Through the RIFT: Recent Episodes
Through the RIFT Podcast
Hi, welcome to our podcast! We are a group of high school students who talk about “Relevant Issues for Teens” (Get it? It's the acronym - RIFT). We wanted to share our struggles and opinions as young adolescents in hopes of helping others do the same! Get comfy, and join us as we discuss a new RIFT each episode :)
Let’s talk food. Keira and Claire take on the benefits of cooking and its sentimental value, while sharing their personal experiences in the kitchen. Listen in for inspiration to start cooking, to hear our opinions on its differences from baking, and to learn about the issues of food inequality that we address.
Claire’s YouTube channel rec: Tasting History with Max Miller https://www.youtube.com/c/TastingHistory
Keira’s “Recipe to Try:” A detailed pizza video by Adam Raguse - https://youtu.be/SDpCzJw2xm4
Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa
Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
Can you believe school is over already? This year went by so fast! In today’s episode, Claire, Jess, and Justin, in honor of school ending, discuss their summer plans and thoughts about going into their junior year of high school. They also share their thoughts about their sophomore year, comparing it with previous years of school. We hope you enjoy this episode! Have an amazing summer everyone :)
Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa
Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
Join Jess, Keira, and a new addition to the team, Justin, in this episode where we don’t just list our hobbies—we talk about the importance of keeping a work-life balance, laugh over some more grotesque hobbies, such as hotdog competitive eating, and discuss possible career applications that hobbies can have. We hope that we inspire you to explore some new hobbies or revisit your old pastimes!
For a glimpse into Justin’s many hobbies, check out Justin’s art page on Instagram @cen_cidy!
Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa
Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
Today's episode features an exceptional guest from India! Prisha runs a business called Crayons which focuses on self-love and appreciation. Our hosts for this episode are Keira and Claire, joining her in a discussion regarding the importance of self-care and mental health awareness. Together, they address the international perspectives regarding the experiences of being in a non-profit organization and the struggles of running a small business. There is so much more to unpack within this episode's release, so we hope you enjoy it as much as we do! Please check out her instagram as well @_prisha06_!
Hey everyone! In today’s episode we were honored to be joined by Grace Whiston. Grace runs a self love focused Instagram page, @goodvibeswithgrace, that she uses to spread love and positivity while sharing her journey with others. In this episode, Jess and Katie join Grace to talk about self love. They discuss the importance of self love, and talk about their individual journeys, sharing how different factors like COVID and starting high school have affected them along the way. We hope you enjoy this episode!
Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa
Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
In today's episode, Jess, Keira, and Tiffany discuss their ways of studying as high school students! They also share some struggles they face, as well as give some advice on studying strategies that our listeners can use. However, they also emphasize that everyone studies a different way and that some methods might not work for everyone. We hope you enjoy this episode!
Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
Happy Earth Day, everyone! In today’s episode, Jess, Katie, and Tiffany talk about Earth Day. They discuss the origins of Earth Day, environmental myths, Earth Day activities, and more! At the end of the episode, they do fun Earth Day trivia. Enjoy!
Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa
Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
In honor of Women’s History Month, in today’s episode, Claire, Katie, Keira, Jess, and Tiffany share their perspectives as young women in 2022. They begin by sharing their opinions on recent events that have altered women’s rights, and then discuss advancements in women’s rights, the feminism movement, and current cultural norms. Finally, they touch upon their aspirations as young women and hopes for the future of women as a whole. We understand that there are many varying opinions regarding the issues discussed in this episode, so we want to emphasize that these are simply our opinions, and we are open to different perspectives. We hope you enjoy this episode!
Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa
Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
College… the next step in our lives as high schoolers. Jess, Keira, and Tiffany discuss all the stress that comes with the looming idea of college. The expectations and work that goes into planning for university potentially puts tremendous pressure on a student to meticulously arrange their commitments in high school. Join us, as we try to balance living life and considering our futures.
Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
As the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing came to a close on Sunday, in today’s episode, Jess and Katie take on the event. From their perspective as student athletes, they discuss everything from the strange sports of the winter olympics to cheating and doping. To conclude the episode, they talk about the importance of sports and how sports have benefitted their lives. We hope you enjoy this episode!
Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa
Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
In today’s episode, Claire, Emersyn, Katie, and Keira talk about their baking failures, successes, and why they started this activity in the first place. For your enjoyment, some of the recipes that we personally use and mention will be listed below. Hope your baking attempts turn out well!
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/231745/red-velvet-crinkle-cookies/
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/24445/chewy-chocolate-chip-oatmeal-cookies/
https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/classic-cheesecake/
https://www.lifeasastrawberry.com/small-batch-crusty-bread/
Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa
Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
It’s 2022, and Keira, Jess, Tiffany, and Claire bring up the messy situation of Covid-19. As the pandemic drags on with new variants, such as Omicron, the new norm is getting the booster shot, possibly more remote school days, and flight cancellations. Listen in, and come up with your own predictions for what our future will look like, given Covid’s extended existence.
Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa
Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
In this episode, Jess, Claire, and Keira sit down and discuss this past year, now that it is the brand new year of 2022. 2021 was full of events that allowed for personal growth. The three discuss going back to school in-person, Covid-19 developments, and resolutions for the new year (We all know how those usually go, but we hope to actually be better individuals). Listen in, and think of some of your own goals you’re trying to achieve in 2022. Good luck! Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
Join Jess, Katie, and Keira, in their reminiscence over Christmas and Hanukkah memories. They talk about believing in Santa, the importance of giving back to the community, and their sheer joy when it comes time for the holidays and all of its festivities, such as holiday music. Enjoy, and happy holidays! Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
In this episode, Jess and Keira discuss meditation and its innumerable health benefits. Serving as more than a religious practice, meditation is a great activity to relieve anxiety and stress. Join them for a two-minute guided meditation to immerse yourself in the state of mindfulness. We hope you are able to relax with this episode!
In today's episode, Jess and Tiffany take on the topic of academic stress for the second episode in our academic stress series. They discuss factors of academic stress other than grades including friendships, time management, and independence. Sharing their personal experiences, they delve into these topics and end the episode by talking about different coping mechanisms for academic stress and the magnitude of this issue. Stay tuned for more episodes in this series!
Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
In this episode, Claire, Jess, and Keira talk about the environment! They discuss everything from climate change to the problems our environment is facing, and how we, as teenagers, can do to help. Most importantly, they talk about why the environment is a relevant issue for teens (RIFT), and why it is important that this topic is understood and discussed by teenagers. Toward the end of the episode, Jess also asks Claire and Keira halloween-themed trivia questions about the environment; feel free to play along and see what you know! We hope you enjoy this episode! Also, Happy Thanksgiving!! 🦃
Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa
Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
In today's episode, Katie, Jess, and Keira, are joined by a guest speaker, Sophia to compare their schools. They compare their school's class sizes, course offerings, food options, and facilities, as well as talk about what they like and dislike about their schools. We hope you enjoy this episode! Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
Join Keira, Katie, Claire, and Tiffany as they share their past halloween experiences to celebrate the spooky holiday. Be prepared for some scary stories, candy controversies, and more! HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY!!!
Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
This episode is a special one, where Keira, Claire, and Tiffany have a conversation about academic stress. They discuss the causes that might give rise to feeling overwhelmed, including procrastination (which you, of course, are never guilty of), the looming stage of applying for college, and their own expectations for themselves. They discuss some solutions that they use to combat their worries and share insight into work ethic and how they view education. In an Emergency: 911 Long Island Crisis Center: 516-679-1111 Nassau Mobile Crisis Unit: 516-227-8255 (TALK) 10am-11pm 7 days/wk Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) Cohen’s Behavioral Urgent Care: 718-470-3148
Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
In this episode, Katie, who is a fashion expert and Jess, who knows little about fashion, talk about fashion. With their different perspectives, they discuss everything from their personal styles to their opinions about different fashion trends and dress codes. Enjoy!
Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
In today's episode, Katie and Jess talk about pets. As dog owners, they talk about their dogs how they impacted their lives. They also discuss the importance of pets, responsibility, and being kind to animals. Throughout the episode they also share funny stories about their experiences with pets. Enjoy!
In this episode with Keira, Claire, and Janelle, the topic of menstruation–the overwhelmingly female experience is explored. They discuss the cramps many know all too well and the struggles when faced with ignorance. There is so much that society can improve on to spread awareness about menstrual health and dealing with periods, so listeners will be in for a treat!
Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa
Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
It's hard to believe it's time for school again! In today's episode, Jess and Josephine discuss going back to school. They talk about their apprehensions about going into their sophomore year, as well as COVID-19 and it's effect on education. They also discuss how their summers have been and what their summer assignments have been like. Through the RIFT wishes you the best of luck with your academic endeavors this school year! We hope you enjoy this episode!
Intro - Just for Fun by KETSA
Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
TRIGGER WARNING: this episode contains themes of murder, drugs, self-harm, and violence. In this episode, Tiffany and Jess discuss the harrowing case of Jennifer Pan. They begin this episode by narrating Jennifer's case and giving background information on Jennifer and her childhood. Then, they comment on the case and share insight as to why this case is a RIFT. We don't want to include too many details in the description because we don't want to spoil the case for you. We hope that this episode spread's awareness of Jennifer Pan's case, so hopefully the same horrific outcome in this story is not repeated. Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa, Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
This week’s episode is about games! Join Janelle and Tiffany as they mainly discuss one of their favorite games Genshin Impact, their experiences, and what makes them enjoy playing games in general! Intro - Just for Fun by KETSA Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
This week’s episode topic is K-pop! Join Keira, Josephine, Claire, and Janelle as they discuss cornerstone aspects of the global phenomenon, from album concepts and fan service to the trainee stage. They’ll dive into Asian representation, body expectations, and more, which have been massively influenced by the popular Asian music genre of K-pop. Enjoy!
In today's episode, Keira and Jess share their experience as debaters! This past school year, Keira competed in Novice PF (Public Forum) debate and Jess competed in Novice LD (Lincoln-Douglas) debate. They discuss why they chose to debate, their experience competing, and what they've learned from debating. Then, at the end of the episode, Jess and Keira break down the two most common forms of debate, LD and PF and share tips for people interested in becoming debaters. We hope you enjoy this episode! (Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa, Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED)
This episode is the second episode of our series, boba half hour! In today’s episode, while enjoying delicious bubble tea, Jess and Keira cover a variety of topics including the news, respect, character, consumer spending, and different foods (including boba). We hope to release more boba half hour episodes in the future, so stay tuned! Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa Outro- Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
In this episode, Tiffany and Jess chat on the bus ride home after their track divisional championship meet. In the episode they talk about the meet and what it is like competing in track and field. They also discuss everything from mindfulness to breakfast foods, with the added bonus of their teammates yelling in the background. We hope you enjoy it!
Intro music - Just for Fun by Ketsa Outro music - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
In this episode, join Keira and Josephine as they take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI test)! The free online test consists of 93 questions and sparks conversations about life, work, and social habits of their daily lives, as well as ones of emotional well-being, like the handling of stress or sentimentality. Also, results of the test include one's personality and how it influences the differing aspects of one's life. Enjoy!
Intro - Just for Fun by Ketsa Outro - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
In today's episode, Jess and Claire, who are in-person students, and Keira, who is a remote student, talk about their last day of school experiences during this school year like no other. They also share their plans for the summer and discuss the new COVID-19 guidelines in New York State. At the end of today's episode everyone also gives their predictions for the 2021-2022 school year about restictions, rules, and more. We hope you have a great summer, and stay tuned for episodes to come!
Intro music - Just for Fun by Ketsa Outro music - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
In today’s episode, Zaara, a teen podcaster, joins Jess and Claire to discuss the perks of teen podcasting, and what it means to them. As good friends, they also share their experiences on being high school athletes and simultaneously managing school work. Even after being in quarantine for almost a year, they discuss their expectations of the incoming school year as well. We hope you can find this episode relatable and enjoyable, and be sure to check out Zaara's amazing podcast! Zaara's instagram: @zaaramalik24 Zaara's Spotify podcast: Smart Zaara! Intro music - Just for Fun by Ketsa Outro music - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
Welcome back to the sequel of Long Run Convos! In this episode, Tiffany and Jess have a relaxed conversation at track practice during their cool-down run. They discuss a wide range of topics, from teenagers using steroids to pre-race anxiety to success. We hope this episode inspires others to be active and share their voices, so we encourage you to walk or run along during this episode. We hope to release more episodes like this in the future, so stay tuned! Intro music - Just for Fun by Ketsa Outro music - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED Sponsorships: off for this episode
This week's RIFT is about anime, one of the most popular sources of entertainment for teens. Listen to Tiffany, Emersyn, and Janelle discuss their favorite anime, genres, and how anime impacts them. Happy Through the RIFT Thursday, and enjoy!
Intro music - Just for Fun by Ketsa Outro music - Warm nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
In today’s episode, Claire joins Keira to discuss the RIFT, makeup. They discuss fashion and social media’s role in societal expectations around gender norms and wearing makeup. Buckle up, and get ready for a lecture on the importance of self-love and confidence. Intro music - Just for Fun by Ketsa Outro music - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
This is the first episode of one of our latest series, Boba Half-Hour, which is meant to be similar to “coffee hour,” in that in these episodes, we sip boba while having genuine conversations. In this episode, Jess, Keira, and Tiffany enjoy boba, and cover a variety of random topics including, their favorite types of boba, their English classes, working in a team, and friendship. We hope you enjoy this episode!
Intro music - Just for Fun by Ketsa
Outro music - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
Welcome to our new series, Long Run Convos! In this episode, Tiffany and Jess have a relaxed conversation at track practice during their cool-down run. They discuss a myriad of topics ranging from allergies, to masks, to the influence of drugs on teenagers. We hope this episode inspires others to be active and share their voices, so we encourage you to walk or run along during this episode. We hope to release more episodes like this in the future, so stay tuned!
Intro music - Just for Fun by Ketsa
Outro music - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
In today’s episode, we focus on the RIFT, music. Join us as we share our personal music tastes and why we feel that music is important. We open up about our experiences with playing musical instruments such as violin and clarinet, as well as listening to some of our favorite genres of music like Korean R&B and 2010 classics. Towards the end of the episode, we also recommend some of our favorite songs and artists. We hope you enjoy this episode!
Intro music - Just for Fun by Ketsa
Outro music - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
In today’s special episode, we take a break from discussing RIFTs and catch up with each other. In this casual conversation, we better introduce ourselves and discuss many topics, including vacationing and our hobbies. We plan on incorporating more of these special episodes into our podcast, so us, and our listeners can take a much-needed break and unwind. Enjoy! Intro music - Just for Fun by Ketsa Outro music - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
In this episode, we discuss social media and the effect it has on our everyday lives. Join us as we discuss our personal experiences with social media, as well as the potential dangers of using social media platforms. We share both the pros and cons of using social media, and at the end of the episode, we all answer the boding question: is social media a good or bad thing?
Intro music - Just for Fun by Ketsa
Outro music - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
This episode's RIFT focuses on physical health and fitness. We go in depth about our routines, what we do to stay active, as well as mental struggles we've gone through. We open up about the reality of fitness influencers and our insecurities, hoping our listeners will feel supported and heard. Enjoy!
Intro music - Just for Fun by Ketsa
Outro music - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED
In today's episode, we talk about the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has effected our lives, as three high school students. We examine how it changed our social lives, education, and mental health, as well as our hopes for the future after the pandemic. In this episode, we also go over what inspired to create Through the RIFT, and the pandemic's role in us choosing to create our podcast.
Intro music - Just for Fun by Ketsa
Outro music - Warm Nights by LAKEY INSPIRED