Soundings

Through the two possible journeys of an Aloha Shirt, Tead Count tells the story of the true cost of fast fashion. Music from Blue Dot Sessions. Interviewees: Barchi Gillai, Associate Director Value Chain Innovation Initiative,https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/labs-initiatives/vcii Lila Temple, Stanford FashionX, https://www.stanfordfashionx.com/ Research:a. https://www.sgs.com/en-be/news/2023/10/cc-q3-2023-profitability-and-textile-durability-in-the-circular-economyb. https://www.roadrunnerwm.com/blog/textile-waste-environmental-crisisc. theguardian.comd. https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/fashion-and-the-circular-economy-deep-divee. https://cottonique.com/blogs/articles/how-long-will-it-take-for-fabrics-to-decompose?srsltid=AfmBOoqh10_PyQpTbPI-XzlMYGUo2dN1DVejdaOfczf7fPLVzUfVWJVhf. https://www.unep.org/technical-highlight/sustainable-fashion-take-centre-stage-zero-waste-day

I Speak for the Trees is a podcast that explores the consequences of land use change. Join us as we investigate the parallels between The Lorax and the real world in order to address the issue of sustainable land use change. From local land clearing in Wisconsin, restoration of overgrazed ranchland in Texas, to green space implementation in Chicago, we highlight how technology, policy, education, and community action can come together to reshape the way we think about and interact with our land. Music and Sound: Music and sound effects from Descript Library other than McCarthy (Blue Dot Sessions)Quantum Jazz - Passing Fields (Blue Dot Sessions) First Results (Blue Dot Sessions),Basketliner (Blue Dot Sessions) Borough (Blue Dot Sessions) Lakal (Blue Dot Sessions) andDelamine (Blue Dot Sessions). David Bamberger speaking clips from National Geographic’s “50Years Ago, This Was a Wasteland. He Changed Everything | Short Film Showcase” YouTubeDocumentary. The Lorax by Dr. Suess, audiobook read by Ted D

Join Natalia, Iamanni, and Marjorie on a journey of investigating the connection of health inequity and sustainability in diabetes treatments! 

"Reimagining the Road Ahead" delves into the concept of car-free days, especially their implementation in Bogotá and Paris, the political and practical challenges to their widespread adoption, and the broader push to re-imagine urban spaces with fewer cars. Interviews:Enrique Peñalosa is a Colombian politician and urban strategist who served as mayor ofBogotá (1998–2000, 2016–2019). He is known for championing sustainable urban mobility,including Bogotá’s TransMilenio bus system and the city’s first Día Sin Carro (Car-Free Day), abold initiative that reshaped public attitudes toward transportation and urban space. His policiesprioritized pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, aiming to create a more equitable andaccessible city.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enrique_Pe%C3%B1alosa Daniel Rich is a former local government manager with over 30 years of public sectorexperience. He served as Mountain View’s City Manager from 2011 to 2019, overseeingcomplex land use projects and regional planning efforts. Earl

The United Nations have called climate change the challenge of our generation. A growing body of environmental storytelling is bringing clarity to complicated climate conversations by casting a vision for a better future, and providing compelling, actionable climate change solutions. In this course, students have the opportunity to contribute to that conversation by creating a 10 to 15-minute narrative podcast episode that entertains, challenges, and moves your audience. 

Follow Jacob, Miles, and Victor through a story about musical exploitation, globalization, and hope, starting with the creation of Jazz and concluding with the future of Afrobeats.    Names: Jacob Matlof, Miles C. Selles, and Victor Chen Interviewees: Bolaji Oyedepo  Bolaji Oyedepo is an Nigerian American musician from Houston, Texas, paving his own way in the modern music industry with the fusion of Afrobeats with hip hop and R&B. He’s known for his primarily afrobeats song “OWO!”. Viranshi Vira Viranshi Vira is a student at Case Western University. Raised in Los Angeles, Vira found her love for K-pop during the pandemic and has been fascinated by the industry ever since. However, she’s also aware of the forces that shape the K-pop industry. Dr. Pheaross Graham - music.stanford.edu/people/pheaross-graham Dr. Pheaross Graham is a Mellon Fellow at the Stanford Humanities Center and Lecturer in the Department of Music at Stanford University. He is a musicologist and concert pianist with expertise in n

Katie Cheng, Lela Hanson, Reyna Duffy, and Will YuThis is a story about a girl named Katie who suddenly discovers that her seeminglystraight-laced, engineer dad used to lead a secret life as a graffiti artist. Fueled by curiosity andwonder, she sets out on a journey to learn more. From exploring hidden graffiti tunnels withfriends to having an eye-opening conversation with her dad, Katie uncovers surprising truthsabout his past—and gains a new perspective on her own.Interviewee:Dave Cheng - Katie’s FatherDave is a key character in our podcast being the spark that ignited Katie’s personal journey. As aproduct of his environment, Dave turned to graffiti during his teenage years, quickly becoming afairly well-known graffiti artist in San Francisco. Through his graffiti years, we highlight themotives behind graffiti and use his story to reflect on the theme of “growing up.”Music Acknowledgements:From Blue Dot Studios● Order of Entrance● Bauxite● Borough● Small World Reveals● Hardboil● Gene’s Waltz● Lakkalia● Curi

How can supposedly green initiatives, such as battery recycling, still result in dirty outcomes?Community members in Vernon, California, fight to shut down a local battery recycling plantbecause its toxic waste is polluting their air, water, and soil. The company and governmentalagencies that are supposed to be responsible fail to listen and act, forcing the community to takeever more dramatic action. This episode examines their fight for environmental justice andhighlights the distinction between policy-driven environmentalism and the real-worldconsequences that disproportionately harm minority communities. Episode AuthorsSamuel Desai, Alice Heiman, Ian Briski Interviews:Rossmery ZayasCommunity organizing since the age of 14, Rossmery Zayas is now a South East Los Angeles(SELA) Youth Organizer at Communities for a Better Environment (CBE). She works extensivelyin grassroots activism, and has participated in several campaigns, including shutting down thetoxic battery recycling plant facility owned by Exide Te

In an unprecedented political, social, and cultural climate where executive orders are being issued to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives nationwide, especially in educational institutions, three college-aged students from diverse racial backgrounds reflect on their experiences with racial discrimination and exclusion in K-12 education. In sharing their stories, they engage in thoughtful interviews and discussions that demonstrate the interconnectedness of the exclusion they faced based on their identities and the importance of DEI efforts in educational settings—a gift of support that could have greatly benefited their younger selves during those challenging times. Produced by Madisyn Cunningham, Glenn Kleiman, Emily Lim, and Rocio Sanchez Salcido Research: Using research was the antithesis of IncludEd’s intentional demonstration of how research falls short in capturing students' lived experiences facing racism when discussing DEI. IncludEd’s research is through the sourcing and sto

Sound Stories is a Stanford class for students interested in creating audio stories for radio, podcast, and other forms of sonic narrative. Students examine the craft elements of the audio form, popularized by programs such as This American Life, Radiolab, and Serial including skills for interviewing, scoring, and audio editing, and then work in small groups to create and produce a 10-15 minute narrative podcast episode. Here's what the students from the 2025 class had to say about the experience.   The 2025 Sound Stories class was taught by Laura Joyce Davis.

How exciting would it be if you actually tuned into that little voice in the back of your head? The one telling you to go for the thing you really want, even if it’s probably, most likely, definitely not what’s expected of you? Aren’t you curious how a girl can go from making pancakes in the kitchen with her mom one day to suddenly winning MasterChef Junior—only to lose her passion for cooking, then find her way back to it again? Let’s dive into the story of Jasmine Stewart, who actually did listen to that tiny voice, took an unexpected detour, and found out where it would lead her.   Produced by Aaryan Harshith, Christina Ademasu, and Jenny Huynh Interview w/ Jasmine Stewart, first African American to win Master Chef Jr. Bio: Jasmine Stewart, the Season 5 winner of MasterChef Junior, made history as the first African American champion of the competition. At just 12 years old, she not only claimed the title but also became the only contestant in the show's history to win after being previously eliminated. To

Stories to Save the Planet is a podcast about the stories behind climate change solutions. The United Nations have called climate change the challenge of our generation. A growing body of environmental storytelling is bringing clarity to complicated climate conversations by casting a vision for a better future, and providing compelling, actionable climate change solutions. All work is produced by Stanford students, who learn the entire process of narrative podcast production in just 10 weeks, research a climate change challenge and solution of their choice, and work together to create a narrative episode. The class it taught by Laura Joyce Davis and the Stanford Storytelling Project.

A story of the rise of electric vehicles and their promise to make a more sustainable planet. Yet this promise has proven to be detrimental to the quality of life for the people in the Congo. Sustainability Paradox pulls back the curtain on the realities of the electric car industry, and the promising solutions that might offer real, meaningful change. Produced by Sydney Davis and Jana Gomri with support from Laura Joyce Davis and the Stories to Save Our Planet class, a part of the Stanford Storytelling Project. Asu Kulu - Undergraduate Congolese Student at Stanford, Anonymous Congolese Miners via Friends of the Congo https://friendsofthecongo.org/ Links to an external site. Link to References https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GcK2hsyt8L_VyogsNTaPxsf5AgtizYzm1F9uJHLYzxM/edit?usp=sharing Links to an external site. All music by Blue Dot Sessions

In this episode, Nathan, Ana, and Nia explore the importance of sustainable food practices, and how alternative, truly healthy food practices are not necessarily the most commercially produced and advertised ones. The episode aims to broaden the horizon of viewing food practices in a context beyond just your own plate. This episode was produced by Nathan Elias, Ana Nguyen, and Nia Patton, with support from Laura Joyce Davis and the Stanford Storytelling Project's course "Stories to Save Our Planet." Complete show notes at storytelling.stanford.edu.

Living Memory by Stanford Storytelling Project

Have you ever wondered how seemingly ordinary people are able to accomplish extraordinary feats? In this episode of Soul Searching, we explore this question and attempt to find the common threads between rowing across the Atlantic ocean, founding a start-up venture, and raising thousands of dollars for charity. Listen now to hear three amazing stories from some incredibly accomplished Stanford students, learn about their motivations, and difficulties, and glean transformational takeaways from their experiences.

Have you ever felt like your cell phone is controlling your life, or that of someone you know? I’m sure you’ve asked yourself, “Why is it so addictive?” and then just scrolled once again. In this episode, dive into the new yet familiar world of TikTok as three Stanford students uncover the dangers of data collection, addiction, and algorithmic manipulation, shedding light on the impact of social media on privacy and mental well-being.

Have you ever felt like an outsider in a new place, not sure how to act? In this podcast, we delve deep into how Hawai’i has changed over the past 2000 years as a result of different groups of outsiders, from the military to tourists to scientists. Along the way, we might just discover how we all can be better outsiders to wherever we may visit.

When’s the last time you spent an entire day without looking at your to-do list? Chances are —never. If so, you’ve come to the right place. Come take a break from your productive routine and join us as we uncover the layers of productivity, one checkbox at a time. Hold onto your Google calendars, because after this episode, you might just want to throw that to-do list away and join us as we lie in the wood chips!

Sometimes you have to climb mountains to go on an adventure, other times the adventure is hidden right in front of you. Join us as we uncover a campus mystery in real time, one where the writing was on the walls the whole time. Are all of Stanford’s stories set in-stone?