Lion Legacy

1983 Penn State graduate Joe Battista is one of the most passionate people you'll meet. In this episode, he shares his Pragmatic Passion philosophy that has shaped his career and impacted countless others. Coach Battista, commonly known as JoeBa, also gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how he helped take Penn State from club hockey to the varsity powerhouse it is today.

After listening to the episode, be sure to buy Joe's book - Pragmatic Passion at PragmaticPassion.com. Use code "Passion5" at check-out for a discount.

Jump right in:

(6:02) - How varsity hockey came to Penn State

(11:57) - Working for the Buffalo Sabres

(16:00) - Joe’s Pragmatic Passion philosophy

(20:58) - Student Question of the Episode powered by The Daily Collegian: Most important value for success

(24:38) - Biggest obstacle to success

(27:13) - Changing collegiate athletics

(29:47) - Relationship with Coach Joe Paterno

(33:07) - Lion’s 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.

2016 Penn State graduate Matt Enderle enjoys sharing his passion of the outdoors and the National Parks with visitors. Currently based in Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska, Matt tells so many great stories, including his encounter with a bear and some changes he'd like to see to increase diversity.

Jump right in:

(8:13) - Life as a National Park Ranger

(9:21) - Being an interpretive Ranger

(10:44) - Process of becoming a National Park Ranger

(12:54) - Passion as a kid

(14:33) - Most interesting situation

(18:45) - Working as a seasonal Ranger

(23:34) - Favorite National Park

(24:57) - Encounter with a bear

(27:42) - Experiences during the pandemic

(30:58) - Thoughts on the future

(34:21) - Dream National Park to work at

(35:37) - Key takeaways for visitors

(39:22) - 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.

2010 Penn State graduate Ashlyn Sparrow is in one of the fastest growing industries - gaming. However, her role is a bit unique and goes beyond pure entertainment. As Assistant Director of the Weston Game Lab at the University of Chicago, Ashlyn works on developing games to create socio-cultural impact. In this episode, she dives into what that truly means, how she wants to see more Black women in the gaming industry, and more!

Jump right in:

(4:17) - Weston Game Lab and Ashlyn’s role

(5:05) - Ashlyn’s career journey

(7:13) - Games that drive an impact in the community

(12:00) - Creating game-like experiences that are like sandboxes

(13:22) - Favorite games

(18:15) - Working with students

(19:35) - Growing up as a gamer

(23:49) - Being a Black woman in the gaming industry and what needs to be done to get more involved

(26:50) - Work during the pandemic and social justice movements

(28:17) - Viewpoint on games with violence

(30:29) - The future of the gaming industry and Ashlyn’s career

(34:40) - Penn State experience

Learn more about Ashlyn at AshlynSparrow.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.

2002 Penn State graduate Lisa Benson has walked the red carpet with her clients at the world's biggest fashion shows. As Vice President of IMG Models, Lisa gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the industry, how its evolved over the years, as well as stories of her family friend, the late professional golfer, Arnold Palmer.

** Apologies for some slight audio difficulties

Jump right in:

(4:51) - What it means to be a model

(6:53) - Lisa's interest in fashion as a child

(8:54) - Lisa's career path

(12:21) - Lisa's role as VP of IMG Models

(14:36) - The process of securing magazine covers; Example: Amanda Gorman

(17:14) - Key characteristics and traits when signing new models

(18:41) - New talent signed by IMG, including Natalia Bryant, daughter of the late Kobe Bryant

(20:42) - The industry helping people with self-confidence

(22:00) - Stories of the late professional golfer, Arnold Palmer

(24:48) - Favorite events to attend

(27:21) - 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.

1983 Penn State graduate Brian Cuban's time in Happy Valley was not all that happy. Battling numerous addictions (eating disorders, alcohol, cocaine, etc.) at Penn State and throughout his life, Brian shares his very honest journey to sobriety. Today, Brian spends his time as a public speaker and author - on a mission to help others who are in similar situations.

Jump right in:

(5:22) - The importance of sharing his story of addiction

(7:06) - Trauma during Brian's childhood and at Penn State

(15:34) - The misconception that eating disorders only impact girls and women

(17:06) - The path to becoming sober

(22:24) - Handling tough days

(23:59) - High rates of suicide and addiction in the legal profession

(26:18) - Work around hate speech on social media

(29:43) - Stories of the Dallas Mavericks, owned by Brian's brother, Mark

(36:18) - Penn State experience

Learn more about Brian and purchase his book, The Addicted Lawyer, at BrianCuban.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.

1987 Penn State grad Jean Oelwang is determined to create a better world.

Jean is President and CEO of Virgin Unite, the non-profit foundation of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group. In this episode, Jean shares about starting her career in the mobile phone business, some of the amazing projects she has worked on at Virgin Unite, how leaders can change their businesses to "do good" and more!

Jump right in:

(6:07) - Virgin Unite's mission and projects

(13:51) - The impact of the pandemic

(17:33) - Jean's background in the mobile phone business

(20:47) - Founding Virgin Unite with Sir Richard Branson

(23:05) - Helping C-suite leaders transform their business for social good

(26:28) - Virgin's people strategy

(32:19) - Getting more women in leadership positions

(36:31) - Learnings from Jean's relationship with Paralympic Champion Chris Waddle

(38:35) - Getting involved with Virgin Unite and other causes

(39:57) - Penn State Experience

Learn more at VirginUnite.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.

2014 Penn State graduate Paul Suhey is on a mission to electrify urban mobility.

In this episode, Paul shares his journey of going from a big oil company to founding an electric mobility company, the different ways Revel is helping people get around cities, how they helped during the pandemic, and more!

Jump right in:

(2:49) - The legacy of the Suhey name at Penn State

(3:45) - Revel's mission to electrify cities

(9:23) - The difference with Revel's charging stations

(10:54) - Using electric bikes vs. electric mopeds

(13:20) - Expanding Revel to new cities

(14:56) - Revel's safety measures

(17:26) - Paul's journey to founding Revel

(22:55) - Lessons of entrepreneurship

(23:59) - The impact of the pandemic

(26:34) - The future of Revel

(27:38) - Penn State experience presented by Lions-Pride.com

Learn more about Revel at GoRevel.com

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

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.

2002 Penn State graduate Bridget Lasda has worked at two of the world's largest beverage companies: Coca-Cola and Heineken. Currently, she serves as Chief Customer Officer at Calypso Lemonades.

In this episode, Bridget talks about finding her way into the beverage industry, selling to major retailers such as Target, her transition to Calypso Lemonades, and more!

Jump right in:

(5:09) - Getting into the business world

(7:11) - Selling Coca-Cola products to Target

(10:44) - Differences between selling Coca-Cola and Heineken

(12:33) - The competition

(14:16) - Moving to Calypso Lemonades

(16:56) - Challenges of moving from a larger to a smaller company

(18:37) - The role of Chief Customer Officer at Calypso Lemonades

(21:32) - Career highlight

(22:49) - Advice to young women business leaders

(24:29) - Running for a Penn State Board of Trustees position

(25:37) - Penn State experience

Learn more about Calypso Lemonades at DrinkCalypso.com

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 Clifton Tay has worked for some of the world's most exciting tech companies - GE, Facebook, Uber, Zillow and now Genentech.

In this episode, Clifton shares his work recruiting talent for these companies, his perspectives on the future of work and more!

Jump right in:

(4:06) - Getting into the talent acquisition field

(5:45) - Moving from GE to Facebook

(8:24) - The competition for talent

(10:39) - Joining Genentech

(11:53) - Differentiating yourself in the candidate pool

(14:10) - Companies supporting employees

(19:56) - Innovating during the pandemic

(22:37) - The future of work

(26:26) - Advice to students

(27:54) - Penn State experience

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.

2005 Penn State graduate Neil Goldman saw a need in the hospitality market, created a solution and then figured out how to help underprivileged children.

In this episode, Neil shares his entrepreneurial journey, why it's important to give back and more!

Jump right in:

(5:43) - The business of Hotels for Hope

(6:56) - The birth of the idea

(12:10) - The evolution of technology

(13:30) - The challenges of entrepreneurship

(14:33) - The meaning of conscious capitalism

(17:59) - Hotels for Hope's work with children

(20:18) - The impact of the pandemic on business

(22:39) - Selling the business

(24:20) - The future

(25:25) - Penn State experience

Learn more at HotelsForHope.com

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.