The Engine of Matt Todd

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Community advocacy, social commentary, and educational resource, The Engine of Matt Todd brings it all together.

Matt Todd


    • Aug 20, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 33m AVG DURATION
    • 431 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Engine of Matt Todd podcast is an incredible source of inspiration and motivation. From the moment I started listening, I was hooked by Matt's energy and ability to connect with his audience. The best aspect of this podcast is Matt's talent for communication and getting the best out of kids in all the right ways. He brings a refreshing perspective to difficult topics and has a knack for making them relatable and engaging. Whether it's discussing important issues in the community or providing valuable insights on personal development, Matt's conversations are always thought-provoking and leave me feeling more motivated and empowered.

    One of the worst aspects of this podcast is that some episodes are quite short, ranging from 10 to 15 minutes. While these episodes do contain a lot of depth and thought, they sometimes leave me wanting more. I would love to see longer episodes where Matt can delve even deeper into certain topics or have extended interviews with guests. Additionally, there could be more consistency in episode releases as there are sometimes gaps between new episodes.

    In conclusion, The Engine of Matt Todd podcast is a truly exceptional show that offers sincere and thoughtful conversations on a wide range of subjects. It has become a valued resource for gaining clarity on community-related issues and personal growth. Despite its occasional brevity, Matt's passion, energy, and ability to inspire make this podcast a must-listen for anyone seeking motivation or looking to engage in meaningful dialogue.



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    Latest episodes from The Engine of Matt Todd

    Partnering with parents of SRVUSD - Karin Shumway

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2024 55:06


    Karin Shumway is a mother of 5 in SRVUSD. She is running for a board seat in Area 2 against Shelley Clark. I offered Shelley an in person as well as remote interview, and as of the publishing of this interview, she has not accepted. Enjoy!

    #422 SEX-TORTION scams and SUICIDES on SnapChat - Deputy Gomez

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2023 56:34


    Deputy Gomez is a nationally recognized School Resource Officer with incredible knowledge and insights into the dark work of social media and the scams involved. In this show, we speak specifically about the nature of "sex-tortion" on SnapChat, how it plays out differently for boys and girls, why our young men are committing suicide, and what we as parents can do.If you'd like to see the YouTube video, here is the link https://youtu.be/npTNJjaieK0

    #421 Jerome Pandell's Tweets on SEX

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2022 13:59


    Jerome Pandell is running for Board of Education in SRVUSD Area 1. He also has a very colorful history with public comments about teen sex, sex with teachers, oral sex, and more on Twitter. These are important considerations when assessing someone's character, especially when that person is running for school board. 

    #420 Interview: Jesse vanZee Part 3

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2022 44:54


    Jesse vanZee is a candidate running for the Board of Education in the San Ramon Valley Unified School district. He was recently in a candidate debate that had poor technical setup, thereby cutting him off at various points. We had a great conversation about book restrictions and other issues the district is facing. Enjoy!

    #419 Cal High Principal Demetrius Ball

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2022 59:22


    Demetrius Ball is the principal at California High School. He has been working in the district at the middle and high school levels for years and recently became the subject of much frustration regarding on campus policies. Hearing about how and why he made the calls he did and how he addressed the issues as the played out was great. Enjoy!

    #418 SRVUSD Board of Education Candidate Jesse VanZee

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2022 46:30


    Jesse VanZee is running for the Board of Education for San Ramon Valley Unified School District. This is the second interview to cover a myriad of happening since the start of school, and Jesse's perspective and adaptability to the situations was really encouraging. He gives me hope for SRVUSD. Enjoy!

    #417 Interview: SRVUSD BoE Candidate Jesse VanZee

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2022 107:46


    Jesse VanZee is running for the Board of Education in San Ramon Valley Unified School District. He is a father of 5, avid volunteer, executive, and a very insightful individual. I hope this will be the first of many. Enjoy!

    #416 Cal High saga and Dr. Malloy extension

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2022 13:54


    Well, the saga continues! Dr. Malloy gets an extension, and the Cal Stunt team continues to be left in the cold.

    #415 Interview: Laura Gantt (Cal High Stunt Team Mom)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2022 88:32


    Laura Gantt is the mother of one of the defamed Cal High stunt team athletes and is spear heading the legal defense to restore their names. This issue has taken an incredible toll on the girls and their families, and the restorative process must start with understanding what has happened to them. 

    #414 Systemic Racism at Cal High - EXPOSED

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2022 20:41


    The Stunt team at California High School has recently been accused of racism, but the facts of the situation make this one of the most disgusting, deplorable attacks on our youth I have ever seen. If any parents affected by this would like to speak on air, please do not hesitate to reach out. 

    #413 Interview: Dr. Mike Murphy ENT

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2022 85:16


    Dr. Mike Murphy is an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor practicing in the Bay Area. He has been working with people to help all kinds of ailments stemming from restricted air flow as well as help educate parents and families about issues plaguing our youth. He was great. Enjoy!

    #412 Racism in Danville

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2022 12:20


    You need to pat yourself on the back for this one and hug your neighbor.

    #411 AJ Tutoring CEO Aaron Andrikopoulos

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2022 69:20


    Aaron Andrikopoulos is one of the two founding educators at AJ Tutoring. After playing water polo at Davis, he and his partner Joe decided to go into private education and have since built one of the largest privately owned education centers in the Bay Area. Speaking with him and hearing his passion for education and students is inspiring. Enjoy!

    #410 Whistle Blower Teacher Lisa Disbrow

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2022 111:28


    Lisa Disbrow taught in Northern California school districts for almost 40 years and recently retired in response to the ever changing political landscape in public education. Her stories and experiences starting as far back as the 1970s paint a very clear picture of the public school system and the powers at work within it. 

    #409 Civil Litigator Kathleen DeLaney

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2022 65:32


    Kathleen DeLaney is a seasoned civil litigator and mother of past and present SRVUSD students. We spoke expressly about the consequences and details of the Senate and Assembly bills on the table that would mandate vaccines, allow young people to receive vaccinations without parental knowledge or consent, and more. I love her perspectives and greatly appreciate her taking the time to speak with me. Enjoy!

    #408 School Site Counsel member Len Schultz

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2022 118:11


    Len Schultz is a School Site Counsel member in the SRVUSD as well as a parent of several current students. His insights into the shifting nature of the job and the shifting curriculum was important to hear. Enjoy!

    #407 Prism Clubs in SRVUSD - a potential setback

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2022 21:21


    There have been enormous strides in the LGTBQ+ community since I was a kid. More people have been able to express themselves and find acceptance within their communities than ever before, but the PRISM clubs that are all over SRVUSD are, in my opinion, putting that progress at great risk. This is likely an unpopular opinion with many, but unless something is done, these clubs may well take us backwards and do more harm than good.

    #406 Carnitas map to the future

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2022 10:39


    They take so long to make, and the clean up is atrocious, but the compounding benefits are like guiding lights into tomorrow.

    #405 CCC Planning Commission member, Ross Hillesheim

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2022 87:30


    Ross Hillesheim is a member of the Contra Costa County planning commission, a member of the Alamo Sherif Police Service, a commercial developer, and an all around gem in our community. I greatly appreciate his perspectives on county growth and community struggles and am so thankful that he had the time to speak with me. Enjoy!

    #404 Hellen of DV Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2022 12:40


    This is part 2 of Hellen of DV and her comments from the January 18th BOE meeting. Enjoy!

    #403 Real Estate Developer/Consultant Chris Koenig

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2022 91:07


    Chris Koenig is an independent real estate developer and consultant. He has extensive knowledge of local pressures and issues playing into the housing crisis. For anyone wondering how to achieve the highest and best use for his/her property, Chris is the man to call. I love speaking with him. Enjoy!Chris Koenig 925-984-5683Brought to you by...Krushwell - The premier Vodka Seltzer - Locally owned, Universally enjoyed.https://krushwell.com/AJ Tutoring - The absolute best Bay Area resource for not only K-12 general assistance and test prep but also college and professional test assistance. https://www.ajtutoring.com/

    #402 Permission to give permission

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2022 12:05


    Don't so quickly give away permission for someone else to give you permission. Brought to you by...Krushwell - The premier Vodka Seltzer - Locally owned, Universally enjoyed.https://krushwell.com/AJ Tutoring - The absolute best Bay Area resource for not only K-12 general assistance and test prep but also college and professional test assistance. https://www.ajtutoring.com/

    #401 MVHS Real Leadership

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2022 7:47


    Dr. Kevin Ahern, the principal at MVHS, stepped up and requested a change of policy for the MVHS Junior Prom. He laid the foundation for equity in practice, not just in language. Well done, sir!

    real leadership kevin ahern mvhs
    #400 On Mayor Morgan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2022 8:46


    Renee Morgan is the current Danville mayor. She has been with the town council since 2012 and worked for years prior to that. There are unique aspects of being a mayor in Danville, and it's important to realize we play a part in supporting and getting the best talent for Danville. As Gofundme takes a large portion of donations, the family has switched to Venmo. Please put “Troy Stem Cell” in the memo.https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2556034962948096150&created=1643412367.764573&printed=1

    #399 Substitute heroic journeys

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2022 11:12


    Most of us understand the draw towards heroism, but it would be wise to not let someone else's story fill your head too much.Brought to you by...Krushwell - The premier Vodka Seltzer - Locally owned, Universally enjoyed.https://krushwell.com/AJ Tutoring - The absolute best Bay Area resource for not only K-12 general assistance and test prep but also college and professional test assistance. https://www.ajtutoring.com/

    #398 Ineligible for community participation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2022 17:23


    I have recently be chastised by certain parents who feel I should no longer speak about anything having to do with Danville because I no longer live there. This is an interesting perspective for someone to take and not one that I even disagree with completely. Enjoy!Brought to you by...Krushwell - The premier Vodka Seltzer - Locally owned, Universally enjoyed.https://krushwell.com/AJ Tutoring - The absolute best Bay Area resource for not only K-12 general assistance and test prep but also college and professional test assistance. https://www.ajtutoring.com/

    #397 MVHS Second Class Students System

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2022 9:44


    Monte Vista High School has officially introduced the two tier student system comprised of those that will be valued and included and those who will be openly excluded (though they will say that they are sorry you're being excluded...). Enjoy!Brought to you by...Krushwell - The premier Vodka Seltzer - Locally owned, Universally enjoyed.https://krushwell.com/AJ Tutoring - The absolute best Bay Area resource for not only K-12 general assistance and test prep but also college and professional test assistance. https://www.ajtutoring.com/

    #396 Hellen of DV Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2022 13:22


    Hellen of DV is one of the most active yet dismissed parents in all of SRVUSD. She speaks constantly at the Board of Education meetings, but she is very rarely understood fully. Enjoy!Brought to you by...Krushwell - The premier Vodka Seltzer - Locally owned, Universally enjoyed.https://krushwell.com/AJ Tutoring - The absolute best Bay Area resource for not only K-12 general assistance and test prep but also college and professional test assistance. https://www.ajtutoring.com/

    #395 Mask Option Advocate Courtney Drefahl

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2022 78:46


    Courtney Drefahl is a mother of two in the Danville/San Ramon area. As many of us have, she has been trying to manage her family and work while dealing with the ever changing rules and restrictive measures around the pandemic. Although she and I do not agree on everything, we do absolutely agree that speaking up for your family and your needs are absolutely crucial. She is also named on and part of the law suit recently filed against SRVUSD as she truly believes that the masking restriction, among others, and not only not necessary but also harmful. 

    #394 The firing of Coach Tony Battilega

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2022 18:29


    Tony Battilega is the former San Ramon Valley High School men's Baseball coach. He was unexpectedly fired on Friday the 14th of January. The messaging from the district has been cryptic at best, but there are a few things that are painfully clear and the community and athletes will have to deal with as a result of these actions. 

    #393 Farewell SRVHS AD, Peter Scarpelli

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2021 98:27


    Peter Scarpelli is the exiting Athletic Director for San Ramon Valley High school. He had the impossible job of navigating covid and the restrictions it put on our student athlete families, but his departure has deeper roots. I greatly appreciate him, and our community will have a big hole to fill. Enjoy!

    #392 CCC Educational Pod Organizer, DeeDee

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2021 55:52


    DeeDee is a mother in the community working alongside others to organize educational pods for people do not want their children affected by vaccine mandates. She is an outspoken advocate for choice, and talks very candidly about her own experience with a child who was vaccine injured. Moments of this were heart breaking, and I can't thank her enough for sharing her position, experience, and time. 

    #391 Goodbye Danville, with Ralph Barsi

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2021 111:33


    #390 Telepathy hosts Jack and Nico Bianchi

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2021 109:38


    Jack and Nico Bianchi are Danville natives, twins, and the hosts of the Telepathy podcast. They have dynamite social commentary and are masters of highlighting odd social behavior that has become standard. They were great. Enjoy!

    #389 Krushwell actually KRUSHED with Brad Layous

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2021 170:07


    Brad Layous is a UCLA Bruin, Cal Bear, father of two, husband, former Google badass, and the heart and soul of Krushwell. It's not about the drink or the experience. It's about who this person is. Brad is next level. Enjoy!

    #388 SRVUSD Reading List - CLASSIFIED

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2021 17:04


    Curious about every book your student has access to or is being assigned for your student to read? Well, that information classified, kind of. This is shocking.If you have been enjoying these podcasts and would like to support the continued production of them, please consider offering support at my Patreon page. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you for listening.https://www.patreon.com/user?u=64021982

    #387 WARNING: 6th grade book (EXPLICIT/GRAPHIC CONTENT)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2021 125:06


    Charlotte Wood Middle School in Danville and other schools in SRVUSD have some students reading George. Many parents were unaware of the book and its content and have been appalled when they learned about what was in it. Marianne Gutierrez was one of those parents. She very courageously agreed to not only read the book and detail what she felt was wrong with it, but also come on and speak with me about it. We play actual clips from the book, and when I put the warning in the title, I wasn't joking. This book is recommended for 8-12 year olds, but has no place in a sixth grader's hands. If you have been enjoying these podcasts and would like to support the continued production of them, please consider offering support at my Patreon page. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you for listening.https://www.patreon.com/user?u=64021982

    #386 Mayor of Danville (ND edition), Chris Koenig

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2021 162:58


    Chris Koenig is a social commentator on many local media platforms. He's also a property rights advocate, real estate development expert, and marginal CrossFit athlete. This was the first of many. Enjoy!Enjoying the podcast? Please consider supporting me on Patreon.https://www.patreon.com/user?u=64021982

    #385 Appalling SRVHS vote

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2021 9:47


    #equality#equity#inclusionONLY when it's not going to screw up tradition!!!!Enjoying the podcast? Please consider supporting me on Patreon.https://www.patreon.com/user?u=64021982

    #384 Giver never meets receiver, EVER

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2021 10:58


    It's for your protection, not for your ego.

    #383 Lying night out

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2021 12:15


    The problem with a double lie is that it will eventually lead to a dead end. 

    #382 Dynamic President/Recruiter, Tiffany Stuart

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2021 96:39


    Tiffany Stuart owns and operates Dynamic, a professional office and accounting recruiting firm. She is experiencing first hand the impossible nature of our national hiring/employment crisis as she struggles to help employers stay in business. Her insights into what people, especially young people, can do to improve their chances of long term career success were fantastic. Enjoy!Enjoying the podcast? Please consider supporting me on Patreon.https://www.patreon.com/user?u=64021982

    #381 Not taught in schools, and GOOD

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2021 10:53


    The number of things that are not taught in schools should increase, because the things that are taught in schools is wrong. 

    #380 The non-game game

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2021 9:17


    They are packaged as games and experienced as such for observers, but the participants may be seeing it as anything but a game.

    #379 Interview: Prize Truck Champion, Jason Scherer

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2021 137:04


    Jason Scherer is a world renowned prize truck driver. He has competed for over a decade in premier races such as the Baja 1000 and King of the Hammers. He's also a Danville Native, De La Salle alumnus, and world class father. He was a joy to sit with. 

    #378 Interview: Danville Music Owner, Adam Schuman

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2021 92:47


    Adam Schuman is the owner of Danville Music, legit international rockstar, and an incredibly unique guy. My appreciation for him spans many decades, and I always enjoy hearing his perspective on school, education, business, and life. Enjoy!

    #377 Interview: Mask optional advocate, Courtney Drefahl

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2021 57:17


    Courtney Drefahl is a Let Them Breath advocate. She has two younger children and has done an incredible amount of footwork to understand what the potential drivers are for our current masking situation. Enjoy!

    #376 Interview: NextDoor Moderator, Gina Veazey

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2021 92:11


    Gina Veazey is a moderator on the NextDoor social media platform. She agreed to come in and speak about the nature of her job, where she sees NextDoor fitting into the social fabric, and how we can all improve out community. She was an absolute pleasure to host. Enjoy!

    #375 Authentic difficulty

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2021 9:33


    We want authenticity and authentic function, but to really need something is also potentially a dark reality.

    #374 Interview: Ari Nagy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2021 118:22


    Ari Nagy is a Hungarian immigrant, father of three, small business owner, and committed Christian. He brings an amazing perspective as an individual who has experienced real communism and also as a self made man raising a family in our community. He's a special kind of person. Enjoy!

    #373 Eliminating yourself

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2021 10:10


    Eliminating yourself should be honorable.

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