A failing school system. An oil bust. A marching band determined to keep playing through a pandemic. This is the story of one Texas high school in crisis — and trying to reopen its doors.
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Latest episodes
Showing 2 · updated from the feed
Part 2: Friday Night Lights
In 1988, a high school football team in Odessa, Texas, was so good that it became the inspiration for a book, movie and, eventually, the television series “Friday Night L
Mar 12 2021 43 min
Part 1: The School Year Begins
Odessa is a four-part audio documentary series about one West Texas high school reopening during the pandemic — and the teachers, students and nurses affected in the proc
Feb 26 2021 38 min
Chart trend
Position in the Documentary chart (US), last 90 days.
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#49
all-time peak
1
day in the top 50 since Nov 2024
Chart positions
Where Odessa ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 9, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
The real truth and interviews was so hard to hear but needed. I loved hearing the true life stories of what is going on in the real world. New York Times did a great job!!!!
Klig · Jun 2021
So many people focused on healthcare works and their struggles (and rightfully so) but the trickle down effects in our schools were not as wildly reported. I appreciate how you showed the other side of Odessa as well. I would love a follow up next year to see how teachers are now coping with basically having to teach what was missed, and how they are getting out of the mental fog of quarantine.
Jaryn594 · Jun 2021
Loved this insight into a high school and the tragedy of this last year. I appreciated the teachers devotion to their students. The music was a great backdrop. Ignore the comments about the host’s voice. It’s her voice, and she engaged empathetically with the kids and teachers. Those comments felt sexist to me.
SF-MB · Jun 2021
This is a fantastic and extremely important podcast that helps to shed light on the way in which the Covid pandemic affected an entire generation of teenagers; future adults and parents.
Now that the school year is finished I would love to listen to, or even read, about how things turned out for the students, teachers, nurses and counselors.
Thank you for all this amazing work!
d.t.e · Jun 2021
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