Chess4Life Spotlight: Recent Episodes
Elliott Neff
The Chess4Life Spotlight shines the spotlight on how the game of chess is positively impacting people & communities around the world. Join me as we discover amazing people doing amazing things, with this common theme. Be sure to subscribe to not miss any of these fascinating stories!
Even though chess is not a team sport, there are still many ways that the game helps build relationships, establishes close bonds and teaches social skills. In this episode, we interview Lior Caspi, a longtime friend of Elliott's and catalyst for chess in his local community.Connect with Lior here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liorcaspi/
Jonathan Singler recently completed his doctorate and created the first minor degree in chess in the United States at Webster University. He's accomplished all of this by the age of 30! Jonathan Singler and Elliott Neff have an interesting discussion about his journey through schooling, reframing how we see obstacles in our life, and why chess is not just about winning.
You can reach Jonathan here by email at Jsingler33@webster.edu
Executive function skills are the skills you need to get things done. Because they're essential for success, how do we help foster them in kids? Dr. Peg Dawson joins us on this podcast episode to talk about the importance of executive skills and how the game of chess is a great way to learn them.
On this episode, we talk with Robert Dugoni, a New York Times Bestselling Author, on failing forward, overcoming challenges, and having a growth mindset. Robert's journey came with setbacks and barriers, and his resilience to pursue his dream to become an author is inspiring.
Tune into this episode of the Chess4Life Spotlight to hear more about how we can learn to fail forward and grow despite the uncertainty.
Visit Robert Dugoni's Website: www.robertdugonibooks.com
Katerina Rohonyan is a skilled chess player that was born and raised in Ukraine who moved to the US on a chess scholarship. After getting her degree in computer science, she's worked companies like Microsoft and Google. Katerina talks about her journey of heavily pursuing chess in Ukraine only for that to lead to other incredible opportunities. Throughout her growth in chess, she's learned a lot about how chess has helped her think strategically and become a better problem solver. Katerina Rohonyan has so much insight to share from all her years in chess and life experiences.
Judit Sztaray has been around chess most of her life, but it wasn't until her daughters' interest in chess grew that it became an integral part of her life. Although she says she's not a strong chess player, that doesn't stop her from actively participating in chess events like the Pan-Am and using the game for its benefits. One of those benefits of chess is the social aspects of the game. Elliott Neff and Judit Sztaray discuss how big of an impact playing chess can make on communities and building friendships with people.
In this chess podcast episode, we sit down with Sandy Staab out of Idaho. His first experience with chess was at 5 years old and since then, it's been a growing part of his life. Over the years, he's studied to become a chess coach, worked for a few years with Chess4Life, and has worked with youth in local schools. Elliott Neff and Sandy Staab discuss how chess can build character in players and help cultivate important life skills through the game.1
On this Chess4Life Spotlight podcast episode, we chat with Abel Talamantez the former Chess Director of the Mechanics' Institute which is the oldest continuously running chess club in the country. This past year, Abel Talamantez has transitioned to be the Chess Program Director at Rise and works with Hamilton students.
He strongly believes in the life skills chess can build for kids and the impact it can make for their future. He says the point isn't to win chess awards or playing in tournaments. Success to him is to teach kids sportsmanship and inspiring joy and passion in what they're doing.
Abel Talamantez's work with kids is extraordinary, and we hope you are just as inspired as we were from this conversation.
In this Chess4Life Spotlight podcast episode, we talk with Vishnu Warrier. He just finished his chess book, The Chess Bible: Most Instructive Tips, Axioms, One-Liners & Mantras and he's on the path to become a national master. Elliott Neff and Vishnu Warrier discuss his work as a technology consultant, how chess has helped him in his professional career, and the benefits of chess.
Vishnu Warrier's Book: https://a.co/d/gHc2hc2
The 4-Hour Workweek: https://a.co/d/6HWcxkN
Abc's of Chess: https://a.co/d/1GaOyXH
On this Chess4Life Spotlight podcast episode, we chat with Josh Sinanan. Josh became a chess master in 2007 and now he's a chess coach and has been involved with several chess organizations that help promote the game both locally and nationally. His passion for coaching chess has led him to positively impact many through the game. Josh shares some of the benefits of chess, what sets it apart from competitive sports, and what he's hoping to accomplish in his future endeavors in chess.
How early can kids start to learn chess? Why is the game of chess so important for their development? In this episode, Siva Sankrithi and Elliott Neff discuss what they have seen chess do for the growth of kids as they learn to play the game. Siva Sankrithi was a high school math teacher in Seattle for 10 years before he retired to run his educational nonprofit. His experience, journey, and observations in life made for a very interesting episode!
This is part II of our conversation with Dewain Barber. In this episode, Dewain shares his journey of helping pioneer several different national chess tournaments for kids and seniors alongside chess grandmasters. He also shares a very interesting story about his work with the John D. Rockefeller III National Tournament of Elementary School State Champions. Dewain Barber has a powerful story making for a really fascinating podcast episode.
On this chess podcast episode, we talk to Dewain Barber who has had a successful life of accomplishments in the world of chess. One of his students he coached became an international master, he's played chess on the Great Wall of China, and he's traveled to 120 countries! These are just a few of the feats Dewain Barber has done which makes for an exciting episode. Stay tuned for the second half of this discussion coming next week.
The game of chess is a powerful personal development tool. You don't need to be a grandmaster in chess to enjoy the benefits of the game and Orrin Hudson's story is a great example of how loving the game can make a big impact. In the same way chess changed his life, he is now extending that to other youth he's working with.
Parenting is far from easy. Balancing life, a career, hobbies, and setting kids up for success is a lot to take on. At Chess4Life, we believe chess can help prepare kids for life and teaches them to learn from their mistakes, set goals, and work together.
On today's chess podcast episode, we have Breck Haining who shares some practical parenting tips from his experience and the impact chess has made on his kids.
On this chess podcast episode, Florian Helff talks about creating chess clubs in the corporate and collegiate world, using the game to bring people together, and the benefits chess is having on students. Florian Helff is creating opportunities for networking to happen with chess being the connection point. Chess is solving problems for both recruiters in STEM careers as well as students looking to step into those careers.
On this episode of the Chess4Life Spotlight podcast, we talk with Robert Katende. Robert's story and life transformation is powerful! He has done a lot of work for the slums in Katwe, Uganda, where he is from, by teaching kids chess and using the game to bring them opportunities. Chess is a tool that Robert uses for community transformation. His life story and the vision he has for the future is inspiring to listen to. This is a must-listen to episode!
On today's episode of the Chess4Life Spotlight we have the president of Northwest University Dr. Joe Castleberry. He has seen big changes in the education system over the years and especially over the last few years which has accelerated this. Many institutions are adjusting, pivoting, and getting creative around the programs and opportunities they're offering to students. Tune in to this episode to hear more from Dr. Joe Castleberry as he shares his perspective on the current education system.
Randy Kaech has played a big role in the lives of many through the game of chess. Currently Randy is the president of the Washington High School Chess Association, and he is working to revive high school chess. Over the years, he has spent a lot of his time volunteering around organizing tournaments, teaching chess, and sharing the benefits of the game with kids. He shares what the years of chess has taught him and what it looks like to make long-term life decisions.
Bruce Kovalsky has a long history of working for some of the most popular STEM companies. His first interactions with chess at five years old which later led him to became a national chess master and start a popular chess club at a local elementary school. Bruce's experience with chess and his successful career is both insightful and inspiring.
In this episode, chess master Elliott Neff and chess master Bruce Kovalsky talk about the powerful connections between one's career in STEM and the skills learned in chess.
Being a successful business owner is challenging, rewarding, and requires growth. With many moving pieces to manage, it's necessary to be thinking ahead and making smart decisions. Both Jim Egerton and Elliott Neff have noticed where the world of business and the game of chess overlap. In this episode, Jim shares from his corporate career experience as well as his own entrepreneurial endeavors and how chess played a vital role in his success.
One day, Ken Lee's son surprised him with some good news. He taught himself to play chess through an app. His son's enjoyment of the game was contagious. Little did they know, not only would they both enjoy playing chess together, but it would help equip his son with powerful life skills and a growth mindset. In this chess podcast episode, Elliott Neff and Ken Lee unpack his son's story and the major impact that chess made on his life.
Connect with Ken Lee here: www.mwp.com
Christos started playing chess at six years old and participated in his first chess tournament at nine years old. Today, Christos is still playing chess and is in pursuit of earning his master title before he turns eighteen years old. In this episode, Christos shares his chess playing journey and how it has improved his personal development and life skills.
At four years old, she started playing chess, and that was only the beginning. Today, she owns a nonprofit, Queen's Gambit, that helps educate girls and young women in chess. Ashely Priore shares her journey in chess and what she has learned over the years playing chess and running her nonprofit. The impact that she's made in the lives of her students is inspiring!
On this chess podcast episode, we have Bryan Heathman with us. Bryan Heathman is the founder of Made For Success and the publisher of Elliott Neff's book, A Pawn's Journey. This is a packed episode as Bryan shares his thoughts on ebooks, the journey to publishing, and the similarities between playing chess and being an author.
To learn more about Bryan's work, visit his website: https://www.madeforsuccess.com/blog/
Kyle Haining is a national chess master who just graduated college and moved into his career in computer science. His first interaction with chess was back in first grade, and over the years of reading books and playing tournaments, he developed his skills to become a national master. In his successful journey, he came across many losses. Kyle shares his experiences both winning and losing, and how you can use them to your advantage to become a better player.
Tune in to this episode of the Chess4Life Spotlight with Kyle Haining as he leads us through the years of practicing chess and becoming a national master.
Benjamin Mukumbya has a powerful story. Growing up in the slums of Katwe, Uganda, he started playing chess in 2005 after his mother strongly encouraged him to get into the game. Now looking back, Benjamin shares that playing chess began to impact his life for the better. Benjamin is now pursuing his dreams to becoming a neurosurgeon and helping those around him. To follow Benjamin on his continuing journey, you can visit his website: http://www.benmukumbya.com/
Tune in to this discussion between national chess master and founder of Chess4Life, Elliott Neff, and Benjamin Mukumbya on the Chess4Life Spotlight.