Episode III, Season 3 - we are joined by three students and two advisors from Hamden Hall Country Day School. Lisa Daly and Chase du Pont, the two advisors of the Princeton Peer Leadership Program at Hamden hall, as well as Jess Stanley, Alex Blaise, and Nick Perkins, senior students and Peer Leaders, join the Lead with Empower podcast to discuss their leadership experiences, their upcoming "Quarter 3" projects, and much more!

00:00: Episode Opening and Guest "Roll Call"

17:50: What it Means to be a Peer Leader

21:12: Personal Development

27:50: "The Why" - Peer Leadership Quarter 3 Project

36:00: Identify the Needs, Create a Plan, and Act

41:05: The Impact

44:25: Finish the Drill

Learn more about the Princeton Peer Leadership Program at Hamden Hall Country Day School

Musical Credit to Matt Jaskot

Season III of the Lead with Empower Podcast continues with another tremendous guest! We are joined by Ken Martin for episode 2 of season III. Ken is co-owner of Colony Grill Development, LLC (Colony Grill) and has just begun his first year as an adjunct professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of New Haven. Ken does a wonderful job sharing stories and leadership insight about his professional career, athletic experience, and so much more!

00:00: Episode Opening and Guest "Roll Call"

08:01: Leadership Challenges in the Restaurant/Hospitality Industry

14:55: Leadership Challenges During the Pandemic

20:54: Without Struggle, There is No Progress

24:30: The "Essential Skills" of a Colony Grill Employee

27:58: Experiences that have shaped Ken Martin

41:00: The Educational Side of Hospitality

50:08: The "Home Stretch"

Check out Colony Grill's website, of follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

Musical Credit to Matt Jaskot

Season III of the Lead with Empower Podcast has arrived and we could not ask for a better guest to help us get things going strong in 2021 than Sara Stirling! Sara joined the Empower Team back in 2018 and currently serves as the VP of Marketing for Empower Adventures and Empower Leadership. Sara recently published a Lead with Empower blog article titled "Making Moves in 2021" and shares her leadership journey, along with her goals and plan of achievement, during our conversation! This is the first of 3 podcast episodes highlighting Sara's goal achievement journey.

00:00: Episode Opening and Guest Introductions

03:45: Guest "Roll Call"

10:15: The "Leadership Field Experience"

16:25: Doing "Empowerment" Differently in 2020

22:38: "Making Moves in 2021"

27:37: Time to Create

38:48: Live-Streaming Art??? You Betcha

Check out Sara's Art Live-Streams on Twitch

Musical Credit to Matt Jaskot

The Lead with Empower Podcast wraps up 2020 with Donna, Tony, Greg, and Matt Jaskot (my parents and siblings!) - The Jaskot Family Leads with Empower! Donna is the Assistant to the Headmaster and Principal at Xavier High School, Tony is now retired, but served as a Teacher, Coach, and Athletic Director at Xavier High School for over 40 years. Greg is the Associate Director of Advancement and Associate Head Coach of the Football Program at Xavier High School. Dr. Matt Jaskot is a Professor in the Music Department at The College of the Holy Cross. We hope you enjoy a little family fun with a leadership spin in the final 2020 episode of the Lead with Empower Podcast! Here are the show notes:

00:00: Episode Opening and Guest Introductions

04:00: Guest "Roll Call"

29:26: Leadership Qualities

47:01: The Importance of Experiences

66:10: Episode Closure

Musical Credit to Matt Jaskot

Alyssa Caliguri, Assistant Director for 1st Year Student Success at Western New England University (WNEU), Mia Cariglia (2021), and Anthony Gelsomini (2021), both Orientation Group Leaders and Peer Advisors at WNEU, Lead with Empower. Empower Leadership has delivered a handful of team building experiences for the WNEU Orientation Group Leaders (OGL's), Peer Advisors (PA's), and 1st Year Students since May 2020 and we are so happy to catch up with Alyssa, Mia, and Anthony to see how the first semester has gone up at WNEU! Here are the show notes:

00:00: Episode Opening and Guest Introductions

18:25: Takeaways from Training Events with Empower Leadership

21:50: Leadership Challenges and Strategies Implemented to Overcome

38:22: Valuable Experiences During 2020

50:45: Leadership Self-Assessment

58:30: Episode Closure

Musical Credit to Matt Jaskot

Our next guest on the Lead with Empower Podcast is Dave Fazzuoli. Dave is a physical education teachers at North Haven High School whose primary course is "Project Adventure" - a sophomore physical education elective. After spending 2 years at Ridge Road Elementary School (2003-2005), Dave took over the Project Adventure PE curriculum at North Haven High School. Since 2005, Dave has helped students develop as leaders through a very intentionally designed adventure program. Here are the show notes from Dave Fazzuoli Leads with Empower:

00:00 - Episode Opening

21:25 - The Project Adventure PE Program at North Haven High School

32:25 - The Benefit of Setting High Expectations for Students

34:45 - Leadership During Uncertain/Challenge/Adverse Times

50:30 - The Importance of Experiential Adventure Education

60:55 - A True Leadership Field Experience - the Student Facilitators

01:26:03 - Episode Closure

Musical Credit to Matt Jaskot

We have a very special episode this week as we catch up with the Operations Managers at our Empower Adventure Park locations in Oldsmar, FL., Middleburg, VA., and South Windsor, CT.

Calvin Joustra (Empower Adventures Tampa Bay), Chris Fox (Empower Adventures Middleburg), and Paul Cappadona (Empower Adventure Park at Nomads) join me for a great conversation about the offerings at their Empower Adventures locations, leadership lessons learned from a wide range of challenges faced during 2020, and a sneak preview into what's in store in 2021 at each facility!

Additionally, Calvin, Chris, and Paul share information about the awesome holiday gift certificate deals that are being offered at their locations!

01:45: Calvin Joustra, Empower Adventures Tampa Bay

38:41: Chris Fox, Empower Adventures Middleburg

01:13:35: Paul Cappadona, Empower Adventure Park at Nomads

Musical Credit to Matt Jaskot

Dr. Jan Jones Leads with Empower

Dr. Jones is the Coordinator and Lecturer for Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of New Haven and a great friend of Empower Leadership. Jan brings a wealth of valuable leadership insight to our conversation; applicable to the hospitality and tourism industry and far beyond. Jan is extremely passionate about exploring and learning, health/wellness, and providing her students with valuable experiences that will impact them far beyond their time at the University of New Haven. Here are the notes and highlights from our conversation:

00:00 - Episode opening, Dr. Jones introduction, and challenges faced in the tourism and hospitality industry

11:36 - Jan and I discuss the end of the 2019/2020 academic year, the leadership challenges faced, and the tactics implemented to overcome those challenges; highlighting the importance of being prepared for the unexpected and ready to adapt and adjust to those situations.

25:11 - Dr. Jones shares insight into the first semester of the 2020/2021 academic year; focusing on the preparation by the faculty and staff as well as the students wellbeing.

33:28 - Jan shares thoughts on how her students have managed the impact COVID-19 has had on their education. Discussing noticeable changes in their behaviors between the Spring and Fall semesters.

38:55 - Dr. Jones is a Blackbelt in Karate, Red Belt in Taekwondo, and has trained in Muay Thai Boxing!!! Jan discuss the role recreation and exercise have played in her life and also shares some health/wellness initiatives she has been a part of since the onset of the pandemic; including:

60:20 - We learn about Jan's collegiate and professional journey. Dr. Jones shares how a study abroad trip to Cuba changed her life!

69:55 - Episode Closure - Jan shares:

Musical Credit to Matt Jaskot

Jania Pagan (Penn Foster HS), Janaya Merced (Penn Foster HS), Jada Merced (SABIS International Charter School), Kendrick Long (Springfield Renaissance School), and James Lightfoot (Urban League of Springfield) join the Lead with Empower Podcast. Jania, Janaya, Jada, and Kendrick are all young adults living in Springfield, MA. who participate in youth development programming with James Lightfoot - Director of Youth and Education Programs with the Urban League of Springfield.

The Urban League of Springfield is a community outreach organization working to empower the African American community in greater-Springfield. James' work focuses on providing essential resources (i.e. college preparation/awareness and educational equity) to youths and young adults. Jania, Janaya, Jada, and Kendrick are special and unique to James in that they have lofty goals for themselves and have shown an uncommon determination and drive to achieve those goals!

Here are our topics of discussion and highlights from our episode:

00:00: We kick off the episode by asking the students to introduce themselves and share their thoughts on the pending election results

08:45: James highlights the mission of the Urban League of Springfield and shares why he chose Jada, Janaya, Jania, and Kendrick to be on the Lead with Empower Podcast

12:15: Jania, Janaya, Jada, and Kendrick reflect upon the issues of racial injustice and inequality experienced in 2020 and share why they are inspired by the pending election of Kamala Harris and Joe Biden.

28:51: The students discuss some of the challenges (both academic and social) they have faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic and strategies they have implemented to overcome those challenges

41:39: Jania, Janaya, Jada, and Kendrick reflect on their experiences in 2020 and the valuable lessons they will take from those experiences

49:26: The students discuss the importance of recognizing and leveraging support systems and available resources

53:19: The students describe someone or something in their personal lives that inspires and motivates them to be their best

58:51: Jania, Janaya, Jada, and Kendrick share their goals and dreams and discuss what they need to do to achieve their goals and realize their dreams

67:25: Episode Closure - the students discuss how they can have a positive impact on their community and share wisdom and inspiration for young adults who may be struggling

Speaking with Jada, Kendrick, Janaya, and Jania was an absolute inspiration. It is important for all adults to get to know the youths in their communities - they are what our futures hold and they will use their talents to bring people together, strengthen communities, and create a better tomorrow for us all!

Musical Credit to Matt Jaskot

Tanner Kern Leads with Empower! Tanner is a recent graduate from the University of Connecticut and is an endurance athlete, inspirational content creator, and freelance writer. During our conversation, you will hear about Tanner's inspirational journey from 340 pound Division I football player at Lafayette College to 200 pound endurance athlete, as well as the important role leadership has played in Tanner's life as an athlete, a person struggling with physical and mental health, and much more!

00:00: Opening Segment and Introduction to Tanner Kern

05:40: Tanner dishes on his decision to attend Xavier High School; sharing stories and insight from his 4 years at "The X". Tanner highlights Coach Sean Marinan as a key leadership inspiration at Xavier.

16:15: We hear about Tanner's jump to Division I athletics at Lafayette College. Tanner was a "day 1" starter at Center as a 17 year old freshmen!

24:25: Tanner discusses the end of his football career and the his transformation to becoming an endurance athlete. Multiple concussions and severe post concussion symptoms ended Tanner's football career, leading to struggles with his physical and mental health. Tanner found love in running - not because he loved running, but because of his love for competition!

37:00: Running for a Cause - Tanner shares insight into a 100 mile run (in 35 hours!!!) in support of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and a run from Canada to Connecticut in support of Foodshare.

46:15: Tanner shares stories about his personal development through endurance running; highlighting the 40 percent rule (David Goggins)

49.25: TannerKern.com - we learn about Tanner's website, blog, and podcast - his vehicles to help inspire people to discover their best!

53:25: Closing Segment - Tanner and I wrap up the episode with a few "quick hitters"

Visit www.tannerkern.com to learn more about Tanner's journey, listen to the Tanner Kern Podcast or read the Tanner Kern blog articles!

Musical Credit to Matt Jaskot matthewjaskot.com