Kidsburgh Podcast
Welcome to the Kidsburgh Podcast, where we interview the people and explore the destinations that make Pittsburgh a great place for families. Along with insights and advice to help parents and caregivers raise the kids they love, we’ve also got an insider perspective from kids and teens themselves. It’s all packed into podcast episodes that grownups and kids can listen to together.
Our podcast is hosted by the Kidsburgh team — Kristine Sorensen, Melissa Rayworth and Yu-Ling Cheng — and recorded by SLB Radio Productions. Get all the details here.
Find us on Apple Podcasts, Pandora and Spotify, at the SLB website, or listen right here:
Join hosts Yu-Ling Cheng, Melissa Rayworth and Kristine Sorensen to learn how even the littlest Pittsburghers can get involved in volunteering, then hear stories from groundbreaking educator Maureen Frew, who helped launch the #bethekindkid movement. Maureen shares about promoting kindness and creativity in our homes and our schools. Then our latest episode wraps up with teens from around Pittsburgh sharing what they are grateful for as 2024 comes to a close.
Links: VolunTOTs and #bethekindkid
Download episode | Play in new window | File size: 38.8 MB
Join hosts Yu-Ling Cheng, Melissa Rayworth and Kristine Sorensen fo for an exploration of Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve and a conversation with Ray Abel on developing tech solutions to help those with disabilities. Also, teens from around Pittsburgh describe what would make life easier for them.
Links: Beechwood Farms and Ray Abel
Download episode | Play in new window | File size: 25.1 MB
Join hosts Yu-Ling Cheng, Melissa Rayworth and Kristine Sorensen for an exploration of The Seesaw Center and a conversation with Ryan Rydzewski, co-author of “When You Wonder, You’re Learning,” about learning science and the role of wonder in everyday learning. Also, teens from around Pittsburgh give advice to parents and caregivers on helping them prepare for school.
Links: The Seesaw Center and “When You Wonder, You’re Learning“
Download episode | Play in new window | File size: 31.5 MB
S1 Ep9: Contemporary Craft, Bill Strickland on developing Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, and honest teen talk about the importance of arts in school
Join hosts Yu-Ling Cheng, Melissa Rayworth, and Kristine Sorensen for an exploration of Contemporary Craft and a conversation with Bill Strickland, founder of Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild on how to cure the human spirit. Also, teens from around Pittsburgh describe the importance of having arts programs in school.
Links: Contemporary Craft and Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild
Download episode | Play in new window | File size: 36.5 MB
S1 Ep8: Boyce Park, Olympic medalist Lauryn Williams on being ready for change, how teens need support in afterschool activities
Join hosts Yu-Ling Cheng, Melissa Rayworth, and Kristine Sorensen for an exploration of the local gem Boyce Park (where families can ski affordably right near the city of Pittsburgh) and an inspiring conversation with Lauryn Williams, a multiple medal-winning Olympian (Summer and Winter Games!) and an empowering financial wellness coach. Also, teens from around Pittsburgh who are involved in afterschool sports and other activities talk about what parents and caregivers can do to help them most.
Links: Boyce Park and Lauryn Williams
Download episode | Play in new window | File size: 37.6 MB
S1 Ep7: Ohiopyle, Chris Loggins on producing “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” and kids give their honest opinions about using digital tools in school
Join hosts Yu-Ling Cheng, Melissa Rayworth, and Kristine Sorensen for an exploration of beautiful, family-friendly Ohiopyle State Park. Then hear a conversation with Chris Loggins, supervising producer for “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” who takes us behind the scenes at this beloved show for preschoolers and shares about the show’s visits around Pittsburgh (check out details on how your child can audition to be on the show). Also, teens from around Pittsburgh get real about the pros and cons of using digital tools for research and work at school in our “Tea with Teens” segment.
Links: Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Ohiopyle State Park
Download episode | Play in new window | File size: 30.7 MB
S1 Ep6: Allegheny RiverTrail Park, astronaut Mike Fincke on pursuing your dreams, and thoughts from the SLB teens on the jobs they’d most like to shadow
Join hosts Yu-Ling Cheng, Melissa Rayworth and Kristine Sorensen as they explore fun available for all ages at Allegheny RiverTrail Park, then get some out-of-this-world advice on pursuing ambitious dreams from astronaut Mike Fincke. Then, the SLB teens talk about the kinds of grownup jobs they’d most like to shadow.
Links: Allegheny RiverTrail Park and Mike Fincke/NASA.gov
S1 Ep5: Exploring local libraries, advice from magician Mr. Messado on doing what you love, and straight talk about the phone rules teens would create
Join hosts Yu-Ling Cheng, Melissa Rayworth, and Kristine Sorensen as they discover just how many interesting things families can find at local libraries (from maker centers to musical instruments and so much more) and then hear our enlightening conversation with professional magician Mr. Messado. And dip into our latest visit with the Tea with Teens crew, when these local teenagers share honest thoughts about the mobile phone rules they’d make for themselves and what they’d love grown-ups to consider.
Links: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and Mr. Messado at Liberty Magic
S 1 Ep4: Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, Steeler star Cam Heyward on contributing to your community, and real talk from teens about video sharing platforms
Join hosts Yu-Ling Cheng, Melissa Rayworth, and Kristine Sorensen as they discover the magic of the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, and then talk with beloved Steeler Cam Heyward about ways kids can get inspired to give back to their community. Wrapping up the episode, local teens give us their opinions about video sharing platforms like Youtube and TikTok.
Links: Pittsburgh Botanic Garden and the Cameron Heyward Foundation
S1 Ep3: Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary, Megs Yunn on spreading joy through Beverly’s Birthdays, and how teens really view tracking apps
Join hosts Yu-Ling Cheng, Melissa Rayworth, and Kristine Sorensen as they tell listeners about a super-fun destination, the Hope Haven farm animal sanctuary in Sewickley, and then dive into a conversation with Beverly’s Birthdays founder and executive director, Megs Yunn. Also, teens from around Pittsburgh offer their honest thoughts on the tracking apps that parents and caregivers sometimes use with their kids.
Links: Hope Haven Farm and Beverly’s Birthdays
S1 Ep2: Assemble, Sylvia Acevedo on reaching your goals, and local teens on who they see as their role models and why
Join hosts Yu-Ling Cheng, Melissa Rayworth, and Kristine Sorensen as they learn about the community arts and tech space Assemble, and deep-dive into a conversation with rocket scientist and CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA (2016-2020), Sylvia Acevedo, about how kids and adults can reach their goals. Also, teens from around Pittsburgh share their honest thoughts on what makes for a good role model and who their role models are.
Links: “Path to the Stars” book by Sylvia Acevedo
S1 Ep1: Dragon’s Den, Travis Snider on youth athletics, and how to talk to teens
Join hosts Yu-Ling Cheng, Melissa Rayworth, and Kristine Sorensen for an exploration of the story behind indoor obstacle course, Dragon’s Den and a conversation with former Pittsburgh Pirates player, Travis Snider, on youth athletics. Also, teens from around Pittsburgh offer ways that parents and caregivers can have better conversations with them.
Links: Dragon’s Den, 3A Athletics videos, “Hero” sports parenting guidebook
Stay tuned for episodes 9 through 12, coming throughout October and November!
