Join us on this cozy episode of dropUp as we journey with Danielle Strachman, the bold co-founder of the Thiel Fellowship and the 1517 fund. Danielle shares her journey from choosing an unconventional educational path to leading a rebellion against rigid academic norms. She's a believer in individuality, inspiring listeners to reclaim their playful spirit of learning. Danielle's resilience shines through her endeavors, from creating a tutoring company to building a charter school. Her experiences shaped her advocacy for positive activism and a freer, more personalized education system.   Timestamp: [00:01:35] Premature birth and creative upbringing. [00:07:00] Early love of teaching, finding social role. [00:11:47] School experience: music, fitting in, independence, flow. [00:16:40] Intellectual stimulation. [00:23:39] Learning in school shaped and empowered me. [00:29:03] Got deep in grad school, questioned path. Found calling in education, tutoring company. [00:35:14] Adult stages of development often overlooked in society. Quarter and midlife crises seen as negative, but actually important milestones. Development should be approached with consciousness and a growth mindset. [00:40:05] Passion for young people and human rights; changing definition of "young person"; struggle to find fitting role; opportunity with the Thiel Foundation and 1517; big impact and connection with individuals. [00:48:42] Struggles and rewards of starting a school. [00:59:26] Play extinguished, lack of learning from elders. Oberlin's culture crushed by administration. [01:08:32] Students unaware of the need to challenge institutions. [01:13:52] Stepping out of comfort zone for activism. Quality over quantity. Using anger as fuel for change.   The sponsor for this episode is no other than Danielle's fund, the 1517 : https://www.1517fund.com – If you are a dropout, builder, or founder, you should definitely check all the ways they bring capital to young people! Follow dropUp for weekly episodes on how to navigate growing up as a gen z and choosing an unconventional path: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/76qqV2B... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeldapoem Twitter: https://twitter.com/zeldapoem