Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program: Recent Episodes
Your 8-18 Year-Old Friends & Neighbors from Aspen to Rifle
AZYEP empowers youth from diverse backgrounds to express themselves, build self-confidence, and develop leadership skills through community broadcasting. AZYEP offers an inclusive, safe space for students to discover and use their voice. We facilitate learning opportunities through four programs on KDNK: live music broadcast, public affairs, youth news team and classroom collaborations.
AZYEP Executive Director Brendan Girardot and Program Manager Adele Craft join KDNK’s Chris Hassig and Cody Lee on Express Yourself to celebrate AZYEP’s 25th Anniversary Birthday Bash. They have a lively conversation about the event’s highlights, the organization’s impact over the years, and what’s ahead for youth radio in the Roaring Fork Valley.
On May 30, 2025, Brendan, Parker and Megan from the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program joined Brian Colley from KDNK' Express Yourself for an interview about the 25th Birthday Bash and more.
Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program Interns Charlie, Zenobia and Caden interview members of the cast and team behind "Classroom 4," a short film that was shown at Aspen Film's Shorts Fest in April.
Sophia and other 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade students at Ross Montessori School wrote and recorded poems to celebrate Earth Day.
Megan Webber, the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program's News & Education Director, sits down with Cath Adams, the founder of Aperture of Hope, and a fentanyl survivor with her daughter to discuss why fentanyl poisoning is so dangerous and why sharing stories of surviving it is important for personal healing and community awareness.
Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program Intern Caden Smith interviews musician Michael Marcagi before a concert at TACAW.
AZYEP interns host the 5th episode of Connecting with Conversation, a roundtable conversation concerning social media and the impacts on mental health. Community leaders, educators, mental health professionals, and Roaring Fork Valley teens discuss the positive and negative aspects of social media and strategies for being mindful.
On this special Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program podcast, students from Yampah Mountain High School participate in a roundtable discussion about how teens can cope with difficult adults in their lives.
On this special Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program podcast, Intern Caden Smith interviews local student musician Edie Obyrne about her band Photostatic. Edie also plays two songs live in the KDNK studio.
Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program Intern Caden Smith interviews fellow Intern Charlie Hippensteel along with Sam Kallal and Clover Way about their student-led production of "The Minutes" at Glenwood Springs High School.
Gerardo and other students in the special needs class at Glenwood Springs High School wrote and recorded kindness PSAs with suggestions about how to be kind.
Megan Webber, program director of the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program, interviews Suzanne Wheeler-Del Piccolo from Raising A Reader Aspen to Parachute about the upcoming Children's Arts and Literacy Festival. They are joined by Mx Red from the Glenwood Springs Library and Alex Garcia-Bernal from Garfield County Libraries.
Seven students from the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program's 2024 Carbondale Staycation summer camp created a podcast about what makes Carbondale a fun place to live and visit.
AZYEP intern Jem Badgett (AKA The Cool Kat) sits down with members of the creative team behind GlenWOODSTOCK, a teen-powered and driven music festival taking place at the Glenwood Rec Center on July 20th. Featuring music by local singer/songwriter Tristan Trincado.
The Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program, the Aspen Hope Center and AspenOUT hosted the fourth part of a series focusing on teen mental health in the Roaring Fork Valley. The discussion took place on April 22nd and aired in June to celebrate Pride Month.
Axel, Morgan and other 3rd grade students at Crystal River Elementary School wrote and recorded PSAs about water conservation encouraging listeners to save water.
Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program Interns Esmeralda Alverde Duarte and Zenobia Todd interview Megan Webber, Rikako Baba and Alex Protsenko from Rotary Youth Exchange.
Soul Connection hosts Sarah and Zenobia are joined by Erik DaRosa, co-creator and co-host of the podcast From Survivor to Thriver.
Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program Intern Charlie Hippensteel takes a closer look at a new E-hall pass system that Glenwood Springs High School is trying out this school year.
Soul Connection hosts Sarah and Zenobia talk with Selene Grajales about the Roaring Fork School District Family Resource Center and how it helps students in need.
Middle school students in the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program's Radio 101 class wanted to know what it's like to work in community theater, so they interviewed some experts from around Carbondale to learn all about it.
The Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program and the Aspen Hope Center hosted the third part of a series focusing on teen mental health in the Roaring Fork Valley. The conversation took place on November 14th and focused on mental health strategies and the holidays.
Following a recent death in the Roaring Fork Valley community, Soul Connection hosts Sarah Fedishen and Zenobia Todd talk with Sonja Linman about how to work together to find hope and build resilience in the wake of a tragic event.
Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program interns Esmeralda and Zenobia interview Eliette Rutledge, a Roaring Fork Valley native who now spends her time as a freediver in Mexico and the Caribbean.
A brand new Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program podcast kicks off with Chatter's Box host Brooks Chatman and Crista Barlow, Roaring Fork High School Athletic Director. Brooks and Crista discuss the future of RFHS varisty football, Homecoming Week and more. Then, AZYEP Program Director Megan Webber interviews Brooks about what listeners will hear this year on The Chatter's Box.
On this month's episode of Soul Connection, hosts Zenobia Todd and Sarah Fedishen discuss simple acts of kindness and challenge listeners to do one kind act every day.
On this month's episode of Dimensions in Diversity, host Kaleb Cook talks with Bryan Alvarez-Terrazas from the Manaus Equity Project and Mads Partridge from Mountain Pride about an upcoming equity speaker series event to celebrate Disabled Employment Month and the work that local organizations are doing to uplift and provide visibility for LGBTQ and disabled communities.
Middle school students participated in a summer radio workshop with the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program in July of this year. The topic: how to have a Carbondale staycation.
Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program Intern Esmeralda interviews the 2023 Chris Klug Foundation Award Winners Katrina Fountain, Dave Galbenski and Maria Fernanda Filizola about their work in the organ transplantation community.
On this month's episode of Brain Garden, host Jenell Hilderbrand talks with special guest Dylan Mangurian about drug addiction and recovery.
Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program Intern Zenobia Todd and Sarah Fedishen of the Aspen Hope Center discuss the second part of AZYEP's mental health roundtable discussion, "Reconnecting With Conversation: Relationships." The discussion was held on July 11 and aired on KDNK on August 3.
On this month's episode of Dimensions in Diversity, host Kaleb Cook talks with Bryan Alvarez-Terrazas from the Maunas Equity Project and Claudia Pawl from Convey Language Solutions about how access to language equity impacts that Latino and deaf communities.
The Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program, Aspen Hope Center and Aspen Community Foundation hosted the second part of a series focusing on teen mental health in the Roaring Fork Valley. The conversation took place on July 11th and focused on teen relationships with each other and with the adults in their lives.
The Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program's outgoing leadership duo Beth Wysong and Adele Craft pass the torch to Aimee Yllanes and Megan Webber, incoming Executive Director and Program Director.
AZYEP Intern Zenobia Todd and Sarah Fedishen of the Aspen Hope Center discuss what it looks like to have normal anxiety versus a disorder, as well as strategies and resources.
Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program interns Zenobia Todd and Esmeralda Alverde Duarte talk with Angilina Taylor and Lindsey Lupow of HeadQuarters. They discuss the organization's mission and goals, mental fitness, and strategies.
Hosts Sarah Fedishen of the Aspen Hope Center and Zenobia Todd, AZYEP intern, talk with Bridges High School counselor Maggie Riley about a summer mental health toolkit, wellness strategies, and more.
Colorado Rocky Mountain School students partnered with the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program to create podcasts. Cooper Cantor tells the story of Ejnar Mikkelsen and Iver Iversen's famous Greenland expedition.
Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program intern, Esmeralda Alverde Duarte talks with Stephanie Villavicencio, founder of Tits Deep for Breast Cancer. They discuss breast health awareness, education, and advocacy.
Adele Craft and Zenobia Todd of the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program talk with Sarah Fedishen of the Aspen Hope Center about their recent teen mental health roundtable event. They discuss highlights of the event, what they learned, and strategies for staying mentally well.
Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program intern, Esmeralda Alverde-Duarte, talks with Addison Hobbs and Baker Casagrande of the Aspen Science Center about the organization's mission, programs, upcoming events, and the importance of STEM education.
The Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program and the Aspen Hope Center hosted a roundtable conversation called "Reconnecting with Conversation." Students from Bridges High School, Roaring Fork High School, Glenwood Springs High School, Basalt High School, and Aspen High School, along with community members, educators, and organization leaders, came together to discuss teen mental health. Topics included mental health observations, schools and mental health, parent/teen communication, and mental health strategies.Participants included students from the various high schools, the AZYEP internship cohort, Adele Craft, Beth Wysong, Aspen Hope Center's Sarah Fedishen, Michelle Muething and Brandon Jones, Mid Valley Family Practice, Aspen Strong, James Steindler of the Sopris Sun, Amanda Petersen of FocusedKids, Jason Hodges, and educators – Garrett Peters, Maggie Riley, and Sunny McClain.
Fourth grade students at Glenwood Springs Elementary School explored the various regions of Colorado's landscape. Here they present each of region. | Los estudiantes de cuarto grado de la Escuela Primaria Glenwood Springs exploraron las diversas regiones del paisaje de Colorado.Listen to all the GSES pieces here.
Students in Eric Lamb's English Language Development classes at Roaring Fork High School collaborated to write and produce original songs. They talk about the songwriting process and what the songs mean to them. Their three original songs debuted on this show at KDNK. To learn more about the project, visit their websites:ELD 3+ music project websiteELD 3 music project website
Colorado Rocky Mountain School students partnered with the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program to create podcasts. Kai Galbraith talks with Orchard Church pastor, Doug Self, and death doula, Akaljeet Khalsa, about their perspectives on death and dying.
Colorado Rocky Mountain School students partnered with the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program to create podcasts. Henry O'Hagan talks about a day in the life of a student pilot in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Hosts Sarah Fedishen of the Aspen Hope Center and Zenobia Todd, AZYEP intern, talk with licensed social worker Patti Present about mental health amongst teens and children in the Roaring Fork Valley. Patti draws from her many years of experience as an educator and social worker.
Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program interns Esmeralda Alverde Duarte and Zenobia Todd talk with guests Erin Loftus and Molly DeMarr of Challenge Aspen. They discuss outdoor recreation, inclusivity, and accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
AZYEP Intern, Esmeralda, talks with participants at the 2023 AspenOUT Gay Ski Week Youth Skating Party. Student and adult attendees reflect on why Gay Ski Week is an important event and offer messages of hope for LGBTQAI+ youth.
For this episode of "When I Grow Up," middle school students from Ross Montessori School partnered with the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program to learn about the career of a fencing coach. They interviewed Roaring Fork Fencers Club head coach Greg Domashovetz and student fencer, Faye.
Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program intern, Blake Petersen, talks with Jessi Rochel and Anna Morgan-Palardy of the Chris Klug Foundation. They discuss the importance of education and awareness about eye, organ, and tissue donation.
Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program intern, Esmeralda, hosts Will Hodges of 350 Colorado for a conversation about environmental activism, youth involvement, and local issues.
Glenwood Springs High School senior, Ruby Maurer, shares her senior capstone project on KDNK. Ruby performs radio improv with four of her fellow students. They discuss the capstone project, improv basics, embarrassing stories, and more.
Beth Wysong and Adele Craft, Executive Director and Program Manager of the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program talk about program highlights for 2022 and look forward to 2023.
Third grade students at Sopris Elementary School studied how kids in other countries travel to school and get books. Here, students discuss how they get books. / Los estudiantes de tercer grado de la Escuela Primaria Sopris estudiaron cómo los niños de otros países viajan a la escuela y obtienen libros. Aquí, los estudiantes discuten cómo obtienen los libros.
Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program's Adele Craft speaks with Brain Garden show host and founder of Cainegel's Connection Foundation. They talk about Jenell's organization, Brain Garden, loss, mental wellness, and messages of hope going into 2023.
Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program high school intern, Zenobia Todd, talks with Program Director, Sarah Fedishen, of the Aspen Hope Center. They talk about teen mental health trends, challenges, and resources in the Roaring Fork Valley.
7th and 8th grade students from Ross Montessori School partnered with the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program to interview Carbondale band, The Red Hill Rollers. They talk about musical inspirations and having a career in music.
Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program intern, Esmeralda Alverde Duarte, talks with Casey Piscura from Seed Peace. They discuss regenerative agriculture, sustainability, and farming for the future in the Roaring Fork Valley.
The Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program's Program Manager, Adele Craft, sits down with Amanda Petersen, the Executive Director of Focused Kids. They talk about mental health, wellness strategies, and self regulation skills.
The Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program's Program Manager, Adele Craft, sits down with Kaleb Cook, board member for PFLAG Roaring Fork. They talk about the mission of the organization, ways to bring more inclusivity and equity for members of the LGBTQ2S+ community to the Roaring Fork Valley, and upcoming events.
The Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program's program manager, Adele Craft, talks with Maribel Obreque and Jill Pidcock from the Arc of the Central Mountains. They discuss inclusivity and programs for individuals with disabilities in our community.
Students from Riverside Middle School in New Castle worked with the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program to write and record original monologues.
Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program intern, Zenobia Todd talks with 2022 Colorado Teacher of the Year, Autumn Rivera. They discuss what it means to be Teacher of the Year, rural education, community building, equity, and mental health.
Host James Steindler talks with college freshman Marlo Bowman about what it is like a be a part of the LGBTQIA+ community in the Roaring Fork Valley as a young person today and a young person 20 years ago. They also discuss the importance of GSAs (Gender Sexuality Alliance) in schools. Support for this show comes from AspenOUT.
Students from the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program's middle school summer workshop "Carbondale Staycation" share their final project: a radio travel guide for Carbondale. Students highlight favorite places to visit and things to do in town. We also hear from AZYEP DJ and student intern Andy B., and Aly Sanguily reflecting on this year's Mountain Fair.
Student interns from the Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program partnered with EcoFlight and the Aspen Youth Center to fly over the Roaring Fork and Crystal River valleys. They learned about the importance of these waterways and conservation strategies. Come along with us on the flight, hear student interviews, and a conversation with Michaela Idhammar-Ketpura from AYC and Lea Linse from EcoFlight.
The Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program (AZYEP) visited high school students of Trio Upward Bound in Lake and Eagle counties during their summer program residential stay at Colorado Mountain College in Leadville. AZYEP spent time learning about the program and joined a creative writing class discussion about reliance and what brings us hope for the future.
Adele Craft and Beth Wysong talk with three kids in our community that are getting out of their comfort zones. Dylan and Macy talk about their experience sleeping outside for over a year, and Blake discusses going on an Ecoflight over the Roaring Fork watershed.
AZYEP's youth intern, Kenza Carolan, speaks with Regna Jones from Aspen Film about the power of short film. They talk about personal anecdotes, film and young people, and the power of films to connect all of us.
The Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program's project coordinator, Adele Craft, talks with Amanda Petersen of Focused Kids about ways that students, teachers, and parents can incorporate mindfulness and self regulation strategies into their lives.
The Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program's project coordinator, Adele Craft, speaks with guests Suzanne Wheeler and Rosa Vargas of Raising a Reader, as well as local children's book author Lisa Dancinglight and Andrea Suarez, Early Childhood Family Liaison. They discuss the importance of early literacy and bilingual education. You will also hear a special reading of the Spanish translation of Lisa's book, Magic Mountain.
AZYEP partners with Mind Springs Health to educate and inform about mental wellness. Take a listen to why mental health is important to Yampah Mountain High School Students. Find more mental health tips here.Thank you to Mind Springs Health and the Western Colorado Community Foundation for support with this project.
Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program's, Adele Craft, talks with author, educator, and musician, Lisa Dancing-Light, about her new book Magic Mountain.
4th Grade students from Crystal River Elementary School wrote and recorded original poems to share with the community. Take a listen.
4th Grade students from Crystal River Elementary School wrote and recorded original poems to share with the community. Take a listen.
4th Grade students from Crystal River Elementary School wrote and recorded original poems to share with the community. Take a listen.
4th Grade students from Crystal River Elementary School wrote and recorded original poems to share with the community. Take a listen.
4th Grade students from Crystal River Elementary School wrote and recorded original poems to share with the community. Take a listen.
4th Grade students from Crystal River Elementary School wrote and recorded original poems to share with the community. Take a listen.
4th Grade students from Crystal River Elementary School wrote and recorded original poems to share with the community. Take a listen.
4th Grade students from Crystal River Elementary School wrote and recorded original poems to share with the community. Take a listen.
4th Grade students from Crystal River Elementary School wrote and recorded original poems to share with the community. Take a listen.
4th Grade students from Crystal River Elementary School wrote and recorded original poems to share with the community. Take a listen.
4th Grade students from Crystal River Elementary School wrote and recorded original poems to share with the community. Take a listen.