• Guest: Joshua Flapan discusses his books and perspectives on education and public policy.
• Main Themes: Critiques of the college system and advocacy for educational reform.

Background and Motivation

• Inspiration for Writing: Joshua enjoys research and aims to share insights about college and public policy.
• Target Audience: He hopes to influence change in areas like government reform and education.

Key Discussions

• Education Reform: Joshua argues that college isn't necessary for most careers, suggesting alternatives like apprenticeship programs.
• Proposed Changes:
  • Forgiving student loan debt.
  • Implementing a parliamentary democracy in the U.S.
  • Promoting technical training over traditional college education.

Personal Experience

• Education: Joshua attended Florida Atlantic University, majoring in history.
• Writing Journey: He has been writing for about 15-16 years, with his first book published in 2014.
• Current Focus: Joshua is considering writing an autobiography about the publishing industry and its challenges.

Insights on Publishing

• Challenges: He discusses the difficulties authors face, including market saturation and the complexities of traditional publishing.
• Advice for Aspiring Authors:
  • Be cautious of vanity publishers.
  • Maintain a side job while writing.
  • Seek feedback from others on their work.

Books Discussed

• Titles:
  • "Education Mania"
  • "Modern Prohibition"
  • "Innocent and Executed"
• Themes:
  • The failures of prohibition and the death penalty.
  • Advocacy for a more practical and effective educational system.

Audience Engagement

• Social Media Presence: Joshua mentions he has a Facebook account and is considering TikTok for promotion but notes potential bans on the platform.

Closing Thoughts

• Encouragement: Joshua emphasizes perseverance and the importance of continuous learning.
• Final Remarks: The hosts thank Joshua for sharing his insights and encourage listeners to explore his work.