And Everything In Between

A double edged sword. Literally, it can attack your opponent at the risk of harming yourself. Metaphorically, it refers to something with both positive and negative consequences-- just like the topics listed above. In this episode I elaborate on these consequences while introducing ideas like the Technological Advancement Parabola and the 'Casual' Instagram movement (which, I decide, isn't really casual at all).

After my first semester as an official college student, I have a lot to reflect on: thought-provoking things I learned in my classes (like how climate change came to be controversial in the US), a tentative answer to 'Should college be the best time of your life?', and unexpected takeaways about Duke's political culture and social trends, to name a few.

It's T-5 days until I drive to Duke and begin the next four years of my life. With that comes lots of excitement and worry that I reflect upon in this episode. First, however, I share interesting stories and lessons learned from my recent trip to Austria and Italy, as well as the most surprising culture shocks I discovered while there.

Biden dropped out of the Democratic nominee race for the 2024 election: now what? In this episode, I share my personal opinions about Biden dropping out (and why I believe it is a smart decision), explain what's at stake this presidential election, evaluate the devastating effects of core elements in American politics, and examine the rise of far-right political parties within the US and Europe. If you remember one thing from this episode, remember to VOTE!

I haven't recorded in a while, so I share some life updates/random things on my mind before getting into this week's very lighthearted episode. Inspired by the internet figure "dudewithsign" (search his Instagram, you won't regret it), I take my lists straight from my Notes app to share my (sarcastic) humor, as well as my slightly controversial opinions, actions we as a society should normalize, and things that really just drive me crazy.

This week's episode is part five of my "Collection of Thoughts" mini-series (and this one is my personal favorite of all five). Here are the topics: AI's Racial biases: 3:20 - 20:10 Mixed Heritage Struggles: 20:10 - 28:13 Lack of Third Spaces: 28:13 - 42:42 Film Franchise Opinions: 42:42 - End As always, enjoy!

In this episode, I analyze Lorde's song "Ribs", introduce the idea of "anticipatory nostalgia" (nostalgia for something happening in the present), and share my takeaways and personal connections to one of cartoonist David Finch's works: all the while striving to answer the question, "What is so special about adolescence, and how can we revive our own?"

In this episode, I discuss the Duolingo founder's TED Talk (and foreign language in general), explain how Ohio made history with the passage of Issue 1, recall Michelle Zauner's New Yorker article, "Crying in H Mart", open your mind to the intricate card game called SET, and more. The goal is simple: to share how I fuel my deep-rooted desire for knowledge, and to teach you what I've learned along the way.

Though not heard nearly enough as they should, doctors' perspectives offer an entirely new look into how greatly COVID has changed medicine and life as we know it. In this interview with my mom (a pediatrician), she shares thoughts on topics ranging from COVID's astonishing impact on mental health, to dealing with anti-vax coworkers, to how the pandemic affected beliefs about vaccines as a whole. Discover more by listening to the complete interview, the second on And Everything In Between.

How are Netflix's Black Mirror, the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica data breach, and AI celebrity Instagram accounts connected? Watch this week's episode to find out-- and to hear my own Black Mirror episode pitch.

"Why am I here?" is the ultimate question leading imposter syndrome: the intelligence-undermining feeling that you don't belong somewhere like a STEM classroom. This episode details what imposter syndrome looks like in a STEM environment, existing as a woman in these historically male-dominated fields, and how to end the stigma.

Why is it that everyone on social media --including your favorite influencers-- seems to have clear skin? The answer: They don't-- filters deceive us. In this episode, I discuss social media's impact on my acne insecurities, as well as my journey with acne and the most challenging things that come with it.

While I love Taylor Swift's music, she has been the subject of gender discrimination in the music industry since she became famous-- along with other female artists like Olivia Rodrigo. In this episode, I talk about their music, why society discriminates against women's music, and double standards for female vs. male characters in popular TV shows like Breaking Bad. I also rank Taylor Swift's albums and discuss my favorite songs on each.

Certain aspects of California on my vacation reminded me of Europe: the walkable streets, architecture, and cultural diversity. But why else are so many Americans drawn to Europe? Is it these aspects, Hollywood's romanticization of Europe in movies, or something else? I hope to have answered these questions in this episode, as well as speculating on what makes America unique to visit.

There are six mini-topics in this episode! - Reconnecting with nature - Anti-aging skincare - White male supremacy in the classroom - American sports culture - Canada wildfires - Nighttime Let me know other topics you would be interested in hearing about at this link!

I want to share my knowledge and opinions on creative writing--both fiction and non-fiction--in this episode. I read two of my own stories aloud, titled Home, Alone* and The Butterfly, and share why I love them, as well as give my opinions on what makes your favorite book SO GOOD and become the first person to clearly explain what "show don't tell" exactly means. Additionally, I share some of the best writing advice I received from college professors and teenagers alike. *Renamed "The Warbler's Cry" Read the stories in this episode (and my other writing) on https://andeverythinginbetweenpodcast.wordpress.com/category/writing/

(Mentally playing Getaway Car by Taylor Swift as I type this.) This episode was particularly fun to record because I love sharing my 50 playlists with anyone who will listen. Don't worry though, this episode isn't only about my playlist-curating hobby. I also share clips of my favorite songs, album and song recommendations, & opinions on music in tv series and movies like The Summer I Turned Pretty and The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Give me your own song recs on And Everything In Between's website under the section titled Get Involved! Link: https://andeverythinginbetweenpodcast.wordpress.com/home/

This episode was inspired by... a tiktok video? (Hypocritical, I know.) But the video actually taught me one of the best strategies/mindsets to battle overconsumption, and that inspired me to make an episode of all the different mindsets I live by. To name a few-- "do it now", "productivity isn't uniform", and "mind over matter". Hear my opinions on the best mindsets and my personal short stories to back them up in this episode. (I started recording this episode at 8:45. It is now 10:38. P.M.) Also, newly published And Everything In Between website!

Teta is the informal word for grandmother in Lebanese Arabic, and my teta is one of the funniest, most intelligent, and most caring people I know. She immigrated at just 24 years old from Syria to the states, and is here today to tell the tale. She shares stories from life in Syria, her perspective on cultural differences between the US and Syria, her favorite meals to cook, advice she hopes to instill in younger generations, and more. Enjoy the first interview yet on And Everything In Between!

Enjoy!

Ignorance is all around us, but some have the privilege not to look for it. What happens when you don't get that privilege? For starters, little things like people calling me Maya instead of Maylah stick out to you, but you also notice bigger things like someone being treated differently because of their race. In this episode, I cover where ignorance originates from, what it looks like, why it's so dangerous, and ways you can change your behavior and help end the cycle.

Over spring break, I took a trip to breezy Massachusetts instead of going to the beach... But I still had fun touring colleges (including Harvard--whattt?!). While touring colleges, I thought about how competitive college admissions are this year, and that became the inspiration for this episode. I discuss my takeaways from touring colleges, the admissions cycle, and the self-comparison and academic validation that arises from competitive college culture.

(English starts at 1:42) In this week's episode, I go into a deep dive on my stories and experiences learning German, as well as my personal opinions on the difficulties of the German language and similarities between German and other languages. I also share tips for increasing fluency in a foreign language. Speaking German for a few minutes was very fun, and hopefully any German-speaking listeners can understand me!

All of my people-watching experience combine into this episode. What are signs someone likes you (or doesn't), is engaged in a conversation (or isn't), or is annoyed with you? I list all of these things as well as some of my favorite --and funniest--stories relating to people.

I need a glass of water after making this episode, but I don't regret it because this topic was super interesting to talk about. I basically give my two cents over everything relating to influencers-- the appeal of it all, pros & cons of being an influencer, my 5 second claim-to-fame, and what sets an influencer up for success.

Education: the most important thing a person can have. Today, I cover everything related to education, including why education is so valuable, the impacts of adding a price tag to knowledge, and how everyone--even you listening--has a secret passion for something in the arts.

The movie La La Land has made me fall in love with playing piano again, and I've recently realized the benefits of playing an instrument, which I share with you in this week's episode. I also discuss the phenomenon of "muscle memory" when playing an instrument, my personal piano journey, and my very own theories on La La Land. (PS: the AEIB website is coming soon!)

I'm back from a well-needed break, and in this episode I expound on the idea that it is impossible to have just one passion, even if we think we do. Accepting there is no set path or perfect occupation that encompasses all of our passions is a valuable lesson to learn. Additionally, I touch on careers: reasons for choosing one, and how our passions change with time-- and our careers should too. (I didn't think to mention this during the episode, but the movie The Intern is a good example of this belief!)

Welcome back to this mini-series, "A Collection of Thoughts", where I speak about a plethora of topics on my mind. Topics included in this episode are pretty privilege, the butterfly effect, long term exposure to social media, the look good, feel good/feel good, look good mindsets, and what if mirrors never existed? (not in that order). As always, enjoy the variation in subject matter!

I've made an episode discussing the addictive side of technology and our phones, but I've never really talked about the other, more indirect ways technology impacts our lives. That was my goal of today's episode. Technology affects aspects of our lives we don't even think about-- like recording a concert or using our phones at a family dinner-- because of how normalized it's become. The 21st century and 20th century may be close to each other in terms of time, but in terms of how people's everyday lives were, they are very different. Who is (in part) responsible? The very device you are listening to this episode on.

You Only Live Once. Are you the one skydiving off the airplane or are you sitting on the ground with 911 on speed dial? I feel like "yolo" has been used to justify reckless behavior, but it can also be just the push to get us out of our comfort zones and taking risks. In this week's episode, I discuss times when it's good and bad to be spontaneous, how the yolo mindset can help us conquer a fear of rejection / embarrassment, and my overall thoughts on this popular "screw it" attitude.

2 words to describe thrifting-- ready, set, GO! Sustainable and stylish. In today's episode, I share my personal thrifting experiences (all memorable, but some more than others I would like to forget), my favorite pieces I've thrifted, and tips --like what exactly to save or splurge on and how to find hidden gems-- to make your next thrifting adventure as successful as possible.

If you were looking for a controversial episode, this is it: the ultimate episode on all things movies & TV shows. From Coraline theories to a heated discussion on Gilmore Girls to my favorite movies of all time, I share all my thoughts on the world of color TV. Let's just say this episode is not for those who are on Team Dean...

Making this podcast was no easy task: like every goal, it required lots of planning and preparation. Starting to work towards a goal can seem like a daunting project, but in this episode I walk you through how to set a goal meaningful to YOU, what makes a goal attainable, and hopefully give you the motivation to begin working! (I now make little checklists for everything in my life-- it truly does help.)

For a lot of people, going back to school can be very stress-inducing. I talk about my personal school anxieties, as well as reasons some of those worries won't be so bad! :) I also discuss academic validation, things I enjoy about school, and advice if you are returning to school soon. Remember to stay organized, join extracurriculars you enjoy, and reach out for help!

I could never predict that a beach prank would lead to this episode, but here we are. In today's episode, I discuss conformity's impact on society-- how it influences current home design patterns, fashion trends, and our own unique interests. (Although even I am guilty of falling into the "everyone has this, so I need it" mindset). I also touch on how cults and politics use conformity to their advantage as well as tips to avoid conformity.

Cw: this episode contains brief mentions of rape. It's safe to say I am still completely heartbroken over SCOTUS' decisions regarding abortion in the US, but I took this as an opportunity to speak about women's rights and internalized misogyny in society. I won't lie to you-- this is a heavy episode, but it is important that I discussed what internalized misogyny looks like to everyday women and celebrities, how to correct our thinking, and to recognize sexism in our own lives. 10/10 recommend The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. Am I living in the US or Gilead? You tell me.

(ITS BY BDAY!!!) Besides that, this episode was inspired by my guilt for being lazy/doing nothing during the summer. After I finish rambling about Stranger Things, I go through the common occurrences of FOMO, self-disappointment, and self-comparison that arise each summer. Plus, fun things you can do to fill all the time! Hello from 15yo me ;)

As you can tell based on my many rants this episode, makeup and its effect on us is something I could go on about forever. In today's episode, I discuss the dangerous effects of makeup, how the beauty industry utilizes those effects, but also why makeup can be a good thing. Surprisingly, my Utah trip taught me a lot about my self worth! :)

You guys seemed to like the first one of these episodes, so I'm back with part 2! In this assortment of topics, I discuss the value in learning another language (Deutsch für mich), why therapy should be normalized, the Trolley Ethical Dilemma, if money can truly buy happiness, & a short but sweet opinion on textbooks. As always-- viel Spaß! ;)

I've been dying to make an episode about my music taste for a while now, and I'm excited to share my playlists, fave artists, and song recommendations with you guys in this episode. Of course by this time next week, I'll probably have 5 new playlists and 100 more favorite songs, but for now I give you all my music opinions, and I also conquered my indecisiveness by choosing my favorite artists (in order) AND my top 5 fave songs of theirs. Enjoy this chaotic episode!

Reflect back on your life for this question. Have you recently bought a new shirt, gotten a new hairstyle, or gone an inch out of your comfort zone and asked someone you know what they thought of said action? Why is it so hard to just do what we want? Sometimes we're scared of being judged (we = me) or are seeking validation from others, but at the end of the day you should be doing what makes YOU happy. This episode is slightly unorganized, but what can I say? It's exam season :D

I'm back from Florida!!! I read 4 books in 6 days on my trip, but sadly had no one to discuss them with. So I'm discussing them with you guys, along with why reading is so crucial in this day and age. Books and short stories teach us so many valuable lessons and help us understand complex social issues in a simple "he said" "she said". Picking up a book is like opening your eyes to a whole new world...

I think we're all feeling the seasonal depression right now. The gloomy weather and cold has been catching up to me, and I'm honestly at my breaking point. In this episode I talk about seasonal depression, why it happens, & ways to push through it. Cold weather directly affects our mood, self-confidence, and general happiness in so many ways. Can summer just be here already? If you like this episode, feel free to leave a rating on Apple Podcasts!

This episode is part 2/2 on friendship. I dive into the whole subject of gossip, including harmful gossip vs. harmless gossip and having friends that gossip. I also discuss fighting with friends & how to resolve those conflicts (whatever u do, DO NOT fight over text!), as well as losing friends and feeling pressured to give your friends good advice. Some advice of my own-- you are not their therapist! And does anyone else sometimes get annoyed at people for no reason?

In honor of Valentine's day, this episode is all about friendship. I answer the question "how do you make new friends?" (& I promise that it does get easier), along with sharing my personal friendship evolution, differentiating toxic vs. non-toxic friends, and discussing the idea of having an ultimate #1 bestie. This episode is part 1 of 2. I also hope you enjoy my *interesting* stories from my time in middle school...

I think we can all agree 12 year olds now don't look like us when we were 12. Kids (especially girls) are growing up faster than ever, but why is that exactly? In this episode I delve into all of society's pressures on young girls to act more mature. Whether that's social media, the film industry, adults, or makeup companies, they all have devastating effects on the younger generation-- and their self confidence.

This episode is slightly different from the others. Instead of covering one topic, I share a collection of my latest thoughts. Some mini-topics I discuss are John Watson's Little Albert experiment & how phobias/other behaviors can be conditioned, the connection music has to our mood & personality, and the importance in saying NO. I hope you like this style episode! Follow @andeverythinginbetweenpodcast on Instagram for more.

Since it's officially 2022, I wanted to make an episode covering New Year's and all of the customs that come with it. Resolutions, new year "new me" (plus why that phrase needs to go), and feeling like crap because your year wasn't all rainbows & unicorns. Hopefully this episode also inspires some ideas for YOUR New Year resolutions list. Follow @andeverythinginbetweenpodcast on Instagram for more.

I promise this episode is interesting. What actually happens when we die? We all have our own theories, but no one actually knows. Can people really be classified as just good or bad people? Are twin flames real-- and where do they come from? In this episode I hypothesize over EVERYTHING afterlife related, and discuss lessons learned from books where the main character.... is dead. Follow @andeverythinginbetweenpodcast on Instagram for more.

In this episode I talk EVERYTHING winter. From stress around the holidays, to my winter fashion must-haves, to my favorite things about winter, this episode goes through it all. (And yes, I'm still burned out lol.) Follow @andeverythinginbetweenpodcast on Instagram for more.