# data[].attributes.body
Today we got our mock exams back. I really enjoyed writing my paper 1, as I was analyzing and article about African culture. I was very satisfied with my results, as I got 16/20. However, in order to score top marks and get the 7 that I want, I need to work on identifying less common literary devices. Throughout D1 I worked on learning how to identify metaphors, irony, symbols and imagery. Now, I need to focus more on identifying more complex literary devices, which I will do by revising all literary devices again and by practicing how to analyze texts.

I can say that I have improved in writing my paper 2 since D2, however I need more improvement in work until finals in order to get a 6. I have improved my transitions between paragraphs and the overall balance of the essay. However, I need to study the texts more in-depth and to work on the analysis part of my essay. Sometimes, I do not analyze enough the literary devices in a quote or the specific effect on the reader. I have also improved my academic language, as I looked at a lot of research papers and paper 2s which helped me develop a more sophisticated language in my essay.

# data[].attributes.headline
Lesson about Old Anarkali and setting in "Reluctant Fundamentalist" by Mohsin Hamid

# data[].attributes.subject
Lesson about Old Anarkali and setting in "Reluctant Fundamentalist" by Mohsin Hamid

# data[].attributes.body
Hamid uses the Old Anarkali in order to create pathetic fallacy - to connect the mood of the situation with the weather and setting around them.

At the beginning, when Hamid was happy and successful in the US, the setting in Anarkali is bright, joyful, such as:

"We locals treasure these last days of what passes for spring here in Lahore; the sun, although hot, has such a soothing effect." (18)

However, as 9/11 attack happens and Changez loses his job, his love and is discriminated in the US, the setting changes to dark and gloomy, such as:

"But why do you flinch? Ah yes, the bats; they are circling rather low. They will not touch us; allow me to reassure you on that score." (36)

"The night is deepening around us." (41)

# data[].attributes.headline
Lesson about tension in "Reluctant Fundamentalist" by Mohsin Hamid

# data[].attributes.subject
Lesson about tension in "Reluctant Fundamentalist" by Mohsin Hamid

# data[].attributes.body
The tension in the novel is built through the motif of predator vs prey. Throughout the novel, the author uses the interplay of predator and prey for both Changez and American which leaves the readers questioning who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist. This can be seen in various quotes such as:

"I see that you have noticed the scar on my forearm, here, where the skin is both darker and smoother than that which surrounds it. I have been told that it looks like a rope burn; my more active friends say it is not dissimilar to marks on the bodies of those who have taken up rappelling—or mountain climbing, for that matter. Perhaps a thought of this nature is passing through your mind, for I detect a certain seriousness in your expression, as though you are wondering what sort of training camp could have given a fellow from the plains such as myself cause to engage in

these activities!" (24) - Here Hamid potrays Changez as the predator, as someone who might have attended a soldiers camp, and the American as the prey.

"But what is that? Ah, your unusual telephone, beeping a demand for your attention. No, sir, I do not mind in the least; please proceed to key in your reply. It occurs to me that you have been contacted with the precision of an old church bell tower, by which I mean precisely on the hour—perhaps the company is checking up on you?" (53) - Here the American is presented as the predator, as a possible secret agent who came to either spy on Changez or to possibly murder him.

The tension is further built by the use of the waiter. The character of the waiter is used throughout the novel to build tension, as it might seem that he is working for Changez. This further emphasizes Changez as a potential predator and the American as a potential prey. This is observed in:

"I observe, sir, that there continues to be something about our waiter that puts you ill at ease. I will admit that he is an intimidating chap, larger even than you are. But

the hardness of his weathered face can readily be accounted for: he hails from our mountainous northwest, where life is far from easy. And if you should sense that he

has taken a disliking to you, I would ask you to be so kind as to ignore it; his tribe merely spans both sides of our border with neighboring Afghanistan, and has suffered during offensives conducted by your countrymen." (50)

"I observe, sir, that there continues to be something about our waiter that puts you ill at ease. I will admit that he is an intimidating chap, larger even than you are. But

the hardness of his weathered face can readily be accounted for: he hails from our mountainous northwest, where life is far from easy. And if you should sense that he

has taken a disliking to you, I would ask you to be so kind as to ignore it; his tribe merely spans both sides of our border with neighboring Afghanistan, and has suffered during offensives conducted by your countrymen." (81)

Lastly, tension is built by leaving an open-ended ending. At the end of the novel, we do not know what happened with Changez and the American and if any of them had bad intentions towards the other:

"I know you have found some of my views offensive; I hope you will not resist my attempt to shake you by the hand. But why are you reaching into your jacket, sir? I detect a glint of metal. Given that you and I are now bound by a certain shared intimacy, I trust it is from the holder of your business cards." (81)

# data[].attributes.headline
How do authors create tension or suspense in their works? - notes

# data[].attributes.subject
How do authors create tension or suspense in their works? - notes

# data[].attributes.body
Our teacher provided us with some articles and youtube videos on how do authors create tension or suspense in their works. According to the articles that I used, these are my notes:

1. Clock ticking - the main character has short period of time to do something, otherwise something bad will happen.

2. Open-ended ending of a chapter or a book - this will leave the reader questioning what happens next

3. Use foreshadowing to hint what might come next

4. Complex characters create tension

5. Create a false sense of hope which will be then broken by something bad happening

6. Putting obstacles and challenges along the main character's journey

7. Character transformation

8. Use of third-person omniscient and dramatic irony

The articles that I used are:

Hackney, Austin. “How Authors Create Suspense in Writing: 10 Powerful Techniques Explained.” The Writing Cooperative, 02 March 2022, https://writingcooperative.com/how-authors-create-suspense-in-writing-10-powerful-techniques-explained-24c9e9598704. Accessed 26 March 2024.

Master Class. “10 Tips for Amplifying Suspense in Your Writing - 2024.” MasterClass, 16 November 2021, https://www.masterclass.com/articles/tips-for-amplifying-suspense-in-your-writing. Accessed 26 March 2024.

# data[].attributes.headline
TOK Links to "Fever Dream" by Samanta Schweblin

# data[].attributes.subject
TOK Links to "Fever Dream" by Samanta Schweblin

# data[].attributes.body
1. Knowing what you know now about chemical toxins, do you have a moral responsibility to act?

After reading the novel and analyzing the deeper meaning of it, as well as after reading various articles about the consequences of chemical toxins on the planet, I feel like I have a moral responsibility to act. This is due to the fact that chemical toxins leave devastating and harsh consequences on the whole planet. It is showing its consequences now through affecting people's health and resulting in many diseases. However, it also pollutes the water and food which we drink and eat. It has the possibility to affect everyone in every corner of the planet. Therefore, I feel the urgency to act in order to minimize these effects for us and for the future generations. This act does not need to be in a form of saving the entire planet, but it can come in a form of small steps. Such examples include educating our families, our friends, communities, working on campaigns, fundraising, and raising awareness.

Everyone should have the moral responsebility to act, even if it means taking small steps, as it is about our planet, our health and the well-being of the future generations.

# data[].attributes.headline
Introduction to "Fever Dream" by Samanta Schweblin

# data[].attributes.subject
Introduction to "Fever Dream" by Samanta Schweblin

# data[].attributes.body
Today, we were introduced to a novel "Fever Dream" by Samanta Schweblin. In order to start the unit, we discussed about the general themes found in the book. I will answer some of the questions we talked about below.

1. How does the work address the capitalist tendency to destroy the land in pursuit of wealth?

One way the novel presents the capitalist tendency to destroy the land in pursuit of wealth is through the exploitation of land for economic gain. The characters, such as Amanda and her husband, are shown to care more about the economic part of their life than about their son or about the environment. This can be also seen through the symbol of horses, which are usually associated with wealth.

Furthermore, the novel addresses the capitalist tendency to destroy the land is through its portrayal of chemicals through the symbol of worms and poison and their impact on the environment. The story is set in rural Argentina, where agricultural practices heavily reliant on pesticides have polluted the land and water sources. The consequences of these practices are seen through the illness and deformities suffered by animals and children in the area.

2. Are the values expressed in the work consistent with global ecological wisdom?

In my opinion, the novel highlights the importance of the interconnectedness of human population and the environment. Through a powerful critique of human exploitation of the land and destroying the nature, it emphasizes the responsible stewardship of natural resources. It also critiques industrialism and capitalism, as those concepts tend to prioritize economic gain over sustainability, which leads to devastating consequences on the planet.

These themes resonate with global ecological wisdom, which emphasizes the need for harmony between human societies and the natural world. Concepts such as respect for biodiversity, sustainable resource management, and the recognition of the intrinsic value of nature can be found throughout the narrative.

# data[].attributes.headline
"Wonderland", inspired by Siegfried Sasoon's poetry

# data[].attributes.subject
"Wonderland", inspired by Siegfried Sasoon's poetry

# data[].attributes.body
Looking around. Silence and wind.

After all what has been.

Blood, scream, more blood.

And nothing. Wind. Just wind.

Warm cheeks salty from tears.

Like poppies in the never ending wonderland. They

All lay there spreading

the intoxicating scent.

Poppies are bleeding.

They will never bloom.

Their seeds will never see neither light,

Nor will they feel warmth of the Star.

Wind. It is night.

The world is crying, the soil became wet,

trying to wake them up in despair.

Or hide the evidence of the shame.

The war has come

To its glorious end!

But they’re already dead!

Wind.

# data[].attributes.body
Visual photographs tell stories.

Steps to deconstruct images:

1.     Look closely at the photograph and examine the details

2.     Ask probing questions

3.     Put it all together and interpret – how this connects to the purpose and to the audience, what are the implications of the photograph

Examination of a photograph:

Composition – how are the visual elements composed (the rule of thirds)

Focus – where is the focal point and how is the focus being used in the image

Light – significant feature of a photograph and photographers can manipulate it

Color

People / places

Gaze – in which direction are the people looking

Framing / cropping – what is in the frame and what is not in view

Interpretation – the audience and the purpose

1.     What feelings or emotions are evoked by the photo?

2.     What can we say about the political, social or cultural context?

3.     What can we imply about the audience?

4.     What main message is being communicated?

# data[].attributes.headline
"How women are stepping up to remake Rwanda" by Yagazie Emezi

# data[].attributes.subject
"How women are stepping up to remake Rwanda" by Yagazie Emezi

# data[].attributes.body
The objects of the photographs are women. They are standing still, in a confident and powerful position. The way they look at us is also very powerful, they are showing strength to us. Their hands are either on their hips or crossed which is showing domination and control. On the other side, crossed hand position also shows that they are trying to protect themselves. It is a spontaneous reaction that people do when they feel like they are in danger. Their whole mood and body position is showing that they are in control, almost like they are leading the world. They are standing still on both of the pictures. Also, an interesting thing is that every woman is standing differently on both of the pictures. On the first one they are part of the military, while on the second one they are wearing school uniforms. It represents leadership, feminism and equal rights. They are stepping up for their rights in Rwanda. These pictures are showing that not only men can go to military or get education, women can do it too. It seems like the pictures weren’t taken spontaneously. They were probably staged by the photographer, with the message of women stepping up for their rights in Rwanda. The orientation of the photograph is landscape, with 16:9 aspect ratio. The photographer is using natural light. On the first picture, the colors are similar. They are wearing uniforms which fit together with the color of grass. On the second picture, we have a contrast because of their white uniforms that stand out in the light green background. Also, the colors are highly saturated. Because of that, the grass around them feels real, like we could almost touch it. It’s just them on an open field. By looking at the picture, we can feel the silence, the wind, but also their power and rage. The photographer chose to do an eye shot so the women can look straight into our eyes. On the first picture, some women are standing very close to the camera, while others are standing far way.

# data[].attributes.headline
1.	Are visual texts more effective in evoking an empathetic response?

# data[].attributes.subject
1.	Are visual texts more effective in evoking an empathetic response?

# data[].attributes.body
-  In my opinion, visual texts such as photographs are stronger in evoking an empathetic response. People’s feeling are woken up more when they see something than when they read the same thing. For example a person will feel more empathetic if they see a picture of a homeless boy, instead of reading about him. People need to actually see what others are going through to feel compassion.

# data[].attributes.body
As a person who comes from two different cultural backgrounds, culture has always played a big role in my life. In addition to that, cultural diversity and international mindedness became really important to me when I joined the UWC family. Most importantly, the understanding for different cultures is one of the UWC values. This is the reason why I chose culture as the main topic for my photograph. The photograph I took tells a beautiful story of students from different cultural backgrounds.

I believe that the first thing someone would notice about my photograph is a colorful, highly saturated mess. The reason why I chose to make a bright colorful mess is because it is scientifically proven that bright colors awake happy feelings in our soul. I want people to feel joy and happiness when they see the picture. The picture was taken in the afternoon when the sun was shining the brightest. That’s why the only light used in this photograph is the natural one which makes the colors look shiny. On the other side, there are some shadows on the picture which means the sun was behind the photographer. In the center of the picture is a circle formed by student’s hands, which is also the main focus of the camera. They are connected with each other, either with their thumbs or with their pinky fingers. The circle represents an unbreakable bond between them. We can see their national flags on their hands. In my opinion a flag is not just a symbol, it is a way for a country to represent itself, its values and its history. On this picture the flags show us that the students come from different countries all over the world such as Egypt, Ukraine, Bolivia, South Korea, Nepal and Afghanistan. Even though their cultures don’t have many things in common, they are still creating a beautiful friendship. On the grass, behind the circle, there are more things that represent cultural diversity such as flags, scarfs and bracelets with symbols on them. The things on the grass aren’t organized because I wanted it to look like a mess that represents the real truth. It is not always easy to understand people that don’t come from the same cultural background. Sometimes we find it very difficult to understand different values, beliefs and traditions. That’s the beauty of it. Once we are able to understand each other’s differences, an unbreakable circle forms, just like the one on the photograph.

The picture was taken from a higher angle than the circle, in order to make it look like we are kneeling down on the grass and admiring the connection between the students. Also, it is a staged symmetrical picture.

If someone tries to imagine what happened before and after the picture, I believe that they can only imagine joyful students trying to draw on each other’s hands while they are having a lot of fun.

From all of the elements analyzed above, we can identify that the object of the photograph is the circle which represents an abstract idea – the beauty of understanding cultural differences. I personally believe that the most powerful friendships are those created between people with cultural differences because they have a lot of things to learn and to share with each other.

# data[].attributes.headline
Lesson about the symbols in "Reluctant Fundamentalist" by Mohsin Hamid 

# data[].attributes.subject
Lesson about the symbols in "Reluctant Fundamentalist" by Mohsin Hamid 

# data[].attributes.body
Today, we were discussing about the symbols in the novel and what do they mean. I really enjoyed the class, as I got to see others' perspectives and I became more open-minded about the book. The two most important symbols we discussed about are:

1. Erica - a symbol for America and Changez's love for America

At the beginning of the novel, as Changez falls in love with the US, his college and then his job, he also falls in love with Erica. During that time, Erica is happy and in a good state. Changez describes her "so stunningly regal she was", which also describes his love for the US and his life in the US.

However, after the 9/11 attack, Changez starts to get discriminated and offended in the US and he loses his job. Then, Erica changes. She starts to slowly drift away from Changez, she ends up in a mental hospital and at the end she completely disappears. Now, Hamid portrays her as

"Erica reclined on her bed, pale, yes, as though she had a fever, and with hair that had gone some time since it was last washed, but seemingly in good spirits."

2. Underwood Samson - symbol of the American Dream, capitalism and meritocracy

Underwood Samson (also US) is a microcosm of America’s ruthless pursuit of money and efficiency. It emphasizes the idea of the American Dream, that if individuals need to strive for money, success and hard work, as all of Changez's co-workers were aiming for higher positions and more money. Changez is also drawn into capitalism and to some extent forced to focus on wealth and power.

“We’re a meritocracy ... We believe in being the best” (35).

# data[].attributes.headline
Analysis of a James Nachtwey's photograph "Famine", taken in Somalia

# data[].attributes.subject
Analysis of a James Nachtwey's photograph "Famine", taken in Somalia

# data[].attributes.headline
Should we take photographs of human suffering?

# data[].attributes.subject
Should we take photographs of human suffering?

# data[].attributes.body
For decades, there has been a huge debate about should we take or not photographs of people who are suffering and dying. In my opinion, even though there is a complexity behind the ethics of these images, they contribute to the world by raising awareness and spreading the message.
When James Nachtwey, an American photographer, took photos of the famine in Somalia, the world was moved. The Red Cross said public support resulted in what was then its largest operation since World War II.. It was much the same with Kevin Carter’s image, which helped galvanize aid to Sudan. Those are just two examples out of many, which helped the people who were suffering all around the world.
In conclusion, I would say that those images are necessary because if they didn't exist, we would not know what was happening in other countries.

# data[].attributes.headline
"Pollution" - a photograph taken by me on the campus

# data[].attributes.subject
"Pollution" - a photograph taken by me on the campus

# data[].attributes.headline
Introduction to magazine covers - common social pressures

# data[].attributes.subject
Introduction to magazine covers - common social pressures

# data[].attributes.body
Today, we were looking at the magazine covers of Woman's Health Magazine, as well as Men's Health Magazine. However, these cover create many gender stereotypes. Moreover, they put pressure on both genders. The main pressure that these magazines create for both genders is the pressure of a perfect body. All of the models on the covers have a perfectly slim body, with abs and muscles which therefore creates a wrong perception of the body image.
In addition to that, most of the covers for men talk about sex, steroids and how to be the "strong man". The stereotypes that arise from this are that men need to be good in bed, as well as that they need to be strong with big muscles. Also, another common stereotype that comes for these magazines for men is that they have to earn a lot of money and provide for the whole family.
On the other hand, the covers for women create different stereotypes. Most of the magazines include tips how to lose weight quickly and how to do a diet that will turn your body into the "perfect body". In general, there is no advice on how to be independent or how to be strong like there is for men. Another topic covered in Women's Health Magazine is also how to cook, which then creates the common stereotype that women need to stay in the kitchen.

# data[].attributes.body
While studying the unit "Music and Songs", we were given a task to choose a songwriter or a singer, and then to find a common issue in their wider body of work. The purpose of this was to construct a podcast with the chosen singer / songwriter.

However, before writing a podcast, we were advised to research what makes a good podcast. After reviewing some podcasts and articles online, I came up with a general criteria of what makes a good podcast.

In my opinion, as well as according to research papers published online, the most important thing is an original idea. Nowadays, there is a large pool of podcasts on various topics. It is important to find something that has not been talked about before, or to find a new perspective in order to hook the listener. However, before setting the original idea, it is important to define the target audience, as the idea should be appropriate to their interests.

Furthermore, it is important that the podcast is well structured - introduction, main body paragraph and conclusion. This makes the podcast balanced and easy to follow. It will also help to avoid information overload. Next, the podcast should appeal to audience and it should engage with the audience in order to keep them interested throughout.

Lastly, a good podcast should evoke emotions in the listener and let them fully dive into the story.

The articles that I used:

Forster, Louise. “What Makes a Good Podcast? 11 Expert Tips for Success.” Amplify by MatchMaker.fm, 2022, https://amplify.matchmaker.fm/what-makes-a-good-podcast/. Accessed 26 March 2024.

Forster, Louise. “What Makes a Good Podcast? 11 Expert Tips for Success.” Amplify by MatchMaker.fm, 2022, https://amplify.matchmaker.fm/what-makes-a-good-podcast/. Accessed 26 March 2024.

# data[].attributes.headline
Analysis of the short story "A private Experience" by Adichie

# data[].attributes.subject
Analysis of the short story "A private Experience" by Adichie

# data[].attributes.body
1. What power does the media have to shape our beliefs around beauty?

Media is one of the most significant factors which shape our beliefs around beauty throughout history.
Through television, newspaper, magazines and social media, certain beauty standards are portrayed. However, the images of models and celebrities that we see in the media are often heavily edited and manipulated to conform to a particular standard of beauty that may not be achievable or realistic for everyone. Therefore, media also creates a number of stereotypes such as associating certain physical characteristics with attractiveness and promoting the idea that beauty is linked to success, happiness, and social status.
Even though media is not the only factor shaping our beliefs around beauty standards, it is certainly one of the biggest influences in the modern world.

2. Is beauty "in the eye of the beholder" or is there a universal standard of beauty?

The concept of beauty is subjective, and whether it is "in the eye of the beholder" or if there is a universal standard of beauty is a matter of debate.

In my opinion, beauty is subjective and personal to every individual. It depends on personal preferences as well as on the cultural society. The concept of beauty can be compared to art or music, as people tend to have different taste. What is considered attractive to one individual, might be considered unattractive to other.

Even though it is commonly believed that there is a universal standard of beauty, from my perspective beauty is "in the eye of the beholder" and there is no single, objective standard of beauty.

# data[].attributes.headline
My magazine cover that breaks the common stereotypes

# data[].attributes.subject
My magazine cover that breaks the common stereotypes

# data[].attributes.body
In order to improve criteria A and criteria B I need to work on my analysis. Even though I identified a range of literary devices, I didn’t talk about their effect enough. Also, I could have identified more devices that I didn’t talk about such as pathetic fallacy, repetition etc. I should work on my literary device knowledge and analyze more texts in order to improve the range of literary devices.

My biggest error for criteria C is that I didn’t use a good transition between the paragraphs. Therefore, I should focus on the last and first sentence for each paragraph in order to make a good transition.

Lastly, I didn’t use academic language for criteria D. I don’t have many errors, but my language is similar to everyday language. Before my next paper 2, I should read some academic texts and guides in order to improve my academic writing.

# data[].attributes.headline
Transcript for a podcast created by the student

# data[].attributes.subject
Transcript for a podcast created by the student

# data[].attributes.body
Intro:

“Hello and welcome to the new episode of the Music Podcast, the show that dives deeper into the lives of the best music artists of this generation. In the last episode we met the most famous rap artist, Eminem, who explored the themes of personal struggles and social issues such as discrimination and racism. Similarly, in today’s episode we will discuss self-love, mental health

and self-confidence. Our guest is Dan Reynolds, the songwriter and the leading vocalist of a popular American pop – rock band, Imagine Dragons. I met Dan during his Europe Mercury tour, as I was assigned to be his photographer in Bulgaria. There is a special offer at the end, so be sure to listen all the way through for the details!”

The main part:

● Host: “Dan, thank you so much for joining us! So, before we jump to the main focus of this podcast, tell us a little bit more about yourself. “

● Guest: “Thank you for inviting me! It is such a pleasure to be here. I'm Dan Reynolds, and if you're into music, you might know me as the frontman of Imagine Dragons. I was born and raised in Nevada, Las Vegas. When I was fourteen years old, I realized that putting my feelings on a paper, in the form of a song, makes me feel better. I wrote the

song "I Bet My Life" celebrating and reflecting on my enduring relationship with my parents. Following my graduation from Bonanza High School, I attended University of Nevada, Las Vegas and then I transferred to BYU after serving an LDS mission, where I studied communications, marketing, and music While at BYU, I formed Imagine Dragons along with my fellow band-mates Wayne Sermon, Daniel Platzman and Ben McKee. We won the school's battle of the bands competition before we left to pursue music full-time.”

● Host: “That is such an interesting story, especially the fact that you formed the band for school purposes and look at where you are now! How were the first few years of Imagine Dragons? Did you face any challenges?”

● Guest: “Oh, of course! We faced so many challenges that I don’t even know where to start. One of the biggest hurdles we encountered was finding our sound. We

experimented with different styles and genres, trying to figure out what truly represented us as a band. It was a process of trial and error, but it ultimately led us to the unique blend of rock, pop, and electronic elements that you hear in our music today. We played countless gigs, sometimes to just a handful of people, just to connect with anyone who

was willing to listen. Those early shows were a mix of nerves and excitement, but every time we saw even one person vibing to our music, it motivates us to keep going. Money was tight as well. We were juggling day jobs, college commitments, and trying to fund recording sessions and equipment. But the challenges pushed us to get creative with our resources and make the most out of what we had.”

● Host: “Woah, Dan! It is truly incredible how you progressed from a small band working for gigs to one of the most famous boy bands in the world, doing world tours. Based on my research, Imagine Dragons has sold more than 74 million albums and 65 million digital songs worldwide, making you one of the world's best-selling music artists.”

● Guest: “Your research is amazing. If I am being honest, when I look back I feel so proud of our progress. It is not just me or just them, it is us as a team. I believe that we will achieve great things if we stick together under all circumstances.”

● Host: “I agree Dan. Everything is possible as a team. Anyways, let’s come back to our questions. As we have already mentioned, your latest album has received a lot of attention. Could you delve into the thematic elements that tie the songs together and what message you aimed to send?”

● Guest: “Mercury, our latest album, is a project that's really close to my heart. Each song on the album carries its own unique story. However, it's all about embracing change, transformation, and the journey of self-discovery. We live in a world that's constantly evolving, and the album reflects the highs and lows we experience while navigating through those shifts. From personal relationships to broader societal changes, we

wanted to capture the essence of adaptability and growth. Tracks like 'Rise Up' and 'Phoenix' embody the idea of rising from the ashes and finding strength in adversity. They encourage listeners to keep moving forward, no matter how tough things get. 'Gravity' touches on the idea of being pulled in different directions, something I'm sure many of us can relate to. At the same time, we explore vulnerability and self-reflection

with songs like 'Falling' and 'Faded.' These tracks dive into the complexities of human

emotions and the sometimes difficult process of confronting our own shadows.”

● Host: “Thank you Dan for sharing the insights into your new album’s themes. It is

remarkable how your music can serve as a mirror to our own experiences. I believe that millions of people will find a sense of connection, inspiration and self-comfort. Linked to this, tell us what are the main messages you want to send to your listeners?”

● Guest: “As most of my fans know, I have had mental health struggles since my

childhood. When I started to deal with mental health issues, music was therapeutic for me in a way that nothing else was. I felt like I could communicate in a way that I wasn't able to to an adult, or to anyone really. That's why I say a music career kind of chose me because I really didn't have a choice. If I was going to stay alive, I was going to do music. I genuinely feel like music saved my life in that way. I know that a lot of people on this planet are struggling with the same problems as I am. Therefore, the main message

we want to send to our listeners is that they are not alone. We want to help them

understand their feelings, build their self-esteem and make them feel loved.”

● Host: “That's truly powerful, Dan. It's amazing how music can transcend words and tap into our emotions so deeply. Do you have any last words to say to our listeners?”

● Guest: “Don’t feel afraid to ask for help because in the end it might cost you your mental health. Also, whatever you do, always believe in yourself. You are capable of doing anything you set your mind to.”

● Host: “Thank you Dan! You have inspired me too. Thank you for answering all of our questions and for being honest. I wish you luck in your career as well as your life journey.”

Ending point:

Host: “Thank you for listening to another episode of the “Music Podcast”. I hope you enjoyed it and that you have been inspired to do great things in life. The surprise you have been waiting for are two tickets for the Imagine Dragons concert, anywhere in the US in the following 12 months. Comment your favorite song under this podcast and we will announce the winner in the next episode which will be about relationships and love. See you next Thursday!”