>

Love and self-discovery etched with pain, the journey of Seattle's Youth Poet Laureate

It’s been nine years since Merk Nguyen shared her father’s journey with KUOW listeners. And since then, water has taken on a whole new meaning for Merk as she’s continued to grow as a daughter, friend, and creative. We can only make Soundside because listeners support us. Make the show happen by making a gift to KUOW:https://www.kuow.org/donate/soundside.

It’s been nine years since Merk Nguyen shared her father’s journey with KUOW listeners. And since then, water has taken on a whole new meaning for Merk as she’s continued to grow as a daughter, friend, and creative. We can only make Soundside because listeners support us. Make the show happen by making a gift to KUOW:<a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/soundside" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.kuow.org/donate/soundside</a>.

This depressed voice actor turned to the sound of water for solace. It worked

In August 2021, the United States’ longest standing war came to an end as the military withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban fundamentalist group returned to power. Thousands of Afghan people became refugees and came to the U.S. One of those people is Abdul Nasir. RadioActive’s Micah Riggio lives with Abdul, and has this story of how his family hosts refugees like Abdul as they begin new lives in Seattle.Episode webpage:https://www.kuow.org/stories/our-housemate-is-an-afghan-refugee-who-fled-the-taliban[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

In August 2021, the United States’ longest standing war came to an end as the military withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban fundamentalist group returned to power. Thousands of Afghan people became refugees and came to the U.S. One of those people is Abdul Nasir. RadioActive’s Micah Riggio lives with Abdul, and has this story of how his family hosts refugees like Abdul as they begin new lives in Seattle.Episode webpage:<a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/our-housemate-is-an-afghan-refugee-who-fled-the-taliban" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.kuow.org/stories/our-housemate-is-an-afghan-refugee-who-fled-the-taliban</a>[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

Our housemate is an Afghan refugee who fled the Taliban

Stories produced by students participating in our youth media program. Learn more about the intensive, fun and free introductory radio journalism workshops we offer throughout the year.

RadioActive's Ada Walther loves horror films. Ada sat down with local filmmaker Abie Ekenezar to talk about the genre. They talked about how Abie got into making horror films, and what they see as the future of horror, sci-fi, and speculative fiction.Episode webpage: https://www.kuow.org/stories/not-just-mayhem-and-gore-how-one-seattle-filmmaker-found-their-place-in-horror[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

RadioActive's Ada Walther loves horror films. Ada sat down with local filmmaker Abie Ekenezar to talk about the genre. They talked about how Abie got into making horror films, and what they see as the future of horror, sci-fi, and speculative fiction.Episode webpage: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/not-just-mayhem-and-gore-how-one-seattle-filmmaker-found-their-place-in-horror" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.kuow.org/stories/not-just-mayhem-and-gore-how-one-seattle-filmmaker-found-their-place-in-horror</a>[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

'Not just mayhem and gore': How one Seattle filmmaker found their place in horror 

The decision to leave home is never an easy one. Immigrating 6,000 miles for a chance at a better life is a significant risk. RadioActive’s Idrissa Gaye tells the story of how his mom, May Gueye, said goodbye to friends, family and a stable job in Senegal to pursue higher education in the United States.Episode webpage: https://www.kuow.org/stories/6000-miles-and-a-chance-my-mom-s-pursuit-of-a-better-life[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

The decision to leave home is never an easy one. Immigrating 6,000 miles for a chance at a better life is a significant risk. RadioActive’s Idrissa Gaye tells the story of how his mom, May Gueye, said goodbye to friends, family and a stable job in Senegal to pursue higher education in the United States.Episode webpage: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/6000-miles-and-a-chance-my-mom-s-pursuit-of-a-better-life" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.kuow.org/stories/6000-miles-and-a-chance-my-mom-s-pursuit-of-a-better-life</a>[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

6,000 miles and a chance: My mom's pursuit of a better life

Today, we’re revisiting a feature story from RadioActive alum April Reyes. It’s about how one conversation with a classmate changed Reyes’s junior year, and ultimately — her life.

How one conversation changed the life of a RadioActive alum

In the luxe hills of Calabasas, California, near the homes of Hollywood stars, there are two treatment centers for teens who are struggling with mental health and addiction. RadioActive’s Caden LaMar talked to Kai, an alumni of a one of these residential treatment centers, about his experience there.Content and audio note: The audio recordings in this story are distorted at times due to a recorder malfunction. This story is about one teen's experience in a residential treatment center for teens with mental health and addiction struggles. This story does not represent all teens, or all circumstances.Episode webpage: https://www.kuow.org/stories/one-teen-s-reflection-on-residential-treatment-therapy[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

In the luxe hills of Calabasas, California, near the homes of Hollywood stars, there are two treatment centers for teens who are struggling with mental health and addiction. RadioActive’s Caden LaMar talked to Kai, an alumni of a one of these residential treatment centers, about his experience there.Content and audio note: The audio recordings in this story are distorted at times due to a recorder malfunction. This story is about one teen's experience in a residential treatment center for teens with mental health and addiction struggles. This story does not represent all teens, or all circumstances.Episode webpage: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/one-teen-s-reflection-on-residential-treatment-therapy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.kuow.org/stories/one-teen-s-reflection-on-residential-treatment-therapy</a>[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

One teen reflects on his experience at a residential treatment center

We all deserve a space where we can be unapologetically ourselves. Sylvie Crowe, a director, costume designer, and actor at Bellevue Youth Theater, is part of a new generation of creatives who are fighting to create that space for disabled and LGBTQ+ people.RadioActive's Dashiell Pinck talked with Sylvie, and has more.Episode Webpage: https://www.kuow.org/stories/sylvie-crowe-acting-for-accessibility[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

We all deserve a space where we can be unapologetically ourselves. Sylvie Crowe, a director, costume designer, and actor at Bellevue Youth Theater, is part of a new generation of creatives who are fighting to create that space for disabled and LGBTQ+ people.RadioActive's Dashiell Pinck talked with Sylvie, and has more.Episode Webpage: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/sylvie-crowe-acting-for-accessibility" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.kuow.org/stories/sylvie-crowe-acting-for-accessibility</a>[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

Making the theater experience more inclusive and accessible

In a world of concrete and chain link that's overwhelmingly gray, the urge to beautify our communities isn't an uncommon one. But it takes a special kind of person to take the leap of actually doing something about it.RadioActive's Gideon Hall spoke to Christy Caravaglio, who, for the last four years, has been adding brilliant color to her local urban landscape.Episode webpage: https://www.kuow.org/stories/one-artist-s-yarn-lends-color-to-south-king-county[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

In a world of concrete and chain link that's overwhelmingly gray, the urge to beautify our communities isn't an uncommon one. But it takes a special kind of person to take the leap of actually doing something about it.RadioActive's Gideon Hall spoke to Christy Caravaglio, who, for the last four years, has been adding brilliant color to her local urban landscape.Episode webpage: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/one-artist-s-yarn-lends-color-to-south-king-county" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.kuow.org/stories/one-artist-s-yarn-lends-color-to-south-king-county</a>[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

'I wanted to make them prettier': one artist's yarn lends color to south King County

Elly McCarthy is a teacher at Pacific Crest School, a Montessori school in Ballard. RadioActive’s McKenna Kilayko talked with Elly about practicing empathy-based communication and interaction in the classroom.Episode webpage: https://www.kuow.org/stories/respect-empathy-montessori-teaching[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

Elly McCarthy is a teacher at Pacific Crest School, a Montessori school in Ballard. RadioActive’s McKenna Kilayko talked with Elly about practicing empathy-based communication and interaction in the classroom.Episode webpage: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/respect-empathy-montessori-teaching" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.kuow.org/stories/respect-empathy-montessori-teaching</a>[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

Respect, empathy and nonviolent communication: A look into Montessori teaching

In 2019, the streets of Hong Kong were filled with tear gas and umbrellas. But how did they get to that point, and what’s happening now?RadioActive’s Lucas Deng wanted to learn more about how protests have changed in Hong Kong over time. So he spoke with a family friend, Mr. Woo, who has lived in Hong Kong for most of his life.Episode webpage: https://www.kuow.org/stories/how-hong-kong-s-attitude-towards-protests-has-changed[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

In 2019, the streets of Hong Kong were filled with tear gas and umbrellas. But how did they get to that point, and what’s happening now?RadioActive’s Lucas Deng wanted to learn more about how protests have changed in Hong Kong over time. So he spoke with a family friend, Mr. Woo, who has lived in Hong Kong for most of his life.Episode webpage: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/how-hong-kong-s-attitude-towards-protests-has-changed" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.kuow.org/stories/how-hong-kong-s-attitude-towards-protests-has-changed</a>[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

'It was like a typhoon striking.' How Hong Kong's attitude towards protests has changed

Music has always been important to Sam Jansons. When he was 16, he heard the drums in the Led Zeppelin song "Kashmir" and decided he wanted to play. Since then, he’s expanded to playing guitar, writing songs, and even messing around with his daughter's piano a bit.RadioActive’s Josie Jansons has this story about her dad, her family, and the role music plays in their lives.Episode webpage: https://www.kuow.org/stories/music-is-medicine-how-my-dad-s-relationship-with-music-evolved-with-him[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

Music has always been important to Sam Jansons. When he was 16, he heard the drums in the Led Zeppelin song "Kashmir" and decided he wanted to play. Since then, he’s expanded to playing guitar, writing songs, and even messing around with his daughter's piano a bit.RadioActive’s Josie Jansons has this story about her dad, her family, and the role music plays in their lives.Episode webpage: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/music-is-medicine-how-my-dad-s-relationship-with-music-evolved-with-him" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.kuow.org/stories/music-is-medicine-how-my-dad-s-relationship-with-music-evolved-with-him</a>[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

'Music is medicine': How my dad’s relationship with music evolved with him

STEM fields such as robotics are traditionally male dominated. In FIRST robotics, Aparna Srinivasan finds community despite the underrepresentation of women of color in STEM.RadioActive's Evelyn Jiang has more.Episode webpage: https://www.kuow.org/stories/teen-all-gender-robotics-team-women-stem[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

STEM fields such as robotics are traditionally male dominated. In FIRST robotics, Aparna Srinivasan finds community despite the underrepresentation of women of color in STEM.RadioActive's Evelyn Jiang has more.Episode webpage: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/teen-all-gender-robotics-team-women-stem" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.kuow.org/stories/teen-all-gender-robotics-team-women-stem</a>[RadioActive Youth Media is KUOW's radio journalism and audio storytelling program for young people. This story was entirely youth-produced, from the writing to the audio editing.]

Putting herself FIRST: One teen's experience on an all-gender robotics team

I’ve been listening to Radioactive for almost a year now and I love it! The stories that the teen reporters research, write, and record are so real, so touching, compassionate, and thoughtful. Some are better than the podcasts I’ve listened to that are made by adults. Great work, everyone!

These podcasts are soooo good!

KUOW is the only public radio station in the U.S. with an award winning program like RadioActive! which PAYS TEENAGERS to learn how to make radio (!!!) This station clearly has a commitment to the next generation of radio &amp; podcast listeners, and by the sound of their stories, you already know quality storytelling is a bedrock principal instilled within each student. Bravo, KUOW and the team leading audio storytelling teens! Put these stories in your ears and remember the author’s names.

Stellar Storytelling

RadioActive

The best podcast episodes of anyone with an interesting story. With famous guests like Obama, LeBron James, Drake, Oprah Winfrey, Richard Branson, Michelle Obama, Serena Williams, to anyone who has a unique and interesting story to tell. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes: Personal Stories & Great Interviews

The best podcast episodes on non-current politics. Covering topics such as universal basic income, democracy, poverty & justice and more. For anyone interested in learning more about politics that affect that world, not just now, but in the longer term. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!