Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy at A. Maceo Smith students aren’t just sharing their opinions; they’re discovering the power of listening and learning.
“I’m a very vocal person. I like to talk a lot and give my opinion,” said Andrew L. “So it’s cool to have a place for us to come together and foster those ideas and opinions.”
That space is the podcast room.
Nestled in a corner of the school library, it feels like a hidden studio, complete with art submitted by fellow BOMLA students. Similarly, the podcast is entirely student-run, capturing the pulse of campus life and conversations that matter most.
Behind the microphone, guests find a stage of their own, a place to share stories that might otherwise stay tucked away.
“We found this is the easiest way to share voices that may not be heard,” said Jonathan G. “It’s really impactful for me to see students who normally wouldn’t be putting themselves out there use this podcast.”
Both seniors, Jonathan and Andrew are members of the podcast team. Andrew is a host, and Jonathan works as manager behind the scenes to ensure everything is running smoothly.
Rather than debating guests, Andrew facilitates conversations.
“We sometimes shut out other people’s perspectives, so having a place where we can learn about new topics and viewpoints is important,” he said.
Andrew often incorporates his passion for philosophy into his discussions, pulling inspiration from Marcus Aurelius and Socrates.
“I like to introduce philosophy to this podcast as small things we can take to improve our own life, and form our own philosophies,” he said.
Students are intentional about facilitating conversations around mental health, which they hope extend to the student body.
“As men, we know mental health isn’t covered as much, so we want to push and get it out to students,” Jonathan said.
The podcast, which is an extension of BOMLA’s yearbook class, aired for the first time about two years ago. There are about 15 students who make up the podcast team. Everyone has their own role, from hosting and managing to writing scripts and finding sources.
Jonathan said one of his favorite memories is featuring alumni who were among the first students when BOMLA opened in 2011.
“It was a really good moment for us to see the meaning behind our school, and seeing how much they poured into us and what they want for the future,” he said.
In addition to honing talents in public speaking and audio and visual, the podcast is a way for students to learn soft skills like time management and organization. The biggest lesson, Andrew and Jonathan say, is communication.
“It’s a very opinion-based podcast, so actually listening to what people are saying gives you a broader view,” Andrew said. “That’s what is important to me – having a bigger perspective.”
