UNPACKED

In the season 3 finale, Micah is joined by three current Americorps and City Year New Hampshire Service Leaders - Abby Watson, Elinor Bragaw, and Kailey Johnson. Abbey Watson is from Kalamazoo, Michigan. There she attended school and graduated with a Master's of Social Work degree. After studying in El Salvador and Guatemala, she realized that she wanted to explore educational systems outside of her own experiences. Abbey was introduced to City Year at a job fair and realized the organization would give her that opportunity. During her first year of service, she fell in love with the Manchester community and decided to return to serve another year. She credits this to the amazing students and teachers that she served alongside. The relationships she built and the energy, passion, empathy, and laughter shared by the students made her realize that she did not want her time in Manchester to be over so quickly. Elinor Bragaw is from Crozet, Virginia, a little town between Charlottesville and the Blue Ridge mountains. She lived in the same house all her life with her parents and three younger siblings up until she moved away to college in Washington, D.C. College was a rollercoaster. She took time off in the middle, worked as a camp counselor out in California, applied to transfer to other schools, and changed her major a few times, but she made it to the other side and graduated from American University in December 2019 with a degree in art history and a minor in political science. When she considered her next steps after college, she chose to serve with City Year, and her experience last year taught her that she is an educator. Her eyes were opened to the realities of the public education system and she believes it is a calling to dedicate her time to helping children have the best shot they can. Kailey Johnson grew up in Londonderry, New Hampshire. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2020 and majored in psychology and justice studies. She also spent a very formative semester completing an internship through The Washington Center. During college, Kailey was also involved with the Kappa Delta sorority where they supported the philanthropies Prevent Child Abuse America and the Girl Scouts of America. The work of these organizations inspired her to advocate for children to have happy and healthy childhoods. This belief led her to join City Year after graduation. She was inspired by City Year's model of supporting kids through tutoring, and building communities within their schools. Kailey chose to serve in Manchester because it gave her the opportunity to learn and grow in a community that had been next door to her throughout her whole life. She decided to return for another year because she truly believes in the impact City Year can have on students and the community. To read more about their ongoing journeys, check out this post.

In this episode, Micah is joined by a childhood friend, Byron Abrigg. Byron is the cofounder, CCO, and COO of Mission Control, a community platform that organizes recreational esports. Byron started his career in venture capital and accelerators, serving as the Accelerator Coordinator at Stadia Ventures, an early-stage sports tech and esports VC and accelerator program in St. Louis, MO. In addition to his current work at Mission Control, Byron is also an Adjunct Professor at Saint Louis University where he graduated in 2017.

In this season 3 episode, Micah is joined by his good friend Kai Forcey-Rodriguez. *Stefon from SNL Weekend Update voice* This episode will have everything! Kai is a future special educator and mental health professional specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders and is currently enrolled in the Masters of Education in Developmental Psychology and Education program at the University of Toronto-Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). Kai was born in New York City, but grew up in Durham, New Hampshire. At age 7, Kai was diagnosed with Inattentive-ADHD and High Functioning Autism and over the years has learned to celebrate the unique gifts from being neurodivergent (Savant-like memory, musical savant abilities, and polyglot). Kai is a world traveller who has lived in Italy, The Netherlands, Russia, Indonesia, and now Canada and is a polyglot who speaks 8 languages. In College, Kai studied Italian Studies with a minor in Special Education Teaching where he realized both in Indonesia and in education courses his true calling which after graduating led him to serve with City Year New Hampshire. Kai finds joy working with, advocating for, supporting and understanding the needs of students and everyone around him fueled by his drive to give back and continue the legacy of his dedicated mentors and teachers from over the years. Kai also finds joy with providing comic relief e.g. jokes, wearing a green mustache, and voice impressions. Kai also credits and has deep gratitude for his own hard work to overcome life's obstacles along with learning a lot through the unconditional support from his family, music, and his close friends from over the years who inspire me to do my best and accept/celebrate who I am. Currently, Kai lives in Toronto, Ontario and is working towards submitting his first publication about Autism and Mental Health while studying for his M.Ed at University of Toronto-OISE.

Micah's brother, Caleb Tatebe joins the podcast for episode 12. Caleb is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina. He earned his PhD in chemistry at Purdue University under the mentorship of Professor Suzanne Bart. Besides chemistry, Caleb has passions for sports, music, and his faith. Together with his wife, they raise their two sons (6, 3) and Australian Shepherd to do justly, love greatly, and follow in the steps of Christ [to the best of their ability]. 

Season 3 kicks off with Micah's good friend, Richard Banach, who is a future history teacher and is currently enrolled in a Masters in Teaching program. Richard grew up in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area where he was a Regional champion in high school for basketball. In college, Richard helped start one of the best Esports teams in the country. While at college, Richard studied political science and international studies but pivoted to education when he realized his true calling through a year of service at a nonprofit called City Year New Hampshire. He finds joy in helping students with learning disabilities because he couldn't have overcome his own learning disabilities without dedicated mentors and teachers. Currently, he is a substitute teacher at a local middle school and an assistant basketball coach while pursuing his Master's degree. 

In Episode 10, Micah is joined by Christian West. Christian grew up in a small, suburban town of Wheeling, West Virginia. As a homeschooled kid, Christian spent much of his childhood at home, finding ways to entertain himself. As a teenager, Christian found that he aspired to be a film maker, which lead him into the world of videography and photography. With this newfound passion, he met many of his current friends while photographing music shows and events. Yet it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. With Covid-19, his plans of pursuing film making were de-railed. Luckily in June of 2020 he found exactly what he needed, streaming! And he's been doing it nearly everyday since! You can find out more about Christian here: https://linktr.ee/ChristianTG92

After a lengthy break, The UNPACKED Podcast is back for Episode 9 with Trey Tucker. Trey is Micah's old college roommate and one of his best friends. Trey is from Devonshire, Bermuda, and is the youngest of six siblings. Trey loved playing various sports such as soccer and cricket growing up. However, life wasn't as easy as it sounds for him. His father passed away at an early age and when was thirteen, he moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee. After attending middle and high school in Chattanooga, Trey received a soccer and track scholarship to Wheeling Jesuit University, in West Virginia. After graduating with a degree in Business Administration and Management, he moved back to Bermuda where he resides. Recently, Trey was able to make his debut in soccer for the Bermudian National Team. Currently, Trey is a Business Operations Coordinator for Trust Services at Conyers Dill and Pearman Law firm.

Our stories are tied to those who came before us. In this special episode, Micah is joined by his grandmother, Inez Tatebe. While growing up in Kapaau, Hawaii life changed very quickly for her and her family when World War II found its way to American borders on December 7th, 1941 with the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Inez and her family were whisked away, like so many other Japanese-Americans, to internment camps in various locations throughout the United States. After the war, Inez moved to California with her sister and brother-in-law where she met her late husband, Hiroshi Tatebe. She now lives in Oceanside, California, and is a proud mother to four boys, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. This is her and her family’s story

Episode 7 of UNPACKED is one of Micah’s old soccer teammates, Prayag Jina. Prayag was born in Birmingham, England, and grew up in the greater Cleveland area. After having an impressive youth career in the Cleveland Area, & upon graduating from Aurora High School, he went on to Bowling Green State University, where he played Division I soccer & captained his team during his senior year. While simultaneously finishing his college courses and chasing his dream, he went on to play professionally and sign a pro contract in the fourth division of Madrid, Spain. After his first stint, he signed with newly promoted CF La Solana in the fourth division, but endured a bad tackle, which resulted in ruptured cruciate knee ligaments and cartilage. Thereafter his second stint, and total of 9 months in Spain, he moved back to Cleveland, OH for his surgery. After having ACL surgery, and planning to return overseas to play, unforeseen issues occurred, and he suffered a fractured patella (kneecap) 8 months post ACL reconstruction. With ongoing injuries and events, and re-tearing his ACL again in August 2020, he is now focusing on finishing his MBA come May 2021. His current position is with Go2Goal, a soccer performance and training company in the Cleveland Area. He is the Vice President of the organization, and acts as a pivotal member to their ongoing growth and success.

To kick off Season 2 Micah is joined by the first person to coach him in sports other than his dad, Jeff Butts. Jeff is a lifelong resident of Warren, Ohio who has a bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems and has served as a Senior Software Engineer consultant for nearly 20 years. This experience has ultimately led him to teach two cohorts of the Cleveland Codes Software Developer's Academy at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) Metro Campus, becoming a Co-Founder of the start-up company “CellPh-Check-In”, The CIL Institute of Critical & Strategic Thinking, and “Chess is Life''. Jeff is also the founder of C.O.D.E. Base Warriors, providing one of the most indispensable components of STEM; Technology by teaching coding for kids. While it isn’t too conventional for most Computer Information Systems majors, he minored in Psychology, bringing together a logical, tech-like background with the passion, understanding, and empathy to help shape young minds. “Coach Jeff” is a true leader in every sense of the word, and he has what he refers to as the “4 D's of Success” (Determination, Dedication, Discipline & Drive) necessary to elevate the "CRITICAL THINKING" of our youth.

In this Season 1 finale, Micah is joined by Morgan “Mo” Stohlman. Episode 5 continues the conversation on passion while Mo helps to highlight the next question of “How do I do it?” Mo grew up in a sports-centric family in Willoughby, Ohio. She later attended Wheeling Jesuit University on a softball scholarship and was involved in student government, retreats, and service. Mo originally earned her Bachelors of Arts in English, wanting to be an author but ended up earning her Masters of Arts in Clinical Counseling from Heidelberg University. Instead of writing her own stories, she has found a way to help others write their own. Mo is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor, working part-time at a private practice while pursuing her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Kent State University. Mo’s passions include PALS programs, spending time outdoors, walking her dog Lois, and advocating for mental health. For up to date information on current and future episodes, follow our Instagram page.

What are you passionate about? In this episode, Micah is joined by one of his oldest friends, Juliana Vazquez. Julie loves to work-out, bake, and play soccer. In high school, Julie was a standout student-athlete at Cardinal Mooney (OH), recording over 135 goals and 100 assists. She was named an All-American her senior year by leading the state in scoring. Additionally, she was named to the ODP Region 1 team where she represented the United States in international competition. Julie attributes her hard work and discipline to her older brother, Nick. Nick was drafted by the Colorado Rockies out of high school. However, he decided to attend the University of Pittsburgh on a full baseball scholarship. After college, Nick played for the Kansas City Royals and the Miami Marlins. Julie followed in his footsteps and also attended the University of Pittsburgh on an athletic scholarship. There, she became a 2-year captain, was awarded the David Sandberg Champion’s Award, and achieved All-ACC team accolades. Julie graduated with honors in both her Bachelors and (Health information management, ‘19) and Masters degrees (health informatics, ‘20). After graduation she signed a professional contract with Puerto Rico Sol FC; however, her season was cut short because of COVID-19. Julie currently lives in Youngstown, Ohio with her parents where she runs a small home baking business specializing in sugar cookie decorating. Ultimately, she plans to return to professional soccer overseas when the pandemic subsides. For up to date information on current and future episodes, follow our Instagram page.

Where did you come from? You’ll be surprised to hear what most people say. In this episode of Unpacked, Micah is joined by an old friend, Rob Anderson. Rob recently moved back to his hometown of Stow, OH, and is currently seeking a career within his field of study, criminal justice. Growing up, Rob’s wonderful adoptive parents and adopted brother, Colin, supported him throughout his love for video games and competitive sports. However, every year one thing seemed to remain the same: something was missing. Being adopted from the Philippines, Rob always felt a desire to know who his biological family was. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati in 2018 with degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology, Rob finds what he was looking for, more specifically, Rob finds who he was looking for. For up to date information on current and future episodes, follow our Instagram page.

In this episode, Micah is joined by one of his closest friends, Ryan Seidewitz. Ryan and his wife, Brooklyn, currently reside in Huntington, WV. There, he works for St. Mary’s Medical Center as a Nurse Extern and for Cabell County Emergency Medical Services as an EMT. Ryan also is involved with Young Life at Marshall University, where he is a leader. Ryan grew up in a small town in northern West Virginia on his family’s farm with his brother, Arkady. Ryan spent the majority of his childhood engulfed in his love for sports, music, and the great outdoors. He attended the former Wheeling Jesuit University, where he graduated in 2018 with a degree in Athletic Training. After graduation, a season of heartbreak, disappointment, and isolation ensued. In conversation with Micah, Ryan joyfully reflects on where he was and more importantly, who that helped him become. Plagued by an identity crisis, Ryan attempts to answer one of life’s toughest questions, “Who am I?”. For up to date information on current and future episodes, follow our Instagram page.

Welcome to the very first episode of the UNPACKED podcast! We are glad to bring you this message during a time of constant fear and negativity. We hope that this podcast can help you not only begin to unpack your own story but give you the courage to share it as well. This year has been a whirlwind; our first guest is no exception. Jonathan "JB" Bullock-Barrett joins Micah and talks about how losing his mother so suddenly not only changed his perspective on life but what he values most. JB shares his thoughts and experiences on the power of grief and self-care. JB grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he cultivated a love for wrestling. That love eventually brought him to Wheeling Jesuit University, where he wrestled, graduated, and stayed. He later earned his MBA from WJU and continued to work there afterward, with students. JB now calls Richmond, Virginia home and currently is the Director of Campus Activities and Multicultural programs at Davis and Elkins University and a First Lt., Human Resource Officer in the military. He loves fitness, music, and his new puppy, Titus! ----------------------------------------------------- Resources mentioned: "A Grief Observed" by C.S. Lewis, "The Power Of The Other" by Dr. Henry Cloud 

Take a sneak peek at what you can expect on the UNPACKED podcast.