A college student’s deeply personal podcast about his grandmother’s battle with dementia has earned him top honors in NPR’s College Podcast Challenge, demonstrating how creative expression can help families navigate difficult conversations.
Colby McCaskill took home the grand prize for his audio submission that takes the form of a heartfelt letter to his grandparents, Kathy and Dick McCaskill. The podcast centers on his grandmother Kathy’s dementia diagnosis and the family’s journey in learning to discuss challenging topics they had previously avoided.
The winning entry explores themes that many families struggle with but often find too difficult to address directly – the realities of growing older, cognitive decline, and facing mortality. McCaskill admitted he had been frightened to confront his grandmother’s condition before creating the podcast.
The project became more than just a college assignment; it served as a bridge for meaningful family dialogue about subjects that had previously felt too overwhelming to tackle. Through the process of creating his audio story, McCaskill found a way to connect with his grandparents and address the elephant in the room that had been affecting their entire family.
NPR’s annual College Podcast Challenge invites students nationwide to submit original audio content, with entries judged on storytelling quality, production value, and emotional impact. This year’s winning submission stands out for its raw honesty and the way it transforms personal struggle into universal understanding.
