About Us

About Us
Launching September 8st, 2026

Unmuted is a decentralized, youth-powered media network covering culture, current events, and modern life through the authentic lens of the next generation. Powered by a team of high school students in Santa Barbara, California, and founded in June 2026 by Ava Jane Damery and Zack Kass, Unmuted is rejuvenating local news through local youth.

We create real conversations, real reporting, and real perspectives from the ground level of community life. Our staff is made up of intelligent, curious, and emotionally honest young people who are committed to telling stories with authenticity and purpose. Untethered. Unfiltered. Unafraid. Unmuted.

If you subscribe today, you'll get full access to the website as well as email newsletters about new content when it's available. Your subscription makes this site possible, and allows Unmuted to continue to exist. Thank you!


Meet The Team

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Ava Jane Damery: Co-Founder/CEO/Editor-in-Chief

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Zack Kass: Co-Founder/Chair

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Andrew Sheshunoff: Editor + Staff Writer

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Ethan Maday: Editor + Staff Writer

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Caroline Wang: Staff Writer

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Hadleigh Bolton: Staff Writer

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Sadie Bush: Staff Writer

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Natalie MacFarlane: Staff Writer

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Jordan Volz: Staff Writer

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Tristan Gerdesic: Staff Writer

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Iris Heckes: Staff Writer + Videographer

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Alexander Damery: Photographer

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Hector Mejía Cruz: Photographer

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