Millennials in our midst with Sam Rogers, Hannah Weiers, and Ryan Wilson

Did you know each generation has its own cultural influences, that dictate how they view the world?

Each week this month we are hearing, in their own voices, from both Generation Z and Millennials. Today you join three Millennial guests in our studio, Sam Rodgers, Hannah Weiers, and Ryan Wilson to discuss issues that resonate with them. One current pervasive terror, old as the oldest relationships, is the centerpiece for a frank discussion, bullying.

Shane Koyczan in his now very famous poem To This Day expresses his own experiences of being bullied as a child and the profound and lasting effects on him. He also affirms the inner strength that allows people to move beyond the names they are called.

One verse reads:

“Every school was a big top circus tent and the pecking order went from acrobats to lion tamers from clowns to carnies;

These were miles ahead of who we were we were freaks, lobster claw boys, and bearded ladies;

Oddities juggling depression and loneliness playing solitaire spin the bottle trying to kiss the wounded parts of ourselves and heal;

But at night while the others slept, we kept walking the tightrope it was practice and yeah some of us fell.

But I want to tell them that all of this is just debris,

leftover when we finally decide to smash all the things we thought we used to be,

and if you can’t see anything beautiful about yourself, get a better mirror, look a little closer, stare a little longer, because there’s something inside you that made you keep trying despite everyone who told you to quit.

You built a cast around your broken heart and signed it yourself.

You signed it “They were wrong”. Because maybe you didn’t belong to a group or a clique, maybe they decided to pick you last for basketball or everything.

Maybe you used to bring bruises and broken teeth to show and tell but never told, because how can you hold your ground if everyone around you wants to bury you beneath it?

You have to believe that they were wrong! They have to be wrong… Why else would we still be here?”

You don’t want to miss this.

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    Until next time, remember,

• You are not alone.

• You are not your circumstances.

• You have everything within you to live a purpose-filled life.