It’s a special day over here at Brave Women at Work! Today marks the first show in almost 300 episodes when I have a male guest! Logan is the first!
So, you may be thinking, “Why now?”
First, the format of this show is not changing. Most of the guests will be female or identify as female, but I just knew in my gut that Logan had to be the first male guest because he is not only interesting and amazing at the young age of 16, but he has co-written a children’s book series, Different But the Same Game, that celebrates diversity, inclusion, and empathy, with his aunt, Mylene Barizo.
Logan is a brave young man because he is smart, wise, and I love that he has amazing, strong women in his life, such as his mom, Charmaine, his aunt, Mylene, and also his sister Layni, who has not only beaten leukemia as a child but also has Down’s Syndrome. I have been told that Layni is a firecracker and really squeezes the juice out of life, so I hope I get to meet both Layni and Logan in-person one day.
The first book in the series, Tabletop Fun, is not just a book. This book is for every child who has ever felt different, every family who has navigated tender conversations about special needs, every parent that has looked for a joyful and more natural way to teach empathy to their kids, and for every teacher that wants to celebrate diversity.
What Brave Women Taught a Brave Young Man with Logan Schultz
It’s a special day over here at Brave Women at Work! Today marks the first show in almost 300 episodes when I have a male guest! Logan is the first!
So, you may be thinking, “Why now?”
First, the format of this show is not changing. Most of the guests will be female or identify as female, but I just knew in my gut that Logan had to be the first male guest because he is not only interesting and amazing at the young age of 16, but he has co-written a children’s book series, Different But the Same Game, that celebrates diversity, inclusion, and empathy, with his aunt, Mylene Barizo.
Logan is a brave young man because he is smart, wise, and I love that he has amazing, strong women in his life, such as his mom, Charmaine, his aunt, Mylene, and also his sister Layni, who has not only beaten leukemia as a child but also has Down’s Syndrome. I have been told that Layni is a firecracker and really squeezes the juice out of life, so I hope I get to meet both Layni and Logan in-person one day.
The first book in the series, Tabletop Fun, is not just a book. This book is for every child who has ever felt different, every family who has navigated tender conversations about special needs, every parent that has looked for a joyful and more natural way to teach empathy to their kids, and for every teacher that wants to celebrate diversity.
Important Links
About Logan Schultz
Logan Schultz was fourteen years old when he agreed to co-author a children’s book celebrating his experience as the sibling to Layni, his sister with Down Syndrome. Layni’s special needs have shaped him in many ways. At an early age, he became very aware of how different they were. Learning to accept and embrace their individual qualities came as he matured, a process that accelerated when he lived through Layni’s battle with cancer.
A high school student today, Logan excels in academics, competes in piano adjudications, is a sports enthusiast (go Seahawks!) and shares a love of travel and food adventures with his family. His parents’ gifts of a strong work ethic and love of music are things he will carry into college and beyond.
Welcome to the Brave Women at Work podcast! This is your host, Jen Pestikas. I’m so glad you’re here.
Well, it’s a special day over here at Brave Women at Work. Today marks the first show in almost 300 episodes where I have a male guest. Yes, you heard that right, Logan Schultz is the first male guest.
So, you might be thinking, “Jen, it’s been almost 300 shows, what’s up? Why now?” So, first of all, everyone relax, the format of the show is not changing. The majority of the guests are going to be female or identify as female, but there was just something, I knew in my heart, I knew in my gut, that Logan had to be the first male guest because not only is he interesting and amazing at the ripe young age of 16, but he has co-written a children’s book series, Different But the Same Game, that celebrates diversity, inclusion, and empathy with his aunt, the fabulous Myleen Borizo.
Logan is a brave young man because he is smart, he is wise well beyond his years, and you’re going to hear that in today’s conversation. And I love that he has amazing, strong women in his life, such as his mom, Charmaine, again his aunt, Myleen, and also his sister, Laney, who has not only beaten leukemia as a child but also has Down syndrome. I have been told that Laney is a firecracker, will karaoke, cut a rug, be in the center of the room, and she just really squeezes the juice out of life. So I hope I get the opportunity to meet both Laney and Logan in person one day. And let’s not forget Logan’s amazing father, Brendan, too.
So the first book in the series, Tabletop Fun, is not just a book. This book is for every child who has ever felt different, every family who has navigated tender conversations about special needs, every parent that has looked for a joyful and more natural way to teach empathy to their kids, and for every teacher that wants to celebrate diversity.
So if you are an educator, a teacher, a parent, a sister, a daughter, a student, just a human, this show just really touched my heart. It really showed me how powerful, it just inspired me, what the next generation is going to be capable of. It made me motivated to make sure that my daughters, Charlotte and Olivia, really move through the world with empathy. And so if you want to have your heart warmed all around and to learn something from the amazing Logan, please listen in to today’s show.
So here is more about Logan. Logan Schultz was 14 years old when he agreed to co-author a children’s book celebrating his experience as the sibling to Laney, his sister with Down syndrome. Laney’s special needs have shaped him in many ways. At an early age, he became very aware of how different they were. Learning to accept and embrace their individual qualities came as he matured, a process that accelerated when he lived through Laney’s battle with cancer. A high school student today, Logan excels in academics, competes in piano educations, is a sports enthusiast – he’s from the Seattle area so go Seahawks – and shares a love of travel and food adventures with his family. His parents’ gifts of a strong work ethic and love of music are things he will carry into college and beyond.
So before we begin, please be sure to share this show with a family member, a friend, or a colleague. You know it, but the ratings and reviews, they help this show get in the hands of more women just like you. So if you can leave a rating and review in Apple Podcasts, I would so appreciate it. And if you’re a newer listener or if you haven’t done this yet, go to the plus sign and subscribe to the show and it will be in your pod feed every Thursday morning, bright and early. And then I was also thinking, as we’re getting to the big 300, go back into the library! I haven’t really mentioned that, but there’s so much good stuff in there. I don’t even remember all the good stuff in there. And it’s just been such a labor of love and so fun to create and produce for you. I’ve said this on the show before, but podcasting is my art form and I love doing this for you and thank you so much for being here.
Also, if you haven’t yet downloaded one or all of the freebies from my website, check them out at bravewomenatwork.com. I’ve created “5 Ways to Manage Your Imposter Phenomenon”, “34 Leadership and Career Affirmations”, and “10 Tips to Winning Your Next Negotiation”. You can download one of them, all three of them, work them on your own time, and again, they’re entirely free.
Also, if you have a story to share and you have this burning desire in your heart to write a book, to become an author, I feel you. I have thought that I want to be an author forever, right? I thought that, I kept pushing it off, and then five or six years ago, I met my partner Hope Mueller – shout out to her – and she was like, “Girl, we’re making this a reality.” So now we are on our sixth Brave Women at Work women’s anthology. We have one author spot left for this Fall 2026. The theme is Abundance. So if that really strikes a chord in you and you’re like, “Ooh, my word of the year is abundance. That’s really a value of mine,” contact me at hello@bravewomenatwork.com. Also, this is new news: in 2027 we have our theme for the seventh, the lucky seventh anthology, and it’s going to be Reinvention. So if you have interest in that, we also are building our community around reinvention as well. And I can talk to you about that one, either this fall or next fall’s cohort, again, just email me at hello@bravewomenatwork.com and we’ll jump on a Zoom call and I’m happy to share all the details on these awesome projects.
Alright, let’s welcome Logan to the show.
Hey Logan, welcome to Brave Women at Work. How are you today?
I’m doing well, thank you. Glad to be here.
Yes, I am so excited. Everyone, if you are a short-term or long-term listener, I wanted Logan to be the first male guest, maybe it should be brave men at work today, but be on the podcast. Thanks for being the first inaugural man on our podcast.
Of course. It is an honor to be here. I am very grateful for this opportunity.
Of course. I guess I’ll start by sharing why I chose that and then I would love, Logan, for you to tell us more about you and all of the backstory. For everyone listening, I’ve had the pleasure of working with and partnering with Logan and his aunt, Myleen Borizo, for the last several months on a book series. I think because this book series, and I don’t want to steal your thunder, Logan, but it touches some really personal family stuff and is so wonderful that you’re doing this, I just thought it would be so awesome to showcase the beautiful work that you are doing. Again, Logan, how old are you? I probably shouldn’t ask this, but how old are you? I know you’re in your teen years.
I’m 16 years old.
Okay. You’re 16, and when listeners hear what you’re working on, I just think it’s pretty darn impressive and pretty amazing what you’re paying forward in this world. That’s why I wanted to have Logan on. Logan, again, welcome and why don’t you tell us a little bit more about you and if you’d like to chat about your family, wherever you would like to start with us.
Sure, absolutely. My name is Logan Schultz. I am 16 and a rising junior in high school. I live with my mom, my dad, and my sister, and I’m really close with all of them. My sister is one of the most important people in my life. She has Down syndrome. Growing up, I didn’t really understand what that meant. My aunt, who has also been a very important part of our family, helped me to understand how my sister was different. She’s always been great about having us kids learn new things, hence this project.
I think it’s pretty amazing. Laney is older than you. I heard that she’s going to be 21 soon and planning quite the celebration, but I hear that she’s going to be turning a big birthday soon.
Yes, that’s right. She’ll be 21 in October.
Okay. I have never met Laney, but I hear she is quite the fireball, like your Aunt Myleen, is that fair?
That is completely fair, completely accurate, yes.
That is completely fair. A really good balance that you and Laney are. You have this company, a platform. For everyone, the name of the platform or the company that’s burgeoning is Dragon Rider. I want everyone to hear how the name Dragon Rider came to be.
It’s actually funny, my aunt came up with the name. She thought, let’s take dragon. That’s a big beast. It’s something that’s intimidating, right? That could represent this new experience for me. It’s intimidating and it’s scary. But then she thought, rider, I’m riding this metaphorical dragon. The spelling of rider matches my middle name, R-Y-D-E-R.
That’s pretty amazing. We’re going to be launching a website which I know you’re really excited about that will showcase this platform. You even have that dragon imagery in the brand and in the logo. How cool is that? I was asking you before we hit record, how many 16-year-olds do you know that are launching platforms and being on podcasts? Then we’re going to talk about the books. I’m assuming you are the first of your posse of your friends, is that correct?
As far as I know, that’s correct.
You may want to check Instagram and see if anybody else has a platform out there. I think the other thing that’s pretty cool, for anyone listening that does not have a LinkedIn presence, and I meet other women that are like, I’m not on LinkedIn. I’m not here to shame you, but Logan Schultz, 16, has a profile on LinkedIn. He’s ahead of us all. I did not have a LinkedIn profile into my 20s. I think it’s just really great all of the things that you’re learning along the way. Good for you. How are you feeling about slaying the dragon? How has the experience been for you so far? I know this has been a lot for you. How has it been so far?
It’s been great so far. I’m super grateful for this whole business lesson that my aunt’s providing for me. It’s been a little bit scary because there’s a lot of things that I’m not familiar with and it’s all very new to me. But I’m rolling through it and it’s been great.
That’s really awesome. Tell us about, I know your aunt pretty well, and I know there’s a story. There’s always a fun, zany, crazy story behind. You’re going to have a three-series children’s book series, Different But the Same Game. Tell us how that came to be. I know it started with a conversation, but tell us all of the origin story of your book series.
I believe it was 2024, it was spring, and my aunt was driving me somewhere. I think it was to some piano lesson or a piano event of some sort. I remember sitting in the car and she’s like, I have an idea. I knew that my aunt is one to think of crazy ideas. I looked at her with a suspicious glance and she’s like, what if we wrote a children’s book? I was just like, come again? Say it again? What? A children’s book? She laughs and then she goes on to explain, I’m thinking we can write this children’s book about the game that we used to play when you and your sister were younger, the Different But the Same Game. I think it would be a really cool experience for you and a really good business lesson. Also a really cool thing to put on your college applications. I was pretty shocked at the time, but she kept talking about it. Over the summer, she said, I’ve put together part of a draft for the first book. I want you to read it and tell me what you think. I read it and I’m like, this is pretty good. I started warming up to the idea because I process things. My reaction wasn’t really, let’s do it. I was skeptical. She showed me the draft and she’s sitting down with me now, let’s see what else can we add to this? That’s when things really started going was that summer. We wrote three books. Now we’re in the process of publishing and everything. I can’t believe how far we’ve come. It doesn’t seem like it was that long ago we started writing them.
I know. We’re getting closer and closer, and for everyone, they’re just absolutely beautiful. We will be sure to link at least the first book that is now live in the show notes, and it’s just absolutely gorgeous. How much has Laney been plugged in? I don’t know if she knows, she’s the character, right? We’ve been introducing each of the characters. What does Laney think about each of the books or the book series?
Honestly, she couldn’t care less. She’s doing her own thing. She’s the kind of girl that would be like, oh, you’re writing a book about me? That’s cute. She knows about the project. We’ve talked about it with her, but she hasn’t read the story yet and probably doesn’t understand the significance it has with her. I think once she has the book in hand and she’s actually reading it and she realizes, hey, that character looks like me. Or, hey, this is the game that we used to play when we were kids. Then I think she’ll understand just how cool it is.
I think, and again, we’ll link all this in the show notes, but the character does look like her.
100%.
It’s so cool how the illustrator, giving all the kudos to Beth Anne, and to Hunter Street Press and Hope and the whole group, for making this come to life, but it’s such a cool likeness. What would you say you hope that readers take away? I don’t know if you want to go over each of the books or the book series in total, but when we launch books, often we’ll ask the author, what’s your wish for floating these book babies into the world? What are these lights into the world? What do you hope readers take away from either each of the books or the book series in total?
For starters, the first book is pretty superficial, the characters go to a restaurant and that’s where the game is introduced, using objects around them. The second book explores food from various global cuisines. The characters go to a park with food trucks, and it’s designed to get kids to try new foods. The third book is where we tie it all together, where the characters go to a park, and there’s a playground, and they talk about all the different people they see. Knowing our target audience is children in elementary school, I want readers to take away exactly what I took away from playing the game with my aunt. I want them to build a sense of understanding of anyone with physical or intellectual disabilities. I want them to realize that though people may appear different, we’re all really the same in a lot of ways.
I think it’s really good. These books are warm in color and in tone and they’re so inviting and inclusive and they’re just a wonderful addition. We talked about how the process has been scary. I can only imagine. I give you so much credit. I wouldn’t be able to do this at 16. I wouldn’t be able to be like, let’s get on a podcast. Kudos to you. What have been some of your personal learnings? Whether it’s us talking about your brand, you and I had a conversation about your brand which hopefully you thought was a cool process, or publication. Are there any learnings that you have taken away so far throughout the process of publication and marketing?
So much. First of all, I’ve learned just how much it takes to write a book in the first place. I had never heard of an ISBN number or a proof copy or a rack card before this. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes that’s for sure. A lot that I’ve learned. It’s also taught me a lot about working with a timeline and how to adjust when things don’t go as planned. It’s also given me lessons in management and how to turn an idea into something tangible.
I would definitely say that. You’re seeing all of these timelines and follow-up and management from A to Z and there’s a lot there. Listening and really listening and follow-up, there’s so many cool skills that you’ll be able to apply in college and in your professional life. What would you say, because I have learned about you, that your aunt, probably Laney too, if we asked Laney if she was interested, she’d be like, let’s just go down the slide I think your aunt says, whereas you’re more of a processor. I think your mom may be more of a processor. How would you say this project overall has stretched you outside of your comfort zone, your natural habitat? How has it stretched you?
This has stretched me completely out of my comfort zone. I’ve never done anything like this before. When my aunt first brought up this idea, I looked at her like she was crazy. I gradually warmed up to it because I process things, I don’t just go down the slide head first. I take a minute to think about it. My aunt’s done a fantastic job of exposing me to the business world. She’s been including me on various meetings where I’d input my thoughts, having me listen in on marketing strategies, and she’s taught me about collaborating with others and working with a strict timeline. I never thought I’d be establishing an LLC, co-authoring three books, and being featured on a podcast all before my 17th birthday.
When is your birthday?
June.
You just turned 16, wow. As we’re recording this. It’s pretty amazing. We’ve talked a lot about some of the things that you may be incorporating into your future collegiate studies. Is there anything else that you haven’t mentioned that you would incorporate into future studies or your future professional career, any other elements of this project that you plan to take away and apply?
These are all useful skills. I’ll definitely incorporate whether I choose to continue productions with my business or explore something new entirely. The collaboration piece is something I will take away for sure because knowing how I like to work in school, I don’t prefer working with other people, working in groups, I prefer working alone. All the collaboration with this project and everyone that’s been part of this has taught me a lot about how to work with others. That’s something if I dive deeper into the business world or even just taking it into college. It’s a big part of learning and it’s a big part of this world, so I’ll definitely use that in the future.
I think that’s fair. I have this in common, I can relate to, I’m more of an individual processor or make decisions on my own. In the business world or if you decide to get an MBA or any collegiate studies, a lot of it is group projects. This will be very applicable for you, understanding people’s different work styles, their different follow-up styles, maybe you’re going to have to push or pull or you’re going to be ahead of someone. I think for that it’s going to be really invaluable because I like you would love to go into another room and get my projects all done. It just doesn’t always work that way, we’ve got to work with other people.
Exactly.
I wanted to ask you, and I know you’ve already said thank you, so I’m not asking for more thanks, but what does it feel like when I asked you to be the first male guest of this podcast? By the time we go live, we’ll either be right at 300 or pretty darn close to 300 guests. I have turned down other male guests, but I just think it’s really special that you’re doing this. How does it feel to be the first male guest on this podcast?
Wow, I really didn’t realize it was 300. That’s pretty significant. It’s super cool. Just being on a podcast in general is cool, but knowing that I’m the first male guest on a Brave Women at Work podcast, that’s pretty huge. It’s super cool.
I know, it’s pretty awesome. Definitely I think that I waited and chose the right first male guest, someone that is really going to make an imprint in this world and is going to do really good and big things. Speaking about brave women in your life, I know your aunt, Myleen. I don’t know your mom yet, I don’t know Laney in person yet but I feel like I’m starting to get to know her. Can you share a little bit about each of them, because this is a nice thank you to them, this is a hat tip to them. How has each one of them, your aunt Myleen, your mom and your sister, what have each of them taught you about courage?
That’s a great question. My aunt has taught me a lot about courage. She’s the one that started this whole thing. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. I don’t think I would have thought of an idea like this, let alone making it happen. She’s taught me that it’s okay to try something new and see what happens. My mom has taught me courage in a quieter form. Things like asking for help when needed, how to set boundaries, or emphasizing always being honest have always been things she’s taught me. They all take courage, just maybe not in the bold form that my aunt or my sister would display. My sister’s got courage in the loudest form possible. You will often find her in the spotlight singing her heart out to a crowd of people or at the center of a dance floor. She’s taught me to not be afraid of putting myself out there and to not care what everyone else thinks.
That’s amazing. I did not know that. She will go, if I’m hearing this correctly, if there’s a karaoke machine, is she the first one that’s picking up the mic? Is she going to pick that mic up and go right in the center?
Oh, you bet she will. She will, if she sees the karaoke machine or if someone says, Laney, look, there’s a karaoke machine, she will dart over there and pick up that mic and just start singing. It doesn’t matter what she’s singing, but she will sing.
She doesn’t care. She does it with abandon. She lives her life in big, bright Technicolor, would you say that’s fair?
Yeah, exactly. She does not care what anyone else thinks. She will do her own thing and if you have a problem with it, you can leave.
That’s awesome. The other thing I want to mention, I think Laney is more than this, but I want people to understand how brave and courageous she is. She not only was born with Down syndrome, but she also has survived leukemia, is that correct?
That’s right.
Was she little, I don’t know the story about this, was she pretty small when she had leukemia or how old was she?
I believe she was seven when she was diagnosed. I think that lasted around two to three years. It’s something that is in my memory, I remember bits and pieces of her in and out of treatment, but I was still pretty young at the time when she got cancer. I’ve heard a lot of stories about it, but I do remember growing up in a household that was a little bit stressful at times. I just thought that was normal until I grew up and realized, wow, she really beat cancer. I realized how significant of an accomplishment that is and how scary it must have been for my parents and for her.
I think it also really puts a highlight on why she’s the first person to pick up the mic at karaoke. She really is like, look people, I’m here, I’ve beat it, I have beat the odds and I’m here to play. I’m here to stay and I’m here to play. I’m just really excited that she’s in your life in this way. What a beautiful example. I think also you have a quiet strength and a quiet wisdom about you which is a beautiful balance for her loudness or her zaniness or her zest for life. I think that you guys each bring your special mix. I’m sure it makes for a very interesting dynamic at the dinner table at your house.
It does. My dad loves to annoy her in every possible way he can. Either making jokes or poking at her or he does all sorts of crazy things and she’ll get so mad at him. It’s funny because that’s just her personality and she gets so mad at him and me and my mom are just sitting there shaking our heads, that’s what they do. I found myself to be like my dad in ways and poke at her a little bit. Her loudness and her zest for life definitely make for some interesting dinners.
I want to say, not to put you on the spot, but the series again is Different But the Same Game, it’s the entire series. I want to mention here and we’re going to link up in the show notes again, I’m actually going to pull up all the books right now, but I want to make sure that we share all of the book titles. I want you to name each of the characters so everyone understands before we close today who is who. I think we can guess but I want to make sure they know because, for example, you are Ryder, you’re based on Ryder, not Logan. I want to make sure that’s very clear before we wrap up. The first one that we are working on is Tabletop Fun. Curious Cuisines is the second one. She’s Just Like You, She’s Just Like Me is the third one. They can be purchased individual or they can be purchased in a set, and I know you’re going to have them if you don’t already have them on your website for purchase. I’ve got to also mention that your aunt’s company, Leadership Ladder, will also have the entire book stack or the individual books available for purchase. They also are available wherever books are sold. I want to make sure everyone heard that, the names of the books and where they can be found. You are Ryder, and tell me about the other two characters. Auntie Rae is your aunt Myleen. Is it M or Emmy for your sister’s name based on Laney?
It’s M.
It’s M. I was saying Emmy, and I thought your aunt was like, no I think it’s M. I just wanted to make sure. Now you’ve heard the three characters, Ryder, M, and Auntie Rae for the three characters and the names of the books and you can find them on their sites, Dragon Rider or Leadership Ladder, we’ll incorporate all that into the show notes. They’re also available on Amazon and you can get those to support what they’re doing out there. I also wanted to share that you guys have really been supported by, or Laney has been supported in her journey by several organizations. Do you mind if we share some of those organizations on our show today?
Sure.
I’m going to mention some of those, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Make-A-Wish, Special Olympics of Washington, the Down Syndrome Center of Puget Sound. I see here that as a small thank you, you guys are going to be donating 10% of book sale proceeds to these and other like organizations so that they can continue to help families just like yours. I just wanted to make sure we gave a shout out and a thank you to those organizations. I know that they’ve made a difference for your family. Anything else that you want to share there Logan?
They have. We’re very grateful for all those organizations and everything they’ve done for Laney. She is now a thriving 20-year-old and still has plenty more to do. We are very grateful to those organizations and are happy to donate some of our profits to them.
If anyone is interested in following your journey, as you are getting closer to the end of your high school career going into those college years to what seems to be a very bright future, I’m going to say they would be able to connect with you on dragonrider.me, that’ll be in the show notes, or on LinkedIn. Is there anywhere else you’d like them to go or would those be the two places that would be best?
I think those would be the two places that’d be best, LinkedIn and the website.
Great. I do not want to put you on the spot because these are big enough projects, but who knows, you might be doing whole different projects related to books, unrelated to books in the future, but definitely check out Dragon Rider, flag it, bookmark it because I think you’ll definitely want to follow Logan and his journey as he continues to develop. Logan, thank you so much for being our first male guest again and for being on the show and doing something I think so brave and paying it forward for your sister and your family and learning a lot along the way. Thank you for being here today.
Of course, thank you for having me.
That’s a wrap on my discussion with Logan today. I hope you found our conversation both valuable and inspiring.
As a reminder, please rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts and Spotify. The show is also available on any other podcast platform you enjoy.
Until next time, show up, be the first, and be brave.
