Podcasting and Radio News

In a growing age of social media, we have seen that culture has started to diffuse and become appreciated across all ethnicities. As of late, we have seen, particularly the NYC area we have seen a rise in fans of Afrobeats. I was thinking of interviewing members of the ASA at CSI, to discuss what they think of this movement, and what it means to them that there culture is starting to become appreciated on a much more global scale and if this, has any impact on their view of their own culture.

For my second podcast, I want to interview Alexander Ferrer, a 16 year old self taught makeup artist who is hispanic and part of the LGBTQ+ community. I would talk to him about how he began his makeup journey and what it is like being so young and accepting who you are. I would also interview his parents and ask them what they felt when their son told them that he wanted to do makeup as well as him announcing that he is part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Take a 21st century park and transform it into a medieval marketplace, replete with elaborate costumes, jousting, and the music, dance, and craft of another era. Fort Tryon Park, home of the famed Cloisters museum in Upper Manahattan is the annual home of a free Medieval Festival, now in its 35th year. The event attracts locals and travelers alike to a experience the world as it once was many centuries ago, complete with food and drink to boot. Dozens of vendors occupy the long stretch of park for a day and bring kings, knights, and minstrels to Manhattan in modern times. I would like to dive into the event scheduled for next Sunday and grab testimony from organizers and visitors alike about what the even means to them and the experience they seek, whether the trip is their first visit or their 35th.

For the radio story project, I plan to focus on the recent ban that went into place which will prevent retailers from selling flavored vape products. This news must be devastating for vape and smoke shops around New York City but it must also be devastating for vapers. There are parents who must be rejoicing as the main argument for the supporters of this ban is that it will stop children from vaping. This ban blurs the lines between individual freedom of choice and the government using their authority to implement their own opinions, personal feeling, and preferences into the law. If the whole purpose of this law going into effect was to stop people from smoking, would a ban on cigarettes be much of a difference? Lawmakers expressed concerns about the safety of the public, however taking away people’s civil liberties because of such concerns becomes questionable when other harmful civil liberties are not revoked that have proved to be profitable. For this radio story I plan to hear the arguments of both sides and present them to the public for them to consider the consequences or reasoning behind this ban.

For my 2nd podcast I want to interview a high school student that always takes MTA transportation and a mom that never does. I would ask each person about their thoughts on the increase in bus fare and what they think about the MTA’s new plan to improve the subways.

My podcast  I would like to profile a non profit called Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement. It is a non profit in the center of Queensbridges houses. They provide the tenants at Queensbride with a safe space. They have a senior center, tutoring for kids k through 12. They also have immigrant safety.

I plan to do this podcast on a 22-year-old artist and musician named Emelia Vero. Born and raised to Hispanic parents in the Bronx, her influences are most evident in her music. I hope to interview her about her career, and also get some natural sound from her performances or from her studio sessions.

In my second podcast, I plan on discussing this program called The Fellowship Initiative (TFI). TFI is approaching its 10 year anniversary and I would like to discuss with some of the students what the program means to them. The program is centered around ~60 young men of color in New York and in other location. This is a leadership program that encourages young high school students academically, professionally, and socially. This program also gives these young men the space to discuss societal issues where each individual is given a chance to figure out who they are.

I think this program is newsworthy because people need to know that this program exists, especially for young men in high school who are struggling to find who they are.

For my second podcast, I would like to cover the global climate strike. Climate change has been on the forefront for many this past week, with NYC’s Climate Strike occurring last Friday.

I would like to continue the conservation, and base my next podcast on Climate Emergency: No More Business As Usual. Rise and Resist, and many other climate activists, are gathering in front of the Plaza Hotel, where corporate leaders and public policy makers will discuss solutions to the climate crisis. Rise and Resist will join in a nonviolent demonstration to welcome the arriving attendees with their own demands.