MDC Alumnus Wins Edward R. Murrow Award For Mental Health Podcast
Michael Vargas Arango, a 2025 Kendall Campus graduate, was awarded the Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Innovation on Oct. 13 at Gotham Hall in New York City.
The award, which is presented by the Radio Television Digital News Association, recognizes exceptional achievement in broadcast and digital journalism in a creative manner.
Vargas Arango was awarded for his podcast The Monsters We Create, where he discusses his experiences living with schizoaffective disorder through narration and intricate sound design.
“I’m really happy, really proud [to] accomplish this,” said Vargas Arango, who is from Colombia. “You know, immigrants come here and we struggle…being able to achieve all this is just the work paying off, all that suffering, all that resilience paying off.”
In 2024, The Monsters We Create won the National Public Radio Student Podcast Challenge.
The 23-year-old will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in fall 2026. He intends to major in journalism or business.
To listen to his podcast, visit: https://rb.gy/y2hopm.
