It's so easy to lie to ourselves. We want to be accepted by our environment and the people in it. In order to do that we have to manipulate and fabricate our true selves. For most of us it is easier to fit in than to stand out, even though standing out means truly being ourselves. We constantly lie to ourselves because the truth hurts. The truth is uncomfortable. Conformity is easier than uniqueness. But uniqueness is what truly fills us up. In order to be our true selves we have to be honest with ourselves. When we lie to ourselves it's usually to avoid instant discomfort or to please others around us. However, lying to ourselves can be very harmful to our true selves in the long term.

Mark is a former alcoholic and drug addict. He was molested as a young child. He has an intense story of struggle. However, 3 days ago I completed the Iron Man competition in Boulder, Colorado. Mark shares a story of perseverance and strength. He dives into his truth and doesn't hold back on this podcast. He shares his trials and struggles through his long journey to becoming a husband, a Father, a triathlete. If you have experienced trauma or abuse you have to listen to this Podcast. Mark pours

We live in a time where cynical and narcissistic people seem to be more prominent in our society than good, authentic people. Our society is flooding with cynicism and narcissism that stems from previous generations not undoing the toxic cycle of controlling adults and the "serve me" culture. Society and communities are built on ADULTS SERVING CHILDREN. However, many adults and many families have this concept completely turned around. Too many adults think children serve adults and that could not be any further from the truth. And in this episode I explain exactly why ADULTS SERVE CHILDREN. Any adult who thinks children serve them is likely to be toxic and you should steer clear. Serving other people is as human as you can get. But many adults have painted beautiful facades to make the world believe an illusion that they live a life of service. The second you think somebody owes you something and you should be served is the second you have made the choice to be in a dark, negative place that will likely bring down the people around you. I take my full 10 minutes on this one, I'm too passionate about this topic. I hope you enjoy this Podcast. 

Inspired by: Shay Rowbottom

I had the honor of interviewing Jonathan Alsheimer from Fred Lynn Middle School. This interview came after he recently signed a contract to write his first book. I'm curious, he's writing a book. I wanted to pick his brain about Education and what it takes to make it in 2019 in the Education space. According to many our Education system needs to change but very few take action on it. Jonathan is working to create a reach above and beyond his classroom. He has accumulated some forward thinking wisdom that has brought his students great success. I love his progressive mindset and I'm grateful he is a leader of our youth in this country. I hope you enjoy the Podcast. 

#SchoolOfStandingUp

Diana is a 6th Grade Middle School Teacher at Mountain View Middle School in Moreno Valley, California. She is a forward thinking Educator with bold leadership qualities. She is not one to follow the norm but rather an outside-the-box thinker. Being a Teacher in 2019 is extremely challenging and she dives into the real, raw truth of what needs to happen if you want to lead great students, and lead a great classroom environment. Listen closely as she gives her ideas on how we can possibly create better environments for students, even in challenging circumstances. It is very obvious she is passionate about Education and supporting the youth of this country. I hope you enjoy!

I had the privilege of interviewing the 2018 Teach of the Year in Atlanta, Georgia, Corey Griffith. We dove into the real, raw realities of what it's like being a Teacher in 2019. He tells his story and his point of view of what it takes to think like a great leader. If you receive the honor of Teacher of the Year you're doing something right. I'm always curious to know what is in the mind of true leaders. Corey is passionate about educating children and he is passionate about his students, but he's also not afraid to make bold choices, especially if it's the right thing to do. I really enjoyed picking his brain and getting to know a true leader. I hope you enjoy.

Todd Nesloney is a 3-time author (Kids Deserve It, Stories of Webb & Sparks in the Dark) and a TEDx Speaker. I read Kids Deserve It in Summer of 2018 and it truly inspired me. The book is essentially written for Educators but it spoke huge volumes to me. As a Parent of 3 kids it gave me a different perspective of raising my children. It made me start asking questions about the Teachers and their experience raising children. It made me realize how much pressure Teachers have to succeed. It truly helped me in my business, Stand Up Our Kids LLC, in understanding the Education industry from the Educator's perspective. There are innovative, progressive ways to develop and educate our children. It's the 21st century and we need new ideas in Education, and Parenting! We can approach kids differently and receive the outcomes we want. We must approach the development and education of a child with creativity, and that is what Todd brings to the table. He is an expert in training, developing and educating children in a way that is relevant for 21st century learning. Todd has a very confident spirit when it comes to education. You can easily tell he eats, sleeps and breathes Education. His ideas and philosophies are ahead of the curve and we need more people like him in the world. I learned so much from him on this Podcast and I hope you do too. Below are some links to find Todd:

www.ToddNesloney.com

www.Twitter.com/TechNinjaTodd

www.Instagram.com/TechNinjaTodd

There has never been a time with greater opportunities to live the purposeful life you want to live. There has never been more opportunities to stand up for what you believe in. However, we can do better! I believe there are so many talented and awesome people out there that are not standing up, speaking up and putting their skills to use to make an impact. I think all of us, including myself, can use a kick in the butt every once in a while when it comes to doing something about the outcomes we do not like in our communities, and our country. The power is in our hands, the people can stand up. We can stand up and make the changes we want to make. We have many opportunities to make an impact, we just have to do it.

I had a long conversation with a very prominent, and highly awarded Teacher. We had an interesting conversation about the growing topic of childhood ADHD. Our thoughts were aligned when it came to the misdiagnosis of ADHD. Our theory is that many kids are being misdiagnosed simply because they cannot sit still and/or conform to our rigid system. We discussed how kids can be a victim of the system. Our system should not be producing victims. Our system should be uplifting students.

In this discussion him and I both agreed that students should be given more choice and ownership. Kids are treated as if their emotions and feelings don't matter. Why? If they come into a classroom with some anxiety and they "can't sit still", they put themselves on the radar for seeing a therapist and being diagnosed with ADHD. If the child is diagnosed with a supposedly disorder for not sitting still and being a bit impulsive they get placed on a treatment program and/or medication. This has happened to roughly 6 million kids in our country. These statistics do not sound like a country of freedom, giving it's citizens the opportunity to pursue happiness. 

We must change the mentality of kids being placed on treatment programs and medication. Big Pharma wants your child on medication. Big Pharma does not care about your child's true feelings, and creativity and ability to overcome. Big Pharma wants your child to take a pill. Big Pharma is concerned with a bottom line. Do not trust Big Pharma with the development of your child. Give your child's brain an opportunity to develop before you start pumping it with meds. 

That's just my 2 cents. Take a listen and let me know your respectful thoughts.

When you constantly originate your thoughts based on somebody else's actions, and somebody else's life you automatically set yourself up to be a victim. When you are constantly focusing on others you eventually compose routine expectations about other people's actions. 

I have learned that if I start my thoughts worrying about the actions of others I lose sight of the truth. The truth is that I only can control my own actions and thoughts. I can not control anybody else's life, thoughts or actions except my own. 

When you constantly put expectations on the others around you, you set yourself up for disappointment. If you are always worried about what other people are doing, you are setting yourself up to be a victim of somebody's non-action. 

I have learned that it is very easy to avoid victimization when I lead my own thoughts and focus on my own actions. It is my responsibility to focus on my own outcomes. When I have an independent focus on my own thoughts I bring my better self to the table. 

Take a listen to this quick 6 minute episode and let me know what you think.