Drew Schlosberg | CEO, Xtra Weekly and Community Leader

Welcome to the eleventh episode of The Gap Minders. Today we are speaking with the one and only Drew Schlosberg, CEO of Xtra Weekly and a community leader!

In this episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in studio by the man who is likely the longest running podcaster in the country, the one and only Drew Schlosberg, the host of the “Spotlight on the Community Show” since 2007 and the CEO of Xtra Weekly, a newspaper-centered literacy program. A community leader for so many years in San Diego including with the San Diego Union Tribune, Drew has always been passionate about literacy, including serving as the President of the Greater San Diego Reading Association.

We learn that the arc of Drew’s life and love for reading bridges sports and newspapers. As an avid sports fan growing up, he wanted to read about sports, sports and more sports! And he found his fill by reading all of the sports columns in Los Angeles, which was the catalyst for a career in journalism, commencing as a sports journalist!

Some amazing takeaways from the interview with Drew Schlosberg:

• “if you can’t read, ballgame over”
• We must greatly expand access to books at home, school and libraries
• The powerful possession mindset of book when a young person say this is “my book”
• The importance of allowing young readers to read what they enjoy
• The need for PSAs and billboards everywhere on the importance of reading as we did
  with the campaign to end smoking
• The answers to the Rapid Fire questions!

A truly fun interview from a legendary gap minder. Thank you, Drew Schlosberg, for your contributions to the community, literacy, books, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.

Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.

If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to podcast@uwsd.org. Thank you for listening.

To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.