The Storyteller
E'Jazz Mason was a straight-A student from New Orleans when life threw him a curve ball he couldn't catch. This is a story is about adversity, breaking the rules, and finding your way.
Dec 20, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Soundings
Soundings is the sandbox for all student work from the Stanford Storytelling Project (SSP). SSP is an arts program at Stanford University that explores how we live in and through stories and how we can use them to change our lives. Our mission is to promote the transformative nature of traditional and modern oral storytelling, from Lakota tales to Radiolab, and empower students to create and perform their own stories. The project sponsors courses, workshops, live events, and grants, along with its radio show State of the Human.
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Episodes
Keep Stanford Wrestling
In the spring of 2020, Stanford University made the decision to cut 11 of their varsity teams due to financial issues and lack of success. This episode follows the men’s wrestling team and their coaches in the months following the decision to cut their team as they navigate the challenges of fighting for their spot back.
Dec 20, 2023•11 min
Urban Agriculture and the Green Bronx Machine
Food insecurity and other environmental issues disproportionately impact low-income, disinvested neighborhoods, but urban agriculture has the potential to promote equity, green space, and food access in these areas. The story of the NYC-based urban agriculture initiative "the Green Bronx Machine," will show us how. This episode was written and produced by Sophia Manolis and Lisiane Nemlin with support from Laura Joyce Davis and the Stanford Storytelling Project's course "Stories to Save Our Plan...
Jun 30, 2023•14 min
The Fight for Food, Families, and Inafa’moelek
Whether we want to believe it or not, we are inextricably bound to our food systems. Thousands of miles away from the continental US, the story in Guam ultimately teaches us how embracing traditional Indigenous values may heal our relationships with people, place, and power. Join us in unraveling the history of Guam's food Systems and learn how the island community came together to organize for food sovereignty. This episode was produced by Natasha Zia Charfauros and Lizbeth Luevano with support...
Jun 30, 2023•13 min
One Step at a Time: Redefining Walkability in America
Have you ever considered the impacts that walking can have on our cities? In this episode, we explore the history of the car in America, its effects on urban design and community health, and learn from Brooklyn Open Streets activist Clara Smith and Professor Dehan Glanz how walkability can improve the health, street safety, and sustainability of American Cities. This episode was produced by Catherine Dickerman and Connie Hong with support from Laura Joyce Davis and the Stanford Storytelling Proj...
Jun 30, 2023•15 min
No Foxes, No Cookies
With wildfires and rising sea-levels, climate change is terrifying to think about on a global scale. That’s why this episode takes it local, as we learn why we’re so disconnected from our local ecologies, what it means to reconnect with the seemingly invisible ecological web that ties our cities, cookies, and urban wildlife together. This episode was produced by Arusha Patil and Chloe Cheng with support from Laura Joyce Davis and the Stanford Storytelling Project's course "Stories to Save Our Pl...
Jun 30, 2023•14 min
Decarbonizing the Livestock Industry, 1 Burp at a Time: Methane-Reducing Cow Supplements
We've been told to go vegetarian to help the climate, but what if we can reduce meat-related emissions without sacrificing our palates? In this episode, we learn about two cow feed supplements that inhibit methane, how they came to be, and how they are changing the role of agriculture in fighting climate change. Walk with us through the entire lifecycle of two impactful climate innovations, from problem discovery, to solution, to real-world product in farmers’ hands. This episode was produced by...
Jun 30, 2023•15 min
Food for the Planet
Agriculture, and especially cattle ranching, is a chief user of land and resources around the world, and frequently a choice is made to clear land and reduce biodiversity. What if it wasn't this way - what if agriculture had the potential to produce food and heal the planet? This episode was produced by Alex Strong and Jett Carruth with support from Laura Joyce Davis and the Stanford Storytelling Project's course "Stories to Save Our Planet." Complete show notes can be found at www.storytelling....
Jun 30, 2023•15 min
Saving Insects One (Native) Plant at a Time
In this episode, Aadya and James explore the importance of insects and how we can bring them back with native plants. To find native plants: https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/Plants This episode was produced by Aadya Joshi and James Varah with support from Laura Joyce Davis and the Stanford Storytelling Project's course "Stories to Save Our Planet." Complete show notes can be found at www.storytelling.stanford.edu.
Jun 30, 2023•13 min
Exit Ahead by Scott Buzard, Liyah Ernest, and Harriett Jernigan
In just 10 weeks, Stanford students learn how to craft and create Broadcast-quality narrative podcast episodes from start to finish. The Winter 2023 class was taught by Stanford lecturer and managing editor Laura Joyce Davis, and includes stories that explore the benefits and pitfalls to our reliance on technology, the connection between language and culture, and what our bodies communicate about our ancestral and personal histories.
Apr 18, 2023•13 min
Taking the Pulse by Winn Ellis & Caetano Melone
In just 10 weeks, Stanford students learn how to craft and create Broadcast-quality narrative podcast episodes from start to finish. The Winter 2023 class was taught by Stanford lecturer and managing editor Laura Joyce Davis, and includes stories that explore the benefits and pitfalls to our reliance on technology, the connection between language and culture, and what our bodies communicate about our ancestral and personal histories.
Apr 17, 2023•11 min
What Do You Speak? by Alice Grace, Aakriti Lakshmanan, & Carolina Nazario
In just 10 weeks, Stanford students learn how to craft and create Broadcast-quality narrative podcast episodes from start to finish. The Winter 2023 class was taught by Stanford lecturer and managing editor Laura Joyce Davis, and includes stories that explore the benefits and pitfalls to our reliance on technology, the connection between language and culture, and what our bodies communicate about our ancestral and personal histories.
Apr 17, 2023•12 min
Tattoos and Taboos by Ana De Almeida Amaral, Mikayla An-Yee Chen, & Chloe Gabrielle Mendoza
In just 10 weeks, Stanford students learn how to craft and create Broadcast-quality narrative podcast episodes from start to finish. The Winter 2023 class was taught by Stanford lecturer and managing editor Laura Joyce Davis, and includes stories that explore the benefits and pitfalls to our reliance on technology, the connection between language and culture, and what our bodies communicate about our ancestral and personal histories.
Apr 17, 2023•13 min
Home is Little Tokyo by Leah Chase
Little Tokyo is a small neighborhood in Downtown Los Angeles. Since 1905, it has been home to generations of Japanese Americans. Today, gentrification is threatening to destroy everything these families have built. This episode tells the story of one community's struggle for survival and the ways in which historical development has both fractured and solidified its people. For some, home is a bed one sleeps in. For us, home is Little Tokyo.
Dec 20, 2022•30 min
Journey Through Generations by Arundathi Nair
Journey Through Generations by Arundathi Nair by Stanford Storytelling Project
Dec 20, 2022•28 min
Home of the Hodag by Isabella Saracco and Sam Waddoups
The town of Rhinelander Wisconsin has a curious obsession: the Hodag, a fearsome green beast that a lumberjack allegedly discovered there in 1893. Entranced by the legend, Isabella and Sam travel to Rhinelander to uncover what’s behind the Hodag— and to decide if they should believe, too. Music in this story is provided by Blue Dot Sessions (An Unknown Visitor, Vernouillet, Color Country, Darn that Weasel, Still Nite, Gamboler, and The Bus at Dawn) as well as Hodag Hunters by Ben Burnell and And...
Dec 19, 2022•21 min
Off the Beaten Path by Alina Wilson
After months apart, a mother and daughter pick an unlikely reunion activity: a pilgrimage. Follow them as they take a journey up coastal Scotland and deepen their understanding of themselves and their relationship.
Dec 19, 2022•25 min
Soles Returning Home by Autumn Parrott
This is the story of a mother fighting grief after the loss of her daughter, and navigating what it means to be Indigenous within a criminal justice system that tries to take away her voice. These are her words. To learn more about Skye, visit: https://justiceforskyejim.com/ and for resources on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women visit: https://theskyewomanproject.com/ .
Dec 18, 2022•27 min
Wonder Under Water by Gracie Newman
Come on a journey to understand our fascination with sea monsters and what they inspire in humans. In particular, hear about the Icelandic Lagarfljótsormur, the water monster that sparked a 13 person commission of the Icelandic government to investigate its existence.
Dec 17, 2021•34 min
Radical Puppets: Revisiting the 1999 Seattle WTO Protests by Emily Zhang
What does it mean to protest and are there ways to do so that bring creativity to the forefront along with the issues? Listen to how those who were on the front lines of the WTO protests in Seattle used puppetry to get their ideas and demands across to those in power.
Dec 17, 2021•29 min
Missed Connections by Neeharika Bandlapalli
A story about people experiencing homelessness and their path to reconnection with their loved ones. Listen to learn why no matter where you are and what your journey in life has been, you will always be someone’s somebody.
Dec 17, 2021•26 min
She Was There by Paloma Moreno
Every year, a small group of Stanford Students are awarded grants to complete audio stories under the teaching, training, and mentorship of the Stanford Storytelling Project. These are the stories that came out of that process from 2020 to 2021.
Dec 17, 2021•22 min
Experiencing Sankofa
What are you supposed to do after a noose is found on your campus? Stanford’s answer to that question was, in part, to invite The Experience Sankofa Project, a living museum on black history to campus. This story details what the Project can teach us about racism, activism, and (maybe most importantly), community. Producer: Adesuwa Agbonile Featuring: Venus Morris, Dereca Blackmon, Mizan Alkebulan-Abakah, Sizwe Andrews-Abakah, Frank Omowale Satterwhite, Jeanette Smith-Laws, Persis Drell Music: “...
Jun 09, 2020•20 min
Klezmer For My Grandmother
Producer: Daniel Helena Alexander In the summer of 2019, I fly to Israel with a single goal in mind. I want to play a song. But not just any song. I want to play a Klezmer song. This podcast follows my journey meeting Jewish musicians and dealing with family tragedy to compose a personal song. “Music doesn’t lie.” You'll agree when you hear how beautiful, haunting, and inspiring Klezmer music can be. Music: “Miter Der Lerrer” by Di Gasn Trio “Schwartz Doina and Al’s Dances” by Daniel Hoffman “Sa...
Dec 20, 2019•25 min
Seekers
Producer: Sophie McNulty In her late thirties, Lanie, Sophie’s mom, became a born again Christian. Christianity gave her life meaning and happiness. When Lanie found God, “All the heaviness was just lifted.” Sophie, an atheist, struggles to find purpose in her own life. In this story, Sophie sets out to determine if what saved her mother could save her, too. Music: The Healing (Sergey Cheremisinov) Precisamos de um plano (rui) Valantis (Blue Dot Sessions) Waves (Pictures of the Floating World) M...
Dec 20, 2019•29 min
Swimming In Dreams
Producer: Ethan Lo What’s the point of all of this? It’s a question we've all asked ourselves. For child-refugees who’ve come to America (and their descendants), attempting to answer this question is inevitably tied with wondering why fate, God, or whatever higher power they believe in has given them opportunities that those who came before them did not have.If you’ve ever asked yourself what it is that you need to be doing in life, this story is for you. You don’t have to come from a refugee ba...
Dec 20, 2019•18 min
Coming of Age (Online): Imagining Queer Futures
Producer: Julie Fukunaga What does it mean to (be queer) and come of age on the internet? In the past ten years, the queer games movement has exploded. Around the world, more and more people feel like they can make free and simple and strange games - ones that speak to queer stories and experiences. But it wasn’t always this easy. Some queer gamers used the earliest, clunkiest internet to find each other in crisis, to find friends, community, and a lifeline support in a time when no one was payi...
Dec 20, 2019•16 min
The Reality Teacher
Producer: Elena Press In the summer of 2019, I took off on a cross-country road trip to discover my father’s mysterious hippie past. Though I grew up with a dad who worked as an accounting professor, all throughout my childhood I heard stories of my dad building log cabins in Washington Woodlands, running a granola coop and my half-sister born on the kitchen table. Join me as I travel across time and space to uncover the truth of it all and learn from “the reality teacher.” Music: Unthunk Monpla...
Dec 20, 2019•23 min
To The Beat Of The Drum
Producer: Mylan Gray When you feel at home thousands of miles away from your birthplace, what choice do you have but to return? I take a return trip to the Festival of the Rosary—an African syncretic festival in the southeast of Brazil. In returning, I learned African diasporic peoples might be connected by more than just African ancestry. Marked by cultural loss from the middle passage, this festival births a culture of its own. Its songs and rituals speak to the suffering of slavery and embrac...
Dec 20, 2019•31 min
Weird, F***** Up, Amazing
Producer: Hannah Scott I grew up in the sprawl of Los Angeles. I grew up on garage shows, Whiskey-A-Go-Go on Sunset Boulevard, classmates rapping on SoundCloud, my mom driving me an hour and a half to a venue in Orange County. My experiences with DIY music communities have been among the most important aspects of my life; yet, the deeper I get into this world, the more I hear people tell me that I missed out on “the glory days.” In this story, I travel to Asheville, North Carolina to prove that ...
Dec 20, 2019•21 min
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