Because I Said So

Sophie Tyler has been around media and entertainment her whole life, and she's learned in the hard way that art imitates life and vise versa. Unfortunately, that means carrying the burdens of inequities in gender, sexuality, and race on many different levels of the industry. Hoping to pursue a career on the screen as she gets older, Sophie is candid about her own experiences, ways things are changing, and how she ways to make effective impact on equality in the industry.

Allenecia Chumney is an inspiring young woman for many reasons, but one of them is the way that she has used a tumultuous situation for good. When she was young, Allenecia entered the foster care system and was adopted along with her biological sister. In this episode, she shares her story—the ups and downs. She also describes the ways she has found community and developed her own identity, and she gives her words to those considering adoption.

In this episode, high-school senior Treasure Eckles and I discuss how her senior year is affected, as well as how she keeps such a loving and optimistic outlook in the midst of such a tumultuous season in her life. We dive into the discussion on isolation—both in quarantine and in "normal" life, and how you can use that time as an opportunity to find yourself before fully establishing what you're community is and the importance of doing so.

In this episode, Juliana Abelow gives a deep dive on politics and civics. Chair of High School Democrats, a participant in ProjectCiv, and a volunteer on multiple campaigns: Juliana knows quite a bit when it comes to these topics. She discusses why ALL of us are affected by politics, how to get unbiased information, and why it is so important to ask questions. Additionally, she gives great information on how to begin learning and getting involved, because every journey begins with a single first step!

In this episode, I sit down with teacher and coach Laura Louis to discuss how she's really feeling right now. Amidst a pandemic that has taken away our sense of control and routine, she speaks on the ways mental strategies from coaching have helped her stay sane, the line between teacher and parent, and how she's learned how to be an intentional parent from the connections she's made with students. Additionally, she talks on the importance of validating mental health of people of all ages, and finding purpose from helping others find their own.

In this episode, I talk with Jamie Watson about the issues that arise when parental and adult support is contingent upon adherence to their own opinion. Through this, we dissect the importance of seeking opposing viewpoints, personal growth and exploration, and having empathetic and respectful discussions that focus on gaining on knowledge instead of tearing down other viewpoints. 

In this episode, Margot Smith and I discuss the extreme stereotypes that both republicans and democrats establish about the "opposition," and the ways that stops true progress. Additionally, we discuss the importance of seeing where someone is coming from when having discussions, breaking down internet barriers, and understanding politics is a spectrum.

In this episode, my dad and I sat down to talk about our emergency on the mountaintop, what that experience taught us about mental and physical age, and what it meant to hike the highest mountain in Colorado together. We also talk about the loss of his mother, how he coped, and how having a child provided new purpose.

This episode is a bit different! Recently, I got the chance to speak on the topic of mental health at a virtual town hall hosted by teens interning with a program called Opportunity Now. It was called "Speak Up: Lifting Teen Voices," and I wanted to share this insightful conversation with you! Feel free to listen straight through or skip around, no matter which you choose it will be a great listen! Thank you for your support, and don't forget to share with others you think would enjoy listening.

In this episode, I speak with Miriam Reside, a Tennessee teen who has grown up with a unique interest and education in criminal justice. She sheds light on the way age, race, and socioeconomic status affect sentencing and the legal process, as well as bringing to the surface the immorality of the death penalty and Unit 2.