Illustration by Maria Ines Gul.

The very first episode ever of the Rookie Podcast is here!!! I could go on and on about how excited we are, but why we’re excited is far more interesting: I talk with Ella Yelich-O’Connor, known and loved world over as Lorde! We had so much to discuss—early versions of the song “Green Light,” growing up, feeling like you’re too much—that there will be even more of our conversation in a later episode. Also in Episode One: Ask a Grown, podcast edition, with writer Hilton Als answering questions from a Rookie reader!

If there’s a shortcut to feeling less alone on this godforsaken planet, it’s listening to Rookies talk about what’s on their minds. If you would like to contribute to a future episode of the podcast, please record a voice memo and send it to [email protected]. We’ll be giving you specific prompts soon, so keep your eyes and ears open.

And now, without further delay, Episode One of the Rookie Podcast! You can tune in on Spotify, too.

We hope you’ll give it a listen, and if you feel so inclined, leave us a review! ♦