Modesto High Student Hosts 'Youth in the Loop' Podcast

Weekly interview show features local leaders and their impact on the younger generation

Mar. 16, 2026 at 10:51pm

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Rudra Patel, a junior at Modesto High School, hosts a weekly podcast called 'Youth in the Loop' that interviews community leaders and shines a spotlight on issues important to Modesto's youth. The half-hour episodes air on 95.5 FM KCBP and are produced by the Peace/Life Center.

Why it matters

The podcast provides a platform for Modesto's young people to hear directly from local leaders and learn about opportunities to get involved in their community. It aims to inspire the next generation of civic-minded residents and advocates.

The details

Since August, Patel has interviewed a range of guests including the Modesto police chief and the Modesto City Schools superintendent. His most recent guest was Gillian Wegener, a poet and chair of the Stanislaus County Commission for Women, who discussed her work teaching creative writing to incarcerated youth and opportunities for young people to get involved with the Modesto-Stanislaus Poetry Center.

  • The podcast episodes air every Wednesday at 6 p.m. on 95.5 FM KCBP.
  • Patel started hosting the podcast in August 2025.

The players

Rudra Patel

A junior at Modesto High School and the host of the 'Youth in the Loop' podcast.

Gillian Wegener

A poet and the chair of the Stanislaus County Commission for Women, who was recently interviewed on the podcast.

James Costello

The manager of KCBP radio station, which airs the 'Youth in the Loop' podcast.

Peace/Life Center

The organization that produces the 'Youth in the Loop' podcast.

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What they’re saying

“I've yet to get rejected by anybody so far, but depending on the response, I will say, 'Yeah, that sounds great, let me send you a document of guiding questions that we can use for our podcast, and we can set up a date.'”

— Rudra Patel, Host, 'Youth in the Loop' podcast

“He's very talented, very aware. He comes up with really good questions.”

— James Costello, Manager, KCBP radio station

“Their writing was raw and emotional and beautiful, and again it's an outlet. I mean, these girls have come from rough situations, and having that outlet for expression is a step toward healing.”

— Gillian Wegener, Poet and Chair, Stanislaus County Commission for Women

“We need the youth voice in the world. Because we can talk all we want to, but it's when we all join together, and when the youth especially have something to say, that things get really powerful and get heard.”

— Gillian Wegener, Poet and Chair, Stanislaus County Commission for Women

What’s next

Patel has another interview lined up with congressional candidate Michael Masuda.

The takeaway

The 'Youth in the Loop' podcast provides a valuable platform for Modesto's young people to hear directly from local leaders and learn about ways to get involved in their community, inspiring the next generation of civic-minded residents.