How WE Bounce Back

Andrew Velasquez is a NICU Nurse at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He also runs his own business: Velasquez Legal Nurse Consulting. Andrew discusses his approach on starting a business and having an introverted personality, caring for babies in the NICU department, and his passion for being in the healthcare system. Andrew also plays a game of “Picture Association” looking at pictures of his favorite (and random) people and describing what they mean to him.

As a high school teacher at his alma mater, Kyle Geck is a community leader to his peers and his students. Kyle goes deeper into his day-to-day life as an educator and discusses helping the quieter students in the class, positioning student-athletes for success in or outside of sports, and places an emphasis on students supporting each other. As a former US history/world history teacher, the tables have turned on the teacher and Kyle plays a trivia game on US history to test his own knowledge of the subject.

James Namude is an experienced marketing professional and currently a Senior Product Marketing Manager at Amazon. He was also the Director of Global Sponsorships and Brand Partnerships at Brand USA, working in the travel and entertainment industry for nearly a decade. James discusses his journey working at Brand USA during the start-up days and the impact that his career at Amazon has on helping other people. Lastly, James plays a game of “Picture Association” looking at pictures of his favorite (and random) people and describing what they mean to him.

Talented and well-spoken product designer, Tina Phan, drops all the rules when it comes to valuing careers and how they shouldn't define us. She also discusses the mental toll after hitting a low point living in NYC, the feelings of guilt living far away from her parents and family, and her overall development settling in a big city. Tina also plays a classic game of trivia, answering random questions as if it was trivia night at an East Village local bar.

American Heart Association's Real Women 2021 ambassador and Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Student, Devon Brzezynski, shares an emotional story of heart health from before she was born through today. Along with raising awareness for women's heart health, Devon also details the steps she took getting into a Doctoral program after many tries. Devon also plays a game “Lightening Scavenger Hunt”, showcasing random items around the house.

An elementary school teacher in Las Vegas, Ms. Bernadette Rulloda, shares her deep connection and joys of being an educator for children, bouncing back from a difficult time in teaching, and the funniest stories about her students. Bernie also shares an incredible story, detailing the steps and hurdles she endured transitioning from an office job to becoming a teacher - with no previous educational background, the will to make her dreams happen. Lastly - in one of the funniest games we've played on this show, Bernie plays a game of “School Trivia or Dance Like Your Brothers”.

Media Supervisor at OMD for the Apple TV account, Lauren McGee, joins us this week to discuss the skill sets you develop working for ad agencies in LA, long-term career ambitions, and experiencing racial biases in college and in the workplace. Lauren also plays a classic game of “Word Sneak” inspired by The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

A family physician at EVMS Norfolk, Doctor JB Navarro, joins us this week to discuss his journey in medical school and the years leading up to it. As a doctor, JB emphasizes the importance of health and ways to improve our quality of life. JB also plays a fun game of picture trivia “Count the Calories” when looking at pictures of some “good” food and being a big fan of the Washington Football Team.

Senior Product Manager, Devin Edwards, details how he finds his place working as a sales professional. At that same time, the fate of his life with his family started at his workplace. Devin shares his ways of developing confidence at work, the product he implemented and currently leads: Anthem's Virtual Second Opinion Program. A role model for young fathers, Devin discusses balancing his career and family, his IMMENSE love for sandwiches, and a hilarious game of answer the question or take a shot.

We return for the Season 2 premiere in high honor of the beloved, Jim Velasquez, the father of our host James C. Velasquez. Jim's 1st son pays tribute by discussing his life entire life of love, family, friends, 22-year service in the US Navy, sacrifices, and stories of how his father bounced back.

In our season finale, Luz Velasquez joins us as our surprise guest and is the Mother of our Host James C. Velasquez. Luz reminisces on the fun times immigrating to America, being a frontline nurse going into the final years of her career, and coping with a military husband stationed abroad.

Our guest host, Rose Mary Garcia, interviews her fiancée James C. Velasquez on similar questions he's asked all season long.

Bjorn Rulloda is a talented graphic designer for the Philadelphia Union. He has a passion for creating and designing sports-related content. After college, Bjorn went through 7 months of turmoil with no job, no income, and difficulties finding work where his passion was nearly sacrificed. This conversation is meaningful for those that have finished college and facing uncertainty as well as those at a standstill in life, especially with the ongoing pandemic.

From humble beginnings in West Virginia to elevating her career in Security Studies & U.S. Policy, Olivia Vanway shares her willingness to be open and normalize sensitive issues: dealing with anxiety, how she takes advantage of time with herself and prioritizing mental health way before the pandemic started. As a Master's student at Georgetown University and currently living in Washington, DC - Olivia has aspirations to be a future leader for this country.

A student at the University of Richmond in Virginia, Clarisse Liclic opens up about her mental health throughout the years, the challenges of being a minority woman in America, and managing her parents' expectations and her own aspirations as she looks towards life after college. This is also a Thanksgiving-related episode for which we play a game on our favorite Filpino dishes.

With his parents in the military, Kelvin Lewis discusses growing up in Germany before middle school, overcoming injuries in high school football, compartmentalizing his goals and aspirations, and carrying that focus throughout his 20s. This episode also aired on Kelvin's 30th Birthday, for which we are grateful to be a part of his special day.

After receiving her Masters in Real Estate Finance at Georgetown University, Gabby Garcia details her long journey in her 20s living in Miami and NYC, the challenges of being a young Hispanic woman in a male-dominated profession, what her physical image brings to her, and most importantly…the value of family when living far away from home. This episode also aired on Gabby's 30th birthday, for which we are fortunate to have her share her story on her special day.

Cameron Nash is the life of the party and a Social Media Manager at MediaCom. He shares his story growing up in Los Angeles, making his parents proud, and the dreams he wants to fulfill. He also discusses public figures that inspire him and what he does to spread positivity to everyone around him.

Always well-spoken and one of the most fun people be around, Christian Sosa discusses his experiences growing up as a Latino-American, tough times after moving from Virginia, and the societal + cultural issues of how people (specifically men) are perceived. This episode is also a Halloween Special episode to gear you up for this weekend.

Cristina Gallardo is an Associate Clinical Director at Behavioral Frontiers. She shares her incredible grit and perseverance through her weight loss journey within the last two years, but not before experiencing the internal feelings of discomfort prior, that drove her towards the newfound confidence and health goals that she continues to strive for every single day.

Austin Brown is the current co-owner and athletic performance trainer at C4 Explosive Sports Training in Northern Virginia. He discusses his journey in football and mentoring young students, but not before overcoming major injuries in the NFL and Arena League Football, that helped shape him into the leader he is today.