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So go to buy 17 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 1: Recon dot com slash I heart to get off your order. 18 00:00:55,120 --> 00:00:59,680 Speaker 1: That's by Recon dot com Slash I Heart for off Recon. 19 00:00:59,800 --> 00:01:02,000 Speaker 1: Why are list ear buds if you've been eyeing a parent, 20 00:01:02,080 --> 00:01:04,360 Speaker 1: now is the time to get an amazing deal one 21 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:08,200 Speaker 1: more time by raycon dot com. Slash my heart my 22 00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:10,720 Speaker 1: next guest, and he's on the phone. Is the executive 23 00:01:10,720 --> 00:01:14,360 Speaker 1: director of the Wade Smith Foundation. The foundation supports community 24 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:17,119 Speaker 1: youth programs and the greater Houston and Dallas Fort Worth 25 00:01:17,280 --> 00:01:21,440 Speaker 1: metroplex areas and focuses on literacy and education. He is 26 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:24,759 Speaker 1: the author of two children's book, Smitty Hits the Playbook 27 00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:29,559 Speaker 1: and Smitty Tackles Budley Smitty Tackles Budleying. He is also 28 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:32,080 Speaker 1: an ambassador for the Houston, Texas I'm sure he wasn't 29 00:01:32,080 --> 00:01:37,080 Speaker 1: happy yesterday in Houston. He is in the nighttime sports 30 00:01:37,080 --> 00:01:38,920 Speaker 1: talk radio host which I do listen to this show 31 00:01:38,920 --> 00:01:41,080 Speaker 1: when I come back to Houston on a regular basis 32 00:01:41,080 --> 00:01:43,520 Speaker 1: on Sports Radio six ten, The Smitty and Trap Show, 33 00:01:43,959 --> 00:01:46,920 Speaker 1: as well as a public speaker. He's on the show 34 00:01:46,920 --> 00:01:49,559 Speaker 1: today to talk about this foundation. Is two children's books, 35 00:01:49,560 --> 00:01:53,000 Speaker 1: Smitty Hits the Playbook and Smitty Tackles Bully Bullying. Please 36 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:58,200 Speaker 1: welcome to Money Making Conversations. Wade Smith. How are y'all 37 00:01:58,240 --> 00:02:00,800 Speaker 1: doing to day? Pretty good man, A good way you 38 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:07,680 Speaker 1: know you're in Houston right now. Now, you're an ambassador 39 00:02:07,720 --> 00:02:10,280 Speaker 1: to the Houston Texas Note in a row, nine in 40 00:02:10,320 --> 00:02:13,919 Speaker 1: a row. Now, come on, Oh, that's what That's what 41 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:15,840 Speaker 1: we're gonna say. That's what we're gonna say. H that's 42 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:18,480 Speaker 1: what the Atlanta Facon said to the New England Patris. Huh, 43 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:23,360 Speaker 1: you can't win them all. You can't win them all. Definitely, 44 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:28,400 Speaker 1: the one I'm disappointed one good, Well, I'm not. I 45 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 1: want to I want to slow you down with sports 46 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:32,480 Speaker 1: man because, uh, you know you get that enough you do, 47 00:02:32,600 --> 00:02:34,120 Speaker 1: that's what you do. You've done for a living in 48 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:37,839 Speaker 1: the NFL. All up, you've you have a wonderful show. 49 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:40,079 Speaker 1: I was home in Houston. Do listen to your show 50 00:02:40,080 --> 00:02:41,960 Speaker 1: and have a home in Atlanta, So when I go 51 00:02:42,040 --> 00:02:44,720 Speaker 1: back to Houston, I always listen to your show because yeah, 52 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:47,119 Speaker 1: but you know, sometimes you listen to guys they don't 53 00:02:47,120 --> 00:02:50,119 Speaker 1: have the right insight. You have the right insight. And then, uh, 54 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:53,440 Speaker 1: and I think the accountability outside of your sports world 55 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:56,480 Speaker 1: that that allows you to deliver you next a very 56 00:02:56,560 --> 00:02:58,960 Speaker 1: unique message. So so when you when you when you 57 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:01,880 Speaker 1: start talking about your brand, what is the way Smith brand? 58 00:03:03,400 --> 00:03:06,720 Speaker 1: The Way Smith brand? Well, I would just say this, UM. 59 00:03:06,760 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 1: There's a lot of outside forces that people UM use 60 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:13,520 Speaker 1: for branding things that nature, But I just I approached 61 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:16,800 Speaker 1: things from the standpoint that I really want to help 62 00:03:16,880 --> 00:03:19,920 Speaker 1: children become better readers. I want them to understand how 63 00:03:19,960 --> 00:03:24,720 Speaker 1: important literacy and education is and understand that UM, whatever 64 00:03:24,800 --> 00:03:29,799 Speaker 1: socioeconomic situation that they may be in, UM, their education 65 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:32,440 Speaker 1: can can lift them out of that situation and get 66 00:03:32,480 --> 00:03:34,720 Speaker 1: them to where she takes some people with anybody around 67 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:38,920 Speaker 1: the world. And so people understand that I genuinely I'm 68 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:42,240 Speaker 1: hands on with all the things that I'm involved in, 69 00:03:42,520 --> 00:03:45,480 Speaker 1: all the programs that I'm a part of, and so 70 00:03:45,560 --> 00:03:48,120 Speaker 1: I see people see that genuine nature in me that 71 00:03:48,160 --> 00:03:50,560 Speaker 1: I really do care myself and I'm you know, there's 72 00:03:50,600 --> 00:03:57,240 Speaker 1: some people that are parts of charities and foundations and philanthropy, 73 00:03:57,680 --> 00:04:03,839 Speaker 1: some topic as X and it's more of a name thing, 74 00:04:03,920 --> 00:04:06,240 Speaker 1: like I put my name on things, and or maybe 75 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:08,640 Speaker 1: it's a money thing, And all of those things have 76 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:12,440 Speaker 1: a place because the name can bring attention to a 77 00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 1: very worthy cause, and money can can help can definitely 78 00:04:17,360 --> 00:04:21,320 Speaker 1: help UM fund many worthy causes. But I think my 79 00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:24,520 Speaker 1: thing is that I generally want to be hands on 80 00:04:24,640 --> 00:04:27,479 Speaker 1: and on the front lines with with making things happen 81 00:04:27,520 --> 00:04:31,479 Speaker 1: and to understand having children to understand that they can 82 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:34,920 Speaker 1: be successes in life. And so I would consider that, 83 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:38,159 Speaker 1: you know, a brand in itself. So what age group 84 00:04:38,200 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 1: are you talking? Um, it's it's it's moly, we'll see. 85 00:04:42,880 --> 00:04:45,160 Speaker 1: I have two different programs. One of the programs I'm 86 00:04:45,160 --> 00:04:48,880 Speaker 1: reading with the protests elementary age reading. It's reading at 87 00:04:48,920 --> 00:04:54,240 Speaker 1: grade level bias third grades. And Smitty tackles bullying as fun. 88 00:04:54,400 --> 00:04:56,640 Speaker 1: Am I right? Yeah, both of the children's books are 89 00:04:56,880 --> 00:05:01,080 Speaker 1: are specifically for that age group u UM basically from 90 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:03,760 Speaker 1: kindergartens the fifth grade all elementary school students. And then 91 00:05:03,839 --> 00:05:08,040 Speaker 1: also have a scholarship program UM that's for outgoing seniors 92 00:05:08,040 --> 00:05:11,200 Speaker 1: here in Houston and Dallas, and so it hits you know, 93 00:05:11,560 --> 00:05:14,120 Speaker 1: the foundation and then also it helps kids get over 94 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:17,320 Speaker 1: the hump to to not allow like I said, their 95 00:05:17,400 --> 00:05:21,880 Speaker 1: social economic situation to preclude them from going to college 96 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:25,560 Speaker 1: and getting a secondary education. And so UM, that's really 97 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:28,599 Speaker 1: where we are with it. So with that being said, 98 00:05:28,880 --> 00:05:32,480 Speaker 1: you know, uh, a lot of people when they start foundations, 99 00:05:32,520 --> 00:05:36,200 Speaker 1: they you know, they either get its relative or best friend. 100 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:38,400 Speaker 1: How did you set up your foundation? Because a lot 101 00:05:38,440 --> 00:05:41,000 Speaker 1: of people require about the show, whether the rules of 102 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:43,720 Speaker 1: setting up a foundation, who should be involved in helping 103 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:46,120 Speaker 1: set up the foundation? What? What? What? You know, you're 104 00:05:46,120 --> 00:05:48,160 Speaker 1: an athlete. A lot of people I'm sure approach you. 105 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:50,719 Speaker 1: Your agent may have recommended, how did you set up 106 00:05:50,760 --> 00:05:55,719 Speaker 1: your foundation? Well, I would say this my foundation. I 107 00:05:55,880 --> 00:05:59,000 Speaker 1: learned a lot through trial and error. UM. I did 108 00:05:59,040 --> 00:06:02,800 Speaker 1: start off my foundation when there was one specific person 109 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:06,839 Speaker 1: that they approached me about wanting to help me start 110 00:06:06,880 --> 00:06:09,719 Speaker 1: my foundation, and and she did a really good job 111 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:12,520 Speaker 1: of helping set up UM, you know, setting up beating 112 00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:14,960 Speaker 1: the five and one C three and setting up a 113 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:19,920 Speaker 1: website and UM start my initial fundraiser. UM. But through 114 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:23,640 Speaker 1: trialing area, through time, you know, I gradually UM set 115 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:26,919 Speaker 1: up my board of directors and grew that number. Started 116 00:06:26,920 --> 00:06:29,600 Speaker 1: off with just three and then it went to five 117 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:33,320 Speaker 1: and now it's seven board members. And we've had board 118 00:06:33,400 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 1: members go in and out over the years, but for 119 00:06:36,240 --> 00:06:39,200 Speaker 1: the most part, we've had a solid set of five 120 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:41,400 Speaker 1: board members that have been there since the beginning. And 121 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:43,800 Speaker 1: it's it's one of those things as you go you 122 00:06:43,920 --> 00:06:46,400 Speaker 1: learned that you want to have your board b is 123 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:49,640 Speaker 1: UM diverse as possible. You want them to be able 124 00:06:49,680 --> 00:06:54,880 Speaker 1: to hit varying aspects in um, the professional realm, just 125 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:58,760 Speaker 1: in all different aspects of when you need people that, like, 126 00:06:58,839 --> 00:07:01,440 Speaker 1: you know, I have a lawyer, or to have two 127 00:07:01,520 --> 00:07:03,520 Speaker 1: lawyers on my board, and so they help you with 128 00:07:03,560 --> 00:07:07,120 Speaker 1: a lot of the legal aspects trademarking, copyright, all of 129 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:10,000 Speaker 1: those type of things. UM, But you want to have 130 00:07:10,040 --> 00:07:13,080 Speaker 1: a diverse board when it comes to their profession as 131 00:07:13,120 --> 00:07:16,440 Speaker 1: well as what their background is as well. UM. You 132 00:07:16,480 --> 00:07:19,440 Speaker 1: want to have a board that is not just an 133 00:07:19,560 --> 00:07:22,800 Speaker 1: agreeable board. You want them to understand your vision, but 134 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:24,520 Speaker 1: at the same time, you want them to be able 135 00:07:24,560 --> 00:07:27,840 Speaker 1: to challenge you, um with some of the decisions that 136 00:07:27,920 --> 00:07:30,200 Speaker 1: you're making, so that you're making sure that you don't 137 00:07:30,200 --> 00:07:34,080 Speaker 1: have a bunch of yes people are Absolutely because it's 138 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:35,920 Speaker 1: important to you. That's why I wanted to bring that 139 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:38,320 Speaker 1: up way because you know, I have another break. I 140 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:40,400 Speaker 1: want to really break down and talk about the books, 141 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:41,960 Speaker 1: but I want to just talk about your journey a 142 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:44,240 Speaker 1: little bit. And when you start talking about the foundation, 143 00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:46,440 Speaker 1: people just pop them into a foundation. You have to 144 00:07:46,560 --> 00:07:49,400 Speaker 1: record keeping. And also when you talk talking about your board, 145 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:52,239 Speaker 1: every board member has to bring something to the table. 146 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:54,720 Speaker 1: You know, if you're a very low level, they should 147 00:07:54,720 --> 00:07:57,480 Speaker 1: be a graphic designer, if they should be a salesman, 148 00:07:57,520 --> 00:08:00,720 Speaker 1: they should be able to get you, get you relationships. 149 00:08:00,760 --> 00:08:04,120 Speaker 1: It should be a relationship person and all everybody on 150 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:07,000 Speaker 1: that board shouldn't just be I just like you, I'm here. 151 00:08:07,360 --> 00:08:12,120 Speaker 1: They have to bring something substantial to the organization. Are 152 00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:15,200 Speaker 1: the are the calls that you're trying to grow and 153 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:19,680 Speaker 1: to bring your bring our financial recognition to as assistance 154 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:22,360 Speaker 1: to and also brand recognition. And that's really the key, 155 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:25,080 Speaker 1: and that's what use referencing that these board members have 156 00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:27,360 Speaker 1: to bring something to the table other than I like 157 00:08:27,440 --> 00:08:29,239 Speaker 1: you as an athlete or I like you as a person, 158 00:08:30,840 --> 00:08:34,040 Speaker 1: no question. And you know a lot of people the 159 00:08:34,040 --> 00:08:37,800 Speaker 1: thing you run into is when you have UM athletes 160 00:08:37,920 --> 00:08:40,600 Speaker 1: or people that are trying to start a foundation, a 161 00:08:40,640 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 1: lot of times the people that they want to do 162 00:08:43,559 --> 00:08:46,240 Speaker 1: the foundations with them are people that they trust. And 163 00:08:46,280 --> 00:08:48,840 Speaker 1: so that's why a lot of times you'll see UM 164 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:51,960 Speaker 1: family members that are part of the boards are part 165 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:56,679 Speaker 1: of you know, starting the organization. But there's I don't 166 00:08:56,720 --> 00:08:58,560 Speaker 1: think there's anything wrong with that as long as, like 167 00:08:58,600 --> 00:09:01,440 Speaker 1: you mentioned, they bring something to the table, like my 168 00:09:01,440 --> 00:09:08,520 Speaker 1: my mom, uh is the treasurer and secretary for the board. Well, 169 00:09:08,679 --> 00:09:12,320 Speaker 1: she's been in banking. I'm thirty seven years old. She's 170 00:09:12,320 --> 00:09:14,839 Speaker 1: been in banking in my kind of life, whether it's 171 00:09:14,880 --> 00:09:18,400 Speaker 1: being started off as a bank teller too. Now she's 172 00:09:18,440 --> 00:09:22,520 Speaker 1: an auditor of you know, multimillion dollar company. So when 173 00:09:22,520 --> 00:09:26,480 Speaker 1: you have you have family, remember somebody that the combination, 174 00:09:26,559 --> 00:09:28,440 Speaker 1: somebody that you can trust, that can tell you about 175 00:09:28,480 --> 00:09:32,520 Speaker 1: yourself and also that is uh, it is confident in 176 00:09:32,559 --> 00:09:35,040 Speaker 1: what they're doing. That's kind of the right formula to 177 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:37,680 Speaker 1: be a success. I think. Yep. I'm on the phone 178 00:09:37,720 --> 00:09:41,400 Speaker 1: with with the Ray Smith. He's u NFL vetteran. He 179 00:09:41,440 --> 00:09:44,640 Speaker 1: has the Way Smith Foundation that it really focuses on 180 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:48,320 Speaker 1: in the Dallas area Dallas fork Worth Metroplecator, which I'm 181 00:09:48,400 --> 00:09:50,880 Speaker 1: very familiar with, and as well as the Houston text area, 182 00:09:50,920 --> 00:09:52,760 Speaker 1: which I was born and raised in. And when you 183 00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:54,400 Speaker 1: come back, we're gonna talk about two of the books, 184 00:09:54,400 --> 00:09:58,439 Speaker 1: Smitty Hits the Playbooks and Smitty Tackles Bullying. His The 185 00:09:58,559 --> 00:10:01,480 Speaker 1: Tackles Bullying I find very relatable and I'm gonna share 186 00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:05,080 Speaker 1: my story to let you know how a simple, a 187 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:08,120 Speaker 1: simple statement can change the where your whole life thinks. 188 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:11,600 Speaker 1: And this tackle's bullying is about public reading a renout loud, 189 00:10:12,040 --> 00:10:14,600 Speaker 1: and this young man in this story was affected by 190 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:16,720 Speaker 1: it as I was affected by it in middle school, 191 00:10:16,720 --> 00:10:18,880 Speaker 1: and they changed the way I approached my life. And 192 00:10:18,880 --> 00:10:20,880 Speaker 1: that's why I wanted wait on the show to say, hey, man, 193 00:10:21,160 --> 00:10:25,480 Speaker 1: keep doing what you're doing. All right, welcome back to 194 00:10:25,520 --> 00:10:28,680 Speaker 1: money making conversation on the phone. Is um the executive 195 00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:32,319 Speaker 1: director of his own foundation, Wade Smith Foundation. Uh the Way. 196 00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:35,280 Speaker 1: Smith Foundation provides community support for youth programs in the 197 00:10:35,320 --> 00:10:40,600 Speaker 1: areas of education, literacy, health, fitness and nutrition, summer summer 198 00:10:40,640 --> 00:10:43,760 Speaker 1: healthy mail programs, Richards and Independent School District that's up 199 00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:48,040 Speaker 1: in Dallas, mentorship program and annual scholarship programs. Tell us 200 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:50,080 Speaker 1: about these two books and why did you write them? 201 00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:54,760 Speaker 1: Mr Smith is, well, I've always wanted to write my 202 00:10:54,800 --> 00:10:57,600 Speaker 1: own books and so ever since I was a little kid, 203 00:10:57,679 --> 00:11:00,480 Speaker 1: and since my reading. With the proch program, We're going 204 00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:03,280 Speaker 1: we go into elementary schools all over Houston Dallas, like 205 00:11:03,320 --> 00:11:05,360 Speaker 1: you mentioned, and talk to the kids about the importance 206 00:11:05,360 --> 00:11:08,680 Speaker 1: of reading and how cool it is. I thought, what, uh, 207 00:11:08,800 --> 00:11:11,040 Speaker 1: the next step to that would be too, is to 208 00:11:11,120 --> 00:11:13,840 Speaker 1: actually tell the kids like and show the kids that 209 00:11:14,800 --> 00:11:18,040 Speaker 1: reading is extremely important, but also taking the next step 210 00:11:18,080 --> 00:11:22,679 Speaker 1: to writing is even a bigger deal, and and and 211 00:11:22,920 --> 00:11:26,360 Speaker 1: something that you can definitely um something you can participate in. 212 00:11:26,400 --> 00:11:29,920 Speaker 1: And I think the best way of UM getting at 213 00:11:29,920 --> 00:11:32,760 Speaker 1: across is not by just telling kids them, but actually 214 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:35,360 Speaker 1: showing them and being able to discuss the ways that 215 00:11:35,520 --> 00:11:37,720 Speaker 1: you know you go about doing that. And so I 216 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:39,959 Speaker 1: think that both of the books have a really good message. 217 00:11:39,960 --> 00:11:42,200 Speaker 1: I think so many hits to play books is is 218 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:45,520 Speaker 1: a story that talks about a little kid that his 219 00:11:45,559 --> 00:11:47,720 Speaker 1: mom would let him play sports at all, would't let 220 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:49,640 Speaker 1: him play football, and she thought he would get hurt, 221 00:11:50,040 --> 00:11:52,120 Speaker 1: and he begged and pleaded for her to give him 222 00:11:52,120 --> 00:11:55,040 Speaker 1: a chance to play, and once she did, she finally relented. 223 00:11:55,520 --> 00:11:57,280 Speaker 1: He got the bright idea that he was going to 224 00:11:57,360 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 1: stop doing his homework and paying attention in class because 225 00:12:00,040 --> 00:12:02,800 Speaker 1: he was going to be a big time football player. 226 00:12:03,520 --> 00:12:07,040 Speaker 1: So who needs Yeah, who needs sports? Who need who 227 00:12:07,040 --> 00:12:08,959 Speaker 1: needs school? For that? You know? Who needs to particie 228 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:13,480 Speaker 1: in classes? He learned very quickly that um, that's not 229 00:12:13,520 --> 00:12:17,240 Speaker 1: the right. You have to prioritize your education before for anything. 230 00:12:17,280 --> 00:12:20,040 Speaker 1: If you want to have some of those, Um, those 231 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:22,520 Speaker 1: goals that you wanta to achieve and if you want 232 00:12:22,520 --> 00:12:24,720 Speaker 1: to live out your dream, your education as a foundation 233 00:12:24,720 --> 00:12:28,040 Speaker 1: that's gonna get you there. And so um, it just 234 00:12:28,080 --> 00:12:31,160 Speaker 1: talks about how Smidy dealt with that, that that adversity 235 00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:33,680 Speaker 1: that hit and how he's able to overcome that. And 236 00:12:33,720 --> 00:12:37,959 Speaker 1: then the Smity tackles bullying book. Um, he talks about it. 237 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:40,360 Speaker 1: It's still the same Smitty character, but it talks about 238 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:42,960 Speaker 1: his friend that um is struggling with read. He's trying 239 00:12:42,960 --> 00:12:45,160 Speaker 1: to get out of reading. Any chance that comes up 240 00:12:45,200 --> 00:12:46,800 Speaker 1: for him to read, he tries to get out of it. 241 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:49,880 Speaker 1: And Smithy doesn't know why. It's come to find out that, 242 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:53,360 Speaker 1: you know, his his his friend was getting made fun 243 00:12:53,440 --> 00:12:57,240 Speaker 1: of while reading because he struggles reading. And so it 244 00:12:57,360 --> 00:12:59,440 Speaker 1: talks about how Smidy was able to help his friend 245 00:12:59,480 --> 00:13:02,760 Speaker 1: overcome that as well. And and it's it's a story 246 00:13:02,840 --> 00:13:05,600 Speaker 1: that I wrote because when I was a kid, I 247 00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:08,000 Speaker 1: was that kid in class that loved to read. Every 248 00:13:08,040 --> 00:13:10,680 Speaker 1: chance I got to read in class, I raised my hand. 249 00:13:10,679 --> 00:13:13,320 Speaker 1: I wanted to read. But I had a certain group 250 00:13:13,360 --> 00:13:16,200 Speaker 1: of friends, you know, a handful of guys that when 251 00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:18,480 Speaker 1: it came time to read, they always would do something 252 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:20,800 Speaker 1: to get in trouble. They would act up in class, 253 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:22,720 Speaker 1: they make jokes and something and get sent to the 254 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:26,720 Speaker 1: principal's office. And back then, as a kid, I'm just thinking, 255 00:13:26,760 --> 00:13:29,880 Speaker 1: you know, hey, you know, my my friends are really funny, um. 256 00:13:30,080 --> 00:13:32,920 Speaker 1: But come to find out that they all struggled reading. 257 00:13:33,040 --> 00:13:35,040 Speaker 1: You know, handful of that they struggled reading, and they 258 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:36,800 Speaker 1: were embarrassed and they didn't want to read in class 259 00:13:36,800 --> 00:13:38,800 Speaker 1: and they want to be made fun of, and so 260 00:13:38,920 --> 00:13:41,880 Speaker 1: they did things to avoid it. And I've since seen 261 00:13:42,240 --> 00:13:45,040 Speaker 1: now where you know, some of ended up. Some of 262 00:13:45,080 --> 00:13:47,040 Speaker 1: them are no longer with us, some of them are 263 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:49,480 Speaker 1: in in jail, some of them are kind of dead 264 00:13:49,520 --> 00:13:52,160 Speaker 1: in situations. And I wanted to kind of write this 265 00:13:52,320 --> 00:13:56,000 Speaker 1: story to let kids now understand and know that if 266 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:58,480 Speaker 1: you're struggling with reading, if it's hard for you, if 267 00:13:58,480 --> 00:14:00,880 Speaker 1: it's difficult, it's okay to be that way, but it's 268 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:03,560 Speaker 1: not okay to stay that way, UM, ask for help, 269 00:14:03,880 --> 00:14:08,240 Speaker 1: you know what I mean, and whether it's your mom, dad, teacher, brother, 270 00:14:08,760 --> 00:14:13,000 Speaker 1: a friend. And also but also puts across the aspect 271 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:15,960 Speaker 1: that if you are somebody that really enjoys reading yourself, 272 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:18,440 Speaker 1: and you're good at yourself and you maybe noticed a 273 00:14:18,480 --> 00:14:20,680 Speaker 1: friend of yours is somebody that's struggling with it or 274 00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:23,040 Speaker 1: doesn't like it as much, to reach out and help 275 00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:25,000 Speaker 1: them as well. Because I wish, you know, if I 276 00:14:25,080 --> 00:14:28,080 Speaker 1: knew now, Um, if I knew then what I knew now, 277 00:14:28,360 --> 00:14:30,320 Speaker 1: I would have said something to my buddies, canna put 278 00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:31,760 Speaker 1: him to the side and try to help him, because 279 00:14:31,760 --> 00:14:34,880 Speaker 1: I I just know that without that foundation, is very 280 00:14:34,920 --> 00:14:38,400 Speaker 1: difficult to achieve and become what you want to be. 281 00:14:38,440 --> 00:14:40,480 Speaker 1: In like, if you don't have that foundation to read, 282 00:14:40,480 --> 00:14:44,000 Speaker 1: it's really amazing. I I'm older than you, and uh 283 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:46,920 Speaker 1: in middle school, I was a very talented reader, and 284 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:49,720 Speaker 1: my teacher used to always call on me. See bullying 285 00:14:49,840 --> 00:14:52,720 Speaker 1: is It's really interesting how people don't understand that and 286 00:14:52,760 --> 00:14:55,520 Speaker 1: people talk like like bullying just started. You know what 287 00:14:55,600 --> 00:14:59,120 Speaker 1: Bullying has been around the beginning of time. Anytime somebody 288 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:03,880 Speaker 1: cri size you publicly, have pushed you or physically dominated you, 289 00:15:04,440 --> 00:15:07,440 Speaker 1: made you anything, made you do anything you didn't want 290 00:15:07,480 --> 00:15:11,160 Speaker 1: to do, it made you feel constantly uncomfortable. That is uh, 291 00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:14,680 Speaker 1: both mentally and physically, that's bullying. And I remember in 292 00:15:15,040 --> 00:15:17,760 Speaker 1: my middle school, my teachers always call on me to 293 00:15:18,240 --> 00:15:20,720 Speaker 1: read Roshan, could you read out aloud? I will hop 294 00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:22,760 Speaker 1: up and I read. And then finally one days, a 295 00:15:22,800 --> 00:15:25,320 Speaker 1: little girl go, I'm tired of him reading. I go 296 00:15:26,200 --> 00:15:28,840 Speaker 1: was my little class we said, and and I'm tired. 297 00:15:28,840 --> 00:15:30,400 Speaker 1: And then a couple of most students, we're tired of 298 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:34,200 Speaker 1: him reading too, go and and it and it bothered 299 00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:40,000 Speaker 1: me so bad and that I intentionally started changing the 300 00:15:40,040 --> 00:15:44,000 Speaker 1: way I talked. You know, I started using broken language. 301 00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:46,240 Speaker 1: I started because I was I was typing. I was 302 00:15:46,280 --> 00:15:49,000 Speaker 1: really athletic, and so when I would play basketball in 303 00:15:49,040 --> 00:15:51,640 Speaker 1: the court, I wouldn't use file language, and I would say, 304 00:15:51,680 --> 00:15:53,880 Speaker 1: if you filed me, I would say something like, uh, 305 00:15:54,040 --> 00:15:56,560 Speaker 1: is it necessary to use that type of force. That's 306 00:15:56,560 --> 00:15:59,200 Speaker 1: how we talk on the basketball course, and so and 307 00:15:59,400 --> 00:16:02,040 Speaker 1: so and so and so when when when she when 308 00:16:02,080 --> 00:16:05,320 Speaker 1: they attacked me, they attacked me, and my mind, my 309 00:16:05,360 --> 00:16:09,200 Speaker 1: mind just flipped. I went h and my mind forced 310 00:16:09,240 --> 00:16:12,040 Speaker 1: me to like dumb down everything so I wanted to 311 00:16:12,080 --> 00:16:17,040 Speaker 1: fit in. And so at that moment, that attack calls 312 00:16:17,120 --> 00:16:20,160 Speaker 1: me many years to not recover from that because of 313 00:16:20,200 --> 00:16:22,680 Speaker 1: the fact that when I when I when I dumped 314 00:16:22,720 --> 00:16:25,120 Speaker 1: it down, it seemed more people like me and that's 315 00:16:25,120 --> 00:16:27,680 Speaker 1: not fair. You should be like based on who you 316 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:30,120 Speaker 1: are and what you're accomplishing in life. You should not 317 00:16:30,200 --> 00:16:34,160 Speaker 1: be liked because you're you're fitting in or you you're 318 00:16:34,200 --> 00:16:36,640 Speaker 1: fitting in because you want people to like you because 319 00:16:36,640 --> 00:16:39,080 Speaker 1: of the fact that you're different than walking a certain 320 00:16:39,400 --> 00:16:42,640 Speaker 1: certain role in life. And that's what your book is about. 321 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:47,040 Speaker 1: Your Your book is about articulating yourself and your strength. 322 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:49,080 Speaker 1: Both books I was following relatable. I remember when I 323 00:16:49,160 --> 00:16:52,240 Speaker 1: was in the sixth grade. Uh, I jammed my neck 324 00:16:52,440 --> 00:16:54,400 Speaker 1: playing football and my mom was, so, you can't play 325 00:16:54,400 --> 00:16:57,600 Speaker 1: football ever again? Ever again. Mo'm gonna play football. Nope, 326 00:16:57,640 --> 00:17:00,480 Speaker 1: you would never play football again, never play football. So 327 00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:03,080 Speaker 1: so injuries and and and and and and then when 328 00:17:03,120 --> 00:17:06,080 Speaker 1: I look at social media now with I found that 329 00:17:06,160 --> 00:17:09,400 Speaker 1: relatable in playbook because the fact that that's the next 330 00:17:09,400 --> 00:17:11,640 Speaker 1: book you getta right, you gotta write that social media book. 331 00:17:11,640 --> 00:17:15,200 Speaker 1: And how has effects uh these kids nowadays? And how 332 00:17:15,520 --> 00:17:18,080 Speaker 1: how that that cyber bully? And so I just felt 333 00:17:18,119 --> 00:17:20,119 Speaker 1: when I read both of your books, I felt, Okay, 334 00:17:20,160 --> 00:17:22,960 Speaker 1: this guy, go write more books, because you're tapping into 335 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:26,600 Speaker 1: two lanes right now that I personally experienced many many 336 00:17:26,680 --> 00:17:30,160 Speaker 1: years ago that are even more are relevant today because 337 00:17:30,200 --> 00:17:31,840 Speaker 1: of the fact that you have social media, you have 338 00:17:32,240 --> 00:17:36,520 Speaker 1: such a digital footprint out there that allows individuals to 339 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:41,679 Speaker 1: to cause a greater degree or wider degree of harm. Correct. Yeah, So, 340 00:17:41,960 --> 00:17:44,199 Speaker 1: like my third book is actually in the works right now. 341 00:17:44,240 --> 00:17:46,560 Speaker 1: I'm in the process of right now. And what we're 342 00:17:46,600 --> 00:17:50,600 Speaker 1: doing is we're seeing Smithy kind of come avad that character, 343 00:17:50,680 --> 00:17:53,680 Speaker 1: Smithy come avat and so as he gets older, they'll 344 00:17:53,720 --> 00:17:57,399 Speaker 1: he'll be running up against various different adverse situations and 345 00:17:57,520 --> 00:18:01,720 Speaker 1: different um topics that are are relevant to two kids 346 00:18:01,760 --> 00:18:05,160 Speaker 1: today and messages that um they can kind of draw 347 00:18:05,280 --> 00:18:07,800 Speaker 1: from and understand because of the way it's it's I 348 00:18:07,880 --> 00:18:11,080 Speaker 1: try to make it as relatable as possible. But in 349 00:18:11,359 --> 00:18:13,800 Speaker 1: the first two books, Smitty is like in the third 350 00:18:13,840 --> 00:18:16,720 Speaker 1: fourth grade. So maybe when when Smitty gets to about 351 00:18:16,760 --> 00:18:19,240 Speaker 1: six or seventh grade, that that social media aspect and 352 00:18:19,280 --> 00:18:21,920 Speaker 1: come in, because hopefully he didn't he didn't have an 353 00:18:21,920 --> 00:18:24,639 Speaker 1: Instagram or Twitter, Karry yet at this semi you know, 354 00:18:24,680 --> 00:18:27,040 Speaker 1: I know way you know, you know, you're you're you're 355 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:30,480 Speaker 1: an entrepreneur, You're a creative content producing guy. You know, 356 00:18:30,560 --> 00:18:32,960 Speaker 1: this is just the early stages. I'm a writer, and 357 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:36,359 Speaker 1: writing is neaty two and sitcom and writing films. So 358 00:18:36,400 --> 00:18:39,399 Speaker 1: I know about content producing, I know about talented people, 359 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:42,199 Speaker 1: and I know that your force. You know, the artwork 360 00:18:42,280 --> 00:18:45,440 Speaker 1: is really good, the storytelling was really good. I felt 361 00:18:45,440 --> 00:18:48,119 Speaker 1: it very relatable. I'll just let you know that what 362 00:18:48,200 --> 00:18:50,920 Speaker 1: you're talking about just moving up, just moving you moving 363 00:18:50,920 --> 00:18:52,960 Speaker 1: that right up to high school, because that's right, that's 364 00:18:53,040 --> 00:18:55,520 Speaker 1: right there. Think that you really think you will get 365 00:18:55,560 --> 00:18:57,080 Speaker 1: a big head, get a big hit in high school 366 00:18:57,320 --> 00:18:59,320 Speaker 1: and think that I think that you can just stop 367 00:18:59,359 --> 00:19:01,679 Speaker 1: studying and you're gonna go to college, and then you 368 00:19:01,960 --> 00:19:03,760 Speaker 1: and then you go to college and you just flunk 369 00:19:03,760 --> 00:19:06,320 Speaker 1: out and so because you don't know the basic technique. 370 00:19:06,320 --> 00:19:07,960 Speaker 1: So I just felt that the book that you wrote 371 00:19:08,000 --> 00:19:12,199 Speaker 1: at that age group was very transferable to the middle school, 372 00:19:12,400 --> 00:19:17,160 Speaker 1: was very transferable to high school and not you know, hey, 373 00:19:17,480 --> 00:19:20,159 Speaker 1: you you've been successful without me. I'm just telling you 374 00:19:20,240 --> 00:19:22,760 Speaker 1: from a brand guy, from a guy who does mark up. 375 00:19:23,040 --> 00:19:25,080 Speaker 1: I like to call myself a marketing expert because just 376 00:19:25,080 --> 00:19:27,760 Speaker 1: look at my resume. You got it going on, my friend, 377 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:31,280 Speaker 1: and just know that, just make them older because it's relatable. 378 00:19:31,280 --> 00:19:33,600 Speaker 1: And when you make it relatable, then more people will 379 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:37,680 Speaker 1: be engaged because your brand. Know this, those kids, they're 380 00:19:37,720 --> 00:19:40,040 Speaker 1: growing older and you gotta you gotta go with them. 381 00:19:40,040 --> 00:19:41,800 Speaker 1: Two ways. You gotta go with him. You can't. You 382 00:19:41,880 --> 00:19:43,880 Speaker 1: just can't have an element. You got to go find 383 00:19:43,920 --> 00:19:45,919 Speaker 1: them again in middle school because they gonna they whatever. 384 00:19:45,960 --> 00:19:48,280 Speaker 1: Got some of them good, those good lessons you taught them, 385 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:51,200 Speaker 1: and you gotta go find them again in high school. Okay, 386 00:19:52,040 --> 00:19:55,399 Speaker 1: another question about another question. I will be doing so 387 00:19:55,760 --> 00:19:57,439 Speaker 1: and I and I really want to appreciate you know 388 00:19:57,760 --> 00:19:59,520 Speaker 1: you're coming on my show because of the fact that 389 00:19:59,760 --> 00:20:01,560 Speaker 1: how can we if we want to make a donation 390 00:20:01,800 --> 00:20:04,159 Speaker 1: or do you have any galos coming up anything on 391 00:20:04,200 --> 00:20:08,080 Speaker 1: the calendar that I can support you in. Well, first 392 00:20:08,080 --> 00:20:10,240 Speaker 1: of all, you can always go to uh wat Smith 393 00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:13,440 Speaker 1: Foundation dot org some if you want to pit on there. 394 00:20:13,960 --> 00:20:16,600 Speaker 1: Um there's the tab on there that you can just 395 00:20:16,720 --> 00:20:19,560 Speaker 1: do a donation of general donation. We also have our 396 00:20:19,600 --> 00:20:23,280 Speaker 1: Both of the books are available for sale at Wastemith 397 00:20:23,280 --> 00:20:26,920 Speaker 1: Foundation dot org. But books also available at Amazon and 398 00:20:27,200 --> 00:20:30,320 Speaker 1: different outlets like that. But all of the money from 399 00:20:30,560 --> 00:20:32,800 Speaker 1: the sales of the book go to the foundation, and 400 00:20:32,840 --> 00:20:37,000 Speaker 1: so when we sell them directly from our foundation website, 401 00:20:37,119 --> 00:20:40,480 Speaker 1: we get a much larger percentage of the funds, and 402 00:20:40,520 --> 00:20:43,800 Speaker 1: you know that your funds are directly going to helping 403 00:20:44,280 --> 00:20:48,119 Speaker 1: kids read at grade level here in the Houston area 404 00:20:48,160 --> 00:20:50,800 Speaker 1: as well as UM Dallas. And then we also do 405 00:20:50,880 --> 00:20:53,159 Speaker 1: our reading with the pros event all over the country 406 00:20:53,280 --> 00:20:55,639 Speaker 1: when we go to very super Bowls. You know, we 407 00:20:55,680 --> 00:20:59,560 Speaker 1: went to San Francisco, we went to Arizona, all the 408 00:21:01,280 --> 00:21:05,200 Speaker 1: intoler in Atlanta, no question. 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