Figuring It Out with Ganna ♡

What if the thing standing between you and the life you want isn’t failure… but the fear of failing?

In this episode, I’m talking about fear, confidence, failure, and what happens when you choose to do something even when you’re nervous.

I’m sharing one of my biggest lessons from Taekwondo — from my first competition, where I got so nervous that I withdrew, to competing internationally, facing someone I thought was much better than me, and realizing that sometimes confidence doesn’t come before you try. Sometimes, it comes because you tried.

This episode is also a continuation of Episode 1, What If You Tried? — because trying something once doesn’t magically make you fearless. Sometimes, you still have to choose to try again.

Plus, a small reminder from the Qur’an about trusting Allah when you’re afraid. 💗

You don’t have to become fearless. You just have to become a little less afraid.

If this episode resonates with you, follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who might need this reminder too. And don’t forget to turn on notifications so you don’t miss the next episode!

Growing up is weird. One minute you feel like you have everything figured out, and the next you’re wondering who you even are anymore.

In this episode, I’m talking about the parts of growing up that we don’t always talk about — changing as a person, outgrowing old versions of yourself, friendships changing, feeling pressure to have your future planned out, and realizing that maybe you don’t actually need to have everything figured out yet.

I’m also talking about Turtles All the Way Down by John Green, one of the first books I ever read and one of my favorite books ever. I loved the movie too, and I wanted to talk about why Aza’s story and the whole coming-of-age feeling of the book remind me so much of what growing up can actually feel like.

Because growing up isn’t just birthdays, new grades, becoming more independent, or making plans for the future. Sometimes it’s missing who you used to be while being excited about who you’re becoming. Sometimes it’s realizing that you’ve changed without even noticing. And sometimes it’s just accepting that you’re still figuring things out.

Plus, there’s a little reminder from the Qur’an about finding ease during difficult moments. 💗

So if you’re somewhere between “I’m still a kid” and “wait… I’m actually growing up,” this episode is for you.

What actually makes a good friendship? And what happens when two people who were once so close slowly become strangers?

In this episode, we’re starting with Hannah and Allie from Off Campus — one of my all-time favorite shows — and using their friendship to talk about what makes friendships work, what happens when people change, and why not every friendship is meant to last forever.

I’m also sharing a little about my own childhood boy best friend — someone I grew up with, went to separate schools from, and somehow ended up going to the same school as again, just in different branches. We don’t really talk anymore, and recently I’ve found myself missing the friendship and the version of us that used to exist.

We’ll talk about growing apart, letting friendships change naturally, and how sometimes you can miss someone without needing to bring them back into your life.

Plus, a reminder from the Qur’an about why we’re brought into each other’s lives in the first place. 💗

How many things do we keep to ourselves?

The feelings we don't know how to explain. The conversations we replay in our heads. The “I'm fine” we say when we're actually not. And all the things we wish we could say but never quite find the words for.

In this episode of Figuring It Out with Ganna, we’re talking about the things we keep inside, why it can be so hard to say what we really feel, and why being honest with yourself matters too.

I also share a little reminder from the Qur’an about the things we carry inside, and how sometimes, you don't need to have all the right words to acknowledge what you're feeling.

So, if there's something you've been keeping to yourself lately, maybe this episode is your sign to finally give it a little space.

And don't forget to follow the podcast, leave a rating, and share it with someone who might need to hear it. 💗

📱 Instagram coming soon!

What if the only thing stopping you from doing something is fear?

In the very first episode of Figuring It Out with Ganna, I’m talking about stepping outside your comfort zone, the fear of failing, worrying about what other people think, and the things we sometimes say “no” to before we even give ourselves a chance.

I’ll be sharing stories from my own life, including something I’ve regretted not trying, and a conversation inspired by one of my closest friendships and the way I’ve watched someone I’ve known for years approach fear.

We’ll talk about fixed and growth mindsets, the difference between being genuinely uninterested and being too scared to try, and the question I’ve started asking myself:

“Am I saying no because I don’t want to, or because I’m afraid?”

I’ll also get into university, the pressure to constantly prove yourself, social media, faith, and what it actually means to challenge yourself without feeling like you have to say yes to everything.

So, if you’ve ever thought “What if I fail?”, “What if I embarrass myself?”, or “What if I’m just not good enough?” — this episode is for you.

Maybe instead of asking, “What if I fail?”

We should sometimes ask:

“What if I just tried?”

🎧 Welcome to Figuring It Out with Ganna!

This short trailer gives you a sneak peek into what the podcast is all about — growing up, balancing school and mental health, chasing dreams, and learning through the chaos. Hosted by Ganna, a student and Taekwondo athlete navigating her teens, this show dives into everything from late-night study sessions and personal growth to favorite books, movies and real talk about life.

In Figuring It Out with Ganna, you’ll find honesty, comfort, and motivation — because none of us have it all together, but we’re all trying our best to figure it out, one page, one step, and one kick at a time.