The Buzz: The Berkeley High Jacket Podcast

Here on the Buzz, with Thanksgiving right around the corner, we talked to the AMPS food pantry coordinator about the role the pantry plays in sustaining Berkeley residents. 

"There’s a lot of people here that need USDA food, so it’s really cool helping them out. They really need it. Even if you don’t need it, you can get some, so pull up here after school every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month."

-- AMPS student Emmanual, who goes by Champy.
This episode was produced by Miriam Reichenberg and Zazie Duchene, and edited by Julia Brimmer.

On this week's episode, we explore what jobs and money management look like for students at Berkeley High. We got insight from personal finance teacher Crystal Rigley, and conducted several interviews with students around campus.

This episode was produced and edited by Zazie Duchene and additional interviews were conducted by Julia Brimmer and Taylor Reynaud.

This year, as spirit week rolls around again, culminating in yet another Rally Day, we’re bringing you an episode exploring how school spirit has changed over the years.

This episode was produced by Miriam Reichenberg and Zazie Duchene, and edited by Julia Brimmer. Interviews were conducted by Emmett Price and Taylor Renauld. We used audio from last year’s Buzz episode called The Sounds and Sights of Red and Gold Day. 

From September 15 to October 15, Latinx Heritage Month is celebrated across the country. Here on The Buzz, we’re sharing interviews with two Latina student artists on how creativity shapes the ways they see themselves and their communities. We spoke with Anita Julca and Lol-be Ceasar-Santos.

"During Hispanic Heritage Month it’s so important to amplify voices of Latinx artists. Of course, you know I’m 17, so I'm still figuring out who I am as an artist and as a Latina woman in our world." --- Anita Julca

This episode was produced by Zazie Duchene and Miriam Reichenberg. Interviews and additional reporting were conducted by Miriam Reichenberg, Taylor Renault, and Julia Brimmer. 

Welcome to this year's first episode of The Buzz! For the 2023-24 school year, we’ll be featuring in-depth discussions and interviews about topics that matter to our community.

The school year is well underway. We’re sitting next to new people in class, joining clubs, and meeting up with old friends. But making friends in high school isn’t as simple as it was in elementary school, when asking someone to join you on the swings was all you had to do. It’s more challenging now.

For this episode, we asked Berkeley High students to share their experiences. We also talked to Eva Cantor, a Bay Area therapist who works with teens, about how we can build more genuine connections and make good friends in high school

This episode was produced and edited by Miriam Reichenberg and Zazie Duchene. Interviews and additional reporting were conducted by Zazie Duchene, Emmett Price, Julia Brimmer, and Paolo Rivera. We included a clip from the song We’re Going to Be Friends by The White Stripes.

As the school year comes to a close, The Buzz asked seniors to share their high school memories, from the everyday and mundane to the big and memorable. What will they miss? What will they take with them as they move forward?

Thanks for listening to the last Buzz episode of the 2022-2023 school year! We’ll be back next year with more episodes and content. This episode was produced and edited by Miriam Reichenberg with help from Sofia Rodriguez. Interviews were conducted by Zazie Duchene, Mariarosa Cerritos, and Bodhi Seidler. 

Students commute to school in all different ways. For today’s episode, we spoke with students about how getting to school can sometimes be frustrating or relaxing, eventful or mundane. Whatever the case, the destination is always the same– the crowded, diverse, spirited halls of Berkeley High.

This episode was produced and edited by Miriam Reichenberg. Interviews were conducted by Zazie Duchene.

Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) culture has had a huge impact American society. From K-Pop bands to everyday streetwear trends, there are parts of AAPI culture everywhere. In this episode, The Buzz interviewed students about the impacts it has on their own lives, through food, entertainment, fashion, and music. 

This episode was produced by Sofia Rodriguez. Interviews were conducted by Mariarosa Cerritos and Zazie Duchene. The episode was edited by Lucy Rickart-Webb. 

How is education viewed in different countries? The Buzz spoke to international students about their experiences in their respective school systems, and how that differs from Berkeley High.

This episode was produced by Sofia Rodriguez. Interviews were conducted by Mariarosa Cerritos and Willow Priforce. The episode was edited by Lucy Rickart-Webb. 

For this episode, The Buzz spoke with students, teachers, and administrators about inspiring women in their lives, and about Women's History Month.

This episode was produced by Sofia Rodriguez. Interviews were conducted by Mariarosa Cerritos,  Willow Priforce, and Zazie Duchene. The episode was edited by Lucy Rickart-Webb.

In this episode, the Buzz spoke with students and teachers about their perspectives on Black History month, what gaps students have in their knowledge about the month, and what improvements can be made to better acknowledge its significance.

This episode was produced by Sofia Rodriguez. Mariarosa Cerritos and Willow Priforce conducted interviews. The episode was edited by Lucy Rickart-Webb.

When students walk into a classroom and see a substitute teacher in their teacher’s place, they may feel relief and excitement, or disappointment. In this short episode of The Buzz, we talk with students and substitute teachers to get a better understanding of what classrooms are like when the teacher is out.

Thanks for listening to The Buzz. This episode was produced and edited by Miriam Reichenberg. Additional interviews were conducted by Sydney Taylor with help from Zazie Duchene. 

This episode profiles two Berkeley High School student musicians, Vivien Silas and Dexter Griffin. 

The episode was produced and edited by Miriam Reichenberg. Interviews were conducted by Zazie Duchene and Bodhi Siedler.

The various relationships with others that we have throughout our lives can have a massive effect on us and our mental health. To better understand these impacts, the Buzz spoke to students, staff, and experts on the way these relationships play out during the holiday season. 

This episode was produced by Sofia Rodriguez. Interviews were conducted by Mariarosa Cerritos, Willow Priforce, and Sydney Taylor. The episode was edited by Lucy Rickart-Webb.

This past year we’ve experienced loss of life in the Berkeley High community, and with loss comes immense pain, grief, and mixed emotions.

To understand how our community comes together after dealing with loss, the Buzz spoke to teachers and students about the diverse classroom approaches taken in the wake of tragedy.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Jacket podcast. This episode was produced by Sofia Rodriguez. Interviews were conducted by Mariarosa Cerritos, Willow Priforce, and Sydney Taylor. The episode was edited by Lucy Rickart-Webb.

If you have any specific episode ideas that you would like to share, we would love to hear from you. You can find more episodes and coverage of the Berkeley High community at our website, berkeleyhighjacket.com.

As Halloween approaches, The Buzz asked Berkeley High students and faculty to share their memories and thoughts, from costumes to candy trading, and everything in between. 

This episode was produced by Miriam Reichenberg. The script was written by Zazie Duchene, and interviews were conducted by Zazie Duchene, Sydney Taylor, and Bodhi Siedler. The episode was edited by Lucy Rickart-Webb. Audio clips from Bobby Pickett’s song, “Monster Mash” are included throughout.

From Spanish immersion experience to cultural celebrations, the Buzz spoke to Latinx students at BHS about what connection to their culture looks like for them, and what role it plays in their mental well-being.

This episode was produced by Sofia Rodriguez. Interviews were conducted by Mariarosa Cerritos, Willow Priforce, and Bodhi Siedler. The episode was edited by Lucy Rickart-Webb. Audio clips from Rosalia’s song, “Despecha” were included throughout.

Interviews with the staff that produce the Jacket every week.

This is one of three episodes interviewing the candidates for 2022-2023 student government at Berkeley High School.

This is one of three episodes interviewing the candidates for 2022-2023 student government at Berkeley High School.

This is one of three episodes interviewing the candidates for 2022-2023 student government at Berkeley High School.

This episode of the Berkeley High Jacket Podcast looks into Berkeley Unified School District's plans for reopening safely in 2021.

Jacket editors Estella Zhou and Naomi Birenbaum speak with students at high schools in Chicago, Connecticut and New York about their experiences with distance learning.

Host & Editor: Gunner Lee

Writer: Lev Gordon-Fierabend

Featuring: Estella Zhou, Naomi Birenbaum, Tallulah Johansen, Rebecca Gross, and Jiayang Jin

Rachel Alper, Naomi Birenbaum, and Sophia Whyte interview members of the Berkeley High community about their experience being Jewish at the school.

Reporting by Rachel Alper, Naomi Birenbaum, and Sophia Whyte
Hosted by Naomi Birenbaum
Edited by Rachel Alper

For our season two premier, an exclusive interview with Congresswoman Barbara Lee.

Created by Rachel Alper

Hosted by Naomi Birenbaum and Bennet Thompson

Made possible with support from Phillip Halpern and David Mai

Photograph Courtesy of Gage Skidmore

Host Arvin Hariri interviews Charlotte Walker on her modeling career.

Arvin Harari talks with Matilda Hallowell about Go Ahead Shred.

Host Arvin Hariri interviews BHS Men's Varsity Soccer players on the soccer season.

Photo: Mattias de los Rios

Members of Berkeley High School's Mental and Emotional Educational Team (MEET) in discussion with host Arvin Hariri.

Illustration: Gina Ledor

Host Arvin Hariri speaks with Melina Fike about Vote 16, Youth and Government, and college application season.