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Hello, I'm Sam

Presenter / Producer @ PolSocPod

Journalism Student @ University of Sheffield

Former Managing Editor for Interviews @ The Teen Magazine

A little bit about me.

Hello! I'm a second year Journalism student at the University of Sheffield, and podcast host/producer for PolSocPod - a trio of podcasts focusing on political news, interviews, and debates.

I am also a former Managing Editor for an international youth-led publication called The Teen Magazine. In my role at TTM, I oversaw all the magazine’s interviews, work on content strategy, and support a team of 50+ young writers - helping them to reach their potential and improve their skills.

Until September 2023, I had a monthly column for my local magazine - the Dronfield Eye - which focused on issues relating to young people and community.

I am always looking for new challenges and opportunities to learn and develop, and looking to expand my network with other journalists - so please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Recent Articles

The Star •

The fascinating people and events commemorated in Sheffield with blue plaques

It can be found at the Crucible Theatre, which now occupiet the site of the former Adelphi Hotel, where the rules were agreed by members of the world’s oldest football club, Sheffield FC, 166 years ago.Steel is at the heart of Sheffield’s history, and the man behind this – the inventor of the revolutionary Bessemer process, Sir Henry Bessemer (1813-1898) – gets the recognition he deserves in the form of his own blue plaque.It isn’t only the world’s first football club that Sheffield is famous fo...
The Star •

Sheffield needs to "shout louder" about where "football all kicked off"

It was organised by the Sheffield Home of Football charity, which was also responsible for the erection of blue plaques for Cemetery Road Church FC and Sheffield FC co-founder Sir Nathaniel Creswick earlier this year.Abtisam Mohammed, MP for Sheffield Central, attended the plaque unveiling and said: “I think it’s fantastic news for Sheffield and the recognition needs to be there.“There are many people that are not from Sheffield that don’t realise that Sheffield is the home of football. I think...
The Star •

Blue plaque to be unveiled to recognise Sheffield's role in football history

The plaque will be located at the Crucible theatre – which is the site of the former Adelphi Hotel, where the rules were agreed to by members of the world’s oldest football club, Sheffield FC, 166 years ago.Tom Bird, Chief Executive of Sheffield Theatres, said: “We are very pleased to support this plaque, celebrating the rich footballing history on our doorstep.“To be able to commemorate this historical turning point and the depth of football’s origins in our city is a great pleasure.”It will be...
The Star •

Voice recordings of heroic Sheffield Blitz firefighter available to listen to online

Doug Lightning – who was the last surviving firefighter to have been on duty on the night of the Sheffield Blitz in 1940 – died aged 99 in 2017.But now audio clips of Mr Lightning’s personal accounts – which were recorded by the National Emergency Services Museum shortly before his passing – have been released online as part of their Inspire 999 digital exhibition.Matt Wakefield, CEO of the museum, said: “Doug Lightning’s stories are a really inspirational one for us, especially being in Sheffie...
The Star •

Sheffield museum highlights inspiring emergency service workers with new project

The National Emergency Services Museum has long celebrated the work of those on the front line, but it is now expanding on this mission even further with a collection of historical stories and personal accounts in their new digital project, Inspire 999.Matt Wakefield, the museum’s CEO, said: “Since the pandemic we've changed how we do absolutely everything here at the museum. We’ve got the really cool big red trucks and things, but it's the person’s story that stitches it all together.“So the In...
PolSocPod •

A Labour landslide and a Tory total wipeout

Welcome back to The Politics Debrief - a new weekly podcast which explains, discusses, and debates the political news stories that matter to you.

It is the morning after night before. A night which brought some shocking results, surprising successes, and a new government for the UK.

But who were the winners? Who were the losers? And what does it all mean? All is explained in this final General Election special.

The Politics Debrief is brought to you by PolSocPod, from the University of Sheffield Politics Society.

Presenters: Sam Burton, Eve Taylor, and Adam Caudle

Producer: Sam Burton

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @polsocpod

TikTok: @polsocpod

X: @polsocpodcast



Hosted on Acast. See for more information.
PolSocPod •

Who won the debate and what will the betting scandal do?

Welcome back to The Politics Debrief - a new weekly podcast which explains, discusses, and debates the political news stories that matter to you.

In this penultimate general election debrief, Sam and Eve analyse Wednesday night's BBC debate between Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak. Who was the winner? Will it have swayed any voters? Did they actually say anything we hadn't heard before?

They also give their take on the betting scandal and whether this will have an impact on Conservative and Labour voters so close to polling day...

The Politics Debrief is brought to you by PolSocPod, from the University of Sheffield Politics Society.

Presenters: Sam Burton and Eve Taylor

Producer: Sam Burton

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @polsocpod

TikTok: @polsocpod

X: @polsocpodcast

Hosted on Acast. See for more information.
PolSocPod •

Sunak v Starmer, Ed Davey's antics, and the return of Farage

Welcome to The Politics Debrief - a new weekly podcast which explains, discusses, and debates the political news stories that matter to you.

In this special hour-long debrief, Sam, Eve, and Thom examine the first month of the General Election campaign.

Will the latest scandal to hit the Tories send them into electoral oblivion? Should Keir Starmer have been bolder with Labour's manifesto? And what stunts might Ed Davey's team have up their sleeves for the final two weeks of the campaign?

Plus... the return of Nigel Farage, a potential change in fortunes for the Green Party, and the trio make their predictions for the final result.

The Politics Debrief is brought to you by PolSocPod, from the University of Sheffield Politics Society.

Presenters: Sam Burton, Eve Taylor, and Thomas Hopkins

Producer: Sam Burton

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @polsocpod

TikTok: @polsocpod

X: @polsocpodcast

Hosted on Acast. See for more information.

The Interview - Dehenna Davison MP

In this episode of The Interview, Conservative MP Dehenna Davison discusses her journey into politics; her time as Levelling Up Minister; LGBTQ+ issues being used as a "political football"; and her advice to aspiring politicians.Davison also offers her open and honest take on the three Prime Ministers of the last five years... Is Rishi Sunak the right person to lead the party into the general election? Will Boris Johnson have a positive or negative legacy? And does she regret backing Liz Truss' leadership campaign? Listen in to find out.
The Teen Magazine •

Inclusivity Is Being Re-Defined: the Video Challenging Misconceptions About Performers with Disabilities

For performers with disabilities, the path to a genuinely equal, inclusive, and representative entertainment industry still remains unclear.

While there has been some positive change in recent years, progress does remain frustratingly slow – something that Avery Roberts, Jess Westman, and Molly Nilsen can all vouch for.

Each have worked towards success in their respective fields of the industry and navigated obstacles along the way. Roberts is a dancer who became the first wheelchair user to p
The Teen Magazine •

Introducing EMiDORA: the Emerging Artist Making Music With Honesty And Authenticity

It was the eve of EMiDORA's 21st birthday. But this was not a happy birthday - it was a milestone that she had been dreading.

As a child, she had big dreams for what life might look like when she turned 21. However, with hours until this occasion, she was instead facing the daunting prospect of graduating from university without a plan or vision for the future.

“I was not feeling very inspired by my life. I was thinking I don't know what I'm going to do after uni - I'd thought by now that my w
The Teen Magazine •

National Dance Institute's DREAM Project Celebrates 10 Years of Talent and Inclusion: "It's a Hidden Treasure"

For Kay Gayner and Agnes McConlogue Ferro, dance is far more than just an artform. It's about joy. It's about community and friendships. It's about performing in a way that incorporates and celebrates all types of movement, all abilities, and all people. “Anybody who moves - no matter what they move - is a dancer,” Ferro says.

It is this core belief that motivated the pair to launch the National Dance Institute’s DREAM Project in 2014 - a pioneering program which partners children with and with
The Teen Magazine •

Young Piano Sensation Harmony Zhu on the Joys of Classical Music and Performing

There are few people who can emanate positive energy quite like Harmony Zhu. Acclaimed as “a deeply musical soul and nimble technician [with] probing sensitivity” (Chicago Tribune) and a “sparkling, happy presence” (Times Union), the 17-year-old pianist has spent over a decade sharing the joys of classical music with audiences. And, during our recent conversation, her cheerful aura and infectious smile are just as radiant.

Hailing from a non-musical family in Toronto, Canada, Harmony embarked o
The Teen Magazine •

Liv Pearsall on Creating Original Comedy Content and Her SNL Dreams

Liv Pearsall has become a leading figure within the new wave of Gen Z comedic talent.

The 24-year-old content creator has had a whirlwind three years, with videos of her skits, sketches, and relatable humour earning several million followers across her social media platforms. And now, the rising star is preparing to take her career to new heights.

In this exclusive interview with The Teen Magazine, the multifaceted online sensation discusses her rapid rise, the inspiration behind some of her f
The Teen Magazine •

Elle Winter on Her Era-Defying EP 'Yes Please' and Upcoming Music Releases

Singer-songwriter Elle Winter is a superstar in the making. The 24-year-old's authentic lyricism and unique pop style has already earned her an abundance of dedicated fans, which will no doubt continue to grow as the artist's career reaches new heights.

In this interview with The Teen Magazine, the musician discusses the meaning behind her music, her exciting plans for the future, and the experiences which have shaped her as the artist she is today.

The story of Elle Winter's rise to success b
The Teen Magazine •

Miss Teen USA Faron Medhi on Authenticity, Representation, and Her Journey to Success

“Nebraska, you are the winner of Miss Teen USA 2022!”

As the coveted Power of Hope Crown was placed atop her head and her fellow competitors gathered in celebration, these were the words that would change 19-year-old Faron Medhi's life forever.

The Miss Teen USA contest is one of the most prestigious and anticipated pageant events of the calendar year. It is also the competition that Faron Medhi dreamed of winning from a young age.

Finally turning those dreams into a reality has unlocked a mu
The Teen Magazine •

Pop Music Sensation Jenna Raine on Her New EP and Viral TikTok Song 'See You Later'

Jenna Raine has all the credentials of a future megastar. A four-year stint in a girl group? Check. A solo record deal with Warner Records? Check. A TikTok-viral original song that has been streamed over 100 million times? Check.

When you also take into account her captivating stage presence, distinctive musical flair, and powerful lyricism, it seems like there are no limits to what this 19-year-old singer-songwriter could go on to achieve.

Raine’s latest feat is her brand-new EP ‘Big Dumb Hea
The Teen Magazine •

Singer-Songwriter Kenzie Cait on How Music Helped Her to Heal after Heartbreak

Authentic. Heartfelt. Honest. If you are looking for a new artist with all these qualities to add to your playlists, then look no further than Kenzie Cait.

The talented Nashville-based singer-songwriter already has a reputation for releasing deeply relatable music about life and love as a young adult - and she is still only in the early stages of her career.

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of speaking with Kenzie about the trials and tribulations of being a rising artist, and why she is
The Teen Magazine •

Meet Lindsey Lomis: the Singer-Songwriter Destined for Stardom

Lindsey Lomis is undoubtedly one of the most exciting young artists on the music scene right now.

The singer-songwriter’s unique brand of soul-pop has generated millions of streams online and earned her a growing fanbase – which includes support from industry titans such as Meghan Trainor, Justin Bieber, Alessia Cara, and Shawn Mendes.

Ahead of the release of her new single 'Bad News / Good News' (out now) and eagerly anticipated EP 'Universe' (out April 14), Lindsey spoke to The Teen Magazine
The Teen Magazine •

Introducing Spark UK: the Teens Sparking Conversations About Mental Health

Mental health has become an increasingly important topic for our generation, yet many young people still struggle to access the support they need or find someone they can talk to.

One group of teenagers – from Devon, in southwest England - is determined to change that.

In 2020, they founded Spark UK; a mental health organization that has been inspiring students, schools, and celebrities alike with their projects to educate and raise awareness of young people’s mental health.

I recently spoke
The Teen Magazine •

Social Media Star Symonne Harrison on Living Her Hollywood Dream

Symonne Harrison is a force to be reckoned with. Since relocating to LA five years ago, the actress, singer, and social media sensation has been on a rapid rise to fame. "My life has changed so much," says the 16-year-old, who was brought up in Cleveland, Ohio. "This city motivates me and inspires me to hustle in my daily life. LA is an amazing place for creativity and social networking and offers many opportunities in this industry."

In this interview with The Teen Magazine, Symonne reveals he
The Teen Magazine •

COP26 Was a Failure, but Our Actions Can Determine the Future of Our Planet

“I am deeply sorry”. COP26 President Alok Sharma was holding back tears in his closing remarks to delegates at the end of the Glasgow climate conference last November. These tears were the tears of a generation.

There were high tides of hope for ground-breaking change at the climate change summit, yet a series of failures caused expectations to crash in the final few days – leaving behind a heap of criticism, controversy, and inadequate promises.

Alok Sharma’s remarks followed a disappointing
The Teen Magazine •

Influencer Katelyn Elizabeth on How She Became a Social Media Star

There is nothing abnormal about how Katelyn Elizabeth's journey to social media stardom began. Just like any other Generation Z teenager, Katelyn simply downloaded TikTok to “have fun with friends”. And now? After what can only be described as a whirlwind of a few years, the 19-year-old influencer is a shining light of the platform — having amassed over 1.9 million followers and frequently gracing the For You pages of many more users.

Our recent interview took place remotely via Zoom, with me s
The Teen Magazine •

TikTok Star Kayla Patterson on Her Rise to Stardom & Why She is One to Watch

For many Generation Z teens gaining a large social media following or becoming 'TikTok famous' would be fairly high up their bucket list. For TikTok star Kayla Patterson, this has become a reality.

Since joining TikTok in 2018, the 17-year-old has accumulated an impressive 2.1 million followers. Even if you are not an avid viewer of her videos yet, then you will almost certainly have seen her viral lip-sync and POV videos on your For You page.

In this interview, we got the opportunity to ask K
The Teen Magazine •

9 Songs You Need to Create the Ultimate Summer Playlist

Summer is almost here. Whether you're planning to go and hang out with friends, work on your fitness goals, or simply bathe in the tropical midday sun, we all know that there is one thing that can make or break the occasion: your choice of music. Choose wisely, and your playlist can boost your mood to new heights. Suddenly, you feel like you are on top of the world.

A blockbuster year for music has gifted us rising stars, hidden gems, everlasting hits, and some soon-to-be summer anthems. Now is
The Teen Magazine •

Rising Star Amelie Anstett Talks Social Media, Dancing, and 'Chicken Girls'

Amelie Anstett is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with. At just 17 years old, the teenage star has danced onstage with Justin Bieber, amassed thousands of followers across her social media platforms, and has recently starred in Brat TV’s hit series, Chicken Girls.

The Teen Magazine got the opportunity to meet with Amelie to discuss her dancing and acting career, and exciting plans for the future.

Amelie recalls how her performing aspirations were established from a young age, in front
The Teen Magazine •

Meet Logan Brown: the Inspiring Entrepreneur Chasing Her Dreams

Introducing Logan Brown — an entrepreneur and Harvard Law student. She has recently launched her own pantsuit company, Spencer Jane, which features the ultimate work-from-home blazer, a face mask, and sweatpants.

The Teen Magazine interviewed Logan to discuss her new startup, the journey to law school, and why resilience is key to succeeding as an entrepreneur.

When did you first develop an interest in law? How did you begin to pursue it?

I have been interested in the law for as long as I can
The Teen Magazine •

A New Start & What Might Happen: Predictions for 2021

2020 was a very unpredictable year. Our horoscopes definitely did not warn us that we would leave our normal lives behind for a year of video calls, working from home, and amateur hairdressing.

Thankfully, 2020 is over and the promise of coronavirus vaccines has given us hope of a new start. So what awaits us in the new year? Here to answer all of your questions, is your guide to 2021...

Gen Z Will Rock the World (again)

Last year, young people expressed their voices from home, but we still h
The Teen Magazine •

9 Binge-Worthy TV Shows That You Need to Be Watching Right Now

You will probably have been watching more TV than usual this year. Surprisingly, a global pandemic leaves you with not much else to do (other than those online lessons, of course). As we go into the winter, and life is still far from normal, there are still plenty of opportunities for some more binge-watching. Fear not, here are some of the most binge-worthy series this year…

Finding true love is not easy. HBO Max’s new hit series explores the love life of Darby (Anna Kendrick), a New York-dwel

Pint Size Politics #12

This week, Max, Sam and Adam discuss George Galloway's by-election win in Rochdale and what this means for Keir Starmer and the Labour Party, the question of who will succeed Mitch McConnell as the Republican Leader of the Senate, Sir Lindsay Hoyle's recent antics as House of Commons Speaker that have landed him in some hot water with the SNP and Plaid Cymru, before finally touching on what might be announced by Jeremy Hunt in next week's budget announcement.