Lion Legacy

2020 Penn State graduate Ashley Ferrara is the most recent alum to become a Hotdogger for Oscar Mayer! She spent a year touring the country in the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile and shares her time on the road, meeting some very interesting people (and dogs!) and of course driving the famous hot dog. An episode filled with puns, you'll be sure to laugh your buns off!

Jump right into:

(7:12) - Becoming a Hotdogger

(9:17) - Student Question of the Episode presented by The Daily Collegian: Driving the Weinermobile

(11:34) - Favorite stories as a Hotdogger

(16:33) - The role of a Hotdogger

(19:02) - The impact of the pandemic

(20:13) - A typical schedule of a Hotdogger

(26:28) - Spending time with other Hotdoggers

(29:29) - Recruiting Hotdoggers at Penn State

(30:21) - Life after being a Hotdogger

(35:51) - Singing the Oscar Mayer jingle

(36:48) - Lions Den presented by Lions-Pride.com: Penn State Experience

Show off your Penn State pride with the latest apparel and gear by visiting Lions-Pride.com.

Keep up with all the Penn State news at Collegian.PSU.edu.

Join Penn State's network connecting students and alumni at Alumni.PSU.Edu/LionLink.

Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production and is not affiliated with Penn State University. Visit us at LionLegacyPodcast.com

Special thanks to StudioPodSF.com for their support.

2007 Penn State grad Ashley Bisman entered college just a few years after her father's death in the September 11th World Trade Center terrorist attack. With an electric personality and positive outlook on life, Ashley shares her story on coping with the tragedy and finding love in her new book "Chasing Butterflies: The True Story of a Daughter of 9/11." The book is available on Amazon with a portion of proceeds benefitting Tuesday's Children. This episode is dedicated to Ashley's father, Jeff Goldflam, who would be so proud of his daughter!

Jump right in:

(6:36) - The 20th anniversary of 9/11

(8:09) - Student Question of the Episode presented by The Daily Collegian: Reason for writing the book

(9:49) - The meaning of "Chasing Butterflies"

(10:56) - Dating in New York City

(14:01) - Starting her career at TV Guide and then transitioning to a teacher

(16:09) - Her future as an author

(16:56) - The process of writing a book

(19:41) - Keeping her father's legacy alive

(21:44) - Lions Den presented by Lions-Pride.com: Penn State experience

Show off your Penn State pride with the latest apparel and gear by visiting Lions-Pride.com.

Keep up with all the Penn State news at Collegian.PSU.edu.

Join Penn State's network connecting students and alumni at Alumni.PSU.Edu/LionLink.

Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production and is not affiliated with Penn State University. Visit us at LionLegacyPodcast.com

Special thanks to StudioPodSF.com for their support.

2003 Penn State graduate John Colaneri’s name may sound familiar! If you watch HGTV, you’ll know him as one “the cousins” from the franchise of home design and renovation shows. John shares his journey from the corporate world to television. We’re also excited for him as he will be the Grand Marshal for 2021 Penn State Homecoming.

Jump right in:

(5:43) - Moving from the corporate world to the family business

(8:51) - The opportunity with HGTV

(15:23) - Working with his cousin 

(16:45) - The Cousins franchise

(19:55) - The challenge of renovating a home on TV 

(22:03) - Most memorable project

(23:35) - Starting his own design business

(24:34) - The impact of the pandemic 

(25:42) - Taking a vision and translating it into a design 

(27:14) - Student Question of the Episode presented by The Daily Collegian: Branching into other industries

(32:49) - Excitement for the future

(34:14) - Lions Den presented by Lions-Pride.com: Penn State Experience

Learn more about John and his business ventures at JohnColaneri.com.

Show off your Penn State pride with the latest apparel and gear by visiting Lions-Pride.com.

Keep up with all the Penn State news at Collegian.PSU.edu.

Join Penn State's network connecting students and alumni at Alumni.PSU.Edu/LionLink.

Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production and is not affiliated with Penn State University. Visit us at LionLegacyPodcast.com

Special thanks to StudioPodSF.com for their support.

1990 Penn State grad Mike Xenakis has had quite an adventure - from entering the Air Force to helping build OpenTable and guiding it through both an IPO and acquisition to joining Vacasa, a vacation rental company, just prior to the pandemic. Join Mike as he shares his wisdom and key lessons along the way, including his decision to choose Penn State over Notre Dame.

Jump right into:

(3:34) - Going into the military after Penn State

(4:55) - Vacasa’s unique offering 

(7:26) - Seventeen years at OpenTable

(11:09) - Selling OpenTable to Priceline

(13:37) - Living and working abroad

(15:51) - The role of Chief Product Officer

(19:12) - The impact of the pandemic 

(24:29) - The importance of networking 

(27:01) - Student takeaways from Mike’s entrepreneurship course at Northwestern University

(28:20) - Lions Den presented by Lions-Pride.com: Penn State Experience

(28:38) - Student Question of the Episode presented by The Daily Collegian: Choosing Penn State over Notre Dame

Learn more about Vacasa at Vacasa.com.

Show off your Penn State pride with the latest apparel and gear by visiting Lions-Pride.com.

Keep up with all the Penn State news at Collegian.PSU.edu.

Join Penn State's network connecting students and alumni at Alumni.PSU.Edu/LionLink.

Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production and is not affiliated with Penn State University. Visit us at LionLegacyPodcast.com

Special thanks to StudioPodSF.com for their support.

1954 Penn State graduate Dave Jones is a true storyteller. Would you expect anything different from a former journalist and editor? Dave’s career spans two of the world’s most prestigious papers - The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Dave shares some amazing stories, including how he broke a story on confidential information, his coverage of a US President and his effort championing women in the work force.

Jump right into:

(6:21) - Time in the Air Force

(7:34) - Student Question of the Episode presented by The Daily Collegian: Favorite reporting assignments 

(11:39) - Moving from the Wall Street Journal to the New York Times

(12:54) - Difference between the papers

(14:43) - The process of getting an article published 

(16:39) - Becoming an editor and his achievements 

(22:43) - Today’s journalists 

(24:28) - Traits of successful journalists 

(25:50) - Message to today’s journalists

(26:21) - Lions Den presented by Lions-Pride.com: Penn State Experience

Show off your Penn State pride with the latest apparel and gear by visiting Lions-Pride.com.

Keep up with all the Penn State news at Collegian.PSU.edu.

Join Penn State's network connecting students and alumni at Alumni.PSU.Edu/LionLink.

Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production and is not affiliated with Penn State University. Visit us at LionLegacyPodcast.com

Special thanks to StudioPodSF.com for their support.

Special 25th episode edition presented by Lions-Pride.com! Co-hosts Jared Melzer and Ross Weisbrot talk about their experiences at Penn State, their great friendship and their journeys post graduation.

Jump right in:

(1:43) - Meeting at Penn State

(5:27) - Choosing Penn State

(11:54) - Favorite Penn State memory

(15:19) - Life after graduating

(25:54) - Staying connected to Penn State

Show off your Penn State pride with the latest apparel and gear by visiting Lions-Pride.com.

Keep up with all the Penn State news at Collegian.PSU.edu.

Join Penn State's network connecting students and alumni at Alumni.PSU.Edu/LionLink.

Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production and is not affiliated with Penn State University. Visit us at LionLegacyPodcast.com

Special thanks to StudioPodSF.com for their support.

1993 Penn State grad Elizabeth Miller was stressed, feeling overwhelmed and faced with a longer than normal to-do list when she became a caregiver for her ailing parents and disabled brother - in addition to raising her children and working a full-time job. Elizabeth not only found a way to manage, she took control and made sure she focused on ways she could be happy and healthy. Realizing that she was far from being the only one in this situation, she created Happy Healthy Caregiver to lend support and resources to many.

Jump right in:

(5:00) - Journey as a caregiver

(8:58) - Support for the caregiving community

(13:36) - Mental and emotional support

(15:17) - Challenges for both the caregiver and recipient 

(17:34) - Having conversations about caregiving

(18:58) - HappyHealthyCaregiver as a full-time job

(21:00) - The impact of the pandemic

(24:12) - - Student Question of the Episode presented by The Daily Collegian: Balancing different responsibilities

(26:01) - Long distance caregiving

(27:21) - The future of HappyHealthyCaregiver

(29:07) -  Lions Den presented by Lions-Pride.com: Penn State Experience

Follow Elizabeth and learn more at HappyHealthyCaregiver.com.

Show off your Penn State pride with the latest apparel and gear by visiting Lions-Pride.com.

Keep up with all the Penn State news at Collegian.PSU.edu.

Join Penn State's network connecting students and alumni at Alumni.PSU.Edu/LionLink.

Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production and is not affiliated with Penn State University. Visit us at LionLegacyPodcast.com

Special thanks to StudioPodSF.com for their support.

1982 and 1984 Penn State graduate Lisa Baird is paving a new path for women and women's sports. As Commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), Lisa talks about her journey from Penn State to some of the biggest brands in the world to entering the sports business world in prominent roles at the NFL, USOC and now the NWSL. She also shares a great story involving The White House and how she helped make a wrong, a right. There's no doubt - Lisa's a true game-changer!

Jump right in:

(6:34) - Different roles that prepared Lisa for the sports business industry

(8:40) - Student Question of the Episode presented by The Daily Collegian: Most difficult challenge during the pandemic

(10:30) - An innovative mindset

(12:02) - Getting investors for the NWSL

(13:32) - Mentorship and advice

(15:10) - Steps to make critical strides in women’s sports

(17:16) - Making a wrong a right: the USOC and The White House

(19:54) - Favorite accomplishments

(21:58) - Lions Den presented by Lions-Pride.com: Penn State Experience

Follow Lisa and the NWSL at NWSLsoccer.com.

Show off your Penn State pride with the latest apparel and gear by visiting Lions-Pride.com.

Keep up with all the Penn State news at Collegian.PSU.edu.

Join Penn State's network connecting students and alumni at Alumni.PSU.Edu/LionLink.

Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production and is not affiliated with Penn State University. Visit us at LionLegacyPodcast.com

Special thanks to StudioPodSF.com for their support.

2013 Penn State graduate Rob Lawless is on a big mission - to meet 10,000 strangers! Yes, that's a one with four zeroes! If you're wondering why, how and where - then you'll enjoy this episode with Rob.

Jump right into:

(5:49) - The genesis of the idea

(9:31) - Student Question of the Episode presented by The Daily Collegian: Impact of the pandemic

(14:58) - Common themes and favorite stories

(21:31) - Key takeaways

(25:01 )- Making a living

(27:41) - Lions Den presented by Lions-Pride.com: Penn State experience

Show off your Penn State pride with the latest apparel and gear by visiting Lions-Pride.com.

Keep up with all the Penn State news at Collegian.PSU.edu.

Join Penn State's network connecting students and alumni at Alumni.PSU.Edu/LionLink.

Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production and is not affiliated with Penn State University. Visit us at LionLegacyPodcast.com

Special thanks to StudioPodSF.com for their support.

1984 and 1989 Penn State graduate, Dr. Cedric Bryant, has always found ways to get people moving for a healthier lifestyle. From academia to StairMaster and now the American Council of Exercise (ACE), Dr. Bryant's impact on the industry and people everywhere has earned him many recognitions, including this year's Penn State Distinguished Alumni Award.

Jump right into:

(7:27) - American Council of Exercise’s mission

(9:05) - The impact of the pandemic on the health and fitness industry

(12:38) - Childhood experiences that influenced his career choice

(13:39) - Student Question of the Episode presented by The Daily Collegian: Inspiration to be the President of ACE

(16:21) - Personal exercise and fitness routine

(19:19) - Reducing childhood obesity

(22:59) - ACE’s leadership in policy changes

(25:51) - Getting more diversity in the industry

(28:24) - Lions Den presented by Lions-Pride.com: Penn State experience

Show off your Penn State pride with the latest apparel and gear by visiting Lions-Pride.com.

Keep up with all the Penn State news at Collegian.PSU.edu.

Join Penn State's network connecting students and alumni at Alumni.PSU.Edu/LionLink.

Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production and is not affiliated with Penn State University. Visit us at LionLegacyPodcast.com

Special thanks to StudioPodSF.com for their support.