Sasha Spielberg and Alana Haim Recall Awkward Teen Years In ‘Free Period’ Podcast

Cadence13 launched their new podcast, Free Period, this month, which features best friends Golden Globe and Grammy-Nominated actress and musician Alana Haim, and musician and screenwriter Sasha Spielberg. The women explore all the cringe-worthy, nostalgic and relatable moments of being an awkward teen.

Haim and Spielberg reflect on how these experiences made them who they are today and connect to choices they make today. Guests in the first season of Free Period include Rashida Jones, Este and Danielle Haim, Jessica Capshaw, Kate Berlant, Benny Drama, and Lady Efron.

“We could not be more excited to partner with Sasha and Alana, whose talent, wit, candor, and longtime friendship make ‘Free Period’ relatable and fun,” said Chris Corcoran, Chief Content Officer and Founding Partner, Cadence13. “We welcome them to the Cadence13 family, and look forward to the great things they’ll do in this space.”

Forbes spoke to Haim and Spielberg about how they came together to create Free Period. We also discussed their thoughts on how much people change from their teenage selves and who their future dream guests would be.

Risa Sarachan: Can you tell me a little bit about how Free Period came about?

Sasha Spielberg: I interviewed Alana for this wonderful podcast called Talkhouse, where artists interview other artists. Right before the taping, I called her to prepare, and we said, “Should we go rogue and talk about seventh grade?” We did talk about our music but primarily seventh grade. Alana and I have talked about seventh grade ever since we first met, and each time it feels so therapeutic to reminisce together, so after Talkhouse, we thought, why not start our own podcast about this very topic?

Sarachan: This podcast is so much fun to listen to. I particularly loved the self-tanner and first-time shaving stories. What’s your favorite teenage memory you have unearthed through your discussions?

Alana Haim: It’s so hard to choose! I think the most surprising thing to both of us is how similar our embarrassing childhoods were. I’ve always said this, but it’s so nice to have a friend that’s your puzzle piece in life and Sasha is mine.

Sarachan: From Pen15 to Big Mouth, exploring all things awkward teen is very popular. Why do you think we love hearing stories from this time in our lives?

Spielberg and Haim: We think because at that age we are full of pubescent rage and unfiltered emotion that it may be the most honest version of ourselves. We believe that whoever we were in seventh grade, that is who we are now. Deep down. Or not even that deep down for some, like ourselves.

Sarachan: Do you think who we are at 13 is basically the core of who we become?

Spielberg and Haim: Yes! There’s so much that happens when you turn 13. It’s when you start feeling real emotions but you don’t have the emotional vocabulary to express them yet. I think everyone wants to go back to that time with the knowledge they have now and just tell themselves that it’s all going to be ok and they just have to get through it.

Sarachan: You have a really exciting lineup of guests for the podcast. Who would your dream guest be?

Spielberg and Haim: Megan Thee Stallion and Kate Bush!

Sarachan: What are you both working on these days besides your podcast?

Spielberg: I’m coming out with an album in March and still painting pet portraits forever and ever, hopefully.

Haim: I just finished touring a couple of weeks ago, so I’m very excited to start a new chapter with my siblings. Maybe I’ll use some of our embarrassing stories as inspiration.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Free Period is out now on the Audacity App and everywhere podcasts are available. New Episodes available every Tuesday.