The November 15, 2015 episode of radio show This American Life told several stories around the theme of “Status Updates.” Their episode synopsis says, “Most of the time, the updates we share about our lives are small and inconsequential. This week, status updates that interrupt daily life.”

One of the stories is Producer Neil Drumming, discussing his friendship with Ta-Nehisi Coates, and how their relationship changed as Coates developed into a famous writer. Another story features a man in his 70s proposing to a woman. You can listen to the episode here.

For this prompt, write about a time in your life when you or someone you know underwent a change in status: a new marriage, a new baby, a new career, a new gender, a new religion. What else changed with it? Was the change for the better?