What was high school like before smartphones, social media, texting, and even answering machines?

In this fascinating episode of Born Without a Choice, author and storyteller Laura Van Wormer takes us back to the early 1970s—the world that inspired her serialized fiction podcast, The Class of ’74.

Laura shares what teenage life was really like during a time when kids had far more freedom, parents had far less information, and friendships, relationships, and adventures happened entirely offline. We explore how young people navigated identity, peer pressure, family expectations, first loves, and growing up in a rapidly changing America.

Drawing from her own experiences and decades as a bestselling novelist, Laura reflects on the timeless challenges of adolescence and why, despite all the differences between generations, some parts of growing up never change.

Whether you’re nostalgic for the past or curious about a world before the internet, this conversation is a captivating journey through history, storytelling, and the universal experience of being a teenager.

In This Episode:

* What high school was really like in the early 1970s

* Life before smartphones, social media, and the internet

* Why nostalgia resonates across generations

* The inspiration behind The Class of ’74

* Lessons young people can still learn from the past

* How storytelling helps us understand ourselves and each other

⸻

📣 Connect with Laura Van Wormer

🎧 The Class of ’74 Podcast:

The Class of '74 on Apple Podcasts⁠

🌐 Official Website:

Laura Van Wormer Official Website⁠

📚 Books & More Information:

Visit Laura’s website to learn more about her bestselling novels, speaking appearances, and The Class of ’74 podcast.