You’ve heard it your whole life: “Work hard, and you’ll succeed.” But what if the game was rigged from the start? In this powerful episode, we unpack the myth of meritocracy — the idea that talent and effort alone determine success — and expose how race, class, gender, geography, and privilege distort the rules. From underfunded schools to elite gatekeeping, from emotional burnout to systemic barriers, we explore why hard work isn’t always enough — and what a truly fair system could look like. Whether you're chasing success or questioning it, this is the conversation you need to hear.

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