How should young Americans respond to structural barriers as they seek to carve out a place for themselves in the world? In this episode, Brown University economist Glenn Loury joins Ian and Nique to discuss how a foundation of grit can shape a new generation of black excellence.

Glenn was raised on the south side of Chicago in a working-class family. Despite some obstacles in his youth, a professor at his community college discovered Glenn’s academic gifts and helped him gain admittance to Northwestern University. At Northwestern, a world of opportunity opened to Glenn, but his road to success wasn’t easy. With three children to father, a full-time class load, and a full-time job at night to balance, Glenn’s story is a testament to the power of grit in helping people surmount steep obstacles. Looking back, Glenn’s advice to similar Americans looking to build a better life is to find a spiritual foundation for their life and anchor key life decisions to the “success sequence.”