Errol Gerson: Philosopher, Creative Mentor, Natural Born Teacher & Sage, on How he has Survived & Thrived being an 'Outlier' through Faith, Gratitude, Resilience & Courage

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An extraordinary episode with a man of true brilliance, courage, distinction & genius.
Delighted to welcome South African born Los Angeles-based Designer, Philosopher, Creative Mentor, Professor & Coach, Errol Gerson. A wise owl indeed!

Errol was 'Passed the Golden Baton' through previous Guest, Iain Thackrah.

Part philosopher, part accountant and natural born teacher, Errol has helped shape the creative minds of the world famous Art Centre College of Design in Los Angeles for over 50 years, preparing over 5,350 students to embark on incredible creative businesses and SUCCEED in an ever changing field.

You can also Watch/Listen to Errol here:
https://vimeo.com/chrisgrimes/errolgerson

And be sure to stick around after the outro for a wonderful post-script story from Errol too!

Errol Gerson is a lifelong learner, who trained as an accountant & has been sharing his business insight with creative people ever since. When Errol was himself at art school, one of his tutors acknowledged that he was a likeable lad but went on to say that, in his opinion, he did not have a creative bone in his body! 

Errol had left school with a certificate that declared him not suitable for university. At this point, he may have been down but he was definitely not out.  Inspired by people like Joan Baez & Bob Dylan, Errol Gerson learned to play the guitar, wrote anti-apartheid songs and sang them in coffee bars, where the customers applauded but the police took a somewhat different view! 

When a visiting American suggested he was possibly good enough to get a record deal & that America might appreciate his talents, whatever his South African critics might say, Errol set off for the USA with a very small suitcase and a tiny bundle of US dollars to match. He arrived 3 months early, in some distress. When he was evicted from his rooms for non-payment of rent, he took his last two bucks to a local coffee bar where, fortuitously, he found a job as a dishwasher, a free meal of sorts every day and even a single bed in exchange for cleaning, reminiscent of Roger Miller’s ironic 'King of the Road'.

Errol Gerson now has half a century’s relevant experience in the USA teaching at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. He himself has been inspired by all his teachers in California, as well as by iconic writers like Wayne Dyer, Stephen Covey, Viktor Frankl and Gail Sheehy. To avoid bearing grudges or allowing resentments to take root, Errol recommends a rigorous programme of prayer and meditation, as well as actively cultivating an attitude of gratitude, with the help of a moleskin notebook, on a daily basis. 

Errol continues to be inspired by people like Plato, Socrates and Descartes. 
Errol

Tune in next week for more stories of 'Distinction & Genius' from The Good Listening To Show 'Clearing'. If you would like to be my Guest too then you can find out HOW via the different 'series strands' at 'The Good Listening To Show' website.

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