Скачать или смотреть Irena Smith discusses her book "The Golden Ticket"

Irena Smith, a former Stanford admissions officer, has spent 16 years working as a private college counselor to some of the most ambitious, tightly wound students in the world while struggling to help her three children navigate the pressures and expectations that come with living in the shadow of Stanford University. In her memoir, narrated as a series of responses to college application essay prompts, Irena weaves together family history, sharp social commentary, and the lessons of narratives ranging from The Odyssey to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She asks difficult questions—what exactly do parents mean when they say they want the best for their children? What happens when the best of intentions result in unexpected consequences?—and suggests a broader, more generous view of what it means to succeed.

In a wide-ranging conversation, Rodney and Irena delve into the many topics of her book, including her experiences immigrating to the U.S. from the former Soviet Union, studying literature, raising children who struggled with developmental delays and learning differences, and working in Stanford’s Office of Undergraduate Admission. The book is a very personal narrative, and we discuss the many lessons Irena learned putting it together. The two have 20 years of history together, and this is be a fun perspective on the themes of the book.