Between the Flames: Launching a Student-Led Podcast to Amplify Student Voice

Podcasting is one of the fastest-growing forms of digital media, yet many high school journalism programs lack the funding, equipment, or roadmap to bring audio storytelling into the classroom. This session explores how a grant-funded, student-led podcast—Between the Flames—was successfully launched within a high school journalism program and transformed student engagement, skill development, and school culture.Attendees will learn how students took ownership of every stage of production, from branding and planning to interviewing, recording, editing, and publishing. The session highlights how podcasting created inclusive opportunities for students who thrive in speaking and audio production rather than traditional print journalism, while building essential 21st-century skills such as collaboration, communication, and technology literacy.The presenter will share practical strategies for implementing a podcast program with limited resources, structuring student roles, training students on audio equipment, and maintaining a sustainable production schedule. The session also examines how student podcasts can strengthen school and community communication, promote positivity and mental health, and serve as a living digital archive of student voices.This presentation is ideal for educators, instructional coaches, journalism advisers, and edtech leaders looking for a scalable, student-centered approach to digital media integration that prioritizes authentic learning and real-world application.