Mission Z Podcast: Empowering Change: Recent Episodes
Paul
There can be no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic has cast light on significant issues impacting our children today. Headlines are rife with the warning signs of a generation in crisis; mental health, academic gaps and substance abuse overdoses have ravaged communities across the U.S. The tumult of the adolescent world, augmented by these crises has heeded a call to action to protect our kids, not seen in decades. As an educator, I have seen the impacts, endured the challenges and taken a direct interest in this call to action. Mission Z, “Empowering Change” will be an advocate for our struggling youth. We want to give voice and relevance to the students, families and educators in our communities to foster connections, facilitate meaningful conversations with professionals in the field to ensure collaboration for real action and real solutions. What can these conversations, connections and collaborations yield? Mission Z “Empowering Change” will delve into the heart of these issues, bring all stakeholders to the table, and give a powerful voice to the future, our children.
Hear all about our amazing "Night Of Inspiration" at Mulcahy's Pub and Concert Hall on May 23rd! Filmed on location at Governor's Comedy Club, we discuss with featured guests Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling, Greg Kritikos and Tony Walker about our upcoming event to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month on 5/23!
Parents of children who are struggling emotionally finally have somewhere to turn. Lodestar Children’s Services offers mental wellness support for children in the comfort of their own homes. Founder and Executive Director, James Regan Jr. joins the Mission Z podcast to discuss the many ways parents can utilize services for their children and celebrate mental health awareness month with their exciting “Wheels For Wellness” event on May 4th, 2024.
lodestarcs.org
facebook.com/lodestarcs
https://www.youtube.com/@lodestarcs
Kip Ioane isn’t messing around. Tapping into his 25 years of experience in collegiate basketball and education, he has turned his attention to empowering coaches to enlighten their players to the potential of reimagined manhood. Join us for a captivating conversation as Kip details the mission of Teams Of Men, whose relationship building approach and character development of young athletes promises to reshape the way athletic institutions go for the W.
Learn more and follow:
https://www.teamsofmenmembership.group/about
https://www.youtube.com/@teamsofmen
https://twitter.com/teams_men
https://youtu.be/Uflj6VPcbWU?si=aSpq9F8_VRK0Vt2e
Join us for an inspiring conversation with super agent Darren Prince when we discuss his incredible journey representing some of the biggest stars in the sports and entertainment industry. Darren has experienced what life is like in the celebrity world but also seen the dark reality of addiction through his own personal struggle with opiates. With over 15 years of sobriety, it’s now Darren’s mission to help others avoid and break free from addiction and mental health struggles.
Join us for an incredible conversation with New York sports legend Dwight Gooden. “Doc” discusses his amazing career as a starting pitcher for both the New York Mets and Yankees, his battle with addiction and how helping kids has become his passion throughout his recovery.
Follow Doc:
IG: docgooden16
X: @docgooden16
Together with her company, BellXcel, Lauren Sanchez Gilbert Ed.D, is elevating extracurricular programs for kids everywhere. Through her experience in the education field and directing youth programs across the country, Dr. Gilbert brings her unique perspective on the importance of these activities for kids, their families and the impact on communities. She joins the Mission Z podcast to discuss the role of BellXcel in making programs for kids the best they can be.
Website or Social Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-sanchez-gilbert/
https://www.bellxcel.org/
https://arly.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/arlysolution/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/bellxcel/
Join us as we learn all about assisting our military families from Jenny Valderas and Elena Ashburn, two pivotal figures from Operation Homefront, the esteemed organization dedicated to supporting military families. Elena, who was honored as the Military Child of the Year in 2022, opens up about her journey and the impact of this award on her life. Her story is a beacon of inspiration, showcasing the resilience and strength found within the military community.
Operationhomefront.org
https://operationhomefront.org/military-child-of-the-year/
https://www.bloommilitaryteens.org/
In this powerful episode of the Mission Z Podcast, Sabrina Osso from OSSO Safe Foundation shares her personal journey as an abuse survivor and how it inspired her to empower the lives of others to foster change. Learn about her organization's impactful work in preventing child abuse by fostering respect in homes, advocating for victims and working within local communities to raise awareness for this extremely important issue.
Website: https://www.ossosafe.com/
Social Links:
http://www.facebook.com/sabrina.osso.1
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sabrina-osso/75/894/36b
https://twitter.com/OssoSabrina
https://www.instagram.com/ossosafe/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1od-a0g-dbIkn_glUWkXWw
https://tiktok.com/@sabrinaosso6
We all love our pets. But DDS4VEts has upped the game. On this inspiring episode of the Mission Z Podcast, we welcome Deb Doherty and Mike Colton from DDS4Vets, who share their innovative approach to supporting veterans returning from overseas. Explore how they use therapy dogs to aid those battling PTSD, mental health, and substance abuse issues and discover the profound impact these canine companions have on healing and recovery.
www.DDS4vets.org
FB: DDS4Vets
IG: https://www.instagram.com/dds4vets/
Twitter: @dds4_vets
Is there a secret to raising children? Should parents take an active role in learning how to be good parents? Robert Saul has stepped out of his role as a pediatrician of 44 years to help the families of his community, notably parents learn and understand these valuable parenting lessons. He joins the Mission Z podcast to discuss his work to teach parents the importance of involvement, empathy and anticipation when it comes to raising children and how beneficial these concepts can be for everyone.
https://www.mychildrenschildren.com/interview-me/
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/mychildrenschildren; http://www.facebook.com/allaboutchildren2017 http://www.facebook.com/consciousparentingPAT
Twitter – www.twitter.com/@saul1robert
LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/in/robertasaul
Instagram – www.instagram.com/rsaul
YouTube – www.youtube.com/robertsaulmd
Who said the accent to adulthood is easy? Gen Z is faced with a host of challenges as they navigate their way to adulthood, but Sara Deacon, “The Adulting Coach” has taken her mission to help teens find their way to new levels. She joins the Mission Z podcast to discuss her role in coaching teens and families when it comes to college, job search and all of the difficult choices teens face today.
Websites:
https://patreon.com/AdultingisFUN
https://saradeacon.com
Socials:
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@saradeaconcoach
Instagram: https://instagram.com/saradeaconcoach
Twitter: https://twitter.com/saradeaconcoach
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@saradeaconcoach
Facebook: https://facebook.com/saradeaconcoach
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/saradeacon
When it comes to fighting fentanyl, killing a staggering 300 Americans each day, retired DEA agent Brian Townsend isn’t messing around. Drawing from his front-line experiences, Brian knows the challenges in drug enforcement and emphasizes the importance of raising awareness. He joins the Mission Z podcast to share his insights and offer a unique glimpse into the fight against this deadly drug and his mission to educate communities and law enforcement.
Connect with Brian at: brian@eagle6training.com
www.only2mg.com
www.eagle6training.com
What are the best emotional wellness strategies? Erica Thomas, practicing mental health provider joins Mission Z all the way from the west coast to discuss her strategies to help those suffering from emotional distress. Her focus is on self compassion and mindfulness as cornerstones of her practice, and we learn how Erica utilizes her expertise to help her community face down the ongoing mental health crisis across the United States.
www.eatingwithselflove.com
www.growingpositivefamilies.com
For Paul Zolman, it wasn’t always easy to experience love, giving or receiving. But after much adversity and a whole lot of soul searching, he has mastered the art of spreading a mindful shift in what he dubs “The Language Of Love”. He joins the Mission Z podcast to discuss his role in disseminating this practice that has transformed his life and the lives of others.
www.roleoflove.com
Role Of Love Dice Instagram - @roleoflovedice
Paul Zolman | Author Instagram - @paul_zolman
https://www.facebook.com/roleoflovedice
https://www.facebook.com/paul.zolman.7/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulzolman/
Role of Love Dice X @roleoflovedice
** Mention the Mission Z podcast and receive a free gift!
Paul Frase, an ex-NFL lineman and father is now an advocate, international author, speaker and co-founder of the Joshua Frase Foundation, founded in 1996 to raise awareness for Myotubular Myopathy, a congenital muscle disease that his son Joshua succumbed to just 40 days shy of his 16th birthday.
Paul is the co-author of “Game Changer, A Boy, A Dog and A Cure”. He joins the Mission Z podcast to discuss his story, one of hope and inspiration and his endless quest to in a race against time to find a cure for thousands of kids living with MTM.
www.Paulfrase.com
https://www.joshuafrase.org/
https://www.facebook.com/TheJoshuaCause/?ref=hl
Instagram: @paul.frase
FaceBook: Paul Frase #91
X (Twitter): @paulfrase91
Anne Montgomery has quite a story to tell: A lifelong sports official and emerging from a toxic environment in broadcast news, she decided to give teaching a try. The decision would change her life forever as her work in the classroom, spanning two decades, would ultimately lead to her fostering four children and welcoming them into her home. She joins us on the Mission Z podcast to discuss her journey and the impact she has on children both in and out of the classroom.
Website: https://annemontgomerywriter.com/
Social Links:
https://www.facebook.com/anne.montgomery.359/
https://twitter.com/amontgomery8
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-montgomery-1b995b23/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14081564.Anne_Montgomery
https://www.amazon.com/Anne-Montgomery/e/B00JOEIL4A?ref
Mental wellness for men can be a challenge, but not one that is insurmountable, just ask Furkhan Dandia. After past struggles and lessons learned, he is now at the forefront of men’s mental health in Calgary Canada where he is practicing psychology, among other things to make a difference in his community. He joins the Mission Z podcast to discuss his journey and offers some much needed advice to young men and teenagers who may be struggling emotionally.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/eunoiazen
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/furkhan-dandia-macp-mba-072a8a1ba/
Facebook:www.facebook.com/EunoiaZen
Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Pursuit-Self-Love-Uplifting-Messages-Reflections-ebook/dp/B0C4D1XYL1
Self-care has become Kathleen Weber’s mission. A school counselor for 25 years and personal illness had led her down the path of helping others as a certified EFT—— but does it work? See for yourself on this episode of the Mission Z podcast!
Website: https://kathleenwebereft.com/
Social Links:
https://www.facebook.com/KathleenWeberEFT
https://www.instagram.com/kathleen.weber.eft/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/82824831/admin/feed/posts/
Mark Aylward is taking his 35 years of experience in the corporate world to the next level to mentor and coach tomorrow’s leaders. Whether it’s lessons learned along the way in his personal life or his professional career, Mark brings a unique perspective on how to leverage life experiences while helping others achieve their goals. He joins the Mission Z podcast to share his philosophy and aspirations and his life’s mission to shape the future.
Actor and entrepreneur Joseph “Dark Joseph” Ravine is showing what it means to promote kindness and positivity in the digital world. As a social media influencer he has made it his life mission to use his expertise and help others along the way. He joins the Mission Z podcast to talk about his work and how we can all take a bit of his advice about how to be a good human.
https://www.darkjosephravine.com/
Dana Lee Martin isn’t just on a mission, she is laying the foundation for the future. As an educator, counselor, mentor and author, she is tackling numerous challenges of students from the inner city of Philadelphia. She joins the Mission Z podcast to discuss her work and the impact of all she is doing to assist students and staff in the increasingly tumultuous landscape of one of America’s most beloved cities.
Dana Lee Martin
Educator & Author
Black Woman Surviving: Passionately Managing My Life
Available everywhere books are sold!
www.danaleemartin.com
DanaMartinWriter@gmail.com
Text Line: (267) 627-0059
College Prep Organization - www.getmykidtocollege.com
Long Island P.R.E.P and Pioneer Sports have joined forces to provide youth sports, mental health awareness and substance abuse prevention programs and services for kids and parents.Tom Falcone, CEO and owner of Pioneer Sports joins the Mission Z podcast to discuss this strategic partnership and what it means for communities across Long Island.
https://www.playpioneersports.com/
Can Mental Health Be Destigmatized?
Matthew Cahill certainly thinks so, in fact, he’s made a career of it, working directly with companies and employees to help create the workplace environment they deserve. Matthew joins the Mission Z podcast to discuss the benefits, challenges and future of workplace mental health services.
Matthew Cahill: CEO and Consultant with the Percipio Company.
https://percipiocompany.com/problems/mental-health-bias/
Every so often, people come along with a story to tell that restores faith in humanity. Terrie Sizemore is a veterinarian, educator and author who has taken her life experiences and used them to give back to kids, animals, her family and her community. She joins the Mission Z podcast to tell us how she utilizes her great talents to help those around her in an increasingly tumultuous world.
bestlittleonlinebookstore.com
terriesizemorestoryteller.com
Mitch Lyons is determined to make it happen. He is an advocate for student athletes and is working hard to make social-emotional learning (SEL) in school sports a reality. SEL has been implemented in academic curricula across the United States for many years and Mitch joins the Mission Z podcast to discuss his efforts to bring what he calls an archaic approach to school sports into the 21st century and end abusive coaching.
https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/athletics
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S247
https://endabusivecoaching.org/
https://getpsychedsports.org/
https://sel4ma.org/
Small town? No problem, Jackie Brown is doing big things as the head of Spintronix, her not-for-profit organization that is thriving in Mountain View Missouri. Jackie is also an instructor, online educator and community leader. With substance abuse and addiction knowing no geographic limits, Jackie joins Mission Z to discuss the impact these issues have on small town America and how her work with her students is making a difference.
SpintronixGuard@gmail.com
https://www.spintronixguard.org
@spintronixguard
Wendy Loddigs finds herself wearing many hats these days. Immersed in the teen and pre teen populations at her day job as a school counselor and raising a daughter as a single mom, she knows all too well the issues kids face today. Wendy joins the Mission Z podcast to share her experience from both the professional and personal side of what it takes to be a successful mental health counselor and devoted mom.
For West Islip varsity baseball coach Shawn Rush, it’s about much more than winning. Despite leading his boys baseball team to numerous championships throughout his tenure, coach Rush has developed a winning formula away from the baseball diamond as well. Teaching the values of character and leadership has become a source of Lion pride for Shawn, and he joins the Mission Z podcast to discuss the role school sports play in building these attributes for student athletes and how his role as a coach has fostered a culture of success on and off the field.
We all remember those middle school years. The awkwardness of growing into our own, the pressure of being cool and the challenges of being ourselves. Melanie Vecchione, 7th-grade math teacher unravels the daunting task of taking on the role of educator and mentor, and provides some insight about how to be a better professional. She joins the Mission Z podcast to share her advice about helping students through the difficulties of these formative years, all while performing her duties as a mom to three young boys growing up on Long Island.
Brilly Semenov was born with Cerebral Palsy and could have let her disability define her, but she didn’t. Instead she is hard at work making a difference while advocating for other individuals with disabilities. Brilly has endured many challenges in her life, including the isolation and mental health issues that accompany having a physical disability. Brilly shares her remarkable story overcoming these challenges and how her life’s work to help others has shaped who she is today.
Katy Forman has taken the term “On A Mission” to a whole new level. She is an educator and assistant principal, gym owner and mental health advocate who wants to take all of her experience with her everywhere she goes, with one goal in mind: helping kids. Whether it’s program initiatives at her school, taking 5K mental health awareness runs on the road, or just being a great leader, mentor and friend, Katy has dedicated her life to helping kids and she joins the Mission Z Podcast to tell us how she does it all and what needs to be done moving forward to bring much needed change to our communities.
Carisa Cole Sharrett is hard at work helping parents and students with disabilities find their voice, and their purpose. But it wasn’t always easy. Raising a young man with autism challenged Carisa to find a better way, and through her numerous leadership roles with several community based organizations, she has formulated strategies of communication, collaboration and action. She joins the MissionZ podcast and shares her journey, her life’s work and her ambition to bring what she knows to the people who need it most.
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/carisacolesharrett
Website: https://bravelyintentionallife.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bravelyintentionallife/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravelyintentionallife/
Bullied and harassed so severely when he was in middle school, Joe Salamone had his suicide note already written. He thought it was the only way to free himself of the pain until a teacher encouraged him to join an after school club, and it changed his life forever. Joe is now the Founder and Executive Director of The Long Island Coalition Against Bullying (LICAB) and is leveraging his knowledge and experience to help countless kids and communities raise anti bullying awareness across Long Island. He joins us on the MissionZ podcast to discuss his journey and how his organization is working to empower change in our communities.
Website or Social Links: www.LICAB.org
Facebook.com/licoalition
IG - @licoalitionagainstbullying
With so much facing our youth today, it’s not surprising that young leaders are ready to take the reins. Keith Scott, at the age of 30 has been at it for years. As Vice President of Policy and Program Development at FREE and an adjunct professor at Hofstra University and LIU C.W. Post, he is deeply immersed in the young population while hard at work to find solutions for a variety of issues including addiction, trauma, domestic violence, human tracking and child abuse. He joins the Mission Z podcast to tell us all about his journey and how his super important work is impacting our kids and our communities.
https://www.facebook.com/keith.scott.1614?mibextid=LQQJ4d
https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithscott631
As a former teacher, Christine found that children needed more tools to release the stress in their lives so she created a stress resiliency technique: Snap, SET, Go! A simple, Breathe, Tap and Release tool.
Utilizing her intuitive capabilities, EFT and Tollerra techniques, as well as her proprietary program Snap, SET, Go!, Christine empowers you to transform your life and be in your inner strength by releasing what no longer serves you, like traumas, regrets, shame, guilt... and teaches you self-care tools that will continue to serve you & your children for the years to come.
She is on a mission to help millions of children around the world to learn to self-regulate! It's the key to transforming the world! In my opinion!
Miriam Mandel was a practicing pediatrician for years when she decided to change the trajectory of her career and focus more on the mental health of kids and teenagers. Now a mental health coach, she discusses why she chose to leave conventional medicine to help kids on a deeper level and get access to the lives they really want. Mariam breaks down the workings of the teenage brain and methodology of their decision making and how her new found passion is helping kids steer clear of substance abuse and live healthy, productive lives.
Jeff Otis is a dad, a TEDx speaker, an ex-athlete, an author, a community builder, and a CEO. He has spent over 30 years leading companies across a number of industries on the Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing List, as well as making them a "Best Company to Work For." His leadership insights led to him founding Project OTY, a personal leadership program that helps young adults and business professionals to accelerate their leadership development and achieve their goals. Jeff's passion and sense of purpose lie in helping everyone confidently "play the game of life" in today's world, create their definition of success, and be the leader in their lives.
The world needs more Keith Senzers. A Youth Empowerment and Leadership Coach, Keith is right in the thick of the movement to provide our kids with the tools they need to lead successful lives. He is the President of the Sophia Valsamos Foundation whose mission is to empower youth to make a stand against bullying, find support around challenges and embrace each other’s differences. Keith is actively involved in a number of organizations aimed at empowering youth and joins the Mission Z podcast to discuss his journey and how his work is impacting our kids and the world they will inherit.
www.shiftyourpower.com
www.tsvf.org
https://www.instagram.com/coachkeiths/
https://www.facebook.com/keith.senzer/
https://twitter.com/shiftyourpower
https://www.tiktok.com/@coachkeiths
When Phil Vetrano was exploring college options with his son he was detered by the process and saw a need that started a movement for change. His “It Takes A Community” mantra as an Independent College and Career Consultant for HS, College students and families is offering a new approach to life coaching, to initiate and sustain a youth movement to support parents and students preparing them for life, school/college and careers. Phil is a CoExecutive Director of HELPipedia and joins the MissionZ podcast to tell us all about his journey that started with an idea that has quickly grown into a movement.
When it comes to substance abuse and addiction, Steve Chassman has seen it all. From coming up in the early years of his clinical social work through AIDS-ravaged New York City, all the way as Executive Director of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (LICADD), a 67-year-old agency rooted in the belief that substance use disorder is a medical disease that effects not only the person struggling, but their entire family and community. Steve is embedded deep on the front lines of the substance abuse and mental health crises ravaging our Long Island communities and joins the MissionZ podcast to discuss all of what he and LICADD are doing to combat them.
www.licadd.org
Elieen DeLatorre, who lost her daughter Ellyana to mental illness at an early age, decided to take action and continue the work of her daughter in spreading kindness and helping others in need. She founded the Elly Cares Project in 2021 and has dedicated her work to raising awareness for mental health in communities across Long Island. Elly Cares is set to host their second annual “Stomp The Stigma” 5K memorial run on May 6th, 2023 and Eileen joins the MissionZ podcast to discuss mental health, her work with Elly Cares and all of great things she hopes to accomplish with the “Stomp The Stigma” run in Patchogue, Long Island.
Website https://www.ellycaresproject.org/ Socials:
https://www.facebook.com/ellyCARESproject/
https://www.instagram.com/elly_cares_project/
With so much emphasis on mental health in recent months, finding the right therapist can be challenging. Meet Christina DiBernardo, not your typical therapist who sits across from you and nods. No, she wants you to connect within yourself in empowering ways and find your inner strength and insight. Christina doesn’t mind stepping out of the box to connect with her patients in ways they never thought possible in order for them to feel powerful and peaceful. Christina works with children, teens, adults and families and joins the MissionZ podcast for conversation with us to discuss her strategies to address her patient’s needs on a whole new level.
Christina DiBernardo, LMHC, M.S.Ed., ACS
Practice Owner and Clinical Director
Website www.expressiveconnectionsmhc.com
Instagram: @expressiveconnectionsmhc
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-dibernardo-aa3130246/
Jessica’s dedication to crafting and evolving her training style for over 20 years continues to expand. From young children to senior citizens and everyone in between her services include; student-athletes preparing for a variety of collegiate sports, parents coping with life-demands, individuals with special needs, people moving through daily life stresses, physical therapy, better health, wellness, and more. Jessica devotes her vast experience, empathy, credibility, and passion, aiming for personal results that move the needle for each individual towards their goals that has invested in her mentorship, qualifications, and training style.
SEL Fitness is essentially improving Emotional Intelligence + Movement Therapy. It is teaching students the tools to access the potential within themselves. The best part, results and positive mood change are immediate. Students, teachers, staff, families and communities are pressing play on SEL Fitness and they feel energized, refocused and a clearing of negative emotions. SEL Fitness curriculum is consistently teaching how to move the static, shift the mindset, reset the nervous system and evolve the culture within the growing student.
"If we want more then let's do differently!"
On a beautiful spring day in 2010, sisters Jaimie and Brooke DiPalma endured unspeakable tragedy with the loss of their father, Joseph DiPalma to suicide. Determined to turn their tragedy into change they soon created “P.S. I Love You”, a nonprofit mental health organization dedicated to spreading love and kindness and mental health awareness to communities across Long Island. Fourteen years and over 500 schools later, Jaimie and Brooke have propelled “P.S. I Love You Day” and their mental health awareness message across America and have witnessed their organization impact children and adults in countless communities. They joined the Mission Z Empowering Change Podcast to tell their remarkable story about their labor of love to make a difference in the lives of others.
Taking the stress out of the stress in life! Lou Maurio takes his mental health professional work to the next level. Lou Maurio is a Certified Integrative Life Coach, a long-time Meditator and devoted practitioner of Mindfulness and Hypnosis. After a successful career in New York City’s high-pressure Advertising Industry creating campaigns for The Coordinated Campaign For Learning Disabilities, The Eye-Bank of New York, and numerous national consumer brands, Lou knows stress first hand and teaches real-life ways to incorporate meditation and stress reduction into the lives of adults, children and teens, no matter how little time they have. Lou utilizes Mindfulness Meditation, Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), and Hypnosis, virtually and in-person at his offices in East Islip and in Manhattan.
Rafael Diaz is an educator and aspiring administrator in the New York City public school system. A native of The Bronx, New York, “Ralphy” provides a unique perspective about growing up in New York City and enduring the many challenges of living in a divorced household with family members suffering from mental illness and substance abuse and fostering a positive outlook throughout. His experience as an educator in New York City spans 16 years and includes working with students with disabilities and emotional disturbance. Ralphy is ready to advance his career in school leadership as an administrator in the months to come. A family man first, he is raising his two children with the same values and lessons he was taught and incorporates in his classroom as well.
Antwaun Thompson or Coach T®, has coached and mentored young men and women, helping to improve their athletic skills, personal growth, and personal relationship skills for over 35 years. His basketball coaching career covers elementary, middle, and high school, AAU, college and is in his 11th year at a private school.
He is the founder and executive Director of JLT Fieldhouse, a 501c3 nonprofit youth coaching and mentoring organization, dedicated to “Coaching and Mentoring the Leaders of Tomorrow”. This organization is named in honor of his late father, Sgt. Maj. Joe Lewis Thompson, USMC, who adopted Antwaun and his older brother after their mom and Joe were married. The lessons learned from his father are what inspire him to continue by passing it on to the next generation of leaders.
Antwaun is also the owner of Coach T’s Corner®, an online mentoring academy that is designed to “Educate, Support and Inspire” our future leaders of tomorrow. His S.E.A. of Success® Academy offers courses that are designed to help kids develop important life skills including critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and effective communication. These courses were inspired by his book, The Ultimate Guide to Success for Preteens and Teens. It breaks down his S.E.A. of Success® (Simplicity, Effort, Attitude) mentoring program in 11 key personal development areas.
Coach T® is also part of two podcasts. He hosts his own, Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders with Coach T®, where he interviews educators, coaches, business owners, former athletes and others that are committed to the next generation of leaders. As the co-host of TeenSpeak, Empowering Today’s Youth with fellow youth empowerment and leadership coach Keith Senzer, they interview teenagers from around the globe, that share their challenges, struggles and the strategies they implemented to overcome them.
Parents hire me to educate, support and inspire personal growth skills in their preteens and teens that will better prepare them by taking ownership of tools for a prosperous future. Soft skills are not a priority of the public education systems but are crucial to the success of our next generation of leaders.
Website
Hadeeqa Malik is a freshman at The City College of New York, she is an activist who advocates for all things social justice and offers a unique perspective of her generation’s experience of social media’s coming of age, the tumult of national politics and their effects on young people and the new normal of mental health issues impacting her generation across the country. Hadeeqa lost a close friend to suicide when she was in eighth grade and used that traumatic experience to propel her ambition to help others, advocate for children and spread awareness for mental health, social justice and meaningful change.
Mental health, and the perceived taboo associated with it has been a subject shrouded in a degree of secrecy and uncertainty in the United States for decades. Understanding mental health and bringing its significance to the focal point of our modern lexicon, while elusive in the past, has recently become more mainstream. Prior to but especially following the Covid-19 pandemic, it became clear that more attention, more efforts and more resources are needed to address a worsening crisis in our communities. Chris Fontana, founder of Go Primal Lifestyle & Apparel has channeled his own struggles with mental health toward making a difference for others who struggle with the difficulties of the human condition. Chris uses his experience to motivate and organize members to offer support and motivation through his Go Primal mindset. Join us on “Mission Z, Empowering Change” as we delve into these issues with Chris and have a conversation about his work, its impact on people in our communities and how he is inspiring hope for the future.
Chris Fontana was born and raised on Long Island. He is the founder of Go Primal Lifestyle & Apparel and Host of The Primal Mindset Podcast. He has overcome addiction, severe anxiety, depression, lost 100lbs and has a mission to start a movement of supporting midlife men, remove that stigma of bottling up feelings and look for support to be the best for people that need them most! He is focused to start right here on Long Island.
A pandemic, drug use and overdoses on the rise, a mental health crisis, political divide, Our kids today are immersed in tumult not seen in generations. With so much to navigate, what role does the education system play in addressing these issues? Are parents right to look to their school district for effective programs to help their children? Are school districts heeding the call or falling behind at the worst time? Join us for a conversation with Dr. Anne Rullan, a former assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in our public schools as we discuss these issues and their possible solutions.
Guest Dr. Anne Rullan
Anne Rullan, Ed.D., is a seasoned educator, a former Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction and currently supports districts as an Educational Consultant in meeting their unique needs. Anne has been an integral part of the process of curriculum writing throughout the curricula from Pre-K through college courses. As a former adjunct at Dowling College for the administration leadership program, she has taught courses in Curriculum Development, Personnel, and Educational Research. Her research looked at the relationship of the leadership characteristics to the implementation of reading strategies and how that affects student learning. Dr. Rullan is proud to be the curriculum designer for PREP for Life! a component of Long Island Prevention and Resilience Enrichment Program (LI PREP) using evidence-based strategies to improve student outcomes. LI PREP is a multi-faceted approach to provide students with the strategies and skills they need to support a healthy mental approach to life and resistance to negative factors, specifically substance abuse.
Welcome to the first episode of Mission Z. Learn about Paul and what this podcast's mission is.