PODCAST · education
High School Matters
by Randy Appell
How much did High School shape your life? High School Matters is a podcast dedicated to conversations I have with my former High School students where I set out to find out how High School mattered to them both then and now. What I uncover in these conversations is that the persona that these kids created in High School is not exactly what was beneath the surface.
Episodes
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The Kid Who Got Expelled - Part 2
The punch was only the beginning. In Part 1 of The Kid Who Got Expelled, you heard Sam tell the story of the events leading up to the punch that changed two lives—and became a defining moment at Great Neck North. Now, in Part 2, we hear what happened next. Sam opens up about the consequences that...
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The Kid Who Got Expelled - Part 1
Most people remember the punch. Very few know what happened to the person who threw it. In this episode of High School Matters, Randy sits down with Sam, the former Great Neck North student whose single punch became a defining moment not only in another student's life, but in his own. Sam was...
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The Guy Who (sort of) Remembers Freshman Friday
In this episode of High School Matters, I sit down with Kevin Nassimi, a student who has become connected to this podcast in some unexpected ways. Kevin reflects on friendships, high school drama, and the events surrounding one of the school's most talked-about moments. Along the way, he shares...
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The Guy Who Couldn't Be Converted - Part 2
In this powerful two-part episode of High School Matters, Randy Appell sits down with former student Mat Shurka for a conversation years in the making. Mat was a student in Randy's biology class in 2002. What Randy didn't know then was that Mat was carrying a secret shaped by trauma, fear, and...
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The Guy Who Couldn't Be Converted - Part 1
In this powerful two-part episode of High School Matters, Randy Appell sits down with former student Mat Shurka for a conversation years in the making. Mat was a student in Randy's biology class in 2002. What Randy didn't know then was that Mat was carrying a secret shaped by trauma, fear, and...
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The Guy Who Took Notes in HS?
From high school strangers to unlikely reconnection—this episode explores how the past lingers, and how it can reshape the future. Eric Relkin and I weren't friends in high school—he was the funny guy a year ahead of me, and that was about it. But one class, one teacher, and years later, one odd...
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The Guy Who Skips Breakfast
In a special departure from the usual format, Randy Appell sits down with Dr. Mark Mattson—a trailblazing neuroscientist, 20-year veteran of the National Institutes of Health, and one of the leading minds behind the science of intermittent fasting. His groundbreaking research not only reshaped…
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The Host
In a full-circle twist, the mic flips. Host Randy Appell becomes the guest as executive producer Jon Fuss takes over to interview the voice behind High School Matters. What follows is a heartfelt, honest, and often hilarious conversation about Randy's life—his high school memories, the moments…
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The Nostalgic Superfan
Today's episode is a blast from the past with a twist! I'm joined by Scott Saltiel, who proudly claims the title of High School Matters' number one fan. Unlike many of my guests, Scott and I weren't friends back in high school—but over time, we've discovered we have way more in common than we…
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The Teacher Who Busted Out
Mr. Dubin was one of my favorite teachers in high school, not because he stuck to any script, but because he had his own style. He was quirky, unpredictable, and full of spirit. His class felt fun, personal, and the kind of experience that stays with you for life. In this episode, we look back on...
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The Comedian Who Thinks I'm Funny
What happens when your oldest friend is also the funniest person you've ever met? You laugh… a lot. And maybe grow up a little along the way. In this episode, I sit down with Dave Siegel—stand-up comedian, news writer, and my best friend since the first grade. Dave's performed on America's Got...
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The Guy with the Blue Goatee
In a refreshing twist from my usual conversations with former students, this episode features one of my closest friends from high school, Kenny Eisenstein. Back in 1994, Kenny's dry, understated humor kept me laughing—and it still does. Like many of us, Kenny looks back on high school with a mix…
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The Camp Owner
Richie Kamen's journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Richie went from a poor, insecure, bedwetting kid to the unlikely owner of Camps Equinunk and Blue Ridge, which he somehow purchased with no money and zero entrepreneurial experience. But owning the camps was only the beginning. Richie…
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The Dedicated Hero
Aaron Bours, the student who dropped out of college to become a soldier in the Israeli Defense Force, has returned to speak with me again. This time he is a wounded hero at the center of the world's most divisive war between Israel and Hamas. Hear about the conflict as he experienced it…
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The Dedicated Officer
Aaron Bours thrived in high school and got the most out of each day there. After graduating, he wanted to be more than just a college student, so he dropped out of college to join the Israeli Defense Force. This experience changed his life. After settling into a successful and stable career, he...
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The Kid Who Got Expelled
After recording this emotional and revealing conversation, my guest asked me to protect his identity so his name will not be used. My guest entered Great Neck North High School as a 10th grader after being kicked out of a Yeshiva. His risky behavior got him kicked out of GNNHS also, this time for...
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The Girl Who Found Herself
Adriana Phillips went through high school on a mission: to find herself. She often felt like her personality had two sides, but she never quite understood why. She looked like she might be a popular cheerleader or prom queen, but instead she was a studious actress. Adriana was driven by this...
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The 2 Voices
Leila Eshaghpour and Julia Eshaghpour are identical twins. They were both in my AP Chemistry class together back in 2016. They are hilarious, self-reflective, genuine, and unique young women. We talk about what each of their lives has been like growing up with a mirror image of herself. We dive...
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The Class President
Benny Laitman started high school as a self-described lanky, nerdy kid. He decided to run for class president in his freshman year and wound up winning. We discuss all of the events that took place because of that victory and how his life has been different ever since. We also discuss how his...
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The Survivor
Shayna Domnitch went through high school with relative ease. She was a sweet, pretty, popular, and confident girl back then. She got positive attention from guys and had a lot of close friends, many of whom she is still close with today. Shayna eventually had to face her biggest challenge when…
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The Quiet Kid
David Niknam was one of the quietest guys I ever had in any of my classes. Even though I had him for 2 years in a row, I never really got to know him. I did many things to try and get him out of his shell: calling on him often, engaging him in discussion, and even offering him extra credit to get...
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The Funny Earthling
Jen Doppelt (@JenExotic) is one of the funniest people I know. Back in high school she pushed the envelope with hilarious and often outrageous comments that got a reaction out of both peers and teachers. It turns out that Jen actually used her humor as a bodyguard, protecting her from stuff she...
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The Guy in Protection Mode
Joe Stern went through high school in "protective mode". As a Russian kid speaking English as his second language, he was bullied at an early age. As much as he really wanted to fit in and bond with his classmates, he never felt quite comfortable, dealing with a lot of anxiety and adopting some...
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The Girl in the Background
Emily Eyerman never felt important back in her high school days (2002-2006). She had a complicated life at home, so she got used to hiding in the background to protect herself. Ironically she always craved to be seen, which led her to some pretty risky behavior as a teen. Emily is a therapist...
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The Guy Who Sought Discomfort
Won Jung moved to New York City from South Korea when he was only 4 years old. When he was in 4th grade, his parents moved him again, this time to Great Neck, to give him all the opportunities a wealthy community gives its students. While Won Jung's transition was a little rocky, he became...
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The Teacher Who Inspired the Student
Steve Amara is the reason I am a chemistry teacher. As part of his 40-year teaching career, where he inspired many students along the way, Mr. Amara was MY honors chemistry teacher back in 1992. In this enlightening and nostalgic conversation, we share not only our views on how to be a teacher…
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The Student Who Inspired The Teacher
Josh Kam is one of the reasons 'High School Matters' exists. Josh was in my AP Chemistry class during his junior year of high school back in 2007. That year was the onset of a student-teacher relationship that was more of a friendship than anything else. Josh has asked me for guidance during...
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The Girl In Chaos
Jen Halper went through high school and the majority of her childhood in chaos. Jen was with me in Chemistry during her junior year back in 2005. To describe her chaos in a few sentences of text would minimize the significance of her experiences. The main takeaway is that Jen is living proof that...
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The Girl Who Couldn't Leave Home
Lauren Nassimi (Lauren Yaghoubi) is a member of the Mashadi community, perhaps the most conservative subculture among the handful of Persian communities in New York. Lauren was a student in my Biology class back in 2002 as a high school freshman. We talk very openly about how growing up as a…
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The Guy Who Couldn't Drink
Josh Kadden went through high school with a lot of privilege, but that doesn't mean his experience came without challenges. Josh was in my chemistry class back in 2008 as a sophomore. While our conversation focuses on many of the issues Josh faced, most importantly it highlights how his attitude...
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The Quirky Influencer
Lisa Hayim was one of the most popular girls in high school and now has more Instagram followers than almost all of my students combined! Lisa was in my Biology class back in 2002 as a freshman in high school. She is now a very successful nutritionist and social media influencer, after years of...
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The Girl Who Walks In Her Dreams
Kyra Benton went through high school in a wheel chair and on a life-supporting ventilator. Kyra was in my Biology class back in 2012. Our conversation touched upon so many themes, like the power of friendship, the concept of death, not wanting to be treated differently, and so much more. While…
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The Guy Who Ran the School
David Nowinsky walked through the halls of his High School like he owned the place. David was a student in my Chemistry class back in 2008 while he was a Junior. We talk very openly about how situations in his life lead to the way he acted in high school both towards his friends and towards...
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The Girl Behind the Piano
Jee Min Lee started High School in America as a 10th grader after leaving her home in South Korea to pursue a career as a concert pianist. She was my student that year in my Honors Chemistry class, and more. We talk deeply about how her experience as a high school student had a profound impact on...
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The Homecoming King
Joshua Cox was one of only a handful of African American students back in High School. He was a student in my Biology class as a freshman and was a member of the graduating class of 2006, for which I was the class advisor. We talk very openly about how this experience not only impacted his life...
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The SAT Cheater
Sam Eshaghoff is notorious in the SAT world, as he was arrested and charged for cheating on the SATs. Sam was my student back in 2007 while he was at Great Neck North High School. In our conversation, 10 years after he graduated High School, we talk about who he was before, during and after his...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
How much did High School shape your life? High School Matters is a podcast dedicated to conversations I have with my former High School students where I set out to find out how High School mattered to them both then and now. What I uncover in these conversations is that the persona that these kids created in High School is not exactly what was beneath the surface.
HOSTED BY
Randy Appell
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does High School Matters have?
High School Matters currently has 36 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is High School Matters about?
How much did High School shape your life? High School Matters is a podcast dedicated to conversations I have with my former High School students where I set out to find out how High School mattered to them both then and now. What I uncover in these conversations is that the persona that these kids...
How often does High School Matters release new episodes?
High School Matters has 36 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to High School Matters?
You can listen to High School Matters on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts High School Matters?
High School Matters is created and hosted by Randy Appell.
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