Lion Legacy

2014 Penn State graduate R.T. Custer and Penn Stater Tyler Wolfe formed a friendship in college that led them to founding Vortic Watches, an engineering and manufacturing company that pairs classic watchmaking techniques and traditions with innovative, modern technology.

In this episode, R.T. and Tyler share how they came up with the idea for the company, winning a lawsuit against a large watch company and advice for entrepreneurs.

Jump right in:

(5:48) - Founding Vortic Watches

(9:00) - Building vs. assembling watches

(10:01) - Sourcing the vintage watches

(11:16) - The process of building the watch

(16:49) - From Penn State to Colorado

(18:28) - Partnership with Red Rocks Amphitheater

(20:01) - Lawsuit from Swatch

(24:16) - Gifting a watch to a celebrity

(26:42) - Giving back

(30:56) - Entrepreneurship

(35:15) - The future of Vortic Watches

(38:45) - Penn State experience

Check out the watches at VorticWatches.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.

2012 Penn State graduate Jen Wahl (Masters, Educational Leadership) is dedicated to making an impact in her students' lives. After talking with Jen about her background, philosophy and continuous learning mentality, it's no surprise that she was recognized as the 2018 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.

After this episode, be sure to thank the teachers who have made an impact on you and your family.

Jump straight into:

(7:43) - Teaching during the pandemic

(11:46) - The impact of technology on education

(13:56) - The catalyst for becoming a teacher

(18:52) - Being awarded Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year

(22:30) - Traveling + teaching

(27:58) - Jen's thoughts on making two classes mandatory nationwide in high school

(30:25) - How people can better support educators

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

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

Special thanks to http://StudioPodSF.com for their support.

2009 Penn State graduate Andrew Weinert has always had a passion for flying. Today, he's putting that to good use at Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Lincoln Laboratory where he's involved in drone regulations and setting standards for unmanned travel.

In this episode, Andrew discusses his research (on a non-technical level) and how drones will impact our lives and industries in the not too distant future.

Jump straight into:

(7:07) - Working on drone regulations at MIT's Lincoln Laboratory

(8:51) - Using technology to support Puerto Rico's recovery for Hurricane Maria

(12:17) - Childhood interest in aerospace

(14:49) - Drones used today and in the future

(19:33) - Drone + aerospace regulations

(24:44) - Other ways drones are used

(26:49) - Penn State experience

Learn more about Andrew at aweinert.com

Join Penn State's network that connects 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 graduate loves to discover new ways to develop himself both personally and professionally.

He's now sharing his passion with the masses through "Everybody Pulls The Tarp" podcast where he talks with Olympians, pro athletes, CEOs, elite coaches, bestselling authors, and other high-performers to uncover their secrets to success.

In this episode, Andrew shares some of the key learnings from his guests, as well as starting Autism Speaks U.

Jump straight into:

(5:54) - Everybody Pulls The Tarp mindset

(9:06) - Motivation for starting a podcast

(13:10) - Key learnings and highlights from guests on leadership and success

(17:37) - World Cup, Olympic Champion and Penn Stater Ali Krieger on overcoming adversity

(18:52) - Mental health today

(21:34) - Situational success vs. mentality

(22:56) - The importance of learning leadership and teamwork early on

(24:30) - Dream interviewee list

(29:20) - Starting Autism Speaks U

(33:14) - Penn State experience

Thanks for listening and WE ARE ... PENN STATE!

Listen to Andrew's podcast at EverybodyPullsTheTarp.com

Join Penn State's network that connects 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 Abbey Meltzer has always loved telling stories about health! At the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH), Abbey promotes the great medical breakthroughs taking place, including advancements with COVID treatments.

In this episode, Abbey shares her journey from being on camera in small town Ohio to behind the camera at CNN to her role today at the FNIH. She also has an epic story of being on-call when a President passed away!

Jump straight into:

(5:12) - Mission of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Foundation for the NIH (FNIH)

(7:40) - Differences between the CDC and NIH

(9:01) - Her role as the VP of Communications and Events at the FNIH

(11:26) - FNIH's involvement in the pandemic

(14:37) - Other health initiatives that the FNIH supports

(16:23) - Her career journey

(24:45) - Reporters she admired

(26:34) - Working with Wolf Blitzer at CNN

(28:52) - Similarities of roles across her career journey

(30:17) - Getting the call at CNN about President Gerald Ford's death

(33:38) - Penn State experience

Thanks for listening and WE ARE ... PENN STATE!

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.

2008 Penn State graduate Mallory Brooke absolutely loves the snow! So it's only fitting that she earned her meteorology degree and later founded her own weather consulting company in Maine.

In this episode, Mallory shares her early interest in weather, how she helps New England ski resorts, and more!

Jump straight into:

(5:55) - Being a weather consultant

(8:27) - Various clients for weather forecasts

(12:45) - Using weather models

(14:05) - Developing a passion for weather at a young age

(16:28) - Being a TV broadcast meteorologist vs. a weather consultant

(19:15) - Operating green screen technology + on-air bloopers

(20:45) - Following severe and tropical weather

(21:38) - Teaching elementary students about the weather

(23:51) - Global warming

(25:15) - Responding to jokes about weather people

(27:45) - Penn State experience

Learn more about Mallory and Nor'easter Weather Consulting at https://www.noreasterweather.net

Thanks for listening and WE ARE ... PENN STATE!

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.

1965 Penn State graduate Jim Alexander has helped design some of the most impressive and historical landmark projects. As Senior Principal of Finegold Alexander Architects, Jim details his work preserving Ellis Island, how architecture has evolved since he graduated, the importance of designing environmentally sustainable buildings, and more!

Jump straight into:

(4:43) - Working on historical preservation projects

(6:55) - Restoring Ellis Island

(13:27) - The makings of a successful architect

(15:01) - The architectural process

(18:17) - The technological evolution of architecture

(20:00) - Designing environmentally sustainable buildings

(22:17) - Favorite project

(24:20) - Notre Dame in Paris

(25:36) - Dream project

(27:40) - Favorite Penn State building

(30:25) - Penn State experience

Learn more about Jim at https://www.faainc.com/team/james-alexander

Thanks for listening and WE ARE ... PENN STATE!

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 Eric Christian is not someone who wants to be put in the spotlight, but he certainly deserves it! As an Emmy Award winning lighting director across theater, television and concerts, Eric has played an integral role in some amazing productions, including the Puppy Bowl and Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.

Jump straight into:

(4:25) - The role of lighting director

(5:20) - Getting started in the career

(7:00) - Differences in lighting with television, concerts and theater

(8:15) - The evolution of TV technology on the lighting industry

(9:40) - Lighting at concerts

(11:05) - Lighting for the Josh Groban concert

(12:44) - The impact of the pandemic

(13:48) - Lighting for the Puppy Bowl

(15:48) - Working with John Legend

(17:21) - Dream lighting project

(18:36) - The makeup of the lighting team

(20:09) - The Penn State experience

Thanks for listening and WE ARE ... PENN STATE!

Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production. Visit us at LionLegacyPodcast.com.

Special thanks to StudioPodSF.com for their support.

2003 Penn State graduate Shannon Furman has spent over fifteen years bringing fans great features and stories about their favorite NFL teams and players. As Director and Producer at NFL Films, Shannon talks about working on Hard Knocks, her career advice to women entering the sports business industry and the time she found about Bill O'Brien leaving Penn State before anyone else!

Jump straight into:

(2:00) - Winning and giving away Emmy Awards

(3:40) - Career start and growth at NFL Films

(7:55) - Directing Hard Knocks: normal times vs. the pandemic

(10:35) - Choosing what goes on air for Hard Knocks

(13:50) - Finding out Football Head Coach Bill O'Brien was leaving Penn State

(15:25) - Favorite NFL Films stories and features

(19:15) - Working as a female in sports

(21:00) - Penn State experience

Thanks for listening and WE ARE ... PENN STATE!

Visit us at LionLegacyPodcast.com.

Special thanks to StudioPodSF.com for their support.

Follow Shannon Furman on Twitter @FurmBiz.

2004 Penn State graduate Doug Bennett plays an integral role in the health and performance of the world's elite athletes. As Head Athletic Trainer of the Carolina Hurricanes, Doug shares his experiences from his days at Penn State to the challenges of the COVID pandemic and the one time that a zamboni driver became an emergency goalie in a NHL game.

Jump straight into:

(5:00) - The start of the pandemic and initial reactions from the team

(7:50) - The stoppage/pause of the NHL season

(11:20) - Life in the NHL Bubble

(12:50) - The many responsibilities of being the Head Athletic Trainer for the Carolina Hurricanes

(18:40) - The epic story of David Ayres, the 42 year old zamboni driver, who played in a NHL game

(24:45) - Tending to injuries on the ice

(26:00) - The Penn State experience

Thanks for listening and WE ARE ... PENN STATE!