Keeping It Real: Recent Episodes
Real World Academy
Hosted by the founders of Real World Academy, The "Keeping It Real" podcast serves as a vessel that enables you to design your future. As a non-profit organization, Real World Academy specializes in holistic personal and professional development content for anyone who needs it. Having already impacted hundreds of students with unique curriculum and career coaching, Real World Academy aims to communicate its mission to a global audience through public conversations with renowned entrepreneurs, artists, and educators.
Host:
Domenico Randazzo, Co-Founder, Chief Marketing Officer, Real World Academy
Guest:
Tania Abouzeide - Lead Consultant & Founder: Way Finder Educational Consulting
Theme:
What has changed in recent years when it comes to the college application process? What should students prioritize and what are universities looking for? How do students effectively find and execute on their values while navigating their educational career?
Host:
Domenico Randazzo, Co-Founder, Chief Marketing Officer, Real World Academy
Guest:
Jodi Grinwald - Co-Founder & CEO of Applaud Our Kids Foundation
https://applaudourkids.org/
Theme:
How does training in the arts affect children at various stages of their development? What are the lessons learned from enacting discipline, team building, long-term goal setting, etc in the context of music or dance? Jodi Grinwald tells the story of how her and Melissa Grinwald co-founded "Applaud Our Kids" and have since provided training to hundreds of young musicians and dancers around New Jersey.
Host:
Domenico Randazzo, Co-Founder, Chief Marketing Officer, Real World Academy
Guest:
Cassie Spencer - Career Coach: "Helping You Make Your Next Career Move," Host of Happenstance the Podcast
Theme:
What are the lesser known obstacles to achieving employment in today's rapidly changing job market? What are the factors that you have to take into account to be happy and fulfilled during your work experience? Cassie Spencer delivers advice and personal stories from her career coaching service, showing that individuals at any stage of their career can improve their circumstances by unpacking their values and strengths.
Host:
Domenico Randazzo, Co-Founder, Chief Marketing Officer, Real World Academy
Guests:
Matt & Melissa - Founders - Last Trax Apparel Company
https://www.lasttrax.com/
Theme:
The story of two high school friends who joined together during the pandemic over a mutual passion for design, and how they built a popular apparel company one step at a time. Matt and Melissa discuss their experience in a variety of fields leading up to the launching of Last Trax, the principles that made them believe in the product, and how they've been able to adapt and grow during uncertain times in the market.
Creating Lasting Value for High School Students in Newark, NJ
Hosts:
Lincoln Farquharson, Chief Executive Officer, Real World Academy
Domenico Randazzo, Co-Founder, Chief Marketing Officer, Real World Academy
Guest:
Tahirah Crawford - Educational Consultant, Director of College Placement
Real World Academy, People's Preparatory Charter School
Theme:
How do we create an intrinsic motivation for students to come to school, stay engaged, and use the tools provided to them to design their future? What are the systemic roadblocks for accomplishing this mission and how does Real World Academy overcome them?
Keeping It Real - Ep 13 - Michael DePalma on "How To Supercharge Your Network"
Host:
- Domenico Randazzo, Co-Founder, Chief Marketing Officer, Real World Academy
Guest:
- Michael DePalma, Founder & CEO - Pensare LLC, TEDx Speaker & Organizer
Theme:
- Michael DePalma, an executive with vast experience in health care, technology, and education, tells the Real World Academy audience the secrets of supercharging your network and building a career based on your curiosity.
Rewriting the Rulebook on High School Education, Pt 1
Hosts:
- Lincoln Farquharson, Chief Executive Officer, Real World Academy
- Domenico Randazzo, Co-Founder, Chief Marketing Officer, Real World Academy
Theme:
- Real World Academy has serendipitously become a lifeline for high school students in the Tri-state area who aren’t being given the proper mentorship to succeed in life. What is the origin story behind this phenomenon, and how did Real World Academy go from being a fledgling non-profit with a few private students, to facilitating state-of-the-art professional development curriculum in high schools around New Jersey? What is so unique about what we teach?
Rewriting the Rulebook on High School Education, Pt 1
Hosts:
- Lincoln Farquharson, Chief Executive Officer, Real World Academy
- Domenico Randazzo, Co-Founder, Chief Marketing Officer, Real World Academy
Theme:
- Real World Academy has serendipitously become a lifeline for high school students in the Tri-state area who aren’t being given the proper mentorship to succeed in life. What is the origin story behind this phenomenon, and how did Real World Academy go from being a fledgling non-profit with a few private students, to facilitating state-of-the-art professional development curriculum in high schools around New Jersey? What is so unique about what we teach?
- Domenico Randazzo, Chief Operating Officer, Real World Academy & Music Producer/Artist
- Dr. Anthony Longo, Vice President of Community Outreach, Real World Academy & Physician
Guest: Chelsea Gioffre - Global Career Development Facilitator, Mentor, National Engagement Manager at NPower (Nonprofit), and Digital Marketing Director at RWA
Platform: Real World Academy Studio
https://www.realworldacademy.org/
Real World Academy:
- Real World Academy is unique in that it also works with students at transitions, all the way from high school until the workforce. Many "college prep" are simply SAT prep courses, and do nothing to continue working with the student to make sure they actually succeed. Real World Academy is MUCH more than that.
- Real World Academy lets any high school student or parent hire an "Agent," a customized counselor and life coach. But simply having an agent does not mean that you will succeed. Students need to take initiative and self-actualize.
- Real World Academy is unique in its industry ties. We will help any of our interested students find an internship.
Topics:What is the college experience like for a first-generation immigrant? What are the secrets to success?
How to effectively use social media and digital marketing as a young person looking for a job.
- Domenico Randazzo, Chief Operating Officer, Real World Academy & Music Producer/Artist
- Dr. Anthony Longo, Vice President of Community Outreach, Real World Academy & Physician
Guest: Michael DePalma - TEDx Speaker, CEO, Entrepreneur, Technologist
Platform: Real World Academy Studio
https://www.realworldacademy.org/
Real World Academy:
- Real World Academy is unique in that it also works with students at transitions, all the way from high school until the workforce. Many "college prep" are simply SAT prep courses, and do nothing to continue working with the student to make sure they actually succeed. Real World Academy is MUCH more than that.
- Real World Academy lets any high school student or parent hire an "Agent," a customized counselor and life coach. But simply having an agent does not mean that you will succeed. Students need to take initiative and self-actualize.
- Real World Academy is unique in its industry ties. We will help any of our interested students find an internship.
Topics:How to effectively educate a group of neurodiverse students.
How to make it in high school and college if you're a good learner, but a bad student.
- Domenico Randazzo, Chief Operating Officer, Real World Academy & Music Producer/Artist
- Dr. Anthony Longo, Vice President of Community Outreach, Real World Academy & Physician
Guest: Nick Ditri - Disco Fries, Producer, DJ, Label Owner, Investor
Platform: Real World Academy Studio
https://www.realworldacademy.org/
Real World Academy:
- Real World Academy is unique in that it also works with students at transitions, all the way from high school until the workforce. Many "college prep" are simply SAT prep courses, and do nothing to continue working with the student to make sure they actually succeed. Real World Academy is MUCH more than that.
- Real World Academy lets any high school student or parent hire an "Agent," a customized counselor and life coach. But simply having an agent does not mean that you will succeed. Students need to take initiative and self-actualize.
- Real World Academy is unique in its industry ties. We will help any of our interested students find an internship.
Topics:How to make it as an artist-entrepreneur in 2021?
Hosts:
- Domenico Randazzo, Chief Operating Officer, Real World Academy & Music Producer/Artist
- Dr. Anthony Longo, Vice President of Community Outreach, Real World Academy & Physician
Guest Commentator: Lincoln Farquharson, Chief Strategy Officer, Real World Academy
Platform: Real World Academy Studio
https://www.realworldacademy.org/
Real World Academy:
- Real World Academy is unique in that it also works with students at transitions, all the way from high school until the workforce. Many "college prep" are simply SAT prep courses, and do nothing to continue working with the student to make sure they actually succeed. Real World Academy is MUCH more than that.
- Real World Academy lets any high school student or parent hire an "Agent," a customized counselor and life coach. But simply having an agent does not mean that you will succeed. Students need to take initiative and self-actualize.
- Real World Academy is unique in its industry ties. We will help any of our interested students find an internship.
Topics:The impact of Covid on high school education & counseling.
When is it time to seek out a counselor?
The psychological impacts of quarantine, and how they affect learning.
What are the best coping mechanisms and wellness strategies for students, parents, and educators moving forward?
Hosts:
- Domenico Randazzo, Chief Operating Officer, Real World Academy & Music Producer/Artist
- Dr. Anthony Longo, Vice President of Community Outreach, Real World Academy & Physician
Guest Commentator: Lincoln Farquharson, Chief Strategy Officer, Real World Academy
Platform: Real World Academy Studio
https://www.realworldacademy.org/
Real World Academy:
- Real World Academy is unique in that it also works with students at transitions, all the way from high school until the workforce. Many "college prep" are simply SAT prep courses, and do nothing to continue working with the student to make sure they actually succeed. Real World Academy is MUCH more than that.
- Real World Academy lets any high school student or parent hire an "Agent," a customized counselor and life coach. But simply having an agent does not mean that you will succeed. Students need to take initiative and self-actualize.
- Real World Academy is unique in its industry ties. We will help any of our interested students find an internship.
Topics:The impact of Covid on high school education & counseling.
When is it time to seek out a counselor?
The psychological impacts of quarantine, and how they affect learning.
What are the best coping mechanisms and wellness strategies for students, parents, and educators moving forward?
Guest Hosts:
Lincoln Farquharson, Chief Strategy Officer, Real World Academy
Garth Birch, Chief Executive Officer, Real World Academy
Inverted Guests:
Domenico Randazzo, Chief Operating Officer, Real World Academy & Music Producer/Artist
Dr. Anthony Longo, Vice President of Community Outreach, Real World Academy & General Physician
Platform: Real World Academy Studio
Real World Academy:
Real World Academy is unique in that it also works with students at transitions, all the way from high school until the workforce. Many "college prep" are simply SAT prep courses, and do nothing to continue working with the student to make sure they actually succeed. Real World Academy is MUCH more than that.
Real World Academy lets any high school student or parent hire an "Agent," a customized counselor and life coach. But simply having an agent does not mean that you will succeed. Students need to take initiative and self-actualize.
Real World Academy gives students the extra time needed that is not afforded by their guidance counselors. The ability to hand select an Agent catered towards your skills and pull from the entire organization's school and industry contacts are unparalleled.
Topics:
What is Anthony's story? What is the story of Anthony Longo, the "science" half of the co-founder duo?
What is Domenico's story? What is the story of Domenico Randazzo, the "arts" half of the co-founder duo?
How did Real World Academy come to be? How did the organization get its start in Newark?
How did the mentoring program begin? Why was Domenico, a great student, so dissatisfied with high school? What did a TED Talk have to do with this? How did the first iteration of the program begin?
Hosts:
Domenico Randazzo, Chief Operating Officer, Real World Academy & Music Producer/Artist
Dr. Anthony Longo, Vice President of Community Outreach, Real World Academy & General Physician
Guest Commentator: Lincoln Farquharson, Chief Strategy Officer, Real World Academy
Guest: Garth Birch, Chief Executive Officer, Real World Academy
Platform: Real World Academy Studio
Real World Academy:
Real World Academy is unique in that it also works with students at transitions, all the way from high school until the workforce. Many "college prep" are simply SAT prep courses, and do nothing to continue working with the student to make sure they actually succeed. Real World Academy is MUCH more than that.
Real World Academy lets any high school student or parent hire an "Agent," a customized counselor and life coach. But simply having an agent does not mean that you will succeed. Students need to take initiative and self-actualize.
Real World Academy gives students the extra time needed that is not afforded by their guidance counselors. The ability to hand select an Agent catered towards your skills and pull from the entire organization's school and industry contacts are unparalleled.
Topics:
What is your background, and how did you come to be the CEO of an education nonprofit with offerings in college prep?
What are the shortcomings of the guidance offerings in many schools? How much time does the average counselor have to spend with each student? Why do college prep organizations need to exist?
What should parents expect from the college application process? What are the pitfalls? Are there hidden costs? Are there certain "pearls" of advice that you have for parents, having gone through this yourself?
Is it worth paying extra to college prep organizations? Are the potential lifelong benefits worth the upfront cost? What do "custom" guidance counselors offer?
What do parents of arts students need to know specifically? How is the college application process radically different for this pool of applicants? How will an unprepared student fare in this lion's den?
Hosts:
- Domenico Randazzo, Chief Operating Officer, Real World Academy & Music Producer/Artist
- Dr. Anthony Longo, Vice President of Community Outreach, Real World Academy & Physician
Guest Commentator: Lincoln Farquharson, Chief Strategy Officer, Real World Academy & Founder of our Newark College Institute
Platform: Real World Academy Studio
Real World Academy:
- Real World Academy is unique in that it also works with students at transitions, all the way from high school until the workforce. Many "college prep" are simply SAT prep courses, and do nothing to continue working with the student to make sure they actually succeed. Real World Academy is MUCH more than that.
- Real World Academy lets any high school student or parent hire an "Agent," a customized counselor and life coach. But simply having an agent does not mean that you will succeed. Students need to take initiative and self-actualize.
- Real World Academy is unique in its industry ties. We will help any of our interested students find an internship.
Topics:
- How to get an internship? Where do I find them? How do I stand out on an application?
- Paid vs. unpaid internships. Are there scenarios where one is better than the other?
- Timing. What years are the best years to get internships in both high school and college? Do internships distract from your schoolwork? How do you balance life as an intern and a student?
- Translating an internship into a job. How do I accomplish this, and is the internship path becoming a more common pathway into the workforce? Is this a way to "guarantee" a job after college?
Hosts:
- Domenico Randazzo, Chief Operating Officer, Real World Academy & Music Producer/Artist
- Dr. Anthony Longo, Vice President of Community Outreach, Real World Academy & Physician
Guest: Carline Reed, Facilitator, Real World Academy & CEO of Project B.U.I.L.D.
Guest Commentator: Lincoln Farquharson, Chief Strategy Officer, Real World Academy & Founder of Newark College Institute
Real World Academy:
- Real World Academy lets any high school student or parent hire an "Agent," a customized counselor and life coach. But simply having an agent does not mean that you will succeed. Students need to take initiative and self-actualize.
- Real World Academy is unique in its industry ties. We will help any of our interested students find an internship or a mentor.
Topics:
- Why is it important to have a mentor? What advantages do mentors confer? Are there different types of mentors? Career mentor, motivational mentor, teacher? Can a teacher or a professor be a mentor?
- How to find a mentor. Does this happen organically or are there organizations to help you find mentors? Does a mentor's interests or skills have to exactly match yours? Can you have more than one mentor?
- Timing. At what stage in your life would you benefit from a mentor?
What should the expectations be of a good mentor? How much is too much to expect? Can they help you get a job, or does their access to the industry give you opportunities you might not have had?
Hi everyone, I’m Domenico Randazzo and I’m here with my cousin, Dr. Anthony Longo. We are the founders of Real World Academy. Together, we’re launching our very first Keeping It Real Podcast.
Currently, we are faced with a crisis in education. Students are being thrown into a very harsh and unforgiving world, without being given the necessary tools to design their future in a way that truly generates success and personal well-being. Instead, students participate in a cookie-cutter style school system that only serves a select few.
There is a fundamental lack of holistic mentorship in our current public education system, and it is causing generational damage. Our organization mentors students from their adolescence through early adulthood. While we do focus on improving students’ academic achievement, we also teach Social-Emotional Development and Professional Development. We’ve realized through working with our students how much a "growth" mindset is lacking in a traditional classroom setting.
So, the purpose of the Keeping It Realpodcast is to spread this philosophy and learn from the best in the education space, so we can make the most of this movement and help students design their future.