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“It is about a search, too, for daily meaning as well as daily bread, for recognition as well as cash, for astonishment rather than torpor; in short, for a sort of life rather than a Monday through Friday sort of dying.”

STUDS TERKEL — WORKING XI
ENTER SITE
My Story

What is one thing about your work that most people don't know?

Because I do so much public speaking, I think people would be surprised to know that I'm really an introvert. I love and need time alone. I'll often schedule myself out of the office for a morning or even an entire day after a campus visit.

What makes you most proud of the work you do?

My work is a huge part of my identity. I am the founder and president of an organization called Interfaith Youth Core. We partner with college campuses to run sustainable interfaith programs. I'm on the road a lot speaking to campus audiences and higher education conferences on religious diversity issues. I also manage a staff of 45 people, write books and articles on interfaith issues and work with places like the Aspen Institute and the White House to advance the cause. I had the idea for the organization in the late 1990s and still pinch myself to think that the dream has come true. Honestly if I wasn't doing what I am doing, I'm not sure where I'd be. I am one of the very lucky ones where I get to work advance an important social mission (interfaith cooperation) through challenging and creative activities that I love (speaking, writing, strategic planning) and make enough money to be comfortable and support my family.