'Monster Madness': An Eleven-Year-Old's Joyful Podcast on Bigfoot

NPR's Student Podcast Contest

NPR's annual Student Podcast Challenge calls out to young creatives, drawing in an array of narratives every year. We receive unique journalistic pieces, touching family tales, and intimate expressions of perspective.

Our judges have the pleasure of experiencing a wide range of topics, including sports and music, and capturing the essence of school life. Among the countless entries, a few stand out as exceptional treasures, like this fascinating submission.

Made with a dash of innocence and a lot of zest, Ryan Betts-Ng, an 11-year-old from Redwood Day School in Oakland, California, created an entry that hums with excitement: "Monster Madness, a podcast that's long overdue," Ryan joyfully declares. "This show explores the origins of legendary creatures."

With assistance from his younger brother, Marshall, Ryan highlights their beloved mythical creature, Bigfoot. Ryan's effort shines with a combination of in-depth investigation and imagination, accented by self-created sound effects.

The exuberance and humor Ryan and Marshall injected into their podcast turned it into an appealing piece for our judges.

Listen to the spirited creation by Ryan and Dylan Betts-Ng, who became finalists in the 2025 NPR Student Podcast Challenge.