PEER TALK is a fresh new podcast emerging from the halls of Willie L. Brown Jr. Middle School. At Beyond the Fog Radio, we recognized the need for a platform designed for and by middle school students — where youth can develop their voices and share their perspectives.
Located in Bayview—Hunters Point, in San Francisco — a neighborhood historically comprised of African-American families — Willie L. Brown Jr. Middle School carries the name of former San Francisco Mayor and Speaker of the California Assembly, who has devoted himself to the well-being of others.
In the wake of the 2024 Election, we realized just how critical it is to equip students with the confidence to speak out, learn from community leaders, and dive into civic engagement — preparing them to become the next wave of local and global change-makers. Each guest on PEER TALK is chosen to align with the students’ coursework, bringing lessons to life through real-world experiences.
Beyond the Fog Radio is thrilled to present PEER TALK at Willie Brown Middle School: a space for the next generation of community leaders to explore, learn, and inspire, right here in San Francisco.
(Peer Talk theme music composed by Ja'Leiyah Wright and Guillermina "GiGi" Arroyo)
Peer Talk Season 2 Premiere: Principal Malea-Mouton Fuentes
Welcome to Season 2 of Peer Talk! We're so excited to be back for the 2026–2027 school year — for which we have exciting new guests, and new middle school students to interview them!
In late September, we returned to Brother Caleb Mathews' ethnic studies classroom, but this time, we had a class of newly-arrived sixth graders! For this class's interview guest, Brother Mathews chose Ms. Malea Mouton-Fuentes, principal of Willie Brown Middle School. You've heard her voice on our show before, and now, at last, she's in the spotlight!
After spending several years in New York for both college and her first jobs in education, Ms. Fuentes returned to her hometown of San Francisco to join the staff of the newly-rechristened Willie L. Brown Jr. Middle School. She initially served as assistant principal before becoming interim principal just before the COVID-19 pandemic, and ascended to principal when schools returned to in-person instruction. Today, Ms. Fuentes continues to work tirelessly with other faculty and staff to ensure that Willie Brown M.S. remains a safe, enriching, and organized environment for all who enter its doors.
Brother Mathews chose Ms. Fuentes for this interview to personally introduce her to some of her new students, as well as to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The sixth graders were ready with questions about Ms. Fuentes' background in education, her hopes for the future, and what daily life is like for the principal of a middle school. We had a blast with this sixth grade class, and we hope you'll have an equally good time listening to their conversation with their new principal!
2 Sept 2026
Peer Talk SEASON 1 FINALE: Kiah Stokes of the Golden State Valkyries
For Peer Talk's Season 1 Finale, the 8th graders of Mr. O.’s Peer Resource class held their final interview as middle schoolers — and as a very special treat before graduation, their guest was three-time WNBA champion Kiah Stokes!
You read that right — THE Kiah Stokes, of the Golden State Valkyries!
Kiah Stokes is the daughter of former Philadelphia 76er Greg Stokes, and she gravitated towards basketball from a young age. She played for four years at the University of Connecticut, where she was part of four consecutive Final Four teams and won three straight national championships from 2013 to 2015. After going pro, Kiah won three championships with the Las Vegas Aces in 2022, 2023, and 2025, and two EuroLeague championships with Fenerbahçe Women's Basketball in 2023 and 2024.
After following her former Aces coach Natalie Nakase to join the Valkyries in 2025, Kiah has quickly become one of the Bay Area's most celebrated figures. And of course, the 8th graders were eager to ask her questions and learn more about her story. We want to thank Kiah so much for agreeing to join us on Peer Talk — her interview was a perfect ending to a spectacular season!
And, of course, we want to thank you, the listeners, for continuing to follow along with Peer Talk. We have many more incredible guests and stories to come. See you soon in Season 2!
12 Aug 2026
Peer Talk Episode 18: Music & Math
For this episode, 8th grade math teacher Ms. Ainye Long & music teacher Dr. John King teamed up with us to teach their students about the intersection of music and mathematics. And, to really make it a party, we invited not one — not two — but FOUR musical guests for the 8th graders to interview!
Dancer and choreographer Blanche Brown (Susan's mom!), dancer and choreographer Halima Marshall, dancer Traci Schmitz, and percussionist Scooter Fine joined us at Willie Brown M.S. to offer their musical insight to their students, and performed a few Afro-Haitian dance numbers as well. The rhythms were infectious, and if you feel like tapping your toes at any point during this episode... well, our guests are clearly doing something right!
Why does music make us feel the way we do? What patterns can we find across all types of music? Stay tuned to learn the answers to these questions and more!
Who has been a guest on PEER TALK at Willie Brown Middle School
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Theo Ellington
Willie L Brown Jr
Bob Fisher
Kimberly Minafra
Joseph Minafra
Reach and audience
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 14 / 100
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Quality
15
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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