On Our Minds – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

On Our Minds

Student Reporting Labs

Society & Culture

Kids & Family

Education

Frequency: 1 episode/21d. Total Eps: 89

On Our Minds is an Edward R. Murrow award-winning podcast about teen life, produced by teens for teens in collaboration with PBS News Student Reporting Labs. Season 6 is an audio road trip exploring what’s unique about teen life in every corner of the country through hyperlocal stories about cities, towns, and neighborhoods.

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Apple

Data updated on 21/07/2026

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇩🇪 Germany - Personal Journals
29/08/2026
#72
🇩🇪 Germany - Personal Journals
28/08/2026
#49
🇨🇦 Canada - Personal Journals
12/08/2026
#81
🇩🇪 Germany - Personal Journals
22/07/2026
#92
🇩🇪 Germany - Personal Journals
21/07/2026
#48
🇨🇦 Canada - Personal Journals
14/06/2026
#86
🇨🇦 Canada - Personal Journals
13/06/2026
#68
🇨🇦 Canada - Personal Journals
12/06/2026
#74
🇺🇸 USA - Personal Journals
04/06/2026
#97
🇺🇸 USA - Personal Journals
03/06/2026
#75

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

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https://twitter.com/reportinglabs
74 shares
https://twitter.com/reportinglabs%5C
1 share
https://twitter.com/reportinglabs%C2%A0
1 share

https://www.facebook.com/StudentReportingLabs/
75 shares
https://www.facebook.com/StudentReportingLabs/%C2%A0
1 share

https://www.instagram.com/studentreportinglabs
76 shares

RSS feed quality and score

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RSS feed quality

To improve

Score global : 59%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

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What makes a place feel like home?

Season 6 · Episode 11

Wednesday, June 24, 2026 • Duration 08:26

In the final episode of this season, student producer Joslyn shares her journey of moving from place to place and always finding herself drawn back to Las Vegas.

From snowy Michigan winters to the bright lights of the Strip, Joslyn reflects on identity, belonging, and the moment she realized where home truly was.

Today’s segment was produced by Joslyn Rakes.

Lead Producer Becky Wandel produced this episode with editing and mixing by Wyatt Mayes

Theme song composed and performed by Emilson Orellana Juarez and Jerick Romero Ciprian.

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What a VW Bus Can Teach You About Life

Friday, June 19, 2026 • Duration 13:13

Recorded as a special collaboration between Teacher Reporting Labs and On Our Minds, this episode brings educators and student hosts together for an unexpected conversation sparked by a community thread about VW buses. What begins with nostalgic memories of iconic road trips quickly expands into a reflection on freedom, identity, risk, and connection— through stories ranging from childhood van rides in Puerto Rico to cross-country adventures and near-miss highway moments. As teachers and teens swap travel memories, the conversation becomes less about vehicles and more about the journeys that shape how we see the world, the people we become on the road, and the meaning we carry with us long after the trip ends.

Featured educators:

Gil Garcia taught video production and broadcast journalism for 10 years at various schools in Austin, Texas.

Trina Moore is a recently retired teacher who currently resides in Minneapolis, MN and never says no to a good road trip.

Robert Casas teaches Digital Media Production, Broadcast Journalism, and AP Computer Science Principles at Westview High School in San Diego, where he has taught media courses since 2012.

Road Trip Playlist: This conversation inspired us to create a community-powered road trip soundtrack featuring song picks from SRL educators and student journalists. Queue it up for your next adventure! SRL Summer Road Trip Mix

This episode was produced by Senior Community Engagement Manager Emily Hope Dobkin with editing and mixing by Justin Rhodes. Zach and Helena from On Our Minds hosted this episode featuring SRL educators Trina Moore, Robert Casas and Gil Garcia. Additional production support was provided by Becky Wandel, Wyatt Mayes, Rawan Elbaba and Caroline Frentz. Graphics by Anurag Papolu. Approval and oversight by Marie Cusick and Executive Director Leah Clapman. Special thanks to WETA.

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Why getting around without a car in California can be surprisingly nice

Season 6 · Episode 10

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 • Duration 13:29

In suburban California, getting around often means getting in a car. But for Keerthi in San Ramon and Padma in Fremont, walking, running, and riding the bus opened up a different view of their hometowns. Along trails, sidewalks, and bus routes, they discovered hidden neighborhoods, unexpected connections, and the small moments that make a community feel alive. This episode explores what happens when we stop rushing to our destination and start paying attention to the journey.

Today’s segments were produced by Keerthi Eraniyan and Padma Balaji.

Lead Producer Becky Wandel produced, edited and mixed this episode.

Theme song composed and performed by Emilson Orellana Juarez and Jerick Romero Ciprian.

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How food brings cultures together in El Paso

Season 6 · Episode 9

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 • Duration 06:42

What does it mean to live in a city where cultures, languages, and traditions meet every day?

In this episode of On Our Minds, we travel to El Paso, Texas, where student journalists Marium and Aruja explore life in one of America's most unique border communities.

Along the way, hosts Zack and Helena share the foods that connect them to their cultures—from tacos to pernil—and reflect on how food can bring people together across differences.

Today’s segment was produced by Marium Zahra and Aruja Misra.

Wyatt Mayes produced, edited and mixed this episode.

Theme song composed and performed by Emilson Orellana Juarez and Jerick Romero Ciprian.

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How one San Juan street reflects Puerto Rico’s culture, community and change

Season 6 · Episode 8

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 • Duration 08:39

This On Our Minds episode heads to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where hosts Zack and Helena reflect on belonging, culture and the small details that make a place feel like home. The episode explores Calle Loíza, a vibrant street long shaped by generations of residents from around the globe, now facing an uncertain future as it becomes a tourist destination.

Today’s segments were produced by Miranda Jatib and Emilio Solé.

Lead Producer Becky Wandel produced, edited and mixed this episode.

Graphics by Anurag Papolu.

Special thanks to KUT, Jake Perlman, and WETA.

Theme song composed and performed by Emilson Orellana Juarez and Jerick Romero Ciprian.

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Teenage beekeeper in New York buzzes about native species

Season 6 · Episode 7

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 • Duration 08:05

This week on the On Our Minds Roadtrip, hosts Zack and Helena take us to the city that never sleeps.

Jess, the president of her university’s beekeeping club, walks us through what it means to be a young beekeeper in New York City.

She shares that New York City’s diversity doesn't stop at just people and culture. The city is home to over 200 species of bees.

Special thanks to K.U.T., Jake Perlman, and W.E.T.A. as well as Bee U NYC and Pratt Beekeeping Club.

Theme song composed and performed by Emilson Orellana Juarez and Jerick Romero Ciprian.

Tune in next week when our road trip takes us to Puerto Rico!

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Finding warmth in the wicked cold Massachusetts weather

Season 6 · Episode 6

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 • Duration 12:23

Take a road trip to Massachusetts with hosts Zack and Helena in this episode of On Our Minds.

It can be cold and confusing, but also surprisingly warm and welcoming.

Shane from Attleboro takes us inside his apartment building, filled with colorful neighbors who’ll dig your car out of the snow and give you some great advice along the way.

Then, middle schoolers who hail from all over the world explain how they felt about ending up at a school together in western Massachusetts — learning English, making friends, and finally finding “a place to chill.”

Today’s segments were produced by Shake Mukasa and Afia, Bronstead, Lovemica and Jeily from Emergence Academy with support from their teacher, Steven Marles.

Lead Producer Becky Wandel produced, edited and mixed this episode.

Graphics by Anurag Papolu.

Special thanks to KUT., Jake Perlman, and WETA.

Theme song composed and performed by Emilson Orellana Juarez and Jerick Romero Ciprian.

Featuring footage by Uganda Stock Footage Hub.

Tune in next week when our road trip takes us to New York City!

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The power of public art and Dunkin Donuts in New Jersey

Season 6 · Episode 5

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 • Duration 13:29

Take a road trip to New Jersey in this episode of On Our Minds. Hosts Zack and Helena discuss what in their surroundings sparks curiosity.

Student producer, Abigail Kim in Leonia, New Jersey takes you to a scuplture garden at the heart of her town. While, Libby Peckman in Highland Park, New Jersey talks about the small ways she finds community and wonder in the mundane.

Special thanks to KUT, Jake Perlman, and WETA. Theme song composed and performed by Emilson Orellana Juarez and Jerick Romero Ciprian.

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How a small art shop built a community in the Midwest

Season 6 · Episode 4

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 • Duration 08:20

Take a road trip to Richmond, Indiana, in this episode of On Our Minds. Hosts Zack and Helena explore what “community” really means—from hometown sports teams and small-town festivals to unexpected spaces that bring people together.

At the center of this story is Oblivion, a local art store turned creative haven, where strangers become collaborators, and a fading town finds new life through art, storytelling, and connection.

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.

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How drag queens are creating safe spaces in Missouri

Season 6 · Episode 3

Wednesday, April 29, 2026 • Duration 07:42

This episode of On Our Minds Road Trip takes us to Columbia, Missouri, where drag performers are building community, creating joy, and challenging stereotypes.

Student producer Maggie LeBeau takes us inside the local drag scene, introducing us to performers like Alexxa Pro and Artemis Gray. They’re creating spaces of belonging, especially for young queer people who don’t always have one.

Maggie LeBeau produced the story in this episode.

Lead Producer Becky Wandel produced this episode with editing and mixing by Wyatt Mayes.

Additional production support was provided by Emily Hope Dobkin, 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.

Theme song composed and performed by Emilson Orellana Juarez and Jerick Romero Ciprian.

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On Our Minds – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

On Our Minds – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

X3

Facebook2

Instagram1

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

X3

Facebook2

Instagram1

Apple Podcasts

Spotify