In Episode 29 of The Late Start Show, we sit down with Coach Michael Perrino, University School’s new head varsity lacrosse coach and assistant to the athletic department. He takes us back to growing up in Solon, Ohio, in a deeply supportive family with his twin brother, and to the humbling first lacrosse practice where the ball flew straight up and hit him in the head. From there, we trace the rise of a multi-sport competitor whose love for the game was shaped by Northeast Ohio’s fierce lacrosse culture, early battles against US, and a trip with his dad to the 2006 national championship that made college lacrosse feel real. Coach Perrino reflects on the whirlwind of recruiting, the shock of the college game, and the path that took him from the College of Wooster to Roanoke and then Canisius, where injuries, transfers, and constant self-evaluation helped sharpen not just the player he was becoming, but the person too.

From there, we follow a journey defined by persistence: open tryouts, surgeries, a spot with the Ohio Machine, and eventually a coaching career that stretched from John Carroll to Ohio Wesleyan, St. John Fisher, Baldwin Wallace, Robert Morris, and now back home to University School. Coach Perrino opens up about what actually builds a winning culture, not slogans, but hard work when no one’s watching, real closeness, high standards, and an attitude that lifts everyone around you. He talks about preparing students not just to win games, but to handle adversity, embrace discomfort, and see high school as a “40-year decision, not a four-year decision.” And at the center of it all is his why: relationships. More than wins, losses, or even lacrosse itself, Coach Perrino says the reason he coaches is to build lasting bonds with players and help them long after the final whistle.

Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.

In Episode 28 of The Late Start Show, we sit down with Danny Sullivan, senior diver on University School’s five-time straight state champion swimming and diving team, Anderson House prefect, golfer, skier, and musician. Danny reflects on growing up as a quiet kid who slowly grew into himself, arriving at US in seventh grade unsure of whether he belonged, and how that uncertainty quickly gave way to deep friendships, lasting traditions, and a genuine love for the school community. He looks back on some of the people and moments that shaped him most, from the handshake line and the friendships built in the halls to teachers like Mr. Richmond who helped him discover the value of persistence, confidence, and growth.

From the fear and focus required on the diving board to the mental pressure of individual sports like golf, Danny opens up about learning how to trust his preparation, push through fear, and lead with consistency. He shares what it has meant to serve as a house prefect, the story behind his memorable senior speech performance at the piano, and why leadership, kindness, and community have become the values that matter most to him. Looking ahead to Middlebury and a future that may include economics, environmental studies, skiing, golf, and plenty of new interests, Danny talks about wanting a life centered on passion, friendship, and growth, and leaves listeners with a clear “why”: the people around him, the community he has built, and the chance to keep showing up for others while doing what he loves.

Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.

In Episode 27 of The Late Start Show, we sit down with Adonis Wazni, senior, captain of the Public Forum debate team, president of the Student Investment Committee, and science researcher. Adonis reflects on growing up at University School as a lifer, what it’s been like finally sharing campus with his younger brother, and how joining debate in eighth grade helped him grow from an introvert into a confident speaker and leader. He also shares how he got involved in school spirit work behind the scenes and dives into his award-winning science research, including a biomimicry project inspired by penguins, sharks, water striders, and even golf balls to reduce noise pollution and wake from container ships.

From navigating 13 different debate partners over four years to finally qualifying for both states and nationals, Adonis opens up about resilience, communication, and what it means to lead with consistency. He talks about how classes like stats, science, English, and economics shaped the way he thinks in debate, what he hopes to build in the Student Investment Committee by making sure every voice is heard, and why he sees college as a chance to keep learning before narrowing his focus. He also reflects on his powerful senior speech about names, identity, and assumptions, and closes with a “why” rooted in effort, gratitude, and growth: if he’s going to do something, he’s going to give it his best.

Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.

In Episode 26 of The Late Start Show, Charlie Martin and Jack Nelson sit down with David “Russ” Nobles, University School rapper, track athlete, and winner of the Sherman Prize Speaking Contest, for a funny, honest, and surprisingly deep conversation about identity, confidence, and chasing what you actually love. Starting with Russ shadowing Charlie back in 5th grade (and famously being most impressed by the buffet lunch), the episode traces how Russ found community at US, started rapping young, and learned to trust his voice, especially once classmates supported his first songs and beats instead of boxing him into stereotypes. Russ also breaks down what he wishes people understood about rap: that it’s not just “loud” or “vulgar,” but an art form tied to storytelling, social justice, and real change, shaped by artists he respects like J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Tupac, and more.

The conversation then dives into the Sherman Prize journey: what the contest is, how he chose a message “only he could tell,” why he had to rap on that stage, and the behind-the-scenes grind of making every line land out loud. Russ relives the nerves right before he went on (“don’t mess it up”), the surreal moment his name got called as the winner, and the bigger takeaway he hopes people remember, your dream isn’t “less important” just because it doesn’t fit the typical path. Along the way, he shouts out the teachers who’ve had his back (especially Dr. Matthew Foulds), shares what track taught him about resilience and “quick memory,” and looks ahead to what’s next musically, songs in the vault, visuals, and a dream of rapping on a Tyler, the Creator beat. The episode closes with Russ’s “why”: showing up for the kids who feel like outcasts, and proving that being unapologetically yourself is more than a vibe, it’s the whole point.

Credits to Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.

In Episode 25 of The Late Start Show, Charlie Martin and Jack Nelson sit down with Mr. Robert Sherman, University School alumnus (Class of 2014), NewsNation international correspondent, and bestselling author of Lessons from the Front, for a wide-ranging conversation that starts in Northeast Ohio and spans the world. Calling in from Abu Dhabi amid major Ukraine–Russia–U.S. negotiations, Sherman reflects on the values that shaped him early, being a “go-getter,” building opportunities when no one hands them to you, and believing there’s “no weakness in kindness.” From his “lifer” years at US to launching USPN and learning by doing, he explains how curiosity, reps, and saying “yes” turned a love of broadcasting into a career built on real-world stories.

The conversation dives into the moments that transformed his perspective: reporting a heartbreaking early story in Alabama that taught him journalism can tangibly change lives, covering breaking news across the U.S., and then stepping onto the world stage when Russia invaded Ukraine, watching history unfold at the border as families fled for survival. Sherman also shares what it was like arriving in Israel the day after October 7, how conflict reporting reshaped his understanding of time and home, and why, despite everything, he’s more optimistic about humanity than ever. Along the way, he takes listeners inside unforgettable “pinch me” rooms, from Rome’s conclave and a viral question to Pope Leo XIV, to the bigger lesson he keeps returning to: the world isn’t black-and-white, and his “why” is a lifelong pursuit of listening, learning, and understanding.

Credits to Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.

In Episode 24 of The Late Start Show, Charlie Martin and Jack Nelson sit down with Mr. Jeff Pierce, University School’s Jr. K - 8 enrichment specialist, middle school speech & debate coach, and history specialist, to trace the winding path that shaped his life in education. From growing up in Columbus and thriving as a student, to studying history at Harvard, to a formative stint volunteering abroad, Mr. Pierce shares how curiosity (and a willingness to take big leaps) eventually carried him to teaching overseas, where a “one-year” plan in Hong Kong turned into a 14-year chapter in international education.

The conversation dives into what it’s like returning to the U.S. after years abroad, what makes University School special, and how debate, enrichment, and genuine student opportunities can build lifelong skills beyond the gradebook. Along the way, Mr. Pierce reflects on family, coaching, raising two boys at US, and the values that ground him when life gets busy, making the world a better place, and believing that “Pierces can do hard things.”

Credits to Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.

In Episode 23 of Season Two of The Late Start Show, we sit down with two University School seniors who took different paths to US, and found their place in the same community: Colin Milbourn, a two-sport athlete in football and basketball who transferred in looking for a bigger challenge, and Kingston Oliver, a varsity basketball player and cellist whose move to US brought an early culture shock and a fast transition through sports. Together, they reflect on what it really feels like to “find your footing” at a new school, meeting people through teams, leaning on teachers and mentors, and discovering that brotherhood shows up in everything from the classroom to the student section. Along the way, they shout out the classes and educators that shaped their experience and talk about how sports, clubs, and music widened their circles and built relationships that stuck.

From there, the conversation shifts to senior-year leadership and what it means to carry yourself when the stakes are higher, staying steady in big moments, leading by example, and helping build a culture where showing up for each other is the norm. Colin and Kingston break down the energy behind this year’s school spirit, why their class has kept it going, and how support can look like cheering at games—or showing up to an orchestra concert. They also get real about balancing academics, athletics, friends, and family, share what they’ll miss most about a small-school environment, and offer advice to younger students on finding support early and making the most of the time you have. They close with their “why”: gratitude for family sacrifice, and a commitment to being intentional in everything they do.

Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.

In Episode 22 of Season Two of The Late Start Show, we sit down with Mr. Terry Lipford ’98, University School alum, middle school teacher, basketball coach, and Director of the REACH Program. Growing up on Cleveland’s east side in a family of educators, Mr. Lipford reflects on the early influences that shaped his values, community, discipline, and pride in identity. He shares what it was like arriving at US in seventh grade, finding his footing through football and basketball, and forming lasting connections through teams, mentors, and the school’s Black student community. From high-stakes basketball moments to the teachers and coaches who pushed him to grow, he explains why US became a place that helped him see both who he was and who he could become.

From there, Mr. Lipford walks us through his path after graduation: choosing John Carroll University, studying business, spending time in the corporate world, and ultimately realizing his calling was in education. We dive deep into the REACH Program, its origins, mission, and impact as a three-summer academic and identity-affirming experience for African American middle school boys, and what sets it apart from traditional enrichment or admissions pipelines. Mr. Lipford breaks down how REACH measures success, why brotherhood and belonging matter as much as grades, and what it means to see alumni return as mentors and leaders. He closes by reflecting on legacy, service, and his “why”: family, responsibility, and giving back to the community that helped shape him.

Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.

In Episode 21 of Season Two of The Late Start Show, we sit down with Russell Breuer ’98, University School alum and the founder and CEO of Spot & Tango, the fresh pet food company shaking up how we think about pet health. Growing up in Shaker Heights, and later commuting from Aurora after his family moved, Mr. Breuer reflects on his path through US and the teachers, trips, and community that stuck with him. He shares why the “do everything” spirit of US mattered: playing soccer and tennis, becoming editor-in-chief of The Mabian, and learning the kind of structured, first-principles problem solving he still leans on as a CEO.

From there, Mr. Breuer walks us through Emory, studying Spanish and international studies (inspired in part by his family’s Venezuelan roots), and how that global focus turned into a consulting career that started in Washington, DC (Kaiser Associates) and unexpectedly became eight years in London, passport and all. We dive into the origin story of Spot & Tango: his wife cooking fresh meals for their mini goldendoodle, late nights in a Queens incubator kitchen, and the “dark times” grind (apron, hair net, and bike-messenger deliveries) that eventually pushed him to go all-in in April 2018. We unpack what “personalized” pet nutrition really means, the idea behind UnKibble (freeze-dried, shelf-stable, and designed to cut cold-chain cost), and the scaling moments, like selling out in three days after launching in April 2020 and building real-world manufacturing muscle in Allentown. Mr. Breuer also breaks down the rebrand to “Spot & Tango,” the launch of Pup Gum, what’s next (including a Canada move on March 1 and brick-and-mortar on the roadmap), and closes with the legacy he wants to leave, giving back, and his “why”: grit.

Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.

In Episode 20 of Season Two of The Late Start Show, we sit down with Tony Peebles ’81, veteran banker and finance leader, longtime civic fundraiser, Baldwin Wallace University’s Alumni Engagement Director, and a current University School board member. Growing up in Cleveland’s Lee-Harvard neighborhood with two educator parents (a PE teacher mom and a shop-teacher dad), Tony reflects on being an introverted kid who found his voice through music (he started guitar at age seven) and the mentors who pushed him to work hard. He shares how CCIS-era recruiting and a “Major Works” cohort from Gracemont brought him to US in seventh grade, and how Western Civ, public speaking, and the jazz band (including a Boston tour by Amtrak) helped shape his confidence, humility, and love of teamwork.

From there, Tony traces his path to Duke, from a Stanford dream vetoed by his mom to a campus visit made powerful by the reality that Duke would’ve been segregated for his father and grandfather. He tells stories of ACC basketball energy (and seeing legends up close) before unpacking the relationship-driven breaks that built his career: an Ameritrust summer internship arranged through US connections that turned into a full-time management trainee role and, eventually, a decades-long run in financial services, including major responsibility at Fifth Third and an MBA earned while working full-time. We dive into what alumni engagement really means, “time, talent, and treasure”, and why Tony believes staying involved is one of the most underrated leadership skills. He closes with the legacy he hopes to leave at US (keeping doors open for talented students from every background) and his “why”: giving back, guided by his father’s rules about faith, family, and leading with integrity.

Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.