This week, I’m talking to #1 New York Times bestselling author, Brad Meltzer, fresh off his viral commencement address at The University of Michigan about empathy, transformation, growth, compassion, and…magic.

(Were you thinking I’d be covering that other commencement speech people are talking about? Nope. This one is much better.)

We discuss Brad’s description of kindness as a “naive ideal worth fighting for,” the need for more empathy online, his love for the Harlem Globetrotters, and why he believes one person can change the world. Plus, he shares some deeply personal stories of kindness that changed his life — including one in a random men’s room.

You are going to love what he has to say.

If you really want to shock the world, unleash your kindness. That’s a completely naive idea, but it’s an idea worth fighting for.
-Brad Meltzer

Links From Today’s Show:

• Watch Brad’s Commencement Address here
• The Ordinary People Change the World children’s book series (Amazon, Bookshop.org)
• Adam Grant on The Science of Reasoning with Unreasonable People (NYT gift link) and his book, Think Again, the Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know (great as an audiobook)
• Brad Meltzer’s Lost History on the History Channel
• Find Brad on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and TikTok 

Cool Picks of the Week: (Back by Popular Demand!)

Brad: AllSides Media is a website sharing side-by-side news articles from different political perspectives. He’s also a big fan of kettle corn. (We get the giant Angie’s Boomchickpop bags at Costco.)

Liz: I’ve Venn Thinking is a super fun party card game to play with the teens

Thanks to our sponsor, Premim Prep

This episode is graciously sponsored by Premium Prep, the personalized college counseling service that helps with college applications, financial aid, essay writing, and more. Mentioned Spawned or Cool Mom Picks for a free 30-minute 1:1 college ounseling session with a best-fit counselor they match to your student’s needs and interests.

If you want to chat about today’s episode,  find me in the Spawned Community on Facebook. Or hey– right here in the comments works too. Be sure to subscribe to Spawned wherever you get your podcasts and thank you for listening!