10. Paris Thomas - From GED to JD: Overcoming Odds and Owning the Podium

🎙️ The Liminal: From GED to JD — Paris Thomas on Overcoming the Odds and Owning the Podium

In this episode, Chase Rigby sits down with Paris Thomas, a former high school dropout turned full-ride law school graduate, who delivered the commencement speech selected by both faculty and peers. Paris shares his remarkable journey from homelessness to higher education, and the moment he stood at the lectern to address his fellow classmates.

📝 Topics Discussed:

• Growing up in poverty, violence, and instability—and finding hope through mentors
• How belief from others sparked the internal fire to pursue education
• Getting accepted to law school with a full-ride scholarship despite the odds
• What it felt like to be selected to deliver the commencement speech
• The process of crafting a speech that inspires without preaching
• Why storytelling and vulnerability are essential in any great speech
• The power of sharing scars—and how it builds connection and credibility

📌 Episode Highlights:

• [01:29] Paris shares his early life story: loss, incarceration, homelessness, and dropping out
• [03:11] The turning point: meeting mentors, earning his GED, and enrolling in college
• [06:45] Why belief in others is the most powerful gift you can give
• [07:37] The surprise moment Paris found out he was chosen to speak at graduation
• [09:07] How he crafted his speech around the theme of belief—and honoring his mentors
• [12:00] The philosophy behind his storytelling approach and speechwriting process
• [16:14] Using humor and tone shifts to reflect the gravity of the moment
• [19:17] The Tuskegee University story he shared—and why it speaks to seeing people’s potential
• [23:15] The line he hopes people remember (and why it’s more about how they feel)
• [27:02] Advice for anyone preparing to give a commencement speech: be vulnerable, be you

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