Today I’m eager to announce the release of my new book: Nerd’s Guide To Better Grades in High School or College. You can purchase the book on Amazon for $2.99. Check out the full Book Description down below!

Nerd’s Guide To Better Grades in High School or College Book Description

Grades suck, but they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. High school grades are the most important factor of college admissions and determine how rich scholarship money is awarded. College grades, which are viewed as evidence of competence, technical ability, and work ethic, influence internship, postgraduate, and employment decisions. Indeed, while experience wins out in the long run, academic performance plays a pivotal role early in the game.

People tend to conflate grades with intelligence, which simply isn’t true. Anyone can do much better in school by working smarter, regardless of how smart they are. In addition, by taking a strategic angle, students who want to score better grades ensure that none of their hard work goes down the drain. This short book consists of 15 time-tested, fool-proof, nerd-certified tips to improve academic performance. The bulk of them apply to high school, and all of them will come in handy in college where most high school students are headed.

Why did I write this book? Well, I have a reputation for being a bit of an academic nerd. As someone who won a lot of scholarship money and got some cool opportunities to work and travel, I have seen firsthand how good grades can open doors. While the 15 tips naturally derive from my schooling in the US, they are widely applicable to educational systems around the world.

School, to be sure, consists of much more than just grades. Networking, relationships, extracurriculars, and lived experiences are super important, which you can read all about somewhere else. The focus of this book, on the other hand, is more laser-like. If you follow the advice contained herein, your grades will undoubtedly get better. The good news is you don’t have to be a nerd or a genius.

[My new book release, The Art of Learning a Foreign Language, is now available on Amazon!] Today, there more opportunities than ever before to travel and connect with people from all around the world. There is also greater access to quality dictionaries and language learning resources than at any point in history. The benefits of being bilingual and multilingual — culturally, economically, intellectually, and personally — are myriad. Foreign language study is a regular part of many people’s lives, and it is rare to meet someone who never studied a language for any length of time.

Today, I transcribed a clip from WatchMojo.com that ranks the Top 10 most useful languages in the world. Your list may vary depending on where you live, your ethnicity, your interests, and other individual considerations that inform the highly personal decision to study a foreign language.

Check out the complete video and transcript below, in descending order! What languages did they leave out and how would your list — and its underlying rationale — differ?

10. Portuguese

This Ibero-Romance language can be traced back to the Kingdom of Galicia and is rooted in variants of Vulgar Latin with a splash of Celtic phonology for good measure. This, thereby, makes it unique from the language it’s most often compared to, Spanish. While it’s considered more difficult than Spanish, it isn’t much harder than English or French, and shouldn’t be too much trouble to those interested in learning. With over 230 million speakers and the official language of many countries across the globe, including the upcoming economic force of Brazil, Portuguese is fast-becoming a very attractive language to master.

9. Russian

Considered the “easiest” of the hard languages, Russian is spoken by over 250 million people. Understanding Russian and the Cyrillic alphabet can aid in the learning of other languages and is a great foundation to have. It’s also considered a politically important language. Furthermore, if you’re into scientific and technical literature, then Russian is for you, as some of the world’s largest collections on both those subjects are in these East Slavic tongue. Or you could stick with the works of Tolstoy, Bulgakov, and Dostoevsky. As it’s geographically the most widely spoken language of all the Slavic languages, you can find native Russian speakers throughout Eurasia.

8. Japanese

Spoken by 125 million people, Japanese remains useful not only for business and Asian studies but also thanks to the ever-increasing influx of Japanese media in Western culture. Plus, it’s an enjoyable language to learn. On top of all that, you’ll be able to watch your favorite anime and Kurosawa films with the subtitles off. There is a catch, however. Japanese is arguably the most difficult language going. So, get ready to study a lot. Mixing three complex writing systems, levels of formality in speaking, and complex grammar, there’s a lot to know. Don’t let all of that discourage you. Ganbatte — that’s good luck to you.

7. Hindi

Along with English, this Indo-Aryan language, is one of the government of India’s two official languages, and it’s also one of the Republic’s 22 scheduled languages. Boasting over 260 native speakers, it’s one of the top 10 most spoken languages in the world. So, in short, you’d have a lot of people to talk to . While most commonly found in India, it’s also Fiji’s official language and is spoken significantly throughout Mauritius, Diana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. So, if your travel plans have you venturing to any of those countries, Hindi suddenly becomes a useful language to learn. Or, at least, to master a couple of its phrases.

6. Arabic

This ancient Central-Semitic language was first spoken in North-Western Arabia all the way back in the Iron Age. Arabic continues its robust tradition and remains an important and well-used language. With up to 420 million speakers, it’s in increasingly high-demand, especially in the energy and security sectors. However, with its difficult writing system and very complex grammar, and dialects varying greatly, it’s an incredibly difficult language to learn. However, it’s not as foreign as you may think, as it’s already influenced Spanish and has given loanwords to English.

5. German

While previously though to be a language in decline, German is becoming more useful than ever as Germany gains a foothold as a major powerhouse in the EU. Spoken as a first language in several European countries, it’s the most used native language in the European Union. After English, Spanish, and sign language, it’s also one of the most studied languages in the US. Furthermore, understanding German will help to increase your comprehension of other Germanic languages. It’s considered on pa with English in terms of learning difficulty. It’s grammar is more complex, but then it’s also more logical, as well, and so it balances in the end.

4. French

Before English started to take over, French was the lingua franca of much of Europe. While the lion’s share of the 80 million native speakers of the language of love are in France, others can be found in North America, such as the Canadian provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick, as well as Africa, Southeast Asia, and parts of South America. It’s also a very important language in the European Union. Outside of travel, it’s very useful to those studying philosophy and for diplomats. On top of all that, it’s also just a very lovely language in general, giving any speaker a certain “je ne sais quoi.”

3. Spanish

A must for travelers to Latin America, South America, the Southern United States, and Spain, this is the language of Borges, Marquez, and Cervantes. As a bonus, this language, with the second greatest number of native speakers, after Mandarin Chinese, is considered one of the easiest to learn with straightforward grammar, pronunciations, and writing system. Of all the Romance languages, Spanish is thought to be one of the closest branches from the Latin roots, although it went from an evolution when the Moors brought over roughly 4,000 Arabic loanwords during the time of Al-Andalus. The official languages of 20 countries all over the world, Spanish is a very accessible and desirable language to have in your repertoire.  

2. Mandarin Chinese

Mandarin Chinese is the official language of the People’s Republic of China, with over 950 million native speakers. With China on the rise as the next global superpower, Mandarin is becoming increasingly desirable as a language for both business and travel. Once you master the tricky tones, which can drastically change the meaning of a sentence, it’s considered relatively easy to speak, with practice. Likewise, the grammar system is considered easier than some of the other difficult languages. However, the writing system is notoriously tough. But, if you get this one down pat, you’ve earned some serious bragging rights.

1. English

Nearly anywhere you go anywhere in the world, most people will understand at least a little bit of this beautiful mess of a language, a true hodgepodge. Modern English has adopted a little of everything. While Old and Middle English are almost incomprehensible even to native speakers modern English is now the language of international business. And, in many countries, it’s hard to hold down high-level business and diplomatic jobs without knowing at least a little of this new lingua franca. Good thing it’s relatively easy to learn, if you ignore the non-sensical grammar and spelling rules.

Paper and the Cloud are better than the human brain at recalling information. The time and energy that goes into that process can be channeled into other pursuits.

“Better is a short pencil than a long memory.”

Creator Villa

For more quotes, click here.

The American Midwest is one of four major census regions in the US. It consists of 12 states— including Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, and the Dakotas—and boasts a population of more than 65 million. Midwestern English, by and large, is considered a “mainstream” variety. It is the closest of all American regional dialects to “General American English” (link). If you turn on the TV, movies, news, or sports media in the US, a disproportionate number of speakers utilize speech patterns derivative of this region.

Columbus, Ohio is the second most populous city in the Midwest and has been growing at a rapid pace. In February of 2020, Amazon, the world’s largest retailer, opened a major distribution center in West Jefferson, the second of its kind in the greater Columbus area. In 2021, Columbus’s housing market was ranked fifth nationally; in 2022, it is projected to finish in the top five in combined home sales and price growth (link). In January of 2022, Intel, the S&P 500 tech giant, announced that it will be building a $20 billion semiconductor computer chip factory in New Albany. President Joe Biden, in his “State Of The Union Address,” on March 1, 2022, described the empty acres of East Columbus as “a field of dreams, the ground on which America’s future will be built” (link).

This week, I reached out to my aunt, Heather Zananiri, to get her two cents on the American Midwest, in general, and Columbus, Ohio, in particular. Mrs. Zananiri was born in Eastern Ohio, and spent stints in several Midwestern states during her childhood. Her family ultimately moved back to Ohio where she settled in the capital city. A former Ohio State student, mother of three, and local suburbanite, Mrs. Zananiri is never at a loss for words. Her perspective and pop-culture savvy shed light, not only on her experiences as a native Ohioan and mother, but on broader cultural and economic trends that have enveloped the region. The following is the account of a live 60-minute interview conducted in person. I trust you will find her answers to be blunt, funny, and insightful.

[For the complete archive of interviews, click here.]

Tell the people a little about yourself.

My name’s Heather. I was born in Dover, Ohio. I am actually from Sherrodsville, which is about 20 miles away, but they don’t really have hospitals in the boonies. I grew up in Ohio, Minnesota, and North Dakota. Growing up, we never stayed in one place longer than two years. I was a military brat, except my parents were in ministry. My dad worked for private Christian schools and would get different business opportunities. He also coached football and wanted to become a college football coach, which is why we moved to North Dakota. When I was in high school, my parents moved back to Ohio, and I’ve lived in Columbus ever since.

I have three kids—Abby, Noah, and Ethan. Abby’s a junior in high school, Noah’s a freshman in college, and Ethan’s in the 8^th grade. Having three teenage kids at once is a special kind of challenge. We just finished Ethan’s registration for high school classes, which was a bit upsetting. He’s supposed to be the baby, and now the baby’s in high school.

I’m an Office Assistant / Attendance Secretary for a local elementary school. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s actually a ton of work, especially during Covid. My position is in charge of tracking all the information for quarantine and contact tracing. It’s slowed down a little to where I now just do attendance, but for a while it was really hard to keep up with everything. Rules for things were constantly changing, and we just had to run with it.

What did you do after high school?

After graduating high school, I went to The Ohio State. Unfortunately, I did not get any scholarships and had to pay for it on my own. I was dating Yousef at the time, and we had a lot of Arab friends we would hang out with every weekend. Working full-time to pay my bills, attending class, and having a social life eventually got the best of me. School got put on the backburner, and I never finished. 

At OSU, I was in between History and English. I’m a huge history buff. I love history and sociology, and was probably going to major in something along those lines. I wanted to become a teacher. It’s ironic now that I work at a school when that used to be my goal.   

What’s the most challenging thing about your job?

The hardest thing is distancing yourself from the job, because you see a lot of things happen in the front office of an elementary school. You want to fix situations with families, or get involved somehow, but you can’t. It’s especially hard because there are kids involved.

What about the most rewarding?

Being around the kids, seeing how excited they are to be at school. Being around younger kids gives you life, because they’re so full of it. I think, especially as we get middle-aged, it’s nice to see that fresh perspective in their eyes.

You got DNA tested a few years ago. Were there any surprises?  

I was 46% Irish. It was absolutely the furthest thing from a surprise, because when they see me, everyone immediately thinks I’m Irish. I knew I had Irish blood, but not quite to that extent. There were some other little surprises in there. I was like 10% Dutch ancestry, and I have no idea where that came from. It was also difficult on my dad’s side. My dad was originally from Kentucky, and they didn’t keep good records back then. However, I’ve been able to trace my mom’s side really far. My mom’s side of the family came to the US several generations ago.

I’m busy now, so I stopped doing the tracing thing, but it was really fun. I think this summer, when I have more time, it might be something I look more into. That is one plus of my job. I don’t have to work during the summers.

What is something people don’t know about Ohio? Has Ohio’s reputation at all evolved in the last decade?

Ohio’s not just corn. There are thriving urban areas that are pretty cool to visit. People don’t realize how cool places like Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati are. I think Ohio is actually becoming a lot more popular, which is kind of crazy to me. I bought a shirt that says “I loved Cleveland before it was cool.” Even a podcast I listen to regularly—True Crime—just announced that they will be having their podcast festival in Columbus.

Growing up in high school, I don’t remember anything like that going on. Columbus was more a college town. Ohio State was the big thing. There wasn’t a whole lot to do outside of that, whereas now we have hockey, soccer, and the Short North. Central Ohio Performing Arts is booming. There is a whole lot more to do downtown than there used to be.

What is one thing about Ohio you would change if you could?

The weather. It’s the worst. In the last week, we’ve literally had sun. We’ve had 60 degrees. We’ve had rain. I do think seasonal depression is a problem in states like Ohio. You get to this time of year and it’s been so gray for so long. It’s depressing. You get a day like today when the sun is out, people lose their minds. It’s like a breath of fresh air. It raises your whole mood. It’s like “Aha! winter is finally over!” The winter in Ohio is nothing compared to Minnesota and North Dakota, but I still think the weather is worse.

When visitors come to town, where do you take them?

Easton. It’s an open air mall, and they’ve grown so much. They have such good food diversity. That’s our thing. When people come, we want to take them to eat somewhere nice. Short North. Just the whole cultural vibe there. I also love taking people to sporting events, especially our professional sports. Not that Ohio State isn’t great, but professional sports are just a different vibe. It’s more of an adult thing. It lets them know that Columbus has a lot of stuff going on for adults. When people come to town, I also like to take them to local distilleries. There are a lot of cool ones in the city, which make for a fun time out.

What are some advantages/disadvantages of living in the suburbs?

As far as advantages, I do feel it’s safer for the kids. They get a more wholesome, typical American family environment. But, on the flip side of that, that can be a negative, too, because you’re almost putting them in a bubble. One hard thing about the suburbs is trying to find a balance of diversity with the people your kids hang out with. The plus side is we are close enough to a city where if we want to go out at night, there is something to do. We’ve also gotten to build a lot of friendships here because you find families of the same age in same area. In a more urban/downtown environment, it’s harder to build a community centered on family.  

You have two kids in high school and one in college. How have things changed as they’ve gotten older?

I think my sweet spot was when Noah was around 7, and Ethan was around 2. I loved those ages. Then they grew up, and so many changes happened. Before you know it, these adults with teenage minds are in your house. They look an adult on the outside, because they’ve physically matured, but they’re still kids on the inside. As they get older, you want to give them more responsibilities, start treating them more like young adults, but they’re still you’re kids. Sometimes it’s been a struggle deciding what they should do for themselves, versus what we should do for them. I used to put their clothes out for them in junior high, but I learned they need to make a habit of doing these things themselves.

Yousef is definitely the more “hold-them-accountable, let-them-do-it themselves” type. He opened them bank accounts at 13, so they could learn how to manage their own money. I didn’t learn how to write a check until I was 20, because I was never taught those things, whereas I knew how to do dry wall and other blue collar tasks.

Another thing is, when your kids get older, they become a lot more independent. Now that Abby is driving, she doesn’t need me to do anything for her. Ethan still needs me obviously. He’s still a boy. But having two who don’t really need you anymore is hard. You lose a lot of time to interact with them and your sense of identity as a parent. But that’s my job, right? —-not to be needed—so they can go out in the world and not be overly dependent on anyone. However, when it happens, it hurts a little, and you have to figure out what to do next.

Which personality traits of yours do you see in them?

All of my kids are stubborn. If you have three kids with totally different personalities, and somehow they’re all insanely stubborn, you know it came from somewhere. It’s funny how personality-wise, as far as how they act and treat people, it can be one parent, yet their financial aspect can belong completely to the other one. Abby, for example, is Yousef. How she talks to people, how she acts, is so much like how he was in high school, just a girl version. But she is totally me financially. She’s the free-spirit spender, I-do-what-makes-me-happy. Noah has my personality, but he’s 100% Yousef financially, as far as saving money, investing, keeping an eye out on his spending. Ethan is yet to be determined.

We talk a lot about stocks around you, and I’m sure it drives you crazy. Financials aside, what is one company you think would be worth investing in based solely on your experience as a consumer?

If it were up to who Yousef would think I should invest in based solely on consumer habits, it would be Amazon. But their stock is outrageous. I do here you guys mention Crocs stock a lot. My kids wear Crocs. And Crocs bought the other shoe we wear around the house—Hey Dudes. The fact that we have them all around the house and that you guys always talk about it makes me think it would be a smart stock to buy.  

Do you have any business ideas where you think “This would really sell,” or “Why hasn’t this been invented yet?”

Everything is so convenient now, I can’t think of anything offhand. . . I would invent something to get the kids to wash the dishes.

What do you think future generations will say about people in 2022?

I think future generations will feel bad for us, but not in a good way. I think they will look back and see how much people were fighting and angry and loud, and feel bad that we behaved that way. It’s ridiculous that nobody can get along these days.

This is the rapid-fire round. I’m going to ask you several questions in quick succession. You can limit your answers to no more than a few words or sentences.

Favorite drink?

Wine. Nineteen Crimes Hard Chard.

Favorite board game?

Codenames.

Ideal weather?

Sunny and 78.

Dream occupation?

Travel vlogger. Who doesn’t want to just travel around the world.

Underrated musician, actor, or athlete?

LL Cool J, because they don’t talk about him as a rapper. Or they don’t talk about him as an actor, and he’s been in a lot of stuff. At least I’ve seen all of his movies.

What appeals to you more—a hot air balloon ride or skydiving?

A hot air balloon ride, 100%. I want to be able to enjoy the view. I’m not going to enjoy the view as I’m plummeting towards it.

A word, phrase, or linguistic habit of people that you find revolting?

I hate when people put an “s” on the end of Kroger and Meijer. You don’t hear people say “Walmarts,” but you hear them say “Kroger’s’” and “Meijer’s.” I think it’s an Ohio thing.

A conspiracy theory that you suspect may be true?

I’m not a conspiracy theorist at all, but I do think Eipstein did not kill himself.

If you could live in any historical era, which would you choose?

I don’t like old eras, because I want the modern conveniences of toilets, but I would love to have been around for Martin Luther King Jr. To be able to attend one of his rallies would be a really cool experience.

Something people don’t know about you?

Most people don’t know that I sing and won a state singing competition in high school in North Dakota. It was a quartet, but still, I was one of the four. .  

Fill in the blank. If I was exiled from the US tomorrow, I hope they would send me to ____?

Jordan. Amman, Jordan, because we have family there and I love the city.

Most heartbreaking sports moment?

Oh, God. I’m a Cleveland fan—There are so many. I’d have to say in the 90s, when the Indians went to the World Series, and we lost. Not the more recent one. The 90s prepared me for the more recent loss. 

Greater probability of happening first—World War III or the Browns winning the super bowl?

I feel like World War III, unfortunately. We’ll see what comes out of everything that’s happening now. I just don’t have a good feeling about it. I feel like Putin is becoming very dictator-like, trying to rule the world.

If money wasn’t a factor, how would you spend your days?

On a beach somewhere.

Do you have any plans for life as an empty-nester / post-graduation?

I plan to sell my house and move downtown or to a cool urban area, and to travel. Now I feel like we don’t get to travel for fun anymore. Everything is for sports. I want to be able to enjoy when we travel not having to worry about if the kids turned in their homework or made sure to shut the iron off. I’d love to see all of the Middle East and Europe, specifically Ireland. I’ve never been to Ireland, but I’ve always wanted to go. I’ve heard it’s just beautiful. As a redhead, I think going back to Ireland and seeing other Irish redheads would make me happy.

Whenever we blink—and close our eyes—our mind temporarily stops taking in visual information from the environment. My experience is that we can channel some of the brain energy used to seeing on something else—like a piece of information—which improves our ability to absorb it. People commonly close their eyes to increase focus (praying/meditation/love-making etc.) This is simply another application that occurred to me while studying.

Creator Villa

As diverse as the people of the world are, there are few things, in principle, that have the power to bring them together. The first example off the top of my head is sports. As I write this, there is an NFL game streaming in the background, with players of various backgrounds competing, and millions more people watching in person and on television. The language of food is another universal. In my city, you can find an ethnic restaurant for nearly every major people group in the world. I have observed that even the people most reserved toward other cultures are highly outgoing when it comes time to consume their food. The third item, which arguably belongs atop any list of its kind, is music. Music, as they say, transcends language. It also transcends the human race. Humans are not the only species to create music, and we may not even be the best at it (birdsong, anyone? lol).  While musical taste is a dime a dozen, music itself is notorious for its universal appeal.

This week, I reached out to my friend and former classmate, Makayla Briggs, to shine a light on the ancient art. Makayla is an artist, singer, and musician. Her talent and passion for music is common knowledge to everyone who knows her. (Makayla recently threw a fancy “Sad Girl Fall Party,” complete with red wine, elaborate charcuterie, and lavish desserts to celebrate the drop of Adele’s new album “30”). Makayla, in simple terms, is the ideal person to do this interview. While I’ve attended her performances in the past, this is the first time we’ve had an in-depth conversation on the topic. The following is the account of a live 90-minute interview conducted in person. The interview begins with a personal narrative and progresses to addresses a number of fascinating questions about music in general. FYI, you can find Makayla on Instagram @MBriggs2_

[For the complete archive of interviews, click here.]

Tell the people a little about yourself. 

My name is Makayla Briggs. I am 28 years old. I am the Music Director at East Side Grace Brethren Church, and I sell solar panels. I think church is where my love for music kind of sparked. Church gave me an opportunity to get more involved. I love country music, but I can say that I appreciate most music that’s made. I sing, and I play piano and the guitar.

I have a dog—Penny Lane—that I love so much. I’m a foodie. I like to host. Charcuterie is life. 

When did you realize you had a passion for music? 

I would say I realized I had a passion for God before I realized I had a passion for music. Music was my way to express my love for the Lord. As far as my passion for music, I’d say I knew when I was probably 18. After high school, I planned to play volleyball in Kentucky and study God-knows-what, because music for me at the time was still just a hobby. I was singing in praise bands, and I would write little heart-break songs, but it wasn’t a huge thing in my life. I was entertaining the idea of studying something like accounting or social work.

It wasn’t until I got out of high school that I thought, “You know what? This is for me.” And more so, I realized that worship is more my passion than music. So now, in my adulthood, I have developed this love to create and consume music.

Did you end up going to school for it?

I went to Valor Christian College and graduated with my associate’s. At Valor, I studied Praise and Worship Leadership. I worked as a music intern for a year and a half, and put together band, vocalists, and worship sets. I’m super thankful for my time there because I got to study under Lisa Brunson. She absolutely changed my life. After graduating, I moved to the teeny-tiny town of Culloden, West Virginia, to join the staff at Grace Life Church as the Creative Arts Director. The church had a space for me to stay, and I was living there while working part-time as a barista at Starbucks. After 6 months, I needed to get out. Living, working, and attending worship at the same place was suffocating. I rented an apartment nearby, while continuing to work at the church.

I left Starbucks and got a job as a receptionist at a hair salon, which I loathed. I could just not vibe with the people I worked with. I wasn’t their type of creative. It was terrible. It probably didn’t help that it was a high-end salon, from the clientele to the people who worked there. I am not a boojy person. I’m approachable and down-to-earth. I felt I stepped into a world I didn’t feel like I belonged in. My boss, however, was one of the most amazing people I have ever met. Her name was Joy, and she lived up to her name. Joy passed away recently due to cancer.

After I left the salon, I started teaching pre-school music. I was going through a difficult end to a relationship, and my pre-schoolers just brought me back to life. I’m super thankful for that season. I’m thankful, really, for my entire 2 years and 8 months in West Virginia. It was my first “big girl” job. I had a lot of learning and growing to do as a musician and worship leader, and my church family was super gracious. Pastor Wright had way more confidence in me than I had in myself. He encouraged me to learn the piano and step out in other areas.

What prompted you to leave West Virginia?

I decided in 2019 that it was time to go back to school to get my bachelor’s. I attended Ohio Christian University [OCU] and studied vocal performance. My experience at OCU was amazing. It was there that I got introduced to classical music. Prior to that, I had never really been able to genuinely appreciate it—not just to listen, but to understand. I think sometimes you just listen to listen, but it’s a difficult ballgame when you’re listening to understand music.

My advisor’s name was Doctor Nolte. He is the reason why I went to OCU, and the reason why I graduated. He was on top of everything, and just super great at his job. Dr. Nolte cared about his students and their successes. He saw us through one lesson after the other, and always made sure we were where we needed to be.

My vocal coach, Dr. Bennett, was such a talented lady. I was 27 and had been singing since I was 9, but I had never taken vocal lessons before. I found out I had been singing wrong my entire life. It wasn’t that I was singing bad, necessarily, but my technique was non-existent. I recall that when I was living in West Virginia, I would get hoarse after every single worship set. We would sing three, maybe four songs, which is not a ton. That would only be a ton if you were singing classical music, because some of those pieces are 20 minutes long. Dr. Bennett changed the way I was singing. I’ve been hoarse one time ever since, and that was because I had gotten sick and still needed to sing anyway. Dr. Bennett changed my life, for sure.

I remember attending your graduation recital in the spring of 2021. Can you tell the people about that?

Part of my graduation requirement was to do a recital. The goal of the recital was to show what I had learned during my time there and capture a piece of me, musically speaking. I performed a German piece, a French piece, and several English pieces, as well as three additional theater pieces. I love musical theater. You get to be extra. I love being extra sometimes. And I did a song that I wrote, because I write music and wanted to show the audience a little bit about me. I also I did a worship set at the end, because worship is a huge part of my life.

I’ve thought about going back to get my master’s. It’s something that I really, really want to do, but I haven’t landed yet on if that’s what I’m going to do.

In what ways has your music ability or tastes evolved over the years? 

Growing up, I wasn’t allowed to listen to secular music, but my dad, my sister and I would always watch “The Sound of Music” on Friday, and we would have pop and popcorn. The main actress, Julie Andrews, played a character named Maria. I would say that Maria is the one who got me into singing. In the movie, there is a lot of singing, and there is a lot of teaching on how to sing. Maria teaches the children that she’s nannying how to sing. They go over solfege, which is all of the notes of the key that you’re in. Do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti-do. Another exception was the Beatles. My dad would always have the Beatles on in his truck, but anytime we were with my mom, it was “Uplifting and encouraging 104.9 the River.”

Once I started listening to music for myself in my pre-teens, I started listening to country. I always loved country. Around middle-school-ish, I would listen to a lot of rap and R&B, because that is what was popular at the school I went to. When we played sports, that is what was on in the locker room, but I never listened to it for personal enjoyment. I only listened to it so I could sing with my friends and be a part of those moments. Throughout high school, my playlist was mostly country music.

I didn’t branch out until my early 20s. I started listening to jazz. I really like Americana now, as well. As I mentioned earlier, OCU has increased my ability to understand and appreciate classical music.

Why do you think music is so powerful? Have you ever tried to define it? 

Have I tried to define it? No. But music—without bringing God into it–music can be a pastime, but that’s not why it’s powerful. I think it’s powerful because it connects people, for one. Also, there are emotions that not everyone can put language to. And music can do that. It can do that with words. Honestly, it can do that with instruments. What’s really cool about instrumental music is that you can make of it what you want to for yourself. You can feel out what it means for you without having words to contain it. Classical music, for instance, is powerful, but it will only be powerful to you if you let it. Some people will listen to it and think, “Eh, this is really boring.” But sometimes it melts me. Sometimes you’ve got lyrics in songs, and the artist decides the direction of the song. With instrumental music, you don’t have those barriers.

Can you talk about the relationship between music ability, on one hand, and talent and hard work, on the other.  How much of it is God-given ability, and how much of it is human effort?  

The Lord gives gifts, but how we steward those is completely up to us. That whole idea, you know, that our gifts are in our hands. The question is, “What are you going to do with what’s been given to you?” I think it’s more so the hard work. You get out what you put in. Music is no different. You do have those crazy people, like Mozart. They’ll just write and write and write. They literally were just given this crazy talent. Not to say that Mozart didn’t work. He was a child prodigy. He absolutely worked at his craft, but he was just insane on another level. In general, for me, though, it’s hard work over talent. Talent sparks the interest. “I’m good at this.” From there, it’s how you take care of your gift.

When did you discover your gift?

I doubt my gift all the time. I doubt I’m as good as some people think I am. I doubt I’m as good as I think I am. But I would say the first time I recognized I had talent was when I was about 13.  

How much can a regular person expect to improve with practice? 

I’m a very optimistic person. I think that you can do whatever you want to do. People can improve as much as they want to improve. Seriously, in the world that we live in, we have all the tools at our hands. If you want to sing, cool, then sing. Go to YouTube, and type in “free singing lessons.” The voice is a different instrument from guitar and piano. It is your body. It is your self. You grow that instrument based on how much you practice, which is the same as any other instrument. But with the voice, you just start. You just start singing, and you get to take that instrument with you wherever you go.

How much has your singing improved?

It’s super hard to give a solid, concrete answer to that because singing is an art. I don’t want to use terms like “better,” or “less bad.” I can’t say, “I was at a 4, and now I’m at a 6.” I can say that my range has grown over the years. Back in April, I sang the highest I’ve ever sang in public, and I had never sung in German before. The range shows improvement with effort, and I think the whole singing in German was just my willingness to do something different. I’m big on practice. I take my instrument with me wherever I go, and I’m always singing.

With music, there’s always room for improvement, whether that’s piano, the guitar, or vocals. That is, if you challenge yourself. Some people do the same thing their entire life. I like to try new things out, and then go back and refine.

What do you do now?

Currently, I spend about 30 hours working at East Side Church. I lead worship. I choose the music and create arrangements for the songs we do on Sunday mornings. I direct our choir, band, and vocalists. I work with the children for events like the upcoming Christmas special. I’ll teach the children songs, and then I’ll meet with team members. One thing that’s really important to our church is treating people well and making sure we’re caring for others, so I have meetings with team members and members of the staff on a regular basis. That’s the part I get paid for musically. I also plan events because I love to bring people together.

Do you have anything music-wise currently in the works?

I am working on a project, which will be out next year. I’m actually working on two projects, which has been a struggle. I really want to release my second project, but I need to finish my first project first. I’m really good at starting things, but sometimes I fall short at finishing them. My first project is an EP that I’ve honestly just sat on for years. It’s not going to release itself. I’m going to release it, and when I do, I’m planning on having a little release party. There will be charcuterie and wine, and I’m going to play some of my music. The EP is called “Different.” It consists of 5 heart-breaky, you-done-me-wrong kind of songs. They’re kind of jazzy. They’re kind of country. They fall into the Indie genre, because they don’t wholly identify with a single genre. 

My second project is an album. That will have more of a country feel to it. There’s a couple songs on there that I could hear on the radio. I’m not saying they will make it to radio, but they’re country-pop enough to be mainstream. My album is a little bit more fun than my EP. Right now, I have 11 songs that are completely written, ready to be recorded. With the EP, I’m in the production stage. 

The connection between music and emotions is undeniable. Is there a genre or instrument you prefer when you’re feeling a type of way? 

I will listen to Johnnyswim, one of my favorite bands. They’re so good. I love me some Adele. I love me some Taylor Swift. She gets a bad rap, and I hate that for her. To my mind, she’s one of the most talented songwriters of our generation—and I will back that statement until I die— because she’s able to say similar things in so many different ways. She’s mastered how to call the color blue by a different name, but she’s still talking about the color blue.

When I’m sad, I also go to my keyboard. I’ll typically start writing then. I like to pour a glass of mine, get my phone, and just record whatever comes out. I’ll revisit it later, put it on paper, and try to organize it a bit, so I can make it make sense for other people.

What’s your dream job or career in the music industry? 

I would love to be an artist. I am an artist, but I would love to be a successful artist, where I’m writing my own music, and that’s paying my bills.

A lot of people like to comment on trends in the music industry over time. What stands out to you about music produced today? Where do you see the industry headed? 

I’ll be the first to say that I’m no expert in music. I’m really not. But what I notice about current music is that there’s a lot of repetition, and that’s OK. Pop music, you kind of have to catch onto—that’s why it’s pop. People want to sing along to it. I would say music today is similar to music that’s from our past. Music that’s from 50 years ago or 20 years ago, which is really not a long time. New songs are being written, but nothing new is really being talked about, because we’re the same humans that walked the earth 70 years ago. We go through similar things and feel similar emotions, and that’s what we’re going to write about and sing about.

I definitely have my dislikes in music. Some music I don’t listen to because it makes me feel terrible, and I don’t like the direction of that music. As far as the future, I can’t say that I see us going any particular way than kind of how it’s already been going.

I’m a fan of technology. Can you comment on the influence technology has had on the music industry? 

Technology has made music more accessible to us. We’re able to work on music at our fingertips, rather than getting an entire band together. We’re able to create what we need to by ourselves at our house, with no other musicians involved. There is a productiveness in that, but you lose relational aspects that music has to offer.

We might find that our music is more and more “in the box,” meaning, it’s not using real guitars or real violins. You get to press a button, and a “C” plays on the violin—or whatever. That’s kind of where we are now. I expect more of the same. The technology is going to continue to develop, as it has over the years.

I’m going to ask you several questions in quick succession. You can limit your answers to no more than a few words or sentences.

Favorite artist? 

My favorite songwriter is Taylor Swift. My favorite artist is Kasey Musgraves.

Favorite album? 

“Diamonds” by Johnnyswim.

Favorite single? 

“Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield.

Favorite karaoke track? 

“We are never ever getting back together,” by Taylor Swift.

Genre, artist, album, or single you believe is overrated? 

Rap music.

Most underappreciated instrument? 

The trombone. There’s just so much life and amusement in it. It can be really powerful.

On a scale of 1-10, how much do you love Ohio? 

7 and a half. Just put an 8. I do. I do love Ohio.

What country or city would you move to if you had to leave tomorrow? 

Venice, Italy. I’ve been there, and man, it’s gorgeous. Venice for the views.

You recently threw a “Sad Girl Fall Party” to celebrate the drop of Adele’s new album. Where did you get the inspiration for that?

I heard a rumor in the summer of 2020 that Adele was working on new music that was supposed to be released last fall. The person said that “Sad Girl Fall” would be in full swing. It’s definitely not a term that I coined myself or was creative enough to come up with. I guess you can say I thought it was a very comical phrase. You have Adele, who writes sad music, and she’s dropping her music in the fall time. The music came out a year late, but since it was still in the fall, the name still works.

What’s next on the playlist for you life-wise? 

I want to challenge myself with my current job at East Side Church. I want to put myself in situations where I’m outside my comfort zone. For example, I recently started directing choir, which is not my forte. I love it. Fake it ‘till you make it is a real thing. It works in some cases, and I feel like that’s one of them. But there is preparation involved, of course. There are times where I completely lack confidence, and I’ll just attack with all the fake confidence in the world. It gets me through.

I also want to be faithful to finish my projects. I mentioned that I have an EP coming out next year. That, right now, is the next big thing that is most important to me.

The world is currently transitioning out of the largest travel drought in a generation. The threat of contagion kept borders closed, airlines operating at fractional capacity, and billions of people cooped up in tight quarters for months on end. At one low point during the pandemic, airline index $JETS had shed nearly two thirds of its value. Many people wondered whether permanent damage had been done to an industry that was forecasted to achieve an approximate $1 trillion valuation by the end of the decade. Meanwhile, supply chain issues and shocks to supply-demand economics have caused the prices of new and used cars to soar. All things considered, the global transportation industry is recovering quite nicely, but with a caveat. It is not yet clear what long-term effect the rise of communication technologies like Zoom, WhatsApp, and Square will have on business and lifestyle. Will people value physical presence enough to spend time and money when a lot of social and work-related activities can, in theory, be accomplished remotely? Will better technology and more cushy home arrangements demotivate people from traveling to attend events, visit landmarks, and see the world in person? The answer to these questions, of course, is some measure of degree, not a binary yes-or-no. What is definitive is the fact that the world is evolving at an extremely fast clip relative to the rest of human history.

This week, I interviewed someone whose life uniquely intersects with some of the themes introduced in the previous paragraph, my brother Andrew Batarseh. Andrew is a foodie, a movie buff, and a rabid sports fan. Native to Columbus, Ohio, he currently works as an itinerant leadership consultant for a college fraternity. I hope you enjoy the following account of a 60-minute interview conducted over the phone. The subject matter is as personal as it is of general interest to travel aficionados and people otherwise experiencing unusually high levels of wanderlust. You can find Andrew on Instagram @_Batarseh, where he frequently publishes pictures and videos documenting his adventures.

 Wanderlust: a strong, innate desire to rove or travel about.

Dictionary.com

Tell the people a little about yourself. 

My name is Andrew Batarseh. I am from Columbus, Ohio. I graduated from Ohio State in December of 2020 with a degree in English. I work for a Christian social fraternity called Beta Upsilon Chi, colloquially pronounced as “Bucks,” like the football team, but spelled BYX. I got involved with the fraternity in college and was offered a job as a leadership consultant after graduation. The nature of my job consists of a lot of travel, relationship building, and phone calls.

I love food, cooking, and the culture around food. One of my favorite parts about traveling is the opportunity to try different foods. I love sports, as well. I grew up around them. It’s primarily football right now at this stage in my life. I’m also a big movie buff. I have my own movie rating system. I admit that I am a bit of a movie snob.

How did you decide on English? I don’t remember you talking much about it growing up.

I changed my major four times. I went from engineering, to two majors in pre-med, and then business. A series of indecision and unfortunate events led me to decide on English, so that I could graduate in 4 and a half years, and also develop a skill that I enjoy. I like writing. I think I’m fairly good at it. Overall, I would say that my choice of major has proven to be somewhat marketable.

What is it exactly that you do?

Practically, I travel to six different universities every semester. There are 35 total represented by our organization, and I am responsible for six of them. Once every semester, I consult with their officer team in person. I also develop relationships with the members of the chapter. I do things ranging from having fun and playing football, to solving problems that the brothers are having with one another. Overall, my job description is a wide spectrum of relationship development and problem-solving.

Aside from that, I coach. There are a handful of officer positions. I coach our vice presidents. The vice presidents plan parties and manage the social engagement of each chapter. I also coach treasurers and am responsible for our budget. We have a national philanthropy called Living Water, which builds wells in Rwanda. I facilitate relationships to support that effort. We have a campaign called 10 days, where for 10 days all of our members drink only water and donate the money they would have spent on drinking other beverages.

More people today are working remotely than ever. With technologies like Zoom and Google Meet, why is it necessary for you to go to these places in person? How do you see the trade-off between efficiency, on one hand, and depth and quality, on the other?

Very simply, human connection is most robust when face to face and tangible. As much as I would like to develop deep connection via Zoom, text, and phone calls with the 230 guys that I oversee, it’s just not possible. Technology is convenient, but it isn’t as realistic or effective as spending time with people in person.

People my age or younger are trained to engage with society through instant gratification via digital media. It’s so easy to send a text message. It’s so easy to scroll for news and highlights. People are starting to lose very basic, necessary social skills. I meet a lot of young men who struggle with communication, struggle with face-to-face interaction, and have social anxiety. It’s a serious problem. While technology can be great and necessary in the world we live in, we are starting to notice many of the drawbacks.

What I’m doing is almost counter-cultural to how a lot of people I know are used to engaging with the world. I don’t know if I would use the word spiritual, but the human soul needs to be present with others. It’s healthy for us in a way that I cannot fully explain. While I’m not technically well-versed on it, I know there are experts out there who can speak about it with more detail.

What have been some of your most memorable experiences in other states? 

Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Baton Rouge is the furthest thing from Ohio in the US that I have ever experienced. It feels like every event, especially football games, is one big party. Everything revolves around food, which in some ways is similar to the Middle Eastern culture that I grew up with. It’s very flamboyant and extravagant and exciting and colorful. It’s also swampy and humid down there, weather-wise, which I don’t like.

Baton Rouge has a really interesting and unique culture that was influenced by the French. Their buildings look French. Their food is French-inspired. I think they’re the only pocket of the US where that is truly the case. In some places in Louisiana, it feels like you’re flying to a different country.

I also went to a Death Valley football game [LSU college football]. Many people say it’s the best environment in college football. I biasedly disagree being an OSU fan and having worked for the team, but it was a very cool experience. 

Have you gotten the opportunity to travel international? 

I’ve been to Israel with BYX. I’ve been to Brazil and the Dominican Republic on mission trips as an undergrad. I also went to Jordan to visit family several years ago.

What is your favorite part about traveling for work?

In reference to what I said early, getting to try new local food is one of my more enjoyable experiences. I’m a big foodie. Before starting my current job, I worked for a year at a local restaurant called Third and Hollywood. I learned about mixology, i.e., the art of making cocktails. I learned a lot about beer and wine. I also learned a lot about food from being in that environment and directing questions to the head chef.

Do you have any aspirations to get more involved in the food world?  

I have some culinary aspirations that I’m still figuring out. I’m not sure if I want to go to culinary school, work at a good restaurant, or do restaurant management. However, I’m pretty sure that is the space I want to be in in the future. I now know so much about the back-end restaurant business, with answers to questions like “How much does it cost to bring in broccoli and Brussel sprouts?” “How do you make steak here?” I still need to pinpoint what it is exactly that I love about this industry, and what route I would need to take to get me where I want to go.

What is your least favorite part about traveling for work?

I love being at home, too. I am an introvert deep down. I recover alone, and when I’m traveling, it is very difficult to get that alone time to rest up. I’m always on the go. I’m always around people. I’m always, in a way, needing to perform, by asking good questions and being very present, emotionally and mentally. It really takes a toll. I come back home and am basically incapacitated for two days until I get some rest and alone time.

Are there any special opportunities that come with a job like this? 

This one will mainly just appeal to sports fans, but I’ve been able to see a lot of college football games in person. I’ve seen a Georgia football game, an LSU football game, and an Oklahoma State football game. I would never casually fly to one of these places just to see one of these games, but being there in person with the guys from the fraternity enables me to do that. All of my college visits are planned, and football lately has been a part of that plan.

What about special challenges or temptations that accompany travel? 

It’s rare that I get a night of sleep with more than six hours in a comfortable location. Over a weeklong visit, that deficit can really add up. I don’t sleep in a hotel. I stay with the members of the organization. I’m typically sleeping on their couch or on an air mattress, or some other random location in their living room. I’m very grateful for it, but, in reality, it is a difficult place to get quality sleep. Sleep is the biggest practical/logistical challenge. Other than that, all of my expenses are covered. The only thing I need to do is make sure I am remaining within the budget for a visit. Not spending too much money on food—food is one of my biggest expenses—but I would say it’s really not that hard.

As far as temptation, the number one way it comes is when I’m really exhausted and looking for some sort of relief or distraction. The Christian guys I stay with on campus are a kind of accountability, but also the staff. There are five guys who do my role total, and we talk weekly about topics just like this one. So, on a regular basis, I’m talking with guys who understand what it’s like to visit a chapter in another state. They are the ones asking the difficult questions and making sure I keep my mental, spiritual, and emotional health a priority. There are people looking after me, and people I am looking after, as well.

You were born and raised in Central Ohio. You talked about your perception of Baton Rouge. How do some of the other places you’ve been to compare to the Buckeye State? 

People talk a little bit differently down south. The food they eat is a little bit different. I haven’t been to a city as big as Columbus yet, so size. Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Georgia—they all have a little bit of a southern twist to them. Texas is very dry. Ohio is very humid. I could list more differences, but I will end with this statement: every time I go and visit a new place I tend to appreciate Columbus a little more afterwards.

In the intro, you self-identified as a movie buff with a proprietary system for rating movies. What’s that all about?  

Basically, I rate every movie that I watch. The scale is divided into several categories, including acting, dialogue, cinematography, and sound. There’s about 10 to 12 categories total. Each category is weighted differently based on how much I value that set element of the movie. For example, acting and plot are my two heaviest categories. And then sound and cinematography make up the second tier. Each category has its own point criteria, and I’ll grade the movie based on all of these different variables. The most total points you can receive is 100.

The highest movie I’ve rated so far is a movie called Sound of Metal. It’s a movie about the journey of a heavy metal drummer who loses his hearing. I won’t say anything more about the movie because I recommend everyone reading this go and watch it. But it has a 92 overall, so it’s a pretty strict scale I have going on. Goodfellows is another 90. It’s a Martin Scorsese mafia movie. And then there’s Parasite, a Korean film by Bong Joon-ho. 91. That one is about a Korean family who is struggling in the economy and decides to get a job at a wealthy family’s house. There’s a really fun twist that I won’t disclose because you should go see it. The lowest score I’ve ever given is Good Morning Vietnam. 48. That movie didn’t age well.

To my mind, movies are not a very social activity. I think it’s noteworthy that someone with your active lifestyle would take them up as a hobby. What effect do movies have on your life? Do you see movies as a kind of complement or counterbalance?

I used to play way too much video games. Now I don’t play them nearly at all. It was an unhealthy form of escapism. As I’ve matured, movies have turned into something that I can enjoy with an appropriate amount of time. They help me to get my alone time and to experience and reflect on a world outside of my own.

My closest friends are just as in to movies as I am. Counter to your anti-social point, movies can be a very social experience for my friend group. We’ll watch a two-hour movie, and then spend just as much time talking about it afterwards. The movies become a part of our lingo. They become a part of the jokes we make. We have art on the walls from the movies we like. Movies are a big part of the fabric of our culture together.

What is one place, domestic or international, that you haven’t been to but would like to visit? 

Iceland. In the summer, when you can see the northern lights. They have beautiful green landscapes and really comfortable summer weather. I bet their cuisine is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. I also haven’t been to Europe–so I would pick Iceland for those reasons. The answer changes every month, but that is my answer right now.

Any pro tips or words of wisdom for living life on-the-go? Are there any special rules you follow or rituals you practice? 

I always keep my room really clean so that when I come home from travel I have an immediately restful space. As soon as I get home from travel, I immediately unpack and do laundry. Having that out the way frees up my physical and mental space so I can rest up and get back to my normal routine faster. I have white noise downloaded for the plane so that I can easily sleep. When I’m planning my visits, I don’t schedule anything past 11 PM and nothing before 9 AM. This enables me to have some sort of a morning routine and gives me a better chance at getting decent sleep. I also don’t overschedule to reserve space for when things inevitably come up or when some of the things I’m involved in take longer than expected.

I will add that this is something I want to develop more in. I’ve been living this lifestyle for maybe a year, and I’m still figuring out what processes are most effective for me to perform well.

I’m going to ask you several questions in quick succession. You can limit your answers to no more than a few sentences.

What airline do you fly?

American Airlines, and I am a proud elite member.

Favorite city you’ve been to?
Austin, Texas.

Car you drive?

I drive a silver 2018 Mazda 3. I fly to all of the chapters, except Indiana University, which is about a 4-hour drive. 

Favorite podcast for the road?

I’ll occasionally throw on an episode of the Joe Rogan podcast.   

State with the worst drivers?

Columbus.

State with the best natural scenery?

Colorado.

Favorite quote or life motto?

Recently, it’s Proverbs 25:2, “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.”

Top three favorite national cuisines? 

In no particular order, Korean, Mediterranean, more specifically Middle Eastern, and probably Japanese.

What’s next on the itinerary for you, both as it relates to your work and private life?

The job I have is a two-year contract. In the meantime, I’ll continue to learn how to improve at my job and also in my personal life. There’s a strong correlation between personal growth and professional growth in the space that I’m in right now, which is pretty cool. I’m not making many plans outside of that. I’m not seeking a dating relationship or my next job right now. I’m just really focused on the present. I think next fall is when I’ll start considering more of the next steps for when I’m done with this phase of my life.