Jon Stewart is My Hero
I’ll say it once and I’ll say it again - Jon Stewart is my hero. Not because he’s funny (although it doesn’t hurt), or because I always agree with him (because sometimes I don’t), but because he uses his voice for good. He challenges us to ask questions. He dares us to think about what we’re being told or sold. He encourages us to have discourse and see both sides and that sometimes, two things can be true (with a bit of humor in between).
On September 20, 2001, after "The Daily Show" came back on air and we were all still in shock and looking for answers, I wondered what he was going to say - so many other TV personalities had already said their piece and were back to the jokes. What he said was different - he was a real person struggling with his own grief and the reality that we had just lost so much, but also grabbing onto the knowledge that we had rebuilt before and we would do so again – that even the most terrible situations cause people to come together in some beautiful and amazing ways. Why? Because he had seen it happen before. He helped me to see that it was normal to struggle and grieve, and that it would take some time, but we would all be OK.
Even with courage being one of my core values, I have always struggled to use my own voice and make my thoughts known. Will I be judged? Will people laugh at me? Will someone say I’m wrong and question my feelings? Lately, I’ve been in situations where I have chosen to be courageous and to use my voice and guess what - it felt good. I wasn’t berated, cross-examined, or told I was an idiot. Instead, I was met with interesting discourse and came out feeling more full, thankful, and satisfied. Yes, I was vulnerable, but I was giving others a different perspective and I left the discussion feeling seen and understood and that better things were on the horizon. Using your voice to connect with others can be extremely powerful, especially if you speak from your heart and also take the time to listen.
Jon Stewart’s return has reminded me of the importance of using my own voice and how powerful that feeling can be. It’s something that I have already started to teach my young daughters. In my role as a coach and in HR, I encourage others to use their voice, to give that feedback, to question a decision, to offer another opinion, tell someone you understand they're struggling, and help them to see the other side. Without engagement, human connection, and discourse, there is no improvement - there is no change.
Welcome back to "The Daily Show" chair, Mr. Stewart. You have been missed.
