I'm Janet Mock and this is never before.

Today's guests gave me a whole new reverence for my 15-year-old self.

When I was a high school freshman, I was just embarking on my transition,

super eager to reintroduce myself as Janet to my classmates.

I was so busy then trying to be myself that I didn't

have the capacity to focus on the world around me. And that's probably what I admire most about

the stars of this generation, Amanda Lestenberg, Yarashihidi, Zendaya, and today's guest, Rowan

Blanchard. These stars center themselves while also carrying super demanding careers.

They use their voices to educate their fans and ignite social change.

That's quite a feat, regardless of your age.

Blanchard made her acting debut at age five, and at 12, she was cast as Riley Matthews in Girl Meets World,

the sequel to my generation's super beloved Boy Meets World. And Cori and Tabanga, our faves, play

her parents. I feel fucking old, too. There's something about Rowan that separates her from

the Disney stars of the past. Demi Levato, Miley Cyrus, and Selena Gomez seem to have been so contained under Disney's grasp.

And that made way for public rebellion.

But Rowan has always been herself.

And she uses social media to advance subjects that are important to her.

Like, this girl has published full-throated critiques of white feminism.

That's a boss.

I speak with Rowan about acting and activism and being her own kind of teen idol.

I am so excited to be here with Rowan Blanchard.

Hey.

...