What happens when a twelve-year-old refuses to let pain have the final word?

In this powerful episode of Listen Bitch Presents: Tell Me Why You’re Special, Branden sits down with bestselling young author and anti-bullying advocate Shanti Hershenson to discuss how writing transformed her life and helped her find her voice during one of the most difficult seasons of her childhood.

Shanti shares how bullying, identity struggles, and feeling misunderstood led her to discover a passion for storytelling that would eventually result in dozens of published books before adulthood. She opens up about the healing power of writing, the realities of social media bullying, the challenges young people face today, and how creativity can become a path toward purpose.

The conversation explores overcoming fear, trusting yourself before the world validates you, building an audience online, balancing authenticity with growth, and why so many aspiring writers never finish their first book.

Whether you’re a writer, entrepreneur, parent, student, or someone who has ever felt invisible, this episode is a powerful reminder that your story matters and your voice deserves to be heard.
Shanties first two novellas were published when she was in the sixth grade, although her writing journey started long before then. Ever since she could hold a pencil, marker, or crayon, she was creating stories. They started from pictures, mere scribbles, and eventually, turned into captivating tales.

​She lives in California with her parents, sister, and furry friends. Besides writing, she enjoys skateboarding, fencing, being a regular teenager, and of course, reading.

She writes in a variety of genres, including Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Contemporary, although she mostly sticks to Sci-Fi.

As an anti-bullying advocate, you may find her volunteering or performing powerful poetry at open mic nights.
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Shanti is eighteen years old and a senior in high school. She plans to study Creative Writing at Bryn Mawr College.

https://www.amazon.com/Shanti-Hershenson/e/B08QRF5LP4?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1645593351&sr=8-1

http://shantihershenson.com/