Edutainment Learning

Tito Puente Jr., the son of legendary Latin jazz musician Tito Puente, is an accomplished musician and bandleader in his own right. Carrying on his father's legacy, Puente Jr. has made a name for himself by blending traditional Latin rhythms with contemporary sounds, bringing the vibrant energy of mambo and salsa to new audiences. He has performed worldwide, showcasing his talents on both timbales and percussion, and has released several albums that honor his father's musical heritage while adding his unique flair. Dedicated to preserving and expanding the reach of Latin music, Tito Puente Jr. continues to be a prominent figure in the genre, captivating fans with his electrifying performances.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Suni Williams is an American astronaut, United States Navy officer, and former record holder for most spacewalks by a woman (seven) and most spacewalk time for a woman (50 hours, 40 minutes). Williams was assigned to the International Space Station as a member of Expedition 14 and Expedition 15. In 2012, she served as a flight engineer on Expedition 32 and then commander of Expedition 33. In 2024, she returned to the ISS on the Boeing Crewed Flight Test, the first crewed mission of the Boeing Starliner; her return to Earth has been delayed indefinitely.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Heal Los Angeles was founded in 2016 as a student service organization at Loyola Marymount University by co-founders John Muto and Prince Jackson. Inspired by the philanthropic efforts of the late Michael Jackson, they sought to address the needs of underserved communities in their hometown of Los Angeles, California. They recruited 25 other students to join their cause.With a mission to end homelessness, child abuse, and hunger in Los Angeles, Heal LA embarked on a number of initiatives to serve those in need. Over the course of five semesters, Heal LA raised over $150,000 for those in need, supporting various local charities and initiatives. Their efforts have had a significant impact on the Los Angeles community, helping to alleviate poverty, hunger, and homelessness.

The father of the cellphone, and former head of Motorola's communications systems division — and the first person to ever make a call from a cellphone. Marty is an American engineer. He is a pioneer in the wireless communications industry, especially in radio spectrum management, with eleven patents in the field.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Christopher Lloyd is an iconic American actor best known for his versatile performances across film, television, and stage. Lloyd gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of the eccentric inventor Dr. Emmett Brown in the "Back to the Future" trilogy, a role that solidified his place in pop culture history. His career began in theater, where he honed his craft and won an Obie Award for his performance in "Kaspar" in 1973.Transitioning to the screen, Lloyd's breakthrough came with the role of "Reverend" Jim Ignatowski on the TV sitcom "Taxi," earning him two Primetime Emmy Awards. His distinctive voice and comedic timing made him a favorite among audiences. Beyond comedy, Lloyd showcased his range with roles in films like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "The Addams Family," where he played the delightfully morbid Uncle Fester.Lloyd's dedication to his craft is evident in his extensive body of work, which includes voice acting, animation, and guest appearances on numerous television series. His contributions to entertainment have earned him numerous accolades and a lasting legacy as one of Hollywood's most beloved and talented actors.Are you an educator? Download a free worksheet to accompany the listening for your students here!

Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. is a lifelong educator, having begun his career in education teaching Social Studies and coaching baseball in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools system in 1994. He then served as an Assistant Principal from 2007 to 2013 until becoming the Chief Operating Officer at Doral College. He was appointed Commissioner of Education by the Florida State Board of Education effective June 1, 2022.Commissioner Diaz received his Bachelor’s degree from St. Thomas University, a Master’s degree in education from Nova Southeastern, and completed a Harvard Graduate School of Education program for principals.He served with distinction in the Florida Legislature, originally elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2012, where he quickly became known as an expert and champion of education. During his tenure in the Florida House of Representatives, he served as Chairman of both the Education Choice and Innovation Committee and the PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee. In 2018, he was elected to the Florida Senate where he served as Chairman of the Education Committee. During his legislative career he sponsored numerous educational initiatives to support Florida’s students, families, and public-school teachers.A devoted husband and father of four, he understands the importance and value of providing students with a world-class education and is honored to continue serving Florida as the Commissioner of Education.

Born and raised in Venezuela, Daniel Chang Contreras grew up seeing how his country decayed from relative prosperity to utter chaos, poverty, and authoritarianism under the socialist governments of Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro. In 2017, he did what more than 7 million of his countrymen did and fled the country that socialism destroyed.In the United States, Daniel got a degree in Political Science and Economics from the University of South Florida and is now pursuing his Masters in Political Communication at American University. Daniel is a senior member of Politiks, a Venezuelan digital media outlet that counters the Maduro regime narrative. Daniel was also a contributor to El American, and his analysis has been published in outlets like the National Review, Americano Media, Real Clear World, and France 24, among others. Many thanks to the Dissident Project for organizing today's episode of Edutainment Learning.

Alan Emtage is a pioneering computer scientist from Barbados, best known for creating Archie, the first Internet search engine, in 1990. While studying at McGill University in Montreal, Emtage developed Archie to index FTP sites, revolutionizing how information is retrieved online. His innovation laid the foundation for modern search engines like Google. Emtage's contributions significantly advanced internet technology, earning him recognition in the Internet Hall of Fame. He continues to influence the tech industry through his work and advocacy for internet development and accessibility.

Susan Bennett is an American voice actress best known as the original voice of Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, and is a former backup singer for Roy Orbison and Burt Bacharach. Bennett has also been the voice of Delta Airlines' public address system and appeared in commercials for major brands. She continues to work in voice-over and remains a celebrated figure in the industry.

Félix Rodríguez, born in Havana, Cuba, in 1941, fled to the U.S. following Fidel Castro's rise to power. Joining the CIA-backed Brigade 2506, he participated in the Bay of Pigs invasion. Rodriguez was integral to the capture and execution of Che Guevara in Bolivia in 1967. During the Vietnam War, he served as a helicopter pilot, earning numerous accolades. In the 1980s, he was involved in the Contra operations in Nicaragua. His memoir, "Shadow Warrior," details his experiences. Rodriguez remains an influential figure in the Cuban American community, advocating for anti-communist causes and sharing his experiences through speaking engagements and public appearances.

From the slums of Port au Prince Haiti with special forces raiding a sex trafficking ring and freeing children to the Virgin Galactic Space Port in Mojave with Sir Richard Branson, 22-Time Emmy Award Winning Director/Producer, Nick Nanton, has become known for telling stories that connect. Why? Because he focuses on the most fascinating subject in the world: PEOPLE. As an award winning songwriter, storyteller and Best-Selling Author, Nick has shared his message with millions of people through his documentaries, speeches, blogs, lectures, songs and best-selling books. Nick’s book “StorySelling” hit the Wall Street Journal Best-Seller list and is available on Audible as an audio book. Nick has directed more than 60 documentaries and a sold out Broadway Show (garnering 43 Emmy nominations in multiple regions and 22 wins), including Dickie V, Operation Toussaint, Rudy Ruettiger: The Walk On, Visioneer, and A New Leash on Life: The K9s for Warriors Story.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Frank Abagnale Jr. is one of the world's most respected authorities on the subjects of forgery, embezzlement and secure documents. For over forty years he has lectured to and consulted with hundreds of financial institutions, corporations and government agencies around the world. He later gained notoriety in the late 1970s by claiming a diverse range of workplace frauds, many of which have since been placed in doubt. In 1980, Abagnale co-wrote his autobiography, Catch Me If You Can, which built a narrative around these claimed frauds. The book inspired the film of the same name directed by Steven Spielberg in 2002, in which Abagnale was portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio. He has also written four other books. Abagnale runs Abagnale and Associates, a consulting firm.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

PJ Ramsey is a US Veteran and Former Navy SEAL. PJ is an advocate for combatting veteran suicide and raising awareness through physical challenges and speaking engagements. On September 14, PJ will take to Lake Erie along with other veterans and individuals for a 10k open water swim to benefit The Step Up Foundation. Visit stepupfoundation.org and stepupswim.org to learn more and to support veterans affected by mental health.

Dr. Rita McGrath is a best-selling author, sought-after speaker, and longtime professor at Columbia Business School. As one of the world’s top experts on innovation and growth, Rita is regularly published in the Harvard Business Review. She is consistently ranked among the Top 10 management thinkers in the world and was ranked #1 for strategy by Thinkers50. Rita is the author of the best-selling The End of Competitive Advantage (Harvard Business Review Press, 2013). Her most recent book is Seeing Around Corners: How to Spot Inflection Points in Business Before They Happen (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2019).Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Liz Booker is a retired Coast Guard helicopter pilot and writer for young adults. Liz enlisted in the Coast Guard at 18 and worked as a deckhand and ship navigator for five years before going to Officer Candidate School. A year later she completed Navy flight training and flew the H65 Dolphin helicopter out of San Francisco, Miami, and Los Angeles. She had been on Active Duty for 15 years and was an O4 before she finally earned a bachelor’s degree online with American Military University and applied for the Coast Guard’s graduate school programs. In 2008 she completed a Master’s in Public Administration at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She spent the last six years of her 28-year career in Joint billets as the Targeting Chief and Deputy J3 at Joint Interagency Task Force South coordinating counter-narcotics interdictions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, and as the Senior Defense Official to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean working for Southern Command out of the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown. While she was assigned to JIATF-SOUTH, she used the rest of her GI Bill to earn a second master’s degree in writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Liz’s Harvard experience gave her the confidence and skills to network and advocate for the Coast Guard’s women in aviation. It also opened her aperture to how she might positively impact the wider aviation culture and demographics through writing adventure fiction for young readers. She retired in 2019 to write full time, but was challenged to maintain her momentum during Covid, feeling isolated from the aviation community. As a way to reconnect, she launched the Aviatrix Book Club on Facebook. That small idea has blossomed into a rich network of readers and writers centered around books featuring women in aviation. Liz hosts the Aviatrix Book Review website and podcast where she interviews authors about their books and their writing and publishing journeys. The authors are connected through the Aviatrix Writers Facebook Group, where they encourage and mentor other women in aviation to share their stories through writing.

Steve Binder is an American producer and director. He found success behind the camera on television shows showcasing music, when he was only in his early 20s. He was also influential in creating music programs with racially and ethnically diverse casts, featuring a variety of musical styles. Steve is an Emmy and ACE award-winning producer, director, writer, educator, and Golden Globe nominee. In 1968, Steve conceived, directed, and produced ELVIS, The ‘68 Comeback Special. TV Guide called this landmark event “the second greatest musical moment in television history next to the Beatles' debut on the Ed Sullivan Show.” Steve also proudly served in the U.S. Army in Europe as an announcer for the Armed Forces Radio network. He is currently an active member of the Directors and Producers Guilds of America and serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Dr. Stephen Saunders, chair of psychology in Marquette University Klingler College of Arts and Sciences often speaks on the topic of the importance of mental health and the importance of destigmatizing issues related to mental health. Dr. Saunders teaches multiple undergraduate, as well as graduate level courses on these subjects and has been published numerous times for his work in psychology. He received his Bachelors, Masters as well as his Ph.D from Northwestern University.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Korean-American cellist Sydney Lee has established herself as an artist of refined elegance and profound sincerity. She garnered recognition when she claimed both 1st prize at the 2022 Washington International Competition and 2nd prize at the 2022 Classic Strings International Competition. Most recently, she was awarded the inaugural $50,000 Gurrena Fellowship from Meadowmount School of Music. Additional accolades include 1st prize at the International Antonio Janigro Cello Competition in Croatia, where she subsequently debuted with the Zagreb Soloists. Since her solo debut at age 13 with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Sydney has continued to perform extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia in many of the world’s leading venues. Renowned cellist Julian Lloyd Webber praised her performance with the Armenian Symphony State Orchestra, “Sydney Lee’s playing of Prokofiev’s Sinfonia Concertante was mesmerizing. She surmounted all of its technical challenges with ease and gave us a joyous musical experience. It was a performance to treasure.” As founder of the Galvin Cello Quartet, they have been building an international profile following their silver-medal win at the 2021 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and selection as winners of the 2022 Victor Elmaleh Competition. They are currently represented by the Concert Artists Guild. A graduate of The Curtis Institute of Music and Northwestern University, Sydney continues her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Northwestern with Hans Jorgen Jensen. She will begin this fall as Cello Professor of the McDuffie Center for Strings in Macon, Georgia. In her spare time, Sydney served as a Content Assistant for The Violin Channel. Sydney finds joy in the art of crafting captivating lifestyle content through her vlogs, where she unveils the tapestry of her journeys, offering glimpses into her life as a musician, surviving the Chicago winters, and even her exhilarating escapade of maneuvering a dune buggy through the vast expanse of the Dubai desert.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Lisa Song Sutton is a real estate investor, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist. With a background in business litigation, Lisa began her career working in a top Las Vegas law firm before launching and scaling several companies, taking them from $0 to millions in revenue, across various industries including real estate, food and shipping retail. As the daughter of a USAF Vietnam War Veteran, Lisa is a strong advocate for the veteran community. She is currently a General Partner of The Veteran Fund, a $20M venture capital fund that invests in veteran-led companies. In addition to her work in real estate and venture capital, Lisa is an experienced speaker, sharing her message of leadership, empowerment, and taking action with audiences from the TEDx stage to local schools, encouraging the private sector to become more involved in their communities. Lisa was the first Miss Nevada of Asian descent and remains actively involved in her community, serving on the boards of StartUpNV, Nevada's largest statewide business incubator, and the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) Las Vegas chapter. She was recently recognized as Vegas Inc.'s 40 Under 40 and also serves on the board of the Nevada Policy Research Institute. Find more information about Lisa at www.lisasongsutton.comAre you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Dr. H. W. Brands was born in Portland, Oregon, where he lived until he went to California for college. He attended Stanford University and studied history and mathematics. After graduating he became a traveling salesman, with a territory that spanned the West from the Pacific to Colorado. His wanderlust diminished after several trips across the Great Basin, and he turned to sales of a different sort, namely teaching. For nine years he taught mathematics and history in high school and community college. Meanwhile he resumed his formal education, earning graduate degrees in mathematics and history, concluding with a doctorate in history from the University of Texas at Austin. He worked as an oral historian at the University of Texas Law School for a year, then became a visiting professor of history at Vanderbilt University. In 1987 he joined the history faculty at Texas A&M University, where he taught for seventeen years. In 2005 he returned to the University of Texas, where he holds the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History. He has written thirty books, coauthored or edited five others, and published dozens of articles and scores of reviews. His articles have appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the International Herald Tribune, the Boston Globe, the Atlantic Monthly, the Smithsonian, the National Interest, the American Historical Review, the Journal of American History, the Political Science Quarterly, American History, and many other newspapers, magazines and journals. His writings have received critical and popular acclaim. The First American and Traitor to His Class were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize and the Los Angeles Times Prize. Several of his books have been bestsellers. Brands is a member of various honorary societies, including the Society of American Historians and the Philosophical Society of Texas. He is a regular guest on national radio and television programs, and is frequently interviewed by the American and foreign press. His writings have been published in several countries and translated into German, French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Grant Sanderson is the Creator of 3blue1brown, a math and physics YouTube channel with over 6 million subscribers. Grant contributes to a number of different outlets for math exposition, including spending a semester lecturing for an MIT course on computational thinking, contributing a Netflix documentary about infinity, writing for Quanta, and collaborating with many other educational YouTube channels.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

This Memorial Day, Edutainment Learning is profoundly honored to present an interview with Don Greenbaum, a remarkable individual who not only survived the harrowing Battle of the Bulge but also played a pivotal role in the liberation of the Dachau Concentration Camp.Don Greenbaum's story is a testament to courage, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit. As we remember and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country, Don's experiences remind us of the profound impact and sacrifices made by our veterans. His journey from the icy battlefields of Belgium to the gates of Dachau is a poignant reminder of the fight for freedom and justice that defines our nation's history.In our interview, Don shares vivid memories of the brutal winter battle, the camaraderie of his fellow soldiers, and the haunting scenes that met them at Dachau. His reflections on these experiences not only serve as a historical record but also offer invaluable lessons on the cost of war and the enduring importance of standing against tyranny.As we share this interview, we also extend our deepest gratitude to all the men and women who have served in the armed forces. Their bravery and dedication ensure that the ideals of liberty and democracy continue to thrive. Don Greenbaum's story is but one of countless acts of heroism that we honor on this day.Join us in commemorating Memorial Day by listening to Don Greenbaum's incredible story. Let it serve as a tribute to all those who have served and sacrificed, ensuring that their legacy of courage and commitment is never forgotten.With heartfelt appreciation,The Edutainment Learning Team

Marissa Streit, CEO of PragerU, was born in Los Angeles and moved to Israel at a young age, where she completed her primary education and served in military intelligence unit 8200 of the Israel Defense Forces. She returned to Los Angeles to earn her bachelor’s degree in business and economics, and her master’s degree in education and nonprofit management.Over the next decade, she gained valuable experience as an educator, a school administrator, and the director of a philanthropic institute before joining PragerU in 2011. Her experience in business, education, social media, and the nonprofit sector has enabled PragerU to grow its audience to over 1 billion views every year and influence millions of young minds every day. Under Marissa’s leadership, PragerU has rapidly grown into one of the largest and most impactful pro-America media networks.Marissa is also the host of the PragerU show Real Talk, which garners millions of views, mostly from parents who are concerned about America and interested in conversations about education, business, and culture. Marissa lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband and three children.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Emile Maamary is dedicated to encouraging technology innovation to improve quality of life. He has 10 years of experience in managing financial, strategic, and operational risks to enhance enterprise value. At Blanclink, a startup developing ride-sharing software, Emile's role expanded from growth acceleration to Marketing Analytics, Public Relations, and Social Media Marketing. Emile then co-founded Steadiwear after a firsthand experience with hand tremors within his family. He decided to make it his mission to solve this issue with novel stabilization technologies inspired by earthquake design. Emile furthered his skills in Business Strategy & development, Digital Marketing & Operations while getting the business its first $1M in non-dilutive funding and revenue. Emile actively mentors and advises start-ups in the Toronto ecosystem and is passionate about tennis, football, and HIIT workouts. As a co-founder & fellow mentor, Emile views mentoring as a core value, emphasizing personal and professional growth, knowledge transfer, and community building. He firmly believes in the reciprocal benefits of mentoring and is keen to connect with start-ups in the accessibility or assistive device space.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Meb Keflezighi is a runner, best-selling author and co-founder of 26, a brand celebrating and enriching the enduring spirit of running culture. He is the only runner in history to win the New York City Marathon, the Boston Marathon, and an Olympic medal. Today, Meb is committed to helping runners become elite versions of themselves and nurturing the sport of running for the next generation.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Josh Rogosin, a distinguished audio engineer was formerly an audio engineer at NPR, Josh brings a wealth of experience and an impressive portfolio to Edutainment Learning. With a career that began in 1999, Rogosin's journey in the world of audio engineering has been nothing short of remarkable. His initial steps into NPR, on his way to mix live shows at The Shakespeare Theatre in downtown D.C., marked the start of a journey filled with innovation, creativity, and mastery in sound engineering. Rogosin's contributions to NPR have been pivotal. As the Technical Director for NPR Music, he has been instrumental in recording and mixing over 800 Tiny Desk Concerts, in addition to mastering over 300 Tiny Desk (Home) concerts. These performances have not only showcased his technical prowess but also his ability to capture the essence of live music, making it accessible and enjoyable to a global audience. His work has extended beyond the Tiny Desk series, having gathered sound in diverse locations such as Togo, Benin, Cambodia, and Greece, further highlighting his versatility and commitment to bringing rich auditory experiences to listeners. Beyond his technical achievements, Rogosin has made significant contributions to the podcasting world. He sound designed "No Compromise," a podcast that earned the prestigious Peabody Award, and contributed to "Taking Cover," a podcast currently nominated for the DuPont Award. These projects underscore his ability to enhance storytelling through sound, creating immersive and impactful listening experiences. Rogosin's previous appearance on Edutainment Learning was met with widespread acclaim, showcasing his expertise and passion for audio engineering to an eager and appreciative audience. His educational background from the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College has laid a strong foundation for his career, enabling him to excel in various roles across NPR, including serving as Senior Broadcast Engineer for New York Public Radio and Studio 360, and as an originating producer and sound designer for NPR's "Ask Me Another." His tenure at NPR has seen him at the controls for all of NPR's flagship newsmagazines, a testament to his skill and dedication to quality audio production. Rogosin's journey from engineering at NPR West and NPR NY to spending two years as Technical Director at Marketplace Productions in Los Angeles reflects a career characterized by growth, innovation, and a deep commitment to audio excellence. As we welcome Josh Rogosin back to Edutainment Learning, we anticipate another enlightening and inspiring session, drawing from his vast experience and unique insights into the world of audio engineering and sound design.

Dr. Du Hua escaped the Communism of Vietnam in June of 1981 after many attempts. He found freedom in the United States of America in September of 1982. Utilizing the freedom and opportunities of this great nation, he was able to go back to school. He started to learn English as a second language in multiple churches. He then finished his General Education and Development (GED) program, which was the first stepping-stone for him to move forward. He went on to obtain the Associate of Applied Science in Data Processing with high honor in Houston Community College in 1986. He was grateful for his new country; thus, he joined the United States Navy in September 1987. He had served multiple deployments with his Squadron VFA-86 on the United States Ship America (CV-66). Mr. Du Hua got injured in the line of duty and he was honorably discharged from the US Navy on April 30, 1993. He then had to return to college. He obtained a degree in the Associate in Arts with high honor in the Florida Community College of Jacksonville. He went on to apply and get accepted into the college of pharmacy at Nova Southeastern University. He graduated as a Doctor of Pharmacy in May of 2001. He also got certified in Nuclear Pharmacy at Purdue University in September of 2001. Doctor Hua now lives in the Fort Lauderdale area with his family.

Kevin Eastman is an American comic book writer and artist best known for co-creating the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with Peter Laird. Eastman was also formerly the editor and publisher of the magazine Heavy Metal.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

A Master Chocolatier and Senior Product Developer, Ann Czaja moved from her career in medical research to study confectionery in Switzerland – and has never looked back. Today, Ann is based in the United States and is always coming up with fresh recipes. She also speaks publicly about her love for Lindt – even working at events like the Emmys and Golden Globes. Turns out, A-listers love Lindt too.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Iona Bonney is a teacher at Pitcairn School. Pitcairn Island is the only inhabited island of the Pitcairn Islands, of which many inhabitants are descendants of mutineers of HMS Bounty. The closest airport being a 30-hour boat ride, on average, the Pitcairn Islands enjoy a tropical climate all year-round with relatively constant temperatures during most months of the year. As of January, 2020, the island has 47 permanent inhabitants and currently has 3 students.

Col. Christopher Costa, USA, (Ret), is the Executive Director of the International Spy Museum, and a 34-year veteran of the Department of Defense. Mr. Costa served as the Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism on the National Security Council (NSC). At the NSC, he was responsible for coordinating counterterrorism policy and strategy as well as U.S. hostage recovery activities. Previously, he served 25 years in the United States Army working in counterintelligence, human intelligence and with special operations forces (SOF) in Central America, Europe, and throughout the Middle East. He ran a wide range of intelligence and special operations in Panama, Bosnia, the first and second Iraq wars, and Afghanistan. Costa earned two Bronze stars for sensitive human intelligence work in Afghanistan. Later assigned to the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, he served as the first civilian squadron Deputy Director. In 2013, Costa was inducted into the United States Special Operations Commando Hall of Honor for lifetime service to US Special Operations.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Owner and operator of PhD Athletics, Ron Frazier has been an elite trainer for decades. Prior to opening his own training business, Ron was the Head Trainer at the House of Ryu Athletic Center, TapOut Training Facility, and most notably Xtreme Couture. Mr. Frazier has trained numerous legends and top fighters in the world of mixed martial arts like Vitor Belfort, Randy Couture, Forrest Griffin, Ray Sefo, Jay Hieron, Amir Sadollah, and many others.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

TJ Millard is a Filmmaker, Actor, and Pilot from Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a veteran who served in the US Army flying the AH-64 Apache helicopter, the most advanced military helicopter in the world. As a Director and Drone Operator, TJ has worked on various notable films, television shows, and commercials.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Felipe Fernández-Armesto is a historian and William P. Reynolds Chair of Arts and Letters at the University of Notre Dame. He previously held the Prince of Asturias Chair at Tufts University in Boston and was a visiting professor at several North American universities. He has been distinguished, among other awards, with the World History Association Book Prize (2007) and the Grand Cross of the Order of Alfonso X El Sabio (2016). His books include Columbus on Himself (Folio Society, 1992), Columbus (Duckworth, 1996) and Cristobal Colón (ABC, 2004).

Alvin Law is a motivational speaker and former radio broadcaster. Law was born without arms as a consequence of his mother's use of thalidomide while pregnant. His birth parents put him up for adoption, and he was raised by foster parents Hilda and Jack Law. Alvin Law learned to perform routine activities using his feet alone, including eating, dressing and grooming himself, driving, sewing, playing sports, and playing the drums, piano, and trombone. He attended regular elementary and high schools, even though, at the time, handicapped children were usually placed in institutions or special education programs.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Dr. Joseph received his MD from Tufts University. While in medical school, he published and presented several research projects. He then completed his surgical training at Harvard Medical School under Dr. Josef E Fischer and his fellowship in transplant and complex surgical oncology at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh under Regis Professor O. James Garden. He has run basic science, translational, and outcomes research labs and has served as Section Chief, Vice Chair, and Chair of Surgery as well as rising to the rank of Professor of Surgery. Dr. Joseph has earned over $20M in grant funding, presented research throughout the world, and has published numerous peer reviewed articles. He has served as a medical advisor to politicians and private equity firms during his career. Dr. Joseph is the co-founder of Summit Specialty Physicians as well as serving as Professor and Vice Chair of Surgery at Touro University Nevada.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Shauna Shapiro, PhD, is a best-selling author, clinical psychologist and internationally recognized expert in mindfulness and self-compassion. She is a professor at Santa Clara University and has published over 150 papers and three critically acclaimed books, translated into 16 languages. Dr. Shapiro has presented her research to the King of Thailand, the Danish Government, Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness Summit, and the World Council for Psychotherapy, as well as to Fortune 100 Companies including Google, Cisco Systems and LinkedIn. Her work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Oprah, NPR, and the American Psychologist. Dr. Shapiro is a summa cum laude graduate of Duke University and a Fellow of the Mind and Life Institute, co-founded by the Dalai Lama. Her TEDx Talk, The Power of Mindfulness, has been viewed over 3 million times.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

John O'Hurley is best known as “J. Peterman” on Seinfeld, the #1 syndicated television show in the world, for which he won a Screen Actor’s Guild Award. Known for playing “Billy Flynn” in over 1000 Broadway performances of Chicago, as well as touring lead in Spamalot, Pirates, Brigadoon etc, John won Dancing with the Stars, hosted Family Feud for 6 years, and has one of the most recognizable voices in VO, including as “King Neptune” on Spongebob. This year is the 33rd Anniversary of Seinfeld, also 22nd Anniversary of the NBC Dog Show (32 million viewers) which he hosts every Thanksgiving. He is a New York Times- bestselling author with three titles, including “The Perfect Dog”.Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Jerome Williams is an American former professional basketball player active in the NBA between 1996 and 2005. Williams played for the Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, and the New York Knicks. Jerome "JYD" Williams is considered one of the greatest role players to ever play for the NBA. In 2000, Jerome led the league in high rebounding percentages and was ranked 3rd overall in offensive rating. He also collected three NBA Community Awards throughout his nine year career.

Aaron Rasmussen is an entrepreneur, inventor, and game designer who has founded and led successful companies across the robotics, beverages, gaming, and education industries. Best known as the Co-founder of MasterClass and the Founder of Outlier.org, he is recognized as a pioneer in online education. As the Founder and CEO of Outlier.org, Rasmussen has built from the ground up a company that creates the world's most effective online college courses with the goal of making higher education accessible, equitable, and affordable for everyone. Outlier.org was named as one of TIME's Best Inventions of 2020 and has won numerous awards for its design and innovation. Rasmussen also co-founded MasterClass, where he served as both Creative Director and CTO, responsible for the company's aesthetic, production process, and technology. The wildly popular company has developed online courses led by renowned instructors, including Serena Williams, Gordon Ramsay, Malcolm Gladwell, and Natalie Portman, to give people the ability to unearth knowledge that they simply cannot get anywhere else. He has earned multiple awards for BlindSide, a video game he co-created, which has also been optioned for a feature film. Rasmussen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science and Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from Boston University, which he attended on a Pell Grant. He has lectured at universities including MIT, USC, Carnegie Mellon, Stanford, UCLA, and Boston University.

Guy Kawasaki is the Chief Evangelist at Canva, Former Brand Ambassador for Mercedes-Benz, and Former Chief Evangelist at Apple. Mr. Kawasaki is an innovation keynote speaker, social media expert, and the bestselling author of The Art of the Start. His entertaining and informative talks use insights from his time in the tech industry to show audiences how to create innovative services and products using tactical and practical techniques.

Westin Saito is an Educator with Pacific Historic Parks Pearl Harbor National Memorial site, home of the USS Arizona Memorial. Born and raised at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the men and women of the Greatest Generation taught Westin the values of cooperation, virtue, and honor. Igniting his passion in history he studied and graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He has over 12 years of experience working with educating Veteran groups, students, educators, and professional athletes from every corner of the world to understand the impacts of the Attack on Pearl Harbor.

Colonel Mike Mullane is an engineer and weapon systems officer, a retired USAF officer, and a former NASA astronaut. In the Air Force, he was a Weapon Systems Operator aboard RF-4C Phantom aircraft, and he completed 134 combat missions in Vietnam. During his career as an astronaut, Colonel Mullane was selected as a Mission Specialist in 1978 in the first group of Space Shuttle Astronauts. He completed three space missions aboard the Shuttles Discovery (STS-41D) and Atlantis (STS-27 & 36) before retiring from NASA and the Air Force in 1990. Additionally, Mike Mullane has authored several critically acclaimed books and videos.To learn more about Col. Mullane, visit mikemullane.com

Mike Diamond is an Author, Television Personality, Director, Life Coach and Interventionist. Known for his work on the hit TV shows NY Ink and Bondi Ink Tattoo Crew, which is currently nominated for a Logie Award for Best Reality Series. Although immensely successful in a multitude of industries, Mike has persevered through his own adversities. This helped lead him to becoming a published author. In his books, Mr. Diamond taps into his own history to offer profound insights and inspiring wisdom to his audience. This ability has attracted a large following who eagerly immerse themselves in his wisdom, embarking on a path toward self-enhancement and empowerment. In his commitment to aiding those who gravitate towards him, he has unveiled a fresh literary creation titled "A Dose of Positivity," which complements his earlier work, "7 Steps to Forge an Indomitable Mindset." In this discussion with the students, Mike will discuss the power of remaining positive during difficult times.To learn more about Mike Diamond, visit themikediamond.comDownload our free student worksheet to accompany the listening here: https://edutainmentlearning.com/past-guests/mike-diamond

Adam Jablin is a highly sought-after performance and life coach, corporate consultant, and keynote speaker. Adam has helped thousands of people over the years experience a joy for living even while under pressure or difficulty. His unique positive energy, compassion, and gift to relate to others has influenced people from all walks of life, including leaders in the fields of health, psychology, entertainment, sports, business, and politics as well as helping everyday folks fight fears to unleash their hidden Superman.Visit adamjablin.com to learn more.

Stephen Wolfram is the creator of Mathematica, Wolfram|Alpha and the Wolfram Language; the author of A New Kind of Science; the originator of the Wolfram Physics Project; and the founder and CEO of Wolfram Research. Over the course of more than four decades, he has been a pioneer in the development and application of computational thinking—and has been responsible for many discoveries, inventions and innovations in science, technology and business. Students, learn more about Stephen's high school summer research program here: https://education.wolfram.com/summer-research-high-school/

Ramy Romany is a world-renowned Egyptologist, bestselling author and an Emmy Award winning DGA director. He was born into a family of documentarians in Egypt, in fact before the age of twenty he filmed, produced, directed and was featured in over a hundred documentaries about Ancient Egypt. Storytelling is his passion and, some would say, in his blood. After leaving his home, Egypt, he moved to Los Angeles, CA where he continues his passion for storytelling. He has won nine Emmy Awards, hosted multiple archaeological based shows on discovery, travel and history channels, and directed commercials and major shows for a variety of networks such as ABC, NBC, FOX, HBO, Netflix, Peacock and Amazon.

Captain Karen Baetzel has a decorated career of 30 years in the United States Navy. As one of the Navy's most senior female Naval Aviators, Captain Baetzel is also one of the few Naval Aviators of either gender to qualify as an Aircraft Commander in fly helicopters, propellers, and jet aircraft. She has amassed an incredible 2,000 military flight hours in six aircraft types and has served her country aboard seven ships. After her Commanding Officer tour, she served as an instructor on the elite Navy Leadership Training Team for senior officers. This was followed by a very successful engagement in the corporate world before founding her own leadership development practice. Organizations such as NASA, Microsoft’s High Performers and the Departments of State and Defense, FDIC, National Corporation for National and Community Service and many others, the best and brightest partner with Karen when they want effective, sharp results. She was honored in 2015 to be named one the nation’s top 101 Leadership Speakers by New York Times Best selling author Kevin Kruse. Additionally, Karen is a plankowner member of the National Women Veterans Speakers Bureau.

Martin Cooper is an American engineer who is a pioneer in the wireless communications industry. Holding 11 patents in his field, Martin is regarded as the father of the cellular phone building the first mobile phone in 1972. His invention would go on to change the world and is widely regarded as one of the most influential inventions of the 20th Century. Beyond that, Martin was able to discover an ability to transmit different radio communications simultaneously, this was known as the Law of Spectral Efficiency, which would later be changed to Cooper's Law. Mr. Cooper has won several prestigious awards and recently published the book Cutting the Cord: The Cell Phone Has Transformed Humanity.

Daiana Hidalgo is a Global award-winning Ivy League-educated product development leader with 15+ years leading as a strategic and versatile product development and production executive. Experience in platform thinking, creating strong partnerships, balancing pragmatism with forward-thinking leadership, and maintaining a pulse on market trends. Originally hired by Tory Burch in 2005, while a startup, as one of only two people in production. Since 2006 helped led the brand’s footwear line, growing the line from 0 to over three million pairs sold annually today. Expert in outsourced, in-house product development and production with process development, systems upgrades, and PLM program prowess working with manufacturers in Asia, Italy, Spain, and Latin America. In her recent role as Senior Director of Product Development at Tory Burch LLC, she plays an instrumental role in elevating the product development process. Sets and achieves ambitious growth strategies while assembling and nurturing high-performing teams. Proficiency in driving product strategy, promoting cross-functional collaboration, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, on-time products are hallmarks of her skillset. Her communication acumen is an asset as she engages effectively with stakeholders, facilitating operational improvements that drive success. Daiana is a subject matter expert in entrepreneurship and continues to provide consulting services to startups and mentorship for High School Students. She is open to speaking on Women, entrepreneurship, DEI, product and business development, fashion and the Latino/a community. Daiana is based in New York City and is active with the Latino/a community. She continues to be a business advocate and women empowerment role model for the students she mentors. Daiana will be speaking about navigating business at a startup company.