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High School Matters

Jun 25, 2025

In high school, Jon Shatzkamer (Shatz) was the all-American kid—well-liked, good-looking, kind, and seemingly coasting through life with ease. But years later, everything changed when Jon suffered a brain aneurysm that left him in a coma for weeks. His recovery was nothing short of a miracle. While he now faces...


Jun 20, 2025

Mr. Dubin was one of my favorite teachers in high school, not because he stuck to any script, but because he had his own style. He was quirky, unpredictable, and full of spirit. His class felt fun, personal, and the kind of experience that stays with you for life.

In this episode, we look back on what made him so...


Jun 11, 2025

What happens when your oldest friend is also the funniest person you’ve ever met? You laugh… a lot. And maybe grow up a little along the way.

In this episode, I sit down with Dave Siegel—stand-up comedian, news writer, and my best friend since the first grade. Dave’s performed on America’s Got Talent, killed...


May 29, 2025

In a refreshing twist from my usual conversations with former students, this episode features one of my closest friends from high school, Kenny Eisenstein. Back in 1994, Kenny’s dry, understated humor kept me laughing—and it still does.

Like many of us, Kenny looks back on high school with a mix of nostalgia and a...


Dec 16, 2024

Richie Kamen’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Richie went from a poor, insecure, bedwetting kid to the unlikely owner of Camps Equinunk and Blue Ridge, which he somehow purchased with no money and zero entrepreneurial experience.  But owning the camps was only the beginning. Richie faced fierce protests...