Overcoming Rejection with LeRon Barton
Meet Our Guest
LeRon L. Barton is a writer from Kansas City, MO, currently living in San Francisco, Ca. He is the author of two books, “Straight Dope: A 360 degree look into American Drug Culture” and “All WReally Need Is Love: Stories of Dating, Relationships, Heartbreak, and Marriage.” As a young man, LeRon has had to live with a stutter. At times it was debilitating and confidence hindering, but he has learned to manage the stutter and not let it stop him taking on another passion: public speaking. In his spare time, LeRon mentors young men in San Francisco and loves to backpack around the world. Be The audio of the interview is available to listen to on Anchor: Here
Worst moment
LeRon took a creative writing program when he was in high school. The final assignment was to write a play. He wrote a play about a Rock and Roller that wrote controversial lyrics into a song. They protested it because it caused someone’s child to commit suicide. As the students were reading lines, everyone started laughing, and they called his writing garbage. He was dejected and didn’t want to write a play ever again. LeRon DID NOT listen to the people putting him down, and he continued to write.
People laughed at him for having a stutter and as well as getting stuck trying to speak. When LeRon was 17, he hadn’t developed a concept of who he was. Today at 40, he can look back and see it was not a very good script. He took the lesson, instead of trying to be cool, try to make it good.
The Turn-Around Point
- Speaking at Glide Church
LeRon had an opportunity to speak at Glide Church. He practiced until he was tired and then practiced more. “When you are prepared, you will win.”
Habits
- Listening, distraction-free trying to be present
- Writes everything down in his notes
- Pray twice a day every day.
Favourite Book or Podcast
- Core Woman Podcast
- Malcolm X Autobiography
What’s Good Now
LeRon enjoys life with a great lady, friends and the freedom to create. He is writing a new book that will be lean and tell the story effectively. He will be travelling to Spain again and is optimistic about his future.
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