Billy Dees

Filmmaker and writer Sara Alessandrini returns to The Billy Dees Podcast for a thought-provoking conversation that begins with Italian soccer and expands into a broader discussion about education, work, critical thinking, immigration, and the future of American society.Drawing from her essay, “Italy’s Failure to Qualify for the World Cup Is a Warning to the United States, and It’s Not About Soccer,” Sara explains how changes in youth sports—from creativity and individual initiative to rigid systems and conformity—mirror challenges facing schools, workplaces, and institutions in both Europe and America.Billy and Sara discuss the value of independent thinking, the shortcomings of modern education, workforce preparedness, higher education costs, immigration policy, healthcare systems, and the impact artificial intelligence may have on future generations. Along the way, they compare Italian and American culture, examine how societies develop talent, and ask an important question: Are we teaching people how to thi