Behind The Minds: BOSS

Hello, my name is Elizabeth and I am 18 years old. I want to create a podcast for the Newham community called Behind The Minds: BOSS. This project will bring together young people aged 11–21, giving them a platform to share their experiences, challenges, and aspirations in a way that is truly heard and valued.

The podcast will be a safe and comfortable space where we can talk openly about the issues that matter most to young people from school pressures and friendships to identity, relationships, and the everyday struggles of growing up. Guests will be able to share personal stories and perspectives, while also finding common ground through laughter, shared experiences, and relatable conversations. By balancing both serious and lighthearted moments, Behind The Minds will show the full picture of what it means to grow up in Newham today.

This project is about more than just conversations. It’s about bridging the gap between young people and the wider community. Too often, young people are labelled as ‘deviant’ but when we actually listen, we see that they are often misunderstood. By giving them this platform, the community can gain real insight into why young people think, feel, and act the way they do where they actually feel heard and not judged andmost importantly, how we can better support them.

In the long term, Behind The Minds could also contribute to tackling serious issues such as bullying, self-harm, youth violence, and knife crime. Many of these challenges stem from feelings of isolation, low self-worth, or not being understood. By diving deeper into the thoughts and lived experiences of young people, this podcast can help uncover root causes, create dialogue, and spark solutions. Ultimately, the project aims to help young people feel valued, supported, and less alone in their struggles while showing that their voices matter.