What’s your favorite coffee shop order? Mine is a vanilla chai tea latte with almond milk. It’s warm and grounding, a signal that I’m doing something worthwhile. That’s what I ordered when I first met Lindsey in person at Philz Coffee in Bethesda, Maryland. We shared about puppies, working with tweens, how doing this work can be both rewarding and exhausting. She’s been a light as 2020 threw a shadow over all of us. After some time, I finally got to get her into my interview chair.
1. Describe your ideal location.
Ideally, I’d have a cute place with a yard for rescue animals. It’d be walking distance to lots of stuff, bookstores, coffee shops, transit, etc. A bustling, progressive area. It’d also be close to the beach or a large body of water, and not a far drive from the mountains. Also, this place would not be in Florida, although several places in Florida may fit parts of that description. (I lived in Florida for 17 years, and I don't plan to return permanently, don't come at me, please.)
2. You are given a blank check. What do you do and why?
I could say boring things, like pay bills, which I would probably do. But since we’re thinking of something more fun and creative: I’d book regular trips to travel with my partner. The world is a beautiful place, full of interesting people. There’s so much out there, and I want to see and experience and share as much of it as possible.
When I’m home, I’d operate a community center for tween and teen girls and femmes that held regular events, lightly supervised space to hang out, and offered snacks, menstrual products, book and clothing swaps, DIY projects, all kinds of good stuff.
Occasionally, I’d pack up a sprinter or van and take all that stuff on the road too.
I’ve worked with tween and teen girls my whole adult life, since I was a teenager. My business is supporting young women. And they need safe spaces and cheerleading adults to support them.
They really do change the world! (And if you need examples, I've got hundreds.)
3. What makes a good book a good book?
I really love character-driven stuff in rich settings. A good setting can elevate a book! I also read a ton of YA and a lot of murder mysteries. I love, for example, The Likeness by Tana French, because the characters and setting are so clear in my mind. It’s a great novel and it’s beautifully written. The Likeness was clearly inspired by The Secret History by Donna Tartt, but for some reason I can’t explain, I fell for the Likeness differently. I think, perhaps, because the characters are flawed in both books, the protagonist in The Likeness is, well, more likable.
Sometimes a book I hate is actually a good book. There’s one book, in particular, I think of, I hated it when I read it. I was so mad at the end AND I read several books with a similar plot twist right before and after that, so I felt burned.
Everything about it was just the worst- but if I think about it, I can still remember exactly how I wept when I read it, how I was furious for the main character, how my heart broke with each revelation…And that’s a damn good book.
I’m also a fan of flowery prose. I love words, and I love words that are put together well.
As far as non-fiction, what makes a good book good is exquisite research, attention to detail, and an open, direct writing style that isn’t too overwrought. Nothing that’s too dense or confusing just for the sake of it.
4. In your opinion, what makes coffee shops SUCH a good place for ideas and brainstorming?
I don’t know, but they are magical spaces! Something about the smell of beans, overhearing other people talk and share, and being outside of your usual space makes magic happen.
5. Describe girlhood.
Oh gosh. So, because I work with girls in the 12-18 range, that’s where my mind first went.
Girlhood is a time when you are trying to discover who you are and deciding what kind of woman you want to be (or if you are a woman at all, you know?), learning to navigate a beautiful, confusing, and often cruel, bigoted world, while the entire world belittles you, compares you to every other girl, holds up an impossible standard of womanhood as the goal, and then tells you you’re being too sensitive for complaining or pushing back or getting mad.
It's hard. But there's beauty in it too.
On the plus side, because I work with young women and girls, I see the amazing, incredible things they do, see how passionate they are, and I’m always so excited to watch them shine. They deserve more credit.
6. Share your hottest take for the audience.
My hot-take is not that hot, LOL. My hot take is this:
Talent, creativity, are equally distributed. If we really came together, we could end hunger, homelessness, disease, poverty, etc. Instead, we invest in maintaining systems of oppression and clinging to what is, rather than dipping our toes into what could be.
Are you really trying to tell me that holding hearings and debates about where trans teenagers can and cannot pee is a worthwhile use of time, money, and energy? Couldn't that time, money, and energy be better invested in supporting these kids who are just trying to be?
Are you really telling me that upholding and furthering white supremacy, patriarchy, ableism, transphobia, homophobia, etc., is something that I should eagerly get behind, instead of building something equitable and just? A space where all people truly have the ability to flourish?
Are we so married to our system the way it is that we willingly burn up the whole planet, jeopardizing future (and present!) generations, for fear of doing anything else?
My hot take is: we can do better. We can be creative. And we can build something sustainable and equitable and beautiful.
And also, MLMs are pyramid schemes that routinely prey on vulnerable women. That’s still not that hot of a take, though. I'm like a solid mild-spicy.
7. What do you have in the works that the world should know about?
I recently got the GIRLS HOW TO GUIDE TO AUTHENTICITY printed and it's already half-sold-out. I couldn't be more thrilled.
It’s a guided workbook with lots of loving advice and tips from your personal big sister (me!) that helps the reader uncover their authentic self, giving them more confidence, greater feelings of capability, and stronger connections to those around them.
I’ve got a whole Girl’s How-To Guide series planned and I’m really excited!
I’m Lindsey Turnbull, the founder of MissHeard Media, a media and events company that guides tween and teen girls to feel more confident, capable, and connected! I’m a Jill of Many Trades and Interests, so when I’m not supporting girls, I’m probably working at a record label, reading a book, petting a dog (mine or otherwise), working out, or writing.
You can find me @missheardmedia on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, or at missheardmedia.com.