Even at a young age, we have the power to influence and shape the world around us. That’s been true for Ella Brinen, a 19-year-old who’s currently lobbying state lawmakers to pass a “foster youth bill of rights” based on her own experience in the foster care system. As a high schooler, she led student protests around gun violence. Today, we talk to her about the process of writing a bill, advice for aging out of foster care, and the moment when she realized she could use her voice for good.

This episode was produced by Emily Siner.