Formative CitizenRacecar

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.

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 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 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 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 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.