High School Matters

Aaron Bours thrived in high school and got the most out of each day there. After graduating, he wanted to be more than just a college student, so he dropped out of college to join the Israeli Defense Force. This experience changed his life. After settling into a successful and stable career, he decided to come out of the reserves to return to the IDF to fight for his country. This conversation felt fun and lighthearted back when we had it, but has become ever relevant today.

After recording this emotional and revealing conversation, my guest asked me to protect his identity so his name will not be used.  My guest entered Great Neck North High School as a 10th grader after being kicked out of a Yeshiva. His risky behavior got him kicked out of GNNHS also, this time for punching another student and sending him to the hospital. He’d always seemed like a nice kid to me, but after hearing stories about him from different people, this conversation was my mission to truly learn about him. We talk about the punch that got him expelled, his home life, taking accountability for his choices, his feelings about education, the cycle of influential behavior and so much more. This conversation is particularly enlightening because it gives insight into a truly unique person and how people develop into themselves.

Adriana Phillips went through high school on a mission: to find herself. She often felt like her personality had two sides, but she never quite understood why. She looked like she might be a popular cheerleader or prom queen, but instead she was a studious actress. Adriana was driven by this ambiguity. She always questioned and embraced why she felt certain ways. We talk about her struggle in my class, her struggle with boys, and her struggle with her own sexuality. To this day I remember my first moment with Adriana. What I didn’t realize was how much that moment symbolized exactly who Adriana was back in high school.

Benny Laitman started high school as a self-described lanky, nerdy kid. He decided to run for class president in his freshman year and wound up winning. We discuss all of the events that took place because of that victory and how his life has been different ever since. We also discuss how his introduction to life as a doctor was thrown for a loop when he faced a catastrophic situation that changed everything forever. From his high school career to his medical career, he faced many small moments and some big moments that have all had a tremendous impact on his life today.

Shayna Domnitch went through high school with relative ease. She was a sweet, pretty, popular, and confident girl back then. She got positive attention from guys and had a lot of close friends, many of whom she is still close with today. Shayna eventually had to face her biggest challenge when she was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer. We discuss openly how she dealt with this challenge and how her upbringing, her high school life, and her current family have all contributed to the way in which she dealt with this tragedy so bravely and so publicly.  Shayna is—and has always been—a true survivor.

David Niknam was one of the quietest guys I ever had in any of my classes. Even though I had him for 2 years in a row, I never really got to know him. I did many things to try and get him out of his shell: calling on him often, engaging him in discussion, and even offering him extra credit to get up in front of the entire class and yell at me (which most people, especially a kid as quiet as him, would find totally uncomfortable). In a prior podcast conversation (‘The Guy who Sought Discomfort?’), Won Jung and I wondered how David felt about my actions back then and now. In this conversation I ask David all those questions, and also finally get to the bottom of why he was so quiet all along. Everyone can remeber a kid back in high school that barely ever spoke in class. This is your chance to finally hear what goes on inside the head of one of those kids. "This is the sound.....of silence"....

Jen Doppelt (@JenExotic) is one of the funniest people I know.  Back in high school she pushed the envelope with hilarious and often outrageous comments that got a reaction out of both peers and teachers. It turns out that Jen actually used her humor as a bodyguard, protecting her from stuff she wasn’t ready to deal with. In this conversation Jen opens up about several aspects of her high school life including her sexuality, her humor, sports, the way she treated people in school and so much more. If you can multitask laughing while listening, you will most certainly enjoy this special conversation.

Steve Amara is the reason I am a chemistry teacher. As part of his 40-year teaching career, where he inspired many students along the way, Mr. Amara was MY honors chemistry teacher back in 1992. In this enlightening and nostalgic conversation, we share not only our views on how to be a teacher and how struggle builds character, but also many other topics, including the ones that emerged throughout this podcast series. This season finale episode is proof, that for students and teachers alike, high school matters.

Josh Kam is one of the reasons ‘High School Matters’ exists. Josh was in my AP Chemistry class during his junior year of high school back in 2007. That year was the onset of a student-teacher relationship that was more of a friendship than anything else. Josh has asked me for guidance during various stages of his life, but I think the process gave me guidance of my own. He decided to flip the script on me in this episode and asked me a lot of questions. The result was a fun conversation that reveals information about me, him, and the origin of this podcast.

Jen Halper went through high school and the majority of her childhood in chaos. Jen was with me in Chemistry during her junior year back in 2005. To describe her chaos in a few sentences of text would minimize the significance of her experiences. The main takeaway is that Jen is living proof that “there is always hope.” Jen is strong, resilient, vulnerable and impressively positive about her experiences. Her unique way of handling and reflecting on her struggle serves as a guide for anyone dealing with pain.

WARNING: Many of the topics in this episode are very intense. We will take an in-depth look at addiction, depression, and suicide. If you or someone you know are struggling with addiction or any other mental health issues, please know there is help.

Please call Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at

1-800-662-4357.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Hotline at

1-800-273-8255

Lauren Nassimi (Lauren Yaghoubi) is a member of the Mashadi community, perhaps the most conservative subculture among the handful of Persian communities in New York. Lauren was a student in my Biology class back in 2002 as a high school freshman. We talk very openly about how growing up as a female in this community has distinct impacts on her experiences in high school, and later in college. As a wife, a mom, and a daughter, she still struggles to this day to figure out how to balance her own desires with her cultural expectations. Her insights are a valuable guide for girls in similar situations.

Josh Kadden went through high school with a lot of privilege, but that doesn’t mean his experience came without challenges. Josh was in my chemistry class back in 2008 as a sophomore. While our conversation focuses on many of the issues Josh faced, most importantly it highlights how his attitude and coping strategies were what really set him apart. It turns out that Josh is actually more special than the people who know him—and even he—might have thought.

Lisa Hayim was one of the most popular girls in high school and now has more Instagram followers than almost all of my students combined!  Lisa was in my Biology class back in 2002 as a freshman in high school.  She is now a very successful nutritionist and social media influencer, after years of having not only many struggles but also many privileges. Our conversation talks about her high school experience and also the events that lead to where she is at this very moment.

Kyra Benton went through high school in a wheel chair and on a life-supporting ventilator. Kyra was in my Biology class back in 2012. Our conversation touched upon so many themes, like the power of friendship, the concept of death, not wanting to be treated differently, and so much more. While Kyra may think that there is nothing inspirational about her story, my guess is you will feel differently after listening.

David Nowinsky walked through the halls of his High School like he owned the place. David was a student in my Chemistry class back in 2008 while he was a Junior. We talk very openly about how situations in his life lead to the way he acted in high school both towards his friends and towards authority.  We also talk about how the things that happened in high school had an effect not only on his own life but also on the life of others. 

Jee Min Lee started High School in America as a 10th grader after leaving her home in South Korea to pursue a career as a concert pianist.  She was my student that year in my Honors Chemistry class, and more.  We talk deeply about how her experience as a high school student had a profound impact on her career and on what she is doing today.  It was very exciting to discuss her evolution into Brianni Lee!