The Core by Open Orchard Productions

Series produced by Open Orchard Productions

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Image by: Rosie La Puma 

The Core is an interview / audio diary formatted podcast that shares individuals' stories of challenge, success, hardship, and joy. Each episode is between 6-20 minutes in length and features one true and poignant story.

The Core is one of 3 podcast series produced by Open Orchard Productions. The interviewees are teenagers and discuss issues that are pertinent to any age, gender, ethnicity, and/or socio-economic level. The mission of The Core is to break down stereotypes and prejudice by showing that despite apparent differences, our similarities outweigh them in volume and importance.


20 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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When Abby was born, her mother knew she couldn’t keep her. Luckily for Abby, a loving family had been looking for a child just like her. Julia Hitz...

  • Added: May 16, 2016
  • Length: 03:13
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High School Senior, Eavan Burke, had a life changing experience on the tea plantations of Kenya, Africa. She decided to aid to the workers by creat...

Bought by WAMC Northeast Public Radio


  • Added: Mar 25, 2016
  • Length: 04:52
  • Purchases: 1
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The summer before her sophomore year of high school, Audrey’s parents filed for a divorce. This momentous change affected her views on family, marr...

Bought by WAMC Northeast Public Radio


  • Added: Mar 21, 2016
  • Length: 04:04
  • Purchases: 1
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Within Taylor's 16 years, she has lived in eight places all over the country. Taylor explains the impact moving has had on her life and how each pl...

  • Added: Mar 21, 2016
  • Length: 03:03
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At the mere age of 16, Jihana Mendu went on the adventure of a lifetime to Peru. While there to pursue her ambition of working in the medical field...

Bought by WAMC Northeast Public Radio


  • Added: Mar 03, 2016
  • Length: 03:54
  • Purchases: 1
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Olivia was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2010. Three years later, her best friend, Allison, was diagnosed with the same disease. They talk to e...

Bought by KSKA


  • Added: Jan 25, 2016
  • Length: 05:45
  • Purchases: 1
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As a podcast made for KCRW’s SoundLA program, this 1-minute podcast shares the impact that the crowd’s roar at the USC Coliseum has on the head foo...

  • Added: Jan 22, 2016
  • Length: 01:01
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When Paige was faced with the difficult decision of choosing between her mother's faith and her access to education, she was forced to put her own ...

  • Added: Jan 20, 2016
  • Length: 02:57
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At 12 years old, Kate was told that her dad is gay. Then, she had to cope - through divorce, remarriage, and new partnerships.

  • Added: Jun 02, 2015
  • Length: 02:21
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Steffi’s passion, dedication, and strength contributed to achieving her goal of playing softball at a collegiate level.

  • Added: Feb 04, 2015
  • Length: 04:24
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This high school student has travelled to all 7 continents within the last 4 years. At only 16 years old, she feels like her view on life has been...

  • Added: Jan 14, 2015
  • Length: 03:38
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Is playing basketball worth the sacrifices this high school student he has to make?

  • Added: Apr 08, 2014
  • Length: 04:45
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Training to become a professional hockey player doesn't come without a price for this teenager. Will countless hours of practice and perseverance p...

  • Added: Nov 20, 2013
  • Length: 05:09
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Since she was a little girl, Saphira's life has been structured around the limits of Cerebral Palsey. Pushing through physical and emotional pain, ...

Bought by KZYX


  • Added: May 16, 2013
  • Length: 06:17
  • Purchases: 1
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Teenagers of the modern United States focus primarily on their own society's music and traditions. Brandon decided to deviate from this social norm...

Bought by KRZA


  • Added: Feb 26, 2013
  • Length: 05:29
  • Purchases: 1
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From the outside, it seemed like Michael had it all - parents who loved him, a supportive brother, an affluent home, and good grades. But, wanting...

  • Added: Feb 25, 2013
  • Length: 15:08
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Malcolm, a 16 year old in Myanmar, bravely defies traditional culture. Against everything he has been taught, Malcolm breaks away from his parents’...

Bought by WAMC Northeast Public Radio


  • Added: Sep 23, 2012
  • Length: 05:03
  • Purchases: 1
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Listening to Chloe (a 16 year old) play the violin is listening to an inspired, emotional, and technical artist. But Chloe doesn’t agree. Focused...

  • Added: Sep 01, 2012
  • Length: 07:37
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In surprising and sometimes shocking detail, Kaycee shares what her life in a gang entailed, how her teachers changed her life, and how she's pursu...

  • Added: Sep 01, 2012
  • Length: 16:04
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Rachel, at 16 years old, pushed herself through the rigors of training for and completing a 1/2 Ironman Triathlon to raise money to vaccinate 1,000...

  • Added: Sep 01, 2012
  • Length: 12:13