In this new chapter of Human Glitch, River confronts the pain of his mother’s absence and a father who won’t step in. As tensions rise at home, River begins to question what family really means.

We also open the episode with a reflection on the pressure to justify our choices after high school and what it takes to stand firm in them.

Share your thoughts on Chapter Five: ⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@youthresearchbox.org⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this chapter of Human Glitch, River wrestles with belonging, loyalty, and the courage to stand up for what’s right. As summer unfolds in Los Angeles, River finds himself caught between two worlds, his modest life with his father and the privileged halls of Harriet’s Prep.

When he learns that a new policy will strip scholarships from student athletes like his best friend Caleb, River must decide whether to risk his own future to fight for fairness.

To share your thoughts on Chapter Four, email: ⁠⁠⁠podcast@youthresearchbox.org⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, we continue the Human Glitch series with Chapter III, told through the eyes of Caleb, a 16-year-old football standout in South Central L.A. Balancing school, sports, and caring for his younger siblings after his father's death, Caleb faces mounting pressure to hold everything together.

With help from his best friend River and the ever-reliable Mama Dee, Caleb fights to stay focused on his dreams—while wrestling with the fear of losing everything.

To share your thoughts on Chapter Three, email: ⁠⁠podcast@youthresearchbox.org⁠⁠.