Meeting and exceeding goals requires effort and perseverance. Obstacles and setbacks are unavoidable, and what counts most is the seriousness with which you resolve to overcome such failures. Listen here as Brandon Puffer shares how he recovered after hitting rock bottom and how he reminds others that redemption is possible.…
In this episode of The Tragedy Academy Podcast, host Jay sits down with Jodie Shihadeh, an entertainment attorney who shares her journey in helping artists navigate the music industry. Jodie discusses her passion for working with creators, addressing industry issues, and activism throughout her life. 🎙️ Join them as they…
"From Raves to Riches: How Jon Grauman Went from Promoting Raves to Selling Luxury Real Estate" In this episode 🎙️ of the Tragedy Academy podcast 🎧, listeners are treated to an inspiring conversation with Jon Grauman 🎤, a former rave promoter turned real estate mogul. Jon shares his incredible journey…
Summary On the show this week is tattoo artist and actor, Sam Suarez, a.k.a High Noon. A star of Tattoo Nightmares Miami, Sam offers a unique insider perspective into the art of tattooing, as well as how he has translated that experience into acting. Plenty of bad tattoos are discussed,…
Welcome to episode 78 of the Tragedy Academy, where we explore the stories of those who have overcome great struggles and come out on top. This week, Jay sits down with Susan Gold, a woman who has turned her own personal tragedy into a successful career as a producer and…
We are limited from achieving our highest potential by the fears we have developed due to our past experiences. We're not supposed to judge, and we're not supposed to judge our experiences; instead, we should take what we've learned and move on. Tune in as Birgitta Visser discusses how she…
On this week's "Detention" episode, Jay & Gary, our favorite delinquents, have brought up some seriously "heavy-hitting" topics. They were supposed to have Jay as a guest. Instead, things turned unexpected when Gary told a hilarious story about an attempt to put a bear in the UFC locker room courtesy…
The Techniques, Experiences, and Stories of Kelvin Gastelum as a Professional in Mixed Martial Arts in the UFC. Are you a fighter? Are you interested in martial arts? In today's episode, Gary and Jay welcome a well-known professional mixed martial arts artist, Kelvin Gastelum. Please tune in to The Tragedy…
Living the life we want requires walking on a rocky path. But with different tools, religion, and spirituality, we can make it through and attain an enjoyable life. Tune in as Amrit Singh discusses how he reaches his goal of living his pleasant life with yoga and how spirituality can…
🎙️In this episode of The Tragedy Academy Podcast, host Jay Hicks sits down with Joseph Grable, a talented filmmaker, actor, and podcast host who shares his story of tragedy and triumph. In this inspiring conversation, they discuss overcoming adversity, the importance of mental health awareness, and how to find happiness…
Summary This week Jay welcomes actress Olivia Blair to the podcast. Today, Olivia pursues her passions of acting and film, however she hasn't always been able to live as her authentic self. Olivia first began to struggle with body dysmorphia in high school, when the pressures of media encouraged her…
Join Jay & Gary on the latest episode of The Tragedy Academy podcast as they explore the journey of finding authenticity and starting a successful podcast. In this candid conversation, Jay reflects on his past as a self-centered and narcissistic person and how he has learned to value different things…
In this episode of the Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes Dan Lambert, owner of American Top Team, the legendary MMA gym. Dan grew American Top Team from an amateur MMA gym, doing it only for the love of the game, to one of the country's top professional sports gyms. He unknowingly…
Everyone, at some point in life, will be brought down to their knees because of pain and suffering, no matter how much they endure it. But it’s not the end; that moment can be the time for your life to change. Tune in as Deborah Driggs discusses how she overcame…
In this episode of The Tragedy Academy Podcast 🎧, Jay Hicks and Gary DeFranco sit down with Cam F. Awesome 😎, a former heavyweight boxing champion 🥊 and comedian 🎤 who shares his story of embracing adversity with humor 😂. In this episode, he shares his unique perspective on life…
In this special nighttime detention episode of the Tragedy Academy Podcast, host Jay and co-host Gary welcome special guest Pearl Gonzalez, a professional boxer and MMA fighter known for her power in combat sports. Pearl is a rising star in the fighting world, and she's here to talk about her…
"Exploring Mentalism, Martial Arts, and Self-Discovery with Jon Pritchard" On this episode of The Tragedy Academy Podcast, hosts Jay Hicks and Gary DeFranco are joined by special guest Jon Pritchard, a professional mentalist, 🥋martial artist, author, and coach. Jon shares his journey of self-discovery and how he has balanced his…
Finding Hope in Tragedy with Audrey Hope In this episode of The Tragedy Academy Podcast, hosts Jay Hicks and Gary DeFranco sit down with Audrey Hope, a healer and addiction specialist with over 20 years of experience. Together, they explore the power of hope in the face of tragedy and…
In this episode of The Tragedy Academy podcast, host Jay Hicks interviews Anthony Hyland, the focus of the new docu-series "Clout." The series details Hyland's personal struggle to clear his name after false allegations of sexual assault were made against him. The episodes provide a raw and emotional examination of…
From Detainment to Domination: The Incredible Story of Surviving 14 Days in Beijing prison In this episode, we chat with Chancellor Jackson, an author, coach, and entrepreneur who shares his harrowing experience of being arrested and detained in Beijing for 14 days. Join us as we discuss his journey, his…
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…
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…
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…
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…