Chapter 1: Confidence
1) In Dr. Bluford’s preface, he credits confidence with America’s victory in the space race. What other memorable American achievements have been realized due to confidence? What achievements in your own life?

2) When Joe Massengale was a child, demonstrating confidence could have negative or violent consequences. How was Joe able to stay true to himself in such a dangerous environment

3) As Joe, Jr. points out, it is important to always remember the difference between confidence and arrogance. How does he remember to conduct himself with confidence without slipping into arrogance? How can the rest of us remember this difference?

4) A recurring theme is the need to conduct oneself with respect and confidence as a model for one’s own community and for society at large. Who in your community exemplifies this? How can each of us demonstrate confidence on a daily basis?

Chapter 2: Fortitude
1) Anjelica Huston’s grandfather Walter’s perceptions of success and failure were shaped by the reaction audiences and critics had of his work. For those of us whose career successes and failures can be more private, how important is fortitude in helping us to achieve our goals? Are there instances in your own life where fortitude has played an important role?

2) Joe Massengale was able to succeed and make a life for himself in California when so many others failed. How did his experience as a teenager in Marshall give him the strength to stay focused in Los Angeles? What childhood experiences do you feel have shaped your character?

3) Michael Massengale made a career shift at 40, and Joe Massengale went back to work at age 60. How does fortitude help people deal with such drastic change?

4) The Massengale men all work for themselves. Though there are many benefits to being self-employed, it can also be difficult to maintain a stable income or workflow, and consequently, it can jeopardize the stability of home-life. How do the Massengales and their families deal with these irregularities? How did Joe’s choices as a provider influence his sons’ choices with their families?

Chapter 3: Pride
1) Like confidence, pride can be easily confused with arrogance. How does Rafer Johnson demonstrate pride while eschewing arrogance?

2) Joe Massengale saw many of his peers and friends in the music industry lose everything because of drugs and alcohol. How did his sense of pride keep him from this fate?

3) What do you think about Larry’s choice to send his son to live in Denver for a year while he was in high school?

4) Joe Massengale thinks that pride is something that one earns and that grows with one’s accomplishments. How do you think pride changes one’s character?