Speaking In First Draft is an interview podcast platforming the current and next generation of storytellers from the nonprofit Girls Write Now. Released in March 2023, members of the Girls Write Now community share a draft of one of their works in progress and discuss both the writing process and what creative expression looks like to them. Listeners will have the opportunity to engage with the inner machinations and perspectives of writers, producers, and artists from a diversity of episodes and stories.
media.girlswritenow.org (https://media.girlswritenow.org?utm_medium=podcast)
Publisher
A Girls Write Now interview podcast platforming the current and next generation of storytellers.
44. Speaking on Student Journalism in NYC's Public Schools
In this season finale of Speaking in First Draft, we dive into the world of student journalism with inspiring guests from the P.S. Weekly Podcast. Created by The Bell, a nonprofit committed to empowering students to become journalists and preserve independent media, P.S. Weekly explores pressing issues facing students and teachers in New York City schools.
Today's guests have investigated in their own podcast episodes a variety of these specific issues, from why AP Calculus is valuable to the curriculum, the shortcomings of the school bus system for disabled students, and the lasting impacts of the rise of school mergers. So, please welcome high school student journalists Noa Salas Adam, Mateo Tang O’Reilly, and Rayleen Laloi, as well as The Bell Staff members Sabrina DuQuesnay and Mira Gordon.
Listen to these brilliant students chat with Girls Write Now Mentor Ana Yglesias about how they found their journalistic voices through research and podcast development.
Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now
Host: Kathryn Destin
Producers: Kathryn Destin and Vahni Kurra
Editors: Annaya Baynes, Cassidy Duncan, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra
Music by Jaya Rao-Herel
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.girlswritenowmedia.org (https://www.girlswritenowmedia.org?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
8 Jul 2026
43. Speaking on Trans Connection, Community, and Celebration
In collaboration with Born This Way Foundation’s Channel Kindness youth storytelling platform, Speaking in First Draft is excited to feature two powerful and emotive writers, Lisa Laman and Parker Ramey. Lisa reads her own work, while Parker's piece finds its voice through the loving presence of their partner, reminding us that some stories are not only told, they are carried. Get ready to hear these writers tell stories about their experiences as trans people navigating identity, connection, and the world.
Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.
Host: Kathryn Destin
Producers: Kathryn Destin and Vahni Kurra
Editors: Annaya Baynes, Cassidy Duncan, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra
Music by Jaya Rao-Herel
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.girlswritenowmedia.org (https://www.girlswritenowmedia.org?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
25 Jun 2026
42. Speaking on Love, Lesbianism, and Liberation
Our Pride Month celebrations continue! This week, we are extremely excited to welcome photographer and activist Lola Flash, storyteller and writer Laura Hemingway, writer and tennis player Emilia Monell, and poet and mentee Zai Rivera. In conversation with GWN mentee Kama Barry, our guests leave no stone unturned when it comes to discussing the intersection of race, sexuality, and gender. You won’t want to miss this rich, intergenerational conversation about how navigating queerness has morphed over time amidst the ongoing fight for LGBTQ rights.
Speaking in First Draft is a production by Girls Write Now.
Host: Kathryn Destin
Producers: Kathryn Destin and Vahni Kurra
Editors: Annaya Baynes, Cassidy Duncan, Kathryn Destin, Sally Familia, and Vahni Kurra
Music by Jaya Rao-Herel
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.girlswritenowmedia.org (https://www.girlswritenowmedia.org?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
Who has been a guest on Speaking in First Draft
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
TaRessa Stovall
Arriel Vinson
Hanna Neier
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 35 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
57
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Contact Speaking in First Draft
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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