The Challenges: The Old and The New

The Transition into Adulthood

This podcast delves into the differences and similarities between the coming of age process in the 20th century versus the 21st century, addressing the physical responsibilities as well as the internal contemplations during this principal transition. Michelle Dana, Vanita Thakar, Grace Dana, and Niva Savani provide a lens into their own coming-of-age experiences, revealing similar patterns of fear and vulnerability. Throughout the interview, multiple perspectives are examined through the process of growing up in New York City, managing the college process, traveling from Kenya to the United States, and the influence of social media. The way in which we come of age has changed due to different societal expectations, yet the majority of the process has remained the same. It is important to realize that coming of age is always a pivotal moment in one's life, and the fears and rewards of the journey are ultimately the same.