Lauren: A Bona Fide Narrative

In this week's episode, I'm talking about teenage podcasts (or, really, the lack thereof) and why I'm frustrated with them. The podcast episodes I have found pertaining to teens perpetuate the narrative of teens being lazy, entitled, and dramatic; these episodes are often hosted by "parenting experts" who characterize teens as disturbed individuals. My podcast is where I talk about what it's truly like being a teenager in today's world, and if you have any suggestions regarding what you would like me to talk about, feel free to email me at laurenabonafidenarrative@gmail.com OR through the contact page on my website abonafidenarrative.com.Link to the first website with "teen" podcast suggestions: https://www.parentmap.com/article/best-podcasts-tweens-teens Link to the second website with "teen" podcast suggestions: https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1134797/best-podcasts-teenagers/

In this week's episode, I discuss impending reality of AP exams which I am NOT looking forward to (but who would be!?). I also discuss what excessive documentation is and how it can ruin friendships.

There's one question in particular that, as a teen, I hate being asked by parents. Perhaps other teens can resonate with me, but I feel as if this question is asked all the time. On this week's episode, I include the exclusive segment, "A Frequent Fallacy," where I address why the question "how was your day" often receives the answer "it was fine." I make the analogy between the question "what is your book about" and "how was your day" to reveal the superficialness of the question.

In this week's episode, I'm joined by my friend Pranav (again). Being the wonderful guest he is, this episode is filled with intense discussion and thoughtful questions about modern-day teenage relationships; often times, it can be difficult for teens to define what a healthy relationship looks like. We talk about the current dating environment for teenagers, the tainted "self-love" mantra, dated courtship traditions, hookup culture, and much more.I would like to clarify that both Pranav and I do not agree with arranged marriages. We both believe that they can lead to an oppressive situation for one party in the marriage; furthermore, the intentions behind arranged marriages parallel the pitfalls of relationships in Western culture where external prejudice (sexual, racial, religious, etc.) prevent two people from marriage. Simply put, love is love.

I include the exclusive segment "My Thoughts On" in this week's episode; I discuss my thoughts on teenage melodramas on TV and why I dislike the stereotypes they portray about teens. I also include the exclusive segment "Frequent Fallacy" where I talk about a common question I get asked and why I find it incredibly hypocritical.Tell me what you think about teenage melodramas on TV by emailing me at: laurenabonafidenarrative@gmail.com

I'm talking about how parents perpetuate a political paradox in this week's episode; I explain what the political paradox is and provide a multifaceted solution to suppress the paradox. I also include the exclusive segment, "Now That's Refreshing," where I discuss a 'Picture Prompt' the New York Times recently published (I've included the link to it in the episode notes) about my generation, Gen Z. Finally, I tell you about the new book I've recently started reading and why I'm excited to read it again every 10 years.Link to the New York Times Picture Prompt "Gen Z: In Their Own Words": https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/us/generation-z.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article#1

To start the episode off, I include the exclusive segment, "Ask Lauren the Teenager," where I answer the question "What does the popularized trope and sub-reddit 'NotLikeOtherGirls' mean?" Later, I talk about how to deal with (academic) rejection and why it is a natural conflict every human being must encounter. At the end of the episode, I include the exclusive segment, "Overrated." I talked about how overrated the color millennial pink is; it's time for GenZ to have a definitive color! Here is a little additional context to the term "sub-reddit." The term is defined as "a forum dedicated to a specific topic on the website Reddit." If you went to r/NotLikeOtherGirls, you would typically find users mimicking the trope and using exaggerated examples of girls who say they "are not like other girls." You may be familiar with my mentioning of Reddit because it is also home to the infamous SAT forums I despise very much.

This episode is the second (and final) part of the exclusive segment, "My Thoughts On" the college admissions scandal. On this episode, I'm joined by my friend Pranav; Pranav and I attend school together (we're both high school juniors). He tells us his thoughts on the scandal and reflects on how his experiences from growing up in India can relate to aspects of the scandal. Pranav provides a new teenage perspective on the topic which allows you (and me!) to gain greater knowledge on the college admissions scandal.

In this week's episode(s), I'm including the exclusive segment "My Thoughts On." This week will be a little bit different from the normal uploading schedule because I will be uploading at least one other episode which will include some of my peers' thoughts on the scandal. This first episode will include my thoughts on the recent college admissions scandal. I also talk about why I believe it's important for teenagers to habitually discuss real-world issues and situations with adults.

In this week's episode, I include the exclusive segment, "My Stressed Survival" where I talk about what course selection week is and why I'm so stressed about it. I proceed to talk about how the fear of failure is one of the main causes of stress for teens and why I think failing habitually is a bad habit. I also talk about YouTube and how the website has very much grown up alongside my generation.

I’m talking about "fake news" in this week’s episode and why I hate (yes, I know hate is a strong word) the term. The exclusive segment "My Stressed Survival" is included as well; I happen to be very stressed about the SAT and I describe how peer pressure/expectations can impact one's experience with the test. I also ask for book recommendations because I've finally finished reading my supplementary novel. You can email me your book recommendations by emailing me at laurenabonafidenarrative@gmail.com OR emailing me using the contact page on my website: abonafidenarrative.com.

In this week's episode, I'm talking about what I did over mid-year break (college tours). I talk about what I learned from visiting colleges and what I think about the statement, "You'll find yourself in college." Additionally, I talk about how the book I've been reading for my literature class has been going and why I think the author's writing style represents the protagonist's broken life. Towards the end of the episode, I recommend a podcast and talk about a future episode I plan on doing related to politics.

Here's a short and sweet insight into the world of a teenage Valentine's Day. I also talk about how "promposals" work and explain why my generation will still be in contact with our classmates from middle school or high school because of Instagram.

In this week's (late) episode, I include the exclusive segment "Overrated." I talk about why I think the "perfect Instagram picture" narrative is overrated and unhealthy. After, I discuss why adults don't seem to understand the principle and purpose of memes. I also recommend creating a "fire escape shelf" in your bedroom and provide an explanation as to what the term means.Inkster, Becky, and Shirley Cramer. “#StatusofMind.” RSPH, Royal Society of Public Health, 19 May 2017, www.rsph.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/status-of-mind.html.

I include the exclusive segment, "My Stressed Survival" on this week's episode; I talk about why student loans that result from a college education stresses me out. During the episode, I discuss the ubiquity of arbitrary teenage Instagram politics. Continuing on the topic of Instagram, I talk about an account I recently discovered and therapeutic videos I enjoy. A podcast suggestion is also provided towards the end of the episode!Link to the Pew Research Center study "Teens, Social Media & Technology 2018": http://www.pewinternet.org/2018/05/31/teens-social-media-technology-2018/

In this week's episode, I'm including the exclusive segment "Ask Lauren the Teenager," where I answer these three questions: •What is teenage culture?•Who creates teenage culture?•Who changes teenage culture?The segment "Underrated" is also discussed during this episode; I talk about how underrated an online series about pizza is. Later on, I talk about what books I have been reading for my literature class and why I think reading different books than we would normally read is a good thing.Link to watch The Pizza Show on MUNCHIES: https://video.vice.com/en_us/show/pizza-show

This week's episode features the exclusive segment "My Thoughts On" cynicism. Listen to hear about teenage colloquialisms, an Instagram account I adore, and a common application essay about Costco!Stavrova, O., & Ehlebracht, D. (2017). Education as an Antidote to Cynicism. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 9(1), 59–69. http://doi.org/10.1177/1948550617699255Link to Costco Common App Essay: https://www.businessinsider.com/high-school-senior-who-got-into-5-ivy-league-schools-shares-her-admissions-essay-2016-4Link to @textsfrommyexistentialist book: http://notacult.media/books/texts/TL;DR means "too long; didn't read"

Just like the javascript, I am saying hello to the world, and in this case, I'm saying it through my first-ever podcast episode! In this episode, I will discuss summer programs, the relationship between teenagers and technology, what I started reading, and a family Christmas gift influenced by YouTube! Listen to get a glimpse into my life and explore some of the issues that face teenagers like me.

Hello, World! Welcome to the podcast, LAUREN: a bona fide narrative. My name is Lauren and I have a podcast. Oh, and I also happen to be a teenager growing up in the 21st century in Silicon Valley, California. During my podcast, I will explore teenagers' lives in today's world as a way to help others understand the minds' of the next generation of thinkers. Listen to this intro to learn more about my podcast!Here’s the link to my website: abonafidenarrative.comIf you want to email me to contribute to the exclusive segments of LAUREN: a bona fide narrative, here’s my email: laurenabonafidenarrative@gmail.com