Finding Success as a High School Dropout with Christopher Zara

This conversation is about reversing the trend of cynicism and erosion of trust in our government through education. Lindsay Cormack, an associate professor of political science and author of "How to Raise a Citizen”, joins us to discuss the state of US Government education in our schools. You may be surprised to learn that every state decides how much time to devote to this topic, and how to test students. Due to the inconsistent and often insufficient government education for millions, our students are leaving high school without a solid knowledge of our government functions and how to be a part of it. How will there be social changes if our young adults don’t understand our government, opt out and believe that the system is rigged? Our government was designed to change slowly to ensure stability. We need to ensure our students understand how they can be forces of change through their votes and by joining coalitions and groups that they believe in.  Today, many high school graduates have not read the constitution, aren’t aware of who represents them , and they lack the most basic understanding of the division of responsibilities in our government. If our students don’t understand the brilliance of our constitution, we can see why they would take it for granted and not do their part as active citizens. Lindsey’s book gives parents a framework for having discussions about government and politics with their children. In this conversation, Lindsey shares recommendations for how parents can teach their kids to be good citizens with easy to follow tips  for every age group. This episode is an urgent call to action for all parents to prioritize civic education and to help their children learn how to make a difference in their communities.   We want to thank all teeachers who dedicate themsevlves to our students. *************************** PLEASE HELP US  OUT BY SHARING THIS EPISODE WITH A FRIEND! Follow us on Instagram at @meantforit Sign up for our  newsletter here  Visit our website at www.meantforit.com, email us directly at [email protected] We want to hear from you! Guest suggestions? Partner with us?  Drop us a note.  + a  special shout out to Mr. Armstrong, an extraordinday 8th grade History teacher from the SF Bay Area, for teaching students to become good citizens and changing lives every day. We wish for every student to have their own Mr. Armstrong!

If you have ever felt insecure about your education, or if your lack of a degree has held you back from pursuing the life you wanted, this conversation is for you. Christopher Zara, Senior Editor at Fast Company and author of "Uneducated: A Memoir of Flunking Out, Falling Apart, and Finding My Worth", is proof that traditional paths aren't the only routes to success. Despite  dropping out of high school, Christopher defied the odds and carved out a successful career in journalism without a college degree.  We discuss the educational requirements that prevent many from pursuing work they meant for, and the unattainable, and often unnecessary  expectations of higher education. In addition to the absurd costs of college degrees, the extreme  competition is making college out of reach for the majority of students. Although a college degree is almost always a hiring requirement  for a top media organization, this was not always the case. Earlier in our country’s history, journalists came from a variety of blue collar backgrounds. While no one is arguing against the value of a college education, there are also unfortunate trade-offs to the public when journalists don’t represent the majority of Americans. Christopher was lucky that his teachers noticed  and encouraged his skills in writing. At age 35 when Corstoopher realized he wanted more from his life, he pitched  his first article to a magazine, which was accepted. This pivotal moment set him on a path that would eventually lead to his role at Fast Company. Christopher’s story is an example of following the path that feels right to you even when you dont fit into the conventional path. Don't miss Christopher's inspiring story and join us in rethinking the role of education in our lives. Whether you're a student, a parent, or someone considering a career change, this episode will encourage you to forge your own path. https://www.fastcompany.com/user/christopher-zara   *************************** PLEASE SHARE THIS EPISODE WITH A FRIEND  Follow us on Instagram at @meantforit Sign up for our  newsletter here  Visit our website at www.meantforit.com, email us directly at [email protected] We want to hear from you! Guest suggestions? Partner with us?  Drop us a note.  Timestamps: 6:21 Christopher Zara says teachers encouraged him to pursue journalism 7:22 About 10% of working journalists at that time did not go to college 13:53 How did you, how did you know writing was your thing 21:47 In the past, journalists typically were not highly educated 28:13 If you're an overtly conservative person in a newsroom, you might feel inhibited 31:35 over imposter syndrome after writing a book 35:36 What do you read to stay up to date on current events 39:05 Do you think the value of education is going to start declining in near future 45:29 What advice would you give to aspiring journalists without a college degree 47:47 Christopher Zara: A lot of hiring managers are relying on resume filters

Kat Timpf ,a writer and comedian, is best know for her appearances on the Gutfeld show. 14 years ago, Kat was working at Boston Market when she told her friend she would be on Fox’s Red Eye show (and that is one hell of an example of manifestation combined with hard work and focus). Through her writing, Kat scored an appearance on Redeye, which eventually led to a recurring role on Gutfeld.   In her new book, "I Used to Like You Until, How Binary Thinking Divides Us”, Kat seeks to break down the mental barriers that lead to binary thinking. Kat shares many of her personal struggles, including mental health challenges and an abusive relationship. Although Kat was scared about sharing so much, she decided that if sharing her vulnerability helped people relate to her, then the cringe and fear was worth it. Kat’s goal with her book, and with sharing her personal stories is to  bridge the divides created by political partisanship, encouraging readers to look beyond assumptions and engage with others one on one. Kat also explains her libertarian views and the significance of being intentional about having meaningful conversations across ideological lines. Kat challenges binary thinking and inspires us to approach people with curiosity rather than judgment. Don't miss this important discussion about the dangers of binary thinking and the opportunities that open when people stop judging each other on party lines. We also discuss research that shows how people often have incorrect assumptions about the opposite party. https://www.therealkattimpf.com Notable Quotes: "Binary thinking is the enemy of critical thinking." "Politics makes us fight with people we know in our real lives over these politicians who don't even know or care that we exist." "I approach people with curiosity instead of with preconceived notions or judgments." "Vulnerability is going to be a huge way for us to get out of this mess that we're in." "I'm a writer who wound up on TV and not the other way around." *************************** PLEASE SHARE THIS EPISODE WITH A FRIEND  Follow us on Instagram at @meantforit Sign up for our  newsletter here  Visit our website at www.meantforit.com, email us directly at [email protected] We want to hear from you! Guest suggestions? Partner with us?  Drop us a note.  Zoom in: 6:45 Kat shares a lot of vulnerable things in her new book 11:42 You write about the radical partisanship that we're experiencing in American politics 15:00 What does it mean to be a libertarian with less government 20:01 You talk about how some theaters won't host you if you're on Fox 25:48 You write about how politics makes people fight with their relatives over elections 28:49  How to reduce partisanship 33:14 Kat  hopes people open up hearts to people with different political opinions

Ron Alvarez, a CNN Hero finalist, musician and educator is transforming lives through teaching kids to play music in The Dream Orchestra.. Ron shares he went from a childhood in Caracas, Venezuela to changing the lives of refugee children in Sweden. Ron’s story begins when he joined El Sistema, a musical and social program in Venezuela, set the course of his life. Ron realized he wanted to pay it forward by becoming a music teacher. Eventually, Ron grabbed an opportunity to teach music to kids in an orphanage in Greenland (yes, we talk about what it’s like to actually live in Greenland). After the incredible experience in Greenland, Ron moved to Sweden for a teaching job. Witnessing the influx of unaccompanied minors from Syria and Afghanistan, Ron felt compelled to make a difference with the most powerful tool he had to change lives, the power of music. The lack of funding and language barriers did not keep Ron from starting Dream Orchestra, a sanctuary for young refugees and asylum seekers, offering them a sense of community and belonging through music. Over 400 children have had their lives transformed but also enriched through the magic and language of music. Ron is an example of the ways following what you were meant to do CNN Hero video and article Quotable Moments: "Music and food always bring you back to your place and to your family." "Music can transform the life of people. When you feel completely lost or alone, music can empower you." "I always wanted to make good music. But I also remember... I didn't want to do this the rest of my life. I really wanted to make change." "We scientifically know that music can provide more oxytocin to your brain and to your body. It makes you more happy." Follow us on Instagram at @meantforit Sign up for our  newsletter here  Visit our website at www.meantforit.com, email us directly at [email protected]  - we want to hear from you! Guest suggestions? Partner with us?  Drop us a note.    12:54 " Dream Orchestra started in January 2015 with unaccompanied minors from Syria and Afghanistan 23:02    How often did the orchestra practice and how is it evolved today 23:57    How Dream orchestras is changing lives through music 30:45    Music brings an emotion unique compared to other things in life 35:55 " Dream Orchestra has grown from 13 kids originally to over 400 members now 42:04     What is it like to live in Greenland

In this episode, we are honored to speak with Dumisani Washington, the founder and CEO of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel Dumisani Washington is a gifted Pastor, musician, author,  speaker and a passionate advocate for the unity and solidarity between the Church and Israel. His  book, "Zionism & the Black Church: Why Standing with Israel Will be a Defining Issue for Christians of Color in the 21st Century," has sparked important conversations and inspired countless individuals to explore the connections between these communities.  Dumisani shares his story, from a  devout Christian upbringing in Little Rock, Arkansas, to becoming a prominent voice in the intersection of Black and Jewish communities. Dumisan’s transformative experience during his first trip to Israel in 2012, which inspired him to establish his organization. This conversation  reminds us  of the  historical and spiritual ties between African American churches and Zionism, highlighting the deep-rooted connections through scripture, civil rights and music. We discuss the historical alliances between Black and Jewish communities, particularly during the civil rights movement, and the current state of these relationships.  We dip into the geopolitical landscape, examining the overwhelming influence of Soviet propaganda that led to the avalanche of  misinformation and anti-Semitic rhetoric we are seeing today across most media platforms and our college campuses.. Dumisani passionately advocates for a renewed sense of patriotism and unity among Americans. Follow Dumisani here and on Instagram   Follow us on Instagram at @meantforit Sign up for our  newsletter here  Visit our website at www.meantforit.com, email us directly at [email protected]  - we want to hear from you! Guest suggestions? Partner with us?  Drop us a note.  Quotes from our converation: "The less we know, the more bondage we actually walk into." "The spiritual nature of things remains alive, even long after the Pharaohs and Hitlers have passed." "We are in a fight for global religious freedom." "The immediacy of the hour is what really brought the whole black Jewish synergy to light." "Our national security is at stake. Our religious freedom is at stake."

Sharon McMahon, America's favorite government teacher and bestselling author of "The Small and the Mighty." shares how she went from a classroom government teacher to a social media success with over a million followers on Instagram. Once you hear this episode you will understand why Shaon’s  nonpartisan videos on the electoral college and other political processes captured the hearts and attention of her followers and mass media. You may not know that there is currently a  lack of standardized civic education across the United States. Each state decides how much time to allocate within their schools to teach about US Government and Civics. Yes, read that again and stop for a minute to consider the consequences of inconsistent and insufficient government education for American students. If students are not taught how to make change locally, statewide or nationally, or that their vote and participation matters, perhaps that explains a lot including why so many of us complain that the system is not representing us? We talk about Sharon’s brilliant book,  "The Small and the Mighty," which profiles twelve unsung American heroes who made extraordinary impacts on history. One of the  heroes is Clara Brown, an enslaved woman who became a pioneer in Colorado, through sacrifice, faith and decades of hard work.  We also discuss the current election and why the majority of Americans feel they are not represented by either candidate. Sharon offers suggestions for  electoral reforms and a multi-party system that would drastically change election outcomes.  Sharon recommends FairVote,  an organization working to  improve election systems at the state level. Do not miss this episode that will challenge you to think critically about your role in democracy and we guarantee will inspire you to get poltically engaged in what matters most to you. Follow us on Instagram at @meantforit and sign up for our newsletter here  https://sharonmcmahon.com Sharon's Podcast Sharon's newsletter Visit our website at www.meantforit.com, email us directly at [email protected]  Favorite Quotes from this episode: "I think that you can love something while also knowing the truth about it." "No work for liberty is lost; it changes the fabric of what the country is." "Just do the next needed thing." "We are reaping the harvest of what we have sown."

Tracy McCubbin is a professional declutterer, but what she really does is help people manage their relationship to stuff. When Tracy realized she had a talent for helping people organize their stuff, she turned it into dCluttefly, a thriving business.  In our part 2 of our conversation with Tracy, we discuss the 7 emotional clutter blocks people us to  avoid their emotions or problems. We discuss some of the ways our society is rigged against our desire to buy less and how your home can become a more peaceful and joyful place when you remove the things that you don’t need. Whether  you are hanging on to the past, creating a fantasy life, feeling guilty about your purchases or feeling shame for not using the stuff you bought, Tracy can help. After 18 years helping people declutter their homes, Tracy has seen it all and can help people move past common emotional mistakes. Tracy's book, Making Space Clutter Free: The Last Book on Decluttering You Will Ever Need

Hear how Tracy McCubbin took her biggest pyschic wound and turned it into her life's work. Tracy helps people destress, save money and. precious time.. If you want to focus on what you can control, buying less stuff is something you can immediately start doing to mprove your life. We aren't saying you shoudn't buy those shoes, or that item that makes you happy (yes, buy the shoes)  but be intentional about the things you buy so you can free up more of you precious time and money for things you will enjoy. That means don't get things you don't need because they are on sale, learn about the common clutter and shopping traps most of use to avoid loneliness, boredom or to seek joy in the wrong places.    Also, on a macro level, when we buy less junk, or things that we don't realy need, we add less garbage to our planet.  Collectively, we can shift how we spend our resources! 💪 We also discuss the most common emotional clutter blocks that trap people into buying more stuff , like when you buy a ton of gear for the fantasy life of being a biker, photgrapher, runner , but never even start the hobby or take the trip. Sound familar?    1 in 4 Americans has a clutter problem, so if this episode isn't for you please send it to a friend.  We also talk about how decluttering is a greatr small business or side job. Since 25% of Americans can't park in their garages due to their stuff, you will have job secucity.   Tracy is a decluttering queen!   https://www.instagram.com/tracy_mccubbin/        

In one of the most important and timely conversations on our podcast, Izabella Tabarovsky shares her research in tracing the roots of anti-zionism rhetoric to the Soviet Union. Izabella’s article,  “Zombie Anti-Zionism” for Tablet magazine shares the striking similarities between today's anti-Israel language and Soviet propaganda from the 1960s to the 1980s, revealing a dangerous connection that many are unaware of. Izabella explains how this rhetoric, which demonizes Zionism and Israel, has been meticulously and expertly transmitted to the West and passionately adopted by the global left.  We discuss Izabella’s process of tracing the origins of anti-zionism to the communist party of the Soviet Union and cover some of the channels, major players, publications and methods that allowed it to infiltrate American society. Izabella’s research shows the explosive growth of this rhetoric after the 1967 Six day Arab-Israeli war.  When Israel won the war, the Soviet Union started to see that there was an Israeli and US alliance, with Zionists firmly aligned with the West against the USSR and its allies. Izabella shares the significant influence of Soviet propaganda, the role of third-world publications, and the geopolitical chess moves that led to the widespread, and highly successful adoption of anti-Zionist rhetoric as a “peace movement”. Similarly to the discredited and fraudulent Protocols of the Elders of Zion, the anti-zionist rhetoric coming from the modern left, is an echo of Soviet led propaganda that equated zionism with fascism, colonialism, and portrayed zionists as traitors to their homeland.  If you want to know the historical context of the propaganda around the Israel-Gaza war, and the origins of today’s anti-Israel, anti-zionist movements, do NOT miss this conversation, and please share it with a friend.  https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/arts-letters/articles/zombie-anti-zionism (08:26) Why did the Soviets invest such an incredible amount of resources into propaganda (14:23) More people from the former Soviet Union know about Angela Davis than Americans do (19:30) Mahmoud M. Abbas and the Soviet Union Connection (24:21) How Anti zionist language came  from the Soviet Union (31:51) Today's language is even more radical than we had in the seventies and eighties Please stop by and say hello to us on Instagram @meantforit.   Visit our website at www.meantforit.com, and sign up for our newsletter here on substack. or email us directly at [email protected]  - we do a happy dance  when we get listener emails .   Quotes: "What we hear on college campuses is not criticism, it's demonization of Zionism in Israel." "The Soviets invested an incredible amount of resources into this propaganda." "The Soviets had geopolitical interests in targeting Israel, and in targeting Zionism as an ideology." "So today, essentially, the dividing line is that Zionists are people who believe that Israel has a right to exist." "The Soviets completely redefined the word Zionism." "For us, the United States most certainly was a force for good."  

In this life deeply soulful conversation we speak with  Nicole Avant to discuss her  tribute to her mom in her new book  "Think You'll Be Happy." We explore themes from Nicole’s book including living a life centered around  love of family, community, the arts, gratitude and serving others. Nicole's mindset is an example of the power of  positive energy and the importance of being a blessing to others, no matter the circumstances. Nicole talks about her upbringing in a household filled with love, wisdom, and how she learned from so many wonderful people that were friends with her parents. Nicole’s parents, Clarence Avant and Jacqueline Avant were both extraordinary leaders in the music industry and in their communities. The Avant  home was a meeting place for some of America’s greatest artists and leaders such as Ella Fitzgerald, Maya Angelou, the Clintons and the Obamas. Despite her glamorous and successful life, Nicole remains humble and grounded, attributes she credits to her mother's teachings. We discuss how Nicole intentionally turned a tragedy into a source of inspiration, the importance of traditional values and the impact of small acts of kindness.  We know you will not forget the lessons Nicole shares on being good, spreading good, supporting people who are grieving and choosing to  be the blessing every day of your life.  Nicole Avant https://thinkyoullbehappy.com Nicole's father Clarence Avant Clarence Avant, Mighty Engine Behind Black Superstars, Dies at 92 Please stop by and say hello on Instagram @meantforit. visit our website at www.meantforit.com, and sign up for our newsletter here on substack. or email us directly at [email protected]. Zoom in: (00:00) Nicole Avant's new book is about love and gratitude (05:22) The book is focused on grit, grace, and gratitude (09:10) How your mother taught you to be the blessing (16:20) This book really made me want to be a better friend (22:13) You left your ambassadorship in the Bahamas to support your family (27:08) In your book, you talk about bullying among children in today's society (34:00) Your mom taught you to always be grateful. What are some of your favorite life lessons (38:26) You talk a lot about energy and intuition in the book (42:27) You talk about learning from your ancestors, and your father had incredible life story (46:11) Investment in the arts (51:35) Lessons from Nicole’s mom (55:25) Paying it forward (59:47) Lead with generosity that really is the message out of this book