The Separation is in the Preparation

For Episode 55 of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast my guest is Preston Kilwien. A fifth-year pro currently playing for South Georgia Tormenta in USL League One, Preston's career has taken him through virtually every level of professional soccer in the United States. At every stop along the way Preston has managed to find success largely due to his adaptability and personal emphasis on treating people the right way. A story of personal growth, perseverance, and unwavering consistency in behavior, this is one well worth your time. Enjoy!

For Episode 54 of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast, I am joined by Sporting Club Lexington Defender and Director of Customer Success for Beyond Pulse, Kaelon Fox. A University of Kentucky and Saint Francis University Business School graduate, Foxy has built his success on consistency, hard work, and always treating people the right way. I'm very grateful to Foxy for sharing his story and perspective. As one of my favorite teammates of all time I'm excited for the listener to learn what this guy is all about. Enjoy!

For Episode 53 of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast I am joined by Jared Odenbeck. Jared is a professional footballer for Ljungskile SK in Sweden's third tier, in addition to working in the consultancy and accountancy fields. Jared is a deep thinker, a top professional, and a great friend and teammate. He's blessed with the unique combination of a relentless desire to be the best version of himself, coupled with a willingness to find the humor in life, even if it is at his own expense. Wise beyond his years, Jared shares insights on football, performance, and just life in general. This conversation made me laugh just as much as it made me think and reflect, a special combination that I know the listener will enjoy as much as I did.

For Episode 52 of "The Separation is in The Preparation" podcast I am joined by Union Omaha center back Luca Mastrantonio. A native of Rome, Luca is in the midst of his third professional season in USL League One. Over the course of the episode, we discuss Luca's beginnings in Italy, the collegiate soccer journey that took him to an NAIA school in Ohio and ended with him graduating from UC Irvine, as well as how he mentally prepares and orients himself to do his job. Luca is an old teammate and great friend, and he proved to be an equally amazing podcast guest. This one is going to give you the inspirational juice to power through your week! Enjoy!

The “Separation is in the Preparation” is back for Episode 50 (!!) with Ben Willis. Ben is a Federal Way, WA native who played as a goalkeeper for two years in the Houston Dynamo organization. A Sounders Academy and Gonzaga Alumni, Ben is currently coaching at the collegiate level for the University of Puget Sound. Ben’s professional career was cut short by injuries, but he has taken it upon himself to share his experiences and perspectives with the players he coaches. His selfless ability to “pay it forward” is put on full display in this episode. Ben talks about dealing with pressure and expectations, managing your identity as an Athlete, and shares his wisdom on a few more topics as well. I’m so grateful to Ben for sharing his story, and I know the listener will share my gratitude after hearing our conversation!

If you like this podcast, please help us grow and reach more people by following on Spotify, subscribing on Apple Music, leaving comments below, or by sharing with anyone in your life who might find it valuable. Thank you!

After a long holiday hiatus, the "Separation is in the Preparation" podcast has returned! For Episode 49 my old friend Hossein Ellahi joins me all the way from Gibraltar, where he is a striker for Glacis United of the Gibraltar Premier Division. Hossi was born in Iran and spent the first six years of his life there before his family migrated to Newcastle, Australia. After a few stints back and forth from Australia to Canada his family settled in Seattle, Washington. There Hossi went to high school before starting a professional footballing career that has taken him to seven (and counting) different countries. Hossi's footballing journey has helped him form a unique and valuable perspective which he graciously shares with me over the course of this episode. Our conversation covers topics such as Identity, Consistency, Perserverance, plus much much more. Enjoy! 

If you like this podcast please help us grow and reach more people by following on Spotify, subscribing on Apple Music, leaving comments below, or by sharing with anyone in your life who might find it valuable. Thank you!

The Sep in the Prep is back for Episode 48 with Professional Basketball player Brynton Lemar. Brynton is a Big West Champion and UC Davis Graduate who is currently plying his trade in Le Mans, France for MSB (Le Mans Sarthe Basket). Brynton started his professional career in Nancy, France but has since gone on to play in Hungary, Poland, Turkey, Italy, and most recently Siberia, Russia. On top of that Brynton is the host of the "In and Out" podcast which can be found wherever you listen to your podcasts. Brynton is a fantastic professional, but an even better person. He shares tons of wisdom in our conversation that can be applied to any athletic endeavor, but also just to life in general. You don't want to miss this one! Enjoy!

For Episode 47 of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast I am joined by Kooper Richardson. Koop is a UC Davis graduate, former offensive lineman for both UC Davis and Sacramento State, and is currently an offensive tackle for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL. Koop won a Big Sky Championship with UC Davis in 2018 and another Big Sky Championship with Sac State in 2021. We believe he may be the only player ever to have been a champion on both sides of the causeway. In this great conversation we talk about Kooper's football beginnings, the nitty gritty of being an offensive lineman,  Koop's recruiting process, and ultimately the transition to professional football. This was a special one, so I can't wait for you all to hear it. Please like and subscribe! Appreciate you! 

The "Separation is in the Preparation" podcast is back for Episode 46 with THE Khris Vaughn. KV is a UC Davis alumni and current wide receiver for the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes who play in the GFL, Germany's professional (American) football league. KV shares how he got into the game, insights on the recruiting process, dealing with injuries in college, and making the transition to playing professionally in Germany. Anybody who knows KV is familiar with the awesome positive energy he brings to every interaction, and this conversation was no different. Excited for everyone to hear this, enjoy! 

For Episode 45 of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast I am joined by Sam Rogers. Sam is a professional footballer for Rosenborg BK  in Trondheim, Norway who compete in the Eliteserien, Norway's top league. Sam grew up in Seattle, WA and as a 17 year old signed a contract for Sounders 2. Since then Sam's career has taken him a few different places and he has learned a ton along the way. Sam shares some of that knowledge as we talk about his career trajectory, maturation process as a professional, and a whole lot more. Sam is incredibly thoughtful and well spoken so this a must listen for any young soccer player with big aspirations. Can't wait for you all to hear this one, enjoy! 

After a lengthy hiatus, "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast is back! Episode 44 features world triathlete Eva Goodisson. Born and raised in New Zealand, Eva ran track and cross country at UC Davis where she also trained year round with the swim team. After a decorated career at UC Davis which included being named the 2018 Big West Cross Country freshman of the year, Eva joined the world triathlon circuit and has been training and competing with Team NZ ever since. In our conversation Eva talks her trajectory as an athlete, triathlon strategy, and mental preparation. I'm super excited to share this conversation with you guys! Enjoy!  

The Sep is in the Prep is back for Episode 43 with Byron Dondoyano Jr. Byron teaches second grade in Clark County Nevada, and joins me for a conversation centered around education and his experiences advocating for and serving diverse multicultural communities. Byron shares how his upbringing and experiences have shaped his own personal pedagogy, and also the ways in which he tries to shape and foster the optimal learning and growing environment for his students. In addition, he graciously shares some insight on a couple of amazing projects he was involved in as an undergraduate student at the University of Washington. Byron's passion for his work, as well as his thoughtful insight stands out again and again throughout our conversation. I'm very grateful to him for sharing his time, and am excited to share his words with you all. Enjoy! 

For Episode 42 of “The Separation is in the Preparation” podcast I am joined by international opera singer Angel Joy Blue. Angel is one of the most important Sopranos in opera today. In 2019 she starred as Bess in George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. In 2018 Angel was the first African American Woman to sing the part of Violetta in Verdi’s “La Traviata” at the world famous Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy. Even with her international stardom it is Angel’s kindness and positivity that resonate with you the most when speaking with her. In our conversation we cover her beginnings in opera, how she tries to help and inspire up and coming opera singers, her strategies for conditioning and taking care of her voice, and so much more. I am so grateful to Angel for taking the time to come on. I really enjoyed our conversation and know you will too!

My guest for Episode 41 of “The Separation is in the Preparation” podcast is Derrek Falor. Derrek has a private practice in performance enhancement and mental performance strategies called “Thrive Excellence in Sports Performance” (www.thrivesp.com), as well as coaching girls high school soccer. He is one of only two individuals to be a Certified Mental Performance Consultant through the Association of Applied Sport Psychology and hold a USSF A Coaching license. Previously Derrek coached Women’s soccer collegiately for twenty years, finishing with a ten year stint at Cleveland State where he started the program in 2003. Over the course of our conversation we cover how Derrek first got started in performance psychology, the challenges of starting a collegiate program from scratch, how he helps clients create a roadmap to success, and a whole lot more. This interview is a must listen for anyone interested in enhancing their performance in whatever they do. Enjoy!

We are back in a BIG way for Episode 40 of ‘The Separation is in the Preparation’ podcast with New York Red Bulls II Kitman Hector Merino! Hector has been with the club on a fulltime basis since 2012, but has been involved in equipment operations there since he finished high school. Hector does so much behind the scenes to help players and staff have the tools they need to perform, but also is an incredible person and friend. Any player who has passed through the club can attest to how great of a guy Hec is, and I’m incredibly grateful for the friendship we formed while I was there. Hector shares a little bit about how he does his job so well, some of his strategies to deal with the pressure and stress of the job, and tells a few incredible stories. Huge thanks to Hector for making time to come on. The listener is going to really enjoy this one!

For Episode 39 of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast I am joined by Dr. Mike Crimmins. Dr. Crimmins is a Climate Extension Specialist at the University of Arizona here in Tucson. Dr. Crimmins shares how he got involved in the climate field, some facts about the Arizona climate, and his perspective on climate change as a whole. I'm very grateful to Dr. Crimmins for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer my questions about climate, extension work, and how meteorologists are so good at predicting the weather. I know the listener will enjoy this one!

For episode 38 of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast I am joined by Wyatt Walsh. Wyatt's roles include: working as a deckhand and naturalist for Monterrey Bay Whale Watch, doing photo ID work for the California Killer Whale Project, freelance photography specializing in wildlife photos, and on top of all that getting ready to publish a case study on Northern Elephant Seals. Wyatt shares how he first got into photography, how his interests changed and evolved through both college and his undergraduate research experiences, as well as ways to responsibly photograph and enjoy nature. Wyatt has an immense respect for the animals and landscapes he both studies and photographs, so it was an honor to hear him discuss the importance of these places and organisms, as well as the best ways to preserve and conserve them. This interview has a little bit of everything so I know the listener will enjoy it! 

For Episode 37 of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast it is my honor to be joined by Brittany Villalpando. Brittany is finishing her studies at UC Davis where she has conducted critically acclaimed research analyzing the effects that the use of lived experiences has on incarceration, recidivism, and well being. Brittany also works for Self Awareness and Recovery, a Sacramento based non-profit that assists formerly incarcerated folks with re-entry and rehabilitation. This was an incredible conversation that covers some really important topics. I highly recommend this episode and can't wait to hear the listener's thoughts and reaction. Enjoy! 

For Episode 36 of the "Separation is in the Preparation" podcast I am joined by Sophia Wood. Sophia worked in the fields of Political Science and Venture Capital before joining Operation Wallacea as the country manager of Ecuador. Operation Wallacea is a biodiversity and climate research organization that plans and coordinates research expeditions all over the world and also partners with local indigenous communities to create sustainable and eco-friendly tourist experiences to help financially support these communities as they strive to preserve elements of their traditional lifestyle. I'm so grateful to Sophia for an excellent conversation that covered conservation, sustainability, as well as responsible tourism and consumerism. This is unlike any episode I've done so far and I know the listener will enjoy it! 

For Episode 35 of “The Separation is in the Preparation” I am joined by Matt Bell. Matt resides in Brooklyn where he works as a business consultant. In addition to his consulting work Matt plays, writes, and produces music under the pseudonym Brother Language. Fresh off the release of his first solo album “All My Rowdy Friends” Matt joins me for an awesome conversation about Music and Sport. Matt chronicles his development as a musician, how he balances inspiration and originality, plus a whole lot more. I can’t wait for the listener to hear this one, enjoy!

The Sep is in the Prep is back with Episode 34 featuring Katie Meyer. Katie is a Goalkeeper at Stanford University where she helped the Cardinal win a national championship in 2019. This was an awesome conversation that covered everything from goalkeeping philosophy to competitive mentality. Katie shares how she got her start at the goalkeeper position, her training methodology, and so much more. This episode is a must listen for any goalkeeper or any competitor. Katie has a fantastic mentality, so it was an honor to hear her perspective on preparation and leadership. Huge thanks to Katie for making time to come on, and to the listener: Enjoy!

For Episode 33 of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast I am joined by Alexander Knox. Alexander is a professional soccer player and a current teammate of mine! One of the best parts of my job is the amazing people I get to meet and create relationships with while playing soccer, and Knoxy certainly fits that mold. We cover his unique soccer trajectory, his diverse and eclectic sources of inspiration, and some of his many passions outside of soccer. After having gotten to know Knoxy over these last few months and hearing him tell his story I can say without any reservations that he is one of a kind. His curiosity, work rate, and awareness are unrivaled and it was an honor to have him on as a guest. He drops many nuggets of wisdom throughout, so please listen so you can hear the piece of Alexander's knowledge that will most resonate with you. Enjoy! 

The Sep is in the Prep is back for Episode 32 where I am joined by Janice Lee. Janice is an athletic trainer at UCLA where she works with the track and field program, as well as the cross country teams. Janice has a B.S from the University of Washington and holds her Masters in Athletic Training from the University of Arkansas. Janice shares how she first got interested in Athletic Training, her strategies for applying information learned in her Masters program to real life situations, and a whole lot more. Janice is an exceptional athletic trainer who goes above and beyond to provide the best care for her athletes, so it was an honor to listen to her explain her methodologies and strategies. Any collegiate or professional athlete can attest to the crucial roles ATs play in the success of any team, and Janice provides an awesome inside perspective of all the different things ATs have to juggle. Enjoy! 

For Episode 31 of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast I am joined by Jake Maier. Jake is a quarterback for the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL who, prior to his professional career, was a collegiate standout at UC Davis. The 2018 Big Sky Conference player of the year and 2019 Jerry Norris Award winner threw for over 10,000 yards in his three years at UC Davis. Jake shares the unique path he took to playing Division 1 college football, some of his ideas on preparation and leadership, plus a whole lot more. This was a really fun conversation to be a part of, and I strongly recommend that any young athlete give it a listen. Jake is a very thoughtful and eloquent speaker, so the listener will be sure to take away some great ideas from what he has to say. I know I did! I'm incredibly grateful to Jake for sharing his thoughts and ideas with myself and the listener. Enjoy!

After a brief hiatus the Sep is in the Prep is back! My guest for episode 30 is Pete Ballmer. Originally from Seattle, Pete is a stand-up comedian based in San Francisco. We discuss how found his way into comedy, his writing process, as well as some do's and dont's for comedy show audiences. Beyond the insights Pete provides about stand-up comedy, he shares valuable ideas about mindfulness and being present that will resonate with you regardless of your profession. Pete is a very funny and thoughtful guy, so I very much enjoyed our conversation and know you will too! 

For this episode of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast I am excited to be joined by Eric Monroe. Eric currently works in an entry level coaching position for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Eric, a San Diego native, played college basketball at Yale where he served as the team's captain in his senior season. Our conversation spans Eric's basketball background, his thoughts on leadership and team dynamics, how he approaches his current role with the Thunder, and so much more. Eric is incredibly thoughtful with his comments on sport, as well as life in general. I'm very grateful to him for his time and his insights. There's something for everyone this episode! Enjoy! 

For Episode 28 of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast it is my pleasure to be joined by Emma Redick. Emma is the National Organizing Associate at Supermajority and Supermajority Education Fund. In this fascinating conversation we cover the mission and focuses of Supermajority, Emma's personal evolution as a successful community organizer, as well the strategies she uses to work through the challenges she faces in her work. Emma was extremely thoughtful and eloquent throughout, and provided excellent educational content for which I'm truly grateful. I'm honored that Emma would make time to join me, and I hope the listener can make time to listen to Emma. It will certainly be worth your while. Enjoy!

For this episode of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast I am joined by Cyrus Ghaffari MD. Cyrus is in his first year of residency after graduating from Drexel University's Medical School last year. Cyrus talks about how a series of events in his life led to him pursuing a career in medicine, the manner in which he has tried to prepare himself for each level of medical training, and much, much more. Cyrus' passion for his profession, as well as the immense humility with which he approaches his work, really stood out to me throughout our conversation. There is something for everyone in this interview, regardless of your interest level in medicine. Enjoy! 

For Episode 26 of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast I'm joined by journalist Philip Kiefer. Philip covers healthcare in New Orleans for the Lens, and is also a regular contributor to Popular Science. Philip shares how he gravitated towards a journalism career, the methodologies he uses in his reporting, as well as how he tries to make the science he writes about accessible to his readers. Philip approaches his profession with a profound thoughtfulness and curiosity that was inspiring to hear about, and I know the listener will feel the same. Enjoy! 

For Episode 25 of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast I am joined by TJ Shorts. TJ is a professional basketball player currently playing for the Hamburg Towers of the Basketball Bundesliga in Germany. TJ is a Tustin, CA native and, after playing at Saddleback College, starred at UC Davis for his last two years of collegiate eligibility. From there TJ got his first professional opportunity in Latvia, and after strong performance in his first professional season, signed with Hamburg. TJ has taken an unconventional route to playing high level professional basketball and his journey there has been fueled by his elite work ethic, unwavering self belief, and gritty toughness. I hope you enjoy this inside look at TJ's basketball journey. Rest assured the best is yet to come for TJ! 

For Episode 24 of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast I'm excited to be joined by Austin Giavanni. Austin is a signer/songwriter/producer based out of Seattle, WA. Austin talks about his earliest musical influences and how he ended up choosing music as his profession. We also dive into his creative process and discuss the various places he finds inspiration for his music. Austin is a fantastic musician, but an even better person. I'm so grateful to him for making time to come on. Enjoy! 

My guest for Episode 23 of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast is Chima Moneke. Chima is a professional basketball player for Orleans Loiret in France and, in addition, recently made his first appearance for the Nigerian national team. Chima talks about how he first got involved in the game, trying to find a collegiate opportunity in the U.S., transferring from junior college in Nebraska to UC Davis, and his experiences as a pro. Chima's authentic energy and unapologetic ambition have allowed him to succeed when many said he would not. He and I became friends while both redshirting in our respective sports at UC Davis, and its been incredible to follow his success since then. I'm so happy that the listener will get a chance gain some insight into the hard work and perseverance that has gotten Chima to this point in his career, and will continue to serve him going forward. Enjoy! 

For this episode of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast I am honored to be joined by Dr. Jessica Whiteside. Dr. Whiteside is an Associate Professor of Geochemistry at the University of Southampton. Dr. Whiteside is a molecular paleontologist who specializes in studying ancient fossilized molecules as they pertain to mass extinction events and the habitability of earth and other planets. Dr. Whiteside discusses her introductions to fossils at an early age, her unique scientific education experiences, as well as some insights on her current work with the NASA Mars rover Perseverance. This was a fascinating chat that I'm really excited to share with you all. Enjoy!

For Episode 22 of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast I am joined by professional basketball player Morgan Bertsch. Morgan played collegiately at UC Davis where she finished her career as one of the all time greats in Aggie history. The 2019 Big West Conference Player of the Year finished her career with 2,422 points making her the leading scorer in the history of both the women's and men's programs at UC Davis. Morgan also competed for four years in Track and Field as a high jumper at UC Davis. Morgan was the 29th overall pick in the 2019 WNBA draft, she has since played professionally in both Russia and Poland. She is currently gearing up for the 2021 WNBA season where she will be playing for the Connecticut Sun. I'm so grateful to Morgan for coming on and sharing her story, I really enjoyed this conversation. Let me know what you think! 

For Episode 20 of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast I am joined by Ike Okoroike. Ike is a strength and conditioning coach as well as a speed expert and specialist based out of Davis, CA. Ike was also a track and field standout at UC Davis where he competed in the 100m, 200m, long jump, and triple jump. Ike competed professionally for 2 years before transitioning full time into coaching during the Covid-19 pandemic. Ike talks about his experiences as an athlete, how he got involved in coaching, how he's had to get creative during the pandemic, and much more. For anyone looking to optimize their performance and body mechanics in the greater Sacramento area Ike is your guy. I really enjoyed this conversation and I know the listener will too!

For Episode 19 of "The Separation is in the Preparation" podcast I am joined by professional soccer player Sebastian Elney. Seba is in entering into his third professional season after signing with Hartford Athletic of the USL Championship this past offseason. Seba is also a University of Maryland graduate where he earned a Criminology degree and also won a National Championship in 2018. Throughout the interview Seba shares his meteoric rise to the highest levels of youth soccer, his experiences at Maryland (including their run to the College Cup), and his mindset and mentality after going undrafted. As a former teammate of Seba's I can speak firsthand to the high level of professionalism, work ethic, and mentality that he brings to work every day. I'm excited for the listener to get an inside look at some of the things that have led to Seba's success. Enjoy!

For episode 18 of “The Separation is in the Preparation” podcast I am joined by Michelle Urrea. Michelle works as an educator and software engineer for an organization called GOKiC (Geeking Out Kids of Color). At GOKiC Michelle teaches tech in several weekly after school programs where she seeks to advance the organization’s mission of creating project-based tech classes that are informed by anti-racism, anti-sexism, multiculturalism, socioemotional learning, and decolonization frameworks. Michelle shares how her experience as a student has shaped how she serves her students as an educator, her strategies for lesson planning, and the hard work she does to make herself available as a trusted and reliable resource to her students and their families. Michelle’s purposeful work in creating an inclusive and safe space for students to learn was really inspiring for me to hear about, and I know the same will be true for the listener. Enjoy!

For Episode 17 of “The Separation is in the Preparation” podcast I am joined by Ryan Minkoff. Ryan is the Owner and Founder of 83 LLC, a global advising agency that represents hockey players with the mission of helping their clients reach their full potential on and off the ice. In addition Ryan is the Author of “Thin Ice” a memoir that details Ryan’s unique path to playing professional hockey in Finland. Ryan joins me to discuss his book, hockey journey, and how he applies his experiences to his current role representing players. This was a really interesting conversation and I’m so grateful to Ryan for sharing his thoughts and insights. Enjoy!

For Episode 16 of “The Separation is in the Preparation” podcast I am joined by Max Bock-Aronson. Max is the CEO and Co-Founder of Breathe99, a public benefit corporation best known for its B2 Mask which filters out 99% of potential respiratory contaminants. Max shares his inspiration for the mask and how Covid-19 revitalized and changed the project. We also discuss the creative process Max employs when designing products, as well as his advice for anyone starting and running their own company. This was a really cool episode to record, as it challenged the way I look at and think about the privilege so many of us have in being able to breathe clean air. I hope this conversation resonates with the listener as much as it did with me. Enjoy!

For Episode 15 of “The Separation is in the Preparation” podcast I am joined by Henry Fulghum. Henry is a recent University of Washington graduate, as well as Lab Manager and Palaeontologic researcher with Dr. Gregory Wilson Mantilla (also at UW). Throughout the interview Henry shares the unique story of how he entered into his field, his strategies for managing his research and his leadership position, as well as the importance and present day applications of palaeontologic research. This was a fascinating and unique conversation that I thoroughly enjoyed, and I’m confident the listener will as well. Enjoy!

For Episode 14 I am joined by Sheldon Dunlap. Sheldon is currently a strength and conditioning specialist with the Marine Special operations command. Sheldon also worked at the collegiate level coaching and training a wide range of sports at both Duke and UC Davis. Between his roles at the collegiate level Sheldon served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Orlando Magic and the head strength and conditioning coach for the Erie Bayhawks of the NBA D-League. Sheldon shares how he got into the profession, his experiences at both the collegiate and professional level, and his teaching and communication philosophies. This is a must listen for any athlete or anyone interested in how athletes train. Enjoy!

For Episode 13 of “The Separation is in the Preparation” podcast I am joined by Markell Johnson. Markell is an admissions advisor at the University of Washington as well as the CEO of Rare X: a clothing brand that provides designer streetwear with the mission of reaching out to foster youth and underrepresented communities. Markell shares how he balances both his roles, the ways in which he strives to serve the students that he works with, as well as his design and marketing strategies for his brand. Markell’s authentic generosity and selflessness really resonated with me, and I know the same will be true for the listener. Enjoy!

For Episode 12 of “The Separation is in the Preparation” podcast I am joined by Isa Gutiérrez. Isa is a correspondent at NBC News NOW. You can find her on their Morning News Show or check out some of her syndicated work covering issues across the United States. Throughout the interview Isa shares what inspires her to do this important work, how she manages her hectic schedule, and even gives me a few pointers on the art of interviewing. This was an awesome conversation and we hit on some really important topics and issues. I know the listener is going to get a lot out of it. Enjoy!

For Episode 11 of “The Separation is in the Preparation” podcast I am joined by Destiny Lockhart. Destiny is the Vice President at Viper by KCH, the leading hospitality agency in Los Angeles. Destiny talks about her strategies for dealing with the egos and illusions of grandeur that come with working in Los Angeles, as well as the challenges this historically male dominated industry poses towards the cohort of empowered and driven women that make up Viper by KCH. I am very grateful to Destiny for her candor and willingness to share her experience, she can be reached at destiny@thekchgroup.com. I know the listener will enjoy this one.

For Episode 10 of “The Separation is in the Preparation” podcast I am joined by Chris Gellein. Chris is a freelance photographer and videographer based out of Brooklyn. Chris shares his journey as an artist, his process for both photo and video, how he operates in a highly competitive landscape, and so much more. Chris can be reached on Instagram @_chrislein or at his website chrislein.com. This was a super cool conversation so I can’t wait for you all to hear it. Enjoy!

For Episode 9 of “The Separation is in the Preparation” podcast I am joined by Darius Graham. Darius is a professional basketball player who played collegiately at UC Davis. Darius is currently prepping for his next hoops opportunity, while also working as a realtor in the Sacramento area. DG shares his story providing valuable insights on leadership and identity throughout. His humility and commitment to doing the work necessary will certainly resonate with the listener. Enjoy!

For Episode 8 of “The Separation is in the Preparation” podcast I’m joined by Janae Gonzalez. Janae is a former collegiate soccer standout at both Santa Clara and UC Davis. She now plays professionally in Mexico for Mazatlán FC in the Liga MX. Janae talks about her time with the Mexican youth national team, the transfer process while in college, as well as her charity work and community involvement. Janae’s gratitude and generosity will certainly stand out to the listener throughout. Enjoy!

For Episode 7 of “The Separation is in the Preparation” podcast I am joined by Ben Dobmeier. Ben joined me to talk about his experience working in Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare also known as Wilderness Therapy. Ben’s honesty and generosity when it came to sharing his own experience with mental health and how that inspired him to serve others was incredible to listen to. In addition to his own experiences, Ben shares a few amazing stories about breakthroughs he was able to make with students who were participating in the program he worked at. This was an immensely powerful episode to record and I’m honored that Ben agreed to share his story. I know the listener will get a ton out of this. Enjoy!

For Episode 6 of “The Separation is in the Preparation” podcast I am joined by Omar Zeenni. Omar is a goalkeeper coach based out of the Los Angeles area, and is also the founder of the wildly successful Progkacademy. With Progkacademy Omar creates content specifically for goalkeepers and their coaches on social media, and his channels have grown to have a humungous following (151k followers on IG and 86k subscribers on Youtube). Omar discusses his approach to the challenges of coaching, as well as how he creates content and manages his many social media platforms. There is a little bit of everything in this one, so I know the listener will get a lot out of it. Enjoy!