Courtney began working with young people in Minneapolis, where she started a youth-run restaurant in the park across the street from her apartment. She moved to New York to study social work, then went to Maine to learn to produce radio documentaries. In 2007 Courtney combined her radio and youth work backgrounds and joined Radio Rookies as a producer. Now she assists in teaching radio and multimedia workshops and works alongside Rookie Reporters to produce stories for WNYC and NPR.
Courtney Stein appears in the following:
You can't outrun voters' feelings about the economy
Wednesday, November 06, 2024
As we take in the news of another Donald Trump administration, we thought who better to turn the mic over to than the hosts of NPR's Politics Podcast.
The online communities pushing Black male voters to the right
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
The manosphere is a sprawling online ecosystem aimed at disgruntled men. Now a subset of the manosphere aimed at Black men is exposing cracks in Black voters' steadfast support of Democrats. On this episode, we take a look at how the Black manosphere came to be and wonder: could this loose community of aggrieved dudes swing the election?
Race, Romance and Reality TV
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Reality TV has been referred to as a funhouse mirror of our culture. But even with its distortions, it can reflect back to us what we accept as a society – especially when it comes to things like gender, sexuality and race.
On today's episode we get into all of that, zeroing in on the Bachelorette, but also looking at a dating show that's trying to do it differently.
On today's episode we get into all of that, zeroing in on the Bachelorette, but also looking at a dating show that's trying to do it differently.
The truth and lies behind one of the most banned books in America
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Author Mike Curato wrote Flamer as a way to help young queer kids, like he once was, better understand and accept themselves. It was met with immediate praise and accolades — until it wasn't. When the book got caught up in a wave of Texas-based book bans, suddenly the narrative changed. And like so many books that address queer identity, Flamer quickly became a flashpoint in a long, messy culture war that tried to distort the nature of the book.
The Women Behind the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
We've heard about Rosa Parks and her crucial role in the Montgomery bus boycott. But Parks was just one of many women who organized for years. In this episode, those women tell their own story.
ENCORE: Sexual Cyberbullying: The Modern Day Letter "A"
Wednesday, August 04, 2021
We remember Temitayo Fagbenle (1996 – 2021) with this encore presentation of her first Radio Rookies piece.
Coming Out, Coming Forward
Monday, December 03, 2018
When he was a young teenager, Luke realized he had to speak up—about who he was and what had happened to him. [Warning: this episode discusses childhood sexual assault].
Episode 9: 'You Just Sit There and Wait for the Next Day to Come'
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Solitary confinement has been proven gravely dangerous for young people. The Marshall Project teamed up with Caught to investigate how widespread the practice remains in New York.
Episode 2: 'They Look at Me Like a Menace'
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Z navigates a Catch 22 that's familiar to kids in the system: He only gets the help he needs when he acts out, but "turning up" means he can't go home.
Episode 1: 'I Just Want You to Come Home'
Monday, March 12, 2018
Z is a teenager serving time for armed robbery. Dwayne Betts is a lawyer who spent nine years of his youth incarcerated. The same criminal justice policies landed them in jail.
One Immigrant's Anxiety in Trump's America
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
The Trump Administration's policies have taken a deep psychological toll on undocumented immigrants. Like this 26-year-old, former Radio Rookie whose been in the U.S. since she was five.
Growing Up Without Parents, Life After Deportation
Thursday, November 03, 2016
“If my parents hadn’t been deported maybe I wouldn’t be who I am today -- so determined and self-driven.” Listen to Wayner's story.
My Sister, The Cop
Friday, May 06, 2016
Jared Marcelle had enough negative interactions with the NYPD that he’d come to mistrust police. His views of policing are complex now, especially since his sister joined the force.
Seeking an End to Cycles of Abuse
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Destiny Mabry had a lot in common with her older sister: a love of dance, a bright smile, and excellent jump rope skills. They also both had experience with abusive relationships.
Why Do I Stay?
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Rainy wanted to understand why she stayed with an older boyfriend who humiliated and physically abused her. So she spent two years reporting from inside the relationship.
Radio Rookies Producer's Notebook
Monday, September 14, 2015
Radio Rookies Producer Courtney Stein answers questions about the process behind reporting the Crushed series.
Nine People, One Bedroom: A Teen's Take on Life In Poverty
Monday, September 22, 2014
Jairo Gomez's nine-person family lives in a one-bedroom apartment. He knows education is the way out of poverty, but sometimes being poor makes it difficult to make good choices.
Radio Rookies Surprises Danielle With A Graduation Ceremony at WNYC
Tuesday, July 01, 2014
Radio Rookies hosted a surprise "graduation" ceremony for 2014 high school graduate Danielle Motindabeka at WNYC. Current and past Radio Rookies from as far back as 2004 came to celebrate along with New York Public Radio staff.
Radio Rookie Danielle Finds Out Her Regents Exam Results
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Radio Rookie Danielle Motindabeka reported this week that she was taking the US History Regents exam for the fourth and final time. It's the one thing standing in the way of her getting her high school diploma. Danielle went to find out her results.
Why Is Staten Island NYC's OD Capital?
Wednesday, February 05, 2014
In New York City, prescription painkiller abuse rates aren't as high as the rest of the country — except on Staten Island, where their impact is wide and deep.
