Soundings

The Sound of Profit

Follow Jacob, Miles, and Victor through a story about musical exploitation, globalization, and hope, starting with the creation of Jazz and concluding with the future of Afrobeats. 
 
Names: Jacob Matlof, Miles C. Selles, and Victor Chen
Interviewees:
Bolaji Oyedepo 
Bolaji Oyedepo is an Nigerian American musician from Houston, Texas, paving his own way in the modern music industry with the fusion of Afrobeats with hip hop and R&B. He’s known for his primarily afrobeats song “OWO!”.
Viranshi Vira
Viranshi Vira is a student at Case Western University. Raised in Los Angeles, Vira found her love for K-pop during the pandemic and has been fascinated by the industry ever since. However, she’s also aware of the forces that shape the K-pop industry.
Dr. Pheaross Graham - music.stanford.edu/people/pheaross-graham
Dr. Pheaross Graham is a Mellon Fellow at the Stanford Humanities Center and Lecturer in the Department of Music at Stanford University. He is a musicologist and concert pianist with expertise in nineteenth- and twentieth-century Western art and African American music. 
Research: No research was explicitly cited in the episode. However, the following resources were consulted during the development of the podcast:
The Origins of Jazz - Jazz Observer
Elvis Presley’s ‘Hound Dog’: Big Mama Thornton’s Influence – Rolling Stone
Little Richard: I Am Everything Documentary Review – Rolling Stone
Studs Terkel Radio Archive - Jazz Topics
Forum Discussion on Record Label Hopping in the 50s and 60s
Big Mama Thornton – Wikipedia
Hound Dog (Song) – Wikipedia
WhoSampled - Elvis Presley's ‘Hound Dog’ Covers
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller – Wikipedia
Fela Kuti – Wikipedia
Fela Kuti Official Website
Is K-pop Afrobeats Here to Stay? – JoySauce
 
Music Acknowledgements:
“Hound Dog” by Big Mama Thornton, Youtube 
“Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley, Youtube
“Tutti Frutti” by Little Richard, Youtube
“Money” by Pink Floyd, Youtube
“Shakara” by Fela Kuti, Youtube
“OWO!” by Bōlají, Provided by Artist, Deezer
“Smart” by Le Sserafim, Youtube
“Dynamite” by BTS, Youtube 

Secret Graffiti

Katie Cheng, Lela Hanson, Reyna Duffy, and Will YuThis is a story about a girl named Katie who suddenly discovers that her seeminglystraight-laced, engineer dad used to lead a secret life as a graffiti artist. Fueled by curiosity andwonder, she sets out on a journey to learn more. From exploring hidden graffiti tunnels withfriends to having an eye-opening conversation with her dad, Katie uncovers surprising truthsabout his past—and gains a new perspective on her own.Interviewee:Dave Cheng - Katie’s FatherDave is a key character in our podcast being the spark that ignited Katie’s personal journey. As aproduct of his environment, Dave turned to graffiti during his teenage years, quickly becoming afairly well-known graffiti artist in San Francisco. Through his graffiti years, we highlight themotives behind graffiti and use his story to reflect on the theme of “growing up.”Music Acknowledgements:From Blue Dot Studios● Order of Entrance● Bauxite● Borough● Small World Reveals● Hardboil● Gene’s Waltz● Lakkalia● Curious Kepler● Mood Unit● One Quiet Conversation● Dorica ThemeKevin Macleod● Limit 70● I Got a Stick Arr Bryan TeohLeonard Rosenman● Star Trek IV Opening Titles, via Cpt. Cybernaut on YouTube
 
 

Vernon vs. Exide: The Fight For Justice

How can supposedly green initiatives, such as battery recycling, still result in dirty outcomes?Community members in Vernon, California, fight to shut down a local battery recycling plantbecause its toxic waste is polluting their air, water, and soil. The company and governmentalagencies that are supposed to be responsible fail to listen and act, forcing the community to takeever more dramatic action. This episode examines their fight for environmental justice andhighlights the distinction between policy-driven environmentalism and the real-worldconsequences that disproportionately harm minority communities.
Episode AuthorsSamuel Desai, Alice Heiman, Ian BriskiInterviews:Rossmery ZayasCommunity organizing since the age of 14, Rossmery Zayas is now a South East Los Angeles(SELA) Youth Organizer at Communities for a Better Environment (CBE). She works extensivelyin grassroots activism, and has participated in several campaigns, including shutting down thetoxic battery recycling plant facility owned by Exide Technologies (one of the world’s largestproducers and distributors of batteries) in Vernon, California. Rossmery Zayas majored inCommunication Studies and studied at Humboldt State University, East Los Angeles College, andCal State LA.Organization link: https://www.cbecal.org/Dr. Jenna ForsythDr. Jenna Forsyth is a research scientist affiliated with the School of Medicine, Woods Institutefor Environment, and King Center for Global Development at Stanford University. Dr. Forsyth’swork addresses the global environmental health problems stemming from contaminants in air,water, soil, and food. Her recent work revolves around lead pollution in South Asia, where shechampioned getting lead out of turmeric in Bangladesh.Website link: https://jennaforsyth.com/Mari Rose TarucMari Rose Taruc is a Filipino-American artist and activist in Oakland, CA. She has been advancinglocal, state, national, and international environmental justice campaigns for clean air, affordablehousing, renewable energy, and climate solutions for over 28 years. Before her role at CaliforniaEnvironmental Justice Alliance (CEJA), she held various environmental justice roles at theSouthwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (SNEEJ) and Asian PacificEnvironmental Network. Inspired by Hurricane Katrina, she founded a neighborhood group inOakland, where she has lived for over two decades, to fight gentrification, promote affordablehousing, redefine community safety, and actively engage in elections.Website link: https://environmental-professionals-of-color.yale.edu/person/taruc-mari-rose
 
 
References and Further Reading● Barboza, T. (2015, December 21). Story So Far: How a battery recycler contaminated L.A.-area homes for decades. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-exide-cleanup-story-so-far-20151121-story.html● Barboza, T. (2020, October 16). Court approves abandonment of Exide plant and toxiccleanup. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-10-16/exide-bankrtuptcy-decision-vernon-cleanup● Briscoe, T. (2024, July 11). Exide site on the verge of getting Superfund designation. LosAngeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-07-11/la-county-battery-recycler-on-the-verge-of-becoming-california-next-superfund-site● CA.gov. (2016, November 4). Governor Brown Issues Statement on Paris ClimateAgreement Milestone | Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. Retrieved March 1, 2025 fromhttps://archive.gov.ca.gov/archive/gov39/2016/11/04/news19592/index.html● California Department of Toxic Substances Control. (October, 2020) The State’s PoorManagement of the Exide Cleanup Project Has Left Californians at Continued Risk ofLead Poisoning. https://information.auditor.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2020-107.pdf● CDC. (2024, October 31). Exide Contamination Information and Resources. CommunityStress Resource Center. Retrieved March 1, 2025 fromhttps://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/community-stress-resource-center/php/resources/exide-contamination.html● Communities for a Better Environment. (2021). Exide Technologies. cbecal.org. RetrievedMarch 1, 2025 https://www.cbecal.org/organizing/southern-california/exide/● DTSC.gov. Exide Residential Cleanup. Department of Toxic Substances Control.Retrieved March 1, 2025 from https://dtsc.ca.gov/residential-cleanup/● EPA.gov (2024, September 4). EPA Proposes to Add Exide Technologies – Vernon Site toSuperfund National Priorities List. Retrieved March 1, 2025 fromhttps://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-proposes-add-exide-technologies-vernon-site-superfund-national-priorities-list● Exide: A Local Red Line. (2015, December 27). Rossmery’s Blog: My Thoughts Are MyOwn. Retrieved March 1, 2025 from https://rossmeryzayas.wordpress.com/exide-technologies/● Justice.gov. (2015, June 23) Exide Technologies Admits Role In Major Hazardous WasteCase And Agrees To Permanently Close Battery Recycling Facility In Vernon. RetrievedMarch 1, 2025 https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/exide-technologies-admits-role-major-hazardous-waste-case-and-agrees-permanently-close● Johnston, J. E., & Hricko, A. (2017). Industrial Lead Poisoning in Los Angeles: Anatomy of aPublic Health Failure. Environmental Justice, 10(5), 162–167.https://doi.org/10.1089/env.2017.0019● Johnston, J. E., Lopez, mark, Gribble, M. O., Gutschow, W., Austin, C., & Arora, M. (2019). ACollaborative Approach to Assess Legacy Pollution in Communities Near a Lead–AcidBattery Smelter: The “Truth Fairy” Project. Health Education & Behavior, 46(1_suppl),71S80S. https://doi.org/10.1177/1090198119859406● Osgood, Brian. (2021, March 29). “I felt I killed my children”: lead poisons Californiacommunity – and fills kids’ teeth. The Guardian; The Guardian.https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/29/i-felt-i-killed-my-children-lead-poisons-california-community-and-fills-kids-teeth● Pearce, F. (2020b, November 2). Getting the lead out: Why battery recycling is a globalhealth hazard. Yale E360. https://e360.yale.edu/features/getting-the-lead-out-why-battery-recycling-is-a-global-health-hazard● Peterson, M. (2015, November 19). City of Industry battery recycler ordered to test forlead pollution. LAist. Retrieved March 1, 2025 from https://laist.com/news/kpcc-archive/second-la-area-battery-recycler-ordered-to-test-fo● Rossmery’s Blog: My Thoughts Are My Own. (2020). Rossmery’s Blog: My Thoughts AreMy Own. Retrieved March 1, 2025 from https://rossmeryzayas.wordpress.com/.● Secretariat of the Commission for Environmental Coorperation (SEC). (April, 2013).Hazardous Trade? An Examination of US-generated Spent Lead-acid Battery Exports andSecondary Lead Recycling in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Retrieved from
https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Issues/ToxicWaste/RightToInformation/OccupationalKnowledgeInternational1.pdf● Wani, A. L., Ara, A., & Usmani, J. A. (2015). Lead toxicity: a review. InterdisciplinaryToxicology, 8(2), 55–64. https://doi.org/10.1515/intox-2015-0009● WHO. (2022, October 23). Almost 1 million people die every year due to lead poisoning,with more children suffering long-term health effects. WHO.int; World HealthOrganization. Retrieved March 1, 2025 from https://www.who.int/news/item/23-10-2022-almost-1-million-people-die-every-year-due-to-lead-poisoning--with-more-children-suffering-long-term-health-effects● WHO. (2024, September 27). Lead poisoning. WHO.int; World Health Organization.Retrieved March 1, 2025 from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lead-poisoning-and-health● Zhang, W., Yang, J., Wu, X., Hu, Y., Yu, W., Wang, J., Dong, J., Li, M., Liang, S., Hu, J., & Kumar,R. V. (2016). A critical review on secondary lead recycling technology and its prospect.Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 61, 108–122.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.03.046Music & Sound Effect AcknowledgementsApollo Diedre by Glass Obelisk – https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/053f9cb5-6de4-4ad5-b19b-fe95a9dea2d8Bauxite by Little Rock – https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/0913ed0f-a4e5-40b0-a5f4-d3c5c9a710a1Dusting by Confectionery – https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/f4c234dc-fe87-4f11-97db-5a2fa46e0bd9Careless Morning by Glacier Quartet - Araby –https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/1c0df374-b3b6-493c-b93d-ff3fa4a4f4c6Tin Cavalry by Grey Acres – http://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/90ee05fd-ef4b-4b33-a590-5dfd2a8d5008Taoudella by Azalai – https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/001d2cf8-739c-41e2-adaf-f754d7760c5aWithin the Garden Walls by Muridae – https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/09f1e1b7-553b-46d2-b33e-2c6a2c815276Palms Down by Confectionery – https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/0a04abf4-66d2-404c-812c-38ea756030edVernouillet by The Sweet Hots – https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/0dc44a1a-14fd-4326-9a20-991eb1ed50e1Spunker by Sticker Sheet – https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/06e7395e-9df5-49d3-b357-a00aacac44f5Silurian by Mortem Obire – https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/ef16d39b-8b96-47a2-8966-af41c151d334Teenage Crowd by BBC Sound Effects – https://sound-effects.bbcrewind.co.uk/search?q=07047053Applause by BBC Sound Effect – https://sound-effects.bbcrewind.co.uk/search?q=07073016Boxing Bell Sound FX by Ryan Lloyd, Youtube –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvvTacquttkAirplane Aircraft Takeoff by Cryptowista, Pixabay – https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/airplane-aircraft-take-off-121949/
 
Plugins and DAWCreated using Hindenberg with free plugins from MeldaProduction. Download athttps://www.meldaproduction.com/MFreeFXBundle

IncludEd

In an unprecedented political, social, and cultural climate where executive orders are being issued to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives nationwide, especially in educational institutions, three college-aged students from diverse racial backgrounds reflect on their experiences with racial discrimination and exclusion in K-12 education. In sharing their stories, they engage in thoughtful interviews and discussions that demonstrate the interconnectedness of the exclusion they faced based on their identities and the importance of DEI efforts in educational settings—a gift of support that could have greatly benefited their younger selves during those challenging times.
Produced by Madisyn Cunningham, Glenn Kleiman, Emily Lim, and Rocio Sanchez Salcido
Research: Using research was the antithesis of IncludEd’s intentional demonstration of how research falls short in capturing students' lived experiences facing racism when discussing DEI. IncludEd’s research is through the sourcing and storytelling of Emily’s, Madisyn’s, and Rocio’s lived experiences with exclusion in schools. 
Music Acknowledgements:
- Blue Dot Sessions: Column and Law (Dorica), Fissure Forming (Trailhead), Line Exchange (Marble Run), Toadstool Runner (Fabulist), Waypost (Desert Kalimba)
- Freesound: Low Synth Note Atmosphere (Synthetic Sounds), TV Switching Sound - TV Sound Effects (AltF4)

The Detour - Yes, Chef

How exciting would it be if you actually tuned into that little voice in the back of your head? The one
telling you to go for the thing you really want, even if it’s probably, most likely, definitely not what’s
expected of you? Aren’t you curious how a girl can go from making pancakes in the kitchen with her
mom one day to suddenly winning MasterChef Junior—only to lose her passion for cooking, then
find her way back to it again? Let’s dive into the story of Jasmine Stewart, who actually did listen to
that tiny voice, took an unexpected detour, and found out where it would lead her.
 
Produced by Aaryan Harshith, Christina Ademasu, and Jenny Huynh
Interview w/ Jasmine Stewart, first African American to win Master Chef Jr.
Bio: Jasmine Stewart, the Season 5 winner of MasterChef Junior, made history as the first African
American champion of the competition. At just 12 years old, she not only claimed the title but also
became the only contestant in the show's history to win after being previously eliminated. Today,
Jasmine continues to break boundaries, pursuing an individually designed major in Black Food and
Multimedia Studies at NYU’s Gallatin School.
 
Acknowledgments for music:
1. 2. 3. 4. King Billy by Blue Dot Sessions
Tell What You Know by Blue Dot Sessions
Castillo by Blue Dot Sessions
The Cornice by Blue Dot Sessions

World On Your Plate

In this episode, Nathan, Ana, and Nia explore the importance of sustainable food practices, and how alternative, truly healthy food practices are not necessarily the most commercially produced and advertised ones. The episode aims to broaden the horizon of viewing food practices in a context beyond just your own plate.
This episode was produced by Nathan Elias, Ana Nguyen, and Nia Patton, with support from Laura Joyce Davis and the Stanford Storytelling Project's course "Stories to Save Our Planet."
Complete show notes at storytelling.stanford.edu.

Sustainability Paradox: Cobalt Mining in the Congo

A story of the rise of electric vehicles and their promise to make a more sustainable planet. Yet this promise has proven to be detrimental to the quality of life for the people in the Congo. Sustainability Paradox pulls back the curtain on the realities of the electric car industry, and the promising solutions that might offer real, meaningful change.
Produced by Sydney Davis and Jana Gomri with support from Laura Joyce Davis and the Stories to Save Our Planet class, a part of the Stanford Storytelling Project.
Asu Kulu - Undergraduate Congolese Student at Stanford, Anonymous Congolese Miners via Friends of the Congo https://friendsofthecongo.org/ Links to an external site.
Link to References https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GcK2hsyt8L_VyogsNTaPxsf5AgtizYzm1F9uJHLYzxM/edit?usp=sharing Links to an external site.
All music by Blue Dot Sessions

Sound Stories Trailer

What can you expect from Sound Stories? The 2024 class weighs in.
Taught by Laura Joyce Davis through the Stanford Storytelling Project, this hands-on, workshop-oriented course is designed to teach you the fundamentals of podcast storytelling. Class work will include pitching, interviewing, scriptwriting, narration, audio editing, and sound design. You’ll learn time-honored principles for strong storytelling in any medium, as well as strategies specific to storytelling in sound. Though we focus on audio stories, the craft skills you learn here are transferable to making stories for any medium, from print and performance to film and games. By the end of the course, you will have crafted both a narrative essay and a 10-minute podcast episode that entertains, challenges, and moves your audience. All fully produced student pieces will be published in the Stanford Storytelling Project Soundings podcast.
Course info: https://shorturl.at/eLOR0

Living Memory

Living Memory by Stanford Storytelling Project

Stories to Save Our Planet trailer

Stories to Save the Planet is a podcast about the stories behind climate change solutions.
The United Nations have called climate change the challenge of our generation. A growing body of environmental storytelling is bringing clarity to complicated climate conversations by casting a vision for a better future, and providing compelling, actionable climate change solutions.
All work is produced by Stanford students, who learn the entire process of narrative podcast production in just 10 weeks, research a climate change challenge and solution of their choice, and work together to create a narrative episode. The class it taught by Laura Joyce Davis and the Stanford Storytelling Project.