From Anxious Teen to Successful Adult: One of Our Former Students Shares Her Journey
When you grow up with social media, it can intensify some of the most overpowering feelings you experience during adolescence, especially when it comes to comparing yourself to others, or feeling like you’re constantly being watched. While our guest may not have grown up with Instagram, her High School years saw the introduction of Facebook which undoubtedly heightened feelings of anxiety and comparison. Today on the show we talk with the wonderful Zoë Björnson, whose life and career we’ve been following with great interest since we first met her as a teenager over a decade ago. Tuning in you’ll learn about Zoë’s experience of High School and adolescence, her natural sense of curiosity, and how having a growth mindset has shaped her life. In our conversation, Zoë discusses the periods of anxiety and depression she has experienced, why she was not as chill as she seemed in High School, and the advice that she would love to offer her younger, adolescent self, to guide her towards greater self-acceptance. You’ll also learn about the company Quilt, where Zoë currently works, a uniquely kind space on the internet, where you can be yourself (plus it’s audio-only, so you don’t have to worry about how you look all the time!). We had such an amazing time catching up with Zoë and loved hearing her thoughtful insights on transitioning from adolescence to young adulthood. We hope you’ll join us for this inspiring conversation with one of our favorite people, Zoë Björnson!
Key Points From This Episode:
[0:01:15] Introducing today’s awesome guest, Zoë Björnson.
[0:02:40] Discover Quilt, an audio-only space on the internet, where Zoë currently works.
[0:03:23] Zoë’s natural curiosity and her remote year in 2017.
[0:05:22] Zoë’s experience of Highschool and why she was not as cool and chill as she appeared.
[0:06:47] How Zoë has learned to embrace different parts of herself since High School.
[0:10:25] What Zoë would like to say to her younger self to help her with self-acceptance.
[0:11:04] Zoë shares the traumas experienced as a 16-year-old and how they shifted her identity journey.
[0:14:30] The role that Zoë’s parent’s played in her growth mindset.
[0:16:06] Why having outlets other than school or work is crucial to a healthy and happy life.
[0:19:16] How Zoë’s mom prioritized travel during her teenage years.
[0:20:46] Why exposure to uncomfortable situations facilitates growth for a lot of people.
[0:22:12] Zoë’s advice to parents who are trying to strike the balance between helping their kids achieve while also becoming resilient, well-rounded, adults.
[0:26:47] How Zoë feels about having gone to a prestigious prep school like Menlo.
[0:29:21] Zoë’s experience with depression and how she recovered.
[0:32:40] How social media has made our lives so much more about performing than connecting.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Why the Past Ten Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid