A Teen Story: A Podcast By Teens, For Teens
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library's Teen Center Studio and Media Lab gives New York City teens training in and access to a state-of-the-art recording studio. A new podcast, A Teen Story, is one of the projects utilizing this space and technology. This program is made possible by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).
About A Teen Story
Introducing A Teen Story—a podcast hosted by teens, for teens! In this podcast, we discuss culturally relevant topics that are important to us. We shed light on topics like dealing with ADHD, which ships matter the most to us, our favorite (and least favorite) video games, civic literacy, and more! Safe spaces for teenagers, such as libraries, are much harder to come across these days—especially in a world that still excludes young people from the decisions that define their future. By creating a space where every opinion is valued, younger people are allowed to amplify their voices and make themselves heard. At the end of the day, the only people who can define teenagers are teens themselves!
About Your Host
Ivana (she/they) is currently a senior in high school and is the Peer Branch Library Assistant in the Teen Center at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library. Outside of the library, they play table tennis, write articles for a mental health blog, and enjoy doing arts and crafts. In her role at SNFL, not only does Ivana act as a Library Page, but she also works to create a stronger bond between the teen patrons and the library workers. In her (non-existent) free time, she loves to read manga and eat snacks with her friends.
Although Ivana is the current voice of A Teen Story, previous and current Teen Volunteers dedicated time to the podcast (previously known as Keeping Up With Gen-Z). Thanks to all our contributors who made this possible: our previous hosts, Kaelin (they/them) and Rhianny (she/her); our first teen volunteers who piloted this program, Tiffany, Maisha, Ummul and Raisa’s first script drafts; and former staff, Digital Media Instructor, Darro Chea.
Why Listen to A Teen Story?
This podcast offers you not only engaging stories from New York’s teens, but also the unique perspective that only our city’s teens could offer. Sometimes it’s hilarious, and sometimes it’s insightful! The best part? Any episode is worth a try! If you think the title is interesting, give it a listen.