This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human. Liberty has never been just a word to we Americans. It has guided every one of our endeavors for the past 250 years, and now it takes form in a new way. The 2026 Semi-Quincentennial Coin and Metal Program from the United States Mint.
It celebrates the founding ideals that have long shaped our coinage. Available one year only, this historic collection features new coin designs, limited edition releases, and reissues. Shop new official coins at usmint.gov forward slash semi-q. That's usmint.gov/slash S-E-M-I-Q. I turned off news altogether.
I hate to say it, but I don't trust much of anything. It's the rage bait. It feels like it's trying to divide people. If we got clear facts, maybe we can calm down a little. NBC News brings you clear reporting.
Let's meet at the facts. Let's move forward from there. and BC News reporting for America. Uh This July 4th, come celebrate at America's Block Party, hosted by America 250. America's Block Party is a can't-miss 4th of July concert happening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Experience music performances from major artists, patriotic tributes, and the kickoff to Giving Forth, helping to make July 4th the largest day of giving in American history. It's more than just fireworks. Learn more about this landmark celebration at America250.org. What's up y'all? Summer's got a different tempo.
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Try the new Tropical Butterfly Refresher from Starbucks. And we continue here on our American stories. And up next, we bring you a story from one of our listeners from the Twin Cities. And that's Minneapolis-St. Paul.
You've already heard Paul Kotz on this show, and he's back with more stories from his new book. Profiles in kindness. Paul is a professor at St. Mary's University of Minnesota. Today he'll talk about the importance of importance.
And how the why of what we do matter. Here's Paul. Many of us know what we do and how we do it very well. But when asked why we do it, we often pause and see that this is a question we might need to explore further. We've heard of people like Simon Sinek, Mike Veck, and Maya Angelou.
Three current individuals who bring these ideas to our attention They make the case that it isn't just about the money so much as loving what you do and how you make people feel.
Well, I admit that I love what I do. And recently I had a student who was so adamant that their grade should be changed on a critique assignment. The person is an intelligent, hard worker with drive and determination. At the moment, I did not love what I do. Yeah.
What confounded me was that they actually had a 92% on the assignment, and were irritated that I docked them for not fully synthesizing two articles to a coherent conclusion. That was not in the rubric, I was told in an email. My credibility was being questioned, and for a fleeting moment, I went back to the notion of pursuing a career in carpentry. which I also enjoy. But My why?
brought me back to the discussion with a revitalized impetus. Explicitly, they were right. I was trying to make this talented individual even better. knowing, integrating ideas, And interweaving them together is vital to this degree and to life. I was also cognizant that I, too, have my limitations as a professor and a grader.
So I called them. Uh Yes, by phone. Zoom has already been a staple of my days. And I call people often. Because hearing a person's voice and the nuances of feeling are kind of the senses that we could tap into.
and often we neglect them. It can also be tiring, so I try to use it with a little discretion.
Sometimes people are startled because, from an educator, a call means they are in trouble or there could be something wrong.
Well, in talking with the person, I emphasize that they were doing very well. and there was plenty to say. I asked them, how are you doing? not on the upcoming assignments, but as a person. Yeah.
There was a pause. Conversation led to understanding, which led to the revelation that this course was the only thing good happening in this person's life right now. The only good This saddened me for a moment. The feeling was palpable. Their job was eating up weekends, family issues, this class I offered, the stress of the pandemic, trying to be part-time principal at home with their kids, and.
that fear of the unknown they were all weighing heavily on this individual. I shared how I used to bring my two daughters to the University of Minnesota with me. trying to finish my degree while still working in business. I would carry my books over my shoulder, holding the hand of one of my abullion daughters, and initially carrying my other bundle of joy in my left arm, alternating when needed. I was at hand to my kids, but not Consciously fully present.
Care was evident and had taught me to balance what I could. and I kept my kids fed and happy.
Well, generally. It seemed to resonate with this person. We connected, and I understood. empathizing what they were going through. I didn't realize that listening and through storytelling, that breaking through the shell of a grade being lower than expected was just scratching the surface of what was truly within their soul.
I sensed that the person wanted to know they have value. and what they were doing was all worth it. and they were not getting the affirmations from their immediate surroundings. The individual acknowledged within our discussion that in the long run the grade was not as important as knowing that what they do and how they do it has to complement why they are even pursuing this degree in the first place. When I showed how what they did in the rest of the course demonstrated their mastery.
The person laughed in some relief and realized that they were actually doing phenomenal work already and should not worry as much about this assignment grade. Instead, what their future could be and how bright it looks could be a horizon worth looking toward. The why of what we do is often what keeps us going forward and sustains our heart and mind, beating in a sympathico. especially when we doubt ourselves or wonder about our true purpose. I question my purpose sometimes.
I encounter some very difficult situations, and often I put my head in my hands and ask for guidance from others and above. Yet when I see a baby laugh, For instance, my grandson. and see new life emerging before my very eyes. I see a student change in confidence or see for themselves the realization that they are valuable. And They grasp that they can give what they have to someone else.
And a special thanks to Robbie for his work on the piece. And thanks to Paul Kotz, whose book Profiles in Kindness. is available on Amazon in all the usual suspects. And think about what he did. He was not having a particularly good day.
No day for a teacher is good when a student calls to complain about a 92. And he did what, well, good teachers do. He made the call. He called the student. And that's the why in the end of why do we even teach?
I know why my dad taught he wanted to improve young people's lives, make them better people. Paul Kotz, the why behind a phone call. with a student here. on our American story. Lee Habib here, and I'd like to encourage you to subscribe to Our American Stories on Apple Podcasts, the iHeartRadio app, Spotify, or wherever you get our podcasts.
Any story you missed or want to hear again can be found there daily. Again, Please subscribe to the Our American Stories podcast on Apple Podcasts, the iHeartRadio app, or anywhere you get your podcasts. It helps us keep these great American stories coming. Liberty has never been just a word to we Americans. It has guided every one of our endeavors for the past 250 years.
And now it takes form in a new way. The 2026 Semi-Quincentennial Coin and Metal Program from the United States Mint. It celebrates the founding ideals that have long shaped our coinage. Available one year only, this historic collection features new coin designs, limited edition releases, and reissues. Shop new official coins at usmint.gov forward slash semi-q.
That's usmint.gov/slash S-E-M-I-Q. This July 4th, come celebrate at America's Block Party, hosted by America 250. America's Block Party is a can't-miss 4th of July concert happening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Experience music performances from major artists, patriotic tributes, and the kickoff to Giving Forth, helping to make July 4th the largest day of giving in American history. It's more than just fireworks.
Learn more about this landmark celebration at America250.org. Flowers fade. Cards get tossed. But a personalized song? That lasts forever.
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