A UNICEF Netherlands survey shows that silence has become one of the greatest struggles for teenagers, as 62% of those between the ages of 10 and 18 feel unheard when speaking up in their communities.
The Teen Talk podcast and the My Voice Matters Too book are both part of a project that creates a space where young people, especially girls, feel secure in expressing themselves and understanding that their voices matter.
The idea for this mission began when the founder of this project, Immaculata-La Salle junior, Allegra Morales, reflected on her personal experiences and observed how many teenagers were experiencing anxiety, pressure, and an overall sense of being unheard.
“I noticed that a lot of people keep their thoughts and emotions to themselves because they feel like they won’t be understood or taken seriously. That realization pushed me to create something where those conversations could actually happen,” she said
According to a June 2020 National 4-H Council survey, 65% percent of teens report that they deal with their feelings on their own, while 67% pretend to feel better so they don’t worry others.
The podcast started as a way to speak openly about real-life topics that affect teenagers but are not discussed honestly.
”My project is about connection more than anything else. It’s about creating something that people can relate to and feel understood by,” shared Allegra.
Allegra plans to create a comfortable space for those who aren’t feeling that way with themselves or the people around them.
In her podcast, A Teen Talk, has discussed issues regarding bullying and toxic friend groups with one of the videos titled A Teen Talk Podcast: Episode 1 | Bullying & Toxic Friend Groups.
This episode shares real stories and advice about fake friends and feeling alone, to help others heal and grow.
“If you do not feel comfortable with the friend group you are currently in, it is best if you leave so you don’t drain yourself,” shared podcast contributor Isabella Quijano.
Twenty-five percent of global respondents from a study done by Gallup and Meta reveal that those between the ages of 15 and 18 years old feel “very lonely” or “fairly lonely.”
The podcast also contains an episode sharing advice about peer pressure, insecurities, and knowing one’s worth.
“The thing that helped me thrive through high school is finding your core group. And that core group is ride or die people. These are the people who will always be by your side,” said podcast contributor Chris Lee.
The goal of this project is to open conversations that many young people are afraid to have and to create a safe and empowering space for them.
To learn more about Allegra’s work, search for ateentalkpodcastofficial… on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
