The Scholars & Storytellers Podcast: Recent Episodes
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The Scholars & Storytellers podcast is brought to you by the UCLA Center for Scholars and Storytellers, an organization dedicated to bridging the gap between scholars and storytellers to support positive youth development. Each podcast episode brings together one scholar and one storyteller to discuss how research insights can guide responsible storytelling.
This episode is adapted from the Storytelling for Gen Z and Gen Alpha panel at the Authentic and Inclusive Representation Summit that took place in October 2021. Our moderator is Dr. Gerald Higginbotham, a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia. Our guests are Joy Gorman, Partner and Producer at Anonymous Content focused on Youth Impact content and known for the hit Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, Steve Tao, Senior Vice President of Current Programming at the CW Network and co-founder/co-chair of the CAPE New Writers Fellowship, Stephanie Allain, founder of film, television, and digital production company, Homegrown Pictures, and producer of Dear White People, Beyond the Lights, and Oscars 2020, and Erica Oyama, creator and executive producer of Emmy award nominated web series Burning Love and co-executive producer of the acclaimed Netflix series, Never Have I Ever. For related content, check out the Reframing Adolescence blog series.
This episode contains clips from The Importance of Allies panel at the Authentic and Inclusive Representation Summit that took place in October 2021. Our moderator is Dr. Maytha Alhassen, a social justice artist, journalist, and historian, as well as a writer for the Emmy Award-winning Hulu series, Ramy. Our guests are Alison Hoffman, the president of Domestic Networks at Starz and the former key architect of award-winning marketing campaigns for Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, Rose Catherine Pinkney, the SVP of Scripted Programming at BET overseeing critically-acclaimed shows Twenties, The First Wives Club, and American Soul, Glen Mazzara, a television writer, creator, and showrunner known for The Walking Dead, The Shield, and Damien and the co-chair of the WGA’s Inclusion & Equity Group, and Sascha Paladino, an Emmy-nominated writer and producer known for the hit Disney series Miles from Tomorrowland and Mira, Royal Detective.
This episode, recorded on August 26, 2021, is a discussion about how we portray (or don't portray) disability in media. Our guests are: Tatiana Lee and Michelle Leccese. Tatiana Lee is a disabled actress, model, and lifestyle influencer who, amongst other roles, works with RespectAbility as an entertainment media consultant on various TV and film projects. Michelle Leccese is a CSS Research Assistant with a background in psychology and disability studies who is currently working on several projects with CSS regarding disability, teens, and media. Our moderator, Sheena Brevig (she/her), is a CSS Junior Fellow and a filmmaker who is passionate about using storytelling as advocacy for mental health and disability awareness, particularly in her LGBTQ+ and Asian communities.
This is the third episode in our series, Teens Are Watching, where real teens talk about media-related topics that matter to them. This episode deals with the representation of masculinity in media. Our panelists are five US teens: Gael and Thomas from the podcast Teenager Therapy, Lalith Gudi, Shania Kohli, and our moderator, Ellie Langdon.
This episode covers masculinity, mental health, and gaming. Our guests are Dr. Gary Barker, the founder and CEO of Promundo, co-founder of MenCare, and co-author of numerous studies on men and masculinities, Dr. Michael Kaufman, a longtime advisor, activist, and writer engaging men to support women’s rights, end violence against women, and positively transform the lives of men, and Dr. Wizdom Powell, a tenured professor at UConn and a nationally recognized expert and thought leader on masculinities and male health. Our moderator, Sheena Brevig (she/her), is a CSS Junior Fellow and a filmmaker who is passionate about using storytelling as advocacy for mental health and disability awareness, particularly in her LGBTQ+ and Asian communities.
This is the second episode of our new series, Teens Are Watching, where real teens talk about media-related topics that matter to them. This episode deals with queer representation in media. Our panelists are five US teens: Ellie Langdon, Ranier Bissell, Alexis Shim, Ela, and our moderator, Paige Snepp.
This episode covers the importance of queer media for everyone. Our guests are Lindz Amer (they/them), the founder and CEO of digital edutainment company Queer Kid Creative and writer, producer, and co-host of the web series Queer Kid Stuff, Michelle Denise Jackson (she/her), writer and producer known for HBO Max’s Generation, OWN’s Queen Sugar, and the upcoming Netflix series Maid and Pieces of Her, and Kim Wilson (she/her), the director and co-founder of the children’s media-focused OneFish TwoFish Consulting team and a CSS Senior Fellow. Our moderator, Sheena Brevig (she/her), is a CSS Junior Fellow and a filmmaker who is passionate about using storytelling as advocacy for mental health and disability awareness, particularly in her LGBTQ+ and Asian communities.
This is the first episode of our new series, Teens Are Watching, where real teens talk about media-related topics that matter to them. This episode deals with mental health in media. Our panelists are three US teens: Paige Snepp, Lalith Gudi, and Ellie Langdon. Our moderator is Navia Robinson, a teen actress known for Disney Channel’s “Raven’s Home” and Netflix’s “Free Rein.”
This episode comes from a conversation on Clubhouse about The Social Dilemma and how social media affects youth. It features Dr. Adriana Manago, an assistant professor in the psychology department at UC Santa Cruz who studies adolescence and the transition to adulthood, Caroline Beaton, a freelance writer, producer, and the Manager of Impact Operations at Exposure Labs (The Social Dilemma), and moderator, Sheena Brevig, a CSS Junior Fellow and filmmaker who is passionate about using storytelling as advocacy for mental health and disability awareness, particularly in her LGBTQ+ and Asian communities.
This episode about the impact that social media has on youth features a conversation with Dr. Candice Odgers, Jeff Orlowski, and Larissa Rhodes, moderated by Dr. Yalda T. Uhls. Dr. Candice Odgers is a Professor of Psychological Science and Informatics at UC Irvine and an expert on adolescent mental health and child development in the digital age. Jeff Orlowski is the founder of Exposure Labs and the director, producer, and cinematographer of “The Social Dilemma.” Larissa Rhodes is a filmmaker and the Head of Creative Development at Exposure Labs and a producer of “The Social Dilemma.” Our moderator, Dr. Yalda T. Uhls, is the Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Scholars & Storytellers, Author of Media Moms & Digital Dads, and a former movie executive.
This teen-focused episode about civic engagement in media features a conversation with Michael Schur, Dr. Pamela Hieronymi, and Navia Robinson, moderated by Maira Karan. Michael Schur is the creator of “The Good Place” and co-creator of “Parks and Recreation.” Dr. Pamela Hieronymi is a professor of philosophy at UCLA and consulted on “The Good Place.” Our teen guest, Navia Robinson, is an actress in Disney Channel’s “Raven’s Home” and Netflix’s “Free Rein.” Our moderator, Maira Karan, is a Ph.D. student at UCLA and a CSS Junior Fellow.
This episode about finding hope after loss in children's media features a conversation with Justinian Huang and Dr. Bridget Callaghan, moderated by George Huang. Justinian Huang is the head of development at Pearl Studio. Dr. Bridget Callaghan is an assistant professor of psychology at UCLA. George Huang is a screenwriter, director and professor in the school of theater, film, and television at UCLA. Brought to you in partnership with CAPE.
This episode of The Scholars & Storytellers Podcast is about Learning from Home: How Can Storytellers Play a Part in this New Normal? with Halle Stanford and Dr. Roberta Golinkoff. Halle Stanford is the President of Television at the Jim Henson Company. Dr. Roberta Golinkoff is the Unidel H. Rodney Sharp Professor of Education, Psychological and Brain Sciences, and Linguistics and Cognitive Science at the University of Delaware and director of the Child’s Play, Learning, and Development Laboratory.
This is part 3 of a special series of episodes of the Scholars & Storytellers Podcast. We interviewed students from our CSS Youth Insights Council. They are a fantastic group of students interested in the intersection of psychology and entertainment. We asked them some pretty difficult questions, but they are truly wise beyond their years. We hope you enjoy!
This is part 2 of a special series of episodes of the Scholars & Storytellers Podcast. We interviewed students from our CSS Youth Insights Council. They are a fantastic group of students interested in the intersection of psychology and entertainment. We asked them some pretty difficult questions, but they are truly wise beyond their years. We hope you enjoy!
This is part 1 of a special series of episodes of the Scholars & Storytellers Podcast. We interviewed students from our CSS Youth Insights Council. They are a fantastic group of students interested in the intersection of psychology and entertainment. We asked them some pretty difficult questions, but they are truly wise beyond their years. We hope you enjoy!
This episode of The Scholars & Storytellers Podcast is about Talking About Race: How Storytellers Can Facilitate Important Conversations with Koyalee Chanda and Dr. Allison Briscoe Smith. Koyalee Chanda is the VP of kids and animation at Hello Sunshine. Dr. Allison Briscoe-Smith is a child clinical psychologist and the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Wright Institute.
This episode about Media and Early Childhood Learning features a conversation between Vicki Ariyasu and Diane Ikemiyashiro. Vicki Ariyasu's title is: is Vice President, Disney Channels Worldwide Diversity & Inclusion, Disney Junior Education Resource Group. Diane Ikemiyashiro's title is: is Executive Director, Original Programming, Disney Junior.
This episode about the Representation of Race and Gender in Theatre for Young Audiences features a conversation between Michael J. Bobbitt, Pearl Cleage, Benj Pasek, and Dr. Yalda T. Uhls. Michael J Bobbit is the Artistic Director of the New Repertory Theatre. Pearl Cleage is a Distinguished Playwright in Residence at the Alliance Theatre. Benj Pasek is an Oscar, Grammy, Tony, and Golden Globe Award-Winning Songwriter. Yalda T. Uhls is the Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Scholars & Storytellers.
This episode about the Representation of Boys and Men in Media features a conversation between Dr. Caroline Heldman and Sascha Paladino. Dr. Heldman is the Executive Director of The Representation Project and the Senior Research Advisor for the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. Sascha Paladino is the executive producer of Disney's "Mira, Royal Detective," and creator of Disney's "Miles From Tomorrowland." This episode was recorded on February 14, 2020.
This episode about How the Pandemic will change the landscape of Children’s media features a conversation between Dr. Ellen Wartella and Nancy Kanter. Dr. Wartella is the Director of the Center on Media and Human Development at Northwestern University, and Nancy Kanter is executive vice president of Content and Creative Strategy at Disney Channels Worldwide.
This episode features a conversation between Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang and Lisa Henson. Dr. Immordino-Yang is a Professor of Education, Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Southern California. Lisa Henson is the CEO and President of The Jim Henson Company, overseeing all television and feature film production from early development through post-production.
This episode features a conversation between Dr. Yalda T. Uhls and George Huang. Uhls is the Founder of the Center for Scholars & Storytellers, and an internationally recognized, award-winning research scientist, educator, and author, studying how media affect young people. George Huang is a Professor of Screenwriting at the UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television, and the writer and director of the film Swimming With Sharks.