Countless emotions fill a baby delivery room: elation, exhilaration, apprehension. But excitement can shift to sheer panic if the baby is delayed taking his first breath. Parents John and Amy Firmani bravely recount their unique experience in delivering their first child, Christiano.

The Harvest 123: Born Blue

The summer before her sophomore year of high school, Audrey’s parents filed for a divorce. This momentous change affected her views on family, marriage, and love. Lindsey Staub reports.

The Core 120: Change is Challenging

High School Senior, Eavan Burke, had a life changing experience on the tea plantations of Kenya, Africa. She decided to aid to the workers by creating a 100% non-profit organization. For more information, visit Kupatia.com. Danielle Keshtkar reports. 

The Core 121: Kupatia

Today, Americans seem to lack any type of silence in their lives.  Silence should be a source of solace, but the modern mind is often discontent when unstimulated. Are you satisfied in silence?   Kristalyn Benson reports. 

The Harvest 145: Silence

Train-Tracks.  Metal-Mouth.  Brace-Face.  Whatever you call them, getting braces as a teenager seems to be a stereotypical right of passage. However, there is a shocking divide in the perception of braces between 7-year-olds and 17-year-olds. Miranda de Moraes reports.

The Harvest 146: Brace Yourself

Packed in one car, Elaine Manis, her six siblings, and her mother set out on a trip from the small town of Forgan, Oklahoma, to the seaside town of Corpus Christi, Texas. What could go wrong? Emma Manis reports.

The Harvest 147: Midwest Road Trip

Many young, American girls can’t help but anticipate their sweet 16th birthday. For Julie Trell though, her surprise 16th birthday celebration was one she would rather forget. Audrey Trell reports. 

The Harvest 148: Why I Hate Surprise Parties

When Abby was born, her mother knew she couldn’t keep her. Luckily for Abby, a loving family had been looking for a child just like her. Julia Hitzel reports.

The Core 122: Blood Isn’t Always Thicker Than Water

In an interview with Kitty and Michael Dukakis, journalist Katia Hauser explores the benefits and risks of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in treating depression. Kitty shares her first hand experience with ECT and the ways it changed her life, and Michael provides the perspective of a family member.

The Elements 120: Kitty Dukakis’ Experience With Electroconvulsive Therapy

When I was twelve years old, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Now, four years later, mom and I reflect on how cancer brought us closer together.  Katie Wilhem reports.

The Harvest 149: Cancer Changes Everything

What she calls “real,” others may call superstition. Sarah Levai, a Romanian immigrant to the United States, came with hopes and dreams, but also with almost every superstition imaginable. 

The Harvest 150: Superstitions Are Real

Open Orchard Productions (www.openorchardproductions.org) is an award-winning, student-run podcasting program based at Palos Verdes High School.  Four series make up OOP: The Core, Fresh Picked, The Harvest, and The Elements.  We hope you like our work - thank you for listening!

Open Orchard Productions

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