Introducing the TRAX Squad

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TRAX from PRX –– a curated network of free podcasts and multimedia for tweens –– is informed by people who know this audience best: the TRAX Squad. This group includes a dedicated and diverse team of 9-to-13-year-olds from across the United States, as well as nationally recognized experts who work with middle grade students regularly. 

“We knew that, in order to have TRAX resonate with our audience, we needed to hear directly from them what works and what doesn’t,” says Michelle Smawley, Executive Producer of TRAX. “The TRAX Squad brings close listening and thoughtful critique to the forefront and it makes our network better to have the demographic that we serve intimately involved in the process.”

The TRAX Squad listens along with us to new shows, tests ideas, and gives us their honest opinions on what matters to preteens today. We value their perspectives, experiences, and insights as we create innovative content that speaks to and with our audiences on an ongoing basis.

 

Meet the TRAX Squad!

 
 
Featured
Brooklyn
Brooklyn

My name is Brooklyn. I’m nine and from Cottage Grove, Wisconsin (which is basically Madison, Wisconsin). I like to play soccer, softball, volleyball, and really any sport! Some things that make me special are: I love dogs, I have big curly hair, and I love hanging out with my friends!

Elbi
Elbi

I am Elbi and I am almost 11 years old and I AM NOT A GIRL - I am a boy with long hair. I live in Brooklyn, New York, with my mom, dad and little sister. I love playing music (violin, guitar and string instruments in general), playing video games, science, building just about anything, jumping on my new trampoline, and playing strategy games like villainous and D&D. I also really love listening to podcasts, audiobooks and reading about Classical Mythology. Oh, and I really don’t like chocolate or cake!

Hailey
Hailey

My name is Hailey, I’m nine and live with my family of six in San Diego, California — there is my mom and dad, my sister, me, and my two dogs. I could live off of brookies which is a brownie on the bottom and a cookie on top. I love watching other people explore their creativity, that's why you would probably find me on YouTube for most of the day. I love to play games and watch movies. I love to make my family laugh. I like to make people happy, and make really silly jokes.

Leah
Leah

My name is Leah. I am 10 years old and I reside in Georgia. My favorite color is light blue. In my free time, I love to read, watch movies and play video games. My hobbies are creating YouTube content for my channel. I consider myself an intelligent fun-loving, chill, sassy individual.

Manny
Manny

Hello, I am Manny. I am 13 and from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I like video games and anime. For my age, I have a very controversial opinion about certain social media platforms. I don’t like social media. They just show the same thing every time. I play basketball, soccer and do martial arts. I guess I’m funny, sometimes I laugh at my own jokes.

Yasmine
Yasmine

My name is Yasmine, and I’m 11 years old. I was born and I have lived in Washington D.C. my whole life. I love making comics, acting, singing, and dancing. I’ve also tried out trapeze! I love to travel and to spend time with my family. My older brother introduced me to podcasts a couple years ago, and I’ve been obsessed with them ever since.

 
 

Joining the Squad are two nationally recognized experts.
We thought they would be a great fit because they know preteens
very well, work with them everyday and also really, really like them!  

 
 
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PHYLLIS FAGELL

Phyllis Fagell is a school counselor and therapist in Washington, DC, and the author of "Middle School Matters," which she wrote because tweens are her favorite people on the planet. (She even has one living in her house!) When Phyllis isn't hanging out with kids or writing about them, she can usually be found jogging, listening to music or cheering on her favorite Boston sports teams.

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DR. KEN GINSBURG

Dr. Ken Ginsburg, is Co-Founder of the Center for Parent and Teen Communication. In his medical practice he cares for young people at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Covenant House Pennsylvania. He travels the world speaking to parents and youth audiences and has written five award-winning parenting books. Dr. Ken is committed to helping tweens learn to be resilient — to bounce back from challenges and go on to change the world for the better. He spends the majority of his spare time with family, including two daughters and lots of four-legged friends.

 
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