Have you ever felt pressure to look or act a certain way because of beauty standards on social media? We're discussing the pressures of beauty standards online and offline.

We talk about the unrealistic expetations highlighted on social media and how they can affect mental health, especially for young girls and teens.

From diet culture to damaging trends, both men and women are affected by the things we see in our feeds. Our advice: embrace your authentic self, focus on health over appearance, have fun with self-care, and stay from harmful beauty trends

This episode features Maya, Lily, Samantha, and Malik. Editing by Youssef. Cover art design by Simone.

Enjoy the show!

Click here to let us know what you liked about the episode.

http://www.PowerYourStoryPodcast.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/poweryourstorypodcast

Instagram: @PowerYourStoryPodcast

YouTube: After School Matters - Power Your Story Podcast

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Power Your Story is produced by students in the Podcast Tech & Production programs of After School Matters in Chicago. We represent diverse voices, telling our real life stories through the power of podcast media.

Each season features a new group of student producers under the mentorship of producer, Andrea Klunder of The Creative Impostor Studios, creating personal journals, interviews, and discussions about the topics that matter most to us.

Our theme music is by DJ Sparkz.

Open Mic episodes are where we pick a topic and share whatever's on our mind that day about it. Money is always a hot topic and this round table does not disappoint! What do YOU think? Will money ever buy you happiness?

This episode features Adrian, Aden, Jessica, Moriah, Maya, Ciara, Briana & Ms. Klunder.

Enjoy the show!

Click here to let us know what you liked about the episode.

http://www.PowerYourStoryPodcast.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/poweryourstorypodcast

Instagram: @PowerYourStoryPodcast

YouTube: After School Matters - Power Your Story Podcast

***

Power Your Story is produced by students in the Podcast Tech & Production programs of After School Matters in Chicago. We represent diverse voices, telling our real life stories through the power of podcast media.

Each season features a new group of student producers under the mentorship of producer, Andrea Klunder of The Creative Impostor Studios, creating personal journals, interviews, and discussions about the topics that matter most to us.

Our theme music is by DJ Sparkz.

Is it okay to watch sad movies? How do you get through world tragedies? What if you don't have supportive family members? We talked with Ms. Shelby Grace, a school social worker, about these questions and more. She even taught us a cool breathing technique to use when we feel stressed!

This episode was produced by ChuYing, Christian, Aliz, José, Toni, Carlos, Uriel, and Jonas.

Enjoy the show!

Click here to let us know what you liked about the episode.

http://www.PowerYourStoryPodcast.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/poweryourstorypodcast

Instagram: @PowerYourStoryPodcast

YouTube: After School Matters - Power Your Story Podcast

***

Power Your Story is produced by students in the Podcast Tech & Production programs of After School Matters in Chicago. We represent diverse voices, telling our real life stories through the power of podcast media.

Each season features a new group of student producers under the mentorship of producer, Andrea Klunder of The Creative Impostor Studios, creating personal journals, interviews, and discussions about the topics that matter most to us.

Our theme music is by DJ Sparkz.

We got to speak with Dr. Ava Thompson Greenwell back in 2021 about her documentary Mandela in Chicago, which we also got to screen in our podcasting program.

The film tells the story of Nelson Mandela's historic visit to Chicago in 1993, three years after he was released from prison and one year before he became South Africa's first Black president.

But Dr. Ava Thompson is not just a filmmaker. She's an Author, Podcast Host, Certified Coach, Speaker, and Award Winning Journalism Professor! Her book, Ladies Leading: The Black Women Who Control Television News, is about the toll racism and gender bias have taken on their professional and personal lives how they have overcome challenges while demanding that their voices and lived experiences be more fairly represented in news coverage.

You can watch Mandela in Chicago here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkPL8up7r5w

Here new documentary is Hearing Silences: 50 years of Black Women Faculty at Northwestern. It is being screened at the McCormick Foundation Center in Evanston, IL February 25, 2025. Details here: https://planitpurple.northwestern.edu/event/624479

Congratulations, Dr. Greenwell!

This episode features Angel, Adrian, Dolores, Jonathan, Leo, Frederick & David.

Enjoy!

Click here to let us know what you liked about the episode.

http://www.PowerYourStoryPodcast.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/poweryourstorypodcast

Instagram: @PowerYourStoryPodcast

YouTube: After School Matters - Power Your Story Podcast

***

Power Your Story is produced by students in the Podcast Tech & Production programs of After School Matters in Chicago. We represent diverse voices, telling our real life stories through the power of podcast media.

Each season features a new group of student producers under the mentorship of producer, Andrea Klunder of The Creative Impostor Studios, creating personal journals, interviews, and discussions about the topics that matter most to us.

Our theme music is by DJ Sparkz.

Shockingly, we are revisiting an open mic episode that was recorded all the way back in 2021, when we were trying to process devastation brought about by California wildfires. Here we are again in 2025 with more devastation.

For more information, we also like this episode from Imperfect Paradise: LAist Newsroom Answers Your Questions About the Fires.

Our hearts go out to everyone who has been and is being hit by this tragedy.

This episode features Adrian, Brandon, Brooklynn, Maya, Natalie & Jayvon.

Enjoy!

Click here to let us know what you liked about the episode.

http://www.PowerYourStoryPodcast.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/poweryourstorypodcast

Instagram: @PowerYourStoryPodcast

YouTube: After School Matters - Power Your Story Podcast

***

Power Your Story is produced by students in the Podcast Tech & Production programs of After School Matters in Chicago. We represent diverse voices, telling our real life stories through the power of podcast media.

Each season features a new group of student producers under the mentorship of producer, Andrea Klunder of The Creative Impostor Studios, creating personal journals, interviews, and discussions about the topics that matter most to us.

Our theme music is by DJ Sparkz.

Our student producers from Ray Graham interview one of their favorite teachers (they have a lot of them), Ms. Jones about her experiences playing, coaching, and teaching sports. They also touch on life skills, community-based instruction, and even... math.

This episode was produced by Emilio, Gabby, Anabel, Semaje, Devonte and also features Uriel, Rafael, Diego, Daniel, and Patty.

Enjoy!

Click here to let us know what you liked about the episode.

http://www.PowerYourStoryPodcast.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/poweryourstorypodcast

Instagram: @PowerYourStoryPodcast

YouTube: After School Matters - Power Your Story Podcast

***

Power Your Story is produced by students in the Podcast Tech & Production programs of After School Matters in Chicago. We represent diverse voices, telling our real life stories through the power of podcasting technology.

Each season features a new group of student producers under the mentorship of producer, Andrea Klunder of The Creative Impostor Studios, creating personal journals, interviews, and discussions about the topics that matter most to us.

Our theme music is by DJ Sparkz.

Coming out of summer break, fall is in full swing! What were your summer highlights and what, if anything, is the shadow side? What's so great about Roblox. Plus, WAS there a song of the summer?

Our student producers weigh in on this open mic episode from summer 2024.

This episode features Kayley, Diego, Rafael, José, Angel, Gabby, Daniel, Niimah, Ke’Nya, Jamyra, Alex, Edgar, Youssef, Devonte, Uriel, Jackie, and Rhianna.

Enjoy!

Click here to let us know what you liked about the episode.

http://www.PowerYourStoryPodcast.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/poweryourstorypodcast

Instagram: @PowerYourStoryPodcast

YouTube: After School Matters - Power Your Story Podcast

***

Power Your Story is produced by students in the Podcast Tech & Production programs of After School Matters in Chicago. We represent diverse voices, telling our real life stories through the power of podcasting technology.

Each season features a new group of student producers under the mentorship of producer, Andrea Klunder of The Creative Impostor Studios, creating personal journals, interviews, and discussions about the topics that matter most to us.

Our theme music is by DJ Sparkz.