Virtual School Assembly

Tyler Christensen is a 3x TEDx speaker, a teacher, an ultramarathon runner and the host of Virtual School Assembly. In this episode he shares the five greatest lessons he's learned over the last 15 months (during the COVID 19 pandemic) and does a Q&A session about the show.

Josh Perry is a former professional BMX athlete, motivational speaker, certified holistic health coach, and multiple brain tumor survivor. In this episode he shares how a sports injury led to the discovery of brain tumors. 

Courtney Roselle is a motivational speaker, a fitness model, a strength and conditioning coach, and a cross fit athlete.  She recently competed on NBC's The Titan Games, where she was the East Coast champion. In this episode she talks about body positivity and how she got past people telling her she had the wrong body and became a model AND an elite athlete.

Rashard Fant is a corner back in the NFL. In this episode he shares his journey to the NFL, how he excelled at sports despite several disadvantages, and how he continues to excel in an uncertain world. 

Keith Lightfoot is an author, speaker, songwriter, and teacher. In this episode he shares the idea of Unlocking the Learning as he goes through his own life and opportunities he's had for learning.

Dialleo Burks is a former professional football player (NFL, XFL, NFL Europe, Arena League) and a current teacher and football coach. In this episode Dialleo shares his path to the NFL and other football leagues as well as his experience coaching football.

Kirsten Carter is a life coach that helps millennials and gen-z find their passion. In this episode she talks about “the purposed journey” and how students can find their purpose and passion. She also shares the realities (the good and the bad) of being an entrepreneur.

Drake Callender is a professional soccer player for Intermiami CF, a new MLS franchise. In this episode he shares his journey to the pros, the challenges of being an athlete during COVID, and gives advice to students interested in pursuing a career as a professional athlete. 

Justin Mott is a video production artist, reporter, and photographer. In this episode he talks about being creative and shares how he has pursued his passion projects on the side while maintaining a creative job.

Allie Rivera is an actress and a producer, performing everywhere from Nickelodeon to Horror films. In this episode she shares her journey to Hollywood, including a crazy experience from college where she faced blatant discrimination.  She also shares how she's dealt with rejection, built confidence, and branched out into producing.

Dominic Pac is a character actor best known for his role as Gekko the bounty hunter in Disney's The Mandalorian. In this episode he shares his journey to Hollywood, his experience living one of his childhood dreams as he's been part of the Star Wars universe, and how kids can find acting opportunities in their own communities right now. 

Suzi Dent is a hair, makeup, and special effects artist in film and television. In this episode she shares a message of positivity and finding your true passion. 

Brian Kurtis is an actor on television, in movies, and on the stage. In this episode he shares his journey into acting as well as the highs and lows of working in Hollywood.

Kyle Auffray is the VP of sales for Gamebreaker and a former NFL tight end. In this episode he shares how the work ethic that he developed as an elite athlete has translated over to the business arena.  She talks about the highs and lows of competing in the NFL, switching positions, business, and creating a personal brand. 

Bob Abernethy is the president and co-founder of Yosemite Analytics. In this episode he shares how to overcome the fear of speaking in public.  He talks about his book “Loving your Audience”, how non-speakers can approach speaking, and how to find opportunities to speak if you enjoy speaking. 

Mandell Frazier is a Hollywood actor with roles in Tyler Perry's “If Loving is Wrong,” CBS's “The Young and the Restless,” and the action series “NCIS: Los Angeles.” In this episode he shares about his childhood in Detroit, his involvement in the church, and his journey to Hollywood.  He also has an incredible fitness journey and great advice for kids looking to get into acting.

Uchenna Umeh (Dr. Lulu) is a pediatrician, author, speaker, and youth suicide activist. In this episode she shares her experience with suicide, bullying, and racism. 

Grace Dafoe is a Canadian national team skeleton athlete. In this episode she walks us through her journey to making the national skeleton team, the ins-and-outs of being an elite athlete, and how to chase your dreams even as you get older.

Sadia Carone is a writer, an actress, and a member of Mensa.  In this episode she talks about what it takes to be a writer.

Milan Ristić is a Serbian hurdler, national team member, and coach. In this episode he shares details of his childhood in Serbia, moving to the U.S. for college, and joining the Serbian national team and competing at the Rio Olympics. 

Jeff Platt is an award-winning TV news reporter in California. In this episode he shares his journey into journalism and reporting, talks about the benefits of working in smaller markets, and gives great advice on how to be curious, ask critical questions, get real world experience and solve problems.

Jeremy Wolf is the Executive Director of More Than Baseball, a former minor league baseball player, and an Olympian. In this episode we talk about baseball as America's past time, Jeremy's journey through the minor leagues and making the Olympic team, and what he's doing with More than Baseball to promote and support the game. 

Hira Ali is a career coach and trainer, the CEO of Advancing Your Potential, Managing Director of International Women Empowerment Events, and a co-Founder of Career Excel and The Grey Area. In this episode she shares her journey in entrepreneurship, how she wrote and launched her first book, and how she networks to provide real value. 

Anjelika Reznik is an Olympian, competing in rhythmic gymnastics in the London 2012 games. In this episode she explains the differences between different types of competition gymnastics, what she does to train and balance sport with school, and how to be a good team member.

Matt “Handshaking” Holmes is a world record holder, marketer, and founder of Handshaking.com. In this episode he shares his journey into entrepreneurship, the pros and cons of living a digital nomad lifestyle, and some of the basics of creating a personal brand. 

Ronnie Gray is a professional basketball player and filmmaker. In this episode he shares his improbable journey from being cut from his high school basketball team to playing in college and professionally.  He shares how he created the documentary Underrated and gives advice for how to be more unified during this politically charged and uncertain time. 

Gregory Griffith is a teacher, coach, author, entrepreneur, and entertainer. In this episode he shares his journey into entrepreneurship, writing a book, and starting an entertainment business. He gives tons of advice for improving productivity and becoming a life-long learner.

Rachel Breton is a sports psychologist and a former professional soccer player. In this episode she talks about mental toughness.  She shares how she's dealt with setbacks, works with others, life-long learning, and how she's established productive routines in her life.

Brent Valle is an entrepreneur, speaker, mentor, adventurer, and dad. In this episode he shares his journey in business, as well as her personal journey in meeting his birth parents and discovering his heritage.  He shares some of the many philanthropies he has created and how he's putting good back into the world.

Brad Kohler is a three-time MMA world champion, two-time UFC fighter, and the inventor of the Combohitter. In this episode he shares his experience of being on top of the world as a fighter, to falling to homelessness, and how he rebounded to become a successful inventor, author, and business owner. 

Dee Borgoyn is a trainer, speaker, and author. In this episode she shares a message of being authentically you and showing compassion.  She shares her own experiences learning and growing with “not just” one hand and reminds us that “compassion is an action word.”

Jason Stuart is a prolific character actor. In this episode he shares the ups and downs of working in Hollywood, finding success as a comedian, and why he wrote a book about coming out in Hollywood. 

Cortney Hicks is a morning news anchor. In this episode she shares the ups and down of being a media personality, her transition from radio to news, how she's learned about other cultures, and how she's been able to learn and grow in her profession.

Daniel Lawson Jr. got into Hollywood AFTER retirement from his job as a purchasing agent. In this episode we talk about his journey in the performing arts, getting into Hollywood later in life, and all the lessons he's learned along the way.

Dr. Natasha Ball Dunson is an assistant principal and has over 18 years experience in education. In this episode she shares how students can be a leader and cites examples from leaders she has met in her own life.

Celestia Barby is a confidence life coach, a speaker, entrepreneur, model, and author. In this episode she share her journey from a childhood of addiction and substance abuse to how she ended up as a successful model, author, coach, and business owner.

LaBelle Nambangi is a woman's empowerment speaker, an author, and a college readiness coach. In this episode she discusses the labels teachers put on her as a child because she is a girl, her move from Cameroon Africa to the United States and becoming an author.  She also talks about dusting off the labels and finding success despite the stereotypes and discrimination others may use against you. 

Marcos Mateo Ochoa is an actor in film and television. In this episode he discusses the inevitability of failure and the role of failure in attaining success.  We dig into his background as an actor, geek out on improvement in any area, and even discuss strategies in preparing and learning from auditions and interviews.

Dan Devone is a five-time Emmy Award winning sportscaster and sports talk radio personality. In this episode he shares how challenges he faced in his early career built his character and helped him know himself.  He challenges youth going through the pandemic to identify who they are as a person so they can become stronger and do more. 

Anthony Trucks is a former NFL linebacker and American Ninja Warrior. He now speaks, coaches, and hosts the Aww Shift podcast. In this episode he shares his story of growing up in the foster care system, having success in football, but needing to make shifts in his life when things went wrong. 

Leontyne Anglin is a former corporate executive turned media consultant. In this episode she shares her journey into volunteerism and shares ideas for how students can start volunteering in their communities.

Natalie Shugars is an actress, singer, Maxim magazine model, and creator of the show N'at Around Town. In this episode she shares the story of her upbringing, including the bullying that forced her to miss her “milestone moment”, her journey into the entertainment industry, and coming back home to Pittsburgh where she was able to realize that milestone moment.

Kyle Wilz is an entrepreneur, speaker, and business coach. In this episode he talks about how he stepped into entrepreneurship, what he has done to network and create meaningful relationships, and how he has found success in business.

Anne-Michael Smith is an actress, writer, and new mom. In this episode she shares part of her road to acting and how she's found success on television.  We also talk about asking for help and the value sign language brings in communicating with and serving others in under-served populations. 

Ken Holmes is an actor, writer, and producer based out of New York. In this episode he shares his journey into Hollywood, from his days tape recording himself as a child, to his early stage productions, to a super busy 2020 with dozens of film and television credits despite covid. 

Israel Mendoza is a marriage and family therapist and a doctoral student in counseling psychology. In this episode he shares ideas for how to stay connected, stay positive, and improve relationships during COVID. 

Rose Wetzel is an American Ninja Warrior finalist and professional obstacle course racer. In this episode she talks about growing up in a large family, going across the country for college, and becoming a professional athlete in her 30s.  She also recaps her experience with American Ninja Warrior and gives some great advice on setting goals.

Penelope Lagos is an actress, model, and children's book author. In this episode she walks us through her journey to becoming a writer, and share tips on writing in the children's book niche.  She also shares how she has used her own life experiences as inspiration for her stories and how she looks to solve problems for kids. 

Mike Provenzano overcame a rough childhood as a foster child to become a successful professional.  Then, in his late 40s he decided to give modeling and acting a try and he's now a working actor, director, and producer. In this episode we go through his journey and talk about his new web series “Quarantine Island” and film festivals “From a Distance film festival” and “Stars Festival.”

Rory Jennings is a professional rugby player. In this episode he walks you through a day in the life of a professional rugby player, starting with his story of growing up in the sport and following that with a typical training day, the highs and lows of competing at the highest level, and advice for kids considering a career in professional rugby. 

Danielle Campo McLeod is a former Paralympic swimmer that has held a total of eight world records. In this episode she shares her story of growing up with a disability and how she became a world-class swimmer.  She also shares her thoughts around supporting others who are different, setting and accomplishing big goals, and what is bringing her happiness now.