Paterson Teens Take the Mic: Highlights from NJCDC’s First Youth Podcast Competition
November 7, 2025
Paterson teens stepped behind the microphone and made themselves heard at NJCDC’s inaugural Youth Podcast Competition. This new initiative from our podcast The Loft invited young people to pitch, plan, record, and edit their own podcast episodes with guidance from producer and host Danny Gonzalez.
Open to scholars from our Great Falls Youth Center and students in our 21st Century Compete For Life (CFL) program at JFK High School and Great Falls Teen Center at International High School, the competition welcomed teams of two to four and offered a $250 prize to the winning group.
Over several weeks, Danny worked alongside participants to shape their ideas, refine scripts, coach mic technique, and guide post-production — all the behind-the-scenes work that turns a good conversation into a compelling episode. “Every group showed up with a plan,” Danny said, “then pushed past the nerves to make something real. They outlined segments, rewrote intros, retook lines, and kept going until the story landed.”
From Pokémon to True Crime to Teenage Friendship
The three finalist entries showcased range and heart.
Steven and Ronaldo, from our CFL program at JFK High School, revisited a universe they’ve loved for years: Pokémon. They traced the franchise from its 1996 Game Boy roots to its cultural footprint across TV, trading cards, and games. The duo traded favorites and explained the thrill of collecting and battling as new generations roll out.
Also from CFL, seniors Kayla and Ariel explored why true-crime stories grip audiences, zeroing in on Netflix’s Unknown Number: The High School Catfish. Their discussion weighed law-enforcement blind spots, family dynamics, and the complicated empathy viewers sometimes feel when trust is broken.
Rounding out the finalists, “Table of Four” — International High School juniors Rahed, Genesis, Miracle, and Amara from our Great Falls Teen Center — took a clear-eyed look at teenage friendship. They compared how relationships shift friend groups, talked about growing apart with care, and reflected on Paterson’s diversity, small-school community, and the everyday logistics of hanging out safely. You would never know it was their first time behind the mic, especially after winning the competition!
Celebrating Creativity and Courage
The celebration opened with a highlight reel edited by Danny, who then took the stage to recognize the students’ work. He spoke about how impressed he was by each team’s preparation, focus, and growth throughout the process. “Every one of you came in ready to learn,” he told the competitors. “You faced your fears head-on and you stuck with it. That’s what makes a real creator. You didn't just show up to record; you showed up to grow.”
NJCDC Founder & CEO Bob Guarasci reflected on the original vision for The Loft, explaining that from the very beginning, the goal was to create a space where young people’s voices could lead the conversation. “Seeing that idea come alive through your episodes is deeply inspiring,” he said. “When we create room for youth voice, our whole community learns.”
NJCDC’s Director of Community Outreach Eddie Gonzalez shared how the podcast studio itself began as a sketch on paper. “To see it built, thriving, and now filled with your voices shows what happens when people take risks, try something new, and grow through it,” he said. “You’ve shown what vision and persistence can build.” The finalists’ work, he noted, reflected not only technical skill but also courage — the willingness to try something unfamiliar, face the microphone, and express ideas that matter to them and their peers.
Lessons Behind the Mic
The “Table of Four” team received the $250 prize, a custom trophy, and individual podcast microphone kits to keep creating. All finalists shared reflections on what they learned, from outlining and time-blocking to speaking with clarity and pace, giving and receiving feedback, and translating everyday conversations into stories that respect an audience’s time.
Students said the process gave them more confidence with public speaking and collaboration, helping them overcome fears and discover their own creative voices. Others said they now understand what goes into producing a professional-quality podcast — from audio leveling to team coordination — and how practice and persistence pay off.
A Full-Circle Moment for The Loft
The event also marked a bittersweet milestone: a sendoff for The Loft's producer and host Danny Gonzalez. A Paterson native and NJCDC program alum, Danny’s journey from NJCDC program participant to mentor embodies our mission. Colleagues surprised him with a trophy and cake as he prepares to join the Julian Dorey Podcast — an opportunity he credits to connections forged through NJCDC’s summer partnership with Montclair State University.
“Working at the podcast studio has been a full-circle experience,” Danny reflected. “The same programs that helped me find my voice now allow me to help others find theirs.” His words underscored the essence of The Loft: a place where young people don’t just learn technical skills, but also gain confidence, purpose, and belonging.
About The Loft
Launched as part of the Great Falls Youth Center expansion, The Loft has become a platform where Paterson’s young people, program staff, and partners share resources, stories, and ideas. Episodes have spotlighted youth voices from our Great Falls Youth Center, CFL program at JFK High School, and Great Falls Teen Center at International High School; lifted up NJCDC leaders and program directors; and connected listeners to vital state programs, including resources from New Jersey’s Department of Community Affairs.
The Loft podcast is available in video format on YouTube and in audio format on all major streaming platforms (Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and Podbean). You can follow The Loft on Instagram and Facebook.
Hear the Finalists
Listen to the competition episodes below and join us in congratulating all the creators who stepped to the mic:
Their curiosity, craft, and courage are exactly what The Loft exists to amplify — and we can’t wait to hear what they make next.