Ad Aster

Aster Lit
  • 5.0 (5)
  • BOOKS

Introducing our podcast Ad Aster, an offshoot of Aster Lit! Come aboard as we traverse the creative universe together, interview published authors, and share our experiences as young writers from around the world. DM (https://www.instagram.com/aster.lit/) or email us (hello.asterlit@gmail.com) with feedback on what you liked, what you want to hear next, and how we can improve!

  1. JUL 2

    Looking Back and Moving Forward: Seniors Edition

    Hey Asterisks! 🎧 This special senior edition of Ad Aster brings together host Judy with guests Kate, Joyce, and Emma as they reflect on the chaos, beauty, and transformation of senior year and the transition to college. From academic burnout and childhood nostalgia to candid college advice and emotional resilience, this episode is an honest, heartwarming look at growing up. 🌐 Learn more: https://asterlit.org 📸 Follow us on IG: @aster.lit 📝 Transcript & details: available on our website! 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment about what resonated with you! Timestamps: 00:00 — Intro: Meet host Judy and guests Kate & Joyce 01:30 — Reading and writing check-in 04:40 — Senior year reflections: overcommitment, burnout 06:30 — Balancing rest and productivity 09:20 — Kate on the “sophomore slump” and finding rhythm in college 13:40 — Summer plans: travel, reset, reclaiming freedom 17:00 — Judy’s nostalgic bucket list: childhood joys 19:00 — Should summer be productive or restful? Kate shares her take 22:10 — Course selection advice and approaching college pre 26:40 — Admissions talk: international vs. domestic experiences 29:50 — College fears, excitement, and emotional expectations 34:00 — Emma’s voice note: pressure, philosophy, reflection 40:00 — Stress, friendships, and meaningful takeaways from senior year 47:30 — Final advice: passion, perseverance, and exploration 50:13 — Closing: gratitude, wrap-up, and goodbye Quotes: “Looking back, I do feel like a totally different person… But I was also super scared before entering college. College is scary for everyone. But people try to do their best to help you acclimate and adjust — and I think it really works out.” — Kate “Explore. Love your friends. Apply again, even if you’ve been rejected three times. Sometimes, the fourth time works.” — Emma “People say the college application process will break your heart — and you don’t believe it until it does.”  — Joyce "Senior year is going to feel like a waiting room where you don't feel like your life is progressing. You're just waiting. You're waiting for colleges to reply to you. You're waiting to know what's going to happen next. Where are you going next? That can get depressing quickly. So my advice to rising seniors is to make sure that you introduce new aspects into your life.” — Judy Transcript

    54 min

  2. MAY 25

    Mental Health Expression Through Writing

    Hey Asterisks! What do you think happens when there is a collision between mental health and creativity? In this episode of Ad Aster, your host Zara Siddiqui is joined by Aldrin Badiola, Aster’s newest associate editor and podcast team member, for an open-hearted conversation about writing, burnout, stigmatization in the literary community, and overall emotional honesty.  Join us as we explore the boundaries of creativity and mental health and the point at which they merge together. Make sure to like, comment, and share with your fellow creatives! Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & Introductions 02:00 – Are Editors Even Real People? 05:00 – Editing with Emotion, Not Just Grammar 08:00 – Balancing Aster with School & Family Life 12:00 – Meeting Chaos: Food, Family & Final Drafts 16:00 – Passion vs. Productivity: Why We Volunteer 20:00 – Burnout, Boundaries & the Need for Rest 25:00 – The Fun (and Fury) of Literary Debates 30:00 – Learning Beyond School: Podcasts & Growth 35:00 – Real-Life Lessons Schools Never Teach 40:00 – Community, Appreciation & Being Seen 45:00 – Editing Pet Peeves & Punctuation Panic 50:00 – Final Reflections: Being Human, Doing Our Best 53:00 – Ending Notes Quotes: “You can't really tell people things are going to be okay if, in the moment, they're not, because right now things are not okay. And it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel if you're struggling to get out of the tunnel in the first place.”— Aldrin “There does come a time in life when it becomes almost human for us to feel sadness and grief and anger. And I think all of those emotions are just as valid as us feeling positive feelings.” — Zara Transcript

    29 min

  3. APR 14

    Editors Humanized

    Hey Asterisks! Have you ever submitted to a literary magazine and wondered what happens next? Who reads your pieces? Are they even real, or are they just highly literate robots running on caffeine? In this episode, Zara Siddiqui and Judy Khaled discuss what it's like being a teen editor. Join them on this lighthearted, real, and somewhat crazy episode! Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & Introductions 02:00 – Are Editors Even Real People? 05:00 – Editing with Emotion, Not Just Grammar 08:00 – Balancing Aster with School & Family Life 12:00 – Meeting Chaos: Food, Family & Final Drafts 16:00 – Passion vs. Productivity: Why We Volunteer 20:00 – Burnout, Boundaries & the Need for Rest 25:00 – The Fun (and Fury) of Literary Debates 30:00 – Learning Beyond School: Podcasts & Growth 35:00 – Real-Life Lessons Schools Never Teach 40:00 – Community, Appreciation & Being Seen 45:00 – Editing Pet Peeves & Punctuation Panic 50:00 – Final Reflections: Being Human, Doing Our Best 53:00 – Ending Notes Transcript

    30 min

  4. MAR 1

    Connection Between Arts: The Presence of Storytelling Everywhere

    Hey Asterisks! 🎧 Join us as we dive into the art of storytelling through photography and literature! Our host, Zara Hafeez Siddiqui, Podcast Director and Managing Editor at Aster Lit, is joined by two incredible guests: Emma Zhang, Co-Editor-in-Chief, and Tony Pan, Managing Editor. Together, they explore the power of photography, how it connects to writing, and the role of perspective and interpretation in storytelling. This episode covers everything from the ethics of editing to the emotional impact of images and words. It is packed with insights, creativity, and thought-provoking discussions! Whether you're a writer, a photographer, or just love storytelling, this episode is for you! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode! ✨ Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & Introductions 01:00 – Emma & Tony: Their Backgrounds & Creative Interests 05:00 – What is Photography? How It Connects to Storytelling 10:00 – Photography vs. Literature: Interpretation & Subjectivity 15:00 – The Role of Context in Understanding Photos 20:00 – Ambiguity vs. Clarity: Striking a Balance in Art 25:00 – The Emotional & Ethical Impact of Photography 30:00 – Finding Inspiration: Literature vs. Photography 35:00 – Perfectionism in Photography & The Search for the Perfect Shot 40:00 – Photography as a Time Capsule: Changing Perspectives 45:00 – Final Reflections on Art & Storytelling 50:00 – Closing Remarks & Announcements Transcript

    1h 3m

  5. 12/08/2024

    Turning Back Time: Diving Deeper into Aster's Internship Program Part 2

    Hey Asterisks! Join us as we explore Asterlit’s 2024 summer internship program. Our host, Judy Khaled, a podcast team member and Associate Editor at Asterlit, is joined by three incredible guests: Celina Simone, our Editor-in-Chief; Angie, an Associate Editor and Events Team Member; and Naomi Ferraro, a Managing Editor and Social Media Team Member. Together, they’ll share their inspiring journeys from interns to key team members at Asterlit, offering valuable insights and personal stories along the way. Whether you’re curious about internships or looking for inspiration, this episode is full of warmth and wisdom! notable moments: 00:00 – Welcome & Introductions 01:00 – Celina Simone on Initiating the Internship Program 05:00 – Angie & Naomi: How They Discovered Asterlit 10:00 – Growth of Interns: Celina’s Perspective 15:00 – Challenges Faced by Interns: Angie & Naomi’s Stories 20:00 – Feedback & Support from Mentors 25:00 – Celina Reflects on Internship Success & Advice for the Future 30:00 – Angie & Naomi: Final Thoughts and Advice for Future Interns 35:00 – Closing Remarks & Exciting Announcements Links: Transcript

    39 min

  6. 12/08/2024

    Turning Back Time: Diving Deeper into Aster's Internship Program Part 1

    We’re joined by our host: Zara Siddiqui, the Podcast Director and Managing editor at Aster, as well as two fantastic guests: Emma Zhang, our Editor-in-Chief; and Judy Khaled, an Associate Editor and podcast team member. They’ll share their unique journeys from interns to key team members at AsterLit, offering invaluable insights and personal experiences along the way. Whether you’re curious about internships or looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with warmth and wisdom! notable moments: 00:25 - Introduction 00:45 - Introducing EIC Emma Zhang 02:39 - Discussing the Internship’s creation 10:00 - Intern Selection process 15:16 - Introducing AE and Podcast Team member Judy Khaled 16:03 - Emma’s founding experience for Asterlit 18:21 - Getting to know how the other EICs got involved with Aster 20:36 - Emma questions the former interns (Zara and Judy) 25:57 - Discussing Editorial Reflection Essays 30:22 - Advice for Future Interns 35:09 - End Statements 36:34 - Conclusion Links: Transcript

    41 min

  7. 07/15/2024

    A Routine Inspection: Exploring the Role of Regimen in the Writer's Life

    Our summer interns are back with another episode of Ad Aster! Join Aster Lit interns Judy, Angie, and Nabeeha for a deep dive into all things writing routines—the famous, the personal, the pros and the cons. Like our last episode, this episode was produced from start to finish by our summer interns. Thank you to our hosts for their hard work, to Joyce for the episode transcript, to Elizabeth for editing, and to Naomi for providing timestamps and quotes. notable moments: 0:00 - Introduction  0:35 - Finderscope check-in 2:11 - What is a writing routine? 2:42 - Nabeeha, Angie and Judy share their writing routines 5:15  - The hosts compare their writing habits to Jane Austen, Maya Angelou, Charles Dickens, and Haruki Murakami 9:46 - Discussion of how writing routines differ between professional and amateur writers 11:48 - Do writing routines differ based on the genre? 19:45 - Discussion of the hosts’ preferred medium for writing 20:37 - How being in jail affected a writer’s work 22:10 - Writing routines and wellness 27:56 - How can we avoid the negative effects of writing on health? 31:38 - The hosts’ writing and reading quirks 37:23 - Conclusion  Links Episode Transcript Reddit post about the writer in jail The most unusual writing rituals of famous authors  The Daily Routines of Great Writers – The Marginalian Psychological Benefits of Routines

    39 min

  8. 06/19/2024

    From Page to Screen: The Evolution of Classic Stories

    Welcome to our first-ever summer intern edition of Ad Aster! Join Aster Lit interns Judy, Angie, and Zara for an eye-opening and laughter-filled episode on some of our favorite children’s stories (and their darker histories). Learn about Disney favorites and classic tales as we celebrate the stories that have inspired us since childhood. This episode was produced from start to finish by our first group of summer interns. Thanks to our hosts for their hard work, as well as to Jane for the episode transcript, Judy for editing, and Zara for highlighting timestamps and quotes. notable moments: 0:12 - Introduction: Meet Angie, Judy, and Zara! 0:40 - Finderscope check-in. 3:19 - Insight on The Brothers Grimm. 4:19 - Discussing Tangled’s origin. 5:58 - Insight on Hans Christian Andersen. 6:21 - Hans Christian Andersen’s popular works. 8:55 - Zara explains the original Tangled (i.e. Rapunzel) story, which the Grimm brothers collected. 18:22 - Judy and Angie discuss the differences between the original Rapunzel and the adapted Disney version. 22:21 - Discussing Beauty and the Beast. 34:28 - Angie discusses Jane Eyre. 36:31 - Judy discusses Lost in a Book by Jennifer Donnelly. 37:30 - Judy, Angie, and Zara talk about taking inspiration from other books and writing their materials through these inspirations. 37:55 - Angie and Zara talk about Greek mythology and books (e.g. Percy Jackson). 40:48 - Judy and Angie talk about story variations and dive deeper into the symbolism in Jane Eyre. 43:34 - Judy asks a question for the listeners! 43:58 - Zara gives a short episode summary. 44:39 - Outro ⁠Information on The Brothers Grimm⁠ ⁠Information on Hans Christian Anderson ⁠ ⁠Rapunzel collected by The Brothers Grimm ⁠ ⁠Beauty and the Beast - Wikipedia ⁠ ⁠Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book by Jennifer Donnelly ⁠

    46 min
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About

Introducing our podcast Ad Aster, an offshoot of Aster Lit! Come aboard as we traverse the creative universe together, interview published authors, and share our experiences as young writers from around the world. DM (https://www.instagram.com/aster.lit/) or email us (hello.asterlit@gmail.com) with feedback on what you liked, what you want to hear next, and how we can improve!

Information

  • Creator
    Aster Lit
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Aster Lit
  • Show Website
    Ad Aster