Episodes

In this episode of the Tragedy Academy, Jay brings trauma survivor and life coach, Michael Unbroken, on to the show. Michael is the host of his own podcast, “Think Unbroken”, where he invites experts, researchers, psychologists, and therapists to discuss healing from trauma and childhood PTSD. Michael himself is no stranger to this healing process. Growing up with two abusive parents, Michael was trapped in a nightmare familiar to many of his listeners. Having overcome his past to choose a brigh...

Summary

In this episode of the Tragedy Academy, we sit down with Amir Yass, digital creator, and LGBTQ activist. As a queer Muslim man, Amir has faced discrimination from all sides - even from other LGBTQ individuals. This discrimination inspired him to affect change and begin a series of panels that address biases within the queer community. As host of "The Take On" podcast, Amir continues his work tackling the big topics while interviewing some of Bravo TV's brightest stars. Today, Amir lives...

Summary:

Welcome back to another episode of The Tragedy Academy; today, Jay meets Australian native Damien Boath. Damien shares with us his fascination for deep space and his love for pondering the unknown. Through his discovery of astrophotography, Damien can get a tiny glimpse of what is out there waiting for us to explore!

Key Points:

🇦🇺 Asking an Aussie

🍊 Florida’s weird reputation

🌌 Astrophotography

❤️‍🔥 Discovering the passion for Astrophotography

👩‍🚀 Envisioning exploring space

Ep...

Summary: In this episode of The Tragedy Academy, we meet Christian Valera. Christian runs a YouTube channel where he dives deep into the Marvel and DC universe and details each superhero. Christian used art and superheroes to escape his reality, which later blossomed into a love for film and creating. His story is one of self-exploration and self-discovery; through years of being raised by movies, he takes a peek into the outside world and experiences the endless possibilities it holds.

Key Poi...

Summary:

This week on The Tragedy Academy, Jay invites Dee McB. Dee is a zookeeper and lover of all animals, and in this episode, we get into compassion fatigue and growing up with ADHD. Dee educates us on animal behaviors and touches on how her nurturing personality contributes to compassion burnout.

Key Points:

😪 Compassion fatigue

💨 ADHD

❤️ Nurturing

🦧 The difference between the four great apes

🐒 Howling monkeys and Macaques

🐈 Interacting with animals as with humans

⚱️ Death

🦇 Bats
...

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Summary:

In this installment of the Tragedy, Academy Jay welcomes Aliza Sherman to the show. Aliza is an author, entrepreneur, and web pioneer. She has written 12 books and co-founded Ellementa, a company dedicated to educating women on the use of cannabis for wellness. In this episode, Aliza shares the most critical turning point in her life – the passing of both her parents. She unveils the grief behind death, that although we are aware of it, we are not prepared. Aliza ...

In this episode of The Tragedy Academy, we meet runway model and actor Max Eric Lemberger. Max's journey into acting and the fashion industry came later in life but with double the intensity. He is a true testament to time having no boundaries and an inspiration to those who have a dream to chase but think it's too late for them.

Key Points:

💪 Acting at 69

🏡 Becoming an at-home dad

🔍 Getting discovered by being seen

⛹️ Multisport athlete

🤩 Breaking into the fashion industry

🚫 Being a part...

The Tragedy Academy
Summary:

In this episode of the Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes gymnast turned firefighter Alex Pacheco. Alex shares her journey battling with body dysmorphia on top of a slew of other medical conditions starting from a young age. Her story is a testament to what can happen when you fight for what's right no matter how much you're hurting inside.

Key Points:

🪙 Shifting social currencies

💃 Getting into dance

⚕️ Medical diagnosis

🤘 Learning ASL

👩‍🚒 Pursuing firefighting

🥺...

Join us for another episode of The Tragedy Academy, where host Jay speaks with author and poet Zelda Black about her latest book, Butterfly Words. In this episode, Zelda shares her inspiring journey of growing up in a rural town surrounded by racism and prejudice and how she found solace in poetry. We discuss the importance of mental health, diversity, authenticity, and holding space for yourself and others.

Are you ready to be inspired? In this week's episode, we sit with Zelda Black, a creati...

Summary: On The Tragedy Academy; this week, we welcome Rachel McDonald to discuss her experience living with Endometriosis, a rarely diagnosed disorder targeting only women. Rachel walks us through her painstaking journey of getting diagnosed, the battle to get a prescription, and the hurdles she had to jump through to get a Hysterectomy.

Key Points:

⚕️ Endometriosis

🏃‍♀️ Getting through everyday life

🤛 Battle to get a prescription

😰 Fear of missing out

👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 Sex life having Endometrios...

Ep 102: Edison Jakupi - Questionable Behavior

Summary:

On this installment of The Tragedy Academy, Jay is joined by actor, model, and podcaster Edison Jakupi. Edison is the host of Questionable Behavior, a podcast committed to helping creators elevate their careers and sharing their journey. In this episode, Edison invites us into his world of warfare and diligence. As a Kosovo refugee, Edison details a life of struggle. Now being on the other side of it, he's learned gratitude and developed a...

Summary:

In today's episode of The Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes actor, author, and former attorney Kirk Nurmi. Kirk has written numerous books on topics from the famous trial of Jodi Arias To pursuing a purposeful and fulfilled life by defending your greatness. Learn how he has taken on this treacherous journey of unfulfillment and feeling strayed from his Passion. Join us as he shares his moment of enlightenment and the transition of finally deciding to be happy!

Key Points:

🤩 Finding your ...

Summary:

In this episode of the Tragedy Academy, we welcome Mirko Castagna to the show. Mirko is a recovering nicotine addict; he was a smoker for over 20 years, starting at 14. He shares his battle with addiction and details the most challenging parts of his journey and how that affected his mental health. With a new perspective, Mirko shares what it looks like for a person who restarts their lives at 33.

Key Points:

🧠 Reeducating the brain

🚬 Discovering why you started smoking

🧘🏿‍♀️ Exper...

Summary:

On this installment of the Tragedy Academy, writer, actor, and speaker Janet Conroy Quirk is in the studio. Janet is an advocate for the plus-sized community and is co-founder of National Plus Size, a directory that connects people with plus-friendly businesses. In this episode, we dig into the stereotypes surrounding plus-sized people and break antiquated ideology by providing real-world experiences, perspectives, and solutions!

Key Points:

🍎 Diet culture

🧐 Believing the stereotype...

In this episode of The Tragedy Academy Podcast, host Jay Hicks sits down with entrepreneur and author Ryan Cooper as he shares his inspiring story of overcoming adversity. Despite growing up with a bipolar mother and later being diagnosed with the same mental illness, Ryan persevered to become the successful entrepreneur and author he is today. He talks about his book, "Fuck It: Why Not Me," and the legacy he's striving to leave behind. Listeners will be moved by Ryan's resilience and perseveran...

Summary:

In today's episode of The Tragedy Academy, Jay speaks to Jaymes, The Face Anthony. Jaymes hosts the YouTube show Jaymes Kickback, where he interviews celebrities, influencers, and artists to showcase their art and get to know them personally. Jaymes brings us on his self-discovery path and how he went from a sheltered child to living his most authentic life.

Key Points:

🎬 Origins of Jaymes kickback

🧐 Discovering yourself through the pandemic

🌪 Pivotal moments that led to Jaymes Kic...

In this episode of The Tragedy Academy Podcast, host Jay Hicks sits down with Kent Lawlor, an author, schoolteacher, and single father of three children. Kent shares his journey of parenting, mental health struggles, and self-discovery, highlighting the importance of challenging yourself and wearing your scars with pride. Listeners will gain insights on how to approach parenting in the internet age, the significance of tone in communication, and how to overcome obstacles and reach your full pote...

Summary:

In today's episode of The Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes singer, songwriter, musician, and producer Zain of Aftersound. Zain gives us a peek into the mind of a musician and shares his perspective behind the music he creates. We learn of the possibilities that lie behind your hesitation and the rewards that come with it.

Key Points:

🎙Podcast: Coffee with Aftersound

🎵 What is music?

📱 Good vs. bad parts of social media

😔 Why do sad songs resonate with you?

😎 Summer Nights

🎤 Discove...

Summary: In today's episodes of The Tragedy Academy, Jay invites the host of the podcast I Am Just Gaying, Hernando Del Castillo. Hernando brings us along to his journey of reflection, awareness, and metamorphosis. We learn of the societal pressure he experienced as a gay Columbian man and the hurdles he jumped through to become his whole authentic self finally.

Key Points:

📢 Coming to a point in life where you become unfiltered

😞 Dealing with unsupportive family and friends

👩‍👦‍👦 Begins rai...

Summary

This week's episode is part 2 of 2 that features a conversation between host Jay and special guest Gary DeFranco. Gary is the executive producer of The Ultimate Fighter and the creative behind Max Glow MMA and the developing concept of Not Uranus. He and Jay talk about creative ventures, COVID-19, Diversity, and much more!

Key Points:

🌎 Diversity

🤕 Mental Health

🥋 TUF, the pandemic, and training

🤼‍♀️ MAX Glow MMA

👽 Not Uranus

💪🏽 Worklife balance

👩🏻‍💻 Collaboration & Innovation

...

Summary:

Today’s episode is part 1 of 2 that features a conversation between host Jay and special guest Gary DeFranco. Gary is the executive producer of The Ultimate Fighter and the creative behind Max Glow MMA and the developing concept of Not Uranus. He and Jay talk about creative ventures, COVID-19, Diversity, and much more!

Key Points:

🌎 Diversity

🤕 Mental Health

🥋 TUF, the pandemic, and training

🤼‍♀️ MAX Glow MMA

👽 Not Uranus

💪🏽 Worklife balance

👩🏻‍💻 Collaboration & Innovation

👨‍🎨...

Summary:


In today’s episodes of The Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes Freda Jing, or as she has coined herself, a Hexagon threat. Freda courageously takes us on her journey of overcoming seven years of clinical depression and how she could heal from that through discovering self-acceptance.


Key Points:


😔 Conquering seven years of depression


🩺 Getting diagnosed


❤️ Finding self-acceptance


🎓 The broken education system


😥 Body Dysmorphia


🙅🏻‍♀️ Rejection from universities


💊 Pha...

Summary:

In this installment of The Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes long-time friend Jennifer Menendez. Jennifer wears her heart on her sleeve and lets us in on the journey of her mother's cancer diagnosis. She illustrates to us the incredible life lessons learned through the lens of a grieving daughter.

Key Points:

🎀 Breast cancer diagnosis

🚶🏾‍♀️ Stepping away from the victim mentality

👏🏼 Helping others

💐 The Yellow rose

📝 Writing as an escape

✊🏼 Survivor of abuse

🤝 Finding help

🧏🏽‍♂️ A...

Summary:

On this episode of The Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes documentary filmmaker Andrew Nethery. His new documentary, Bury Us! A Punk Rock Uprising is a film about the Basque punk rock scene. Andrew discusses the harrowing parts of the film shedding light on a sliver of what Basque people have endured since the 70s.

Key Points:

🎸 Bury Us! A Punk Rock Uprising

🗺 Where is Basque, and what does it mean?

😳 Moments that stuck out in the documentary

😱 The lousy side of freedom of speech

🎭 Fa...