Radio Rookie Shirley Diaz

PRX is the home of over 1,800 youth radio stories – 1,800! But other than being produced by young people, what makes these stories unique?

Here are 5 qualities that make youth-produced radio shine, as exemplified by some classic youth-produced stories:

1. Willingness to take risks. Oakland Scenes. Producers at Youth Radio combine news with poetry, creating a portrait that is as beautiful and moving as it is original and evocative.
2. Hard questions. Joey Interviews a Cutter. This short piece from Blunt Youth Radio is produced without flourish. Joey’s genius is in asking courageous, difficult questions.
3. Humor. Boredom. This KBOO Youth Collective classic dramatizes a summer day gone wrong with surf music, special effects and an original, hilarious voice.
4. Lived experience. Growng Up In the System. WNYC’s Radio Rookies are the kings and queens of storytelling that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.
5. Fresh, clear writing. My Plate Full, Yours Empty. Now retired, Curie Youth Radio mastered beautiful writing that avoided cliche. “Our kitchen cabinets are filled with empty cereal boxes, canned spinach, and a lot of space.”

Add to this list! Tell us what you think makes quality youth radio work, and we’ll include your ideas on the GPRX blog.