“The inspiration behind my podcast is to help those who feel lonely,” remarked Zooey Zhou, the host of Student Minds, a new podcast created with the intent of improving mental health and connecting with students experiencing loneliness. “I also hope to guide people who have no one else.”
Zooey Zhou is a junior at Ramapo, and as the oldest daughter of an immigrant family, she entered the American school system without much guidance. Her high school journey was unlike that of most students in the area, and at many times she often felt like she was the only one without familial support. Zhou began to realize, though, that she wasn’t the only one who felt like she lacked guidance. She teamed up with Lilly Mulhern, another junior at Ramapo, to build a platform to reach out to students, allowing them to realize that they’re not along in their struggles, or, as Zhou puts it, “think, ‘Oh, maybe what I’ve experienced isn’t the end of the world, and everyone else goes through this too.’” Zhou and Mulhern’s different backgrounds allow them to relate to more people, reaching and connecting with a larger audience.
Student Minds is very listener-heavy and shares real stories from the daily lives of Zhou, Mulhern, and more. Students can submit a story of their own to be read aloud through this Google form, https://forms.gle/LrPMu77ezmaUqGiL9. The first episode was released on Wednesday, January 21st, titled “Episode 1: We Might’ve Started a Podcast,” and is a “get to know your hosts” episode. Zhou and Mulhern share their own funny stories while also discussing their opinions on hot topics. Their aim is for a new episode to be released every week, and the podcast can be found on Spotify. Bella Leoce, a junior who has listened to Student Minds, commented that “Student Minds is a perfect encapsulation of all the random and fun thoughts that an average high schooler has.” She added on, mentioning that “the podcast is enjoyable to listen to, partly because they propose fun and interesting questions that really make you think, but also because it makes you feel like you’re just having a conversation with your best friend.” Her remarks encapsulate the friendly and supportive feeling of the podcast.
Looking for students with shared experiences? Searching for guidance in the chaotic student life? Tune in to Student Minds– you might leave with a newfound sense of connection.
