Organic chemistry has a bad reputation, despite having a tremendous impact on our everyday lives. It has remained a notorious “weed-out” class for decades – striking fear in the hearts of students – and has long been viewed as a gatekeeper course for those interested in pursuing a career in medicine. This presentation will examine the underlying teaching philosophies that have now transformed organic chemistry into one of the most popular classes on the UCLA campus. Educational initiatives, including organic chemistry music videos and online tutorials, will be discussed.