Empowering Teen Voices: The "Real Teens, Real Problems" Podcast Event

These words embody the spirit of the podcast: creating a space for self-expression, emotional clarity, and mutual support.

The teens worked together for several months, crafting their episodes, reflecting on their own struggles, and learning how to communicate these struggles in ways that resonated with their peers. The emotional maturity and authenticity they brought to the project are evident in each episode, making this podcast a truly special product.

The culmination of all this hard work was showcased on Friday, December 20th at St. Stephen’s Church in the South End (419 Shawmut Ave). It was quite a celebration, despite the snowstorm, of the creativity, passion, and dedication these teens have poured into this project. They curated a space for attendees with listening stations, a meet the podcaster table and a real time podcasting booth. At this booth you answered the question: What challenge did you overcome this year? Allowing for attendees to be vulnerable with their stories as they are now incorporated into the podcast. This carefully crafted space reflected the teens’ hard work, vulnerability and care for sharing their voices with the world, and demonstrating just how powerful it is to have a platform for self-expression.

As Dayana, another JCIT participant, expressed:

And it’s no surprise—after months of collaboration, growth, and creativity, this is a moment that everyone involved was proud of.

Today’s teens face enormous pressure to conform. The lack of creative, personal outlets for self-expression for teens makes it difficult for them to express their true feelings and experiences. At WriteBoston, we are working daily to stand in this gap! That’s why the collaboration between St. Stephen’s Youth Programs (SSYP) and WriteBoston is so special—it’s providing a platform for teens to speak their truth and explore topics that matter most to them. Through the launch of their very first podcast, Real Teens, Real Problems, the goal is clear: empower teens to share their voices, engage their challenges head-on, and build a supportive community around their stories using media.

Consider donating to WriteBoston this month so we can bring these kinds of creative opportunities to more teens in Boston. 

The partnership between SSYP and WriteBoston’s Teens in Print (TiP) has been impactful for the teens involved. The podcast is more than just a creative project; it’s an opportunity for young people to talk about their real-life struggles in school, relationships, and their communities. The podcast aims to:

• Empower students to feel comfortable sharing their voice
• Develop technology skills to support storytelling
• Produce and publish one pilot episode, with more episodes in the future
• Provide a platform for teens to explore and address the real-life challenges they face

This initiative, funded by a grant from Castle Square Tenants’ Organization (CSTO), has given the teens involved the chance to reflect on their personal journeys, express themselves in new ways, and most importantly, connect with others who share similar experiences. It’s a space for vulnerability, honesty, and growth, and the feedback from participants highlights the power of creating such a space.

The teens weren’t just producing a podcast—they were building a project that reflected their values, community, and experiences.

One participant, Yesleiny, shared her favorite part of the process:

It’s clear that this experience was not only about making something creative—it was about creating bonds and learning to trust their voices.

The teens didn’t go on this journey alone. They were supported by Teens in Print (TiP) facilitators, including Elvis Alvarado, a youth program facilitator at WriteBoston, who helped the teens with writing, brainstorming, and producing their podcast episodes.

Alvarado was impressed by how the teens took ownership of the project:

The gift of your donation helps WriteBoston reach more youth who have important stories to tell.

This podcast marks just the beginning of something larger. By empowering teens to share their thoughts and experiences through media, SSYP and WriteBoston are not only giving them a voice but also encouraging them to continue exploring their creative potential. With one episode already released and more on the horizon, the teens involved in Real Teens, Real Problems are poised to continue engaging their peers, inspiring others, and finding strength in their shared stories.

Be sure to check out the pilot podcast (out now!) as the teens share their perspectives and navigate the real challenges they face.

And donate today to support WriteBoston’s efforts to promote media literacy in Greater Boston.