This week’s guest is Andrew Taban, school board candidate and activist.

Andrew grew up in Santa Clarita, CA, a community north of Los Angeles. Some may recognize it as the home of Magic Mountain. He is now running for William S Hart Union School District Trustee Area 2.

Andrew’s participation in his community started at age 13. He became an activist in response to school budget cuts taking away the chance for kids to take part in a promotion ceremony from junior high to high school.

In high school worked in the GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) and joined board of PFLAG. He has worked as an education advocate and youth-based non-profits including Lifeworks in Los Angeles which is part of the Los Angeles LGBT Center. We talk about all of this work and how he was impacted by the homeless youth who had come out and has helped facilitate conversations with parents.

During State Assembly person Christy Smith’s term, Andrew worked as the education liaison in the State Assembly. His current platform for his school board campaign is three-pronged focusing on representation, funding and student wellness.

Learn more about Andrew and may spark your own activism along the way!

Note from Rabiah (Host): 

It’s Pride Month and I’m very proud to have had the chance to speak with Andrew for this episode. He is one of the people I thought of when I started the podcast because he has been so authentic in how he lives his life and pursues his goals since that first day. This episode is also my way of honoring the LGBTQIA+ this month which is very important to me. Happy pride. 

At the top of the show, you’ll hear a pre-roll which indicates I support a woman’s right to choose. I do, wholeheartedly. The decision made by SCOTUS last week was appalling and is scary. I stand 100% in opposition to it and was proud to participate in the project to add this pre-roll in support of women to my podcast. Thank you to Arielle Nissenblatt from Squadcast for thinking of this and getting the project started.

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Find Andrew

Website: https://www.andrewtaban.com/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndrewTabanCA 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewtaban.ca/ 

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Mentioned in this episode:

Christy Smith: https://www.christyforcongress.org/ 

PFLAG: https://pflag.org/ 

LifeWorks : https://lifeworksla.org/

Betty White: https://www.facebook.com/bettymwhite 

Dolly Parton: https://dollyparton.com/ 

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More than Work Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @morethanworkpod Please review and follow anywhere you get podcasts. Thank you for listening. Have feedback? Email morethanworkpod(at)gmail.com!

Mentioned in this episode:

Tragic SCOTUS Ruling on Roe v Wade

Help those impacted by the overturning of Roe v. Wade. https://www.podvoices.help/speak-up

This is More Than Work, the podcast reminding

you that your self worth is made up of more than your job title.

Each week, I'll talk to a guest about how they discovered that for themselves.

You'll hear about what they did, what they're doing and who they are.

I'm your host, Rabiah.

I work in IT, perform standup comedy, write, volunteer, and of course podcast.

Thank you for listening here we go.

Hey everyone.

So, first of all, thanks for listening to the pre-roll.

I'm running that on my show right now, because I have to

speak up, have to say something.

I'm also really proud that I have the guest I do this week.

Last week, there was a little bit of focus on inclusion, especially

for the L G B Q community.

And this week there's even more with my guest, Andrew Taban.

He is running for school district.

In the town I grew up in which is pretty cool because he's stuck around and he

is really doing the good work there.

I met him when I was working on Christy Smith's campaign out in

California, Katie Hill's campaign too.

And generally at the time the Clinton campaign, because I was, I was there

during the 2016 election, which is insane that I was, I was there

that long ago, living there, but, um, it's great to have Andrew on.

He's also done a lot of work with a center in Los Angeles for LGBTQIA+ youth.

We talk a lot about how he's helped families through that and PFLAG, and

then also just how he's led his life of service which doesn't just focus on that,

but also education and many other things.

It it's special to have someone on who's quite a bit younger than me, who I respect

so much for what they're pursuing and a little bit different episode of more

than work, because it's someone who's pursuing what he loves right out the gate.

We talked a little bit about what he thinks that means in the

future and what he might be doing.

So I will keep it short and sweet today because you've already

listened to my voice at the top too.

Just do what you can to, to help people.

That's that's all I'm asking on this episode.

And, and I, I think that Andrew is a great example of someone who does that.

Andrew, thank you for the impact you've had on me.

Uh, this is for you listeners who are celebrating pride month.

This is for those who have come out and haven't yet come out.

This is for everyone.

So take care.

Well, everyone today, I have a really special guest on because he's someone

that I know personally that I actually met when I lived, lived with my

mom when I was in my late thirties.

So, and, and, I met him in my hometown, but his name is Andrew Taban and

he is currently the candidate for the WIlliam S Hart Union School

District Trustee Area 2.

So he is running for school board and does a lot of other work.

So thanks for being a guest, Andrew.

Thank you for having me.

I'm super excited to be here and also to just be on the, be on a

podcast with you cuz you don't live in the same hometown anymore.

No, no, I got out of there again.

Um, and out of the country.

So, uh, where am I talking to you from right now?

I am in Santa Clarita, California, and I'm

currently in my living room.

Well that's, I mean, that's one of the better

places to be sometimes is like, just in a comfortable spot.

People try to take podcast interviews from like their car sometimes and

stuff, and you don't wanna do that.

Oh no, very noisy.

And it's pretty quiet here.

My air is not going and you know what, thanks to COVID, I have fully

now have a place where I can have video or voice calls at all times.

So it's been beneficial.

cool.

So, um, first of all, I guess we can just talk about where Santa Clarita is,

and it's a unique place in California, just because in Los Angeles county, it's

Yeah.

Yeah.

really the only place that's notoriously like been red.

But can you talk a little bit about Santa Clarita in your experience

growing up there basically?

Yeah.

So, uh, for those who, who kind of wanna know, like geographically, we're

part of Northern LA County, not the furthest region, but we're Northern LA.

A lot of people know us more for, uh, Magic Mountain, so Six Flags.

Santa Clarita.

So I, I have been more in the political sense I'm in this region,

but it's, uh, it is a quickly changing part of, of Southern California.

So, um, I mean, right, we just got new census data for our 2020 and.

You know, we are, we are increasingly diversifying.

We are, uh, increasing a lot in population.

Um, I personally love living here.

It has changed a lot since I've been here when I was, oh boy.

A while ago.

I think I like moved here when I was eight years old.

Um, so growing up here was pretty interesting.

We, we had been more, I'll say conservative mindset on how things are.

But you know, we've really, we've changed as an area, as people.

Overall I love my community.

It is a great place to grow up.

I really like that we' re like 30 minutes away if I wanna go and do

stuff like in Hollywood or Los Angeles, and then I can just come back and

be in a little, little quiet area.

I live in Newhall in specific, so I'm pretty close to our Main Street.

That's the name of the street, by the way.

Yeah, just main street for people who are listening.

And, um, it's now where all like this, this stuff happens on the

week, uh, week, nights and weekends.

It's become like a cute little boutique street where we have all

these city events and whatnot.

So it's, it's actually pretty nice place.

Yeah, it's funny cuz I, I mean I'm quite a bit older

than you, so I grew up basically a whole generation before you.

I hope not more than one generation in Santa Clarita, and when I lived there

as a kid, it was very much conservative.

And when I left, I remember I left when I was 18.

And I remember telling my mom, I will never be back.

And she's like, okay.

And I did come back for holidays and

Yep.

I,

whatever.

And then I moved home for a while, you know?

And it had changed a lot in that time, right?

Oh yeah.

I, I actually, it's so funny.

I have so many friends who are, who are like, I'm moving out of Santa

Clarita and this was cuz now I'm 25 and they're all in their forties.

And they all live back in its Santa Clarita because you know, it

it's a place that brings you back.

We're the third largest city in LA County, but we are also just

a very tight knit community.

So it's, it's just, it's like this weird, beautiful thing.

And then all my friends ended up moving out all came back.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

mm-hmm I can see that.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

It was a good place to grow up generally and pretty safe.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

And there were a lot of just nice things there.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

I remember like my first jobs were there and everything.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

So I'll just talk about like, when I came back and I met

Rabiah Coon (Host):

you, I started working just.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

In the politics space.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

And I'm fine mentioning people who listen to this podcast.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

I haven't hidden the fact that, you know, I've worked in Democratic

Rabiah Coon (Host):

politics just based on who I've had on even, but I met you during that.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

I was impressed because this had to be about five years ago now,

Rabiah Coon (Host):

actually, which is really weird to think, but you were really young.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

You were 20 and you had already been doing a lot of stuff.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

You started actually doing things to serve others though from

Rabiah Coon (Host):

junior high, basically, right?

Rabiah Coon (Host):

Like this has been something ingrained in you for a long time.

So I guess I kind of started this when I was around like 13 years old.

And the first way it started was that was around budget cuts when we had our, our

big recession, um, in, in around 2008.

And so like one of the things that, the district that I'm actually running

for now, um, that we faced at that point with budget cuts when I was.

Going from junior high was they cut all of our promotion ceremonies and,

you know, it was like, it's a big deal to go from junior high to high

school for, for, for a teenager.

It's like this Rite of passage up.

And, um, one of the things that, and all of us were disappointed by, it was,

I was like, well, this can't happen.

So it wasn't just me.

It was like this great team of people.

We came together.

Consistently and how we can do this, this promotion ceremony for

all the students in the district, for those who want to participate.

Right.

Cuz to some people it's, it's not a big deal.

Um, and so for anyone who want to do it, and that's kind of how I just started

my, my journey, I guess I really more came from the nonprofit sector of it.

And all I've known is like since growing up is I really wanted to help people.

And, you know, when you're a kid, the first thing you think of

is like, "oh, that's a doctor."

But then I realized those people work with blood and, uh, needles.

And I was like, yeah, maybe doctor or medical is just not

the field I'm gonna go into.

So from 13 on it was like this really interesting journey of just finding

out what I was gonna be doing.

Cuz I knew what I wanted to do, which was to help people.

I just didn't really know how.

I went on to working with young individuals with disability and

helping them through equestrian therapy.

And, I kind of started helping my, my local schools that I moved on from.

And so would help in the classroom or work in English language development

or a special education program.

And I would be volunteering with my aunt at, uh, her school cuz she

was vice principal at the time.

I ended up, it just looked to be really driving into education based.

I developed a big passion for it and it just kind of kept going in there and then

helped on a couple of nonprofits out here.

And it was all mostly youth based.

And so, and, um, and here we are fast forward over, over 10 years later.

Um, and I'm still doing what I do, I guess.

Yeah.

mm-hmm yeah.

So as far as just the education space, I mean, I, I know for me as a kid

who, you know, just had different things going on at home or outside

of school, some educators became very important to me in like forming my

beliefs about even myself, right?

And kind of changing those things for me.

And, and that's my experience.

And also I really love school.

What is it for you?

Do you think that's driven you to care about school and the education space?

So for me, there are a couple of educators who always stick

out to me as one of my people, right?

Um, so educators and it's perfect cuz it's also teacher appreciation week right now.

So mace.

Yeah, May 2nd to the sixth.

Um, so it it's to see the potential that a person has to change a

young person's life to put him on the right track, um, help them.

So to me, education really, isn't what I think people think it was,

it, it's not just this kid is gonna go to this school and, and be taught

for eight hours and then go home.

Right.

It's educators and, and all of this like support staff.

They're not just educating anymore.

They're, they're a friend, a role model.

Sometimes the person who's giving that kid access to a, a meal.

Giving them products that they may need.

So education has really taken on a much greater role, I

think, than people realize.

And to me personally, when I was in, like in the state assembly, we

got to work in a lot of education policy and, I really loved doing

that, but also one of the things.

I think in education is to me, it is one of the greatest

equalizers all people have.

So, you know, a great society starts with a great education.

And I think when you're, when all your individuals of society are educated, has

always proven to be a better society.

You know, you get, you get greater industry growth in those cases.

You have a better medical industry, education system.

So really education to me is really the root of a lot of solutions to

problems that we currently have and that we know we're gonna have.

And so it builds innovation.

It is this incredible concept to think that when you start with this young

person and they can end up becoming the most incredible person in society

and, and could be one of our greatest problem solvers or could just be this

great contributing member to society, or could just be a great person, right?

Education opens up so many doors and it's not just, you must be a productive

part of society, but it's just, you're opening your mind to so many different

new opportunities and possibilities.

think of.

Maybe educator that did change things for you?

Yes.

My English teacher.

In high school I had one English teacher and we're actually still

very good friends to this day.

I always thank her for where I am in my life because I was going through

a pretty rough time in high school.

I'm not like I wast an awful student or anything, but as one does in high school.

And, she was like this one person who just did not give up on me.

She would be there during lunch time to talk during brunch.

Also known as recess for like elementary school students.

It's, it's just different, you know, in the middle of, of class periods or,

you know, she would check in on me.

Like when I was not feeling hopeful about myself, I knew she did.

She saw something in me and that was just a really big deal growing up, you know,

it's sometimes when you feel like you got nobody, but to know that there is somebody

there who's counting on your success in life and who's really rooting for you.

That was a really big deal.

Yeah, that's great.

No, it's really great.

And one of my favorite people is actually an English teacher too.

And maybe that's where we're both such good talkers.

We, we on the language now.

So you mentioned the, your work in the California state assembly and you were

an education liaison there, right?

So can you talk a little bit about your experience that way?

Yeah, so, at that time I had.

Well, we had just gotten in and I worked as with the one term assembly

woman who brought one of the greatest change to some public education reform

in I think over 20 years or longer.

It was assembly woman, Christy Smith and so she actually had served

in our local school district out here for nine years and had moved

on to they uh state assembly.

And so when I was hired on, I got to be the, the head of education liaison.

Which, you know, to me was a really big deal.

And I thought I was gonna have to argue about it.

Nobody else wanted this position, like.

And so it was really just me.

And the reason why I thought was so fascinating is because, you

know, education in the state of California, it, it equates for about

like half of our state's budget.

It it's a really big portion.

And so I thought that's fascinating.

And for somebody who has the opportunity to influence what could go on in, in

education, not me personally, right?

The assembly woman and the, and the state legislature, why would somebody

not wanna be a part of that, you know?

One of the, to me, greatest things that, uh, the assembly woman did at the time,

and I got to be a part of it was, we met with all the superintendents of our

districts first and foremost to see, okay, what is it that we need in education?

What can we do better?

What is it that our districts need?

Can we bring resources back?

Can we change anything?

And to see that kind of was a defining moment to me, cuz this was a

political figure who was really putting the actions to what she believed.

You know, like a lot of people say things, but she did it and it was great to meet

with these superintendents because the State of California is extremely diverse

in what we need and what the, what I mean just throughout the state, right?

Northern California is so different from Southern California.

What they may need in schools could be different than what we need in schools.

So it was so interesting to see what is it that our superintendents

need within the districts.

They were already pretty, pretty different.

I mean, of course the number one thing that everyone says is we

need money, which makes sense.

That is always gonna be this issue.

But so when we had some pretty increasing reform, so one of 'em

was how we can do transparency in our school systems cuz there's a

responsibility to our taxpayers, right?

They should know where their money is going.

And how can we be holding ourselves better accountable to report to our taxpayers?

One of 'em would involve like teacher credentialing.

I think what a lot of people wanted was more of a, of an elected official

who, who hears out what's going on.

You don't necessarily need to create laws to change things, but maybe

it's about the dynamic of, of your administration, of your school,

whether it could be a school board.

And I think a lot of parents and ed, uh, educators and students

were like, I wanna be heard.

And so I think people were realizing the direct impact, a local school

board or their, their admin team of a school has on their life.

And I think that was the most interesting thing about talking to them was, okay,

well maybe the state doesn't have a direct impact and we're not, we don't

need to write a law about this, but what we can do is we can help build

this dialogue between your admin.

And yourself to see what is it that you may want.

It could be a, a board policy change.

It could be maybe a new rule in just your school, but to really see from that, cuz

I think what people want most of all is to know that you're elected or you're

representative or who's supposed to be your champion is they're listening to

you talking this out with you, seeing how they can best resolve this issue

with you, cuz at the end of the day, You know, if you want your student to get, or

just students in general, to get a good education, we have to start lifting these

barriers that could be presented to them.

And I think that was one of the most interesting things about being

an education liaison with it is.

Okay, well, let's see what we can do on this level, but let's also see

what we can do on this level for you.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

Yeah, that makes sense.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

And I think that people, you know, the, in any kind of politics, the

Rabiah Coon (Host):

national politics always take over, but.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

Locally, that's where things will change that affect your day to day life.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

And that's something I learned, um, even just working with you for quite a bit

Rabiah Coon (Host):

of time and, and a few other people, but it's, it's really interesting.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

And so I guess one question then, um, I have for you too, is, did you think

Rabiah Coon (Host):

about when you were looking at like your career and you're still pretty

Rabiah Coon (Host):

early, but in your adult life, but.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

And you talked about service, but I'm wondering, did you consider

Rabiah Coon (Host):

other options before going into the political side of things?

Rabiah Coon (Host):

And did you even start working towards something before you

Rabiah Coon (Host):

ended up in, in this area?

Yeah, so politics was kind of an accident like it, it just happened.

Um, so I was really more eyeballing the nonprofit sector of things and.

I, so I was actually one of the youngest people to, or I think the youngest

person to actually run in my city.

Um, cuz this is my second bid for school board.

The first time I did, I was 18 years old.

I was like, all right, let's, let's go for it.

I was more encouraged to do so.

Um, but it, it was like that ended up being the start to something

that I didn't think I would, I would be where I'm at now.

Um, so I, like I said, it was just always about helping people

and to me, the nonprofit sector.

Is is really where you get to do that.

Um, so that was kind of more what I was going for.

And I, like, I accidentally ended up here.

So I started like doing, um, in high school, I did a policy and advocacy

camp over the weekend, and that was really more to understand the, the

dynamics and systems of government and how like me as a citizen.

Right.

I can, I can benefit my fellow citizens or residents of the area that I'm.

And to advocate my state legisla, uh, legislators and, and so on, but that

was kind of just where I was going.

And then I slowly started to get involved more and more in like policy work

and, and, and government and politics.

And somehow, um, it it's like a trap.

It just kind of, it gets you and then you can't leave

Um, and I love the work I do, you know, I mean, at the end of the day, it's you

wanna help people and, and there are so many different avenues of doing that.

Um, and somehow this just became mine.

And so,

yeah.

yeah, here and here I am to this day.

So what's changed for you.

I mean, I know a lot in your life has probably changed, but

from when you were 18 running to now, is your approach different

yes and no.

Um, I guess you could say, you know, as you grow older there, you learn how

to better maneuver through systems.

Um, one thing that for sure changed my here, when I was 18 now I don't.

So that was really the biggest thing.

Um but I, I think the mission has never changed is, is how do

we leave the world of better place than, than when we entered it.

Right.

Um, so the mission of that has not changed for me.

I do wanna leave.

I don't think I'm dying anytime soon.

Right.

But like, I, I still wanna leave this planet, the systems that are in place, a

better place for our future generations.

Um, I guess the, the way I've gone about it has changed, right.

I'm now in the, in this political sphere.

Um, but even when I look right as cuz this is, this is really

where we are as just as a country.

Um, and I think worldwide is right now, we're all very divide.

um, and things are in a really tough situation, but for me at the end of

the day, um, I think we all agree.

We want clean air.

We want clean water.

We want a good future left for our young people.

And, and I think that is something that we can all agree on.

There is too often, this, this moment where, where we will disagree on things

and right, there are some things that there, there is no coming together, right?

And I understand that, but when it comes to systems of like that I'm going

for right now, like local governance, I know there are things we all want.

We have different ways of getting there, but, and we need to get to a

point where we can come together again.

Uh, even though we may disagree and say, okay, well, how do we achieve this

goal of, of what we both want and how do we negotiate or make it better?

I know it, it always feels like we are at a tipping point of society.

And there are some things that, right, there are some people

you just can't work with.

And, and I get that I've been there.

But how do we bring the people to the table who we can work with?

And even maybe some that we, we can't and, and find a way to make this better.

So, and push egos aside in everything and say, okay, this is our goal.

We wanna make it a better place for the future generations and

even the current generation.

And how are we gonna achieve it.

And so that mission has never changed.

And I want to get back to a point where, where we can do that.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

Yeah, no, that's great.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

And I do think, yeah, it's interesting cuz even in work, I mean there's all places in

Rabiah Coon (Host):

our lives and it happens over time where there's someone that we don't necessarily

Rabiah Coon (Host):

want to work with but we have to.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

And, I've heard people say before, I'll never work with them again.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

Well, that's fine.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

You can say that.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

But then if you end up at the same table, as you're saying,

Rabiah Coon (Host):

it's really hard not to, right?

Rabiah Coon (Host):

And so I do think that even though I'm very stubborn and I know me personally,

Rabiah Coon (Host):

there's certain people I've unfriended on Facebook, for example, but that's

Rabiah Coon (Host):

not a real space where I have to engage.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

But if I am with someone in person and stuff, I do have to

Rabiah Coon (Host):

engage or if it's part of my job.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

And so I think that then yeah, you have to find the commonalities.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

And I like that.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

That's kind of, that's what you're thinking and you're right.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

There are certain things we all want too.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

So as far as your campaign, and then I wanna talk about some other things, but

Rabiah Coon (Host):

just, I, you know, do some research.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

I don't know if people know that, but the podcast host usually

Rabiah Coon (Host):

tries to research the person a

Rabiah Coon (Host):

little bit.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

You , you have three areas of focus, so representation,

Rabiah Coon (Host):

funding, and student wellness.

Rabiah Coon (Host):

Can you talk a little bit about those just because I think, especially

Rabiah Coon (Host):

in the area of representation, people would hear that word and

Rabiah Coon (Host):

think all different things about it?

Yeah.

So representation, I think goes on multiple fronts.

If we're just looking at me as just a person, right?

I I'm young.

I am a middle Eastern mixed individual who is part of the LGBTQ plus community.

So I think if we're just looking at that, right, okay, there's,

there's that form of representation.

But also another thing, when I look at representation, it is about having we'll

call 'em stakeholders of the district, represented in a district level.

So one of the things I've gotten a lot of talking with parents, faculty,

educators, students is they are not heard at the district level.

And if they are it's by a very select few board members.

It's not really a majority.

And so I think when it comes to representation, what I kind of

always say is you don't need to just have a seat at the table, but you

deserve a voice at the table and you shouldn't have to fight for it.

You, we are, we are elected to be that voice for you, and we should be

getting that voice and representing you.

We may not all agree right, on what one another is saying, but we are elected

to represent everybody of our district.

And I think representation is really a critical role in that.

When it comes to funding, funding is a very interesting mechanism

and people are estimating, right?

We're gonna go into a recession in, in here.

And the way that California education works is our, our funding really

is dependent on what we are making.

There's not a big consistent.

It kind of just depends.

And so I think when it comes to that is when you, there are of course

things that must be done, right?

So there's restricted funds, there's unrestricted funds, things

that you already have allocated.

So salary and that.

but there's a pool of funding that a, a board gets to decide

on, on what happens to it.

And so I, I always say as a, as a person running for office, I will

never make promises like, yeah, this is exactly what's gonna happen with

that because I, I am one person.

Uh, it is majority vote.

It's a five person board.

And you don't really know fully all the resources you have until

you're in that position, right.

And seeing all the asks on the table.

But I really want to focus a lot and it, and it kind of ties into student wellness

and, and our faculty We've had a really rough two years in with, with COVID and so

when it ties in with student wellness and all these other resources is our budget

reflective of our values as a district?

Are we making sure that what our student teachers need?

Are those things being met?

Are we doing good pay?

Are we having modernization of buildings?

Are we really keeping the promise to the taxpayers that

we are using their money wisely?

And so that's kind of what I want to see on that.

And when we go into student wellness, it has a lot to do with, you know, we have

wellness centers throughout the district, but also are there needs being met?

I got to do a couple of tours, um, with we, we call them

wellness centers in the district.

So I wanna make sure that the needs of our students are being met on what level.

And I think another big, important factor to that when it comes to

equal representation is, it's a big deal to me, I know when I was a

student in the district, if a board member comes up to you and says,

you know, what is it that you need?

Or is at these open houses.

That's a big deal because it is a person working on achieving the goals of not

only what the district should be doing, but what is it that the individuals that

are in the district need, you know?

So student wellness is, is a really big deal because a student doesn't have the

ability to succeed if we're really not meeting their most basic of basic needs.

Does the student have a student have stable housing?

Are they being fed?

Are they being able to sleep at night?

Are they psychologically at like peace?

Pretty much.

Do they have all of these needs being met before they can go up to the next

level because you are not gonna get an education, or a great education,

if you are worried about where is my next meal gonna come from tonight?

So I think that student wellness is a pretty big thing.

And I think it, the district has a role to play in that

Yeah, absolutely.

Yeah.

And a lot of kids have very adult problems to deal with and

and they need to be addressed.

And though maybe the school can't address everything and I feel like

that with work like my company can't make sure everyone's happy, but it can

definitely help in certain ways, right?

So one thing you did mention when we talked about representation is that you

are part of the LGBTQ plus community and you've done work in that area too...

Yeah.

So the way it kind of started was I was part of a GSA network in, in high school.

So we worked on a lot of legislation at, at those goodness gracious.

We worked on a lot of legislation actually.

Um, so we worked on bits of those and I became a board member of PFLAG,

so parents and friends of lesbians and gays in my local chapter.

So I've been on a board of that working with parents and, and young

adults and youth, just to, you know, how can we make home life better?

I was also in the state assembly of the LGBTQ plus, uh, representative for that.

And my college experience I was the head and president of our

GSA in college and high school.

I used to work it's called LifeWorks and it was part of Angeles LGBT center

and this was, not too long ago, but it was a, it was a little bit ago.

And so one of the things that we used to do there is we would do,

uh, trainings and, and like little classes for young individuals.

And so I would go and we would be able to teach LGBTQ plus history and, uh, just

pretty much what it was kind of developed around what the students wanted to hear.

So a lot of it was history.

They want to know about, you know, the, their culture and

their history as students.

And anything else kind of that the, the, the program would set

for us to teach at the time.

And so that was, it was wonderful.

And I used to be part of, or I guess I still am now.

Yeah.

The models of pride.

So it's one of the largest LGBTQ conferences in the United States.

And set for parents and students, um, on all levels to pretty much just come in.

It's a place for parents to understand what's going on in their life and see how

to be a better ally or supporter, or even just help other parents and for students

in multiple different types of workshops.

And so I used to teach there as well.

Swell.

Oh, that's great.

And I mean, you could just be part of the community again, but not

be involved in advocacy for it.

And did you, was it a decision for you or did it just kind of happen

in the way other things did that you just kind of are there to help?

Because I can see that not, not everyone who.

Is part of that community is gonna be able to stand up and talk to

parents or talk to other people.

And I'm sure you have encountered different conversations that

Yeah, so it, I kind of like most of it stumbled into it.

Um, I think one of the biggest driving forces for me was it was, there are

so many people in this community who feel marginalized and they

feel like they don't have a voice.

And to me, that is the, it is the, one of the worst things.

Because not only are you just part of this community where you feel like you're not

being heard, but you, you don't have a mechanism where you can see it happening.

And so it was the, to me, it was how do we ensure a system where people

who don't feel heard can be heard?

And so that's kind of just how I, I started getting into it but it,

it kind of came back to the end of the day, like your home life as a

young person, you deserve to feel safe and loved in your own home.

And for, for those students who were in that, coming out process,

it it's a rough experience.

You don't necessarily know how the family's gonna react, or

even if it's, it's a positive experience, it's a transition in,

into a new, I guess kind of life.

And so I want to be able to help with that in any way.

Right.

I, I wouldn't just be like, hi, I'm Andrew.

Like, no, like it would have to be like, can you help with the situation?

Of course, if they're comfortable and what they're comfortable in.

But yeah, it was interesting having conversations with some parents, because

one of the things that we always said was when a child comes out of the

closet or not even a child, right?

Whatever age, young adult comes out we always say the parent

would go back in the closet.

And because, you know, you have also much like your child, you have an

image in your mind of what your kid is going to be or whatnot.

And so that, that has now also been altered a little bit.

And so how do we find the best path forward for both parties

to really come together?

Because at the end of the day, most of the time that parent just

loves that kid, no matter what.

And so a lot of this comes from fear or, or questions and what,

what is gonna happen for my child?

And so, and also the, the young individual has that same, a

lot of those same questions.

So it's like, how can we best maneuver and have these conversations and be

educating the families as well as making sure that the, the best outcome

for the young individual is met?

Yeah.

And it's important work because I mean, there there's, even though I think to

the people who are kind of just it's they don't look at people's sexuality as

something that's their business basically.

Or they don't care.

Like this is my friend and this is my friend.

This is my friend.

They could be any sexuality, doesn't matter.

It's hard to see that that's not the case for everyone.

And so, and you think, well, it should be easy, but actually there's still

a lot of people who think a different way or maybe even people would go,

well I'm fine with people being just gay, just to make it simple to say.

Right.

But then if it's someone that that's in their family or their kid, then

all of a sudden it's not okay cuz it's like, well it was other people.

It wasn't me.

And I, I think that it's interesting because I've heard people like different

people say, you know, I don't know why there's all this messaging or I

don't know why there's all this, um, like special like programs now and

stuff, but it's it's because there's still a, a problem, basically, right?

There's no one ever has to come out as straight.

Yeah.

Uh, you know, and I think what, one of the biggest things that killed me was part of

our center was we took in homeless youth who were, who were displaced from housing.

And I remember one time they like, okay, well, we actually need to

get more beds because we have more people than we do beds now.

And it was this insane thought to think that these youth were

kicked out of their homes.

I mean, for, just for this mere thing.

And so.

It, it was just, it was painful to see, and these are, I

think they were great kids.

Like sweet people, just every day person, just like us who, who was

removed from their secure housing because of, of who they are.

And I think that was the most insane thing that, that, that just blew my mind is,

you know, there you're flesh and blood and yeah, it, it was just heartbreaking.

It's good that there are people and organizations that are

helping because it, it is really important and just people yeah getting displaced.

And it's kind of, that's not always a story of someone else, but it could

be a story in, in people's families.

I don't know who listens, you know, so it could be anyone.

You're a unique guest because I would say because of your age, you didn't go

through this whole thing that a lot of my guests have gone through where they did

a career for 20 years, completely burned out, decided to do something new, but

you've actually just, you've figured out your purpose and you've been pursuing it.

Have you wondered if this is gonna be your path for your entire life, or how is

that looking for you and working for you?

Because I know when I was 25, I didn't know that there were other careers

possible after the one I chose so I was just kind of stuck already.

And so I think it's different in your generation because you

guys are already being told, like you can do several things.

So how are you feeling right now just in thinking about.

Like the path you're on now and, and how it might look in the future cuz someone

young, younger listening might be thinking about how, oh, if I do this thing now I'm

stuck doing it forever still, you know?

Yeah.

I mean, to me, the most interesting thing is a person could just

leave at any at any point.

Um, I've I mean, I'm, I'm running for office, so I think it'll be really awkward

to just be like, all right, bye y'all.

and but I, I mean, I do, I do love what I do.

To where I see myself in like 10 to 20 years.

I don't know.

To me the mission hasn't changed is again, how can I best help people?

Um, the most interesting thing about elections, right, is, the voters decide.

I could very well not win.

And I think that is the most interesting thing about elections.

Sometimes it really is not up to you.

The public decides whether or not your life will be

changing or not in the ballot.

But to me, like, right, if I don't win, which I really hope I do, but

the, yeah, I'll have, I'll have to do some, a little bit of changing

here of what, what the plan is.

But again, the mission just doesn't change.

It's how do we leave the environment, like the environment environment,

but also just the, the image as a whole, the best for the future?

And, um, that's not gonna change.

I don't know what would be held next for me.

And I mean, I could say right.

Oh, I'm just gonna go right back to nonprofits.

I, I don't know.

I, I don't know that for sure.

So to me, nothing guaranteed.

Politics in general is a tiring field.

There is no, no disagreement there because how do you collectively

get a big chunk of society to agree on, this is what we should have.

It's, it's difficult and I've sat on boards with seven people and it's hard

to come to an agreement at that point.

It's challenging, but it it's something I love to do because I think there's

something interesting in, in when you, when you work in this realm

of knowing that there are things you are doing to benefit people's

lives in which you will never meet.

And they will never meet you, you know.

But there, you know, that like, okay, there's, there's a family out there

who's doing better because of policies or beliefs that we, we set forth or in

listening to a community of, okay, this is something we could just impact and change

and make someone's life a little better.

Um, and, and you, and, and you can do that.

And so I think that's kind of the most interesting thing.

Yeah.

Cool.

And speaking of you being in a difficult field, what do you do to get a break?

Or how do you do that?

Because in a way, if you're in an office or even you've been working for

other people, you're doing work that really impacts other people's lives.

And I imagine there's a little bit of a burden that comes with that.

So what do you do to create some balance for yourself?

That is a very good question.

You know, I think it varies.

I think self-care is a very important factor.

Um, I think for anybody who works with, with other human beings because it really

does come or I mean, even animals, right?

Like it comes back to this point of how do you make positive impact if

you're not in a positive place yourself?

So for me it kind of varies.

There are some nights where I just wanna be with friends.

I love to be with my friends being in a, in a or family in

like a positive environment.

Sometimes it's just that, uh, sometimes it's just coming home having a cup

of tea, sitting down, watching a show, or just kind of being at peace.

Sometimes it's going on a hike where there's no cell service, which is

a beautiful part of hiking trails.

So I, I think it varies.

It depends on my stress level or, or, or kind of what's going on.

I told you I had just, I today's my first day negative of COVID after nine days.

I was isolated at home and honestly it is the, for me personally, this

is not the case for everybody.

It was the biggest pain to me to know that I could not be out and out

in my community, right, doing stuff that I do on a, on a regular basis.

I couldn't be at, at, at doing a drive for somebody or helping.

Like, so I, I think that kind of is my joy, is, I love to do

community service and be out and about with my community members.

I love where I live and I love the people that I get to serve alongside

and, and the community I get to to serve.

And so I think that is kind of my, my joy and that I feel that is my purpose.

Um, but I think just.

Like everybody, right, if you love your job, you still need

to have a little bit you time.

And, and I think that's really the most important thing I just need to do, um,

get a little break here or there, right?

It's it's like read a book or something.

I don't know.

So that's kind of my thing.

yeah.

Yeah, totally.

So Andrew, do you have any advice or mantra that you would like to share

with people that, that you either got imparted onto you or that you just

kind of have thought of over time?

Yeah.

So, and it actually has a lot to do with running for office, but I think it

qualifies for a lot of things in life.

Um, and I could have used it probably when I was growing up is, in

everyday life, I I'll just use, in my example, I was running for office.

A lot of people tell you what to do, who to be, what you should say.

Honestly, and it sounds so cliche, but just like, just be yourself, uh,

you know, people love authenticity and the real reasons of things.

And so I, I think for any aspect of life, be authentic, be who you are.

And just, you know, what live your life and your as yourself.

And I think that kind of what what's gonna bring you the most joy in life.

Not everyone's gonna agree with you and not everyone's gonna like

you, There's this saying I heard, and I can't remember who was from,

but they said, "you know what?

You could be the sweetest peach on the tree, but some people

just don't like peaches."

Huh?

and yeah, that's kind of thing, but just be authentic, be yourself.

And I think life just has a funny way of working itself out in the end.

I like that last, last one.

That last part too.

And I mean, I grew the whole thing, but I like that,

that saying about the peaches too.

That's really cool.

Okay, so now we just have the fun five left.

So these are just five questions I ask every guest.

The first one, all right.

What is the oldest t-shirt you have and still wear.

It's actually the one I'm wearing right now.

It is my, this California shirt.

I love the state of California.

If you could do like a little tour around my house, it is all California themed.

But it's just the, the state flag.

I mean, without the, the, the shape of it, but it's the California

bear with a little star on top.

Just all over.

And I've had this shirt for, I don't even know how long now, but it is

absolutely one of my favorite shirts.

Yeah.

Super.

I love California too, actually.

I mean, that's one thing that living away from, well, living away from the United

States and even in living away from that state, uh, several times as an adult.

I do know that I love California, so we definitely love the same, the

It.

I, I know like the viewers can't see, but I, it, I, this during the pandemic,

when we had that weird, we're kind of open, but we're not, um, I got this

tattoo actually of the little California bear on my, uh, forearm and it has

the word hope in the middle of it, but yeah, big, big fan of the, you know.

So if moving on to a different animal, basically,

other than the bear, um, if every day was really Groundhog's Day,

like it seemed well and probably your life the last nine days or so.

Um, what song would you have your alarm clock set to play every morning?

Um, it's "Move Your Feet" by Junior Senior.

I think it's just, it's a really fun song.

It's just a really fun, like unifying song.

And so that, that is what I enjoy to hear about almost every day.

And, um, yeah, I also really weird, this, I guess there's a two part it's,

um, "Time to Say Goodbye" by, um, Sarah.

oh goodness.

I am.

I believe she's an opera singer, but I, I love that song.

It, it is, um, I believe Italian

Oh, Sarah Brightman.

Yes.

I absolutely love that song too.

So I guess those two.

Okay,

which there was one, but sorry,

No, that's all right cuz sometimes people don't have one.

I can find on Spotify, so you'll get to on the playlist.

Cool.

All right.

Coffee or tea or neither?

Coffee.

I am a big coffee person.

I mean, I also like tea, but yeah, every day I need to have a cup of coffee.

Do you like it any certain way or

any certain brand or anything?

Um, I just, every morning I have my little, um, cup of coffee

with, uh, it's sweetened almond milk.

And if I don't have that, it's something called I think coco nut,

like it's coco and then nut, but like N U T is like brown and Coco's white.

Um, it's an unsweetened coconut creamer with two sweetener pack.

Nice.

don't know why so specific, but that is it.

Yeah.

Well, no, but theme is that you have some kind

of milk and some kind of sweetener.

Yes.

Yeah.

theme is that you have some kind of milk and some

kind of sweetener, so I gotcha.

All right.

And then can you think of a time that you like laughs already cried

or something that just cracks you up when you think of it?

This is just for me.

Cause I like to laugh

Yeah, it, so this probably will not be funny to most viewers, um,

or listeners, because it's so weird to explain, but, um, there was this one

when we were in San Diego, my friend and I, we were just like my best friend.

And we, we were just sitting in our hotel room, like I think at two in the

morning just cracking up and it was one of those things I'm sure everyone

has it where they can just really like, they're just with their best friend.

And for some reason, no matter what you say, it is just dead hilarious.

And I, I felt so bad for our neighboring rooms because they

probably want to strangle us.

But yeah, we were just sitting there cracking up at like two in the morning

over, I don't even remember probably the stupidest thing, but it was just funny.

I don't know why, but I have a lot of those moments with my friend where

general public will not think it is funny, but we thought it was hilarious.

And that's just, yeah, we, I think we probably laugh for a solid, just

15 minutes, just gasping for air, but then you like think you finally stop

laughing and then you look at each other and then you start laughing.

So yeah, it was a, a vicious cycle of just gasping for air and cracking up.

That's good.

Yeah, even though it's not something that makes me laugh right now, but

it's a feeling I understand for sure.

Right.

You know that someone?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Oh, that's good.

All right.

Last one.

Who inspires you right now?

okay.

So this is a, another two person or two answer kind of questions.

There are so many different people who inspire me for different reasons.

But right now, one rest, God rest her soul, uh, Betty White.

Because right she just, I don't know how you live that long without

having nobody, not like you.

Like everybody loved Betty White and, and her passion for, for just being a good

person and animals and, and charitable work really was just in incredible to me.

I, I, I mean, in Hollywood and just this, this habit of making people happy.

And I really admire that about her.

And also I grew up watching the Golden Girls, so like just, she was wonderful.

And for that time too, she took on some really controversial issues at

that time, which we don't think are controversial now, but, you know, And

then, um, my second one is Dolly Parton.

I think, you know, again with the charitable work and to see the foundation

that she has and what she does for those who are affected by natural disaster, or

just focusing education or public health.

She, she takes on this, just this really wonderful role of she identifies as

a Christian woman who really has dedicated her life not just to entertaining people,

but also, you know, making sure the, the world is a better place without,

without, I guess, making people upset.

And I think that's just such an incredible thing I see in people

is it has nothing to do with her.

It has nothing to do about the credit that she receives.

It's just, she wants to.

Good work.

And, and I really just admire that in for, for people who've been

there for that long, you know, it's, it's just incredible to see.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And just to stay so consistent.

yeah.

Yeah.

I think it's, it's wonderful.

And, and I think it shows people that, you know, you can, you can be

beneficial to, to this world at any point in your life and, and nothing

should ever deter you from doing it.

One thing I heard, which was incredible.

And I, you know, they say like the one rule, if you're like a time

traveler, right, Is never change the past because it can alter the

future that you're coming from.

And I say that because um, the, the second part to that when I heard it was,

so why do people think right now the smallest actions that they can do or the,

the tiniest impact won't affect future?

And so, uh, I think that's just incredible of a lot of people.

Like what I do won't make a difference, but it will.

It will, we don't know how, but it can, it will, and, you should do that.

If you can make any positive impact on this world, I think

you should absolutely go for it.

Yeah.

totally.

I agree.

I, I'm definitely an advocate and I like that that's the message you're sharing

because I think that's one reason this podcast is here is to help people.

I mean, part of it's because I really like podcasting and the medium, but a lot of

it's just to get people's voices heard

and hopefully help other people.

So thank you for that.

And, um, as far as if people wanna find you no more about you

or maybe even contribute to your campaign, where should they go?

Uh, so they can visit my website, andrew taban

dot com (andrewtaban.com).

So A N D R E W and then T A B as in boy, A N dot com.

All my social media is, is about the same.

So I think like my Twitter is the, like at andrew taban CA like CA

for California ((@andrewtabanca).

Same thing with my, Facebook.

And then my Instagram is that, but it's andrew taban dot ca (andrewtaban.ca).

And it has all my information if they wanna reach out as well, they

can contact me through the website.

Um, and yeah, just happy to connect with people.

Super.

Alright, Andrew.

Thanks so much for joining me.

I really appreciate it.

It was a lot of fun talking to you and, um, inspiring too.

So thanks.

Thank you.

Of course.

Awesome.

And that was my pleasure to be here.

Thank you for having me.

Thanks for listening.

You can learn more about the guest and what was talked about in the show notes.

Joe Maffia created the music you're listening to.

You can find him on Spotify at Joe M A F F I A.

Rob Metke does all the design for which I am so grateful.

You can find him online by searching Rob M E T K E.

Please leave a review if you like the show and get in touch

via feedback or guest ideas.

The pod is on all the social channels at at more than work pod

(@morethanworkpod) or at Rabiah comedy (@rabiahcomedy) on TikTok.

And the website is more than work pod dot com (morethanworkpod.com).

While being kind to others, don't forget to be kind to yourself.