Dream Orchestra Founder, CNN Hero and Hero to Hundreds of Kids
Release Date: 12/04/2024
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...
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Stella Escobedo on Honesty in Journalism
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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...
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Justice, Forgiveness, and One Remarkable Friendship
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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...
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Still chasing the 'retire early' fantasy? This conversation with David Bahnsen might just change your mind.
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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...
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Ada Palmer on Surviving the End of the World… Again and Again
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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...
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Stand Out, Speak Up, Move Up: Jenny Wood’s Blueprint for Rising in the Ranks
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, 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...
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From Rock Bottom to Chasing Destiny in Paris: Natasha Sizlo on Fate, Family and Love
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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...
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How to Live a Psychologically Rich Life with Shigehiro Oishi
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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...
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Why So Many Gen Zs Can't Take a Joke with Ted and Courtney Balaker
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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!...
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Yardena Schwartz on the 1929 Massacre in Hebron That Ignited the Arab-Israeli Conflict
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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_outlineRon 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
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."
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- 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