We’re looking forward to introducing you to Thomas Coston. Check out our conversation below.
Thomas, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I think I chose a pretty easy question to answer. I’m someone who has a lot to do everyday and I’m always excited to start and see what the day holds. Although I always prepare beforehand I know things won’t always go as planned. And I do like it when something new comes along and I’m surprised by something. Nevertheless, I have certain routines that help chart my way forward. The first 90 minutes are all spent on my personal needs. That includes having a healthy breakfast and a few great cups of coffee. Sometimes I stare out the window a lot and let my mind wander. I always have a lot of visual cues in front of me – like books I’m delving into and notes about various things. I don’t have a planner but I scribble ideas on my trusty yellow legal pads. And I always think I should listen to more music to ge into the mood I’m looking for.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I have two significant occupations in my life. Yes, there’s time for that! I am board chair of Light Bringer Project, a nonprofit arts organization that provides career pathways for underserved public school youth in Pasadena and throughout L.A. County. We have amazing programs and we’re highly effective working in and out of the classroom. We like to say we’re building the creative workforce of tomorrow-creating pathways for students from where they are onto post secondary opportunities and successful careers. We also do unique public art events that bring thousands of diverse community members out. My other occupation, maybe I should say preoccupation, is writing. I work in various formats, including screenwriting, graphic novels, and I’ve finished a few plays and long form manuscripts, too. I love immersing myself in ulterior worlds where I can create characters and follow their various journeys. Sometimes I feel like I’m eavesdropping and being allowed into their lives if that makes any sense. In terms of my day I go from my nonprofit work in the earlier part and spend my afternoons putting pen to paper (yes, I write longhand sometimes). My routine generally works out and I like to think my writing serves my community work and vice versa.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
People around me have influenced me the most. My mother’s father was called “Chano” and she had the beautiful maiden name Villagrana. He passed when I was a young boy but in my visits with him he impressed me so much. I was so quiet and shy but he told me that I was warm and people could feel my presence; that you don’t need to talk a lot to be heard, just be yourself. He was an artist, wrote poetry and even build a house with his hands when he was in his seventies. He had an elegant style and made me feel like I mattered. When my mother and father eloped they told him over the telephone. He said he’d meet them at the train station in San Diego and although he had never met my father he immediately embraced him and said “Hello, son.” My mother said he trusted her and knew she would make the right choice. That’s the kind of father he was, too.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I think my greatest suffering was felt with the passing of my mother when I was fairly young. It taught me that I was stronger than I thought and that we never lose our loved ones. They’re really with us all of our lives. And that when very painful things happen we will grow from them and eventually find a way to accept, understand and make peace with it.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
The people closest to me would say that humor is really important to me. I find amusement in many things and my happiness is usually accompanied by a good laugh. Of course, I tend to love comedies a lot. When I was young I used to play practical jokes and I truly believed that this would be my profession when I grew up. It’s probably for the best that it didn’t turn out.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What will you regret not doing?
This is a good question. I regret not traveling, most of all. I keep putting it off because it takes me away from the work I love doing here. But I do know I’ll love discovering new places and meeting new people. If I had to say where I want to go I would chose Japan, Norway and Ireland, but not necessarily in that order. Also I love small towns and would love to take long road trips and discover really cool unique places in our own country. Yes, I need to make plans!
Image Credits
Photo by Florian Borgiat
