Podcast Summary
The Importance of Supporting Teenagers: During teenage years, parents should stay present and supportive, as their children need them more than ever.
During the teenage years, parents may feel they have more freedom to pursue personal goals, but their children need them more than ever. Maggie Baird, a mother of two famous musical children, Billie Eilish and Finneas, emphasizes the importance of staying present and supportive during this critical period. The documentary "The World's a Little Blurry" on Apple TV+ beautifully illustrates the challenges of parenting in the spotlight. Additionally, Maggie is an activist, long-time vegan, and founder of the nonprofit Support and Feed, which partners with restaurants to provide plant-based meals to those in need. This conversation covers activism, raising conscious kids, and navigating fame. Don't miss the documentary and enjoy my conversation with Maggie Baird.
Intersection of Art and Community Activism: Collaboration between art and activism can lead to significant impact in addressing community issues like food poverty. Focusing on food deserts and insecurities can create the greatest change.
The intersection of art and community activism can lead to meaningful impact. The speaker shares their experience of connecting with the film industry and discovering a project about food poverty. They express regret for not finding it sooner and praise its relevance to their own initiative, Support and Feed. Started during the COVID-19 crisis, Support and Feed aims to address food insecurity by delivering plant-based meals from local restaurants to communities in need. The speaker's initial response was to provide meals to frontline workers but soon realized the greatest impact could be made by focusing on food deserts and insecurities. The speaker admits their naivety on the issue but is now committed to making a difference through this project. The collaboration between art and activism is a powerful tool for creating positive change.
Exploring the impact of plant-based food on individuals and communities: Providing plant-based meals during the COVID-19 crisis led to a deeper understanding of food apartheid and systemic racism, evolving into a larger mission to promote plant-based food and address food injustice on a larger scale.
Addressing food injustice and promoting plant-based food can have a profound impact on individuals and communities. The speaker's experience of providing plant-based meals during the COVID-19 crisis led to a deeper understanding of food apartheid and systemic racism in the food system. This knowledge was reinforced through personal experiences and media consumption. The speaker's initial action of providing meals evolved into a larger mission to promote plant-based food and address food injustice on a larger scale. This can include organizations feeding people incorporating more plant-based options, and a goal to be present in all 50 states within five years. The speaker's journey highlights that taking small steps towards change can lead to significant impact.
Leading the Charge Towards Sustainable Music Touring: Individuals and organizations are pushing for eco-conscious solutions in music touring, with progress being made despite challenges. Seek guidance from organizations like Reverb to make informed decisions.
Individuals and organizations, like Jaden Smith and Reverb, are leading the charge towards sustainable solutions in various industries, including music touring. This shift towards eco-consciousness was once considered unconventional, but is now gaining momentum. However, implementing these changes can be complex and met with criticism. It's important to focus on the progress being made, rather than the imperfections, and to seek guidance from organizations like Reverb to make informed decisions. The Music Climate Revolution, led by artists committing to carbon positive tours, is an example of collective action towards a more sustainable future. Despite the challenges, it's crucial to continue striving for positive change, rather than adhering to the status quo.
Using influence for positive change: Leveraging one's platform and influence to promote sustainability and instill values in children can lead to long-term impact on the world.
Using one's influence and platform to create positive change is a responsible and effective way to make an impact on the world. This was highlighted in the discussion about Billy and Phineas' collaboration with Live Nation to promote sustainability and reduce plastic use. The conversation also touched upon the importance of instilling values in children from a young age and the potential influence it can have on their future actions. Billy and Phineas' children, for instance, have grown up with a strong ethical stance against consuming meat and have adopted similar beliefs. This approach not only ensures that children understand the reasons behind their parents' decisions but also empowers them to make informed choices for themselves in the future. Overall, the conversation emphasized the importance of using one's privileged position to create meaningful change and instill values in the next generation.
Childhood experiences shape food choices: Upbringing and personal experiences significantly influence food choices and attitudes towards animal consumption. Early decisions can be driven by moral objections, health concerns, or environmental factors, and can evolve over time.
Upbringing and personal experiences can significantly influence our food choices and attitudes towards animal consumption. The speaker, Maggie, grew up in a family where hunting and fishing were common practices. However, she and her brothers chose to be vegetarians from a young age, despite their father's attempts to introduce them to meat. This decision was initially driven by a moral objection to eating animals but later evolved to include concerns about health and the environment. Interestingly, the speaker's father, who was an avid hunter, later in life expressed regret for his actions and came to a different perspective on animal consumption. Additionally, Maggie's personal experience of becoming vegan led to significant health improvements for her and her family members. Overall, this conversation highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of food choices and the role that personal experiences and values play in shaping them.
From passion to precarious living: An actor's journey: Being a successful actor doesn't guarantee financial stability or job security. Actors face uncertainty and live from gig to gig, dealing with the ups and downs of pilot seasons and network deals.
The life of an actor, even one with numerous credits, can be unpredictable and financially precarious. The speaker, a successful actor, shared their personal journey from growing up with a passion for acting to working in regional theaters and eventually making it to New York. They emphasized the reality of being a working class actor, living from gig to gig and dealing with the uncertainty of pilot seasons and network deals. Despite the impressive list of roles on their IMDB, they noted that many jobs paid little and some were cut from movies before they were even seen. The speaker also highlighted the contrast between the public perception of their career and the reality, encouraging a deeper understanding of the struggles and resilience of working actors.
Navigating the unpredictable entertainment industry: Actors and performers face numerous challenges, but those who succeed find joy in teaching and adapting.
The entertainment industry can be unpredictable and not merit-based, much like the behavior of a pigeon pecking at a door in the hope of food. Actors and performers face numerous challenges, including the possibility of shows being canceled, health insurance concerns, and the need to adapt and pivot in order to survive. Despite these challenges, there are amazing people who succeed, but there is also incredible talent that never gets a break. Teaching, in various forms, has been a constant theme throughout the speaker's life, from their time at the Groundlings to their various other ventures. The joy of sharing knowledge and skills is a driving force for them, and they have found ways to teach anything they know, often as a means of survival. The speaker's father, who was a beloved teacher, may have influenced their love for teaching and their ability to adapt and find joy in various situations.
The unsung heroes in a child's skyrocketing career: A loving family's support and bartering skills can lead to unexpected opportunities in a child's journey towards success
Bartering and the support of a loving family can lead to unexpected opportunities. The speaker's husband, who was often in the background of a documentary about their son's gymnastics journey, was a key player in making it all possible through handyman work. The documentary highlighted the importance of the unsung heroes and the value of maintaining a well-functioning family unit amidst the chaos of a child's skyrocketing career. The filmmaker, RJ, did an excellent job of incorporating home footage and creating a neo-verite style documentary that showcased the family's journey in an authentic and engaging way. The speaker was initially hesitant about the documentary but ultimately appreciated the final product as it accurately portrayed their unique story.
A filmmaker's personal exploration of effective parenting through Billy Joel fans' relationships and her own family life: The filmmaker's journey into documenting Billy Joel fans' relationships led her to explore her own family's attachment parenting approach and homeschooling experience, highlighting the importance of prioritizing time and energy for children's development.
The making of the documentary about Billy Joel and his connection with his fans evolved into a deeply personal exploration of effective parenting for the filmmaker. Initially, she intended to focus on the fans' profound relationship with Billy, but when she met RJ and saw his work, she became interested in documenting their family life. Despite her initial reluctance due to her private nature, she saw the value in telling this story. Through their experience as older parents, the loss of their mothers, and the high-needs nature of their children, they adopted an attachment parenting approach and took parenting classes using nonviolent communication. These experiences shaped their philosophy and led them to homeschooling their children. The journey of making the documentary brought them to question the traditional education system and appreciate the importance of devoting time and energy to their children.
Exploring Flexible Learning Approaches: Homeschooling and Unschooling: Unschooling, a type of homeschooling, lets children lead their learning journey with support from parents or guardians, ensuring continuous growth in various life areas.
Homeschooling and unschooling offer flexible learning approaches that cater to various children's needs and interests. Unschooling, a specific type of homeschooling, emphasizes following a child's lead and helping them discover what they need to learn. This method can involve structured classes, group activities, or self-directed learning, depending on the child's desires and learning gaps. The goal is to ensure that children are continuously learning in various aspects of life, from socialization to academics. While some may worry about potential gaps in education, it's essential to remember that no educational method is foolproof, and learning new skills or knowledge can occur at any stage in life. Ultimately, the focus is on providing children with the tools and resources they need to grow and thrive.
Supporting children's unique interests: Identifying and nurturing a child's passions can lead to deeper learning and personal growth, even if it means deviating from traditional educational paths. Foster creativity and provide flexibility in children's schedules to allow for unexpected moments of inspiration.
Identifying and nurturing a child's interests can lead to deeper engagement in learning and personal growth, even if it means deviating from traditional educational paths. The speaker shares her experience of raising two children, Billy and Phineas, who were considered "square pegs" in the school system. By allowing them to focus on their passions, particularly music, they were able to spend more time developing their skills and making meaningful connections in their field. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of fostering creativity and providing flexibility in children's schedules, as creativity can strike at unexpected times. The speaker's personal connection to the story is further emphasized by her sons' involvement in the music industry and their own experiences being inspired by Phoebe Bridgers. Overall, the discussion highlights the value of supporting children's unique interests and allowing them the freedom to explore and grow in their own ways.
Parents are crucial during teenage years: Parents should support their teens emotionally, despite their own needs, and cherish the ordinary life together
During the teenage years, parents are needed more than ever by their children, despite the challenges of balancing their own needs and desires. The relationship between Phineas and Billie, two unique musical prodigies, serves as an example of the importance of parental presence and support during this critical period. Homeschooling or unschooling, which allowed the siblings to spend significant time together, played a role in fostering their strong bond and shared sense of humor. Parents should be cautious against feeling they have "graduated" from their parenting duties during their children's teenage years, as they may still require emotional support and guidance. The beauty of the ordinary life and the importance of cherishing it should be remembered, as talent and success do not guarantee happiness.
Discovering Unexpected Talent in the Music Industry: Unexpected talent can be discovered in the music industry, leading to quick success with hard work and dedication.
The music industry can be unpredictable and full of opportunities for those who are discovered in unexpected ways. The speaker's experience with Billie and Phineas, two young musicians he discovered, illustrates this point. Billie's unique voice and Phineas' songwriting abilities caught the speaker's attention, and their careers took off when their song "Ocean Eyes" gained popularity on SoundCloud. The process was miraculous, with blog coverage, industry meetings, and record deals all happening within a year. However, the speaker also learned that the music industry is complex and confusing, requiring a steep learning curve for those new to it. Despite this, the potential rewards can be great, and the speaker's experience shows that sometimes all it takes is a little bit of talent and a lot of hard work to make it in the music industry.
Parenting a young, talented entertainer: Complex challenges: Navigating industry, protecting child, building strong manager relationship, dealing with mental health struggles
Parenting a young, talented child in the entertainment industry is a challenging and complex task. It involves making difficult decisions, ensuring the right people are involved, and protecting your child from potential harm, both professionally and personally. The early decisions made set the foundation for their future. Building a strong relationship with their manager is crucial, as they help navigate the industry and make connections. Additionally, dealing with a child's mental health struggles, which can be heightened in the public eye, adds another layer of complexity. It's a role that requires constant learning, communication, and vigilance.
Observing the Connection of a Child with Classic TV Shows: Encourage children to explore and express themselves through technology while allowing them to develop unique voices and passions.
Parenting in the digital age is uncharted territory, and the experiences of one generation may not apply to the next. The speaker shares her observations on how her older daughter, Billie, connects deeply with classic TV shows like "The Office," finding comfort and familiarity in them. She also highlights Billie's creativity and self-assuredness, which were evident from a young age. The speaker encourages parents to let their children explore and express themselves through technology, as Billie did when she made movies and music videos with her friends. Ultimately, the speaker emphasizes the importance of allowing children to develop their unique voices and passions, even if it means making a mess or two along the way.
Supporting children's creativity without pressure: Encourage kids to explore interests, avoid overpraising, and foster self-confidence through acknowledgement based on their feelings.
Allowing children to explore their creativity and interests without excessive pressure or overpraising can lead to remarkable outcomes. The story of Loxha, a young artist with a clear vision, illustrates the importance of giving kids the space to be themselves and follow their passions. Over-scheduling, policing, or pushing children into specific lanes based on our own expectations can hinder their growth and potential. Instead, parents should focus on providing support and resources while allowing their children to take the lead. Additionally, the concept of the "anti-good job philosophy" emphasizes the significance of acknowledging children's accomplishments based on their own feelings and experiences, rather than relying on external validation. This approach fosters a sense of self-confidence and motivation that can lead to a deeper connection with their interests and talents. In essence, parents should aim to be supportive guides rather than dictators, allowing children to discover their own paths and embrace their creativity.
The joy of creating vs external rewards: Stay focused on the process and the joy of creating, rather than external rewards or recognition. Let the intrinsic satisfaction fuel your passion and dedication to your craft.
The focus should be on the process and the joy of creating, rather than external rewards or recognition. The mother in the example noticed how her son's love for karate waned when the student of the week award became an obsession. Similarly, artists like Billie Eilish face pressure and external expectations that can distract them from the pure joy of creating. It's essential to keep coming back to the art and the making of it, and not let the external rewards overshadow the intrinsic satisfaction of the creative process. This not only keeps the artist connected to their craft but also allows them to give back to their fans and legacy. Ultimately, the focus should be on the doing, and the rewards, while nice, should not be the primary motivation.
Gen Z's activism for global issues: Gen Z is leading the charge on climate change and social justice through activism. Parents can raise conscious children by being present, seeking help, and practicing empathy.
The new generation, particularly Gen Z, is stepping up to address global issues through activism and making a positive impact, as exemplified by Billie Eilish's tour that focuses on climate change and social justice. Parents play a crucial role in raising conscious children, and being fully present for them, seeking help and resources, and practicing empathy and nonviolent communication are essential. The conversation also highlighted the importance of normalizing socially conscious actions in the entertainment industry and making eco-friendly choices a priority. The speakers expressed hope that future generations will continue to build on these efforts and make a difference in the world.
Effective Parenting: A Lifelong Learning Journey: Invest in self-education, communication skills, and seek support. Communicate, listen, learn from mistakes, and foster curiosity and creativity in unschooling. Balance collaborations and busy schedules with dedication and resilience.
Effective parenting requires self-education, communication skills, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. Parents often repeat their own upbringing or react against it, leading to a pendulum effect. It's essential to invest time and effort into understanding parenting methods and seeking support. Communication and active listening are key tools. Everyone makes mistakes, but repairing and learning from them is crucial. Unschooling or homeschooling should not mean neglectful parenting or allowing children to do nothing. Instead, it's about fostering curiosity, creativity, and personal growth. The speaker's son, Phineas, is a successful example of this approach, having found his passion in music and personal development. However, balancing collaborations with busy schedules can create time pressures. Overall, the journey of parenting is messy, but with dedication, learning, and resilience, it can lead to positive outcomes for both parents and children.
Assisting an Artist: Balancing Practical Tasks and Emotional Support: Assisting an artist involves managing their schedule, ensuring needs are met, navigating public image, and providing emotional support. Requires adaptability, empathy, and deep understanding of artist's unique needs.
Being part of a team supporting a successful artist involves a multifaceted role that includes both practical tasks and emotional support. The assistant acts as a liaison between the artist and their team, helping to manage their schedule and ensure their needs are met. However, the line between appropriate involvement and overstepping can be blurry, especially as the artist grows and their team expands. Navigating the artist's public image and helping them communicate with their audience can also be challenging in today's social media-driven world. Ultimately, the assistant's role is to have the artist's best interests at heart and to provide support in whatever way they can. The complexities of the job require a high level of adaptability, empathy, and a deep understanding of the artist's unique needs and personality.
The Harmful Effects of Quick Judgment and Cancellation Culture on Social Media: Social media's quick judgment culture can be harmful, particularly for young public figures. Instead, we should strive for compassion and restorative justice, allowing people the opportunity to learn and grow.
The use of social media can lead to a culture of quick judgment and cancellation, often targeting individuals who may not even be real or hold significant influence. This culture can be harmful and destructive, particularly for young public figures. Instead, we should strive for compassion and restorative justice, giving people the benefit of the doubt and allowing them the opportunity to learn and grow. This requires a shift in perspective and a commitment to teaching compassion and mindfulness from a young age. The current state of social media and its impact on public discourse is a complex issue, but one that we must address if we hope to create a more understanding and forgiving society. We have a long way to go, but the progress made in areas like the vegan movement gives us hope that change is possible. Ultimately, we must learn to be more compassionate and understanding towards one another, regardless of our philosophical or ideological differences.
Embracing plant-based diets with pride: Individuals embracing plant-based diets for positive reasons should stand proud and not apologize, as culture is shifting towards acceptance. Support organizations like 'Support and Feed' to provide plant-based meals to those in need and reduce carbon footprint.
Individuals embracing plant-based diets for positive reasons such as climate impact and animal compassion should not feel the need to apologize or hide their choices. The culture is shifting towards acceptance and understanding, and there are now numerous vegan options available. However, it's important to be gracious and not obnoxious when in social situations where others may not share the same beliefs. The organization "Support and Feed" is an example of how individuals can make a difference by providing plant-based meals to those in need and supporting organizations in food-insecure areas. The organization, which has partnerships with numerous restaurants in cities like LA, New York, and Philly, allows donors to specify where their donations go. The donations are tax-deductible through a fiscal sponsor, and the meals provided not only help those in need but also contribute to reducing the carbon footprint.
An organization making a difference for kids aged 13 to 25 beyond incarceration: New Earth Life supports kids aged 13 to 25 with resources and aims for systemic change in the community, founded by Maggie Baird, connect via maggiembaird on Instagram or supportandfeed.org, listen to 'Support and Feed' podcast, and subscribe to newsletter for updates
New Earth Life is an organization making a significant impact on the lives of kids aged 13 to 25 by providing support and resources beyond incarceration. They not only address immediate needs like food insecurity but also aim for systemic change in the community. Maggie Baird, the founder, is a passionate advocate for change and has inspired many through her leadership and service. To connect with her and the organization, follow maggiembaird on Instagram or visit supportandfeed.org. The conversation was filled with inspiration, and the podcast, "Support and Feed," can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and soon on TikTok. The easiest way to support the podcast is by subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with others. For updates and special offers, subscribe to the newsletter on richroll.com. The podcast is produced with the support of various sponsors and contributors, including Jason Camiolo, Blake Curtis, Dan Drake, Davy Greenberg, Daniel Solis, AJ, Georgia Whaley, Tyler Pyatt, Trapper Pyatt, and Harry Mathis.
