This Teenage Life

Connecting with the natural world can bring about a spectrum of feelings, especially after spending most of the day inside at school or work. Even though it can be such a grounding and energizing experience, many of us struggle to find time to get outside. In this episode, the teens chat about how where they live impacts the way they connect with the natural world, how it feels when they do, and t...

We are excited to announce that for folks age 14-25 living in the United States, you are eligible to participate in this next round of the National Contribution Project. Learn more and apply at www.contributionproject.org/national. Applications are due February 21st.  

In this "part 2" of our episodes on friend breakups, the teens explore the emotional dimensions of losing friends. How does it feel to be distant from someone you used to be so close to? What can we do to get closure at the end of a relationship? How can we heal emotionally?  

Here at This Teenage Life, we've uncovered a phenomenon called "too muchness." It's a fear of being "too much" that can lead to self policing that holds us back from being our authentic selves. In this re-release of one of our favorite episodes, we talk about our fears and critiques of "too muchness," how it feels, and where we think it comes from. If you are looking to join a community that will...

It's a tough time. Fires. Political turmoil. When we're at home and feeling sad, angry, or anxious, what are some strategies we use to comfort ourselves? In this re-release of one of our favorite episodes of This Teenage Life, we discuss what we do to make ourselves feel better. If you are looking to add comfort to your life, please consider joining one of our new dialogue groups! We would love to...

Even though we all experience it, embarrassment is not a fun feeling. For some folks, they just want to disappear. For others, the embarrassment continues long after the moment is over, as they relive the event in their heads.  In this episode, the teens discuss how they deal with being embarrassed and share their favorite stories. What does it feel like? What about those painfully awkward moments...

Sending our support to our friends affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles. We are here for you. 

As a teenager, it can feel like you are constantly moving on from things - hobbies, friends, schools, ways of thinking, and more. This can be exciting, but also sad or confusing. In this episode, the teens discuss things they've had to move on from and the emotional dimensions of the process. 

For folks applying to college in the United States, applications are almost due! This time can feel incredibly stressful and overwhelming, but having conversations with peers going through the same thing can help. In today's episode, the teens discuss various aspects of college applications - financial aid, social comparison, finding support, and advice that helped them. 

Cultivating friendships and authentic connection can serve as an antidote to loneliness and mental health challenges. How can we harness these skills in a society that prioritizes independence and rising to the top? In this episode, sponsored by Learning Enterprise at Arizona State University, we talk with young men about masculinity, vulnerability, and close relationships. We also interview Dr. N...

Mental health stigma remains a major issue in combating loneliness and the mental health crisis, and research shows that men are significantly less likely to seek help. In this episode, sponsored by Learning Enterprise at Arizona State University, we talk with young men about mental health and masculinity. We also interview Dr. Ben Harris, a clinical psychologist, about his experiences working wit...

Cooking, baking, and consuming delicious meals can be incredibly fulfilling acitvities, especially when they are shared with loved ones. To celebrate Thanksgiving next week in the United States, this episode is all about food. Our teen participants discuss their relationships to cooking or baking, kitchen disasters, holiday traditions, and meals that bring comfort. We are also joined by Sarah Clap...

Everyone experiences failure at some point in their life, but it can be difficult to talk about. Failure can make a person feel uncomfortable, or angry, or full of self-doubt. In this episode, This Teenage Life participants discuss what they think failure is, share stories of times they have "failed," and explore how they cultivate resilience in their lives. 

In this episode, we chat with folks who have recently engaged in The National Contribution Project , a nationwide initiative where young people affiliated with partner organizations get funded to pursue projects that matter to them. We learn about the projects people chose, how they felt along the way, and why contribution matters.   Thank you to the  Purpose Commons , a project incubated by  Hope...

In this new series, we chat with individual TTL participants about their life as a teenager in this exact moment. This episode features Jacquie, a teen in Zimbabwe, as she discusses new advocacy opportunities, difficult situations at school, public speaking and more. 

With unfolding conflicts throughout the world and increasing polarization throughout the U.S., questions of how to engage in dialogue and connect across differences, become increasingly important.    In this episode, you hear from two teens, Easha and Daniel, who have forged a deep friendship and co-created an interfaith club at their school, which centers dialogue, storytelling, and empathy.   Th...

On this World Mental Health Day, a groundbreaking study has been published about how social media intersects with various pressures teens feel (e.g. the pressure to have a game plan, to achieve, to be good friends, to look certain ways, etc.). In this episode, we hear from teens themselves about their experiences of these pressures, and then we hear from researchers from the Center for Digital Thr...

In this episode, the teens describe moments when they feel purposeful and their understandings of the idea of purpose. We speak with Dr. Tony Burrow, a professor who studies purpose and researches the health benefits of purpose. Through his research, Dr. Burrow helps us reframe and examine the many benefits of cultivating senses of purpose. You can learn more about Dr. Burrows work  here . Thank y...

In a world with so much pressure to excel academically, make family proud, and maintain financial stabiliity, it can feel difficult to pursue creative passions. These passions often get pushed aside as school and career planning takes over. But what if creativity is part of your job?  In this episode, the teens share their thoughts on favorite creative practices, how that's changed as they've gott...

Many of us grew up consuming tv, movies, or social media that portrayed teenagehood in a very specific way - parties, sweet 16 birthdays, first kisses, drivers licenses, sleepovers, and more! There can be pressure to do all these things while still a teenager, but is this realistic? In this episode, the teens discuss how they approach the typical "teenage bucket list," grapple with stress to be a...

In this new series, we chat with individual TTL participants about their life as a teenager in this exact moment. This episode features Saniya, a 16 year old from Canada, as she discusses familial pressures, starting her junior year of high school, racial dynamics in her city, pursuing soccer, and more. 

Graduating from high school is an exciting milestone to celebrate, but it can also be overwhelming! No matter what path you take, there are so many new unique challenges to face like homesickness, "adulting" tasks, and building new relationships. In this episode, some of our participants in India share their experiences being out of high school and taking on the adult world.

Finding your thing, your passion, your hobby — it's something so many teens and adults seek. Ellie, a teen based in New York City, was drawn to birds from a young age. Her interest has since blossomed into a much greater pursuit.   In this episode of TTL, we dive with Ellie into her bird world. We reflect on how to  translate what resonates with us into actions that connect us with ourselves, each...

The internet is often seen as a chaotic and scary platform, but is it still possible to find genuine connections on it? In this episode, one of our contributers, Maith, shares how a humble attempt to create a blog ( www.maithworld.blogspot.com ) turned into a treasure trove of  friendships.  This is the first episode in Tech for Humans with Maith, a new series where she explores the complicated re...

This week's episode, led by 15-year-old TTL contributor, Lydia, is about gun violence in U.S. schools and gun control. Teens based in the U.S. talk about their experiences with lock downs, lock down drills, and what they think needs to change in order to make our schools safer.  Check out March for Our lives to see how you can join a movement to make our schools safer.  https://marchforourlives.or...