Soundings

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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!

What can you expect from Sound Stories? The 2024 class weighs in. Taught by Laura Joyce Davis through the Stanford Storytelling Project, this hands-on, workshop-oriented course is designed to teach you the fundamentals of podcast storytelling. Class work will include pitching, interviewing, scriptwriting, narration, audio editing, and sound design. You'll learn time-honored principles for strong storytelling in any medium, as well as strategies specific to storytelling in sound. Though we focus on audio stories, the craft skills you learn here are transferable to making stories for any medium, from print and performance to film and games. By the end of the course, you will have crafted both a narrative essay and a 10-minute podcast episode that entertains, challenges, and moves your audience. All fully produced student pieces will be published in the Stanford Storytelling Project Soundings podcast. Course info: https://shorturl.at/eLOR0

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?

Each year, the Stanford Storytelling Project awards Braden Grants to support the research, writing, and production of audio documentaries. The aim of the program is to help students learn how to tell powerful, research-driven stories based on testimony they gather through interviews, research, or oral history archives. Grantees receive up to $2,500, along with teaching, training, and mentorship for the duration of the project. Here's what the 2023 Grantees had to say about their experience.

Each year, the Stanford Storytelling Project awards Braden Grants to support the research, writing, and production of audio documentaries. The aim of the program is to help students learn how to tell powerful, research-driven stories based on testimony they gather through interviews, research, or oral history archives. Grantees receive up to $2,500, along with teaching, training, and mentorship for the duration of the project. Here's what the 2023 Grantees had to say about their experience.

This episode explores the different futures made possible when you balance narratives of dispossession with narratives of joy--and how we see that manifest in Oaxaca's celebrations and the different ways that community members seek to make themselves visible.

Despite 13+ years of a fractured relationship between mother and daughter, this episode journeys through the past, present, and future, highlighting one unlikely solution that changed the trajectory of a family and its generations.

When Navya AgarwalI travelled to Rajasthan to demistify the phenomenon of ancestral prostitution—a unique form of sex work that is embedded in community, and inter-generational legacy—she expected to document a distant reality. Instead, she was confronted with deeply personal questions about morality, gender, and family history. In this episode, she attempts to answer the question: Is ancestral prostitution normal? And if something is normal, does that make it right? TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains references to prostitution, minors, and sexual exploitation.

Kevi grew up surrounded by Filipino caregivers--many of whom had to leave their families in the Philippines to work in the US. As she starts to unpack the histories of the people who raised her, Kevi embarks on a journey of discovery that reveals the dark history of how the US caregiving industry became dependent on the separation of Filipina workers from their families.

In an effort to reconnect with her Cambodian identity, Marissa Mengheang explores the experiences of Cambodian genocide survivors, including her own grandparents. But her search for knowledge takes to her to an unexpected place. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains references to genocide, murder, and human rights violations.

This intro episode of the Regeneration Pilgrimage series is about a journey of self discovery that took place in nature-based off grid communities in Portugal and Spain. This episode is an intimate, deeply personal story of the month long solo-pilgrimage that your host, Alice Grace, set out on in the Summer of 2023. This is her story of finding healing and the secrets to living in alignment with purpose to transcend the illusions of the modern capitalistic matrix.

“Back to the Garden” tells the story of an organic farming couple, Jose and Rich, who are committed to sustaining the environment and who also don't believe in climate change. This episode explores how that dissonance might be possible, the power of language, and whether or not the term "climate change" will help save the planet.

In this story about connection outside the bounds of physical space, time, and life experience, an unlikely friendship buds during uncertain times.

n the midst of the pandemic, Neelay embarks on a cross country road trip to take a break from the stresses of life and to explore more of the country around him. However, as his excursion takes him deep in the Midwest, he encounters protestors at Nebraska's state capital that radically change his worldview. With a tight knit community right in front of him, fighting for their people back in their home country, he ponders the status of the Asian American community today and its presence across all parts of the nation.

DCI Discovered is the story of a corporate lawyer who found traditional success in her career, realized she wasn't where she wanted to be, quit her job, and found an innovative program at Stanford to help get her back on track.

E'Jazz Mason was a straight-A student from New Orleans when life threw him a curve ball he couldn't catch. This is a story is about adversity, breaking the rules, and finding your way.

In the spring of 2020, Stanford University made the decision to cut 11 of their varsity teams due to financial issues and lack of success. This episode follows the men's wrestling team and their coaches in the months following the decision to cut their team as they navigate the challenges of fighting for their spot back.

Food insecurity and other environmental issues disproportionately impact low-income, disinvested neighborhoods, but urban agriculture has the potential to promote equity, green space, and food access in these areas. The story of the NYC-based urban agriculture initiative "the Green Bronx Machine," will show us how. This episode was written and produced by Sophia Manolis and Lisiane Nemlin with support from Laura Joyce Davis and the Stanford Storytelling Project's course "Stories to Save Our Planet." Complete show notes can be found at www.storytelling.stanford.edu.

Whether we want to believe it or not, we are inextricably bound to our food systems. Thousands of miles away from the continental US, the story in Guam ultimately teaches us how embracing traditional Indigenous values may heal our relationships with people, place, and power. Join us in unraveling the history of Guam's food Systems and learn how the island community came together to organize for food sovereignty. This episode was produced by Natasha Zia Charfauros and Lizbeth Luevano with support from Laura Joyce Davis and the Stanford Storytelling Project's course "Stories to Save Our Planet." Complete show notes can be found at www.storytelling.stanford.edu.

Have you ever considered the impacts that walking can have on our cities? In this episode, we explore the history of the car in America, its effects on urban design and community health, and learn from Brooklyn Open Streets activist Clara Smith and Professor Dehan Glanz how walkability can improve the health, street safety, and sustainability of American Cities. This episode was produced by Catherine Dickerman and Connie Hong with support from Laura Joyce Davis and the Stanford Storytelling Project's course "Stories to Save Our Planet." Complete show notes can be found at www.storytelling.stanford.edu.

With wildfires and rising sea-levels, climate change is terrifying to think about on a global scale. That's why this episode takes it local, as we learn why we're so disconnected from our local ecologies, what it means to reconnect with the seemingly invisible ecological web that ties our cities, cookies, and urban wildlife together. This episode was produced by Arusha Patil and Chloe Cheng with support from Laura Joyce Davis and the Stanford Storytelling Project's course "Stories to Save Our Planet." Complete show notes can be found at www.storytelling.stanford.edu.

We've been told to go vegetarian to help the climate, but what if we can reduce meat-related emissions without sacrificing our palates? In this episode, we learn about two cow feed supplements that inhibit methane, how they came to be, and how they are changing the role of agriculture in fighting climate change. Walk with us through the entire lifecycle of two impactful climate innovations, from problem discovery, to solution, to real-world product in farmers' hands. This episode was produced by Allison John and Rachel Wu with support from Laura Joyce Davis and the Stanford Storytelling Project's course "Stories to Save Our Planet." Complete show notes can be found at www.storytelling.stanford.edu.

Agriculture, and especially cattle ranching, is a chief user of land and resources around the world, and frequently a choice is made to clear land and reduce biodiversity. What if it wasn't this way - what if agriculture had the potential to produce food and heal the planet? This episode was produced by Alex Strong and Jett Carruth with support from Laura Joyce Davis and the Stanford Storytelling Project's course "Stories to Save Our Planet." Complete show notes can be found at www.storytelling.stanford.edu.

In this episode, Aadya and James explore the importance of insects and how we can bring them back with native plants. To find native plants: https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/Plants This episode was produced by Aadya Joshi and James Varah with support from Laura Joyce Davis and the Stanford Storytelling Project's course "Stories to Save Our Planet." Complete show notes can be found at www.storytelling.stanford.edu.

In just 10 weeks, Stanford students learn how to craft and create Broadcast-quality narrative podcast episodes from start to finish. The Winter 2023 class was taught by Stanford lecturer and managing editor Laura Joyce Davis, and includes stories that explore the benefits and pitfalls to our reliance on technology, the connection between language and culture, and what our bodies communicate about our ancestral and personal histories.

In just 10 weeks, Stanford students learn how to craft and create Broadcast-quality narrative podcast episodes from start to finish. The Winter 2023 class was taught by Stanford lecturer and managing editor Laura Joyce Davis, and includes stories that explore the benefits and pitfalls to our reliance on technology, the connection between language and culture, and what our bodies communicate about our ancestral and personal histories.

In just 10 weeks, Stanford students learn how to craft and create Broadcast-quality narrative podcast episodes from start to finish. The Winter 2023 class was taught by Stanford lecturer and managing editor Laura Joyce Davis, and includes stories that explore the benefits and pitfalls to our reliance on technology, the connection between language and culture, and what our bodies communicate about our ancestral and personal histories.

In just 10 weeks, Stanford students learn how to craft and create Broadcast-quality narrative podcast episodes from start to finish. The Winter 2023 class was taught by Stanford lecturer and managing editor Laura Joyce Davis, and includes stories that explore the benefits and pitfalls to our reliance on technology, the connection between language and culture, and what our bodies communicate about our ancestral and personal histories.

Home is Little Tokyo by Leah Chase by Stanford Storytelling Project

Journey Through Generations by Arundathi Nair by Stanford Storytelling Project

Every year, a small group of Stanford Students are awarded grants to complete audio stories under the teaching, training, and mentorship of the Stanford Storytelling Project. These are the stories that came out of that process in 2022.

Every year, a small group of Stanford Students are awarded grants to complete audio stories under the teaching, training, and mentorship of the Stanford Storytelling Project. These are the stories that came out of that process in 2022.

Every year, a small group of Stanford Students are awarded grants to complete audio stories under the teaching, training, and mentorship of the Stanford Storytelling Project. These are the stories that came out of that process in 2022.

Come on a journey to understand our fascination with sea monsters and what they inspire in humans. In particular, hear about the Icelandic Lagarfljótsormur, the water monster that sparked a 13 person commission of the Icelandic government to investigate its existence.

What does it mean to protest and are there ways to do so that bring creativity to the forefront along with the issues? Listen to how those who were on the front lines of the WTO protests in Seattle used puppetry to get their ideas and demands across to those in power.

A story about people experiencing homelessness and their path to reconnection with their loved ones. Listen to learn why no matter where you are and what your journey in life has been, you will always be someone's somebody.

Every year, a small group of Stanford Students are awarded grants to complete audio stories under the teaching, training, and mentorship of the Stanford Storytelling Project. These are the stories that came out of that process from 2020 to 2021.

What are you supposed to do after a noose is found on your campus? Stanford’s answer to that question was, in part, to invite The Experience Sankofa Project, a living museum on black history to campus. This story details what the Project can teach us about racism, activism, and (maybe most importantly), community. Producer: Adesuwa Agbonile Featuring: Venus Morris, Dereca Blackmon, Mizan Alkebulan-Abakah, Sizwe Andrews-Abakah, Frank Omowale Satterwhite, Jeanette Smith-Laws, Persis Drell Music: “Multiple Crystal Bowl Rhythm - Freesound.org - Geerose “All the Answers” - Lee Rosevere “It’s a Mystery” - Lee Rosevere “You’re Enough Version C” - Lee Rosevere

Producer: Sophie McNulty In her late thirties, Lanie, Sophie’s mom, became a born again Christian. Christianity gave her life meaning and happiness. When Lanie found God, “All the heaviness was just lifted.” Sophie, an atheist, struggles to find purpose in her own life. In this story, Sophie sets out to determine if what saved her mother could save her, too. Music: The Healing (Sergey Cheremisinov) Precisamos de um plano (rui) Valantis (Blue Dot Sessions) Waves (Pictures of the Floating World) Multiverse (Ketsa) Postcards mastered

Producer: Daniel Helena Alexander In the summer of 2019, I fly to Israel with a single goal in mind. I want to play a song. But not just any song. I want to play a Klezmer song. This podcast follows my journey meeting Jewish musicians and dealing with family tragedy to compose a personal song. “Music doesn’t lie.” You'll agree when you hear how beautiful, haunting, and inspiring Klezmer music can be. Music: “Miter Der Lerrer” by Di Gasn Trio “Schwartz Doina and Al’s Dances” by Daniel Hoffman “San Diego” by Blink-182 “Bagopolier Freylekhs” by Klezmer Israel “Hora de Concert” by Emil Aybinder “In Your Arms” by Forestt “Music for Bows and Feet” by Daniel Hoffman “Festival Excerpts” by HaBalkania “Hora Mittsibeles” by Alicia Svigels “Excerpts” by HaBalkania “Niggun” by Gal Klein

Producer: Ethan Lo What’s the point of all of this? It’s a question we've all asked ourselves. For child-refugees who’ve come to America (and their descendants), attempting to answer this question is inevitably tied with wondering why fate, God, or whatever higher power they believe in has given them opportunities that those who came before them did not have.If you’ve ever asked yourself what it is that you need to be doing in life, this story is for you. You don’t have to come from a refugee background to relate. It’s simply the story of a young man who’s beginning to seriously question his lot in life, intertwining it with his family background, and coming to terms with the nature of it all. By exploring the three lives of a now-reintegrated middle-aged man who was sentenced to prison at 15, a college student who once couldn’t dream, and a high school student balancing what she owes to her mother and to herself; Ethan hopes to answer one question: what am I here for, if anything? Featured voices: Ethan Lo, Choy, Paw, Neesha Music: Opening Credits, Johnny Ripper Rain, Aaron Ximm Night Caves, Lee Rosevere Ominous Beat, Setuniman freesound.org/people/Setuniman/ Harmonious Ending, Setuniman freesound.org/people/Setuniman/

Producer: Elena Press In the summer of 2019, I took off on a cross-country road trip to discover my father’s mysterious hippie past. Though I grew up with a dad who worked as an accounting professor, all throughout my childhood I heard stories of my dad building log cabins in Washington Woodlands, running a granola coop and my half-sister born on the kitchen table. Join me as I travel across time and space to uncover the truth of it all and learn from “the reality teacher.” Music: Unthunk Monplaisir An Eagle in Your Mind Les Hayden Lobo Loco Kathleen Martin Mutherpluckin Silicon Transmitter Latch Swing

Producer: Mylan Gray When you feel at home thousands of miles away from your birthplace, what choice do you have but to return? I take a return trip to the Festival of the Rosary—an African syncretic festival in the southeast of Brazil. In returning, I learned African diasporic peoples might be connected by more than just African ancestry. Marked by cultural loss from the middle passage, this festival births a culture of its own. Its songs and rituals speak to the suffering of slavery and embrace a remembrance of forgotten homelands. As a black person from the United States, being in the presence of this grieving made room for something else to take root. Featuring: Ana Luzia Da Silva Padre Jailson Rainha Cleusa Dayonna Tucker Ramona Greene Cameron Woods Music: Original music from the Festival of the Rosary Blear Moon Brevyn Kai Engel Zion Dirty Sound Ikebe Shakedown

Producer: Hannah Scott I grew up in the sprawl of Los Angeles. I grew up on garage shows, Whiskey-A-Go-Go on Sunset Boulevard, classmates rapping on SoundCloud, my mom driving me an hour and a half to a venue in Orange County. My experiences with DIY music communities have been among the most important aspects of my life; yet, the deeper I get into this world, the more I hear people tell me that I missed out on “the glory days.” In this story, I travel to Asheville, North Carolina to prove that DIY is, in fact, not dead, but that young people today are making the subculture more accessible and creative. Featuring: Mark Hosler Emma Hutchens Davaion “Spaceman Jones” Bristol Music: Scott Shoemaker, the Well Drinkers (live at the Grey Eagle) alright lover: “II”, “divorced father son all stars”, “furukawa” Ulises Lima: “Mark 1” Richard Jonas: “hhhaaarrrdddcccooorrreee” Pudge: “Sweetheart” Negativland: “Destroying Anything” Spaceman Jones and the Motherships: “My City Has Lights” “Around the Cliffs” Slugly: “Poison” (live at the Mothlight) Dude Babe (live at Fleetwoods) Special Thanks: David McConville Alice Sebrell Andrea Burns Debevoise Teresa Clark Fred Turner