Hey Asterisks! 🎧 This special senior edition of Ad Aster brings together host Judy with guests Kate, Joyce, and Emma as they reflect on the chaos, beauty, and transformation of senior year and the transition to college. From academic burnout and childhood nostalgia to candid college advice and emotional resilience, this episode is an honest, heartwarming look at growing up.

🌐 Learn more: https://asterlit.org

📸 Follow us on IG: @aster.lit

📝 Transcript & details: available on our website!

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment about what resonated with you!

Timestamps:

00:00 — Intro: Meet host Judy and guests Kate & Joyce

01:30 — Reading and writing check-in

04:40 — Senior year reflections: overcommitment, burnout

06:30 — Balancing rest and productivity

09:20 — Kate on the “sophomore slump” and finding rhythm in college

13:40 — Summer plans: travel, reset, reclaiming freedom

17:00 — Judy’s nostalgic bucket list: childhood joys

19:00 — Should summer be productive or restful? Kate shares her take

22:10 — Course selection advice and approaching college pre

26:40 — Admissions talk: international vs. domestic experiences

29:50 — College fears, excitement, and emotional expectations

34:00 — Emma’s voice note: pressure, philosophy, reflection

40:00 — Stress, friendships, and meaningful takeaways from senior year

47:30 — Final advice: passion, perseverance, and exploration

50:13 — Closing: gratitude, wrap-up, and goodbye

Quotes:

“Looking back, I do feel like a totally different person… But I was also super scared before entering college. College is scary for everyone. But people try to do their best to help you acclimate and adjust — and I think it really works out.” — Kate

“Explore. Love your friends. Apply again, even if you’ve been rejected three times. Sometimes, the fourth time works.” — Emma

“People say the college application process will break your heart — and you don’t believe it until it does.”  — Joyce

"Senior year is going to feel like a waiting room where you don't feel like your life is progressing. You're just waiting. You're waiting for colleges to reply to you. You're waiting to know what's going to happen next. Where are you going next? That can get depressing quickly. So my advice to rising seniors is to make sure that you introduce new aspects into your life.” — Judy

Transcript

Hey Asterisks!

What do you think happens when there is a collision between mental health and creativity? In this episode of Ad Aster, your host Zara Siddiqui is joined by Aldrin Badiola, Aster’s newest associate editor and podcast team member, for an open-hearted conversation about writing, burnout, stigmatization in the literary community, and overall emotional honesty. 

Join us as we explore the boundaries of creativity and mental health and the point at which they merge together. Make sure to like, comment, and share with your fellow creatives!

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome & Introductions

02:00 – Are Editors Even Real People?

05:00 – Editing with Emotion, Not Just Grammar

08:00 – Balancing Aster with School & Family Life

12:00 – Meeting Chaos: Food, Family & Final Drafts

16:00 – Passion vs. Productivity: Why We Volunteer

20:00 – Burnout, Boundaries & the Need for Rest

25:00 – The Fun (and Fury) of Literary Debates

30:00 – Learning Beyond School: Podcasts & Growth

35:00 – Real-Life Lessons Schools Never Teach

40:00 – Community, Appreciation & Being Seen

45:00 – Editing Pet Peeves & Punctuation Panic

50:00 – Final Reflections: Being Human, Doing Our Best

53:00 – Ending Notes

Quotes:

“You can't really tell people things are going to be okay if, in the moment, they're not, because right now things are not okay. And it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel if you're struggling to get out of the tunnel in the first place.”— Aldrin

“There does come a time in life when it becomes almost human for us to feel sadness and grief and anger. And I think all of those emotions are just as valid as us feeling positive feelings.” — Zara

Transcript

Hey Asterisks! Have you ever submitted to a literary magazine and wondered what happens next? Who reads your pieces? Are they even real, or are they just highly literate robots running on caffeine?

In this episode, Zara Siddiqui and Judy Khaled discuss what it's like being a teen editor. Join them on this lighthearted, real, and somewhat crazy episode!

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome & Introductions

02:00 – Are Editors Even Real People?

05:00 – Editing with Emotion, Not Just Grammar

08:00 – Balancing Aster with School & Family Life

12:00 – Meeting Chaos: Food, Family & Final Drafts

16:00 – Passion vs. Productivity: Why We Volunteer

20:00 – Burnout, Boundaries & the Need for Rest

25:00 – The Fun (and Fury) of Literary Debates

30:00 – Learning Beyond School: Podcasts & Growth

35:00 – Real-Life Lessons Schools Never Teach

40:00 – Community, Appreciation & Being Seen

45:00 – Editing Pet Peeves & Punctuation Panic

50:00 – Final Reflections: Being Human, Doing Our Best

53:00 – Ending Notes

Transcript

Hey Asterisks! 🎧

Join us as we dive into the art of storytelling through photography and literature!

Our host, Zara Hafeez Siddiqui, Podcast Director and Managing Editor at Aster Lit, is joined by two incredible guests: Emma Zhang, Co-Editor-in-Chief, and Tony Pan, Managing Editor. Together, they explore the power of photography, how it connects to writing, and the role of perspective and interpretation in storytelling.

This episode covers everything from the ethics of editing to the emotional impact of images and words. It is packed with insights, creativity, and thought-provoking discussions!

Whether you're a writer, a photographer, or just love storytelling, this episode is for you! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode! ✨

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome & Introductions

01:00 – Emma & Tony: Their Backgrounds & Creative Interests

05:00 – What is Photography? How It Connects to Storytelling

10:00 – Photography vs. Literature: Interpretation & Subjectivity

15:00 – The Role of Context in Understanding Photos

20:00 – Ambiguity vs. Clarity: Striking a Balance in Art

25:00 – The Emotional & Ethical Impact of Photography

30:00 – Finding Inspiration: Literature vs. Photography

35:00 – Perfectionism in Photography & The Search for the Perfect Shot

40:00 – Photography as a Time Capsule: Changing Perspectives

45:00 – Final Reflections on Art & Storytelling

50:00 – Closing Remarks & Announcements

Transcript

Hey Asterisks! Join us as we explore Asterlit’s 2024 summer internship program.

Our host, Judy Khaled, a podcast team member and Associate Editor at Asterlit, is joined by three incredible guests: Celina Simone, our Editor-in-Chief; Angie, an Associate Editor and Events Team Member; and Naomi Ferraro, a Managing Editor and Social Media Team Member. Together, they’ll share their inspiring journeys from interns to key team members at Asterlit, offering valuable insights and personal stories along the way.

Whether you’re curious about internships or looking for inspiration, this episode is full of warmth and wisdom!

notable moments:

00:00 – Welcome & Introductions

01:00 – Celina Simone on Initiating the Internship Program

05:00 – Angie & Naomi: How They Discovered Asterlit

10:00 – Growth of Interns: Celina’s Perspective

15:00 – Challenges Faced by Interns: Angie & Naomi’s Stories

20:00 – Feedback & Support from Mentors

25:00 – Celina Reflects on Internship Success & Advice for the Future

30:00 – Angie & Naomi: Final Thoughts and Advice for Future Interns

35:00 – Closing Remarks & Exciting Announcements

Links:

Transcript

We’re joined by our host: Zara Siddiqui, the Podcast Director and Managing editor at Aster, as well as two fantastic guests: Emma Zhang, our Editor-in-Chief; and Judy Khaled, an Associate Editor and podcast team member. They’ll share their unique journeys from interns to key team members at AsterLit, offering invaluable insights and personal experiences along the way.

Whether you’re curious about internships or looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with warmth and wisdom!

notable moments:

00:25 - Introduction

00:45 - Introducing EIC Emma Zhang

02:39 - Discussing the Internship’s creation

10:00 - Intern Selection process

15:16 - Introducing AE and Podcast Team member Judy Khaled

16:03 - Emma’s founding experience for Asterlit

18:21 - Getting to know how the other EICs got involved with Aster

20:36 - Emma questions the former interns (Zara and Judy)

25:57 - Discussing Editorial Reflection Essays

30:22 - Advice for Future Interns

35:09 - End Statements

36:34 - Conclusion

Links:

Transcript

Our summer interns are back with another episode of Ad Aster! Join Aster Lit interns Judy, Angie, and Nabeeha for a deep dive into all things writing routines—the famous, the personal, the pros and the cons. Like our last episode, this episode was produced from start to finish by our summer interns. Thank you to our hosts for their hard work, to Joyce for the episode transcript, to Elizabeth for editing, and to Naomi for providing timestamps and quotes.

notable moments:

0:00 - Introduction 

0:35 - Finderscope check-in

2:11 - What is a writing routine?

2:42 - Nabeeha, Angie and Judy share their writing routines

5:15  - The hosts compare their writing habits to Jane Austen, Maya Angelou, Charles Dickens, and Haruki Murakami

9:46 - Discussion of how writing routines differ between professional and amateur writers

11:48 - Do writing routines differ based on the genre?

19:45 - Discussion of the hosts’ preferred medium for writing

20:37 - How being in jail affected a writer’s work

22:10 - Writing routines and wellness

27:56 - How can we avoid the negative effects of writing on health?

31:38 - The hosts’ writing and reading quirks

37:23 - Conclusion 

Links

Episode Transcript

Reddit post about the writer in jail

The most unusual writing rituals of famous authors 

The Daily Routines of Great Writers – The Marginalian

Psychological Benefits of Routines 

Welcome to our first-ever summer intern edition of Ad Aster! Join Aster Lit interns Judy, Angie, and Zara for an eye-opening and laughter-filled episode on some of our favorite children’s stories (and their darker histories). Learn about Disney favorites and classic tales as we celebrate the stories that have inspired us since childhood.

This episode was produced from start to finish by our first group of summer interns. Thanks to our hosts for their hard work, as well as to Jane for the episode transcript, Judy for editing, and Zara for highlighting timestamps and quotes.

notable moments:

0:12 - Introduction: Meet Angie, Judy, and Zara!

0:40 - Finderscope check-in.

3:19 - Insight on The Brothers Grimm.

4:19 - Discussing Tangled’s origin.

5:58 - Insight on Hans Christian Andersen.

6:21 - Hans Christian Andersen’s popular works.

8:55 - Zara explains the original Tangled (i.e. Rapunzel) story, which the Grimm brothers collected.

18:22 - Judy and Angie discuss the differences between the original Rapunzel and the adapted Disney version.

22:21 - Discussing Beauty and the Beast.

34:28 - Angie discusses Jane Eyre.

36:31 - Judy discusses Lost in a Book by Jennifer Donnelly.

37:30 - Judy, Angie, and Zara talk about taking inspiration from other books and writing their materials through these inspirations.

37:55 - Angie and Zara talk about Greek mythology and books (e.g. Percy Jackson).

40:48 - Judy and Angie talk about story variations and dive deeper into the symbolism in Jane Eyre.

43:34 - Judy asks a question for the listeners!

43:58 - Zara gives a short episode summary.

44:39 - Outro

⁠Information on The Brothers Grimm⁠

⁠Information on Hans Christian Anderson ⁠

⁠Rapunzel collected by The Brothers Grimm ⁠

⁠Beauty and the Beast - Wikipedia ⁠

⁠Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book by Jennifer Donnelly ⁠

Join Emma and Sara for a dive into one of our favorite genres at Ad Aster: magical realism! In this episode, Emma and Sara discuss all things magical realism, with—in true Ad Aster fashion—tangents galore. How is magical realism uniquely powerful for processing difficult realities? How does it intersect with other genres? Who are some of our favorite magical realism authors and their stories? Tune in to explore the surreal blend of reality and fantasy that defines this genre, and discover why it holds a special place in our hearts.

In 2024, how do we want to redefine the role of writing in our lives? According to co-hosts Kate and Emma, “I write, therefore I think, therefore I am”—as in, writing is the most fundamental catalyst and medium of new thoughts, ideas, and interpretations of the world. Join them as they explore writing as a mindset (a philosophy for directing attention and intention), set new year's resolutions (it's never too late!), and chat about how writing has evolved to intersect with other newfound interests. 

INTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM THEORY by Franny Choi

Point At Which Parallel Waves Converge & From Which Diverge - Tin House

Haruki Murakami’s daily routine