We’re living in an odd and anxious time here in the United States. A lot of us are looking around and wondering who we are and what we’re becoming. So we decided to spend some time listening to teenagers across California and the American West. We wanted to see how they’re living right now in the world adults made for them and how they’re beginning to change it — and maybe get a glimpse of where we’re all headed together. The issue begins at 5 a.m.

Read more about the making of our special teenagers issue.