As part of the Digital Design and Media Production class, which all members of The Shield must take before joining the staff, students in the fall produced journalistic podcast episodes on topics of their interest.
Each individual or pair researched topics suitable for a podcast, created a formal pitch for their idea, conducted multiple interviews, wrote audio scripts, and edited their podcasts with professional software.
This collection of seven episodes represents some of the finest work produced in the class.
1) “Community Closures and Consolidations” by Larkin Bendele and Rosa Trejo
For years, the Austin Independent School District has grappled with a $20 million budget deficit and troubling threats of a state takeover. To address these issues, the school board passed a consolidation plan that closed schools and rezoned thousands of children, impacting students across the city. What do families and staff think about the plan that is supposed to benefit them? How is closing schools going to prevent a state takeover that would alter the ways we can learn and teach? In Community Closures and Consolidations, we answer these questions and interview teachers, parents, and a former board member in order to explore what this plan means for students and what the consequences of failure would be district wide.
In this episode, we spoke with parents Ridgetop Elementary (one of the schools that will be closed), Lamar Middle School Librarian Tara Bowman, and former AISD Board Member Noelita Lugo about their hopes and concerns after the district decided to move forward with the plan.
2) “Music Lasting Generations: Elliot Smith” by Rivers Newsum
More often than not, the best music is timeless music. This podcast aspires to reach teens and parents who have the same taste in music, and it reflects on how music is interpreted through generations. My dad, Kevin Newsum, and I, Rivers Newsum, discuss different artists’ music, and how it has impacted the music industry.
In this episode, we discuss the indie artist Elliott Smith. Known for soundtracking the film Good Will Hunting, as well as albums like Figure 8 and either/or, he has a distinct sound that engraves him in music history.
3) “E- cigarettes: The New Focus of Teenagers” by Okee Fee and Lizzie Mistrot
Nowadays, young audiences are highly fond of nicotine, particularly in the form of vaping. Despite efforts to limit their use, vapes are very common, especially in locations like high schools. Nicotine itself is a very dangerous and addictive chemical with negative effects that can alter a teens lifelong health – something that teenagers tend to ignore.
The negative effects of vaping include slowed brain development, mental health issues, and the potential for addiction. Worried parents, friends, and teachers are asking the same constant questions, why do you enjoy doing it? How can I help you to stop? How are you buying these?
From McCallum Journalism, Okee Fee and Lizzie Mistrot cover the presence of vaping among teenagers and how it can affect these young minds.
4)”Body & Medicine: Austin OB-GYN” by Zephyr Smith
This podcast aims to be a space to honor the emotional toll and mental strength of bringing life into the world. This episode in particular goes beyond the exam room to explore the intimate, transformative stories of childbirth.
To tell this story, I brought together a diverse panel of experts and mothers to discuss the complexities of birthing, from personalized support to unexpected turns. This episode features interviews with Austin-based doula Zoey Brooks and retired Bradley Method coach Candice Longnecker, alongside personal narratives from moms navigating C-sections and unexpected birth plan shifts.
5) “Golden Conversations: Then & Now” by Olive Fairleigh and Vivian Garris
What is a story your grandparents always tell you? “Golden Conversations: Then & Now” is a podcast that explores the stories that younger family members have heard many times from older members – the kinds of stories that stay with a family for generations. From memories of childhoods long passed to the impact of changes in technology, this podcast projects the voices in families that need to be remembered.
In this episode, hosts Olive Fairleigh and Vivian Garris interview Martha Mauldin, Berthold Spencer, and Nichole Sorto about how times have changed since they were children, life lessons they’ve learned and knowledge they would like to pass down to future generations.
6) “Popcorn & Propaganda” by Vee Cote & Waverly Murchison
Popcorn & Propaganda from Vee Cote and Waverly Murchison of McCallum’s Digital Design and Media Production class is a podcast that explores political themes of propaganda in films from the 40’s up until present day, including the effects of fascism and how it is represented in film.
In this podcast, we hopes to explore how these films tie to the world, as well as the influences they hold on people. We encapsulate the feeling from the movie theater, the meaning behind the dialogue, and politicians today. We also include interviews from movie lovers in Austin.
In this episode, hosts Waverly Murchison and Vee Cote look at the films Charlie Chaplin: The Great Dictator, Wicked Parts 1 & 2, and Mickey 17. We also interview workers at We Luv Video, Austin Film Society, and a filmmaker at the Austin Stone Community Church.
7) “Bach to the Future!” by Genevieve Chick & Presley Wood
In Bach to the Future!, dynamic duo Presley Wood and Genevieve Chick do a deep dive into music throughout all time periods. From etchings on a grave to puns about furniture, they discuss everything music. Tune in for knowledge served in a joyous way throughout this silly and delightful series: Bach to the Future!
In this episode, Presley and Genevieve scratch the surface of some major music moments and milestones as they go into how music can change, reoccur, and remain consistent throughout all of history!
