OTS 321: The Big Ask - LeRon L. Barton

Today’s guest is a writer and speaker committed to fighting for social justice. He has written over one hundred essays and articles about racism, mass incarceration, politics, gender, tech, and business.  His latest book, “Straight Dope: A 360 degree look into American drug culture” explores why drugs are so entrenched in America’s society. He is a three-time TEDx speaker, his first talk, “How I overcame my fear of stuttering,” has been viewed over 320,000 times. His work has been featured in Salon, Black Enterprise, Harvard Business Review, and Al Jazeera. Please join me in welcoming LeRon L. Barton.  In this episode, we discuss the following: His thoughts on leadership: “Leadership is being able to inspire, being able to listen, and being able to usher people towards a positive direction. It’s being a model for people.” When he knew he was a leader. The people who influenced him at a very young age. His early dreams of being a stuntman, an astronaut, a race car driver, and a writer. Who inspires him in his career, mainly ballet dancers and race car drivers, and why that connection makes sense to him. “I am not envious of writers because I can do what they can do.” His journey into IT because his mom was worried about his future if he pursued writing. Studs Terkel has had an incredible impact on his life and how he shows up as a writer. His connection to Cheryl Crow and how his early journey could be described by her song “Every Day is a Winding Road.” His dream of wanting to do a TED talk. How delivering a TEDx led him to hire a coach and the effect of that decision. How he nurtures and sustains his network. “Relationships need to be nurtured.” Listen, subscribe, and read show notes at www.OnTheSchmooze.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices