Episodes
Special Guest: Michael Anthony - Think Unbroken
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, psychologis...
Just Be Kind - Living Unapologetically as a Queer Muslim with Amir Yass
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 di...
Exploring the Unknown: A Conversation on Astrophotography and Deep Space with Damien Boath
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 discov...
Finding Self-Discovery Through Art and Superheroes with Christian Valera
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...
Special Guest: Dee McB - Compassion Fatigue
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 an...
Navigating the Grief of Losing Both Parents with Aliza Sherman
thetragedyacademy.com 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 compan...
Special Guest: Max Lemberger - The Greek Chorus
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 ha...
Special Guest: Alexandra Pacheco - Life’s Ladder
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 sta...
Overcoming Adversity Through Butterfly Words: A Conversation with Zelda Black
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 t...
Special Guest: Rachel Macdonald - Supposed to Suffer
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 ...
Special Guest: Edison Jakupi - Questionable Behavior
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 t...
Special Guest: Kirk Nurmi - Greatness Unchained
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 fulfil...
Special Guest: Mirko Castagna - Just Keep Trying
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...
Janet Conroy-Quirk: National Plus Guide
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 ...
”F#@k It: Why Not Me?” - A Journey of Perseverance with Ryan Cooper
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 be...
From Sheltered Child to Queer Host: The Inspiring Story of Jaymes The Face Anthony
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 ge...
Overcoming Obstacles and Self-Discovery as a Single Father: A Conversation with Kent Lawlor
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...
The Power of Vulnerability: Zain of Aftersound Gets Real About Making Music
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 c...
Special Guest: Hernando Del Castillo - I Am Just Gaying
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 o...
Special Guest: Gary DeFranco - Diversity - Part 2
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 dev...
Special Guest: Gary DeFranco - Diversity - Part 1
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 develo...
Special Guest: Freda Jing - Tenacity
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...
Special Guest: Jennifer Menendez - The Yellow Rose
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 u...
Special Guest: Andrew Nethery - ”BURY US!” A PUNK ROCK UPRISING
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...