I won't give up on bluegrass, the open road, pinot noir, and Connect 4. But in some things in life, giving up is the strongest, wisest, most hopeful choice you can make. 

Rob Price, CEO of School of Rock, engages in a heartfelt discussion about the transformative power of music education and its impact on youth mental health. He emphasizes the alarming pre-existing pandemic of anxiety and depression among young people, which has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis.

Through the lens of his experiences and the stories of franchisees, Rob illustrates how music has served as a lifeline, helping to mitigate feelings of loneliness and bullying. The essence of School of Rock goes beyond merely teaching music; it is about creating a supportive community that fosters personal growth and self-expression.

Rob shares that the school has expanded to 319 locations across 15 countries, creating a global network that taps into universal passions for music and learning. This episode is a testimony to the life-changing potential of engaging with music, showcasing real-life stories of kids and franchisees who have found purpose and joy through their involvement with School of Rock.

Takeaways:

• The pandemic of anxiety and depression among young people necessitates innovative approaches, like music education, to foster healing and community.
• School of Rock's franchisees often have personal experiences that inspire them to create supportive environments for children.
• Rob Price emphasizes the transformative power of music in combating loneliness and fostering connections among youth.
• Creating a fulfilling career involves aligning personal passions with professional opportunities, even through challenging transitions.
• Franchisees at School of Rock are often seeking to leave a meaningful legacy in their communities, beyond just financial gains.
• The importance of receiving and reflecting on feedback, especially from difficult situations, cannot be overstated in personal and professional growth.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• School of Rock
• CVS
• Home Depot
• Allman Brothers
• Little River Band
• Paramount
• Andrew Lloyd Webber

The story of Mike Strawn, who - after suffering from multiple myeloma for at least 17 years - chose to die by self-administered suicide. This episode captures Mike and his family's thoughts and wishes in his final weeks, days, and hours.

My hope is that by listening to Mike's story, we are prompted to fear less and find joy more often.

Whether we think about it this way or not, all of us have a brand. When people encounter us, there are certain thoughts, feelings and images that come to mind which are, in effect, a sort of brand experience. With some intention, we can design our own brand to be a true reflection of ourselves in ways that communicate us more effectively to the world around us.

Allison Netzer is a branding expert and co-author of the new book "Think Like a Brand, Not a Bank," and she has some eye-opening ideas about how we can think about branding differently... either for ourselves or for our organizations.

Founder, Podcaster, and Pilot Mike Quinlan helps business owners make an "elite exit" from their businesses, and has some useful ideas and wisdom for the rest of us. 

M. Andrew McConnell is the CEO of Rented, Inc. Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, he graduated Harvard College, Harvard Law School, and the University of Cambridge with honors. As a member of the USA Open Water Swimming National Team, he earned an international bronze medal.

Before striking out on his own, Andrew worked as a banker, an attorney, and a consultant. He sits on the board of Sheltering Arms, is a founding Board Member of Atlanta Technology Leaders, and is a TechStars Mentor for social impact startups. Andrew lives in Georgia with his wife and daughter.

In this episode, Chuck talks with Andrew about why it's so important for us to pay attention to our thoughts so that we can live to our greatest potential.

More info about his book is available at mandrewmcconnell.com.

Keith Smith walked a well-worn path to success: make business the priority, and fit in everything else after. Not that unusual, really. And neither was the result: divorce, stress, and disruption.

What make’s Keith’s story unusual is what he did afterward: he used this moment in time as an awakening, as he calls it. He reversed the order of his priorities: business, abundance, relationships, health, and self.

Keith’s awakening, and his ongoing journey, may provide a few ideas we can use to shift our priorities before a crisis shifts them for us.

In this episode, he talks about why he turned Do-Have-Be into Be-Do-Have.