Radio Uprising

On this episode of Radio Uprising the youth producers talk about preparing for the new school year! They discuss the positive changes they hope to make, and the worries they have about new teachers, new people, new schedules, and in some cases, entirely new schools! Then the focus shifts to study techniques, and wondering whether beginning school is harder for men or women, older students or younger. What factors create stress for the new year? What pressures are put on students by social media? By fellow students? After asking these questions, the Uprising crew takes a break to play a podcast about the impact mental illness can have on academic performance, and return to close the show by saying "goodbye" to longtime board operator, DJ Hawkeye.    

During this special pledge week show, the youth producers start by talking about the value of independent radio! After the intro, the youth producers discuss whether or not they conform to "social norms" and the meaning of the phrase itself. The conversation then moves onto the pressures put on different people by different social norms, and how changeable those norms really are. Whereas someone may conform perfectly to norms in one place, they might completely non-conform in a different setting or time period. For example, it might have been "cool" to wear sketchers or light-up shoes 15 years ago, but those same shoes might be seen as tacky today. Weird, right?! Or, depending on the setting, having a thick Jamaican accent might be totally inside or outside the norm. After agreeing that strict social norms can be dangerous and lead to bullying, the youth producers commit to breaking and outing tired, oppressive societal standards!

Spark Youth Producers perform the iconic radio play "War of the Worlds" on this episode of Radio Uprising. Later we discuss the evolution of news and media broadcasting, focusing on the impact news programming has on public perception. Finally we discuss the possibility of recreating a scenario of mass hysteria, akin to the hysteria experienced by the radio listeners hearing Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" for the first time, using today's new media, including television, social media, and photoshop. 

On this episode of Radio Uprising we discuss the nuances of power and control. Where does power come from? Can we be controlled by others? We talk about the difference between inner power and public power; we discuss how authority stems directly from one's own understanding that they have the power to be an authority. Later on we talk about the power relations between parents and children, between bullies and the bullied, and between governments and the people. 

On this episode of Radio Uprising we discuss the words "Yes" and "No" and how their meanings are dependent on the context and tone in which they are used. Later on we talk about how these words are crucial for navigating personal boundaries and questions of consent.

 This episode of Radio Uprising focuses on the ever-fun subject of music videos. Listeners get insight into current music trends, as youth producers share their favorite artists and videos of the moment. They consider what makes a good music video, what makes a bad video, and moments when videos become problematic. Youth also unpack how the presence of the Internet and viral sensations have changed how we share and enjoy music videos. The discussion ends with everyone’s thoughts on all time best and worst videos.

Taking a queue from last week’s discussion of mental health, this weeks episode of Radio Uprising explores the differences between “crazy” and “normal”. Youth consider our usages of “crazy” and “normal” verses their literal meanings, revealing just how multi-dimensional these terms have become. The labels of crazy and normal are discussed from personal and theoretical perspectives through sharing of “times you’ve been called crazy” and discussion of famous quotes. The producers consider what makes a person crazy or normal, whether or not either of those are desirable descriptors, and if anyone can be entirely one or the other.    

In this episode of Radio Uprising, our bright youth producers discuss our ideas, associations, and misconceptions surrounding mental health. They kick-off the episode by discussing what the term “mental health” brings to mind, and then move into more abstract topics including “Why do we separate mental and physical health?” and “How would you want your emotions to manifest physically?”. Youth producers debunk misconceptions surrounding mental health with facts and anecdotes from personal experience, touching upon how the media perpetuates these myths. Finally, a discussion of ways to support people dealing with mental health issues ends this episode of Radio Uprising on a hopeful note.

Sex and Sexiness is the second installment of Radio Uprising’s investigation of sex. In this episode, youth producers consider questions such as, “Did you learn the definition of sex or sexy first?” and “Can sexiness come from within or do others determine whether or not an individual is sexy?” Youth grapple with these questions by identifying what characteristics society considers sexy, examining how the media has altered their perceptions of sex and sexiness, and sharing how they have or haven’t felt pressure to conform to ideals of sexiness in their personal lives. Through their discussion, our producers reveal how the construct of sexiness is removed from the act of sex and what the implications are of that removal for young people and Americans in general.  

  In the third installment of the Radio Uprising discussion of rebellion, youth producers focus on global rebellions. They begin by considering both real contemporary examples of political rebellions and generalized fictional ones to explore how they might react in situations such as living under an oppressive regime. The dialogue then moves to more personal, small-scale rebellions and in what ways they were successful or unsuccessful. Finally, youth producers discuss the role of violence in rebellion and the possibility and effectiveness of non-violent rebellion. The Radio Uprising rebellion series concludes with a contemplative look at rebellion’s place in our world and how it touches our everyday lives.

In this episode of Radio Uprising, youth producers discuss their thoughts and feelings surrounding rebellion. While teens may be a notoriously rebellious group, youth producers prove to have keen insight into the many facets of rebellion in this episode.  Using examples from their personal life, history, and popular culture, youth grapple with questions such as ‘How do you define rebellion?’, ‘Is rebellion ever positive?’, and ‘What does it feel like to be rebelled against?’. By sharing their own stories of rebelling against parents and siblings and recalling famous political conflicts such as the American Revolution along with fictional ones such as the light verses dark struggle of Star Wars, youth reveal the common threads that run through small and large scale clashes with authority. 

Does age REALLY matter when it comes to friendships? Can age and maturity differ? Are the age limits society imposes on us really meaningful or useful? This week, Youth Producers answer these questions as they discuss age and aging. First, we talk about what age means to us, as well as having older and younger friends in elementary school, middle school, or high school. Then, we talk about what physical and emotional characteristics we believe define maturity. After that, we determine the difference between maturity and immaturity. Next, we question the age limits that society uses for a majority of things, such as movies, military enlisting, and positions of authority. Then, we talk about whether one's hourly wage should increase as they get older. And finally, we all discuss our own views on getting older. All this, plus our opinions on different  types of humor and videos on the Internet, on this week's episode of Radio Uprising!

Student loans: two of the most ominous words a soon-to-be college student can hear. In this week's podcast, Youth Producers will discuss what student debt means to them, and how they can relate it to their own experiences. First, we discuss what the word "debt" means to us. Next, we express our feelings on borrowing and lending, whether it's sharing video games with our siblings, buying our friends lunch, or remembering to return a certain book. Then, we listen to a speech by Suze Orman about student debt, as well as Brian McBride discuss how he was able to save money and pay back loans over two years. Finally, we respond to eleven facts about student debt in the United States. Join us as we try and tackle this daunting topic (but have fun doing so) on this week's episode of Radio Uprising!

The students investigate that insidious, anxiety-inducing antagonist, intimidation. Students debate various topics surrounding intimidation including: Politics, Bullying, Intimidation and Society. The students also share their own experiences dealing with intimidation, and debate the question: should schools recite the Pledge of Allegiance in different languages?

Society has always had large-scale problems, but how do we make sense of them on a local level? On this edition of Radio Uprising, youth producers Jake, Jeremy, Vivianna, and Garrett discuss epidemics from a variety of viewpoints. First, we discuss media representation of epidemics and how repeat visual images paint a certain picture in our minds, leading us to believe epidemics aren't a problem anymore (oh, but they still are). We also discuss people making jokes about epidemics when the situation is often dire and serious. Next, we turn to social epidemics, and ask the question of why some social issues are considered "epidemics" (such as teen pregnancy) and others are not (such as poverty) -- and most importantly, who gets to decide what counts as an epidemic an what does not (and who benefits from making that decision!).   All that, plus we welcome new Radio Uprising producer Garrett and enjoy a round of "bacteria, virus, or parasite?", every epidemiologist's favorite ice-breaker! 

In today's edition of Radio Uprising, youth producers Jake, Vivianna, Rachael, Jeremy and Khadija discuss immigration from multiple points of view. First, we all discuss our own ancestry and how our families came to be here in America. Next, we talk about the ways in which we feel most "American," and the answer may surprise you! Finally, we take a citizenship test, in which we may don't do as well as we thought we would -- which begs us to ask the question, "what does it really mean to be a citizen of the United States, and who gets to decide?" All this, plus another surprise appearance by Jake the Pizza Guy!

We are all unique individuals, and differences exist between us, which is a beautiful thing. But society is also structured in ways that categorize us according to our differences, which can have really harmful effects. Join Radio Uprising this week as youth producers Jake, Vivianna, Rachael and Jeremy take on the topic of society's organization into categories based on human difference such as age, race, gender, and more. We talk about the status quo and being "normal." as well as our own interpretations of the term "social separation." We talk about historical instances where social separation was enforced by law, such as Reconstruction and Jim Crow, and later apartheid and the Holocaust. Next, the youth talk about their identities using Allan G. Johnson's "Wheel of Diversity," and discuss the ways in which our differences are used to divide us -- and what we can do to break down the barriers and make more meaningful connections with people from whom we've been separated somehow. The youth also share times