Alaska Teen Media Institute
Education & Explainer
About
The mission of the Alaska Teen Media Institute is to provide teens with the tools and training needed to produce stories and with the opportunity for their stories - told in their own voices - to be shared through a variety of media. ATMI believes the teen perspective is valuable and under-represented. The Alaska Teen Media Institute is a program under the umbrella of Spirit of Youth, 501 (c)(3).
Episodes
- Medium Build | Zoom Room #54
On April 24th and 25th, Nick Carpenter, better known by his band name Medium Build, played four shows at the Bear Tooth Theatrepub. They were billed as Takeaways Town Halls, intimate, acoustic seated shows with stories, requests, new music…
- In Other News | May 2026
May is Mental Health Awareness month, so we centered our show around that. We chatted with Charlene Aqpik Apok, the founder and executive director of Data For Indigenous Justice (12:27) about the work the organization is doing. ATMI produc…
- In Other News | April 2026
For our April radio show, we kick things off with an interview with Dyani Chapman, the State Director of Alaska Environment Action, about the work her organization is doing to protect the natural world (06:12). We also have a chat with Chr…
- In Other News | March 2026
Our March show starts off with an interview with Gwyneth Eggleston, a youth ambassador with the Anchorage Assembly, about a resolution passed to encourage youth voting (06:52). Then we chat with Kass Smiley and Ida Taylor about the B4UDIE…
- In Other News | February 2026
Our February show features interviews with the local youth nonprofit Trajectory Youth Initiatives, a UAF student who was arrested for eating AI-generated artwork, and a filmmaker whose work was featured in our annual youth film screening.…
- Yoga and Mental Health with Margi Clifford | Zoom Room #53
Margi Clifford, founder of Yoga For Mental Health, shares her approach to body-based psychotherapy, integrating mindful movement with mental health science to promote resilience and well-being. The discussion covers how this therapeutic me…
- In Other News | January 2026
This episode of Alaska Teen Media Institute, from January 3, 2026, features interviews with a young Alaskan stop-motion animation filmmaker, the producer of the horror film "Shelby Oaks," and the executive director of Alaskans Take a Stand.
- "Shelby Oaks" Producer Asheligh Snead | Film Club #46
Producer Ashleigh Snead joins the Alaska Teen Media Institute to discuss the development and production of the horror film Shelby Oaks. Snead details the film's path from a crowdfunding campaign to reaching theatrical release.
- In Other News | December 2025
The December 2025 episode of Alaska Teen Media Institute includes conversations with filmmakers from the Anchorage International Film Festival about their work, such as Chelsea Christer's "Out For Delivery," Richie James Follin's "Crystal…
- In Other News | November 2025
The November 2025 episode of Alaska Teen Media Institute includes an interview discussing the connection between traditional Alaska Native dancing and mental health, an interview with a youth filmmaker, and a preview of a podcast produced…
- Tiny | Zoom Room #52
Members of the local noise punk band Tiny discuss their origins, debut album Kill on Sight released in 2024, their live performances, and their plans to move to the Pacific Northwest. The interview was conducted by ATMI producer Rhys James.
- In Other News | August 2025
The August 2025 episode of 'In Other News' from Alaska Teen Media Institute features interviews with musicians Grace C. Elliot and Tiny, a look at the 50th anniversary of Anchorage, and a check-in with a former producer now in radio journa…
- Grace C. Elliot | Zoom Room #51
This episode features an interview with Anchorage-based musician Grace C. Elliot, discussing her dream pop music, recent releases, and performances. ATMI producer Indigo Schlee talks with Elliot about her music career, the local scene, and…
- In Other News | July 2025
The July 2025 episode of Alaska Teen Media Institute covers two music festivals, Hatcher Romp and Rock The Hill. Producer Nathan Pobieglo discusses festival organization with members of Blackwater Railroad Company and the Anchorage Concert…
- In Other News | May 2025
The May 2025 episode of Alaska Teen Media Institute focuses on Mental Health Awareness Month, including the #SpeakYourMind Ice Bucket challenge, an interview with NAMI Anchorage executive director Annie Ferry, and a review of the movie "Si…
- ADN Photographer Marc Lester | Zoom Room #50
ATMI producer Micheal Hunter interviewed Anchorage Daily News staff photographer Marc Lester about his 25-year career. They discussed his early days, notable career moments, and advice for aspiring journalists. The episode was hosted by Xa…
- The 2025 Oscar Winners | Film Club #45
Producers from Alaska Teen Media Institute discuss the winners of the 2025 Oscars, their thoughts on Conan O’Brien's hosting, and how the awards align with their personal film preferences. Film Club #45 is hosted and produced by Indigo Sch…
- The 2025 Oscar Nominations | Film Club #44
In Film Club #44, ATMI producers discuss the 2025 Oscar nominations, debating potential winners, highlighting overlooked films, and sharing their favorite movies and performances from the previous year. Hosted by Eleanor Poe.
- Singer/Songwriter Emma Hill | Zoom Room #49
This episode features singer/songwriter Emma Hill discussing her extensive career in the Anchorage music scene, her involvement with Rage City Vintage and Spenard Song Circle, and the "Eras of Anchorage" art exhibit. ATMI producer AJ Yamba…
- SunDog | Zoom Room #48
This episode features an interview with the Alaskan band SunDog, composed of Abi Sparkman, Devin Lind, and Philip Giannulis. They discuss their music, described as psychedelic, pop-grunge, and classic-rock inspired, their album "About You,…
- Former Mat-Su School Board Student Representative Ben Kolendo | Zoom Room #47
Ben Kolendo, former student representative for the Mat-Su School District, discusses his experiences on the school board, the conflicts that led to the role being limited, and the subsequent removal of the position. The discussion was host…
- The Protected Bike Lane Pilot Project | Zoom Room #46
This episode discusses Anchorage's summer-long protected bike lane pilot project on A Street and 6th Avenue, funded by the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Project leads from the Municipality of Anchorage and the State of Alaska Department…
- 3000-21 | Zoom Room #45
The Palmer band 3000-21 describe themselves as a cartoon robot band from outer space. In 2022, they released a full-length album “Across The Metaverse.” Last year, they put out an EP of new music called “Interdimensional UFO.” In March of…
- "The Ladder" Writer/Director Emilio Miguel Torres | Film Club #43
Emilio Miguel Torres is a filmmaker who was raised in Ketchikan, Alaska. As a kid, Torres got involved with the local community theater, First City Players, where he was exposed to directing and storytelling. He spent high school in Seattl…
- The Alaska Filming Initiative | Film Club #42
The Alaska Filming Initiative is a group of local filmmakers dedicated to reigniting the success of our state’s film industry. They hope to not just create movie making opportunities, but to foster a thriving, diverse, and sustainable econ…
- Wonka | Film Club #41
In this episode we’re talking about the new movie Wonka , based on the beloved Roald Dahl character Willy Wonka. The movie turns the clock back to when Wonka was a young man, before he had his famed chocolate factory and stars Timothee Cha…
- Singer/Songwriter Rosie Rush | Zoom Room #44
Rosie Rush is a singer/songwriter from Anchorage, Alaska. If you’ve been listening to our other recent episodes with local musicians, you may have already heard of her. She sings back-up vocals on a song from Zane Penny’s debut album. And…
- Godzilla Minus One | Film Club #40
In recent years there have been a handful of new Godzilla movies produced in America. But Godzilla Minus One was made in Japan, where the franchise started, and its story brings audiences back to the genesis of the monster: the aftermath o…
- Freelance Filmmaker Ryan Tester | Film Club #39
Ryan Tester is a freelance filmmaker based in Anchorage, Alaska. After taking the Video and Audio Production course at King Tech high school, he went on to produce his original movies with friends, work on commercial shoots, and start his…
- Musician Bethlehem Shalom | Zoom Room #43
Bethlehem Shalom is an artist of many talents: music, fashion, drawing, photography. In 2022 she was an artist-in-residence at the Anchorage Museum, showcasing her eclectic clothing design. This year, she is opening for the band Medium Bui…
- ”Quantum Cowboys” Director Geoff Marslett | Film Club #38
Quantum Cowboys tells the story of two hapless drifters in search of an elusive musician. The film utilizes a mix of live action and multiple styles of animation as the characters traverse the American west, as well as space and time. Its…
- The Boy and the Heron | Film Club #37
In 2013, animator and Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki released the film “The Wind Rises” then announced his retirement. This was not the first time he publicly retired, and it wouldn’t be his last. This winter, Miyazaki, who is now…
- Filmmakers Jiin and Bright Chang on ”Stranger” | Film Club #36
In November 2023, siblings Jiin and Bright Chang launched a crowdfunding campaign for a feature film to be shot in Alaska. This spring, they plan to shoot “Stranger.” Jinn is the writer and director of the movie. Bright serves as its produ…
- The Endemic of Podcast in Place
On April 3, 2020 we released the first episode of Podcast in Place: Youth Stories From Quarantine, our series on life in Alaska during the Covid-19 pandemic. Three years and 70 episodes later, the global health pandemic was declared over b…
- Singer/Songwriter Ashley Young | Zoom Room #42
Ashley Young is a singer songwriter originally from Yakutat, now based in Anchorage. In the spring she toured with the band Medium Build. Earlier this fall, she went on a tour in the Pacific Northwest with fellow musicians Husse and Zane P…
- Forever Chemicals | Zoom Room #41
In this episode we’re taking a look at how pollutants in drinking water are affecting the health and wellbeing of communities in Alaska. And how these chemicals can stay in a person’s body… forever. ATMI senior reporter Chloe Chaobal began…
- Gruening Middle School and the Earthquake of 2018 | Zoom Room #40
On November 30th, 2018, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Anchorage in South Central Alaska. There were numerous property damages were reported, including Gruening Middle School in Eagle River. That morning, when ATMI senior producer Daisy…
- Zane Penny On His Debut Album | Zoom Room #39
Zane Penny became a youth producer for ATMI way back in 2019, when he was taking the audio and video production class at King Technical High School. He applied his skills to various video, radio, and podcast projects with ATMI throughout t…
- Medium Build | Zoom Room #38
Nick Carpenter has been making music in Alaska under the name Medium Build since 2016. Drawing inspiration from 80s country music and 90s RnB, Medium Build’s songs convey intimate stories drawn from Carpenter’s personal experiences. Earlie…
- Barbenheimer | Film Club #35
In this special episode we have a double feature: Barbie and Oppenheimer, also known collectively as Barbenheimer. Since it was announced that Christopher Nolan’s biopic of J. Robert Oppenheimer and Greta Gerwig’s Mattel movie would be rel…
- Asteroid City | Film Club #34
For this episode we’re talking about Asteroid City, the new film from director Wes Anderson. The story takes place in the 1950’s at a junior stargazing event in the desert. But after an extraterrestrial encounter disrupts an evening festiv…
- Youth Filmmaker Roundtable | Film Club #33
We’re doing something a bit different with this episode. Rather than dish on the latest hit movie, we’re turning the mic over to our own aspiring filmmakers. ATMI producers Kendrick Whiteman, Daisy Carter, Logan Tyler Smith, and AJ Yambao…
- Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse | Film Club #32
For this episode, we’re talking about the new animated movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. A sequel to the 2018 chapter Into The Spider-Verse, it picks back up with our hero Miles Morales as he tries to balance life in high school,…
- Dr. Anne Zink on the Endemic Phase of Covid | Podcast in Place #70
It’s official, folks! The Covid-19 pandemic is over. On May 5th the W.H.O declared an end to the global health emergency. The virus is now in its endemic phase. But that’s not exactly as final as it sounds. Alaska's Chief Medical Officer D…
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 | Film Club #31
We’re back in the MCU for this episode, talking about Volume 3 of the Guardians of the Galaxy series. The movie focuses on the backstory of Rocket Racoon, after his creator, The High Evolutionary, reimurges to take him back. This sets the…
- What Happened To Contact Tracing with Annie Thomas-Landrum | Podcast in Place #69
In November 2020, we interviewed Annie Thomas-Landrum about her work as the project manager for the UAA Surge Contact Tracing Team. At the time, before vaccines were widely available, contact tracing was a vital tool in slowing the spread…
- Vintage Alaska Commercials with Historian David Reamer | Zoom Room #37
In this episode we’re looking back on an aspect of Alaska’s history that isn’t often revisited, but lives on in the hearts of many who grew up here: TV commercials. David Reamer normally spends his time writing a weekly column in the Ancho…
- Voice Actor Kira Buckland | Zoom Room #36
Kira Buckland is a voice actor whose work mainly includes characters in English dubbed Japanese anime, cartoons, and video games. She has over 300 voice credits including the anime television series Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, and role-playi…
- My Neighbor Totoro | Film Club #30
Studio Ghibli is a Japanese animation company responsible for some of the most renowned and beloved animated films of all time. Founded in 1985, it has produced hand-drawn animated classics like “Spirited Away,” “Princess Mononoke,” “Grave…
- A Hospital’s New Normal | Podcast in Place #68
The U.S. national emergency to respond to Covid-19 officially ended on April 10, 2023. A separate national health emergency related to the virus is set to expire on May 11th. So with the pandemic coming to a close, we’ve decided to wind do…