The Weirdos

Tony Weaver Jr. comes back to the podcast to talk about his latest book, Weirdo, graphic novel memoir about an awkward preteen who loves all things geeky but struggles with mental health issues and self-doubt. We get into it with how music saved us as awkward youth, how we need to listen to kids as they grow in a post-COVID world, and so much more in this great episode! 00:00 Reconnecting and Reflecting on Growth 02:56 The Impact of Literature and Personal Experiences 05:52 Navigating Identity and Community 08:58 Addressing Racism and Media Representation 12:02 The Importance of Listening to Youth 15:01 Understanding Learning Loss and Its Effects 17:59 Confronting Masculinity and Societal Expectations 33:39 Changing Hearts in Modern Times 34:43 The Role of Challenge in Personal Growth 36:23 The Impact of Information on Beliefs 38:16 Navigating Racism in Content Creation 39:42 Focusing on Ideas Over Individuals 40:32 Empathy and Understanding in Discussions 41:52 The Importance of Representation 43:34 Racism in Nerd Spaces 45:10 Cultural Perceptions and Misunderstandings 47:23 The State of Online Communities 49:15 Content as a Battleground for Culture Wars 51:04 Experiences of Racism in Japan 54:48 The Need for Offline Conversations 57:54 The Importance of Genuine Conversations 01:01:37 Learning from Mistakes and Growing Together Special Guest: Tony Weaver Jr.