Grown is a podcast about the in-between: the nebulous, the liminal, the just plain weird time between those awkward teenage years and full-on adulthood. Join co-hosts Aleeza Kazmi and Alfonso “Fonzo” Lacayo as they present true stories that deal with the challenges and joys of growing up. Our first two episodes drop Wednesday, February 8th, 2023, and then we’ll have a new episode every two weeks. Join us!

Young love. Erotic fan fiction. Secrets spilled or slipped. In this episode, Fonzo and Aleeza get crushed by crushes. David Lepelstat tells us about his first kiss, and Sasha Im’s mom reads her diary. Plus, relationship talk -- including an awkward reveal from our co-hosts.

Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo

Storytellers: David Lepelstat and Sasha Im

Follow Grown on TikTok or Instagram @GrownPod

For more information on the people who make Grown, visit our website: grownpod.com

Mental health. City adventures. Rescue dogs. In this episode, we set out to find ourselves. Esther Messe comes to understand her intrusive thoughts and Wilson Portorreal welcomes a new family member. Then, we go out to a flea market to talk about loss, and Aleeza and Fonzo get real about mental health.

Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo

Storytellers: Esther Messe and Wilson Portorreal

Follow Grown on TikTok or Instagram @GrownPod

Sketchy concerts. LGBTQIA+ spaces. Baby Keem. In this episode, we examine how music shapes our identity. Eddy Laughter takes us to her first punk show, and Alistair Bane explores moving to New York as a young man in the 80s. After that, Eddy and Alistair talk to each other about queerness, live music, and memory. Fonzo and Aleeza discuss the pitfalls of judging others based on their music taste and pre-pandemic concerts.

Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo

Storytellers: Eddy Laughter and Alistair Bane

Follow Grown on TikTok or Instagram @GrownPod

For more information on the people who make Grown, visit our website: grownpod.com

In this episode, Aleeza and Fonzo discuss how storytelling changed their lives and share how they first met. Fonzo recounts a particularly memorable haircut, and Aleeza tells us about being crush-crazy. Plus, conversations about expressing who you really are.

Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo

Storytellers: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo

Follow Grown on TikTok or Instagram @GrownPod

For more information on the people who make Grown, visit our website: grownpod.com

Apple cake. Pizza. Dinner parties. In this mouthwatering (sorry) episode, food connects everyone. Luna Azcurrain creates a Thanksgiving tradition with her grandfather, and Lu Levin desperately tries to grow up. We visit a food festival, and Aleeza and Fonzo talk about their families.

Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo

Storytellers: Luna Azcurrain and Lu Levin

Follow Grown on TikTok or Instagram @GrownPod

For more information on the people who make Grown, visit our website: grownpod.com

Bodies, bodies, bodies. This episode is all about feeling comfortable in your own skin. Annie Beyer-Chafets undergoes an important surgery, and Adia Heyliger talks about body positivity. After that, we get real about body changes, and Fonzo and Aleeza discuss puberty.

Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo

Storytellers: Annie Beyer-Chafets and Adia Heyliger

Follow Grown on TikTok or Instagram @GrownPod

For more information on the people who make Grown, visit our website: grownpod.com

Natural hair. A culture festival. Middle school jerks. In this episode, we hear stories of culture, identity, and how the two intertwine. Oleeta Fogden gets her first period, and Katiana Ciceron talks about the time her pastor touched her hair. Then, Aleeza and Fonzo get an update from Katiana on how she feels about her story now.

Hosted by: Aleeza Kazmi and Fonzo Lacayo

Storytellers: Oleeta Fogden and Katiana Ciceron

Follow Grown on TikTok or Instagram @GrownPod

For more information on the people who make Grown, visit our website: grownpod.com