The Voice of a Generation: Why Risha Chaurasia’s Story is Exactly What Gen Z (and All of Us) Need to Hear

What does it mean to grow up in the age of everything, everywhere, all at once? For many young people, it means navigating a noisy world that tells them what they should become, before they’ve had a chance to listen to their own voice. But for 18-year-old Risha Chaurasia, that voice has always been loud, clear, and purposeful. From publishing her first book at 11 to launching a platform that amplifies young changemakers, Risha is living proof that passion, persistence, and purpose are not bound by age.

In a time when Gen Z is often reduced to hashtags and stereotypes, Risha breaks the mold with grace and grit. Her episode on The AboutHer Show is not just a conversation, it’s a blueprint for how the next generation is shaping impact through storytelling, self-awareness, and sheer determination.

Meet Risha Chaurasia: Teen Author, Changemaker & Finance Enthusiast

Risha is not your average 18-year-old. She’s the author of two books (Tales of Twinkling Tweens and TRUCE), a sought-after speaker, and the founder of The Youth Story, a platform she built to give voice to young people doing meaningful work across the globe. Coming from a family of finance professionals, she’s also pursuing a career in accounting and finance, proving that you don’t have to choose between creativity and corporate ambition.

In our conversation, Risha opened up about what inspired her to write as a child, the struggles she faced as a young girl trying to be taken seriously, and how she now creates space for others to share imperfect, impactful stories.

Key Takeaways from the Episode

1. Age doesn’t define capability.

Risha was often told to “just focus on studies” and leave the rest for later. But she’s shown that you can be a student, author, and founder—all at once.

Also Read: Unshakeable- Healing the Mind, Leading with Kindness — The Rachna Chhachhi Story

2. We need platforms for imperfect stories.

Mainstream media often glorifies success. Risha’s The Youth Story aims to highlight real stories, of failure, resilience, and rebuilding.

3. Balancing passion and practicality is hard, but possible.

Risha is studying finance while continuing to write and grow her platform. Her advice? “Cut out distractions, plan your day, and read more.”

4. Gender bias is still real, even in 2025.

From being told she shouldn’t speak to older men in interviews to being mocked by peers for writing, Risha has faced and overcome gender-based challenges. Her unwavering family support was a key anchor.

5. Inspiration starts at home.

She credits her mother and grandmother for her storytelling spirit and emotional strength, proving that empowerment often begins in everyday moments.

Quotable Quotes

“If you’re struggling to find something to read, just write it.”
— Risha, on how her first book came to life.

“You don’t have to pick one thing. You can be a student, an author, and a founder all at once.”
— on rejecting false binaries

“The world doesn’t just need polished stories. It needs the messy ones, the real ones, the ones with courage.”
— on The Youth Story platform

“I’m very proud to be a girl doing what I do—because I’m a girl.”
— on owning her identity unapologetically

“Everything I do is for the 8-year-old girl who just wanted to see her name on a book.”
— on staying rooted in her why

🎧 Tune in to the Full Conversation

➡️ Spotify: shorturl.at/E1nIY
➡️ Apple Podcasts: shorturl.at/s4UYf
➡️ Audible: shorturl.at/QHWFa
➡️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R84F95GPZg8

Stay Connected with AboutHer

Love stories like Risha’s? We share them every week on The AboutHer Show — plus articles, book reviews, and more on AboutHer Mag. Follow us to keep the inspiration flowing:

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Let’s keep lifting each other up. 💙