In this inspiring episode of Teach, Coach, Mentor, host Michael Wish sits down with innovator, writer, and AI educator Mike Todasco, former Senior Director of Innovation at PayPal and current Visiting Fellow at the AI Center at San Diego State University. What begins as a conversation about creativity and artificial intelligence quickly evolves into a deeper dialogue on democratizing technology, defeating self-limiting beliefs, and why curiosity is the ultimate superpower.

Mike shares his unconventional journey—from accountant to entrepreneur to PayPal’s innovation leader—where he proved that creativity belongs to everyone, not just the “creative types.” Since leaving PayPal, he’s become a leading voice in helping people use AI to expand their potential, not shrink it. If you’ve ever wondered how to embrace change, use technology without losing your humanity, or silence the inner critic that says “you’re not a writer” or “you’re not creative,” this episode is for you.

💡 Topics We Cover:

• Mike’s winding career path: from green visor accountant to innovation leader at PayPal
• How AI can make us both “smarter” and “dumber”—and why it depends on how we use it
• Using AI as a tutor, creative partner, and blank-page buster
• The role of taste, judgment, and human “messiness” in an AI-driven world
• Why self-talk is the biggest barrier to growth (and how Hemingway’s advice helps)
• The MFA journey: going back to school at 48 and embracing the discomfort of learning anew
• How culture shapes perceptions of human vs. AI-created work
• Why live, imperfect, human experiences—from small comedy clubs to Broadway—will only grow more valuable in an AI-saturated world

🛠 Tools and Resources Mentioned:

• AI tutors and ChatGPT study modes for personalized learning
• Claude and other large language models for structuring lessons and overcoming the blank page
• Humor writing exercises and publications as a practice ground for creativity
• Experiments at SDSU on how people perceive AI vs. human creativity across cultures

🔥 Notable Quotes:

• “AI can write you a B+ paper. But it can also help you learn an entire grade level more—if you use it the right way.” — Mike Todasco
• “Taste and judgment are going to matter more than coding in the future.” — Mike Todasco
• “All first drafts are crap. Even Hemingway said that. The point is to write anyway.” — Mike Todasco
• “The thing I’d regret most on my deathbed isn’t failure—it’s never trying.” — Mike Todasco

📌 Connect with Mike:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todasco/
• Medium/Substack: Search “Mike Todasco” for essays, humor, and AI writing

👥 Join the Community:

Are you a student, teacher, coach, or lifelong learner looking to level up? Follow the Teach, Coach, Mentor podcast and join us as we explore the tools, mindsets, and habits that empower people to become who they’re meant to be.

If you are a student and want to join our community to discover your own values and embark on a guided journey of self-discovery, visit https://www.skool.com/self-architect.

In this dynamic episode of Teach, Coach, Mentor, host Michael Wish sits down with entrepreneur, author, and energy powerhouse Joe Apfelbaum, founder of Evy AI and a master of authentic engagement. What starts as a conversation about AI and LinkedIn quickly evolves into a deeper exploration of personal transformation, attention as currency, and the life-changing power of intentional growth.

Joe opens up about his journey from introverted and insecure to becoming a confident, sought-after speaker who’s helped thousands of entrepreneurs grow their business through real connection—both online and off. If you’ve ever wanted to break free from limiting beliefs, learn how to leverage AI to be more human (not less), or grow a community that actually gives a damn, this episode is for you.

• Joe’s radical identity transformation—and how it started with deep personal development
• Using AI to build better human relationships, not just automate spam
• The art of capturing attention in an “everything’s-a-scroll” world
• Why rapport is more valuable than skill when it comes to teaching and coaching
• Teaching students to grow through discomfort, rejection, and reflection
• The power of writing your future self (and identifying the gap)
• Joe’s core values and how they drive Evy AI: Time is precious, Be authentic, and Experiment joyfully
• Building a joyful, high-trust, non-cutthroat entrepreneurial community

• EV.AI: Joe’s AI-powered platform that helps entrepreneurs save time and build real relationships on LinkedIn and beyond
• The “100 rejections” challenge: a powerful tool for overcoming fear and building confidence
• Value discovery and self-authoring frameworks to help students (and adults) become who they want to be

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joeapfelbaum

Are you a student, teacher, coach, or lifelong learner looking to level up? Follow the Teach, Coach, Mentor podcast and join us as we explore the tools, mindsets, and habits that empower people to become who they’re meant to be.

If you are a student and want to join the Velle Logos community to discover your own values and embark on a guided journey of self-discovery, visit vellelogos.com.

Connect with Teach, Coach, Mentor:

• Join our online community for coaching, mentoring, and support.
• Instagram: @vellelogos
• LinkedIn: Velle Logos
• YouTube: @VelleLogos
• Website: vellelogos.com

How do we move from simply surviving adolescence to truly thriving? What if every intense emotion—from anger to anxiety—wasn't a problem to be fixed, but a data point to be understood? In this powerful conversation, host Michael Wish sits down with licensed therapist Brittany Fella, who has spent 17 years working exclusively with teens and parents.

Brittany shares a transformative framework for navigating the emotional landscape of not just the teenage years, but adulthood as well. Listen in for surprising insights on why today's teens are craving real connection away from their phones , the crucial difference between coaching and therapy , and why the most important first step you can take is to simply "start by starting". This episode is a must-listen for parents, young adults, coaches, and anyone looking to build a more resilient and examined life.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• [00:46] Brittany's Origin Story: How personal struggle with addiction in her early 20s inspired a 17-year career helping adolescents.
• [03:00] The Key to a Vital Life: Why having access to your inner world and understanding your emotional triggers is critical for navigating life with vitality.
• [05:04] Your Emotions are Data: A powerful reframe for looking at emotional meltdowns not as failures, but as data points that reveal how you work. Curiosity is the key to deadening an emotion's intensity.
• [08:19] What's Underneath Anger?: A deep dive into how anger, especially in parenting, often masks underlying feelings of fear, hurt, or being underappreciated.
• [09:20] From Surviving to Thriving: How to help teens shift from a "victim mode" to understanding the challenges presented to them and building community for support.
• [15:26] The Secret to Authentic Community: The importance of leaders and adults modeling vulnerability by talking about their own struggles and how they move through pain.
• [19:43] Are Phones Losing Their Power?: Brittany's surprising observation that adolescents are finding themselves unfulfilled by their phones and want to be more present with each other.
• [29:51] The Best Advice? Just Start:
• Why waiting until you have all the answers is a mistake, and the power of taking a risk and "starting by starting".
• [31:46] Therapy vs. Coaching: Brittany breaks down the fundamental differences, explaining that coaching is more strategy-based while psychotherapy delves into the depths of your soul and childhood.
• [35:55] Breaking the Stigma: A candid discussion on why men often adopt the "rub some dirt in it" mentality and the incredible benefits of preventative marriage counseling.

Connect with Our Guest:

Find Brittany Fella and learn more about her individual and group sessions for teens and parents. She provides in-person services in Orange County, California, and offers coaching worldwide.

• Website: BrittanyFella.com

Connect with Teach, Coach, Mentor:

• Join our online community for coaching, mentoring, and support.
• Instagram: @vellelogos
• LinkedIn: Velle Logos
• YouTube: @VelleLogos
• Website: vellelogos.com

In this heartfelt and humorous conversation, Michael sits down with longtime friend and writer Steven Petrow to explore how we find joy in the midst of life's hardest moments—and why writing, failure, grief, and even hero golf shots can be powerful sources of meaning and growth.

Together, they discuss:

• The origins of their decade-long friendship—from a letter sent during deployment in Afghanistan to years of deep conversation
• Steven’s reflections on failure, loss, and resilience—and why embracing what "sucks" might be the best teacher
• The small but mighty power of gratitude journaling and joyful rituals
• The science behind why handwriting and slowing down can improve memory, mood, and meaning
• Why we should all see ourselves as writers—and how writing helps us clarify our thoughts and connect across generations
• What it really means to be joyful (hint: it’s not the same as being happy)

Whether you’re a student trying to define your path, a veteran rebuilding your story, or just someone learning how to grow through what you go through—this episode is for you.

• Embracing failure as a learning signal
• The discipline of gratitude and why it works
• Rebuilding joy after loss
• Reading as becoming another mind
• Writing as an act of self-respect—and connection

• The Joy You Make by Steven Petrow
• Writing to Learn by William Zinsser
• Jamil Zaki’s work on empathy and neuroplasticity
• The phrase “Be the strongest person at your father’s funeral” (popularized by Jordan Peterson)

At Velle Logos, we believe every learner deserves the tools to grow—with purpose, clarity, and community. Through group coaching, habit-building, and mentorship, we help students and leaders build the foundation for a joyful, resilient life.

🔹 Join the movement.

🔹 Level up your learning.

🔹 Be the author of your own future.

• Instagram: @vellelogos
• LinkedIn: Velle Logos
• YouTube: @VelleLogos
• Website: vellelogos.com

Brandon Smart takes us on his remarkable from-enlisted-to-scholar journey, highlighting how a Marine Corps mindset can transform when applied to advanced education at the Naval Postgraduate School. He candidly discusses grappling with imposter syndrome, the power of honest feedback, and how resilience and anti-fragility—like leveling up through every boss fight—can be intentionally developed. He also shines a light on practical habits (yes, sleep really matters!) and why reading physical books can turbocharge your retention and critical thinking.

Whether you’re navigating your own “weird purgatory of nerd-dom” or mentoring the next generation of leaders, you’ll walk away with concrete strategies for growth.

• How honest, constructive feedback is like a GPS recalculating your route toward better leadership
• Why surrounding yourself with the right “raid party” of challenging peers speeds up personal growth
• The surprising mental edge you get from unplugging and reading printed pages
• What challenge will you seek out next to build your own anti-fragile mindset?

Key Takeaways

• Brandon’s path from enlisted Marine to NPS grad shows education as a leadership multiplier.
• Imposter syndrome is a hallmark of high achievers—acknowledge it, don’t avoid it.
• Honest feedback fuels true improvement; sugarcoating holds you back.
• Sleep isn’t negotiable—it’s the foundation of peak cognitive performance.
• Resilience (and anti-fragility) grows when you intentionally face and learn from challenges.
• Physical books beat screens for deep comprehension.
• Young adults should seek out demanding environments to accelerate personal growth.

Sound Bites

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction & Brandon’s Marine Corps Background
• 11:10 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
• 18:25 The Importance of Sleep & Sacrifice
• 24:02 Skills Gained from Education
• 29:50 Applying Skills in Leadership Roles
• 35:47 Teaching & Learning in the Marine Corps
• 42:10 The Power of Honest Feedback
• 51:19 Anti-Fragility vs. Resilience
• 57:01 Life Lessons Learned Through Hardship
• 
  

Connect with Mike:

Velle Logos: www.vellelogos.com

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In this episode of Teach, Coach, Mentor, Mike Wish sits down with Edward “Buddy” Rushing—a Marine Corps veteran, real estate entrepreneur, and founder of White Feather Investments—to explore how failure can become your greatest teacher. From losing everything on his first real estate deal to helping veterans build over $1 billion in property, Buddy shares how he turned painful lessons into a national movement.

We dive deep into what it means to adopt a "win or learn" mindset, why teaching is a responsibility, not a luxury, and how AI is empowering a new generation of veterans to build freedom after service. Whether you're a teacher, coach, mentor, or student of life—this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

• Why failure is essential to growth and how to reframe it
• How Buddy built generational wealth
• The importance of identity, vision, and communication in leadership
• Why veterans are uniquely positioned to thrive in today’s economy
• How AI tools can amplify human connection and accelerate learning
• The evolution of White Feather into a movement for financial freedom

00:00 – Intro: From Poverty to Purpose

05:32 – Buddy’s First Real Estate Failure (and What He Learned)

17:48 – The Power of Time and Perspective

24:10 – Why You Either Win or Learn

29:42 – Turning Pain into a Teaching Mission

38:05 – Building White Feather: From 5 Marines to $1B+ in Assets

44:10 – Passion, Vision, and the Role of Communication

52:55 – Real Estate vs. Real Impact

58:12 – AI, Financial Freedom, and the Future of Veteran Empowerment

1:05:30 – Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Learn—Pass It On

• Buddy Rushing | White Feather Investments
• Website: www.whitefeatherinvestments.com
• LinkedIn: Edward Rushing

• Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
• The Strategic Corporal concept
• ChatGPT and AI tools for learning & productivity

• Velle Logos: www.vellelogos.com
• Instagram: @vellelogos
• LinkedIn: Michael Wish
• Subscribe & Share the show to support more conversations like this!

In this episode of Teach Coach Mentor, Mike Wish sits down with his sister — the unapologetically real, wildly relatable Melissa Hammerle of Melissa in Chaos. A former teacher turned photographer turned online community builder, Melissa shares how she bootstrapped a successful photography business while juggling babies, bills, and zero formal training.

Together, Mike and Melissa unpack what it really means to learn by doing, the emotional rollercoaster of starting something new, and how to thrive (and occasionally fail publicly) in both business and motherhood. Whether you’re launching a side hustle, feeling stuck in your career, or just trying to survive another day with small children — this episode will speak to you.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Melissa taught herself photography using YouTube, grit, and $20 photo sessions
• Why starting messy beats waiting for perfect
• How motherhood shaped her mindset as a business owner
• The dangers of analysis paralysis (especially in the YouTube era)
• The real reason her online community grew to over 50,000 followers
• Why your passion doesn’t need permission — just consistency and courage

Plus:

• Mike reveals his own struggles with learning outside academia
• Melissa shares how her daughter (age 12!) started a mission-led business
• Honest talk about social media pressure, brand deals, and community trust

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning
• Melissa’s community: “The Seven Friend Circle”
• Velle Logos – Mike’s new learning platform for students and lifelong learners
• Free access to the Student Better course (now called the Self-Architecture Course) with the code MELISSAINCHAOS. Visit www.vellelogos.com/course/self-architect-learn-design-transform/

If this conversation made you laugh, reflect, or feel less alone —

📲 Subscribe, share it with a friend, or leave a quick review.

For more tools to help you learn with enthusiasm and lead with purpose, visit vellelogos.com.

Barry Walton is a producer, award-winning filmmaker, and published author with over two decades of experience crafting impactful stories across platforms. He has led major productions for global networks like NatGeo and Animal Planet, and worked with premier organizations including the NBA and NHL. His Emmy Award-winning work has taken him from the Himalayas to Italy and across the U.S., always with a focus on execution, budget discipline, and measurable results. As the author of The Unknown Adventure and director of four documentaries available on Amazon Prime, Barry blends his narrative instincts with production expertise to create stories that resonate deeply with audiences.

See his producer bio, documentary films, and his book The Unknown Adventurer.

In this episode of Teach Coach Mentor, host Mike Wish sits down with Emmy-winning filmmaker and author Barry Walton for a raw, honest, and unforgettable conversation about what it really means to pursue your dreams—and survive them. From living on a sailboat with a camera and a dream to navigating the brutal truths of failure, Barry shares his personal hero's journey, one defined by adventure, insecurity, resilience, and transformation.

Together, Mike and Barry explore:

• The power of personal narrative: how the stories we tell ourselves shape our futures
• The myth vs. reality of chasing a dream—and what happens when they collide
• Why suffering is often the secret ingredient of growth and clarity
• Lessons from the hero's journey, from failure in 3rd grade to success behind the camera
• What it means to “fail forward” and how to teach that mindset to others
• Barry’s unorthodox approach to filmmaking, generative learning, and sidestepping formal education
• Balancing passion with self-awareness: knowing when to burn the boats, and when to take the safer path

This isn’t just a story about documentary filmmaking or personal development—it’s a conversation about life’s thresholds, how to cross them, and what’s waiting on the other side. Perfect for teachers, coaches, mentors, and anyone wrestling with their next big leap.

🎧 Listen now to learn why failing might just be your best move forward.

🎙️ Episode 001: Learning with Purpose — Tom Hathaway on Experience, Self-Awareness, and Leading Others

Welcome to the first episode of Teach Coach Mentor — the podcast that’s all about learning how to learn, and helping others do the same.

In this conversation, host Mike Wish sits down with Tom Hathaway — a Marine infantry officer, educator, and leadership coach — to explore how we learn, how we teach, and what it really means to grow.

Tom reflects on his journey from the battlefields of Afghanistan to the classrooms of the Naval Academy, where he now teaches leadership and coaches high-performing athletes. The conversation ranges from stories of failure and resilience to the nuanced differences between teaching, coaching, and mentoring.

In this episode, we discuss:

🎬 Why every student plays a different “movie” in their head during learning — and why that matters for teachers

🔍 The power of experience in shaping understanding — and when it leads us astray

🧠 Reframing “boring” topics and teaching with humor, passion, and purpose

📚 The difference between preparing to learn and preparing to teach — and why teaching forces clarity

💡 What it means to coach someone who isn’t receptive — and how to build trust first

🪞 How holding up a mirror (not a lecture) leads to real transformation

🎯 Why chasing achievements won't make you happy — but meaningful pursuit might

🧘‍♂️ How self-awareness is the foundation of leadership, growth, and happiness

Quotable Moments:

“Experience is a different kind of learning. It’s a movie you’ve lived—not one you imagined.”

“You could be miserable anywhere. The flip side is—you could also be happy anywhere.”

“The most important subject you can learn is yourself.”

Resources Mentioned:

The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt

Thanks for the Feedback by Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen

A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic by William B. Irvine

Bluey (yes, the kids’ show — with a surprising lesson about ‘boring things’)

About Today’s Guest:

Tom Hathaway is a Marine Corps infantry officer with leadership experience ranging from combat deployments to Arctic operations. He holds a master’s in Security Studies and teaches leadership at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he also coaches the D2 men’s hockey and endurance teams. He’s passionate about unlocking potential through reflection, coaching, and challenge.

🎧 Like what you heard?

Subscribe, leave a review, or share this episode with someone who teaches, coaches, or mentors in your world. For more resources and conversations, visit vellelogos.com (still a work in progress!)

Until next time — keep learning, keep leading, and pass it on.