In October 2024, high school and middle school student leaders gathered together for the SHSD Youth Summit on Antisemitism in the BHS PAC to learn about antisemitism on a personal and international level, discrimination, and to collaborate with high school and middle school students. As a result of the Summit, six middle school students wanted to do something with the knowledge they learned. 

This group of eight eighth graders at Bernardsville Middle School used the inspiration they received from the event they attended to start a new podcast called, We Listen and We Don’t Judge. This podcast discusses social injustices and human rights. The group includes Katherine East, Sianna Ecklund, Ashley Mann, Isabella Mattos, Aaliya Pattankaik, and Ameya Ram, and their supervisor, Ms. Brett Cox. The podcasters were especially drawn to the topics of Antisemitism and mental health, mainly because these are the topics that are “relatable to their community.” The podcasts produced by these students have a great amount of research and preparation behind them, as they spend a lot of time familiarizing themselves with the subjects they discuss. They also value being able to interview people with firsthand experiences with the matters at hand. 

On their first podcast episode about Antisemitism, they had the opportunity to interview Avi Seigel, Director of Teen Initiatives at Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ. Avi shared his experience of the discrimination he has suffered throughout his life and how he has been treated for his religion. The students say that “hearing his personal experience helped them understand other people’s experiences”. They consider themselves very lucky to have had the chance to hear his perspective and to have him as a guest on their podcast. Their second podcast was focused on mental health and discussed managing stress, anxiety, and depression with BMS guidance counselor, Ms. Pascarelli. 

Podcasting is growing worldwide, and now there are 4.5 million podcasts available worldwide, according to a stat by Tveveys.com. Starting something new in middle school is a great way to expand different skills, especially as it helps them gain “valuable experience to learn how to research and edit.” The members’ main goal is to grow their skills in the podcasting world, but also “help people in their community even if they don’t know them personally.”