It Takes Chutzpah: How to Fight Fearlessly for Progressive Change

Senator Ron Wyden grew up in a home where he frequently heard about grit, self-confidence, and determination. Both of his parents escaped Nazi Germany in the 1930s.

Senator Ron Wyden's parents both fled Nazi Germany in the 1930s. His father joined the U.S. Army and fought in World War II as a member of the "Ritchie Boys," a group of service members trained in psychological warfare and intelligence. His mother first went to Iraq before coming to the U.S. in 1939 and graduating from Yale.

Senator Wyden has served over four decades in Congress, starting his career as a co-founder of Oregon's Gray Panthers, an advocacy organization for the elderly. He also served in the House of Representatives, where he wrote the Medigap law that regulated the private market for Medicare's supplemental insurance policies. His law and subsequent work protected seniors from immoral insurance practices and ensured they could use Medicare for the first home-based health program for seniors with chronic illnesses.

In his new book, "It Takes Chutzpah: How to Fight Fearlessly for Progressive Change," Senator Wyden shares his life's journey and spells out his lessons for having chutzpah as well. He defines chutzpah as "the audacity to take bold risks in service of progressive change."

According to Senator Wyden, bipartisanship is especially critical during this divided time. He believes that the best way to achieve bipartisanship is to take the best ideas, regardless of ideology, and agree to move a whole that's better than the sum of its parts.

"The reason bipartisanship gets a bad name is when an individual gives in on ideological trophies for the other side so that they can get something that benefits them politically," he said. "This is something I will never do."

Senator Wyden also has advice for young people when it comes to achieving your goals with chutzpah.

"Young people are naturally curious,” he said. “When you add into it the desire to be bold, with grit and determination, they can change the world. Chutzpah is an instrument; it will unlock opportunities, friendships, knowledge, and experiences that will not otherwise be part of your life. At every turn tap into your own chutzpah to make your life, your family’s life, your community and your country stronger."