"ON OUR MINDS” SEASON 3: Podcast and Audio Storytelling

Listen to a few episodes of On Our Minds. For example: From FOMO to Euphoria: How social life affects teen mental health and LGBTQ+ teens on coming out to their immigrant parents.

As individuals or in small groups, talk about what you heard:

• What were the different components of the episodes?
• What different types of storytelling and reporting did you hear?
• What captured your attention?
• What details stand out to you?

DECIDE WHAT TOPIC YOU WANT TO MAKE AN AUDIO STORY ABOUT (see topic list on previous page)

CHOOSE YOUR STORY FORMAT:

• AUDIO RAPID RESPONSE MONTAGE - gather multiple quick responses to a topic, edited 5 min max.
  • Example: Students at I Promise School in Akron, OH talk about the struggles of middle school. Listen here from 2:17-4:41
• AUDIO DIARY OR PERSONAL STORY - story with beginning, middle, and end, edited 8 min max.
  • Example: Tyler tells the story of grieving for his friend. Listen here from 3:44-8:06
  • Example: Alice tells the story of recovering from an eating disorder. Listen here from 2:24-12:40
• INTERVIEW - conversation with another person, edited 8 min max.
  • Example: Jeremiah interviews Zaila Avant-Garde about competition and pressure. Listen here from 2:17-6:30
• PACKAGE - includes multiple interviews and voiceover from the student reporter, edited 8 min max. Example: Tatiana reports on the TV show Euphoria. Listen here from 14:55-21:10

FILL OUT SRL “ON OUR MINDS” STUDENT PRODUCER FORM TO LET US KNOW YOU WANT TO PRODUCE A STORY.

MAKE SURE YOU AND YOUR SUBJECTS AGREE TO AND UNDERSTAND THIS PROJECT. Read this blurb below to anyone interviewed in your audio story. Also, make sure you and everyone under 18 signs an SRL RELEASE FORM.

• READ TO YOUR SUBJECT:
• Before we begin, I want you to know that your story will be edited and may be included in a series by PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs. This podcast will be available to the public. That’s why it’s so important for you to only share what you’re comfortable with everybody knowing about you. If I ask you any questions during the interview that make you feel uncomfortable, you don’t need to answer them. And if you want to stop at any time, just let me know. Also for this story, would you like to be identified by first name only or remain anonymous?
• Do you have any questions or concerns before we start? (If anyone has concerns or questions, please reach out to SRL for advice.) I also want to share with you a list of helpful, mental health resources: studentreportinglabs.org/mentalhealthresources/

START PLANNING AND PRE-PRODUCTION: If you’re telling your own story, make notes or write out your script. If you are interviewing others, finalize your interview questions and schedule your interviews.

Try to tell the STORY (not just opinions) of the young person/people featured. The best stories are ones that bring to life: characters and their emotions, scenes and actions, challenges and conflicts. (Listen to an episode of On Our Minds for inspiration!)

In general, stories show some kind of CHALLENGE and CHANGE: something happens and a character is changed. And what makes the story interesting? Specific details!!

Some guiding questions to ask another person (or yourself):

• Tell me about a specific, challenging moment(s) related to [TOPIC].
• Then what happened? How did you deal with these challenges? Who or what has helped you or given you hope?
• Describe how your mental health has been affected along the way? Help us feel how you’ve felt.
• How has this experience changed you?
• What have you learned/are learning from your experiences?

Start recording yourself or your interviews with others. Remember you will be editing your story so it’s OK if you mess up, start and stop, or talk about things you later decide not to use.

• • Interviewers and subjects can record audio using their phone’s voice memo app in a quiet room (closets make great recording studios!)
  • If you have a mic, use it! :)
  • Record one minute of ROOM TONE: the sound of the quiet room (this will help you edit later). Ask your subject to record ROOM TONE too.
  • Watch How to Record a Podcast (Level-Up) for more tips.
  • Ask your SRL Youth Media Producer to be present for your interview if you’d like extra support.

Transcribe your interview or audio diary. You can use sites like Otter.ai to help generate a transcript then. Then HIGHLIGHT the best soundbites.

Start a document (preferably a shared Google doc) and arrange the best soundbites into the order you want for your story.

Edit your audio story using any audio or video software or app:

• • Beginner/basic programs include WeVideo, Pocket WavePad, Hokusai Audio Editor, Anchor, and more
  • Advanced programs: Audition, Premiere, or Final Cut
  • Please do not add music

Submit your script AND rough cut to SRL by FEB 3 (for winter topics). Use this SUBMISSION FORM and choose “PROJECT: On Our Minds Audio Story”

Wait to hear from back from SRL with feedback, ask clarifying questions, REVISE AND EDIT a fine cut and then a final cut.

Your story helps shed light on the important topic of youth mental health. It might educate listeners, help people feel less alone, or encourage a young person to reach out for help.