May 27, 2026
In this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast, Mason Pashia sits down with Joana Ponce and Catherine Alves, featured in Roadtrip Nation’s Explore Your Interests, for a thoughtful conversation about passion, purpose, and the messy reality of career exploration. Together, they reflect on how exposure to new people and possibilities helped them rethink the idea of a single “right” path, and why learning to navigate uncertainty may be one of the most important skills young people can build. From journalism and activism to climate work and community-based learning, this episode is a powerful reminder that fulfilling futures are rarely linear—and that sometimes the most important step is simply staying open to what comes next.
Outline
- (0:00) Introduction & Poetry
- (2:10) Non-Linear Career Paths
- (5:14) What Is Roadtrip Nation?
- (22:09) Passion, Purpose & Career Advice
- (29:11) What's Next
Links