Sharon McMahon, America’s Favorite Government Teacher and Master Storyteller, Joins us to Discuss Civic Education and Stories About American Heroes
Release Date: 10/24/2024
Brandy Shufutinsky: How Ethnic Studies Ideology Is Dividing Classrooms and Campuses
Meant For You
is the newly appointed Director of the Education and National Security Program at the In this important conversation, we disciuss how today’s ethnic studies curriculum, originally intended to promote understanding among diverse communities, is instead fueling division, promoting an oppressor-vs-oppressed worldview, and teaching students that capitalism is synonymous with white supremacy and exploitation. Brandy brings deep expertise to this topic, holding a doctorate in International and Multicultural Education from the University of San Francisco, an MSW from USC, and an M.A. in...
info_outline
Stella Escobedo on Honesty in Journalism
Meant For You
Stella Escobedo is an Emmy award winning news anchor-reporter with nearly 20 years experience, a fearless journalist and an advocate who immigrated to the U.S. from Uzbekistan. Stella is currently a news anchor for One American News (OAN). In this conversation, Stella shares how her upbringing shaped her values, her global perspective, and the causes of her disillusionment with mainstream media. Journalism was always Stella’s passion. but during the COVID-19 pandemic, something shifted. Stella began to question the media’s silence on critical issues: the voices of parents during...
info_outline
Justice, Forgiveness, and One Remarkable Friendship
Meant For You
Karen McKinney was a prosecutor working in the gang unit when her path first crossed with Joseph Herrera, a man she would go on to prosecute for murder. Twenty years later, Karen faced Joseph when he was up for parole. Not exactly your classic “how we met” story. What no one could have predicted is that years later, the two would form an extraordinary friendship that would transform both of their lives. Karen saw something in Joseph that defied his past, a capacity for growth, empathy, and leadership. With her encouragement, Joseph began using his lived experience to help others...
info_outline
Still chasing the 'retire early' fantasy? This conversation with David Bahnsen might just change your mind.
Meant For You
In this episode, we talk about the value of work with Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of wealth management firm based in Newport Beach, California overseeing $4 billion in client's assets, David is also a thought leader, and author of Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life. David wants to challenge one of society’s most accepted myths: that success means eventually not working. David makes a bold, and deeply personal case for why work isn’t just a way to earn a living, but a core part of living well. Drawing from his career in finance and his passion for...
info_outline
Ada Palmer on Surviving the End of the World… Again and Again
Meant For You
sci-fi writer, historian, and someone who sees the world with an incredibly rare, long lens. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the headlines, this episode might help. Ada believes we’re not living in a uniquely apocalyptic time—just a normally apocalyptic one. “We're living in a moment we must rise to, work hard on, do well where what we do matters,” she told me. “We have the ability to reduce 100% harm to 70% harm. We have that responsibility.” That line really stuck with us—because it’s so easy to feel powerless right now. But Ada’s message is the opposite: we do have...
info_outline
Stand Out, Speak Up, Move Up: Jenny Wood’s Blueprint for Rising in the Ranks
Meant For You
, former Google executive, leadership coach, and author of joins us to talk about what it really takes to grow your career, whether you're in the early stages or navigating a mid-career reset. With her candid approach, Jenny shares how to apply your experience and find your courage. In this episode, we cover practical, no-nonsense strategies for standing out at work, communicating with your boss, building a network that actually supports you, and tapping into the kind of courage that deepens with age. If you've ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or simply ready for more—this conversation...
info_outline
From Rock Bottom to Chasing Destiny in Paris: Natasha Sizlo on Fate, Family and Love
Meant For You
Natasha Sizlo was having a terrible year. Fresh off a divorce, bankruptcy, the end of a passionate relationship, and then the news came about her beloved father’s devastating terminal illness. When a friend suggested an astrology reading, Natasha’s first instinct was a hard pass. But, Natasha relented, and the reading led her towards a year of magic, the kind of year that turns into a romantic comedy on the big screen and a best-selling book. All Signs Point to Paris by Natasha Sizlo. If you enjoyed this podcast, check out our most powerful and inspiring conversations from the podcast...
info_outline
How to Live a Psychologically Rich Life with Shigehiro Oishi
Meant For You
Are you living a psychologically rich life? In this episode we discuss what it means to be psychologically rich and how you can generate more richness. In ", Professor of Psychology at the University of Chicago, shares his research and the ways leading a psychologically rich life can transform how you prioritize your days and goals. As Shige shares, “a psychologically rich life is a life filled with diverse, unusual, interesting experiences that change your perspective; a life with twists and turns; a dramatic, eventful life instead of a simple and straightforward one”. For...
info_outline
Why So Many Gen Zs Can't Take a Joke with Ted and Courtney Balaker
Meant For You
Filmmakers discuss their latest documentary surrounding the mental health crisis among Gen Z. Their film based on the book, by and , was made to spark critical discussions, including conversations across college campuses. We discuss the alarming trends in Gen Z's mental health, the role of social media, and the impact of educational environments that often prioritize emotional safety over intellectual freedom and critical thinking. Please listen to this enlightening discussion that will alert you to concerning Gen Z cultural trends. Please share this episode with a friend!...
info_outline
Yardena Schwartz on the 1929 Massacre in Hebron That Ignited the Arab-Israeli Conflict
Meant For You
an award-winning journalist and Emmy-nominated producer, joins us to discuss her book, Ghosts of a Holy War. Yardena’s book focuses on the 1929 Hebron massacre, allowing us to see the shocking parallels between the historical events of 1929 and the October 7th massacre in Israel. Hebron, an ancient city with archeological finds going back some 5,000 years, is in the controlled territory of both governments. For thousands of years, Hebron has had great religious importance for both Jews and Muslims. Despite Yardena’s credentials, and her book’s relevance to the current news cycle,...
info_outlineSharon 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
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."