Handling It Podcast

This week Olympic Gold Medalist Jordyn Wieber joins the podcast to chat with me about her time competing in the 2012 Summer Olympics for Team USA and why she decided to make the move to coaching gymnastics. Jordyn is currently head coach for the Arkansas Razorbacks Gymnastics Team and also serves as an advocate for victims of sexual abuse.

View Jordyn’s TED Talk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B_Li9wjyn4

Follow Jordyn’s Journey:

Instagram: @jordyn_wieber

Twitter: @jordyn_wieber

In need of some laughter? Comedian Mia Jackson joins us this week to discuss her career as a comic and how she’s been handling virtual stand-ups during quarantine.

Follow Mia’s Journey:

Instagram: @miacomedy

Check out Mia’s Stand-Up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu0bbg09mrI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuWn_aEPCgs&t=214s

This week we’re joined by New York Times Bestselling author Amanda Eyre Ward, who will be discussing the success of her recent novel, THE JETSETTERS, and her newest book release, THE SOBER LUSH, which she co-authored with writer Jardine Libaire. If you’ve ever wanted to pursue a career as a writer or author, then this is the conversation that you need to hear today.

Follow Amanda’s Journey:

Instagram: @amandaeyreward

Check Out Amanda’s Work:

The Jetsetters https://www.amandaward.com/the-jetsetters

The Sober Lush https://www.amandaward.com/the-sober-lush

Owner and founder of The Diamond Reserve, Kaeleigh Testwuide joins us this week to discuss how she started her company and what sets The Diamond Reserve apart from other jewelers. We’ll also be commenting on what it’s like to be a female founder in a typically male-dominated industry.

Follow The Diamond Reserve’s Journey:

Website: https://thediamondreserve.com/

Instagram: @thediamondreserve

Follow Kaeleigh’s Journey:

Instagram: @kaeleightestwuide

CEO and co-founder of MANG, Kyle Rossin joins us this week to discuss why he created the company MANG with his twin brother Keith, as well as their dedication to mangrove restoration. MANG is an apparel and gear company that operates out of Florida and is dedicated to their initiative, “Buy One. Plant One.”, which guarantees to plant a mangrove for each purchase made, helping to preserve coastal communities.

Follow Kyle and MANG’s journey:

Instagram: @manggear

Website: https://www.manggear.com/

This week actor Usman Ally joins us to discuss some of his theater, film and television roles. An Obie Award-winning actor and starring in shows like “68 Whiskey”, “Veep”, “A Series of Unfortunate Events”, “Suits” and more, Usman’s had an extensive career in acting, which we’ll be discussing. In today’s conversation we’ll also be commenting on representation and diversity in Hollywood, as well as how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the industry.

This week we’re talking about quarantine. How has it changed us? What has it taught us? We’re joined by Running Coach, Ali Schappert, who will be chatting with us about how she and her family have been handling their lives in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll also be discussing Ali’s recent decision to switch up her career and become a running coach, launching her own group AS YOU RUN, a USATF certified racing team.

Follow Ali’s Journey

Instagram: @alischappert

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/aylaandjude/home?authuser=0

This week’s guest is actor and director Elijah Allan-Blitz. An Emmy nominee and Lumiere award winner, Elijah specializes in directing virtual reality experiences, having directed work for Time Magazine, PBS, HBO and more. We’ll be discussing how he got involved in the film industry and what drew him to VR filmmaking specifically.

Follow Elijah’s Journey:

His Work: “Take Every Wave: Laird in VR”

https://vimeo.com/235618360

“Defying the Nazis: The Sharps’ War” Component

https://time.com/4499959/defying-the-nazis-vr-reaction/

Instagram: @elijah_a.b

To conclude our series, “The Women of Film and Television”, Freelance Producer Lane Cheek joins us. Known for her work on shows like the “The Vampire Diaries” and “The Bachelor” franchise, as a part of the Art Department, Lane’s worked behind the camera on a number of shows and films, and she’s now transitioning into a whole new world of writing and producing. We’ll be discussing how she started off in the industry and the progression of her career.

Follow Lane's Journey:

Instagram: @cheeklane

*Please note, in light of recent events surrounding the death of George Floyd, Handling It Podcast supports the Black Lives Matter Movement. We hope that during these next few weeks and onwards we all can educate ourselves, help one another heal, and work together to come up with solutions.

This week actor, writer, producer and director, Lynn Chen, will be talking with us today about her film I Will Make You Mine, which is now available for streaming. Not only does I Will Make You Mine mark Lynn Chen’s filmmaking debut, but it is also the third part of the Surrogate Valentine trilogy that was created by Dave Boyle. The feature film was also selected to premiere at the 2020 South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival. Lynn and I will be talking about her journey directing the film and starring in it as well.

More on I Will Make You Mine:

https://iwillmakeyoumine.com/

Follow Lynn's Journey:

Instagram: @mslynnchen