Mitch Reed - Cardboard Confessional from HS class project to book

The Rural Entrepreneur’s Gold

Meet Mitch Reed. He's a high school superintendent that saw a cool public project in Brookings, South Dakota. It was an interactive art display on Main Street where people walking by could read a deep thought-provoking question, "What's one thing you want to do before you die". People were encouraged to write their answers on a big chalkboard for all the world to see. He couldn't stop thinking about it and thought this would be a good sociology class project. It became so much more than anyone could have imagined. It was inspiring, thought-provoking, and life-changing. The project, which had kids answering that first question found in Brookings, but other great questions the class came up with. The entire school was brought in to participate and encouraged to put their answers anonymously into a box. The project was turned into a book called Cardboard Confessionals.
In the book, Reed shares the seven deep questions he asked the students of his school. The first question was, What is one thing you want to do before you die. While one might expect from a bunch of kids answers like jump off a cliff, buy a sports car, or win a million dollars, the answers were impressive and changed his life forever.

Hear how this journey made Mr. Reed a better father, a better husband, a better teacher, a better leader, a better coach, and an all-around better person. You'll get a glimpse of how this project not only changed him, but he firmly believes saved lives.

If you find yourself inspired by this podcast episode, go get the book that tells more stories of the project and what inspiring answers he witnessed. If you thought our future would be bleak based on your perception of today’s young people, you’ll come away with a whole new perspective. Dare I say, you’ll be downright proud.

If you’d like more information on the book you can check out the website MitchReedSpeaks.com. If you’d like to purchase the book you can find it in several local book stores and gift shops in South Dakota or go to Amazon.

The podcast host Krysti Mikkonen is the owner of Rural Gold, a business located in rural South Dakota offering website development and coaching services for small to medium-sized businesses, with a special place in her heart for rural ones. She also offers coaching services to entrepreneurs and difference makers individually and in a group called The Gold Miners.