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She started racing at just 8 years old- before most kids were even thinking about what sport they wanted to play. In this episode, we talk about what it was actually like growing up as a racer: getting her racing license at such a young age, constantly training, preparing for races, and fitting everything else in around the sport. She shares how racing shaped her day-to-day life, the commitment that came with it, and what it takes to keep going when your sport demands so much of your time. And racing isn't her only thing. From school football and basketball to MMA training, and now law school, we get into all the different sides of her life and how racing has stayed a part of who she is. Basically… what happens when your childhood hobby becomes a lifestyle?

In this episode of Tween To Teen, I sit down with professional racing driver Raghav Gokul to talk about his journey in motorsports. We discuss how he discovered his passion for racing at just 7 years old and began racing professionally at 14, his experience competing in karting, formula cars, saloon cars, and sim racing, and what it takes to succeed at both the national and international level. He also shares some of his biggest victories and podium finishes, his recent international achievements, his dream of competing in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, and why he is currently focused on national and international karting endurance racing. Whether you're a motorsport fan or simply enjoy hearing inspiring stories from young people pursuing their dreams, this is an episode you won't want to miss!

This week we chat with a D1 golfer who literally started golf late and still leveled up. From quitting squash to grinding at the range at ridiculous hours, she talks about the reality behind the “golfer lifestyle,” balancing a hybrid school schedule, traveling nonstop, and somehow still doing Bharatanatyam on the side.It’s giving discipline. It’s giving chaos. It’s giving student-athlete life.

What happens when the thing that once held you back becomes the reason you rise higher? In this episode, we meet a teen who faced learning challenges head-on and turned them into stepping stones toward her dream school. Along the way, she discovered the power of support, new opportunities through extracurriculars and internships, and the courage to start fresh by switching school boards. It’s a story about resilience, growth, and proving that no challenge defines you.

What do you call someone who can row at sunrise, sing Carnatic music by afternoon, game into the night, and still find time for theatre, sports, and even beach clean-ups? In this episode, we meet a teen who’s living proof that there’s no such thing as “too many interests.” Whether it’s cricket, basketball, cycling, or trying out something new during lockdown, his life has been about staying active, curious, and outdoors whenever possible. But it’s not just about keeping busy—it’s also about balance, time management, and discovering who you are through every experience. One thing’s for sure: standing still is not an option!

When you hear the word “homeschool,” what pops into your mind? Sitting at home all day? No friends? Endless free time? Think again. At just 11 years old and already in 10th grade, life doesn’t exactly follow the usual script. Add in afternoons with show horses, flips on a parkour mat, and a journey filled with exploring new sports, diving into arts and crafts, and saying yes to anything that sparks curiosity. In this episode, we meet Kavya, who proves that homeschool doesn’t mean home-bound—it means building a life full of energy, exploration, and rewriting what “school” is supposed to look like.

Well we're on season 4!! Can you imagine yourself playing a US NCAA Division 1 sport at a highly ranked school and doing Pre-Med? Well, Tianna does it all💅! A teenager with incredible power in her forehand joins us today to talk about her life as an athlete—specifically, a tennis player—while balancing her Asian side’s expectations to pursue Pre-Med. In this episode, you’ll hear how one freshman balances bio exams and backhands without losing her mind (mostly). Tianna shares what it’s really like to juggle intense college life, from early-morning practices to late-night study sessions, and offers honest, funny, and helpful advice on how to survive the chaos. Don’t miss it

Welcome to the Tween To Teen  Podcast with your host, Wayna Picchu! Today, we're diving into a massive turning point of the show — the start of Season 4! The show is coming to YOU from the State of New York and will have face-to-face episodes! A huge thank you to all our amazing sponsors for supporting us through the first three seasons. We couldn’t have done it without you! And thank you for tuning in to Tween To Teen ! Stay tune for next week's episode!!

Sponors: Srinidhi's book- "Snippets Of My Soul" marks my debut poetry book, a culmination of the random write-ups that have long lingered as lost-and-found word documents within my computer. Here, you will find a collection of my musings, ruminations, and creative expressions that I hope will inspire you and make you feel something. This is a place where I bake fictional snacks and serve them to you with a side of raw emotions. Whether you are a fellow writer looking for inspiration or a reader seeking a new perspective, I invite you to explore my world of verses in hopes that that they resonate within you as deeply as they have within me. Links: Amazon Flipkart EBook Sreenithi is a passionate musician and a dedicated advocate for sign language awareness. She is currently learning Carnatic and Western vocals, along with playing the Veena, and finds deep expression through music. Beyond music, she is deeply involved in sign language education and awareness. As a CODA (Child of Hearing and Speech Impaired Adults), she organizes and conducts sign language sessions with her father.

The Prince and his Horse, Samartha Satyajit is an equestrian rider for over 14 years. A lad from Chennai India has won the gold medal in the senior II category at the Fédération Equestre Internationale Dressage World Challenge 2022 (South India). In the firsts of my videocasts, he talks about his journey as an equestrian and how he is currently training in the Netherlands for the Olympics while doing an undergraduate degree. His riding journey allowed him to act in Ponniyin Selvan 2 (2023) as young Ponniyin Selvan. Watch Samartha and his incredible journey!

Welcome to the first videocast from Tween To Teen! Today, we have Ayşe and Suden who are twins from Turkey. One twin goes to a boarding school while the other goes to a local public school. Originally we had just Suden as our guest but Ayşe surprised us with her appearance. The sisters discussed life in Turkey and their favorite parts of the beautiful country. They also brought out the unique culture, hidden gems and interesting tea flavors. My favorite are their stories of dance, music and theatre! Hope you enjoy this episode.

Join us in this exciting episode of "Tween To Teen " as we chat with Chloe Sabin, a vibrant teenager who embarked on a life-changing adventure through an exchange school program in Germany, thanks to the support of Rotary. Chloe shares her inspiring journey, from the moment she first heard about the exchange program in her local high school to her arrival in Germany. She dives deep into how Rotary Youth Exchange played a pivotal role in making her dream come true, from the application process to the pre-departure preparations. But that's not all! Chloe also spills the beans on her favourite extracurricular activities which got her into the program. She dishes out tips for making friends, embracing cultural differences, and making the most of this unique high school experience. If you're a teen dreaming of studying abroad or just curious about life in another country, this episode is packed with relatable experiences and insights that will make you want to pack your bags and embark on your own adventure! Don't miss this fascinating conversation on "Tween To Teen".

Shraddha Anu Shekar has written five books so far and is currently working on her sixth. Known by the monicker “The Teen Mythologist”, Shraddha’s work revolves around retelling mythological stories that have been passed down generations of storytellers. Additionally, she is interested in art, which includes photography, and has illustrated most of her books.

Tetyana or Taña is a musician of Ukrainian origin. In this episode she talks about her life, about when she moved for college and the struggles she faced. Apart from discussing sensitive and undermined topics, she expresses her love for music. She has recently started performing and is hoping to release her album soon. One of her biggest performances is with the Rolling Stones. The Ukraine war has really impacted her life and she talks about many ways to help the victims of the war as a tween or teen.

The love of music has always run through Srinidhi’s veins. Ever since she learned how to talk, she immediately resonated with the tunes of musical notes. She also found a way to express herself through the violin. Instead of simply being a hobby, music transformed into her one true solace. She’s also developed a keen interest in studying the many spheres of psychology, and constantly reads up on the human mind. You are going to hear all about this in this podcast episode today!