Create passion and meaning to align with your core values and identity | J.B. Mayo-Moschkau

About the Episode: In this episode, J.B. Mayo-Moschkau, an Associate Professor, discusses how we can transform businesses and help them get in touch with their higher calling. As J.B. states, transforming businesses means encouraging people within organizations to take a very hard look at themselves and their conduct, and have them ask themselves the following questions: Are they seeing people as human beings when interacting with others, are they connecting with people who look and think different from them - to broaden their perspective, and are they practicing compassion when engaging with others who they may not agree with? These questions are crucial to creating the kind of change we hope and want to see. J.B. mentions that the more frequent we can reach across the aisle, the better we’ll be at forming authentic relationships that last. Because at the end of the day, it’s about generating meaning in our lives that leads to our own purpose and happiness. About the Guest: J.B. Mayo is an Associate Professor of Social Studies Education at the University of Minnesota and Associate Chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. He is a 1993 graduate of the University of Virginia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in American History, Master of Teaching, and a Master of Arts in Modern American History. Later in 2005, J.B. received his PhD from the University of South Florida in Social Science Education, where he studied with and was inspired by Professor Barbara Cruz. His research focuses on the school(ing) experiences of LGBTQ+ students and teachers, especially their engagements with social studies curriculum. J.B.’s work also explores queerness in teacher education and the impact of Genders and Sexuality Alliances (GSA) on school environments. Originally from Virginia, J.B. is a former middle school teacher and a strong advocate for fitness and overall well being.