Summertime brings a couple of long cars rides with my family, and when we have one coming up I curate podcasts that will resonate with my teenagers. Wading through the abundance of options takes time, so I thought I would save you the trouble and share some of my family’s recent favorites. The growth of podcasts is such a positive aspect of the tech revolution. I am drawn to shows that let us see the world differently while learning new topics in an engaging and often story-driven manner. Of course, the real magic is how the podcasts get us talking about important themes long after the show ends. Some of these podcasts might be too sophisticated for younger kids but I encourage you to pre-listen and pick out parts that would engage them.
First, Screenagers Podcast — Yes, we have one
This battle is about sugar, and how an Ohio lollipop company wants to buy it cheaper while the Minnesota sugar-beet farmers want to keep U.S sugar prices up. Sugar is such a big part of our culture that the topic definitely warrants a family discussion.
How does it happen that you transform over time from the person you start out as to the person you are today? This episode examines the experiences that shape us. The first part of the show is about a female athlete who reinvents herself after a horrible accident and is really worth the listen.
3. Why We Hate
Social cruelty is, unfortunately, part of the human condition. Raising youth who want to work to prevent and stop cruelty is a key aim of parents. This is a compelling and, at times a bit hard to stomach, podcast which explores several people’s stories about combating hate. It will foster empathy and spark essential dialogue.
4. Lady Gaga & Atom Factory: Troy Carter
I think many teens will be pulled into Troy’s story—but it is rather long. His unending interest in music led him to eventually partner with pre-famous Gaga and help launch her career. She was so determined to become a singer that she convinced her dad to let her take a year off from NYU.
5. Lululemon Athletica: Chip Wilson
This is the story of a guy who wanted a pair of longer shorts, so he sewed some—and eventually started making the shorts to sell them. Later, when he was trying to figure out what to do with his life, he began taking yoga classes. He noticed how in just a couple of weeks the yoga attendance was multiplying. He saw a significant trend coming, and the rest is history. Make sure to listen to the part where Chip talks about his fall from grace.
6. Instagram: Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger
I love how the Instagram idea was born when Kevin was on a beach—a beautiful testament to downtime as the birthplace of creativity. It is ironic that his invention would go on to become such a time sink for people—using up hours that otherwise could be spent working on creative endeavors. A perfect way to broach that topic with your family.
7. Miss Buchanan's Period Of Adjustment
This is a story that will completely change the way you view Brown v. Board of Education—the Supreme Court decision about integrating schools. I think all pre-teens, teenagers, and adults will benefit from listening to this. It moved me so much.
8. Students and Teachers ( I suggest listening to it soon before or after the Miss Buchanan’s podcast episode, #7 above).
In this show, you will learn about the transformation that happens when teachers and students realize what they share in common.
This podcast is about the fascinating story of one of the first ever viral posts—it involves Nike, so kids will relate to this. In addition, Tim Wu, author of The Attention Merchants: The Epic Scramble to Get Inside Our Heads provides fascinating data on how our attention is being nabbed in all sorts of ways.
Extra bonus—best for college age and up.
If you love film history, as I do, you might enjoy this podcast—and well, it may be more for just you than for the family. If you do share it with others, probably best for older teens and up because the themes and language can be a bit harsh at times. Host Karina Longworth is an incredible researcher and storyteller. Author of many books on Hollywood, Karina pays particular attention to the ways female actresses could be used and abused by the Hollywood system. There is a good chance that once you listen to this podcast, you will be compelled to watch some Hollywood classics. Check out this episode— The Lives, Deaths and Afterlives of Judy Garland.
Two questions to discuss with your kids for this week’s TTT:
July 24, 2018
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
Summertime brings a couple of long cars rides with my family, and when we have one coming up I curate podcasts that will resonate with my teenagers. Wading through the abundance of options takes time, so I thought I would save you the trouble and share some of my family’s recent favorites. The growth of podcasts is such a positive aspect of the tech revolution. I am drawn to shows that let us see the world differently while learning new topics in an engaging and often story-driven manner. Of course, the real magic is how the podcasts get us talking about important themes long after the show ends. Some of these podcasts might be too sophisticated for younger kids but I encourage you to pre-listen and pick out parts that would engage them.
First, Screenagers Podcast — Yes, we have one
This battle is about sugar, and how an Ohio lollipop company wants to buy it cheaper while the Minnesota sugar-beet farmers want to keep U.S sugar prices up. Sugar is such a big part of our culture that the topic definitely warrants a family discussion.
How does it happen that you transform over time from the person you start out as to the person you are today? This episode examines the experiences that shape us. The first part of the show is about a female athlete who reinvents herself after a horrible accident and is really worth the listen.
3. Why We Hate
Social cruelty is, unfortunately, part of the human condition. Raising youth who want to work to prevent and stop cruelty is a key aim of parents. This is a compelling and, at times a bit hard to stomach, podcast which explores several people’s stories about combating hate. It will foster empathy and spark essential dialogue.
4. Lady Gaga & Atom Factory: Troy Carter
I think many teens will be pulled into Troy’s story—but it is rather long. His unending interest in music led him to eventually partner with pre-famous Gaga and help launch her career. She was so determined to become a singer that she convinced her dad to let her take a year off from NYU.
5. Lululemon Athletica: Chip Wilson
This is the story of a guy who wanted a pair of longer shorts, so he sewed some—and eventually started making the shorts to sell them. Later, when he was trying to figure out what to do with his life, he began taking yoga classes. He noticed how in just a couple of weeks the yoga attendance was multiplying. He saw a significant trend coming, and the rest is history. Make sure to listen to the part where Chip talks about his fall from grace.
6. Instagram: Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger
I love how the Instagram idea was born when Kevin was on a beach—a beautiful testament to downtime as the birthplace of creativity. It is ironic that his invention would go on to become such a time sink for people—using up hours that otherwise could be spent working on creative endeavors. A perfect way to broach that topic with your family.
7. Miss Buchanan's Period Of Adjustment
This is a story that will completely change the way you view Brown v. Board of Education—the Supreme Court decision about integrating schools. I think all pre-teens, teenagers, and adults will benefit from listening to this. It moved me so much.
8. Students and Teachers ( I suggest listening to it soon before or after the Miss Buchanan’s podcast episode, #7 above).
In this show, you will learn about the transformation that happens when teachers and students realize what they share in common.
This podcast is about the fascinating story of one of the first ever viral posts—it involves Nike, so kids will relate to this. In addition, Tim Wu, author of The Attention Merchants: The Epic Scramble to Get Inside Our Heads provides fascinating data on how our attention is being nabbed in all sorts of ways.
Extra bonus—best for college age and up.
If you love film history, as I do, you might enjoy this podcast—and well, it may be more for just you than for the family. If you do share it with others, probably best for older teens and up because the themes and language can be a bit harsh at times. Host Karina Longworth is an incredible researcher and storyteller. Author of many books on Hollywood, Karina pays particular attention to the ways female actresses could be used and abused by the Hollywood system. There is a good chance that once you listen to this podcast, you will be compelled to watch some Hollywood classics. Check out this episode— The Lives, Deaths and Afterlives of Judy Garland.
Two questions to discuss with your kids for this week’s TTT:
July 24, 2018
As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel
I have ten podcast recommendations today. These episodes focus on family and tech—surprise, surprise! Similar to past recommendations, I am particularly focused on episodes of shows I think will be wonderful to listen to with youth. You can pre-listen, find a section you like, and ask your kiddo to do a 7-minute post-dinner listening session on the couch.
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We put together a list of 7 compelling documentaries perfect for family viewing over the Holidays. The films will help spark meaningful conversations. Check trailers and ratings for appropriateness when selecting documentaries to enjoy with your kids.
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Whether you are headed off on vacation journeys or just spending time at home during the holidays, I have some mind-opening podcast suggestions to listen to with the whole family. It can be fun to listen to only parts of any of these suggestions to allow more time for talking and then finish them at the next drive or sitting.
READ MORE >for more like this, DR. DELANEY RUSTON'S NEW BOOK, PARENTING IN THE SCREEN AGE, IS THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR TODAY’S PARENTS. WITH INSIGHTS ON SCREEN TIME FROM RESEARCHERS, INPUT FROM KIDS & TEENS, THIS BOOK IS PACKED WITH SOLUTIONS FOR HOW TO START AND SUSTAIN PRODUCTIVE FAMILY TALKS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND IT’S IMPACT ON OUR MENTAL WELLBEING.
