Teens Launch Political Podcast

Chicago, IL and Los Angeles, CA - April 10, 2020 - High school students and podcast co-host Stephen Knobel and Matthew Shapiro have launched the podcast series, “Teens Talk Politics.” The teenage co-hosts discuss the world, one controversial issue at a time. Their podcast provides listeners with well-researched, reliable information, unique perspectives, and interesting conversations. Their goal is to provide a solution to lengthy news segments, excessive screen time, and seamlessly fit into existing routines of teens and adults.

Episode 1 was posted on Spotify on April 2, 2020. Knobel and Shapiro reflected on the coronavirus pandemic. They analyzed and talked about COVID-19 on a social, political, and economic level. The hosts plan to release additional podcasts on a weekly basis. Episode 2 is expected to post on Monday, April 13, 2020, and will focus on the November 2020 Presidential election.

Shapiro states, “we believe that it is important to hear about politics from a teen’s perspective because it allows for another generation’s voice to be heard. Not only does our podcast provide teens with an outlet to listen to kids like them, but it also provides adults an opportunity to listen to a younger generation and their views.” He continues, “Stephen and I always talked about politics and were encouraged by friends and family to make a podcast. The silver lining of the Stay at Home orders related to COVID-19 is that our schedules are more flexible and we have more time to pursue our passion for journalism.”

“Matthew and I believe that it is important for Americans to hear opinions from a younger generation because today’s youth is not just tomorrow’s future, but today’s future. We want to ensure that our generation has a voice and is heard. Furthermore, current politicians must listen to today’s youth so that their legislative efforts result in progressive bills that look towards the future. If they fail to hear today’s youth, America, as a country, will miss an opportunity.” stated Knobel. “The world has been flipped upside down by COVID-19, starting a podcast about our world’s most relevant and debated political issues, especially in the wake of this crisis is a great way to make our impact within the world,” stated Co-Host Knobel. “Through this podcast, Matthew and I hope to entertain, share a unique perspective with people, but most importantly, inform. We hope to give people reliable information and a balanced perspective amid a world filled with biased news.”

Stephen Knobel is a high school student living in a northern suburb of Chicago. Knobel understands that film, television, and digital are collaborative communication mediums. He combines a passion for media and storytelling through directing, producing, writing, editing and serving as a correspondent as he covers hyper-local news and creates visionary pieces to help promote businesses, organizations, agencies, and causes. Knobel is a leader with several charitable organizations including Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education (SCOPE) and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. He is also a part of his high school's Holocaust Remembrance Day Planning Committee, his high school's mock trial team, and he is the Executive Producer of his high school's media and broadcasting club.

Matthew Shapiro is a high school student living in a suburb northwest of Los Angeles. Shapiro has lived and breathed sports from a young age. He has combined his love for writing and sports. As a youth writer/reporter he has covered the Lakers for Armchair All-Americans and now covers the LA Wildcats of the XFL for XFL News Hub. Outside of writing, Shapiro volunteers for West Hills Champions, an organization that helps children with disabilities/special needs play baseball and interact with one another. He is also a member of his school's soccer team.

Links to Podcast

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/34njagquxWaE03kajw7YUJ

Anchor.FM: https://anchor.fm/teenstalk-politics

Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/teens-talk-politics-1

RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/teens-talk-politics-WP9NOR

Coming soon: Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Pocket Casts.