New York Edge launched its third season of Formative, a podcast co-hosted by middle school students.

As part of the podcast, nine middle school students interview various leaders from fields ranging from business, arts, and media. The students researched each guest’s background, developed questions, and conducted the interviews. Each of the 10, 30-minute episodes begins with an introduction by New York Edge CEO Rachael Gazdick, followed by the student-led interview in which Formative guests reflect on their childhoods, career paths, and how they have overcome challenges both personally and professionally.

“We are proud to launch the next season of Formative and continue this important initiative that provides our students with the opportunity to build their confidence, gain fresh perspectives from diverse leaders, and visualize themselves in their dream field,” said Rachael Gazdick, CEO of New York Edge. “We are grateful to Macy’s for their generous support as our lead sponsor, and to our incredible guests for inspiring these students. We encourage everyone to tune in and hear the insightful conversations between our young people and these leaders.”

The new season is sponsored by Macy’s. Formative season three launches on March 14, and will be streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and Audible, among other platforms each week. This season features guests including Senior Director of DEI Marketing & Community Partnerships at Macy’s Simone Harris-Laws; former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein Suzan G. Levine; Robinhood CEO Richard Buery Jr.; Emmy-Award winning WNBC sports anchor John Chandler; entrepreneur, musician and clothier Amaurys Grullon; President of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) Patricia Vance; Broadway costumer and Broadway Bears designer Islah Abdul-Rahim; Executive Director of Chocobar Cortés Carlos Cortés; Host of Entrepreneur.com’s How Success Happens Podcast Robert Tuchman; and children’s author Chrystal Giles.

To listen to Formative, please visit: newyorkedge.org/formative

A group of fifth grade students from P.S. 193Q in Whitestone were recognized for their storytelling and promoting positive self-image in an Instagram reel they created and starred in as part of the New York Edge after-school program. Their reel debuted at New York Edge’s #GetReel Film Festival in February at the Museum of the Moving Image. [read more]