The Truth of Youth

In Episode 35, we reflected on our crazy Junior year. We touched on the struggles of standardized testing, balancing our social life with our most arduous year of school, asked for some advice from our 11th grade listeners, and asked ourselves whether Junior year really earns its reputation as "hell year." A special thanks to Agam Shalem, Rebecca Beaver, Dylan Gaitman, and Beverly Lauring.  V...

In Episode 34, we celebrated one year of The Truth of Youth by reflecting on what has changed about ourselves and our process, detailing how the podcast came to be, what keeps us driven as busy podcasting teens, and our plans for the future, including our new website. Visit us at thetruthofyouth.com to learn more about future episodes, our story, creator’s picks, and other inquiries. If you liked...

In Episode 33, we discussed some controversial and random statements for one of our listeners' favorite series — Great Debates. We debated whether schools should get rid of the +/- letter grading system in place of just a letter system, whether handwritten cards are useless or necessary, if schools can feasibly provide mental health days to their students, and much more. Visit us at thetrutho...

In Episode 32, we talked about our own experiences in the world of STEM and Science Research, and invited two of our accomplished colleagues from school, junior Hannah Park and senior Jonathan Tenenbaum. We discussed how young scientists can cultivate a passion for science alongside humanities and other subjects, why experimental and project failure has redirected us towards even better opportunit...

On Episode 31, we hosted our first-ever panel discussion with four other high school juniors about the drawbacks of the American education system. We discussed how inadequate financial and life-skill education leaves kids ill-prepared for choosing a major and career, how a core-subject system limits access to disciplines that students may be gifted in, why the SATs/ACTs and private school may disa...

On Episode 30, we answered anonymous questions on another Q&A episode surrounding ex's being friends with your friends, what's special and not-so-special about our hometown, how humans will go extinct, if we think we'll all end up like our parents, and more life advice.  Visit us at thetruthofyouth.com to learn more about future episodes, our story, creator’s picks, and other inquiries. I...

On Episode 29, we spoke to two accomplished teen authors about their ways of keeping up with writing in an increasingly digital age, whether they draw inspiration from their youth, and how recognition of written work by young authors is overlooked. You can read Varya's New York Times award-winning article Pants on Fire right here: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/14/learning/annotated-by-the-author...

On Episode 28, we discussed some controversial and random statements for another Great Debates episode. We questioned whether minors should be allowed to get tattoos, if schools should be able to view web browsers students are on during school hours to prevent cheating, if transportation is a human right, and more. Visit us at thetruthofyouth.com to learn more about future episodes, our story, cre...

On Episode 27, we talked to Ben Neiley, famed TikToker and Content Creator Ben Neiley about what it's been like to move to South Korea in the middle of a pandemic, why interdisciplinary study, like at his alma mater, NYU Gallatin, is essential to understanding systemic issues, and how he cultivated his skin insecurities growing up into a career. Check out Ben’s Instagram and TikTok: @benneiley Wat...

On Episode 26, we talked to The Creative Kids, an online collective for teen artists and designers. We asked TCK directors Ajay and Sahara about their creative processes and influences, how they've created a community despite never meeting in person, and balancing their social and family life with expanding their platform. Go check out The Creative Kids's website, platform, interviews, and socials...

On Episode 25, we examined the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma and why former social media officers are warning the public, including teens, against the dangers of things like targeted advertising and surveillance capitalism. We talked about some of our own experiences with social media, how these applications have influenced us as high schoolers, and what we want to do in the future to hel...

On Episode 24, we reflected our personal experiences with growing up, our parents' parenting, and how certain pressures may have had positive and negative influences on the people we are today. We also asked our listeners to help us answer what teens wished parents knew about our generation. A special thanks to Andrew Volynsky, Ariana Lim, and Ben Pomeranz. Visit us at thetruthofyouth.com to learn...

On Episode 23, we answered anonymous questions in our Q&A series surrounding the effects of a lack of diversity in school, the potential long-term effects of the Capitol Building incident on our generation’s perspective, and some of our New Year’s resolutions. Visit us at thetruthofyouth.com to learn more about future episodes, our story, creator’s picks, and other inquiries. If you liked this...

On Episode 22, we brought on two seniors, Kira and Danna, and one freshman, Joie, to discuss their 2020 experiences with us. We talked about how the compendium of events in 2020 has influenced the college admissions process, the emotions of teens in quarantine versus the present, and the lessons older students have learned that may alleviate younger students' fears of the future. Visit us at thetr...

In Episode 21, we brought on our friends Jaden and Jessica for another Great Debates episode, in which we debate random and controversial statements on the spot. This week, we reviewed whether the lack of financial education in school sets students up for failure, whether Life360 and other tracking apps are a danger to teenage privacy, if the generational gap between Gen-Z and other generations ha...

In Episode 20, we reflected on how the things that we're thankful for have changed over time, what our astrological signs might have to do with our outlooks towards the world, and the power of keeping something like a gratitude journal as a young person. Visit us at thetruthofyouth.com to learn more about future episodes, our story, creator’s picks, and other inquiries. If you liked this episode,...

In Episode 19, we talked about why mourning and grief while being a teen differ from other times in life, how to cut off toxic friends in a safe and sure way, what it's like to grieve for the first time, and our own experiences with death. If you or a friend are struggling with grief, suicidal thoughts, or other social anxieties, please call the 24-hour crisis/suicide hotline at (800) 273-8255 or...

In a special Halloween-themed Episode 18, we discussed the darker side of what Halloween is like in high school with party culture and how it has evolved from when we were younger. We also talked about some of our favorite (and cringy) spooky season traditions as well as some stereotypes surrounding costumes and gender. Visit us at thetruthofyouth.com to learn more about future episodes, our story...

In Episode 17, we brought on three teenage entrepreneurs to discuss their stories of difficult customers, balancing a self-owned business with school and social lives, and some things they wished they knew before they started working. A special thanks to Laila Biberica, Jessica Lee, and Sarah Shultz. Laila's Business Instagram — College Shop Spot: https://www.instagram.com/collegeshopspot/?hl=en J...

In Episode 15, we brought on our friend Sydney to talk about three of our favorite conspiracy theories surrounding the Titanic, 9/11, the Lost Colony of Roanoke, and more. We also asked some of our friends to tell us about some of their favorite conspiracies and why. A special thanks to Sydney Delahunta, Ethan Levine, and Julia Demoraes. Lemmino’s Lost Colony of Roanoke Video Link: https://www.you...

In Episode 15, we brought on our friend Sydney to talk about 3 of our favorite conspiracy theories surrounding the Titanic, 9/11, the Lost Colony of Roanoke, and more. We also asked some of our friends to tell us about some of their favorite conspiracies and why in a short segment. Make sure to check out our new logo and the other changes we made to the podcast (due to your amazing feedback). We c...

In Episode 14, we answered our listeners’ anonymous questions surrounding our hopes and fears for college, whether snow days and SAT/ACT will be a thing of the past post-pandemic,  what we think teachers can do better for a smoother online back to school transition, and more for our second Q&A miniseries episode. Visit us at thetruthofyouth.com to learn more about future episodes, our sto...

In our first media episode, Episode 13, we talked about HBO’s Euphoria - a show that illustrates a unique take on Gen-Z’s behaviors and sexual expression. In discussing this recent binge for Izzy and diehard rewatch for Max, we touched on how accurate Euphoria is in comparison to our high school experiences, the contemporary strides of the show's characterizations, and whether it really is worth t...

In Episode 12, we brought in New Yorkers Lily Orlando and Gigi Bylinsky to talk about how to defy gender and body-image stereotypes through clothing, whether hypebeast culture has tainted style authenticity, and all things thrifting. A special thanks to Lily Orlando, Gigi Bylinsky, and Gaby Beck for a special cameo. Check out Gaby's style creations Instagram: @future_of_fashion_club. Visit us at t...

In Episode 11, we started a new mini-series called “Great Debates,” in which we read random controversial statements arguing a certain viewpoint and then debate on them to see whether we agree or disagree. In this episode, we discussed whether dance is really a sport, if the drinking age should be lowered to 18, whether companies should be required to hire 50% male and 50% female employees, and mo...