Formative

Latest Episodes:

Alex and Amber: Seeing Ourselves Jul 16, 2024

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Alex Segura joins us today to kick off the seventh season of Formative! Alex has written numerous comics and novels, including Secret Identity, which won the 2023 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Mystery. Joining Alex is middle schooler and co-host, Amber, who learns the importance of seeing yourself represented in the stories you consume. In this episode of Formative, Alex shares how he was able to make a career shift into writing full time and why he believes that being engaged in a community of like-minded people has been one of his most career-defining achievements.

Justin and Isabella: A Knight and a Dragon Have a Conversation May 14, 2024

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Cartoonist, Justin Thompson, is the final guest for this season’s Formative. He is joined in conversation by 7th grader and co-host, Isabella. Justin and Isabella talk about the importance of doing art, even if not for professional reasons, but just to express our feelings and ideas. Justin also tells Isabella about how, through his art, he was able to become all the characters he had on his list of things to be growing up; a knight, a superhero and a cartoonist.

Adrian and Laylanie: The Strategic Path to Your Passion May 07, 2024

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Bassoonist, Adrian Morejon, joins us on today’s show! 8th grader and co-host, Laylanie, asks Adrian about the appeal of the bassoon to him as a young child and how he’s been able to maintain his dedication to the instrument. Adrian tells Laylanie about his strategic career planning in the beginning of his career. He explains why it’s important to seek financially rewarding work with the added benefit of allowing you to add skills related to your passion while you are in pursuit of gaining traction in your desired field.

Ray and Nathaniel: Showcasing Your Unique Apr 30, 2024

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Ray Hennessy joins us on today's show! Ray is a wildlife photographer who specializes in bird photography. 8th grader and co-host, Nathaniel, asks Ray about the grit and nimbleness it takes to succeed in a creative field. Ray’s biggest lesson? Don’t be afraid to showcase what sets you apart. Your instinct may be telling you to blend in and do everything your peers are doing, but all that makes you different will also make you memorable, and that’s how you make the path enjoyable for yourself too!

Lenni and Kaeri: Being of Service Apr 23, 2024

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We’ve got Lenni Benson on today’s show! Lenni has been teaching and writing in the field of immigration law since 1994. She is the Distinguished Chair of Immigration and Human Rights Law at New York Law School. 8th grader and co-host, Kaeri, joins Lenni in a conversation about how to be of service— in the legal context and in our everyday lives— and what you gain back in return when you’re thinking of how to improve the condition of the communities you inhabit.

Isaac and Kayanna: On Being Teachable Apr 16, 2024

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On this episode of Formative, Isaac-Davy Aronson is interviewed by 8th grader, Kayanna. Isaac is a radio and television journalist. For the last eight years, he’s been a producer on The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC. One of his most important pieces of advice for young people? Everyone can teach you something. Take your blinders off and become teachable because you never know who can give you your most valuable skill or piece of knowledge.

Megan and Kaelynn: We’re Right Where We Need to Be Apr 09, 2024

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Megan Davidson joins us on today’s show! Megan is a certified labor doula and childbirth educator. 8th-grader and co-host, Kaelynn, learns that sometimes the perfect career looks unconventional from what you imagined. Following our curiosity can lead us to exactly what we’re meant to do. In this episode of Formative, Megan shares the story of how she went from studying anthropology to becoming a doula and how despite her career’s unpredictable hours and circumstances, she always feels like she is doing exactly what she is meant to be doing.

Craig and Tymir: Keeping With the Times Apr 02, 2024

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Craig Balsam joins us on today’s show! Craig Balsam is an American entertainment industry entrepreneur and Tony Award-winning producer. He is the co-founder of the children's music brand, Kidz Bop. Student co-host, Tymir, learns that businesses run on grit and reinvention. In this episode of Formative, Craig shares the origin story of his company, Kidz Bop, and how it was able to maintain its success across decades and through changing technological advancements.

Elizabeth and Evan: It All Makes Sense Looking Backward Mar 26, 2024

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Elizabeth Fassberg joins us on today’s show! Elizabeth is the Executive Director of Life Science Cares New York, an organization that is activating the financial and human capital of the life science industry and partnering with nonprofits to disrupt the cycle of poverty in our communities. 8th-grader and co-host, Evan, learns that career paths aren’t always linear and that shouldn’t be seen as failure. In this episode of Formative, Elizabeth shares the many different roles she performed along her career, always leading with compassion, before she got to where she is now—and how in hindsight it all makes sense to her.

Susan and Tafari: Fun Is Most Important Mar 19, 2024

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Susan Choi joins us on today’s show! Susan is a 5-time published author. Her latest novel, Trust Exercise, won the National Book Award in 2019. Joining Susan is 8th-grader and co-host, Tafari, who learns the importance of pursuing what feels the most fun for us, even when that doesn’t look like it can directly lead to a clear career path because true success comes from enjoying what we do for work. In this episode of Formative, Susan shares her joy for reading and what her creative process looks like when writing her novels.

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