About Alja | GurlSeeksTribe Podcast Host & Community Builder
My Story:
From Outsider to Tribe Builder
How a lifetime of feeling “othered” led me to create a space where different is celebrated
The Vivaldi Moment
I was the kid who preferred Vivaldi to whatever was on the radio. While everyone else was trading CDs of current Top 40 artists, I was lost in the complexity of Vivaldi’s Winter concerto, or the complex emotions of “If Anyone Had a Heart,” by Dionne Warwick, feeling the draw to explore a different part of me.
And it wasn’t only in my taste in music. That choice — that preference to engage the “different” parts of my being — became a defining characteristic of my life and how I moved through the world.
I chose archeology when everyone I knew was getting into science or medicine. After pivoting into journalism, I built a career in nerd entertainment media, despite the traditional path suggesting otherwise. Then, when everyone I knew was jumping in front of the camera with newly-beat faces and fashions, I created a podcast about the messy, uncertain journey of being an adult when polished perfection was the standard.
And through it all, I learned something crucial: being a little”othered” isn’t a flaw. It’s a superpower. But only when you find your people.
From Adult-ish Podcast to GurlSeeksTribe
The Journey
🎙️ 156 Episodes Created and hosted Adult-ish, exploring what it means to navigate life’s uncertainties
📊 80,000+ Downloads Built an audience of people who resonated with honest conversations
🌟 Countless Stories Heard from listeners who finally felt seen and understood
💡 One Realization: We don’t just need content. We need community.
After 156 episodes and 80,000+ downloads of Adult-ish, I kept hearing the same thing from listeners:
“I thought I was the only one.”
“Finally, someone who gets it.”
“Where can I find more people like this?”
That’s when it hit me: the podcast was just the beginning. People weren’t just looking for content to consume — they were looking for a tribe to belong to — a community to meet other like-minded souls. GurlSeeksTribe was born from that need. A space where feeling different isn’t something to fix, but something that connects us.
Who This Space Is For
GurlSeeksTribe is for anyone who’s ever felt like they don’t quite fit the mold.
✓ You’ve felt “othered” for your interests, personality, or path
✓ You’re tired of surface-level connections and social media-perfect pretenses
✓ You’re a millennial navigating the gap between who you are and who you “want” to be
✓ You want authentic community, not just networking
✓ You believe different perspectives make the world richer
✓ You’re ready to find your people and build something meaningful together
My Promise to You
This is a judgment-free zone. Whether you’re into classical music or reality TV, corporate climbing or creative exploring, traditional paths or unconventional journeys — you belong here. This is your home.
I promise to show up authentically, hold space for your stories, and build a community where “different” isn’t just tolerated — it’s celebrated.
Because after a lifetime of feeling like an outsider, I finally understand:
We’re not outsiders. We’re just looking for our tribe.