When I was young I used to listen to other people and to try and understand what they thought and where they were coming from. I listened and didn't speak.

I am not telling men to step away from speaking for women's rights; rather, I am focusing on women to be independent to fight for themselves.

People say Malala's voice is being sold to the world. But I see it as Malala's voice reaching the world and resonating globally. You should think about what is behind Malala's voice. What is she saying? I am only talking about education, women's rights, and peace.

The important thing to note is that it is not important whether Malala was shot or not - Malala is not asking for personal favors or support. She is asking for support with girls' education and women's rights. So don't support Malala, support her campaign for girls' education and women's rights.

My students know I have a life, they know I've written about my life. They know some detail, probably more than they know about their physics teacher, but I would've told them anyway!

I think it was in high school when I was listening to Sheryl Crow and Michelle Branch or Avril Lavigne - that time when female pop rock was really having a moment - and it really resonated with me. I started writing poetry, and I was learning how to play guitar at the time, but I didn't really put the two together for a while.

It's funny to find there are still people around who think if a musician has schooling, it automatically makes him a lesser jazz player. But you don't learn jazz in school.

I'm sure I am impatient sometimes. I sure do get angry sometimes. I think it's outrageous how hard it is to get this country to feed its children and to take care of its children, to give them a decent education.