Episodes

Improving care and access for youth mental health globally begins with understanding the problem. UNICEF’s On My Mind 2021 Report and separately, Drs. Howard Gardner’s and Wendy Fischman’s The Real World of College, underscored the mental health challenges young people are facing. In this episode of Planet Classroom, Orb introduces us to the work of Harvard’s Wendy Fischman and filmmaker Chelsea Jackson. We learn about the strategies used by young leaders from the Global Youth Mobilization movem...

Supported by the World Health Organization, the United Nations Foundation and the big 6 youth organizations, Global Youth Mobilization is a movement of young people taking action to improve their lives in a post COVID-19 world. To date this initiative has funded 134 local solutions and 74 national projects in over 100 countries worldwide. In this final podcast of our popular SHINE series, Planet Classroom is proud to introduce you to 6 of the young Awardees from these projects doing critical wor...

You fight like a girl! The greatest compliment anyone could receive! Women are strong beings that go through numerous hardships everyday. They teach us how to be independent, healers, advocates, and strength holders. Planet Classroom presents a podcast that will put you into the shoes of the everyday woman. You'll find out just how strong she is. Join our virtual host, Orb, to find out how creative young leaders are finding ways to change the world for girls and women, and to empower them to be ...

Being able to learn and grow from what we have gone through during Covid-19 is a great tool to have under our belts. There are technological and personal achievements that have emerged from the pandemic. How might we reform global learning so that it supports the local good and the global good in our world? Planet Classroom in association with Creative Visions have invited youth globally to shine a light on their thoughts, feelings, hopes and desires for the world. In this new episode of the SHI...

We can go about our lives thinking that in order to survive, we just have to get through each day. Or within each of those days, we can thrive and make life worth so much more. Orb, Planet Classroom’s virtual host, introduces sentimental stories from the inspiring creators of 5 films now screening on the Planet Classroom YouTube Channel that will blow you away. We hear from musicians, filmmakers, and survivors about how they discovered what it means to thrive. Whether it be remembering the speci...

To dance is to show the world our passion and feelings without a spoken word. We continue our SHINE series as Orb, Planet Classroom’s virtual host, is joined by 5 young finalists from the Royal Academy of Dance’s flagship event, The Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition. The Fonteyn is one of the world’s most prestigious ballet competitions, attracting the finest young dancers trained around the globe. In this episode, you will find out how these dancers were impacted by COVID19 in the...

The Protect Our Planet Movement has youth in over 95 countries throughout Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, the United States, Asia and the Pacific finding new ways to combat climate change. In this episode, Orb, Planet Classroom’s virtual host, invites 13 of these impressive young leaders to share their work and unique experiences and inspire others to do the same. What are these young people looking for in a world post-Covid? Is it expanding media platforms? Government and global learning ...

Every one of us has been impacted by Covid-19 in one way or another. As we are released from the grasp that the virus had on us, returning back to a normal life may not be the way it used to be. Planet Classroom and Creative Visions have invited international youth groups around the world to submit their interpretation to the word SHINE. In this first episode of the SHINE podcast series to support this multi-media initiative a number of talented creators were asked what they want in a life post ...

From growing gardens, to beating drums, and to powerful rhythmic words, we all find a way to tell our stories. Planet Classroom presents three filmmakers and their powerful masterpieces which help others learn to prevail and heal through difficult times. Drumming circles have helped Craig Norton find a musical connection with the world around him. Director JLove Calderon and film subject DJ Cavem teach young adolescents that growing fresh products is an escape from the turmoils life throws at us...

Resilience and dedication pave the path for those willing to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. In this episode of Planet Classroom, Orb, the show’s virtual host, unites the creator of the acclaimed film, One Leg In One Leg Out (now screening on the Planet Classroom Network YouTube Channel), along with international youth voices to discuss the misconceptions about sex workers and the trans community. What happens when Iman, a transgender woman, wants to become a social worker so she ca...

What is the line between embracing globalization and maintaining individuality? Iceland is confronting that question as it is faced with global issues like trade, tourism, and climate change while also attempting to preserve its unique identity and language. In this episode on Planet Classroom, these themes of globalization are explored in relation to the film Scaling Iceland. The Director, Adam Hersko-RonaTas, and youth voices from around the world join Orb to share their perspectives on how id...

Becoming your own personal hero means being the positive change you want to see in your community and your world. Around the world, creators are finding innovative ways to become their own personal heroes. In this episode of Planet Classroom, the show’s virtual host, Orb, invites guests to discuss this inspiring theme using 3 films as prompts: Hero, The Boy Who Found His Voice, and The Mime, now screening on the Planet Classroom Network YouTube Channel. The creators and youth voices around the w...

How can horses help heal trauma? How can youth protect themselves from the risks of secondhand smoke? Climate change affects the social and environmental determinants of health such as clean air, safe drinking water, quality food and shelter. How are activists in Australia fighting back to protect their natural environments? Join Orb, Planet Classroom’s virtual host, as youth activists from around the world explore the impact of trauma, secondhand smoke, and global warming using 3 exceptional fi...

Prejudice is the result of fear and ignorance as illustrated in 3 outstanding films now screening on the Planet Classroom YouTube Channel: Siroun Webcast, Through the Wall, and Swimming Upstream. Youth voices from around the world join ORB, Planet Classroom’s virtual host, to focus on the Japanese Canadian internment and struggle for redress, the Armenian Genocide and the lessons relevant now, and the Mexico-United States border wall. Audiences will find themselves immersed in the realities of p...

Mental health and well-being and the everyday obstacles that make them challenging is the theme of this Planet Classroom show. Orb, the show’s virtual host, unites the creators of 3 films now screening on the Planet Classroom Network YouTube Channel: The Mess, Addiction and Art: Spotlight on Dopamine, and Throw, along with youth voices to discuss some of the challenges of mental health, violence, poverty, and substance abuse. Audiences will get insights into overcoming adversity via coping mecha...

Borders, Cultures, Heritage and Languages can make us feel far apart from one another as human beings. In this episode of Planet Classroom, we look at 4 stories that illustrate the bigger picture of what holds us together. Orb, the show’s virtual host, is joined by Director Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee and youth voices to discuss 3 of his films, Earthrise, Counter Mapping, and Marie’s Dictionary, as well as the themes of 5000 Miles Apart, a film produced by the Global Nomads Group. They consider how Apo...

Stories that change our lives often share universal wisdom. They help us to understand other people and their perspectives. They connect us to a better understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. In this episode of Planet Classroom, Orb introduces stories from around the world including India, Australia, Kyrgyzstan and the United States. The creators of Stephen Hawking and Me, 106 Days, The Letter, What Happened to Dujuan Armstrong?, and Winner of Peace explore themes of global leader...

Climate change is causing increasingly disastrous effects throughout the world and threatens to undermine the future existence of every living species. Currently, measures to curb the causes of this problem are available, however, significant political will, investment, and personal change are essential. In this episode of Planet Classroom, Orb, the show’s virtual host, talks with Eric Simon, director of What to Do About Climate Disruption, and with youth from around the world about how technolo...

Every year, thousands of award-winning high school poets submit original works to the National Students Poet Program. If selected, they serve 1 year as youth poetry ambassadors, spreading poetry in their communities, workshops, festivals, galas and poetry conferences. In this episode of Planet Classroom, we talk with the five high school students chosen to serve 1 year as the 2020 Class of National Student Poets. It is the United States’ highest honor for youth poets presenting original work.

How are live entertainers such as dancers adapting and thriving in the virtual space? What are the challenges? What are the opportunities that technology offers? What does this mean for the future of dance? In this episode of Planet Classroom, we hear from leading dancers at the Martha Graham Dance Company as well as the Company's Artistic Director Janet Eilber. All talk about their experiences performing the iconic ballet Appalachian Spring and how they have adapted and innovated through the Co...

The Holocaust remains one of the darkest eras in world history. To this day, millions of people, especially of the Jewish faith, are still affected by the loss, pain and suffering of the victims. However, hope and positivity help the survivors persevere through the darkness. In this episode of Planet Classroom, we talk with the youth filmmakers of Hold the Sun in Your Hands: the Erika Jacoby Story. They offer insight on how the youth of today can be part of a positive movement to break down the ...

According to global research, people's attention spans are shortening. The way we tell and write stories continues to evolve with advancements in new technologies. This offers creative talent the opportunity to innovate and find new and exciting ways to engage with an audience. In this episode of Planet Classroom, ORB, the show’s virtual host, is joined by youth authors from around the world who take on Book Creator’s Global Writing Challenge. They offer their peers top tips on modern storytelli...

We are all different but we are all human. There has been increasing acceptance in many countries to LGBTQ people over the past 2 decades, but the global divide persists. 38 African countries have criminalized consensual same sex relationships. In this episode of Planet Classroom, ORB is joined by acclaimed film Director Nicky Newman, based in Cape Town, South Africa, and youth voices around the world to discuss Newman's documentary film, From the Same Soil (Courtesy of SIMA Classroom), now show...