Community Storytelling
Storytelling has the power to build bridges, foster empathy, and amplify voices that often go unheard. In COMM 5800: Community Storytelling for Radio and Multimedia, students engage in a hands-on experience that blends journalism, audio production, and community engagement. Partnering with KRCL 90.9 FM, Amplify Utah, and The Other Side Academy (TOSA), this course provides a platform for underrepresented stories to reach a wider audience.
The first collaboration of this class was with The Other Side Academy, a transformative training school that provides an alternative to incarceration and a pathway to a new life for individuals struggling with addiction, homelessness, and past criminal behavior. Through immersive learning, TOSA students develop pro-social, vocational, and life skills, equipping them to build healthy, productive futures.
By working directly with community partners, students in COMM 5800 will learn how to craft compelling radio and multimedia stories, honing their ability to listen deeply and represent the lived experiences of others with integrity and respect. This course is not just about storytelling—it’s about fostering change, challenging dominant narratives, and elevating voices that deserve to be heard.
HEAR THE STORIES
Ep1: The Mansion Metaphor
By student journalists Zach Robinson, Nathalia Montoya, and Sofia Kelson, and TOSA
graduate Tori Randall, who now helps manage the academy
April 15, 2024 || KRCL RadioACTive
Ep2: Donuts Galore
By student journalists Thatcher Patterson and Isaac Dunaway, and TOSA graduate Robbie
Myrick, who also manages The Other Side Village's Prep School
April 15, 2024 || KRCL RadioACTive
Ep3: Mentorship Miracles
By students Jae Bin Francis Shim and Jordyn Bates, and TOSA graduate Tiffany Blair,
who is now a coach at The Other Side Village
April 16, 2024 || KRCL RadioACTive
Ep4: Sober Hip Hop
By students Katie Bennett and Malcolm Swope, and TOSA graduate Clay Josewski, who
now helps manage the academy
April 17, 2024 || KRCL RadioACTive
Ep5: Tattoo Stories & Removery
By students Crystal Fraughton and Eseudel Jang, and TOSA graduate Diego Cortez, who
now manages TOSA Moving & Stories, with production help from RadioACTive's Connor
Estes
April 18, 2024 || KRCL RadioACTive
Meet the TeamS
Team One
Meet Team One, the production team behind Tattoo Stories & Removery.
Diego Cortez is a graduate from The Other Side Academy, who now holds a leadership
staff position there. As an ex-gang member, Cortez used tattoos to reflect affiliation
and loyalty. “Once I became a staff member, I know, that gangs – it just irks me now. That was
the biggest lie I ever bought, and I just want to get it off me.”
University of Utah students Estelle Jang and Crystal Fraughton went with Cortez to
his removal sessions and learned more of his story. Others from the academy also discuss
how their tattoos no longer represent who they are.
Team Two
The production team of the Sober Hip Hop audio story includes University of Utah students
Malcolm Swope and Kate Bennett, along with The Other Side graduate turned staff member,
Clay Josewski.
Can music have an impact on addiction and recovery? For Josewski music played a role
in both and now he uses it to spread his message of a lifestyle change through “Sober
Hip-Hop.”
Team Three
Team Three includes student journalists Jae Bin Francis Shim and Jordyn Bates along
with The Other Side Academy’s Tiffany Blair. Together, they explore the power of mentorship
and how it can be a good or bad force in someone’s life.
Those guiding Blair in her youth did little to lift her up. She faced homelessness,
addiction and incarceration. Blair reflects on her journey through TOSA and those who inspired her to want a better
life. Now, Blair is on the other side of that equation. She is currently a staff member
at TOSA mentoring others.
Team Four
Team Four includes student journalists Sofia Kelson, Zach Robinson and Nathalia Montoya.
With the help of The Other Side Academy’s Tori Randall, they explore the stories of
the women of TOSA.
The academy is home to 126 people however, only 13 are women. The women live in the
historic Armstrong Mansion in Salt Lake City. For many of the women, the mansion is more than just a roof over their heads. “There is hope even for women like me like as much as you go through you lose that
hope. And that there is light at the end of the tunnel,” said 19-year-old resident,
Jewel.
Team Five
Team Five includes student journalists Isaac Dunaway and Thatcher Patterson along
with The Other Side Village's Robbie Myrick.
The Other Side Donuts is part of The Other Side Village, a community offering affordable
housing solutions for individuals transitioning from chronic homelessness. The donut
shop is run by people who live in the village with all the proceeds going back into
the program.
Lee is a village resident and works at The Other Side Donuts. “I'm recovering alcoholic just over 10 years [of] sobriety. Pretty much cost me my
first marriage. I’m estranged from my two sons. They're grown, live in Vegas. I’ve
struggled with that and with some mental health issues,” Gideon said.
A caseworker helped place Gideon at The Other Side Academy. “…Getting my life back together, so that's my motivation … “
Thanks to Our Partners!
Community Storyteling is a Department of Communication class in partnership and with support from Amplify Utah, KRCL, and the Other Side Academy.
