Ad Aster

Ad Aster

By Aster LitArtsBooks
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Ad Aster episodes

  • Reflecting on the Writing Community

    Hi Asterisks! We hope that you're all doing well! In this episode, Maddy, Abby, and Emma discussed their experiences on the teen writing world and reflected on some lessons they've learned. Whether you're just beginning to enter competitions and programs or a veteran of the teen writing community, this episode will definitely have something you relate to. 

    36 min
  • Shattering Echo Chambers and Building Community Creatively with Sophie Beren, Founder & CEO of The Conversationalist

    If you ever want to have an incredible conversation about having incredible conversations, Sophie Beren is your girl! She is the founder and CEO of The Conversationalist, a multimedia digital platform empowering 15,000+ Gen Z leaders to break out of their echo chambers, have difficult conversations, and unify together. Through The Conversationalist's Gen Z Talk Show, "POVz"; their digital network on the Geneva app; and their text line, Sophie is helping unifying diverse young people from across the globe, once voice at a time. Sophie was recently recognized for her work as a 25 Under 25 by Social Entrepreneurs Magazine and 21 Womxn Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2021. Today, Sophie chats with Liz, Abby, and Hesandi about her journey from Kansas to the University of Pennsylvania to starting the Conversationalist, why echo chambers matter, and how writing and art can be used to build unifying communities. 

    26 min
  • Ringing in the New Year!

    Hello Asterisks, long time no see! We hope you've had a great 2022 so far. In this episode, Caroline, Hesandi, and Maddy shared their New Year's Resolutions and plans they hope to accomplish in the new year. Join us as we discuss how to balance all of your goals (and provide some tips for your resolutions too!) 

    17 min
  • Productivity & Writing (and How To Avoid Burnout)

    Hi Asterisks, and welcome back to the 11th episode of Ad Aster! Today, Maddy and Liz discussed productivity and writing, fall, English classes, and college applications (dun dun dun!!) Join us as we discuss how to avoid writer's block and burnout or if you want some tips to remain engaged and in love with writing. 

    27 min
  • Diversity and Inclusion with Binaka Norris and Diversify Our Narrative
    Hey Asterisks, and welcome back to Ad Aster's tenth episode! Today, Maddy and Liz were joined by Binaka Norris, the Director of Marketing for Diversify Our Narrative, an organization seeking to increase anti-racism curricula and representation in schools. Join us as we chat about all things diversity and inclusion (as well as some #PublixLove). As we turn our lens onto the youth writing community, learn what YOU can do to help this next generation have the most diverse media yet. We had an amazing time talking to Binaka, and we hope you enjoy the episode!
    33 min
  • Unraveling the Myth of Impactful Creative Writing (mini episode!)
    In this podcast, hosts Maddy, Liz, and Celine discuss how the current teenage writing community fixates on negative emotions and offer solutions to solve this problem and find more inspiration in positivity. Whether you're a writer yourself or not, this discussion is more relevant than ever, especially as media can seem more focused on sadness and negativity.
    5 min
  • Interviewing Christina Li, Starlit Award Winner in Prose

    Christina Li is a young writer from Canada and the inaugural winner of Aster Lit's Starlit Award in Prose. Her winning story, "Always Human," can be read in Issue 1 (Spring 2021) of Aster Lit at https://www.asterlit.org/spring2021. Today we chat with her about the inspiration behind her writing, her experience as a member of the Aster Lit community, and her favorite books. We hope you find this interview enjoyable and insightful, particularly as you consider submitting your prose or poetry to Issue 2 of Aster Lit (Summer 2021) by May 20 at https://www.asterlit.org/summer2021/submit!

    10 min
  • Finding Your Way in a Competitive World

    Hello Asterisks, and welcome to our seventh episode! Join us as we discuss the drawbacks of competition in many facets of our lives and our tips for surviving and thriving in this culture. If you're a young writer, teenager, or person in general, you'll find yourself relating to at least one of the topics we discuss here. Join hosts Maddy, Hesandi, Zoe, and Liz as they conquer competition and show you how you can too!

    38 min
  • Interviewing Poetry Icon Rhiannon McGavin
    Behold: our glorious interview with the one, the only, Rhiannon McGavin! The 2016 Los Angeles Youth Poet Laureate and National YoungArts Finalist in Spoken Word, Rhiannon is an internationally-acclaimed poet and author who’s graced venues such as the Teen Vogue Summit, NBC News, Button Poetry, The NAACP Awards, and the LA Times Festival of Books. Join Liz, Zoe, and Hesandi as Rhiannon shares her most memorable spoken word experiences, her advice for aspiring writers, and a poem from her upcoming book “Grocery List Poems” (plus a few visits from her very adorable cats and dog).
    47 min
  • The Joy of Winter Holidays
    hello Asterisks, we hope you had a great holiday and are enjoying 2021 so far! Close out the holiday season by joining hosts Maddy, Liz, David, and awesome guest Nithya as they share their favorite holiday memories, traditions, and some epic song recommendations!
    25 min

About Ad Aster

From the publisher's feed

Introducing our podcast Ad Aster, an offshoot of Aster Lit! Come aboard as we traverse the creative universe together, interview published authors, and share our experiences as young writers from around the world.