SLĀ Foundation Presents The Power of Storytelling with Shane Adams

Meet Jordan Pettway, the talented social media specialist at Barstool Sports, who's also worked with Overtime and Slam magazine. Jordan's journey started as a young basketball enthusiast, but realizing he wouldn't go pro, he decided to pursue a career in media to stay close to the game. Networking played a crucial role in his success, connecting him with professionals like Patrick Beverly and Monta Ellis. From curating viral content to running his own media company, Jordan's advice is simple: follow your dreams and gain as much experience outside of school as possible. Embrace challenges, and success will follow. #SocialMediaSpecialist #BarstoolSports #Overtime #SlamMagazine #MediaCareer #BasketballEnthusiast #Networking #FollowYourDreams #ChaseYourPassion #ExperienceMatters

Join us on "The Power of Storytelling" podcast as we sit down with Jordan, a passionate sports coordinator at the Ruby Sea Hunt YMCA in North Carolina. Hear about his unexpected journey from undecided college student to pursuing a career in sports management, fueled by his love for sports and desire to positively impact lives. Discover how networking and authentic relationships have played a crucial role in his success. From graduate assistant to marketing media intern, Jordan's story will inspire you to follow your passions and make a difference in the sports industry. #SportsManagement #CareerJourney #PodcastInterview #Inspiration #Storytelling #Impactful #PassionForSports #YMCA #Networking #AuthenticRelationships

In this episode of the Power of Storytelling, Brandon Garcia, a broadcast journalism graduate from Arizona State University and now a production manager with the UFC in Las Vegas, takes us on an exciting journey through his career in the media industry. From interning at a local Fox station during college to filming PAC 12 basketball games, Brandon shares his experiences and valuable insights. Discover how he found his passion for broadcast journalism early on and how he learned to excel in the competitive world of media. Don't miss out on hearing about Brandon's favorite moments, including working with UFC athletes from around the world and creating compelling content.

Join us this episode of the Power of Storytelling for an insightful conversation with Hayden Henderson, where he shares his educational journey and career experiences. Hayden discusses his degree in business analytics with a concentration in marketing from the University of Tennessee. He talks about his reasons for choosing this degree, the benefits of studying business analytics, and the importance of setting goals for success. Hayden also shares his involvement in a fraternity during college and how it helped him expand his social circle and build connections. He provides valuable advice on networking, overcoming challenges, and the significance of gaining experience in shaping one's career.

In this episode of the Power of Storytelling, meet Matthew Cummings, a mechanical engineering graduate who shares his experiences and career journey. Matthew discusses his educational background, including studying at the University of Dayton and his interest in software and emerging technologies. He talks about his internships at various companies, such as B&G Foods and private research-focused roles, where he gained valuable insights and discovered his preferences and passions. Matthew also touches on his current role as a technical solutions engineer at Epic Systems, the largest electronic healthcare records company in the United States. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the importance of working hard, finding fulfillment, and staying disciplined to achieve success. Matthew's story serves as an inspiration for those looking to explore different industries and make informed career choices.

In this episode of the Power of Storytelling, join the conversation with Shyam, a social programmer at Bleacher Report, as he shares his experiences in the sports journalism industry. From creating his own page @thefanalyst.live to writing for a local newspaper at Penn State, Shyam's journey is filled with passion and dedication. Discover how he turned his love for sports into a rewarding career and learn valuable insights about networking, building a personal brand, and making your mark in the industry.

Tune into this episode of the Power of Storytelling where Jose Orvera describes his journey coming to the United States from Cuba at 19 years old. Jose touches on key shock factors and how he adjusted to life. Jose speaks on mentors that took him in and help guide him in the right direction, learning new languages, his insight into the world of sales, and the impact that fitness had on his life and the importance of competition, hard work and more!

In this episode of "The Power of Storytelling," join us as we dive into the captivating world of the music industry with special guest Mari Barbieri. With a rich background in international marketing at major labels like Atlantic Records and Sony, Mari shares her journey and the invaluable role storytelling plays in the success of artists and their music. Gain insights into her experiences, learn about the power of networking, and discover the keys to navigating the competitive landscape of the music industry. Don't miss this inspiring conversation!

Join us on "The Power of Storytelling" as we delve into the inspiring journey of Nick Silva, a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP). In this captivating episode, Nick shares his experiences as a management major with a certificate in international business, his role as a coach at a local high school, and his plans to pursue an online MBA and project management degree from LSU. Discover how Nick's passion for football led him to a scouting and recruiting internship with the UWSP football team, where he gained valuable insights into the world of sports. As a first-generation college student, Nick's determination and hard work have opened doors to new opportunities. He shares valuable advice for aspiring coaches and scouts, emphasizing the importance of persistence and networking. Tune in to learn more about Nick's leadership skills, his passion for connecting with people, and his unwavering belief in chasing one's dreams. Don't miss this engaging episode filled with wisdom, inspiration, and the power of storytelling. Subscribe now to stay updated with our latest episodes!

In this captivating episode of "The Power of Storytelling," we are joined by Eli Yoder, a college student at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Eli shares his inspiring journey and the various ventures he is involved in, including running a photography business, working as a bouncer, and co-owning a pressure washing company. Discover how Eli's entrepreneurial spirit led him to explore these opportunities and learn valuable lessons along the way. Join us as Eli discusses the advantages of starting a pressure washing business, the importance of generating leads, and shares advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Gain insights into his decision to pursue a business major in college, influenced by his passion for marketing and sales. Eli also opens up about the role wrestling played in shaping his discipline and work ethic, and how it has translated into success in various areas of his life. Witness the power of storytelling as Eli reflects on his personal growth and offers valuable advice to his younger self. Discover the key factors he believes contribute to true success, including finding happiness and achieving financial stability while pursuing your passions. Don't miss this engaging conversation filled with wisdom and inspiration.

In this Episode of The Power of Storytelling we talk with Client Success Manager of Preqin, Virgie Cruz. Virgie was born in the Dominican republic and moved to the United States during her senior year of high school. Not knowing any english, Virgie fought through the language barrier and learned english while getting her degree in international business, she explains that she believed as long as she worked hard and didn't let not knowing english stop her she would graduate and find something she enjoyed doing which she did! Virgie also talks about how losing her brother affected her and what she did to deal with the grief that comes with losing a family member and how finding strength through others helped her continue to live her life to its fullest potential!

In this episode of The Power of Storytelling we talk with Entrepreneur, ex swat/law enforcement, father, and business owner Travis Ala. Travis talks about how he handles the chaos that is entrepreneurship, how finding your passions will help you become more "successful" as well as how finding things that align with your core values will help you become more fulfilled as an aspiring human in society.

In this Episode of The Power of Storytelling we talk with Cameron Macias, CEO and Founder of Forward Learning Group who is a current military recruiter, business consultant and financial coach. Cameron talks about his experience in the military, some things he learned throughout his training and experiences coaching others to expand and grow their business, and how he manages his time between his family, work, and his future goals!

In this episode of The Power Of Storytelling we talk with Ashleigh Henry. Ashleigh is the founder and CEO of The Cheetah Company, a modernized marketing and sales firm that has served over 100 clients around the globe! In this episode we talk with Ashleigh about how her life has taught her some key life lessons that helped her define what success meant to her and allowed her to live in a way that makes her happy! After realizing she has what it takes to set out on her own and create her own agency she did just that and shares some of the things she learned throughout that journey!

In this episode of The Power of Storytelling we talk with entrepreneur and clean water advocate Anthony Ricchio. Anthony has created his own company focusing on bringing cleaner, better water to individuals as well as working with Wake Water Co to help incorporate better habits to sustain cleaner water and less pollution throughout the earth. Anthony expresses how important it is to be mindful of what goes into your body whether its by drinking or eating which will lead to a healthier body and mind.

In this episode of The Power of Storytelling we talk with film creator and actor Rico Turrubiarte about some life lessons he has learned through the years of his life, whether it was working a job where he wasn't fulfilled or as a young aspiring director working to make a name for himself. Rico gives great insights into how to be a happier person and learn quicker by understanding you're human and how important it is to realize you don't know everything.

In this episode of The Power of Storytelling we talk with accomplished pianist and conductor Mary Box. We talk with her about how her upbringing molded her into the happy and successful person she is today and about how her mentors helped her by giving her powerful advice to fight through the hard times in life to overcome her obstacles to do what she loved.

In this episode of The Power Of Storytelling we talk with CEO of Blooming Models program, Ashley Villa about how her childhood mentors gave her the advice that helped her create an amazing company that allows young aspiring models to receive the tools and guidance needed to become successful talent stars of all kinds!

In this episode of The Power Of Storytelling we discuss with Sierra Loren the power of creating positive daily habits, how the modeling industry works, how she got into modeling and what helped her create entrepreneurial mindset she has today, as well as how to build your mentality to create a positive self image. If you want to follow Sierra make sure to follow her on social media @thesierraloren as well as checking out her Talk With Me page at talkw.me/@thesierraloren

In this episode of The Power of Storytelling host Boston talks with Logan Rodriguez about how your perspective and mentality of the obstacles that inevitably come up in your life can have a drastic impact on how you feel about these obstacles as well as how you overcome them to become successful and happy in whatever you are doing.

On this Episode of The Power of Storytelling we talk to guest Michael Petersen about how his journey through his successes and failures has molded him into the man he is today. We focus on Michael's life as he went through school "wanting" to become a doctor only to find out he has a much different path for his life.

Reed is a graduate from Texas A&M University and works in the sales division of Nucor Corporation. In this Episode Host Boston and guest Reed talk about some of the lessons they have learned through their childhood and how it shaped them into becoming stronger better people. They also talk about what mentality you should strive for when becoming an adult and how previous events in their lives shaped their mentality and reality to what it is now.

Sophia Bednarz works for Rabbit foot studios here in Austin. She is the girl behind the scenes working on music video sets for artists like Parker Mccollum and shooting commercials for Whataburger.

Sacha Loudon graduated from SMU with a degree in Finance and is now headed to New York City to work as an investment analyst for Goldman Sachs. Peyton and Sacha discuss life in London, interview processes, and never giving up.

Operatic vocalist and vocal coach Jared Schwartz sits down to discuss life growing up in a small town in Indiana, charting on the Billboard charts, and the secrets of being self-employed.

Amanda graduated from Mesa Community College and is currently the successful owner of Oak Cliff Pilates in Dallas, Tx. Peyton and Amanda discuss cosmetology school, being a female business owner, and following your passions.

Lauren graduated from Harvard with a degree in Psychology. She is now working in business development for a tech startup based in Austin, Tx. Peyton and Lauren sit down to talk about growing up as an athlete, traveling alone, and staying open minded.

Laurel graduated from UNT witha degree in International/Global studies. She has since gone on to be a social media manager, graphic designer, content creator, writer, and marketing expert.

Meagan works as an entertainment consultant and live event production coordinator for Artist Uprising. Peyton and Meagan discussed growing up in a small town, making the transition from the makeup world to the entertainment realm and following your passions.

Arooj Sheikh graduated from University of Texas with a degree in Business. She has since gone on to be a key note speaker, entrepreneur, book author, and Founder of Amplifying Training Institute. Peyton and Arooj talk about moving to Argentina, creating your own destiny, and starting your own business.

Amanda Janay is the financial controller for FlashParking. Amanda and Peyton sit down and discuss life as an accountant, not being great at math, and being a woman in a male dominated field.

Ariel Lee is the Founder and CEO of Remane. Peyton and Ariel sit down to discuss passion, getting out of your comfort zone, and how she started her company as a junior in college.

Josh Goode is a two-time Emmy award winning producer, songwriter and composer. Peyton and Josh discuss band kids, music theory, and life as a musician.

Srajan Bhagat is a Senior Customer Success Manager at InfluxData. Srajan and Aniket discuss nontraditional experiences with school, how his interests in sustainability, policy, classical music, and yoga have uniquely aligned, and his passion for customer success.

McKenzie is a senior analyst at Goldman Sachs. She graduated from Texas Tech University with a BBA in Finance and Accounting. McKenzie and Kat talk about her occupational journey and how a move at a young age shaped her.

Jacqueline Gibson is a Software Engineer at Microsoft. She is an alumna from the University of Texas at Austin where she majored in African and African Diaspora Studies, Computer Science, and minored in Human Computer Interaction. Jacqueline shares with Melissa how she first discovered her love for computer science, her aspirations of using technology to create a positive impact, her experiences as a Black woman in STEM, and the importance of finding a supporting and uplifting community. Jacqueline lives in Seattle and works at Microsoft full-time. 

Jason Petlueng is the Director of Marketing at Evolve MMA, the #1 mixed martial arts gym in Asia. Jason and Aniket discuss the importance of exposure to diverse perspectives, taking leaps of faith to follow our passions, and the value of persistence in going after something you love. 

Barbara Kufiadan is a 2nd year graduate student at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. Barbara and Aniket discuss her Ghanaian-American upbringing, her experience growing up as a black woman in a predominantly white state, and her passion for shaping public policy to be more diverse, inclusive, and equitable for everyone. You can reach out to Barbara through her LinkedIn profile.Instagram - @barbkufiadan

Christian (they/them) graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a BA in PR, minor in Black Studies, and concentration in Business Foundations. Christian spoke about their career as an Account Coordinator at M Booth. Christian expanded on their experience as a black transgender person in a corporate setting and detailed some ways the workplace can be more inclusive. Christian also discussed the importance of prioritizing mental health, and how they take care of their needs.According to payscale.com, an account coordinator can earn an average annual salary of $40,535.You can reach out to Christian through their LinkedIn profile.Instagram - @unholykenoly

Vyasar Ganesan, a participant in the Netflix docuseries "Indian Matchmaking", is a writer and college counselor at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy in Austin, Texas. Vyasar and Aniket discuss finding joy amidst a difficult upbringing, bridging the gap between the humanities and the sciences, and deriving purpose through life's experiences.According to payscale.com, a college and career counselor can earn an average annual salary of $47,891.You can reach out to Vyasar through his LinkedIn profile.Instagram - @vyasar.ganesanPublications - Vyasar Writes!

Patrick Lyons is a Mechanical Sourcing Engineer at Microsoft. He is an alum from the University of Texas at Austin where he majored in Mechanical Engineering. Patrick shares with Melissa his journey with fitness, how he founded his own personal training program, Lyon Shred Coaching, and his experiences training for American Ninja Warrior. Patrick lives in Seattle and works at Microsoft while continuing to expand his fitness programs.According to payscale.com, a mechanical engineer earns an average annual salary of $70,846.You can reach out to Patrick through his LinkedIn profile.Instagram - @patricklyonsYouTube - Patrick Lyons

Garrett Mireles graduated from UT Austin with a B.S. in Advertising with a concentration in copy-writing in the Creative Advertising Program. In this interview, he shares with Kat his experiences transitioning into UT and learning what was truly important to him. He also discusses what it is like to be a copywriter for Thimble, a tech startup, working towards his goals, and what he is finding joy in today.According to payscale.com, a copywriter earns an average annual salary of $51,549.You can reach out to Garrett through his LinkedIn profile.Instagram - @garrettmireles

Cheyenne Gordon works as a music therapist at Hospice of Lubbock, where she works along other medical professionals to provide end-of-life care to patients. In this interview, Cheyenne tells Kat about how she decided to pursue a career in music therapy, how music can help the healing process, and how she copes with such an emotional occupation. Cheyenne explains how life can be beautiful in all its stages and how she finds peace and comfort in helping others.According to payscale.com, a music therapist can earn an average annual salary of $41,456.You can reach out to Cheyenne through her LinkedIn profile.Instagram - @cheyenne.gordonJULY 22, 2020  

Jonathan Wong is a rising senior at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Business Honors, Management Information Systems, and Biology. Jonathan shares with Melissa his experiences with computer science and software engineering, his love for entrepreneurship, and his journey in combining technology, business, and healthcare to make the world a better place. Jonathan lives in Austin and works as a Product Management Intern for Roblox.According to payscale.com, Product Managers in the software industry can earn an average annual salary of $96,064.You can reach out to Jonathan through his LinkedIn profile and learn more about him through his personal website.Instagram - @2wongsmakearightTwitter - @wonathanjong

Maia Paterno is a TV News Assistant at Creative Artists Agency, one of the most influential talent and sports agency businesses in the world. In this interview, Maia discusses her time at the University of Texas as a Sports Management major and her experience interning at CAA. She also talks to Katherine about how COVID-19 has impacted her first year living in NYC, navigating her work environment in the midst of a pandemic, and the advice she has for anyone interested in working in the entertainment industry.According to Glassdoor, a News Assistant earns an average annual salary of $42,282. This number, however, can vary greatly depending on the organization.You can reach out to Maia through her LinkedIn profile.Instagram - @maiapaterno

Giancarlo Bernini is a magician with his own show, Magic of Giancarlo Bernini. He is an alum from the University of Texas at Austin where he majored in Religious Studies and took additional coursework in psychology and business. Giancarlo shares with Melissa his experiences growing up in a small town, discovering his love for magic at a young age, the road to becoming a full-time performer, and starring in the magic competition television program, Penn & Teller: Fool Us. Giancarlo lives in Dallas and works as a magician full-time.According to Glassdoor, magicians can earn anywhere from $30,000 to upwards of $100,000 annually.You can reach out to Giancarlo through his LinkedIn profile.Instagram - @berninimagic

From the small town of Aurangabad, India to the bright lights of New York City, Anish found mainstream success in corporate America. However, looking for something more, he embarked on a journey to make a difference in the social impact space and find fulfillment by following his passion. Currently, Anish is working to incubate his own social enterprise focused on multidimensional poverty, starting first with waste-pickers in India, with the goal of spending the rest of his life fighting poverty through economic empowerment.You can reach out to Anish through his LinkedIn profile, and learn more about him on his personal website.Twitter - @anishmalpaniInstagram - @anishmalpani

Trang Truong is a recent graduate of UC Irvine with a degree in Psychological Sciences. Trang and Aniket discuss her experiences growing up with both of her parents battling cancer, dealing with a stutter, and how she learned to deal with adversity by setting on a mission to help others. Trang's story is one of empowerment and strength. Now as a graduate, Trang hopes to educate others on the importance of fitness and be an advocate for health and wellness.You can reach out to Trang through her LinkedIn profile.Instagram - @traytay

Kush Singh is the Co-Founder and CEO of Hitch. He attended the University of Texas at Austin for a year before deciding to leave McCombs and focus on his venture. Kush shares with Melissa his journey with entrepreneurship, the challenges of running an intercity ridesharing business out of his dorm room, and his personal and professional growth over the years. Today, Hitch offers ridesharing services in all major cities in Texas and has 13 operating routes. Kush lives in Austin and works full-time with Hitch.According to payscale.com, the average salary of a CEO is $156,197, but this can vary greatly depending on the size of the organization.You can reach out to Kush through his LinkedIn profile.Instagram - @hitchTwitter - @foundkush @hitchtravel

In this interview, Lydia Breedlove tells Katherine about her unique childhood. Lydia grew up with two blind parents, and she explains how that experience shaped her today. Lydia recently graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a degree in Athletic Training. She will be attending Texas Women’s University this fall to receive dual certification in Physical Therapy, as well.According to payscale.com, the average salary of a Physical Therapist is $71,327.You can reach out to Lydia through her LinkedIn profile.Instagram - @lydia_danielle

Micky Wolf is a Venture for America Fellow and the Director of Programs at Dent Education. In this interview, Micky shares his journey with social entrepreneurship and demonstrates that the path to success is not a straight line. He currently works in Baltimore with Dent Education, empowering student entrepreneurs to discover and develop their creative potential. Our interview also features Di'Ja Thompson, a high school junior working with Micky at Dent building PPE to keep the Baltimore community safe.According to Glassdoor, Fellow salaries at Venture for America can range from $38,000 - $51,941.You can reach out to Micky through his LinkedIn profile.Instagram - @denteducation @venture4america