When I think of Nell Teare, many memories flood my mind. I met her when I was 8 years old, on a playground on 96th street. She sang me “Poor Unfortunate Souls” from The Little Mermaid on the swings, and from that moment on, I was hooked. I had never met someone so eager to live life to the fullest each day, who had a love for imagination and children, as well as working hard to become the lady boss she is as an adult. As I got older, I learned to respect the devotion she had to bettering herself and never, ever giving up when times got tough, and trust me, they got tough. Don’t let her well-meaning nature and irresistible charm fool you – she has lived many lives during her time growing up in Texas, and moving to New York and then to Los Angeles, where she lives now, a few steps from the home of her best friends, Hemky and Jesse Madera, and their two children. Although she has the curiosity of a young child running free, her work speaks for itself to say that Nell is a visionary leader. She is truly non-stop: her resume spans from screenwriter to director, nanny to actor, artist to author to activist. Beyond that, there is a reason people love working with her so much – she is kind, interested, and personable. Although each day is a hike, Nell never ceases to show me that she is comfortable climbing even if she cannot see the top of the mountain, as long as she is doing what she loves and inspiring others along the way. So listen in as Nell and I discuss her experiences wearing her many different hats, and how she has stayed so positive, so driven, and so full of wonder while donning each one.
If you met us today, you would never think that Anna Jurew and I were once rivals, fighting for the attention of a girl in our class. I almost can't believe that I have only been friends with Anna since sophomore year of high school considering I feel like she is my sister. She is not only one of the funniest, most intelligent, and thoughtful people I know, but her devotion to the rigorous sport of track has inspired me in my own life to work just as hard at the things I want. I am in constant awe of her: she is a member of Princeton University's elite track team, has a 2:07 personal record for the 800 meter event, is a talented writer and photographer, and loving friend and girlfriend. I can't wait to introduce you all to her as she is my first guest on The Scout Archives. So pull up a chair and listen in as Anna and I discuss her quiet nature, her love for Zora Neale Hurston, and how she finds peace in balancing the goal-oriented lifestyle of an athlete and the fluid, creative nature of an artist.