Hi everybody!

Welcome to this episode of I'm Here Too: Raising a Creative Kid, a conversation with Sheryl and Roger Tucker. This episode goes out to my fellow creatives and all of the people who love us.

During this conversation, we dive into a number of topics including, what does it mean to both be a creative kid as well as be the parent of one? How do you know when you should let go, get out of the way or engage even when it might be uncomfortable? We also talk about things like living authentically and what it looks like to thrive versus survive.

And all along the way, we have a ton of fun, because that is what characterizes all of the conversations when we get together. Our family group chats are pretty epic, and I'm looking forward to giving you a chance to jump in and join us on this one.

So off we go, and I hope you enjoy!

CHAPTERS

(00:00:06) Introduction

(00:01:32) Career Pivots and Reinventions

(00:03:49) Education vs. Experience and the Power of Career Whisperers

(00:07:04) Giving Effective Career Advice

(00:09:26) Focusing on Strengths over Titles

(00:10:12) Ara's Career Path: Not So Obvious to her Parents

(00:15:42) Understanding What Makes Your Child Happy and Motivated

(00:21:09) Intersectionality, Identity and Unexpected Champions

(00:39:20) Ara's Storytelling: Too Close to Home?

(00:42:35) Art Changes Minds

(00:45:40) Living Authentically Changes Minds

(00:47:30) Joy, Excellence and Storytelling

(00:50:51) Lessons Learned from Ancestors

(00:59:05) There Once Was a Boy Named Pierre...

(01:02:32) Where Did Ara's Sense of Humor Come From?

(01:06:26) Roger's Hopes for Ara's Novels

(01:08:20) Are Too Many Choices Fueling Our Anxiety?

(01:11:33) Sheryl and Roger's Superpowers

(01:18:22) Knowing When to Get Out of the Way to Encourage Creativity

(01:19:42) Death of the Author, Silent Agreements and Atomic Habits

(01:25:29) Closing

About Sheryl and Roger Tucker (brief bios below)

Sheryl Hilliard Tucker leverages her extensive executive, media and nonprofit board experience to help for mission-driven organizations develop innovative strategies and solutions to achieve greater impact. Tucker’s distinguished career showcases her versatility as a result-oriented critical thinker.

Tucker currently sits on the board of The Teagle Foundation. She is a trustee of Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey.  She is a Trustee Emerita and Presidential Councillor of Cornell University.

Tucker received her M.S. degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, B.A. from Cornell University, and attended New York University’s Heyman School of Philanthropy.

Roger C. Tucker III is Founder and Director of Tucker Contemporary Art. TCA works with collectors and institutions interested in acquiring, exhibiting and promoting the work of emerging contemporary artists. Leveraging extensive experience in fine art, marketing and education, Roger advances the careers of African American and other underrepresented artists – academically trained or outside the mainstream.

Roger, a Newark native, is the host of the “⁠What's Newark Got To Do With It?⁠" Podcast, where he interviews artists, historians, authors, curators and other cultural thought leaders from/of Newark, NJ about the cultural impact and life-long influences the Brick City has, and continues to have, on their lives and careers.

Roger recently concluded his service as Board President of GlassRoots, a nonprofit, glass art center in Newark, NJ.

He received his BFA from The Cooper Union, MS from Pratt Institute and Professional Certificate in Art Business from New York University.​