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RadioActive

Stories produced by students participating in our youth media program. Meet the current youth producers, and learn more about the intensive, fun and free introductory radio journalism workshops we offer throughout the year. 

caption: The summer 2023 class of RadioActive Youth Media.
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The summer 2023 class of RadioActive Youth Media.
KUOW Photo/Lila Lakehart

Episodes

  • caption: Abdul Nasir.

    Our housemate is an Afghan refugee who fled the Taliban

    In August 2021, the United States’ longest standing war came to an end as the military withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban fundamentalist group returned to power. Thousands of Afghan people became refugees and came to the U.S. One of those people is Abdul Nasir. RadioActive’s Micah Riggio lives with Abdul, and has this story of how his family hosts refugees like Abdul as they begin new lives in Seattle.

  • caption: The Senegalese flag.

    6,000 miles and a chance: My mom's pursuit of a better life

    The decision to leave home is never an easy one. Immigrating 6,000 miles for a chance at a better life is a significant risk. RadioActive’s Idrissa Gaye tells the story of how his mom, May Gueye, said goodbye to friends, family and a stable job in Senegal to pursue higher education in the United States.

  • caption: Two pictures of Sylvie Crow smiling.

    Making the theater experience more inclusive and accessible

    We all deserve a space where we can be unapologetically ourselves. Sylvie Crowe, a director, costume designer, and actor at Bellevue Youth Theater, is part of a new generation of creatives who are fighting to create that space for disabled and LGBTQ+ people. RadioActive's Dashiell Pinck talked with Sylvie, and has more.

  • caption: Christy Caravaglio smiles proudly in front of her public art installation in Burien. Sunshine makes the already bright colors look almost luminescent. Christy weaves yarn into the chain link fences she passes daily in an effort to brighten up the perpetually gray landscape.

    'I wanted to make them prettier': One artist's yarn lends color to south King County

    In a world of concrete and chain link that's overwhelmingly gray, the urge to beautify our communities isn't an uncommon one. But it takes a special kind of person to take the leap of actually doing something about it. RadioActive's Gideon Hall spoke to Christy Caravaglio, who, for the last four years, has been adding brilliant color to her local urban landscape.

  • caption: Mr. Woo looks over Hong Kong, his home for most of his life.

    'It was like a typhoon striking': How Hong Kong's attitude toward protests has changed

    In 2019, the streets of Hong Kong were filled with tear gas and umbrellas. But how did they get to that point, and what’s happening now? RadioActive’s Lucas Deng wanted to learn more about how protests have changed in Hong Kong over time. So he spoke with a family friend, Mr. Woo, who has lived in Hong Kong for most of his life.

  • caption: My dad, Sam Jansons (third from left), and his bandmates Sam Ross, Jeffrey Henry and Laurence Goldenstar when they were younger.

    'Music is medicine': How my dad’s relationship with music evolved with him

    Music has always been important to Sam Jansons. When he was 16, he heard the drums in the Led Zeppelin song "Kashmir" and decided he wanted to play. Since then, he’s expanded to playing guitar, writing songs, and even messing around with his daughter's piano a bit. RadioActive’s Josie Jansons has this story about her dad, her family, and the role music plays in their lives.

  • caption: Aparna Srinivasan poses for a portrait.

    Putting herself FIRST: One teen's experience on an all-gender robotics team

    STEM career fields — science, technology, engineering and math — are traditionally male-dominated. But in FIRST robotics, Interlake High School senior Aparna Srinivasan finds community and belonging, despite the underrepresentation of women of color in robotics. RadioActive's Evelyn Jiang interviewed Aparna about her experience.

  • caption: Failelei Papatu standing on the pier at Edmonds Marina beach in early July 2021.

    How my dad finds motivation, from Samoa to the States

    When RadioActive's Terina Papatu pictures her dad, Failelei Papatu, she sees the motivated father of three young girls, a hard worker, and a proud Samoan. And she says his dedication to his family has only gotten stronger since moving to the United States. Terina has this story about her family.