An Interview With Edward Sylvan
In light of how many people are struggling with their LD-issues, namely ADHD and dyslexia, I hope my book helps them find new strategies in order to use these LD-issues as assets rather than view them as albatrosses around their necks. I also hope to help teachers and parents of ADHD/dyslexic children learn new pedagogic techniques to teach the children in their care of how to utilize ADHD/dyslexia to their advantage so that these conditions do not become a problem in their future lives.
As part of my series about “authors who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Bryan Mark Rigg, Ph.D.
Bryan Mark Rigg was born in Arlington Texas in 1971. He attended Yale University and graduated with honors in 1996 majoring in History, German Studies and English. Yale awarded him the Henry Fellowship to attend Cambridge University where he received his MA in 1997 and his Ph.D. in 2002.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
As a boy, I was a tornado who couldn’t speak intelligibly, couldn’t control my temper, and was as likely to be found on the roof as I was on the ground. At the age of eight, I was unable to read nor write. Experts told my mother, Marilee Rigg, that I was so learning disabled I was “academically hopeless.”
She refused to listen and encouraged me to conquer my learning disabilities. Today, I speak several languages, earned a bachelor’s degree at Yale University and completed my master’s degree and Ph.D. in history at Cambridge University. It’s time to embrace the possibilities and end the stigma of learning disabilities, which I hope to do by sharing my journey in “CONQUERING LEARNING DISABILITIES AT ANY AGE: How an ADHD/LD Kid Graduated from Yale and Cambridge, and Became a Marine Officer, Military Historian, Financial Advisor and Caring Father.”
When you were younger, was there a book that you read that inspired you to take action or changed your life? Can you share a story about that?
Holocaust survivor Victor Frankl’s book Man’s Search for Meaning impacted me a lot to view the “why” of any situation so I could develop the plan of “how” to go about doing it. In other words, when doing research or planning a life event (like writing a book, attending graduate school or serving in the military), I would always ask myself “why” I should or needed to do something, and then the “how” would follow after answering that question. Frankl also said the following that impacted the way I try to always be positive when dealing with hardships:
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. And there were always choices to make. Every day, every hour, offered the opportunity to make a decision, a decision which determined whether you would or would not submit to those powers which threatened to rob you of your very self, your inner freedom.”
In other words, we always can control our attitude in every situation and try to do our best in having a positive and strong attitude regardless of what we are faced with in life. And in facing such hardships, knowing the “why” and “how” are very important.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting mistake that occurred to you in the course of your career? What lesson or take away did you learn from that?
When doing my graduate work, a German scholar accused me of plagiarism. Cambridge University did an investigation and found the German scholar’s claims frivolous, without evidence. However, although stressful at the time, the whole affair was quite humorous when one considered the complaint; I had only thanked the German scholar in a footnote for his research and did not mention his book where I got the research from. This event, although petty, has made me very careful with my research, citing everything I ever read in my footnotes. In fact, for my first book, Hitler’s Jewish Soldiers, the original manuscript submitted to my publisher had more pages of footnotes than text. My editor at the time helped me cut the footnote section down by 150 pages, telling me if I did not do so, I would be the first history book in history to have more pages of footnotes than actual historical narrative. As Michael Berenbaum, one of the founders of the U.S. Holocaust Museum and my dear friend says of me, I am an “archive rat” and find sources nobody else knows about and gladly enjoy sharing them with everyone else. Moreover, from my experience with the German scholar, I often cite all sources I ever find about anything to make sure I don’t have any claims against my scholarships. It also helps researchers find the sources I base my conclusions on in order to help them with their research. So, this experience with the German scholar gave me many lessons in life, one of which was to always be a thorough as possible whenever you do something.
Can you describe how you aim to make a significant social impact with your book?
In light of how many people are struggling with their LD-issues, namely ADHD and dyslexia, I hope my book helps them find new strategies in order to use these LD-issues as assets rather than view them as albatrosses around their necks. I also hope to help teachers and parents of ADHD/dyslexic children learn new pedagogic techniques to teach the children in their care of how to utilize ADHD/dyslexia to their advantage so that these conditions do not become a problem in their future lives.
Can you share with us the most interesting story that you shared in your book?
I think the story I would like to see people take away from my book that is most interesting is the research, supported by my biography, of how impactful an all-natural diet can be in a person’s life. Most people should view a lot of the food sold to us in grocery stores with skepticism since it is not healthy for us. Moreover, people with ADHD/dyslexia may find that by eating an all-natural diet, he or she may be able to do away with medicines prescribed to help them for their LD-issues. If one can learn from my story the importance of first trying to modify one’s nutritional intake before taking drugs, then I will consider this book to be a success.
What was the “aha moment” or series of events that made you decide to bring your message to the greater world? Can you share a story about that?
Now, why and when did I start writing this book? Well, from 2002 through 2021, when lecturing about my history books, I started my talks by describing my humble beginnings. As a successful financial advisor, owner of my own firm, a former professor, a Marine officer and a graduate of Yale and Cambridge, I felt the need to let people know about my troubled youth to add balance to what seems on the surface a privileged life. Before my lectures, when the person introducing me mentions my accomplishments, I feel uncomfortable because I know some in the audience must be thinking, “Oh great, we have an arrogant, privileged guy who’s going to talk down to us,” or “This guy probably comes from a rich family, so what can he possibly tell us about our condition?” Consequently, I then mention that I failed first grade twice, had learning problems, struggled with school and wasn’t expected to graduate high school. Surprised by this beginning, the audience often laughs. They become comfortable with me. I am a human being with faults. When I discuss these personal issues, many tell me I have touched them. Countless parents and grandparents have explained that I have given them hope for their children or grandchildren. Several have asked me to meet their families and explain the techniques that helped me. And numerous people, whether directly connected to an ADHD/dyslexic-child or not, have encouraged me to write my story to help others. So here it is. I hope this book will help other ADHD/ dyslexic-people achieve a better life by learning from my experience and hopefully educate those without these issues not to “react harshly to those with the disorder[s].” Moreover, I also wrote it to give teachers and parents who focus on kids like me proof that they are healing souls and shaping the next generation, and to show how they may do so more effectively.
Without sharing specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
All three of my children. I have used the lessons I learned dealing with my ADHD/dyslexia to help all three of my children become successful. I write about this extensively in my book.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
1. Cut down on drug prescriptions like opioids (President Biden addressed this in his 2022 State of the Union).
2. Focus on doing away with junk food.
3. Focus on allowing more exercise in school (recess every day for at least an hour).
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
1. Asking from your charges nothing less than what you would do yourself.
2. Lead by example.
3. Always make sure your subordinates are fed and cared for first before your own needs are looked after.
4. Inspire those under your care to do more than they thought they could possibly do.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
This all comes down to being able to answer before I started what — Started in life? Started in school? Started in the military? There are many things I would have wanted to know before each of these stages in life.
If you are asking about what I wish I had known before I started writing this book, I could honestly say that there is really nothing that comes to mind. I am thankful for the long list of books I read, the time I spent thinking about the issues and the slow but sure process of writing this book over two decades. Maybe it would have been nice to have had this book when I was struggling as a child to have been able to tell myself that everything was going to work out for the best, but many people can say this about their lives. In short, I don’t think this question has true relevance for how this book came together.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My favorite “life-lesson quote” comes from the Jewish sage, Hillel, who said: “What is hateful to you do not do to others.” We all can relate to this since we do not want harm to befall us in anyway. The Golden Rule is often quoted as “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” but many people don’t love themselves, so I do not want them to treat me like they are treating themselves (they abuse drugs, eat too much, get down on themselves, etc.). However, Hillel’s phrase is spot-on with how everyone in general, regardless of how they are treating themselves, want others to treat them. I think if we could all live by this mandate by Hillel, we would have a kinder and more moral society.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Well, when I was at Cambridge University, I briefly met Stephen Hawking on the path by the river Cam while walking back to my flat in Grantchester. Although he could not speak, according to his caretaker who could read his body language, he was appreciative of my thanks for his work on “Time” and “Black Holes.” I would have treasured the opportunity to have been able to sit down with him and have a free-flow conversation about time, space travel, and the need we humans have to find other planets to live on before the sun in our solar system dies, etc. Life on this planet is not for eternity and we need to learn how to preserve it by finding new places to live and I would have enjoyed speaking to Professor Hawking about this reality.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Please visit my website to view my other works including “Hitler’s Jewish Soldiers” and “Flamethrower.” My website is https://bryanmarkrigg.com/.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
About The Interviewer: Growing up in Canada, Edward Sylvan was an unlikely candidate to make a mark on the high-powered film industry based in Hollywood. But as CEO of Sycamore Entertainment Group Inc, (SEGI) Sylvan is among a select group of less than ten Black executives who have founded, own and control a publicly traded company. Now, deeply involved in the movie business, he is providing opportunities for people of color.
In 2020, he was appointed president of the Monaco International Film Festival, and was encouraged to take the festival in a new digital direction.
Raised in Toronto, he attended York University where he studied Economics and Political Science, then went to work in finance on Bay Street, (the city’s equivalent of Wall Street). After years of handling equities trading, film tax credits, options trading and mergers and acquisitions for the film, mining and technology industries, in 2008 he decided to reorient his career fully towards the entertainment business.
With the aim of helping Los Angeles filmmakers of color who were struggling to understand how to raise capital, Sylvan wanted to provide them with ways to finance their creative endeavors.
At Sycamore Entertainment he specializes in print and advertising financing, marketing, acquisition and worldwide distribution of quality feature-length motion pictures, and is concerned with acquiring, producing and promoting films about equality, diversity and other thought provoking subject matter which will also include nonviolent storytelling.
Also in 2020, Sylvan launched SEGI TV, a free OTT streaming network built on the pillars of equality, sustainability and community which is scheduled to reach 100 million U.S household televisions and 200 million mobile devices across Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV and others.
As Executive Producer he currently has several projects in production including The Trials of Eroy Brown, a story about the prison system and how it operated in Texas, based on the best-selling book, as well as a documentary called The Making of Roll Bounce, about the 2005 coming of age film which starred rapper Bow Wow and portrays roller skating culture in 1970’s Chicago.
He sits on the Board of Directors of Uplay Canada, (United Public Leadership Academy for Youth), which prepares youth to be citizen leaders and provides opportunities for Canadian high school basketball players to advance to Division 1 schools as well as the NBA.
A former competitive go kart racer with Checkered Flag Racing Ltd, he also enjoys traveling to exotic locales. Sylvan resides in Vancouver and has two adult daughters.
Sylvan has been featured in Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and has been seen on Fox Business News, CBS and NBC. Sycamore Entertainment Group Inc is headquartered in Seattle, with offices in Los Angeles and Vancouver.
Social Impact Authors: How & Why Bryan Mark Rigg, PhD Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.