With digital spaces regularly evolving and updating, and the infinite scroll beckoning to us at all times, this episode questions if we have, as a culture, fully embraced the end of endings. Hanna Reichel, an associate professor of reformed theology at Princeton Theological Seminary, helps illuminate how the emergence of godlike AI and the rise of …

Games can serve as an escape from reality—but they can also shape our understanding of trust, collaboration, and what might be possible IRL. Megan Garber talks with C. Thi Nguyen, an associate philosophy professor at the University of Utah, to better understand how games can help us safely explore our current reality and shape new realities, too. W…

In this special episode of Somos Sunnyside, we shine the spotlight on an exceptional young woman who has set a remarkable example for her peers and community. Lindsay, the valedictorian of Sunnyside High School, has consistently pushed herself to excel, embodying the spirit of hard work and dedication. From day one, Lindsay set the bar high, expect…

With smartphones in our pockets and doorbell cameras cheaply available, our relationship with video as a form of proof is evolving. We often say “pics or it didn’t happen!”—but meanwhile, there’s been a rise in problematic imaging including deepfakes and surveillance systems, which often reinforce embedded gender and racial biases. So what is reall…

In this episode of the Somos Sunnyside, we have the pleasure of talking with Crista Zepeda Ramirez, Sunnyside High School's salutatorian and a proud recipient of the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship. Crista shares her inspiring journey of academic excellence and personal determination, shaped by her experiences as the daughter of immigrants…

This episode explores the web’s effects on our brains and how narrative, repetition, and even a focus on replaying memories can muddy our ability to separate fact from fiction. How do we come to believe the things we do? Why do conspiracy theories flourish? And how can we train our brains to recognize misinformation online? Lisa Fazio, an associate…

In this uplifting episode of Somos Sunnyside, we shine a spotlight on Andrea Romero, an exceptional senior at Star Academic High School. Andrea is set to graduate third in her class and has earned acceptance letters from seven universities! Her journey has been marked by resilience and determination, especially in the face of the challenges brought…

While the vibrance, innovation, and cacophony of online life can feel completely unlike anything humanity has ever created before, its newness isn’t wholly unprecedented. Humans reckoned with many similar challenges to life as they knew it while navigating a different kind of social web: the city. In this episode, Danah Boyd, a partner researcher a…

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we delve into the inspiring journey of Frankois Valdez, co-valedictorian at Desert View High School, who shares his remarkable story of perseverance, gratitude, and determination. With a stellar 4.3 GPA and the prestigious Dorrance Scholarship under his belt, Frankois reflects on his high school experience with h…

Social media has made it easier to build more parasocial relationships with celebrities and influencers. What impact are those connections having on our relationships IRL? And how do they shift our understanding and expectations of intimacy and trust? Florida State University assistant professor Arienne Ferchaud defines parasocial relationships and…

In the latest episode of Somos Sunnyside, we are joined by the remarkable Lucy Pacheco, co-valedictorian of Desert View High School, whose humility and dedication shine through her academic achievements. Lucy shares her insights into the power of collaboration in education and the invaluable role of teachers in shaping her journey. Throughout the c…

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, the spotlight is on Desert View High School's Learning Ambassador group with students dedicated to amplifying student voices in education. Listeners get an inside look at how these passionate students are thriving in the classroom and aiding teachers in their professional growth. Through articulate discussions, t…

What is “real life,” now that the internet and AI are integrated into so much that we do? In the new season of The Atlantic’s popular How To series, co-hosts Megan Garber and Andrea Valdez explore deepfakes, illusions, and misinformation, and how to make sense of where things are really happening. How to Know What’s Real examines how technology has…

Welcome to Somos Sunnyside! In this special episode, we are joined by Audrey Jimenez, a remarkable athlete, and Coach Anthony Leon. Audrey is no stranger to victory, being a four-time state champion and gearing up for the 2024 Olympic Trials this month, where she's poised to dominate as the top seed in the challenge tournament. Audrey's journey is …

Welcome to another episode of Somos Sunnyside! In this installment, we're honored to host five remarkable guests who embody the spirit of excellence and dedication in education. Joining us are Thad Dugan, Principal of Apollo Middle School; Matthew Craft, Principal of Billy Lane Lauffer Middle School; Adriana Molina, Principal of Challenger Middle S…

Welcome to another episode of Somos Sunnyside! In this edition, we take you inside the inspiring world of the Education Professions program at Sunnyside High School, led by the dedicated Leticia Craft. Joining us for an insightful conversation are two passionate juniors, Brayan Rodriguez and Mari Lujan, who share their aspirations for a future in t…

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we dive into the world of sports medicine with an insightful conversation featuring Sports Medicine Instructor Carlos Rue and two of his students, Mark Acosta and Ronnie Ventura. The sports medicine class at Desert View High School goes beyond the boundaries of traditional education, providing students with a han…

Buckle up for an extraordinary episode of Somos Sunnyside as we dive headfirst into the thrilling world of rodeo with none other than the remarkable Rodriguez family! In the spirit of Rodeo Week in Tucson, our esteemed guests bring a wealth of experience, not only in the adrenaline-pumping arena but also in the heartwarming halls of education withi…

Dive into the rich world of agriculture on the latest Somos Sunnyside podcast! This time, we explore Desert View High School's Agriculture Science program with the incredible Mrs. Lawrie. Mrs. Lawrie, a seasoned expert with roots deep in agriculture, shares her passion for cultivating knowledge in the classroom. Joining us are Golda and Mariana, of…

Get ready for an adrenaline-packed episode of Somos Sunnyside! We hit the road and land at Sunnyside High School, where Mr. Coody and Soleil Ponce from the Emergency Medical Services CTE course share their exhilarating experiences. Fresh off an extraordinary triumph in HOSA State Qualifiers, these students are setting the bar high with 11 teams qua…

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we get to know Art Ortega, the Supervisor for Maintenance at Sunnyside Unified School District. With a wealth of experience dating back to 2008 when he joined as a carpenter, Art has been on a mission to bring positive changes to the educational landscape across our 21 schools. Starting with a carpenter's toolbox…

It can be tough to face our own mortality. Keeping diaries, posting to social media, and taking photos are all tools that can help to minimize the discomfort that comes with realizing we have limited time on Earth. But how exactly does documenting our lives impact how we live and remember them? In this episode, diarist and author Sarah Manguso refl…

Step into the new year with insights from a remarkable leader! Join us on this episode of Somos Sunnyside as we sit down with Elizabeth Soltero, the dedicated CEO of Sunnyside Foundation. With a wealth of experience in city governance, academia, and public library administration, Liz brings decades of passion to the table. Throughout her illustriou…

Time can feel like a subjective experience—different at different points in our lives. It’s also a real, measurable thing. The universe may be too big to fully comprehend, but what we do know could help inform the ways we approach our understanding of ourselves, our purpose, and our time. Theoretical physicist and black-hole expert Janna Levin expl…

Between making time for work, family, friends, exercise, chores, shopping—the list goes on and on—it can feel like a huge accomplishment to just take a few minutes to read a book or watch TV before bed. All that busyness can lead to poor sleep quality when we finally do get to put our heads down. How does our relationship with rest impact our abili…

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we are thrilled to welcome our first community guest, Rob Elias, the CEO of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Rob is a native Tucsonan, deeply connected to the community and its growth. The Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, under his leadership, is dedicated to fostering success for individuals and busi…

Before laptops allowed us to take the office home and smartphones could light up with notifications at any hour, work time and “life” time had clearer boundaries. Today, work is not done exclusively in the workplace, and that makes it harder to leave work at work. Co-hosts Becca Rashid and Ian Bogost examine the habits that shrink our available tim…

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we are honored to feature a dynamic community leader, Consuelo Hernandez. Currently serving as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives and the Sunnyside District Board, Consuelo's roots in the district run deep as an alumni, highlighting her enduring commitment to the community. From her early years as a…

Many of us complain about being too busy—and about not having enough time to do the things we really want to do. But has busyness become an excuse for our inability to focus on what matters? According to Neeru Paharia, a marketing professor at Arizona State University, time is a sort of luxury good—the more of it you have, the more valuable you are…

Co-hosts Becca Rashid and Ian Bogost explore our relationship with time and how to reclaim it. Why is it so important to be productive? Why can it feel like there’s never enough time in a day? Why are so many of us conditioned to believe that being more productive makes us better people? Author Oliver Burkman offers some insights. This episode was …

We are delighted to have Michelle Gottleber, the principal of Esperanza Elementary School, join us today on Somos Sunnyside! Hailing from Michigan, Mrs. Gottleber has dedicated the past two decades to Southern Arizona, with an impressive 18 years specifically invested in Sunnyside schools. Originally, her intention was to gain teaching experience a…

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we hear from Roberto Martinez, the current director of Mariachi Los Diablitos de Sunnyside. Mr. Martinez has had a fruitful career filled with travel and entertainment. After graduating from Sunnyside High School, Mr. Martinez continued his education at the University of Arizona which eventually led him to obtain…

Why can it feel like there’s never enough time in a day, and why are so many of us conditioned to believe that being more productive makes us better people? On How to Keep Time, co-hosts Becca Rashid and contributing writer Ian Bogost talk with social scientists, authors, philosophers, and theoretical physicists to learn more about time and how to …

Get ready for an exhilarating game week as the anticipation for the Duel in the District reaches its peak! Join us this Friday at the Jaguar Stadium as the Desert View Jaguars clash with the Sunnyside Blue Devils. In this special episode of Somos Sunnyside, we delve into the minds of the head football coaches and two standout players from both team…

In the latest captivating installment of Somos Sunnyside, join us as we engage in an enlightening conversation with two distinguished individuals, Mary Acosta and Andy Townsend. Mary, an esteemed music educator and the Music Coordinator for an impressive 44 years in our District, shares her wealth of experience. Meanwhile, Andy Townsend, with a car…

In this episode of Somos Sunnyside, we hear from Hilaria Szelog, a fifth grade teacher at Los Amigos Technology Academy, who found our District as a student teacher at the University of Arizona! She loved our District so much that she decided to stay and she describes Los Amigos Technology Academy as one big "FAMILIA" for the culture and mindset th…

The inaugural episode of "Somos Sunnyside" kicks off with host Superintendent Jose Gastelum at the helm. In this episode, he sits down with Patrick Hart, a passionate 7th-grade teacher from Gallego Intermediate Fine Arts Magnet School, to explore his unique approach to teaching and the infectious love for learning he imparts to his students. Main H…

A lot of people are plagued by the feeling that society used to be better, that neighbors were more helpful, that strangers once talked to you. Some people channel that belief into political action, as in the Make America Great Again movement. A new study explains why the sense that people and the culture have gotten worse is a psychological illusi…

The values of individualism that encourage us to go it alone are in constant tension with the desire for community that many people crave. But when attempting to do things on our own, we may miss out on the joys of coming together. This season’s finale conversation features writer Mia Birdsong, who highlights the cultural and philosophical roots of…

Are commitment issues impacting our ability to connect with the people who live around us? Relationship building may involve a commitment to the belief that neighbors are worthy of getting to know. In this episode of How to Talk to People, author Pete Davis makes the case for building relationships with your neighbors and wider community and offers…

What motivated two families to engage in the organized chaos of shared living and how did they learn to talk through, and shape, new expectations for their family life at home? In this episode of How to Talk to People, we hear from Deborah Tepley and Luke Jackson, who remember when they first asked their best friends to buy a house with them. The F…

The terms of friendship are both voluntary and vague—yet people often find themselves disappointed by unmet expectations. In this episode of How to Talk to People, we explore how to have the difficult conversations that can make our friendships richer and how to set expectations in a relationship defined by choice. This episode was produced by Rebe…

Coffee shops, churches, libraries, and concert venues are all shared spaces where mingling can take place. Yet the hustle and bustle of modern social life can pose challenges to relationship-building—even in spaces designed for exactly that. In this episode of How to Talk to People, we analyze how American efficiency culture holds us back from conn…

Making small talk can be hard—especially when you’re not sure whether you’re doing it well. But conversations are a central part of relationship-building. In this first episode of How to Talk to People, we explore the psychological barriers to making good small talk and unravel the complexities of the mutual discomfort that comes with talking to pe…

On How to Talk to People we explore the barriers to relationship building and why—in a world of endless potential for connection—so many people still feel alone. From the struggle to prioritize non-romantic relationships, to just feeling uncertain of what to talk about with strangers, host Julie Beck and producer Rebecca Rashid unravel the complexi…

Holy Week: The story of a revolution undone. The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, is often recounted as a conclusion to a powerful era of civil rights in America, but how did this hero’s murder come to be the stitching used to tie together a narrative of victory? The week that followed his killing was one of the most fi…

We often follow a misguided formula for happiness—pushing us toward material wealth and other worldly successes. But when our expectations set us down the wrong path, it may be time to reorient ourselves around something new: universal happiness principles we can practice at any age. In our finale episode of this season, a conversation with psychia…

The mandates of modern parenting can be dizzying. But in the effort to optimize our parenting, we may lose sight of the values we hope to impart to our children—and the skills necessary for individual decision making. A conversation with economist Emily Oster helps with understanding the nuances of choice-making in parenthood. This episode was prod…

From how we build our cities to how we shop, it can seem as though our natural human tendency is to add. But a culture of accumulation may be exactly what holds us back from the simple solution in front of us: taking things away. University of Virginia professor Leidy Klotz helps us analyze the benefits of subtraction and how less may create the sp…

We try to use our time wisely—both at work and in leisure—but we often waste it. We may blame work for stripping us of recreation, but when valuable free time comes around, we can often revert back to more work. What explains the gap between how we use our time and how we want to use our time? A conversation with Harvard Business School professor A…