The Weirdos

Tony Weaver Jr. comes back to the podcast to talk about his latest book, Weirdo, graphic novel memoir about an awkward preteen who loves all things geeky but struggles with mental health issues and self-doubt. We get into it with how music saved us as awkward youth, how we need to listen to kids as they grow in a post-COVID world, and so much more in this great episode!

00:00
Reconnecting and Reflecting on Growth
02:56
The Impact of Literature and Personal Experiences
05:52
Navigating Identity and Community
08:58
Addressing Racism and Media Representation
12:02
The Importance of Listening to Youth
15:01
Understanding Learning Loss and Its Effects
17:59
Confronting Masculinity and Societal Expectations
33:39
Changing Hearts in Modern Times
34:43
The Role of Challenge in Personal Growth
36:23
The Impact of Information on Beliefs
38:16
Navigating Racism in Content Creation
39:42
Focusing on Ideas Over Individuals
40:32
Empathy and Understanding in Discussions
41:52
The Importance of Representation
43:34
Racism in Nerd Spaces
45:10
Cultural Perceptions and Misunderstandings
47:23
The State of Online Communities
49:15
Content as a Battleground for Culture Wars
51:04
Experiences of Racism in Japan
54:48
The Need for Offline Conversations
57:54
The Importance of Genuine Conversations
01:01:37
Learning from Mistakes and Growing Together