Grown, a podcast from The Moth

Aleeza and Fonzo talk to teens about what it really means to grow up, and the moments they realized they were actually adults. This episode is a collaboration with the incredible podcast, This Teenage Life. You can find This Teenage Life wherever you get your podcasts, or visit their website: https://thisteenagelife.org/ For more information on the people who make grown, visit grownpod.com

Open your hearts and loosen your butts! On Couples Therapy, real life couple and real life comedians Naomi Ekperigin (Netflix's The Standups, Mythic Quest) and Andy Beckerman (Beginnings Podcast) gab with their favorite actors and comics about their romantic pasts, presents and futures and answer YOUR relaysh Qs with all the wisdom two unlicensed entertainers can possibly contain! Mental health, romance and jokes from folks like Nia DaCosta, Bowen Yang, Bob the Drag Queen, Aidy Bryant, Kumail Nanjiani, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Tig Notaro, Danielle Brooks, Michelle Buteau and more! Click here or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts from!

We wanted to give you some great bonus content to tide you over until Season 3. For this growth-spurt we’re featuring two of our Apple Podcast bonus episodes - if you’d like to listen to all of the bonus episodes right now, subscribe to Moth Uninterrupted on Apple Podcasts. Enjoy! For more information on the people who make grown, visit grownpod.com

Everyone's Business (But Mine) is a deep dive into the shallow end of society - pop culture and reality culture alike, and host Kara Berry is your lifeguard! Everyone's Business (But Mine) features recaps of your favorite reality shows, round ups of what's new in the world of celebrity and deep dives on the most niche corners of the internet, so jump on in - the water is fine.

So... do they just not understand? In this mommy AND daddy issue episode, we take a look at how much our parents shape who we are. Alyssa Ladd finds comfort in her dad, and Daniela Llerena tries to get her parents to understand anime. Plus, we get to meet Aleeza and Fonzo's moms! Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo Storytellers: Alyssa Ladd and Daniela Llerena Follow Grown on TikTokor Instagram @GrownPod For more information on the people who make Grown, along with original illustrations by Sarah DiMichele, visit our website: grownpod.com

We explore the balance between being safe and spreading your wings. Diavian Walters shares a harrowing experience on the train and Ianna Banfield becomes a little more independent. Content warning: a story in this episode deals with sexual harassment. Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo Storytellers: Diavian Walters and Ianna Banfield Follow Grown on TikTokor Instagram @GrownPod For more information on the people who make Grown, along with original illustrations by Sarah DiMichele, visit our website: grownpod.com

Pressure. Hopes. What the heck do you do after high school?!?! In this episode, recorded in front of a live audience, we look at how we live up to, or ignore, the expectations people set on us. Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo Storytellers: Aleeza Kazmi and David Lepelstat Follow Grown on TikTokor Instagram @GrownPod For more information on the people who make Grown, along with original illustrations by Sarah DiMichele, visit our website: grownpod.com

BFFs. Frenemies. Finding your clique. We'll explore how we actually make friends. Eric Carrera goes on a pizza run and Jenna Ulizio finds her people at camp. After that, we talk to high school students about the dos and don'ts of modern friendship. Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo Storytellers: Eric Carrera and Jenna Ulizio Follow Grown on TikTokor Instagram @GrownPod For more information on the people who make Grown, along with original illustrations by Sarah DiMichele, visit our website: grownpod.com

Mishaps. Mistakes. Youthful indiscretions. In this episode, we'll explore how to create your own sense of ethics. Christian Garland learns a lesson from his grandpa and Stacey Bader Curry plans a heist. Then, Moth EDU students tell us about a time they had to choose between right and wrong. Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo Storytellers: Christian Garland and Stacey Bader Curry Follow Grown on TikTokor Instagram @GrownPod For more information on the people who make Grown, along with original illustrations by Sarah DiMichele, visit our website: grownpod.com

Anime. The Jonas Brothers. Twilight. We'll figure out how your passions shape who you are. Abigail Loor shares a story about finding a space in an anime convention and Roger Lam wears his superhero t-shirts with pride. Plus, Fonzo talks One Piece and David Lepelstat goes to the Brooklyn Comic Con. Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo Storytellers: Abigail Loor and Roger Lam Follow Grown on TikTokor Instagram @GrownPod For more information on the people who make Grown, along with original illustrations by Sarah DiMichele, visit our website: grownpod.com

FOMO. Friend fallouts. Feeling like you don't belong. We'll find out what happens when you're on the outside looking in. Moth EDU Storyteller Anaïs Cerina Irizarry Austin listens to some cool music and Hannah Citron understands a squid. Plus, Aleeza and Fonzo talk about the times when they tried to fit in. Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo Storytellers: Anaïs Cerina Irizarry Austin and Hannah Citron Follow Grown on TikTokor Instagram @GrownPod For more information on the people who make Grown, along with original illustrations by Sarah DiMichele, visit our website: grownpod.com

Bonds. Rivalries. Drama. In this episode, we explore how much our siblings shape who we are. Saad Najam finds peace with his brother and Meredith Morrison takes center stage. Then, we talk to Moth EDU students about the best and worst parts of being a sibling. Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo Storytellers: Saad Najam and Meredith Morrison Follow Grown on TikTokor Instagram @GrownPod For more information on the people who make Grown, along with original illustrations by Sarah DiMichele, visit our website: grownpod.com

We’re so excited for Grown Season 2!!! The first episode will launch on Wednesday, October 25th, and if you haven’t yet, you can binge the first season of Grown wherever you get your podcasts!

We’re still hard at work on Season 2, but we wanted to share an episode from one of our favorite podcasts, “Borrowed.” If you like Grown, we think you’ll really resonate with Borrowed, especially this episode, all about a teen luddite club. Borrowed is a podcast from the Brooklyn Public Library, and it’s about libraries, but it’s about so much more - social justice, education, history. And this October, Borrowed will be launching a series about book bans across the country. In seven episodes, the hosts will follow the trail of book censorship from its origins to where it’s landed us today. They'll interview the teachers and librarians whose livelihoods are endangered when they speak up, the writers whose books have become political battleground, and the young people fighting for intellectual freedom. Us at Grown are so excited to hear it. You can subscribe to Borrowed wherever you get your podcasts, or learn more about it on their website: https://www.bklynlibrary.org/podcasts Enjoy!

We’re still working on Season 2, but here’s another fun “Growth Spurt” to tide you over until then. This episode, we’re featuring two of our Apple Podcast bonus episodes - if you’d like to listen to all seven bonus episodes right now, become a Moth Uninterrupted on Apple Podcasts. Enjoy!

On this Growth-Spurt, we play an episode of the main Moth podcast, filled with stories that deal with growing up. If you’re a student and want to bring Moth programming to your school, visit our website themoth.org/students. If you’re a teacher, visit themoth.org/education/teachers

In our second “growth-spurt” (fun bonus content we’re releasing to tide you over to Season 2), we’re featuring an episode of The Moth Radio Hour that Aleeza and Fonzo hosted a while back. If you’re a fan of Grown, you’ll LOVE The Moth Radio Hour, listen and subscribe to it wherever you’re listening to this podcast now. Enjoy!

We’re hard at work on Season 2, but we wanted to give you some bonus content to tide you over until then. This summer, we’ll be releasing “growth spurts,” fun episodes that feature interesting conversations and cool stories. For our first “growth spurt” we’re featuring two of our Apple Podcast bonus episodes - if you’d like to listen to all seven bonus episodes right now, become a Moth Uninterrupted on Apple Podcasts. Hope you enjoy!

Shhhhh. In this episode, we spill the tea. Shania tells us about getting her sibling ready for a dance, and Tim Manley’s love takes on a physical form. Plus, we step out into NYC to hear some secrets, and Aleeza reads excerpts from her diary. (Yes, there’s Twilight involved.) Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo Storytellers: Shania and Tim Manley Follow Grown on TikTokor Instagram @GrownPod For more information on the people who make Grown, visit our website: grownpod.com

Natural hair. A culture festival. Middle school jerks. In this episode, we hear stories of culture, identity, and how the two intertwine. Oleeta Fogden gets her first period, and Katiana Ciceron talks about the time her pastor touched her hair. Then, Aleeza and Fonzo get an update from Katiana on how she feels about her story now. Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo Storytellers: Oleeta Fogden and Katiana Ciceron Follow Grown on TikTokor Instagram @GrownPod For more information on the people who make Grown, visit our website: grownpod.com

Bodies, bodies, bodies. This episode is all about feeling comfortable in your own skin. Annie Beyer-Chafets undergoes an important surgery, and Adia Heyliger talks about body positivity. After that, we get real about body changes, and Fonzo and Aleeza discuss puberty. Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo Storytellers: Luna Azcurrain and Lu Levin Follow Grown on TikTokor Instagram @GrownPod For more information on the people who make Grown, visit our website: grownpod.com

Apple cake. Pizza. Dinner parties. In this mouthwatering (sorry) episode, food connects everyone. Luna Azcurrain creates a Thanksgiving tradition with her grandfather, and Lu Levin desperately tries to grow up. We visit a food festival, and Aleeza and Fonzo talk about their families. Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo Storytellers: Luna Azcurrain and Lu Levin Follow Grown on TikTokor Instagram @GrownPod For more information on the people who make Grown, visit our website: grownpod.com

In this episode, Aleeza and Fonzo discuss how storytelling changed their lives and share how they first met. Fonzo recounts a particularly memorable haircut, and Aleeza tells us about being crush-crazy. Plus, conversations about expressing who you really are. Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo Storytellers: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo Follow Grown on TikTokor Instagram @GrownPod For more information on the people who make Grown, visit our website: grownpod.com

Sketchy concerts. LGBTQIA+ spaces. Baby Keem. In this episode, we examine how music shapes our identity. Eddy Laughter takes us to her first punk show, and Alistair Bane explores moving to New York as a young man in the 80s. After that, Eddy and Alistair talk to each other about queerness, live music, and memory. Fonzo and Aleeza discuss the pitfalls of judging others based on their music taste and pre-pandemic concerts. Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo Storytellers: Eddy Laughter and Alistair Bane Follow Grown on TikTokor Instagram @GrownPod For more information on the people who make Grown, visit our website: grownpod.com

Mental health. City adventures. Rescue dogs. In this episode, we set out to find ourselves. Esther Messe comes to understand her intrusive thoughts and Wilson Portorreal welcomes a new family member. Then, we go out to a flea market to talk about loss, and Aleeza and Fonzo get real about mental health. Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo Storytellers: Esther Messe and Wilson Portorreal Follow Grown on TikTokor Instagram @GrownPod

Young love. Erotic fan fiction. Secrets spilled or slipped. In this episode, Fonzo and Aleeza get crushed by crushes. David Lepelstat tells us about his first kiss, and Sasha Im’s mom reads her diary. Plus, relationship talk -- including an awkward reveal from our co-hosts. Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo Storytellers: David Lepelstat and Sasha Im Follow Grown on TikTokor Instagram @GrownPod For more information on the people who make Grown, visit our website: grownpod.com

Grown is a podcast about the in-between: the nebulous, the liminal, the just plain weird time between those awkward teenage years and full-on adulthood. Join co-hosts Aleeza Kazmi and Alfonso “Fonzo” Lacayo as they present true stories that deal with the challenges and joys of growing up. Our first two episodes drop Wednesday, February 8th, 2023, and then we’ll have a new episode every two weeks. Join us!