Virtual School Assembly
150 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 5 ratingsVirtual School Assembly brings the assembly to you! These assemblies are created to inspire, entertain, and educate students learning from school or from home. Host and productivity speaker Tyler Christensen interviews Hollywood celebrities, professional athletes, Olympians, motivational speakers, and educators on issues and topics that are relevant, timely, and that matter to students.
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Episodes
150 Tyler Christensen - 5 Lessons Learned during the Pandemic
June 09, 2021 09:00 - 25 minutes - 8.32 MBTyler Christensen is a 3x TEDx speaker, a teacher, an ultramarathon runner and the host of Virtual School Assembly. In this episode he shares the five greatest lessons he’s learned over the last 15 months (during the COVID 19 pandemic) and does a Q&A session about the show.
149 Josh Perry - When bad things happen Resilience, Gratitude, and Life-long learning
June 08, 2021 09:00 - 24 minutes - 8.14 MBJosh Perry is a former professional BMX athlete, motivational speaker, certified holistic health coach, and multiple brain tumor survivor. In this episode he shares how a sports injury led to the discovery of brain tumors.
148 Courtney Roselle - Body Positivity with Titan Games finalist
June 07, 2021 16:00 - 15 minutes - 5.68 MBCourtney Roselle is a motivational speaker, a fitness model, a strength and conditioning coach, and a cross fit athlete. She recently competed on NBC’s The Titan Games, where she was the East Coast champion. In this episode she talks about body positivity and how she got past people telling her she had the wrong body and became a model AND an elite athlete.
147 Rashard Fant - Handling Adversity
June 05, 2021 16:00 - 28 minutes - 9.32 MBRashard Fant is a corner back in the NFL. In this episode he shares his journey to the NFL, how he excelled at sports despite several disadvantages, and how he continues to excel in an uncertain world.
146 Keith Lightfoot - Unlock the Learning
June 04, 2021 09:00 - 30 minutes - 9.95 MBKeith Lightfoot is an author, speaker, songwriter, and teacher. In this episode he shares the idea of Unlocking the Learning as he goes through his own life and opportunities he’s had for learning.
145 Dialleo Burks - Developing a Winners mentality
June 03, 2021 09:00 - 16 minutes - 5.93 MBDialleo Burks is a former professional football player (NFL, XFL, NFL Europe, Arena League) and a current teacher and football coach. In this episode Dialleo shares his path to the NFL and other football leagues as well as his experience coaching football.
144 Kirsten Carter - Finding your Passion and Purpose in a career or business
June 02, 2021 16:00 - 28 minutes - 9.14 MBKirsten Carter is a life coach that helps millennials and gen-z find their passion. In this episode she talks about “the purposed journey” and how students can find their purpose and passion. She also shares the realities (the good and the bad) of being an entrepreneur.
143 Drake Callender - My journey to becoming a professional athlete
June 01, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutes - 10.4 MBDrake Callender is a professional soccer player for Intermiami CF, a new MLS franchise. In this episode he shares his journey to the pros, the challenges of being an athlete during COVID, and gives advice to students interested in pursuing a career as a professional athlete.
142 Justin Mott - Being Creative
May 31, 2021 09:00 - 11 minutes - 4.44 MBJustin Mott is a video production artist, reporter, and photographer. In this episode he talks about being creative and shares how he has pursued his passion projects on the side while maintaining a creative job.
141 Allie Rivera - Being Proactive and Finding Inspiration in unlikely places
May 30, 2021 16:00 - 35 minutes - 11.2 MBAllie Rivera is an actress and a producer, performing everywhere from Nickelodeon to Horror films. In this episode she shares her journey to Hollywood, including a crazy experience from college where she faced blatant discrimination. She also shares how she’s dealt with rejection, built confidence, and branched out into producing.
140 Dominic Pace - Childhood dreams and Hollywood with the Mandalorian’s Gekko the Bounty Hunter
May 29, 2021 09:00 - 14 minutes - 5.37 MBDominic Pac is a character actor best known for his role as Gekko the bounty hunter in Disney’s The Mandalorian. In this episode he shares his journey to Hollywood, his experience living one of his childhood dreams as he’s been part of the Star Wars universe, and how kids can find acting opportunities in their own communities right now.
139 Suzi Dent - Positivity and Finding your True Passion
May 28, 2021 09:00 - 28 minutes - 9.2 MBSuzi Dent is a hair, makeup, and special effects artist in film and television. In this episode she shares a message of positivity and finding your true passion.
138 Brian Kurtis - Becoming an actor and working in Hollywood
May 27, 2021 16:00 - 20 minutes - 6.87 MBBrian Kurtis is an actor on television, in movies, and on the stage. In this episode he shares his journey into acting as well as the highs and lows of working in Hollywood.
137 Kyle Auffray - HARD WORK helped NFL tight end transition to the business world
May 26, 2021 16:00 - 29 minutes - 9.56 MBKyle Auffray is the VP of sales for Gamebreaker and a former NFL tight end. In this episode he shares how the work ethic that he developed as an elite athlete has translated over to the business arena. She talks about the highs and lows of competing in the NFL, switching positions, business, and creating a personal brand.
136 Bob Abernethy - Conquering the Fear of Public Speaking
May 25, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutes - 10.3 MBBob Abernethy is the president and co-founder of Yosemite Analytics. In this episode he shares how to overcome the fear of speaking in public. He talks about his book “Loving your Audience”, how non-speakers can approach speaking, and how to find opportunities to speak if you enjoy speaking.
135 Mandell Frazier - Faith, Fitness and Focus
May 24, 2021 09:00 - 33 minutes - 10.6 MBMandell Frazier is a Hollywood actor with roles in Tyler Perry’s “If Loving is Wrong,” CBS’s “The Young and the Restless,” and the action series “NCIS: Los Angeles.” In this episode he shares about his childhood in Detroit, his involvement in the church, and his journey to Hollywood. He also has an incredible fitness journey and great advice for kids looking to get into acting.
134 Uchenna Umeh - Bullying and Suicide with Dr. Lulu
May 23, 2021 09:00 - 27 minutes - 8.92 MBUchenna Umeh (Dr. Lulu) is a pediatrician, author, speaker, and youth suicide activist. In this episode she shares her experience with suicide, bullying, and racism.
133 Grace Dafoe - How a mediocre figure skater ended up on Canada's National Skeleton Team
May 22, 2021 09:00 - 22 minutes - 7.67 MBGrace Dafoe is a Canadian national team skeleton athlete. In this episode she walks us through her journey to making the national skeleton team, the ins-and-outs of being an elite athlete, and how to chase your dreams even as you get older.
132 Sadia Carone - Becoming a writer
May 21, 2021 09:00 - 20 minutes - 7.03 MBSadia Carone is a writer, an actress, and a member of Mensa. In this episode she talks about what it takes to be a writer.
131 Milan Ristic - From Serbia to the United States to the Rio Olympics
May 20, 2021 13:19 - 36 minutes - 11.5 MBMilan Ristić is a Serbian hurdler, national team member, and coach. In this episode he shares details of his childhood in Serbia, moving to the U.S. for college, and joining the Serbian national team and competing at the Rio Olympics.
130 Jeff Platt - Investigate the World
April 06, 2021 03:25 - 24 minutes - 8.11 MBJeff Platt is an award-winning TV news reporter in California. In this episode he shares his journey into journalism and reporting, talks about the benefits of working in smaller markets, and gives great advice on how to be curious, ask critical questions, get real world experience and solve problems.
129 Jeremy Wolf - More than Baseball
April 06, 2021 03:22 - 33 minutes - 10.6 MBJeremy Wolf is the Executive Director of More Than Baseball, a former minor league baseball player, and an Olympian. In this episode we talk about baseball as America’s past time, Jeremy’s journey through the minor leagues and making the Olympic team, and what he’s doing with More than Baseball to promote and support the game.
128 Hira Ali - Networking and book publishing
April 06, 2021 03:18 - 19 minutes - 6.65 MBHira Ali is a career coach and trainer, the CEO of Advancing Your Potential, Managing Director of International Women Empowerment Events, and a co-Founder of Career Excel and The Grey Area. In this episode she shares her journey in entrepreneurship, how she wrote and launched her first book, and how she networks to provide real value.
127 Anjelika Reznik - Rhythmic Gymnastics and the challenges of being a student athlete
April 06, 2021 03:15 - 16 minutes - 5.87 MBAnjelika Reznik is an Olympian, competing in rhythmic gymnastics in the London 2012 games. In this episode she explains the differences between different types of competition gymnastics, what she does to train and balance sport with school, and how to be a good team member.
126 Matt Holmes - Creating a Digital Brand
April 06, 2021 03:11 - 15 minutes - 5.63 MBMatt “Handshaking” Holmes is a world record holder, marketer, and founder of Handshaking.com. In this episode he shares his journey into entrepreneurship, the pros and cons of living a digital nomad lifestyle, and some of the basics of creating a personal brand.
125 Ronnie Gray - Chasing your dreams when life doesn’t go as planned
April 06, 2021 03:08 - 34 minutes - 10.9 MBRonnie Gray is a professional basketball player and filmmaker. In this episode he shares his improbable journey from being cut from his high school basketball team to playing in college and professionally. He shares how he created the documentary Underrated and gives advice for how to be more unified during this politically charged and uncertain time.
124 Gregory Griffith - Activate or Stagnate
April 06, 2021 03:04 - 42 minutes - 13.4 MBGregory Griffith is a teacher, coach, author, entrepreneur, and entertainer. In this episode he shares his journey into entrepreneurship, writing a book, and starting an entertainment business. He gives tons of advice for improving productivity and becoming a life-long learner.
123 Rachel Breton - Mental Toughness and life-long learning
April 06, 2021 03:01 - 23 minutes - 7.76 MBRachel Breton is a sports psychologist and a former professional soccer player. In this episode she talks about mental toughness. She shares how she’s dealt with setbacks, works with others, life-long learning, and how she’s established productive routines in her life.
122 Brent Valle - Business, Finding Yourself, and Doing some Good
April 06, 2021 02:57 - 26 minutes - 8.74 MBBrent Valle is an entrepreneur, speaker, mentor, adventurer, and dad. In this episode he shares his journey in business, as well as her personal journey in meeting his birth parents and discovering his heritage. He shares some of the many philanthropies he has created and how he’s putting good back into the world.
121 Brad Kohler - MMA champion to homeless to business owner
April 06, 2021 02:53 - 41 minutes - 13.1 MBBrad Kohler is a three-time MMA world champion, two-time UFC fighter, and the inventor of the Combohitter. In this episode he shares his experience of being on top of the world as a fighter, to falling to homelessness, and how he rebounded to become a successful inventor, author, and business owner.
120 Dee Borgoyn - Being you and showing compassion
April 06, 2021 02:27 - 29 minutes - 9.57 MBDee Borgoyn is a trainer, speaker, and author. In this episode she shares a message of being authentically you and showing compassion. She shares her own experiences learning and growing with “not just” one hand and reminds us that “compassion is an action word.”
119 Jason Stuart - Coming Out In Hollywood and Making It To The Middle
April 06, 2021 02:24 - 31 minutes - 10.2 MBJason Stuart is a prolific character actor. In this episode he shares the ups and downs of working in Hollywood, finding success as a comedian, and why he wrote a book about coming out in Hollywood.
118 Cortney Hicks - The ups and downs in life as a media personality
April 06, 2021 02:21 - 26 minutes - 8.68 MBCortney Hicks is a morning news anchor. In this episode she shares the ups and down of being a media personality, her transition from radio to news, how she’s learned about other cultures, and how she’s been able to learn and grow in her profession.
117 Daniel Lawson Jr - Hollywood after retirement
April 06, 2021 02:17 - 15 minutes - 5.44 MBDaniel Lawson Jr. got into Hollywood AFTER retirement from his job as a purchasing agent. In this episode we talk about his journey in the performing arts, getting into Hollywood later in life, and all the lessons he’s learned along the way.
116 Natasha Ball Dunson - You ARE a leader
April 06, 2021 02:14 - 15 minutes - 5.64 MBDr. Natasha Ball Dunson is an assistant principal and has over 18 years experience in education. In this episode she shares how students can be a leader and cites examples from leaders she has met in her own life.
115 Celestia Barby - From Substance Abuse to Business Owner, Model, and Author
April 06, 2021 02:11 - 1 hour - 20.7 MBCelestia Barby is a confidence life coach, a speaker, entrepreneur, model, and author. In this episode she share her journey from a childhood of addiction and substance abuse to how she ended up as a successful model, author, coach, and business owner.
114 LaBelle Nambangi - Dusting off the Labels
April 06, 2021 02:08 - 19 minutes - 6.69 MBLaBelle Nambangi is a woman’s empowerment speaker, an author, and a college readiness coach. In this episode she discusses the labels teachers put on her as a child because she is a girl, her move from Cameroon Africa to the United States and becoming an author. She also talks about dusting off the labels and finding success despite the stereotypes and discrimination others may use against you.
113 Marcos Mateo Ochoa - Failing Successfully
April 06, 2021 02:05 - 27 minutes - 9.1 MBMarcos Mateo Ochoa is an actor in film and television. In this episode he discusses the inevitability of failure and the role of failure in attaining success. We dig into his background as an actor, geek out on improvement in any area, and even discuss strategies in preparing and learning from auditions and interviews.
112 Dan Devone - Growing through tough times
April 06, 2021 02:01 - 20 minutes - 6.96 MBDan Devone is a five-time Emmy Award winning sportscaster and sports talk radio personality. In this episode he shares how challenges he faced in his early career built his character and helped him know himself. He challenges youth going through the pandemic to identify who they are as a person so they can become stronger and do more.
111 Anthony Trucks - Embracing the Suck
April 06, 2021 01:58 - 16 minutes - 5.93 MBAnthony Trucks is a former NFL linebacker and American Ninja Warrior. He now speaks, coaches, and hosts the Aww Shift podcast. In this episode he shares his story of growing up in the foster care system, having success in football, but needing to make shifts in his life when things went wrong.
110 Leontyne Anglin - Getting Involved with Youth Volunteerism
April 05, 2021 16:22 - 36 minutes - 11.6 MBLeontyne Anglin is a former corporate executive turned media consultant. In this episode she shares her journey into volunteerism and shares ideas for how students can start volunteering in their communities.
109 Natalie Shugars - Achieving My Milestone Moment Overcoming Adversity
April 05, 2021 16:20 - 25 minutes - 8.37 MBNatalie Shugars is an actress, singer, Maxim magazine model, and creator of the show N’at Around Town. In this episode she shares the story of her upbringing, including the bullying that forced her to miss her “milestone moment”, her journey into the entertainment industry, and coming back home to Pittsburgh where she was able to realize that milestone moment.
108 Kyle Wilz - Stepping into Entrepreneurship
April 05, 2021 16:17 - 29 minutes - 9.66 MBKyle Wilz is an entrepreneur, speaker, and business coach. In this episode he talks about how he stepped into entrepreneurship, what he has done to network and create meaningful relationships, and how he has found success in business.
107 Anne-Michael Smith - Asking for help and Signing to Help
April 05, 2021 16:15 - 20 minutes - 6.97 MBAnne-Michael Smith is an actress, writer, and new mom. In this episode she shares part of her road to acting and how she’s found success on television. We also talk about asking for help and the value sign language brings in communicating with and serving others in under-served populations.
106 Ken Holmes - Hollywood during COVID
April 05, 2021 16:11 - 18 minutes - 6.31 MBKen Holmes is an actor, writer, and producer based out of New York. In this episode he shares his journey into Hollywood, from his days tape recording himself as a child, to his early stage productions, to a super busy 2020 with dozens of film and television credits despite covid.
105 Israel Mendoza - Improving yourself and your relationships during COVID
April 05, 2021 16:09 - 19 minutes - 6.72 MBIsrael Mendoza is a marriage and family therapist and a doctoral student in counseling psychology. In this episode he shares ideas for how to stay connected, stay positive, and improve relationships during COVID.
104 Rose Wetzel - Becoming a professional runner and American Ninja Warrior
April 05, 2021 16:06 - 35 minutes - 11.4 MBRose Wetzel is an American Ninja Warrior finalist and professional obstacle course racer. In this episode she talks about growing up in a large family, going across the country for college, and becoming a professional athlete in her 30s. She also recaps her experience with American Ninja Warrior and gives some great advice on setting goals.
103 Penelope Lagos - Becoming a Published Author with actress
April 05, 2021 16:03 - 22 minutes - 7.5 MBPenelope Lagos is an actress, model, and children’s book author. In this episode she walks us through her journey to becoming a writer, and share tips on writing in the children’s book niche. She also shares how she has used her own life experiences as inspiration for her stories and how she looks to solve problems for kids.
102 Mike Provenzano - You Can Do Whatever you want no matter your starting point
April 05, 2021 16:01 - 27 minutes - 9.02 MBMike Provenzano overcame a rough childhood as a foster child to become a successful professional. Then, in his late 40s he decided to give modeling and acting a try and he’s now a working actor, director, and producer. In this episode we go through his journey and talk about his new web series “Quarantine Island” and film festivals “From a Distance film festival” and “Stars Festival.”
101 Rory Jennings - The life of a professional rugby player
April 05, 2021 15:58 - 21 minutes - 7.3 MBRory Jennings is a professional rugby player. In this episode he walks you through a day in the life of a professional rugby player, starting with his story of growing up in the sport and following that with a typical training day, the highs and lows of competing at the highest level, and advice for kids considering a career in professional rugby.