The Humans of James River

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This podcast is a collection of real stories from the community of James River High School.


    • Apr 14, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 45m AVG DURATION
    • 43 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Humans of James River

    Season 03, Episode 07 - Stuart Nabors

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2022


    The final episode of Humans of James River Season 3 is here! I had the honor of talking to Mr. Nabors, the AP English Literature teacher for both Leadership and GPOP students at James River. The focus of this episode is how this past year has been in relation to the year prior (in which we were mostly virtual or hybrid), and how it has impacted teachers. Mr. Nabors speaks specifically to himself, but also in general about how the atmosphere has been behind the scenes. He also offers advice to rising freshman, graduating seniors, and everyone in between. I had a wonderful time talking to him, and I hope you all find his perspective to be both energizing and encouraging. TW: This episode contains discuss of some mental health, though not in extreme detail, and references the pandemic Thank you all so much for all of the support this year; it really has been a wild ride. I enjoyed every moment I had with Humans of James River, and I hope that it continues for years to come. As always, the references page is available to anyone who may need it. Please take care of yourselves, and have a wonderful end of the school year!

    Season 03, Episode 06 - Shreya Muralidharan

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2022


    Episode 6 is here, and I want to give a huge thank you to Shreya Muralidharan, a senior at JRHS, for her enthusiasm in coming on HOJR! In this episode, Shreya will be talking about her experience in middle school and high school, as well as what she hopes for in college. She will discuss what is has been like growing up in a predominantly white suburban area, as well as the difficulties that go along with being queer. I hope you all will be as inspired by her as I was, and continue to be.TW: This episode contains discussion of mental health, some familial issues, and racist themes. LGBTQ+ is also addressed, with examples of internal homophobiaMake sure to utilize the contacts and information available in the Resources module if you or a loved one need it!Thank you for listening!

    Season 03, Episode 05 - Brooke Long

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2022


    Hey everyone! Episode 5 is here, and I want to give a HUGE thank you to Brooke Long for being willing to be a guest and share her story on Humans of James River! It was an honor. In this episode, Brooke will be talking about her experience as a child of divorce, and how the abrupt changes and difficulties she and her family faced afterwards effected her as a child, as well as to this day. TW: talk of divorce, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, some violence, and struggles that pertain to mental healthMake sure to utilize the contacts and information available in the Resources module if you or a loved one need it!Thank you for listening!

    Season 03, Episode 04 - Katie Lowry

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2022


    Episode 04 is finally here! I hope that it will be worth the wait. Katie Lowry, a JRHS Leadership Alumni, will be talking about her experience in high school and what came afterwards. She has some advice to share and some inspiration to spread, and I am so glad that HOJR could give her that opportunity. Mr. Doyle will pop in at the end as well! I hope you all enjoy. NOTE: There are some auditory issues due to the fact that this was a virtual conversation, and so some feedback is present. There is also some background noise from Mrs. Lowry's family, but that just gives listeners a better look into her life!TW: Discussion of anxiety, grief, loss, religion, burnout, and mental illness Take care of yourself! :)

    Season 03, Episode 03 - Katie Acker

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2022


    In this episode, senior Leadership student Katie Acker will be talking about grief and how she learned to process her own, especially during quarantine. She will also discuss the importance of allowing yourself to be vulnerable, and what advice she can give from personal experience for anyone who is experiencing grief. TW: this episode contains discussion of grief and illnessAs always, the Resources page is accessible to anyone who is struggling!

    Season 03, Episode 02 - Laine Lewis

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2021


    In this episode, a Junior at James River High School named Laine Lewis will be sharing their story about growing up not truly being able to accept who they were, and their journey to self-discovery. Laine will also be discussing the stigmas around mental health and the LGBTQ+ community, and certain aspects of society that need to change in order to provide adequate support. TW: This episode may be triggering for those who are uncomfortable with topics pertaining to bullying, poor mental health, unhealthy coping mechanisms and behaviors, death/grief, and homophobia (internalized as well as unsupportive family members and peers)Please click on the ‘Resources' module if you or a loved one are struggling!

    Season 03, Episode 01 - Anonymous

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2021


    Welcome to the first episode of Humans of James River Season 3! In this episode an anonymous female will be opening up about her abusive relationship with her biological father, and how she developed two eating disorders as a result. TW: This episode may be triggering to anyone who is uncomfortable with topics including alcohol/ drug abuse, neglect, binge eating disorder, and bulimia Please click on the ‘Resources' module if you or a loved one are struggling! *Some of the audio may sound a bit strange, but that's because, in order to respect my participant's request to remain anonymous, some parts where I am speaking had to also be edited

    Season 02, Episode 20 - Irelyn's Goodbyes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2021 16:04


    In this episode, podcast Season 2 host, Irelyn Rogan, says her final good byes to HOJR. She reflects on her time with the podcast, thanks the community, and dives into her future plans.

    Season 02, Episode 19 - Ava McHugh & Mr. Kern

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2021 69:50


    In this episode, you hear from the creator of the Humans of James River, Ava McHugh, and the advisor of HOJR, Mr. David Kern. Ava shares her experience as a first year at James Madison University, as well, we all discuss HOJR, our favorite memories, and our hopes for the future.

    Season 02, Episode 18 - Anya Strogonova

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2021 54:07


    In this episode, you hear from a James River High School senior, Anya Strogonova. Anya shares about her struggles with both her eating disorder and body image. TW: This episode may be difficult for those who have dealt with eating disorders. If you or a loved one are in need of help, please click the “Resources” button on the HOJR website to seek help. To reach Anya: Email - anyadanielle03@gmail.com; Instagram - @anyaxdanielle

    Season 02, Episode 17 - Nico Dow

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2021 43:32


    In this episode, you hear from James River High School junior and saxophone player in the Regiment, Nico Dow. He shares how he has been bullied in the past, how it affected him, and how he was able to grow from it.

    Season 02, Episode 16 - Jonathan Dilego

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2021 32:02


    In this episode, you hear from 2020 James River Leadership Alumni, Jonathan Dilego. He shares his coming out story, history on the LGBTQ+ community, and resources for those in need. To reach him: Email - jonathandile@gmail.com; Instagram - jonathan_dile Resources mentioned: Trevor Project - https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ Side by Side - https://www.sidebysideva.org/ Health Brigade - https://www.healthbrigade.org/ Triangle Theater - https://rtriangle.org/

    Season 02, Episode 15 - Lauren Schubert & Irelyn Rogan

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2021 52:08


    In this episode, you hear from the HOJR host and her best friend, Lauren Schubert, fellow James River High School senior. They speak on their personal struggles with learning to love their bodies, eating disorders, the societal standards pushed on women, and the Generation Z “Body Positivity” Movement. Reach out!: humansofjrhs@gmail.com Instagram & Facebook: @humansofjrpod To reach Lauren: laurenschubert93@gmail.com

    Season 02, Episode 14 - Ms. Mullis

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2021 60:46


    In this episode, you hear from the new assistant principal at James River High School, Ms. Leah Mullis. She shares with us her life story, her values, and goals concerning JR. To reach out: leahmullis@ccpsnet.net

    Season 02, Episode 13 - Anonymous

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 56:11


    Anonymous 18 year-old female senior at James River High School speaks on the instance where she was sexually assaulted on a family vacation. As well, she touches on therapy, the "Me Too Movement", and self love. TW: This episode may be triggering for listeners who have dealt with rape, sexual assault, and/or harassment. If you or a loved one are in need of help, please click the "Resources" button on the HOJR website to seek help.

    Season 02, Episode 12 - Anonymous

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2021 46:33


    In this episode, you hear from an anonymous 15 year-old female at James River High School. She speaks on her JR alum sister's passing as a result of drug overdose. Furthermore, she elaborates and speaks on her overall family and friend troubles, mental health, and how she has persevered through it all.

    Season 02, Episode 11 - Anonymous

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2021 55:09


    Anonymous James River Senior speaks on her struggles with mental health, suicide, her rough home life, and sexuality. TW: This episode may be triggering for listeners who have dealt with depression, anxiety, and/or suicide. If you or a loved one are in need of help, please click the "Resources" button on the HOJR website to seek help.

    Season 02, Episode 10 - Coach “Bam-Bamm” White

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2021 84:40


    In this episode, you hear from JR's Girls Volleyball coach, Senior Convocation speaker, comedian, and motivational speaker, Coach Micah "Bam-Bamm" White. He shares with us his life story and what led him to James River HS.

    Season 02, Episode 09 - Mrs. Mosley

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2021 48:11


    In this episode, you hear from Mrs. Mosley, a Biology teacher at James River High School. She shares her experiences growing up as a mixed race child in Chesterfield County; as well, she gives us an inside look at what it is like to be one of the ten POC teachers at James River High School. To reach her: bronwyn_mosley@ccpsnet.net

    Season 02, Episode 08 - Ava Cherry

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2020 40:07


    In this episode, you hear from James River senior, Ava Cherry. Ava speaks on her sister's battle with cancer and the affect it had on both her and her family. Check out: RVA Purple Perspective Blog

    Season 02, Episode 07 - Mrs. Hewlett

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2020 40:59


    Episode Seven features the coordinator of the Center for Leadership and International Relations at James River High School, Mrs. Hewlett. She speaks on her experience of being a black, female educator in Chesterfield County Public Schools. To reach her: ashley_hewlett@ccpsnet.net

    Season 02, Episode 06 - Dominic Genett

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2020 33:11


    In this episode, you hear from a James River High School senior, Dominic Genett. Dominic speaks on his struggles with depression and his transition into recovery. TW: This episode may be triggering for listeners who have dealt with depression and/or suicide. If you or a loved one are in need of help, please click the "Resources" button on the HOJR website to seek help.

    Season 02, Episode 05 - Mr. Calfee

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2020 52:39


    Mr. Calfee, a teacher, coach, and club sponsor at James River High School, talks about his journey with running, finding confidence in being his unique self, and the JRHS Community. To reach him: christopher_calfee@ccpsnet.net

    Season 02, Episode 04 - Mr. Beck

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2020 25:33


    James River High School Biology teacher, Mr. Beck, speaks on the biracial relationship that he was in with a Jamaican woman. In addition, he touches on the broad subject of race relations. To reach him: christopher_beck@ccpsnet.net

    Season 02, Episode 03 - Anonymous

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2020 56:52


    In this episode, you hear from a 17-year old female speak on her transgender sister's coming out story.

    Season 02, Episode 02 - Anonymous

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2020 25:36


    In this episode, you hear from an 18 year-old male who speaks on his parents' divorce and his father's coming out story.

    Season 02, Episode 01 - Dr. Voelker

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2020 36:31


    In this episode, you hear from the James River High School's new principal, Dr. Amanda Voelker. Dr. Voelker tells the story of her life and where she comes from; as well, she speaks on some of her goals regarding JRHS. To contact her: amanda_voelker@ccpsnet.net

    Season 2, Episode 00

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2020 15:11


    The new host, Irelyn Rogan, speaks on what to expect from this season of the podcast. As well, she shares a bit more about herself.If you would like to contact us: Instagram - @humansofjrpod; Email - humansofjrhs@gmail.com

    Episode 14: Anonymous ESL Student

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2020


    A high school student details his difficult journey from El Salvador to the US. This episode begins with an English translation and is followed by the original Spanish version.

    Episode 13: Anonymous

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2020


    An 18 year-old talks about her troubles in middle school, her abusive father, her underage alcoholic sister, and how choosing her own family got her through it all.

    Episode 12: Anonymous

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2020


    A 17 year-old girl talks about enduring her father's emotional and sometimes physical abuse and then finding out he has brain cancer. She discusses what it means to forgive but not forget.

    Episode 11: Anonymous

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2020


    An 18 year-old girl talks about her battle with various types of eating disorders and exercise addiction over the course of eight years.

    Episode 10: Anonymous

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2020


    A 17 year-old girl talks about her intense struggles with anxiety and suicidal thoughts, learning how to prioritize her own mental health, as well as her never ending battle with mental illness.

    Episode 09: Anonymous

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2020


    A 17 year-old girl talks about her struggle with blaming herself for her family's issues and her fathers alcoholism as well as the unhealthy coping methods that stem from that.

    Episode 08: Anonymous

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2020


    A 15 year-old girl talks about her struggle with her parents divorce, her mental health issues from a young age, her struggle with eating disorders and self-harm, and her drug overdose/suicide attempts.

    Episode 07: Jasmine Barron

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2020


    Jasmine Barron talks about her difficult experience with smoking marijuana, her mother's recent death, and the effects of everything on her mental health.

    Episode 06: Anonymous

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2020


    A 16 year-old discusses the struggle of growing up without their basic needs being met while questioning their identity.

    Episode 05: Anonymous

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2020


    A 16 year-old girl discusses her struggle with an eating disorder and an unobtainable definition of perfection.

    Episode 04: Anonymous

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2020


    A 16 year old girl talks about growing up with an alcoholic mother.

    Episode 03: Anonymous Twins

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2019


    Twins talk about going through watching each other struggle with mental health issues at the same time.

    Episode 02: Irelyn Rogan

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2019


    @irelynnn.rogannn on instagram, iyarogan@gmail.com

    Episode 01: Anonymous

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2019


    A 16 year-old boy talks about his struggle with mental health and drugs.

    Episode 00: Introduction

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2019


    Welcome to The Humans of James River

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