From studying psychology to stepping into the classroom as a teacher and now launching her entrepreneurial journey with Kamps4Kids, Sarah Johansen's story is a testament to passion and purpose. In this episode of the Next Up Podcast, she dives into the power of relationships in shaping childhood development, how technology is transforming education, and why giving kids the chance to try new activities is a game-changer.

Join Dr. Raul Serrano and Marlon for a captivating episode where they discuss how one conversation can change lives. They reflect on their high school days and decisions that shaped their paths. Dr. Serrano, a father, husband, author, and chiropractor, shares a turning point in his career.

How is school nutrition evolving to meet the needs of students and communities? In this episode of the NextUp Podcast, we sit down with Mallory Reeves, Senior Administrator for Orange County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services, to uncover the stories and strategies behind modern school meal programs. Mallory shares her journey and emphasizes the power of collaboration in driving innovation. She discusses the challenges of reshaping perceptions about school meals, the importance of effective communication, and how advocacy ensures students receive nutritious meals.

In this episode, Souha Alameddine, Nate Dudek, Bren Yamaguchi, Christine Yi, and Marlon Gordon talk about how technology shapes Child Nutrition. They discuss how AI and digital tools can help influence the real strength of the industry, its people, and the sense of community they create. While AI can’t replace that, Gaia prioritizes AI and its ability to support it, allowing staff to focus more on serving nutritious meals to students.

Cristhel Just joins us for this episode and shares her personal journey of transformation, from growing up with limited resources in Costa Rica to finding success in corporate America which included a marketing leadership role at Coca-Cola where she was the Global Marketing Operations Sr Manager. Crystal also talks about the pivotal moment that led her to leave her corporate job and pursue a career in holistic health.

In this episode, Marlon talks with guests Shani Hall and Ervin Watson about leadership and support in the context of school nutrition services. The guests discuss the importance of having a strong support system and team behind a leader to achieve success. They also talked about their experience working together and the challenges they faced in centralizing the school nutrition program.

Sponsored by Heartland School Solutions

Alison Carnegie and Marlon Gordon discuss the importance of self-care, prioritizing oneself, and finding motivation in fitness. Alison shares her journey from college to joining the military and working in lab sciences, eventually transitioning to clinical lab advising and consulting in the field of oncology.

Pastor Mark Quattrochi and Marlon engage in a conversation that explores Pastor Mark Q's journey as an innovative leader. They highlight the unconventional approach taken by Pastor Mark Q and emphasize the overarching theme of community building and leadership development.

Join host Marlon Gordon and guests Shaun Sawko and Melissa DeAngelo from Fairfax, along with Harry Catalano from Amtab, for an insightful chat about the importance of school environments and leadership.