college

Succeeding After an Imperfect Adolescence

/ Adam Smith / Leave a comment

A dramatic accident. Remaking a life in Canada. Coming back to the U.S. Putting himself through college. These are all parts of Lee Gaul’s story.

In this Origin Story session, I speak with Lee, advertising professional, about how he worked through a challenging adolescence, supporting himself through his teenage years, and navigated university admissions without his parents.

Some topics covered:

  • Recovering from trauma
  • Reparenting
  • Navigating disadvantaged circumstances
  • Applying for college without parental help
  • Succeeding in the advertising industry

Nobody has a perfect childhood. Everyone has a different story and background.

What you’re born into does not have to be your fate. You make your future.

If you like this session, watch “Growing Up First Generation” with Jesse Meza.

Embracing Economic Opportunity

/ Adam Smith / Leave a comment

You’re not alone. In the premiere episode of Origin Story, Jonathan Saquicili and I discuss what it’s like to grow up with low economic means and climb the ladder to a prosperous life from the bottom rungs. Jonathan built his way to a Product Management career from some jarring challenges.

We find commonality in both having gone to college on a Pell Grant. There’s recommendations for mitigating distractions, how to build resilience, even how to approach dire situations like homelessness and mental illness.

WATCH TO LEARN MORE BELOW!

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