President, Shmesident. The Real Leaders Are All Around Us.
Next Big Idea Club
Where thought leaders converge, where ideas transform into action, and where books become a gateway to a brighter future
The Next Big Idea Daily newsletter (SUBSCRIBE) is written by me, Michael Kovnat , and gathers insights from today’s leading non-fiction authors. It’s a companion to our Next Big Idea Daily podcast, available on Apple or Spotify .
OK, people, things are getting real. Election Day is tomorrow, and if you haven't yet cast a vote, I hope you've made your plan to do so. I, for one, believe it matters.
But I also believe that all the hype around presidential elections -- and presidents in general -- is a little overblown. Sure, whoever wins will lead the executive branch and represent our country on the international stage. Not to mention, that person will control the terrifying powers of our immense nuclear and conventional arsenals. But as far as what your actual life is really like, presidents are minor players at best. Your day-to-day experience -- and the legal, medical, technological, and economic environment in which it unfolds -- is governed by forces far from the White House. And even some of the biggest achievements in our country's history owe more to the hard, inspired work of ordinary citizens that to any Washington bigwigs.
Some of those citizens show up in the new #1 New York Times bestseller The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, From the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement by Sharon McMahon .
Sharon is a former high school government and law teacher who hosts the award-winning history podcast Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, holds the Instagram account, Sharon Says So, and is the founder of The Preamble newsletter. Her ability to share basic civics lessons in an accessible style has earned her the nickname "America's government teacher."
In her book, Sharon shares stories of ordinary, non-famous Americans who have made remarkable contributions to our communal wellbeing -- teachers, activists, businesspeople -- individuals who have found purpose by being of service, and in so doing have strengthened our republic more than most heads of state.
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Hear Sharon explain how the "small and the mighty" have improved our world:
We also heard a lot of other big ideas on the podcast this week, like:
So, enjoy these ideas and then... go vote. Let’s make history together.
By the way, if you're interested in having these and thousands of other big ideas right in your pocket, download the Next Big Idea app .
Thought Leadership Trainer and Employee Ambassador Program Builder. Cybersecurity obsessed. Speaker, writer, content creator, community leader. Strong statements ahead.??
2 周As a big fan of this podcast and how tactical, user-centric it is, I will gently raise my hand and say that it’s a “yes, and”. The U.S. President does have immense power in the Supreme Court candidate choices that have shifted the lives of women in ways that are hard to put into words. Not to mention immigration stances, redlining, geopolitical, monetary policy, and more. And I wholeheartedly agree that there is power we can wield in business, philanthropy, education. I have great hope that regardless of political direction, there’s so much change that we can affect! Looking forward to listening as always! Sounds like a perfect episode for right now!