Turnabout Tales: From Underdog to Hero with Raymond Arroyo – ETB #169

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Raymond Arroyo, a New York Times bestselling author and Fox News contributor, at the 2023 National Religious Broadcasters Convention. He agreed to sit down and have a conversation with me for the podcast. There were so many things we could have discussed! We could have talked about politics or how the world is crumbling around us, but we landed on a topic that strengthens the family, and I hope it is going to encourage you. Raymond and I were talking about how children are curious, and I knew this was the topic we needed to focus on! He’s written a book series called Turnabout Tales that focuses on little-known yet fascinating stories of historical figures who went from underdog to hero, and the adults who inspired them to be true to themselves and do big things that changed the world. The first book in the series is about the life of Thomas Alva Edison and his mother Nancy.

This episode is sponsored by BJU Press Homeschool. Visit bjupresshomeschool.com for trusted educational resources from a biblical worldview.

In this episode, Raymond and I discuss taking children from underdog to hero and discuss these things along the way:

• The importance of children’s curiosity
• Raymond’s interest in Thomas Alva Edison and his discovery of his background
• The role of Nancy Edison, Thomas’s mother, in his upbringing and education
• The challenges Thomas Edison faced, including being labeled as an “idiot” by a schoolmaster
• The significance of Nancy Edison’s belief in her son’s potential and her role in fostering his curiosity and intelligence
• The impact of Nancy Edison’s influence on Thomas’s inventions and creativity
• The importance of recognizing and nurturing children’s gifts, strengths, and talents
• The marginalized role of mothers in society and the need to value and affirm their contribution and lifelong impact
• The book’s cover and the representation of Nancy Edison
• Thomas Edison’s hustle and work ethic at a young age
• The influence of Nancy Edison’s decision to homeschool Thomas and its impact on his life trajectory

I hope you enjoyed our conversation about curiosity and the importance of relationships in a child’s life that help them go from underdog to hero. Be sure to check out Raymond’s website and look for another Turnabout Tales story to be released in the fall of 2023!