Today we have not one, but two special guests! You're in for a treat. What happens when families in crisis hand their kids over to a loosely regulated $23 billion industry promising to "fix" them? Professor Jon McQueen, a survivor of the Troubled Teen Industry (TTI), pulls back the curtain on wilderness programs, residential boarding schools, and the devastating human cost—450+ deaths and 220,000 kids sent yearly, often starting with a middle-of-the-night "transport." Jon shares his raw journey from Chicago kid to sales leader (realtor.com and more) to full-time ASU sociology professor teaching 1,900 students. He breaks down AI cheating dilemmas in education, why students feel unseen, and his groundbreaking Men & Masculinity class that challenges toxic narratives with multiple masculinities. Later, NFL legend and returning guest Nick Lowery joins for the final stretch—talking his new book Naked and Alone with 80,000 People (now on Audible!), leadership lessons from the Chiefs, factory keynotes, mental health, and his free Companion app helping first responders and beyond. This episode is packed with real talk on resilience, education's evolution, fatherhood, team chemistry, and creating connection in a disconnected world. Topics Covered Troubled Teen Industry (TTI) survivor story & exposéSales-to-academia career pivot and "hacking" the systemTeaching massive classes and making students feel seenAI cheating crisis, detectors, and mental atrophy in educationMultiple masculinities vs toxic masculinity debatesPublic speaking fears and using sales skills in academiaWorst-to-first leadership and team chemistry (Chiefs stories)Mental health companion app for first responders & veteransFan connection, social capital, and performing under pressureRateMyProfessor feedback and evolving with student needs Chapters 0:00 Cold Open: The Troubled Teen Industry0:40 Intro Band & Theme Song1:35 Scott & Mike Welcome – First Professor Guest2:25 Jon McQueen's Story – Son of a Marketer to Sales Life3:50 Pivot During COVID – Master's Degree & ASU Opportunity5:55 From Adjunct to Full Faculty – Teaching 443, Then 1,400 Students7:55 The Troubled Teen Industry – $23B Empire, 450 Deaths, Paris Hilton & Stanford Research12:13 Student Connection Story – The 7-Year ASU Senior Who Finally Felt Seen13:51 AI in Education – Cheating Detection, Syllabus Policies & The Prisoner's Dilemma19:28 Students Can't Read Analog Clocks Anymore21:07 Should Business Leaders Enter Academia?24:35 RateMyProfessor, Pre-Framing Classes & The Zocdoc Sales Lesson28:03 Men & Masculinity – Pitching the Class Nobody Takes, Toxic Masculinity & Helping Young Men32:30 Nick Lowery Returns – Trifecta Appearance32:45 Book Update – Naked and Alone with 80,000 People, Audible & P&G Keynote34:21 Chiefs Turnaround, Eric Bieniemy & Locker Room Chemistry37:16 World Cup, Messi, Fan Energy & Arrowhead Stories38:29 Roger Clemens & Locker Room Chemistry38:41 Getting Recognized at the Royals Game40:22 The Roast, Neil Smith & Kansas City Social Capital42:37 Mental Health Companion App – RFK Jr., BlueCloudX, Clinical Research & Veteran Support46:32 Final Thoughts, Gratitude & Outro Watch the full conversation and let us know in the comments: What’s one system or industry that needs more transparency and reform? Full episode also available on your favorite podcast app. Subscribe, like, and share if this hit home. New episodes drop weekly! Links & Socials Unsilenced (TTI Advocacy): unsilenced.orgNaked and Alone with 80,000 People: nicklowerybook.com (Hardcover, Paperback, Audible)Mental Health Companion App: Search “Nick Lowery Companion” or BlueCloudX Thanks for watching! If this episode moved you, hit LIKE, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway, and SUBSCRIBE for more raw stories, mindset shifts, and real conversations. New episodes drop every Tuesday morning! TikTok: tiktok.com/@whatsyourstorypod_comInstagram: instagram.com/whatsyourstorypod_comX: x.com/WYSPodcast_comFacebook: facebook.com/WhatsYourStoryPod This episode is sponsored by e3 wealth. If you need someone to help build your financial future, check out their website, and tell them Mike & Scott sent you. Mike's Website: mikelindstrom.com Scott's Website: scottleeseconsulting.com NEW WEBSITE! whatsyourstorypod.com
