The Chris Voss Show - The Chris Voss Show Podcast – Grade School: How Teachers Can Change Your Life: A Memoir by Anthony Massucci

Episode Date: May 21, 2025

Grade School: How Teachers Can Change Your Life: A Memoir by Anthony Massucci Amazon.com WHO ARE YOUR 5 PEOPLE? FIND YOUR UNEXPECTED HEROES IN GRADE SCHOOL. In Grade School, Anthony Massucci shares a deeply personal and inspiring memoir about the transformative power of unexpected support. His childhood, marked by struggles at home, was illuminated by the unwavering kindness and encouragement of his grade school teachers. Their influence shaped his attitude, spirit, and future and serves as a beacon of hope for anyone facing challenges. At a time when many might retreat inward, Anthony chose to lean into the support system that formed around him. Beyond his mother, siblings, and extended family, his teachers became unexpected caregivers who propelled him forward. Anthony’s story reminds us that no matter how alone we may feel during life’s challenges— whether it’s grief, abuse, divorce, or significant transitions—some people care and are ready to extend their kindness. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM GRADE SCHOOL: THE POWER OF SUPPORT SYSTEMS: Discover how your family, friends, and unexpected mentors can lift you up during difficult times. BEING OPEN TO KINDNESS: Learn to actively recognize and embrace the kindness and care surrounding you—even when you feel isolated. LESSONS FROM TEACHERS WHO TRANSFORM LIVES: Explore how educators can leave a lasting impact through encouragement, wisdom, and genuine belief in their students. BUILDING RESILIENCE IN DIFFICULT TIMES: Find inspiration in Anthony’s journey of perseverance and learn how to forge your path forward with the help of others. FINDING YOUR “FIVE PEOPLE”: Reflect on the surprising individuals who may help guide and support you. This concept, often referred to as ‘your five people’, suggests that the people you surround yourself with significantly impact your life and can influence your personal growth and success. Grade School is a heartfelt tribute to those who show up when we need them most. Open your heart, and you may be surprised by who steps forward.About the author ANTHONY MASSUCCI is an author and former Bloomberg News and Time Warner AOL Daily Finance journalist and Bloomberg TV broadcaster. For the past decade, he has run his own media firm, HiAnthony Media. He lives in Manhattan, New York, with his son and daughter

You wanted the best. You've got the best podcast, the hottest podcast in the world. The Chris Voss Show, the preeminent podcast with guests so smart you may experience serious brain bleed. The CEOs, authors, thought leaders, visionaries and motivators. Get ready, get ready. Strap yourself in. Keep your hands, arms, and legs inside the vehicle at all times. Cause you're about to go on a monster education rollercoaster with your brain.

Now, here's your host, Chris Voss. Hi folks, it's Voss here from the Chris Voss Show. Dot com. Ladies and gentlemen, the only thing sings it. That makes it official. Welcome to 16 years and 24 on episodes of the Chris Voss Show and my back is tired. I just flew all the way here and my arms are burnt out. Anyway, that's an old joke. Welcome to the show, folks.

We have an amazing author on the show. Today we're going to be talking to him. But in the meantime, go to Goodreads.com, Forch has Chris Voss, LinkedIn.com, Forch has Chris Voss, Chris Voss One on the TikTok and Chris Foss, Facebook.com. Today we have Anthony Masucci, a good friend of mine joins me on the show. I guess I should probably just close your good friend of mine. He at least he tells me that I am or I tell him that he is or one of the two. I think we agree on it.

He's the author of the latest book to come out April 8th, 2025. It is entitled, Grade School, How Teachers Can Change Your Life, The Memoir. We're going to get into some of the details because my mom was a teacher for 20 years. My sister was a teacher for a lot of years, and she still has people come up to her and tell her how much they change your life. I've been hiding from all my teachers because they flaunt me most in high school, but they made a difference in my life. Anthony is an author and former Bloomberg News and Time Warner AOL daily finance journalist and Bloomberg TV

Broadcaster for the last decade. He has run his own media firm. Hi Anthony media He lives in Manhattan, New York and with his son and daughter. Welcome to show Anthony. How are you? Chris doing great. So glad to be here. Welcome to the show, Anthony. How are you? Chris, doing great. So glad to be here. Thanks for having me on. Good to see you. Glad to have you as well.

You were part of the original accountability crew that helped write my book, Beacon's of Leadership, and you were taking a little bit longer, and after three or four years, here we are. Five years? Four years. Here we are. We finally got the book done. It's not about how long it takes. it's about how you finally get it done.

So that's what she said. So Anthony, give us a dot coms, where can people find you on the interwebs? Best easiest place is hiAnthony, like this friendly Anthony, not this kind of Anthony, dot com. You know, all my social medias are there. I'm pretty active on hiAnthony on Twitter, on X also, Hi Anthony on Instagram, but basically Hi Anthony everywhere. If you can't remember where, just go to hianthony.com and you'll find me.

Mad Fientist- If you ever get tired of that brand and just move to Denver, put that GH on the end of hi and then just get yourself one of those, what do they call those things where you look like Bob Marley, the hair. Oh yeah, the Rastafari hair. Yeah, Rastafari hair, you know, and then you can just change it to, it's high Anthony. So Anthony, give us a 30,000 overview of what's inside your new boot. So basically I had a rough time as a child while I was in grade school and things were rough at home.

And when I went to school, these teachers were just delightful, loving, kind, generous, supportive. As I've gotten older and my own kids went through their grade school and middle school, I really could see how much teachers are making a difference in their life. Confidence, friends, just someone they can lean on, someone they can trust. For myself, when people get to know me, they'll often say, they hear about my childhood, they'll say, well, it turned out so well, how come? And I give a lot of credit to, I had a great aunt and uncle, my mom, my siblings,

but also these teachers in my life, first grade, second, third, fourth, fifth, they all gave me love, kindness, tenderness, friendship, and support when I needed it. You know, maybe just a couple nights a week, things weren't so great at home, but then I would go to school and really feel uplifted and supported by these teachers. And that really is what the book's all about. It's a thank you note, a love letter to these teachers and teachers for all of us who impact our lives. Pete Slauson Yeah. I mean, teachers, mentors, coaches, I mean, we can have so many different ways that things

can do, but man, in that early shaping, in my stories, in my book, I talked about how I purposely flunked a bunch of classes in high school because I didn't need them. I needed like 26 credits and they wanted me to do like 45. And me in an early age of either being ignorant or being too smart for my own good, I basically went to those teachers that I didn't need the thing and said, I'm not going to work for something I don't need to pass high school and I'm going to flunk your class. Or I think I started flunking the class and they're like, why are you flunking my class? And then I told them. And so I literally cut a deal with four or five teachers that I didn't

need to complete their classes. They were like, if you're not going to be in my class, I don't want you here. And what I'm going to do is they're going to mark you here and you can go someplace else because I'm not going to be offended the fact that you won't learn while you're in my class. And I was like, fair deal. So two days, we had those AB days. So I think it was four classes on each day. So two on each of the days, I had two, three hours of going to all my lunches with my friends, going to, we'd of going to all my lunches

with my friends, going to, we'd walk down to pizza and have lunches. But the irony is, is that some of those teachers that flunked me, especially ones that flunked me because I was still in the class and did some shit, they actually had the biggest impact on me. And I love those teachers the most.

So it really was about the grades and I probably learned more from them than the F-bomb that they gave me. Well, there is that human element, right? And that's the thing. For example, I have two kids, they're teenagers, they've gone through school and often as parents, we think of, we might complain if the teacher isn't doing a great job with our kid or he might really push on, you know, maybe the math teacher, is it the greatest math teacher? But what if there's someone you're like in your case, that your

child can really lean on or someone they look up to or someone they go to for advice? I mean, teachers are spending a lot of time with our kids, right? Or then maybe some in some some roles, like maybe even more than some parents. But if nothing else, certainly more than babysitters who were vetting or other people, coaches who were vetting a lot. But teachers, we're thinking about them, sure, they need to do their job. They are a teacher. We want them to be good teachers.

But what if they're a support person or someone who's giving your child a lot of love or kindness? Or even like in your case, you can have a real connection and a conversation. They understood where you were coming from. You were, they understood where you were coming from, you were able to share where you were coming from. And it just, there is some element of humanity that I think is overlooked with the role of a teacher and the lives of all of us. Pete Slauson Yeah. And they have such a, you know, we're at that impactful age. But you know, I can, you know, I remember reading that a lot of,

they had to start serving breakfast in school because they found that a lot of kids who were coming to schools in the last 20 years or so, a lot of them hadn't had a good breakfast. And when they don't, they overreact or they overact or, you know, I have high anxiety if you don't feed me. And also they just weren't soaking up data because they're hungry and have any food. And it's kind of integral when you're growing like a weed to get some food. Hey, I remember those, remember those pains used to have when you're a kid, the growing pains, your muscles, your ligaments would like, that was, that was the worst man.

Uh, I remember that maybe childhood wasn't so great after all, but you know, in your case, good teachers helping good. Yeah. Yeah. And, and, and, but giving that support and realizing how important it is for these teachers. And then, you know, some, a lot of kids as home life isn't great. Sometimes the bullies are the ones that usually have a really abusive sort of ugly home life. I remember we had some bullies that were twins and you know, their, their parents used to beat them. And so they come to school

and beat everybody else. So itlauson So, they're just saying hurt people, hurt people. Pete Slauson I've seen that in 57 years. Might have been one of them a couple times. I've made mistakes. So, talk to us about the book leads off or the engagement leads off. Who are your five people? What is the concept behind the five people? Pete Slauson So, the concept that I'm taking with the book is finding your five people. In this case for me, first, second, third, fourth, fifth grade, these teachers, three of them are older ladies. One was a very young woman just out of college.

Another was a like 30 something, six foot two, cool black guy who was my fifth grade teacher who was a bit of a father figure. My fourth grade teacher, she was this young lady just out of college and I had a big crush on her, but she took me to Ocean World like on a Saturday. We got to be buddies, right? So she offered for me to bring my buddy, my friend Perry, but he at the last minute couldn't make it. And then just first, second and third grade, when things were especially tough at home, one of the teachers brought me some of her son's stuff who was going off to college. Another teacher knew that I liked peanuts comics, so she would bring in these extra old peanuts comic strip books when we were younger. It's just first grade teacher, it was in Queens in first grade, my folks were going through

a divorce and she argued against adding a 33rd kid to her class. And then right in front of me and my mom and the principal, and then the next day I was sitting on her lap reading to the class. Two days later, we were watching my favorite show. And it just, the story in this case, what I'm saying is these five people, whether they spoke to each other or not, independently, but together as a group, really gave me support at a time where it was super important for me to get support. So what I'm saying, the bigger message of the book is for all of us, when you go through a rough time, let's say it's divorce or death of a parent or just something

really difficult, there are almost always five people around us at that point of our life. It could be a friend from a bowling team. It could be somebody you know through social media. Who are your five people to get you through a tough time? And my argument is that the people are there, but often when we're going through a tough time, we get introverted or we go inward and we feel alone. And we're not really looking for help. We're not looking for support.

We're feeling maybe a little isolated because sometimes either we're feeling sorry for ourself or we're just mired in our pain. Right? So what I'm saying is that those times when it's most sort of difficult, look for help. There is a support system out there. There are people who want to help and the reward is in it for them. So people who are helping you, there's a gift in them helping you for that person who's helping. So you're almost, in a weird way, in a roundabout way, stealing from the person by not letting them help. So in this case, here I had these five amazing teachers independent of each other giving me help over a five-year period who ended

up being my five people. And I think that we all have those support people in our lives. It's just, hopefully people who read the book are then going to turn around and look for that, recognize, man, I'm going through a tough time. And then even when I was going through a divorce, there were five dads in my community who rallied around, babysitting and we're going to go out for drinks if somebody's watching the kids or whatever. Just, you know, it wasn't necessarily like my best buddy or a guy I went to high school with. It was people who were in my community who recognized that I was going through a tough time and stepped up. It was just that. That is my theory. Besides what happened, which I think is a really good read, I wrote it like a novel. It's a memoir of

my life as a kid, but I wrote it, I was a former journalist, so I wrote it in a way that it would be an interesting read as if you were reading a novel with a beginning, a middle, and an end, an arc, a peak, so to speak, and hopefully an ending that you'll enjoy reading. But also the lesson, the takeaway is that there are support people in our lives and just be at least be able to recognize that when you need it the most. It wasn't for these teachers, you would never have reached the pinnacle of your career getting on the Chris Vasha. Chris Exactly. Pete Something like that.

Chris Or another book about that. Pete So, the power of support systems, I think that qualifies in there, discovering how unexpected mentors can live Jeff during difficult times. You know, it's important to reach out too and have that circle. I mean, I've always believed in a social net, a social circle, having good friends around you. When people get isolated and they're going through dark times, bad things can happen. And you know, you turn to drugs or drinking or podcasting, you know, all those evil things. And the less isolated, the better. And I mean, obviously we all need to reflect sometimes, but be active, get in communities.

The more you're out there doing things, the more likely you're going to get that support. For me, I was going to school every day, whether I liked it or not. Luckily for me, there were support people there waiting for me. I see with my own kids, they have a great supportive mom, they have me as a supportive dad, but there are definitely teachers who are integral and important in shaping them as the amazing little people that they are, or many adults at this point. And I even recognize that with my own kids, seeing that maybe there's a confidant or someone who they can trust that's just a different voice a different year like with you telling these teachers

Hey, here's what I'm doing. Did you did you tell your folks that you were doing this? When you were going through high school and you took that strategy of not dialing into the classes I'm sorry. You were asking me questions Like when you were when you were doing that with your high school teachers, when you made them, when you kind of cut those deals, did your folks know you were doing that? No. In fact, my mom found out about it when she read the book. She had no idea what was going on with you as a kid.

So that's what I mean. Like there's a certain element of, but you understood the dynamic and the connection and you were able to create that, something that worked for you and worked for them. That's the definition. Pete I've flunked a lot of classes. I wasn't that a good student or I got like D minuses. I really, I had ADHD really bad. OCD, ADHD. My teachers hated me because I would drum on the desk and do stuff because my brain was overactive. But most of the teachers that gave me the worst grades were some of my most revered teachers.

But I just somehow, I was smart enough, I guess I was smart for a kid. I know let's not push it, but we've seen the end result. As a kid, I was smart enough to recognize that the grades didn't matter. The grades weren't me. And that what really mattered more was I learned. And to this day, content that I talk about in the show and history, the book, Denial of Death and psychiatry, I think I flunked or D-ed my way through that class in psychology, I still cite a lot of the data and keep it, and it's funny. And if I ever met any of those teachers,

I would give a big hug and reach out to them and say, you know, you're one of my favorite teachers. They'd probably be shocked. You're like, I thought you were in shock. Yeah, there probably would be this day. I should have all my teachers on the show. Did you reach out to any of your teachers for the book? I've actually been to school a few times. I even went most recently, this is past week and for privacy reasons,

they're not allowed to give out the information. Yeah. But I haven't been able to connect with any of the five, but I did put in the acknowledge page on the back, my name and my email for if anyone in the families of the teachers. That would be cool. That would be so great. I would certainly interview them and have them on. The only problem is we're in our 50s, so most of our teachers have probably passed on. Yeah, I would say fourth and fifth grade teachers is true. I thought of that. My fourth grade teacher, she was 23 when I was 10. My fifth grade teacher was probably under 30 also. Yeah. Too likely would still be. We're next up on the docket. So there's not many left before us at this pace. We're getting the interview done today. Yeah. Yeah. We might kill off tomorrow. Bus will hit us. You're in New York. So bus will probably

hit you more likely. Yeah. Taxi taxis probably the number one way you die in New York. Is that taxis? I'm not sure. That's true too. Or air pollution. Jesus. Yeah, taxi, taxi's probably, is that the number one way you die in New York? Isn't that? Taxis? Get run over with. It's the noise pollution, I'm not sure. That's true too. Or air pollution, Jesus. By the way, your story sounds so similar to Gary Vaynerchuk, Gary Vee, we talked about

before. Really? Yeah. He also had a difficulty in school, low grades, but teachers who supported him anyway, so it's interesting. Yeah. I mean, if he doesn't have OCD and ADHD, then I don't know, there's a lot of mirrors and razor blades going on, but he, he seems to have a lot of natural

energy like I did when I was bouncing off the walls. And it's a great, I mean, it's a CO disease, the OCD and the ADHD, but man, it's a bitch. I had beaten mine with old age and just dragging my body all these 57 years. And then two years ago, I got on, I got on testosterone treatment because my free was a little low and some of a bitch that came back like I was all, so to speak. And then, yeah. And then I got my OCD, ADHD, you know, now it's just, I'm going to constant battle, scroll, scroll, scroll. But you know, I feel great and 35 and putting on muscle. And you know, the great thing about teachers, they have such a beauty of vision.

There's a thing that is indicative of human nature that hope renews us. And it's one of the beautiful things about us as human beings, because no matter what sort of stupid ass shit we get ourselves into, we still seem to find this beauty of hope in sometimes in the most darkness times. And teachers really help design that. What do you think makes a great teacher in your study, in your book, in your research of what you did, what do you think were the aspects of the teachers that made the biggest impact on you? I would say emotional intelligence.

I mean, I think that's a fancy word or a more modern word than when I was a kid in this school. But I think being able to tune in and understand who's not getting support at home or who may be a bratty kid in class, but for reasons that they're able to into it. Right? So I think just emotional intelligence, maybe a teacher who's seen enough different kids, seen the behavior patterns, recognizing the patterns and then understanding this kid needs some hard love, this kid needs some attention, this kid needs someone to really just sit down and look into their eye and ask what's going on. So just, you know, there's a little bit of psychologist involved with being a teacher, but I think so much the human element really being able to tune in after you've seen enough kids

come and go, after you've seen enough kids with Ds and Cs or As and Bs, you kind of get a nuance of who's going to learn, who's going to pay attention, who's going to participate. But then those who aren't, is there a reason that they're not more than just they don't care? But if there is, can that kid be connected with or saved, so to speak? But I think so much of it is emotional intelligence. And then I've talked to a bunch of teachers and I think they do recognize when there's a kid from either a troubled home or somebody who isn't being treated well or just isn't

getting the love. And so they're acting out in school. And not everybody reacts the same way. So I think it's the more the teacher can recognize where the problem kids are and the ones that they can help. That's the most valuable thing. Even I think being a great teacher, it's hard to top that. But after being a great teacher and influencing through actual education and teaching, I think then the human element is so important. Pete Slauson And teachers are a special breed

because I could never be a teacher of children. I wanna choke my employees out half the time and they're adults for stupid shit. The fact that it could be about a bunch of fourth grade, rambunctious kids that are bouncing off the walls, they got all the energy and you're trying to fill them with some sort of intelligence or, you know, I mean, some life skills, you know, the, I mean, just God bless them.

God bless them. Because I don't know that I would do so well. Not everybody's cut out for that. To be that person connecting with the kids. I mean, I'd be that teacher where they come in the classroom and they're like, why is everyone duct taped? Are there chairs in their mouth duct taped? I mean, I'm the taped? They're learning.

He just read the paper the whole time. We were like a sitting teacher and you're Mr. Dougherty and he just read the paper and as long as we did whatever was in the book assignment and we asked him a couple of questions, but it takes all kinds of teachers to make it work. But at the end of the day, if someone is paying enough attention and tuned in to who you are and can connect with you, I went to a high school reunion a couple of weeks ago for my end, and there was one kid who sat behind me who was really dialed out and he just didn't want to be there.

He's definitely a troubled kid. And I said to him, but we had this really excellent teacher, first hour, a psychology teacher, and he was also a sociology teacher. And I said, did that guy get through to you? And his name was Anthony. And he said, no. And I was shocked because I thought this guy got through to all of us, but he just had that instinct about him, the teacher. But in any case, he didn't. And it was cool that the kid answered honestly. And there's even been a few people that I've met since the book has come out that, or even in writing

of the book, who are surprised that they can't remember a favorite teacher or a teacher who impacted them. There are people out there who don't, but often most people do have one teacher or two teachers come to mind who really made a difference in their lives. And it's really great if nothing else, the book has been such a great talking point and getting people to talk about teachers who have impacted them, changed their life, made a big difference. And, you know, I'm happy and thrilled to have those conversations. Pete Slauson Yeah. I don't know if my mom will get upset with me, but my mom, I think we talked before the show, she lives in the same city she taught in. And so, she's constantly bumping into people that are

like, hey, I went to your school or my sister went to your school. She teaches multi-generations went to your school or my sister went to your school. She teaches multi-generations in her time. And so sometimes she has, you know, like the, the mother and the child or something or whatever, but they're all grown up now. I think she's been retired for about 20 years or so. So she's kind of seeing how the, the end game turned out. And it's funny. She'll, she'll tell stories sometimes where she'll meet someone.

She'll be like, Hey, it's, you know, it's Fred, the teacher, it's Fred from, you know, school and oh, you're my teacher and stuff or, you know, whatever the name or scenario is a boy or girl. And she'll be thinking in her head, Oh shit. I remember you, you were the shit kid. You were the pain in my ass in class. I was ready to box your ears or something. I was reading a book, your ears or something. I'm just putting words in her mouth at this point. But you know, she, she'll

immediately go, Oh God, this is, this is that one. The one that drove me crazy all year. Drove me crazy. And you know what's funny? They'll always tell her you had the biggest impact in my life as a teacher. You helped me change my life and be, and be better and yada, yada, yada. And that's the power. Pete Slauson Yes. Pete Slauson I mean, that really is. Can you share with us maybe a story of, did you identify any teacher as being the number one most influential on you and maybe why? Maybe

some of the things she did or stories that she did that impact you? Jared Slauson Yeah, in grade school, it was definitely my fourth grade teacher, Ms. Shelton. It was her first job. She had just gotten out of college. And she just recognized really more than any of my other teachers what was going on at home. So she slowly, as the year went on, when I would get my work done quickly, I'd go to the back of the room for bonus reading, whatever, she would just sit and chat with me sometimes outside the room and just tune in know, just tune in to what's happening. How are you doing? How's life at home? Without being so direct, she just

understood and got to know me well and tuned in. It just made me feel comfortable and open to her kindness. Like rather than, you know, she kind of worked and over time I was just more open and honest with her and she really And she really, I remember thinking like, oh, she should get married and have kids. She just, see, she had this like mothering skill, right? And yeah, for sure she was the most impactful. And then in the spring of that year, we actually on a Saturday went up going to what was like Sea World, but it was called Ocean World in South Florida, the dolphins and the whales, whatever. Back then, a fourth grade teacher coming over and honk honk and running out and spending the day, that was

actually what happened. Nobody would object. Back then, now, I'm sure people would object. But the point is there was that level of comfort and kindness, and she probably enjoyed my company. I was just a charming little guy with, you know, happy to- Your little Italian New York charm you. That's right. And I did have a crush on her. And when I walked over to school, me and my brother walked to 7-eleven to get Slurpees and I would watch for her car, second wave, you know, just, but she just really connected with me and really got me to love reading even

more. She would ask me a lot about the books I was reading, brought in extra books for me to read because I was going through a lot of books at that age and just really embraced me. But the human element was what stays with me the most all these years later. It was very kind and sweet and loved that about her. Pete It's just so interesting how they shape our life and it's so great that you painted on mushroom. I got an idea for a second book for you. I'm just a marker. I don't mean to tell people what they should, you should write this. Like I know what's good in the world. Have you seen me lately? But you know, it'd be fun for a second book or documentary to support this book.

You go, you go, I don't want to say hunt down. I was going to say hunt down. You want to go find maybe one of those teachers, some of those teachers and becomes like a journey. And you know, maybe you can check DNA or whatever. Pete Slauson Documenting that journey. Pete Slauson And then you go find them, you interview them. And I don't know, might be good, might be awful, I don't know. It might be just like I said, I'm 57, you don't need to disclose that on the show. But you know, we're kind of old, you know, but I mean, there might be someone in a rest home or something or whatever. And it'd be

funny if you could get a crotchy old one to be like, you are the worst student I hated you. I can't believe you haven't turned into something. That would be hilarious. There is one high school teacher that I would like to find that had a big impact also, and I'll see. So if I can find it, maybe there's a book there. I had a math or English teacher, I can't remember which it was, that had a lot of impact on me.

He had a big paddleboard that was about like this big. So it had a handle. It looked like one of those things you could use for cutting board or something like that with a handle on it. And this thing was thick, it was like this thick. And to add terror to it, he drilled like 16, 18 holes in it. So when he would slam it on the desk, it would make even more sound. And what he would do is if you weren't paying attention or you're being a head, he would come slamming on the desk. And I remember looking at that, going,

that's an accident waiting to happen. And sure enough, he eventually got a kid's hand and that was the end of that. But so, you know, some teachers have more impact. That's the joke that, Oh, he would hit that. I mean, if you were paying, I think he did it to me once I was dawdling off with my OCD and he came up, slammed that thing on your desk. Oh, he would smack the student's desk, not his own. Yeah, he'd smack to your desk.

That's why somebody would go. You'd have to be really out of tune and not see him on approach or sometimes he'd just, he'd sneak around you because he'd be orientating and he'd come around you and you'd just be like, you know, I was 12 thinking about girls. We're not going to get into how much my math teacher influenced me at 12 in my math class and she was really hot and had a crush on her. That's another story. I think that's book two, how teachers sexually broke me for life. But they do, they do more. I'm really kind of disappointed. I feel ripped off that we didn't have the kind of female teachers that we seem to have. That's a difference.

Well, times have definitely changed, but I do think universally the teachers still make big impact. You know, from your mom on to teachers, my own kids. So yeah, it's a great, it's a great role for somebody. I know being a teacher isn't for everyone. Plenty of people get soured by the educational system, lots of reasons. But if you can stick it out, I think there's a lot of rewards in doing it. And I mean, my mom's, I think the rewards of, of having the people come up to her, I don't know, I don't have to ask her. I don't think anyone's ever come up to her and go, I hated you as a teacher. You were too mean to me. Hopefully they didn't say it. And I would expect that some of my teachers up to her and go, I hated you as a teacher, you were too mean to me. Hopefully they didn't say anything.

I would expect that some of my teachers that flunked me and I got horrible grades and I didn't, I basically just tried to D-minus through most of those classes that I had to pass. Because I realized, my parents weren't rich, I was gonna have a Pell Grant going to college, I realized I wasn't going to Harvard. And I was stupid as shit, although I don't know,

now that I read the book and my story, it's pretty fucking smart. I mean, in high school, I figured out that you would have to take, I think it was like 52 credits that you would get if you took all the classes and pass them, but I only needed 26. So my brain went, why the fuck do I need to do the extra work? Why, why get all 52? Kind of the reason I became an entrepreneur and like, I can work for

others and do work and I can just work for myself and sit around all day, which is what I do now. The yeah, that's part of this. You are sitting. Yeah. You think I also have don't have pants on. So there's that.

Horrifying my whole audience. I'm wearing shorts. He's in the room the whole time. Yeah. I, thankfully that became like a thing in, in over COVID. You would see those newscasters and they like have the top suit on and then below they're just kind of in some shorts. Mr.

Wonderful on Shark Tank. Uh, Kevin O'Leary. He's famous. Yeah. I think we have, we talked with Jack Taper, Tapper's people about coming on for his new book on Biden. And I think we're going to book him for the show. We had a booked and then his novel didn't do so well.

And so they killed like everybody like right away, but this book's a nonfiction and hopefully they'll book him once we get the schedule arranged, but we're chats with him, but yeah, I remember seeing him, I think he did that a couple times during the COVID thing, but that's how we met during COVID. Yeah. Crazy times. So there you go. Those were good days.

Clubhouse. I remember that. And we were just all hanging out and building community and waiting for the world to end arm again. Who knew we just had to wait till 2025. It was the modern day CB radio. Just more, that was great. Those were good times.

We were all huddled in our basements. I mean, it was almost nightly. We did the chats on the phone, but it felt like, yeah. I mean, I ran an open mic all day long and were sitting in audiences all day long with one of my spare phones. And people would follow me because they'd see me in there with the logo and stuff. You did predict that when COVID ended that Clubhouse would become popular. Yeah.

Right. And a lot of us in the group did not share your vision of what reality would be. Yeah. A lot of people, I mean, I have that whenever I predicted Google plus would fail and fold and boy, I got arrows for that. They were not happy because you have people that had millions of followers and you know, they built their brand on it. I think Chris Brogan had written a book five minutes after it launched about how to use Google plus. And he's a great man and great writer and great book author.

The people were like, wait, shouldn't you like give it another week before? And then there were people that were making money off of clubhouse. They were trust. Yeah. There were people making money. Yeah. There was one gal she was selling was like an $18,000 course on how to make money at clubhouse and Excel at being a speaker in clubhouse, you know, and if you give me $18,000 folks, I'll tell you how to a speaker in clubhouse. You know, and if you give me $18,000

folks, I'll tell you how to be successful in podcasting. It's weird how that works. It's weird how that works. So I'm not writing any checks, but keep up the good work. Now you've done some work with Gary Vaynerchuk over the years. I know you appeared on his podcast before mine. I feel slighted that you would do his before mine. No, I'm just kidding. He's a wonderful guy. I do his podcast first too. I did meet him before I met you, so it's a good opportunity. Oh, okay. All right. So I'm not more important than Gary. I see where we're going here with this thing. Back in 2009, I was a social media journalist at AOL Daily Finance. He was an up-and-coming

influencer doing wine and doing a lot of cool stuff. I think he did the Letterman back then. He was Jimmy Fallon. Anyway, he was a bowling alley in 2009 and invited those of us who wanted to join him. It was just like an open Twitter tweet, hey, whoever wants to come to the end. That's how I met him in 2000. He just followed his career and did buy some NFTs in 2021 and got into the whole world of eFriends and just got to know him better and better over the last five to 15 years. But as a former tech journalist, it was fun watching his career grow. Like you, with predictions, he had predicted how influencers and social media would become

sort of more important than network television, for example. And at the time where he said that, it seemed like malarkey. Yeah. And it all happened. So he's done a good job of keeping his finger on the pulse. Oh yeah. And he has a huge agency, I think still. He's got three podcasts. You know, all from that wine business back in the day. I remember the wine shop and still has it and he's done well. Just he's created a media company after that. And yeah, I think it doesn't have any interest in the jets now.

He doesn't, but he would like to. I don't think he has. I don't think he has any. Probably a good investment. He wants to buy it one day. I mean the way they're going, you know, I mean, the jets not getting any cheaper, but he's he's doing well that Aaron What's his name Aaron? Anyway, it's a that guy from Green Bay who they hired the poor Jets hired and he

Did you coach know the Aaron Rodgers? Oh Aaron back? He goes and plays his first game and he's out. Yeah Play last year. They didn't have such a great year, but I'm a Dolphins fan, so I'm happy. Yeah, that's true. That's true. The speaking of, speaking of, of, of football teams that never go to the Superbowl, but you guys have Marino and then Marino go to the Cowboys. He actually retired. He was thinking of things or, or, but he didn't do it, but he retired in 99. My son is 17 and not a Dolphins fan because they've been pretty mediocre his whole life. And I'm a Raiders fan. My father's a Ravens fan, so he's... Yeah.

But they've been a pretty good team. I've been a Raiders fan and the last 20, 25 years have been really hard. I think we're paying three ex-coaches now money and we just hired a fourth coach. That really is... They might not have a bad year this year. paying three ex coaches now money and we just hired a fourth coach. That is a, that really is. They might not have a bad year this year. Mr. Mr. Gruden. I mean, I think he's a funny dude, wonderful, horrible coach, which is weird because I had some good stuff, but you know, maybe giving someone a hundred million dollar 10 year deal before they even hit the ground is, you know, they did that with a

couple of the first round picks too, and they blew out. Yes. What are you going to do? So what do you hope people come away with when they read your book? What do you hope the end game is maybe for them? I mean, I really hope that they come away with some hope more than them when they started the book. But I think mostly just recognizing that when things get tough, there are people just to understand,

recognize, especially it's so tough when you're having a rough moment. So that's where I hope they take away the message of the book so that when things do get tough in their life, they are open to seeing that there are people around them who want to help. Reach out, maybe they want to bring food, maybe they want to take you out for breakfast or lunch, or maybe they just want to become a friend you can lean on. Just understanding that there are people, support systems, communities who are around you and just being open to it rather than going in sort of a negative direction that's

created like spiraling negative. Instead, when things are feeling a little off, let somebody reach out to you and pull you up. Yeah. As I said, there was a gift in it for that person too. So there's something there. Yeah. Yeah. You know, one of the things about teachers too

is we need to support them and give them extra love. You know, my mom, when I was a kid and probably when you were a kid, if you, you know, I remember one time we said something shitty to our teacher or something or did something shitty in class. And ma'am, I came home, I think my parents, they met with the teacher in the school. They came home and I was grounded, beaten severely. What?

What? There's back in those days, people, they had corporal punishment and we need to bring it back, excuse me. So I've seen Gen Z and I'm not impressed. I tease the Gen Z years, but honestly they made me call up my teacher on the phone and apologize. And that was probably one of the hardest things I ever did in my life. But man, it was a skill builder. Taught me character, taught me to say I'm sorry, that it's okay to apologize. And it's important to be wrong. And boy, we sure could use that today.

But, you know, starting with Reagan's liberalism to try and destroy schools and actually destroy free colleges back then that were prevalent. You know, I watched my mother be under attack from Republican legislatures for most of her career. And her class sizes would double, they would triple. And so the work that she would have to put in was just enormous. And then there was this changeover of accountability where I moved from a masculine meritocracy to basically a matriarchy. And suddenly self-accountability was gone and people would blame the teacher for why the student was acting out or being bad or, you know, not as the case.

Yeah. They will get the blame. I mean, I think they're undervalued, underappreciated, certainly underpaid. And that's one of the reasons I wrote this book is so that all those things would hopefully change. But if nothing else, to recognize that the teachers are present in the lives of our kids in a way that is even greater than being a teacher. This is a person who's out there, multiple teachers, coaches, who are spending time with

our kids, hours and influence, it's all there. And I think that, yes, unlike any group, there are bad apples, certainly. The world is not perfect, but there's so many of them making beautiful impacts in our lives and the lives of our kids. And if that's recognized even a little bit more, then I'm glad this is out there and I'm glad it's helping. Pete Slauson Teachers don't do it for the money, man. You don't get paid a lot. Jared Liesvold It's true.

Pete Slauson I mean, my mom had a great package compared to what teachers get. She has like a gold health retirement insurance thing that they don't give out anymore to teachers. I mean, it's crazy. And I remember one time she called me and she said, oh, I just got back from the craft store, spent 250 bucks, buy all this stuff, and I can't wait to set up what she was, she probably working on some art piece for Thanksgiving or Christmas, some big setup, the kids always liked. And I remember saying to her, because I'm used to running companies and anything I do, I expense, right? I'm expensing this right now. And she goes, no, they don't

reimburse us for that. I'm like, what? You're spending 250 every month? And I goes, no, they don't reimburse us for that. I'm like, what? 250, you're spending 250 every month? And I mean, it managed to vary, but she was spending her own bloody money on top of it. I heard that story from my niece who lives in New Jersey, so yeah, similar. Yeah, there's a lot of, but I think you're right. The teachers really do it for the love.

And I think they are connecting with the kids and they are connecting with them. That's why they're more emotionally willing to participate with our kids or just spend their own money for the better of the class, that kind of thing. And I'm sure there's giant rewards for the teachers too, but yeah, I think for me, the more we can recognize what they're doing and give them love and appreciation, and maybe if they get paid a few more bucks, even better. Yeah. Let's let the Pentagon have a bake sale.

Exactly. For a Learjet, whatever, I don't know, F35. Let's give the money to the kids. But you kind of see how the dissolving and delusion of education has really impacted us, taking away civics. We see it with young boys taking away recess. You know, they've got all this bottle of energy. There's a lot of conversation on the show about that.

But you know, these, we need to celebrate teachers more in the contribution they give. And you know, the one thing you kind of go through life with and you hope that when you come to the other side, you will, you know, you'll make a difference in life. You know, when you get to the end of your road, you can say you changed people's lives. That's part of the reason I knew the podcast. People are like, you fucked up my life with your stupid ass shit. And I'm like, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I get it.

Yes. To make an impact. We give something and leave the world hopefully a better place than we came, which will probably have for you, but not for me because people have seen me and the judge says I can't do the things I'm doing anymore. So I'll get my six ankle bracelet off next week. So I'll be down to five. Yeah. It's like a Christmas tree when it lights up and beeps. It's scary. Just don't go swimming in it because at five you get shocked, but maybe that's the purpose. I'll learn my lesson one of these days.

Anything more we're going to talk about, anything you're working on, maybe a second book or a future book or anything? I mean, we'll see on the second book. I just wrapped up this week the audio book of this. Oh, that's right. So, we're in the studio here in New York working with a great team of people. A lot of fun to do it. And so it'll be, it's already, it'll be hardcover paperback,

audiobook, ebook, the whole gamut. Pete Slauson The whole gamut. Jared Slauson Oh, give them, you know what? It's a great end of year gift for teachers. Pete Slauson Oh, give one to your teacher. Yeah, I love that idea. Jared Slauson Right. Pete Slauson Tell them how much you appreciate it. You know, maybe you could go read this in some classes and, you. And I've been invited to schools and they want me to

inspire them. And of course, sadly, the teacher kicks me out and goes, they don't need to learn how to spend less money at Spearman Rhino, knock it off. But so I've been there and so I've shared my stories of being a business and starting a business thing and answer their questions. And maybe it'd be good for you. You could go do some school readings. And I don't think schools have libraries anymore like we used to have when we were kids, do they? They do. Some books to libraries and I'm actually a couple of readings at school. So yes, it's

all happening. It's coming together. It's getting good momentum and I'm enjoying, it's opening some doors and I think mostly we're, it's's able just more people are able to hear the message. Pete Yeah. You know, I'm thinking maybe I should do a book on my school years, only I should profile the teachers who were the worst. I put the math guy with the brick, get him to call it the spanker thing. And then, you know, here's the impact teachers make. I remember when I went into my first, you know, I was a kind of a moody young teenager, but I went into my driver's school class and it was this really old salty barker of a man who belligerently and first day just dumped on us and said, you're probably not going

to pass this fucking class. You know, you need to do all this shit. And he was so negative. It destroyed me to the point that I basically rebelled against him. And I went, fuck you. I'm going to, I'm not going to fucking take your past your stupid driving school class, which is pretty stupid because you're trying to get your driver's license. But I was so angry and resentful every time I would go in his class about how negative and dark he had been on the opening day that I just couldn't give it up. And I had to take the class a second time, which was even more painful. But I hated every moment and just want to punch him in the face. Don't do that to your teacher folks. That's where the fifth ankle bracelet is from. Don't do violence, folks. Ever. When I was in the 11th grade, we had an auditorium with a... So the journalism students

all went in and there was a guy who was a journalist for the Miami Herald. Long story short, he hated journalism, told everyone not to do it. He even might've been drunk. He was so off the reservation. But I remember walking away from that presentation by somebody who was basically pooping on what I was planning to do, and I did go into journalism and did well. I thought this guy just is in the wrong job. It didn't mean I shouldn't do it, it just meant he shouldn't be doing it. And I recognized that from the context of the conversation. So it actually made me more dialed into becoming a therapist.

But I- Lestons you learn from even the bad teachers. Correct. Yeah. You can go up to them and be like, you changed my life because you're an asshole, which is pretty much the emails I get on the show. And that's usually when I get the rejection after first dates is you're an asshole. But we had a great dinner. It was a great stay. I look forward to the dating book. I'll read it. Yeah, it's going to be a doozy. So thank you very much, Anthony, for coming on. It was

wonderful to catch up with you. Give us your dot coms as we go out. Yes. Hi, Anthony.com. I will point you in all the right directions, but I'm pretty active on Twitter. Hi, Anthony on X. Hi, on Instagram, and Hi Anthony Book. Also on Instagram, so they're all fun places to find. H.I. folks for those of you who are- Correct. Friendly Anthony. Those of you who are in the Cheech and Chong department a little too much, smoking the doobie. They have a final movie or something. They say it's the final movie or something.

Yeah, I met Chong a few years ago. He had a book tour. Have you really? He had a book tour. It was great. I read it, bought it, got the autograph, did the whole bit. I used to do Cheech, I think. I used to do Cheech back in the day. Dave's not here yet. But I can't do it now, clearly. But yeah, I grew up, I think I was 12 when I got my first album from Cheech and John or 12, something like that.

That's a dying thing. Those are those are your Gen Z. You can Google what album means. And And I wish I'd saved them all, because Jesus Christ, LPs never went away. I just paid like $500 for a box set for Rush. And then there's a Metallica one coming out for several hundred dollars. And I'm like, what the hell is going on? I bought these records like 40 years ago. And I think that newspapers and magazines will have a similar renaissance in the future where if you're holding a New York Times Sunday paper, maybe you'll pay 20 bucks or 50 bucks

and it'll be like a status symbol. Yeah, like only the rich can have newspaper again and get black print all over their hands. Just like we're seeing with these albums, same kind of thing. Yeah. I miss the tactile feature of that, but sadly we come from that generation where I know that may be lost. So what are you going to do? So thank you very much, Andy, for coming on the show. Folks, sort of the book where refined books are sold, it's called Grade School, How Teachers Can Save Your Life, a memoir out April 8th, 2025 by Anthony Masucci. Go to goodreads.com, FortressCrisposs,

linkedin.com, FortressCrisposs, Chrisposs1 on the TikTok, and the all those crazy places. Be good to each other, stay safe. We'll see you next time. Thank you for having us.