John Hisle and Eric Spivack

Eric Spivack and John Hisle share why they wanted to participate; Eric is interested in bridging divides and John recognizes that he lives in a bubble.

John talks about how he grew up and how life differs for his children, considering that times and expectations were simpler for him. He talks about his father's work in Latin America. John shares that he has four children, two of whom are adopted from a Korean orphanage, one of whom suffers from Attachment Disorder and is currently estranged from them.

Eric talks about the cultural dichotomy of growing up in Virginia and spending summers in France with his maternal grandparents. Through his work he landed in Richmond, but didn't choose it.

Eric talks about different jobs he's had and how he came to be a teacher. He reflects that children remind him of our similarities as people.

John talks about everyone's need to be safe and secure. He feels our leaders focus too much on power. He talks about retirement, the stress he had in his work and combatting the anxiety. He reflects that we're happiest as people when we're helping other people.

Eric reflects that the sense of trust in government we had coming out of WWII encouraged investment and laments that we've lost that. John talks about attending a Men's discussion group at his church and lectures at Chautauqua. He remembers the daily reports issued by the U.S. government regarding the Vietnam War that he considered to be blatant lies. He was a conscientious objector. John is optimistic for the future. Eric doesn't share the same hope so is planning to leave. He sees other countries and learning from their history.