The Late Start Show

In Episode 31 of The Late Start Show, Charlie Martin and Jack Nelson sit down with legendary math and law teacher, swim coach, and University School alum Mr. Perry—joined by his son, senior swim captain and theater tech standout Brad Perry. From coaching summer rec teams to winning ten state championships, Mr. Perry shares his remarkable path from civil litigation to inspiring generations of US students in the classroom and in the pool. Brad opens up about growing up at US, leading one of the school’s most successful swim teams, and balancing his passion for competitive swimming with a deep commitment to theater lighting design.

The father-son duo reflects on what it means to carry a five-generation US legacy, the life lessons learned from grueling practices and packed natatoriums, and the joy of doing what you love—even if it means getting up before dawn. Whether it’s “walking in a Perry Wonderland” or soaking in the post-practice satisfaction, this episode is packed with stories, laughs, and heartfelt reflections on family, dedication, and legacy.

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 30 of The Late Start Show, Charlie Martin and Jack Nelson sit down with Bill Oberndorf, US Class of 1971 alum, visionary investor, and longtime advocate for education reform. A distinguished philanthropist and co-founder of SPO Partners, Mr. Obendorf shares the remarkable journey that took him from the halls of US to the forefront of the value investing world.

In this great conversation, Mr. Obendorf reflects on his early years at University School, the mentors and moments that shaped him, and then walks the listeners through his career in finance, including his lunch with Warren Buffett that set him on the path to value investing and the eventual creation of SPO Partners. Mr. Obendorf also discusses his enduring commitment to educational equity, tracing his role in launching the national school choice movement alongside John Walton. From founding the American Federation for Children to establishing transformational scholarship programs at US, he shares why he believes every child deserves access to high-quality education. From stories about investment strategy, family legacy, civic reform, and philanthropy this episode is a great one in both leadership and a testament to giving back.

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 29 of The Late Start Show, Charlie Martin and Jack Nelson sit down with beloved science teacher, cross country coach, and outdoor education enthusiast Dr. Carlson—better known to students as Dr. C. From his adventurous upbringing across the U.S. as a Navy kid to earning a Ph.D. in botany and ecology, Dr. Carlson shares an inspiring journey built on curiosity, perseverance, and a passion for nature.

Dr. Carlson opens up about his family, teaching, and coaching philosophy, and his dream of hiking all three major U.S. long-distance trails. Whether he's building an outdoor classroom, coaching cross country, or encouraging boys to “just figure it out,” his impact on the US community runs deep. This episode is packed with wisdom, laughs, and a reminder to get outside, break a sweat, and get stuff done.

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, Charlie Martin and Jack Nelson sit down with senior and football linebacker Gianni Fedeli. Gianni shares his journey at University School, from starting in first grade to playing four years of football and overcoming a season-ending ACL injury. He discusses the lessons of discipline, brotherhood, and resilience that football taught him, as well as his transition from wide receiver to linebacker.

Beyond sports, Gianni opens up about his faith, his passion for psychology, and his decision to attend John Carroll University to study child and family studies. He reflects on the importance of mental health, the impact of supportive coaches and teachers, and his love for music—especially playing the guitar. Gianni also dives into the McKinley House experience, Founders Day victories, and what he’ll miss most about US. This was a great episode full of a bunch of memorable moments

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, Charlie Martin and Jack Nelson sit down with Rob Markey, a University School alum, author, speaker, podcast host, and management consultant at Bain & Company. Mr. Markey reflects on his journey from US to Brown University to Harvard Business and into the world of consulting, where he helped develop the Net Promoter System, a widely used customer loyalty metric. He shares how his experiences at US—from impactful teachers to working on The Mabian—shaped his curiosity and career path, as well as the unexpected turns that led him to Bain & Company, where he has spent over 35 years.

Beyond business, the conversation explores leadership, prioritization, and the importance of making a meaningful impact. Mr. Markey offers insights into balancing ambition with personal well-being, the power of strong relationships, and how businesses thrive by genuinely improving customers’ lives. Whether you're interested in business strategy, customer experience, or personal growth, this episode is filled with wisdom and inspiration.

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 Hugh Kopittke, Goodwillie Prefect, Track Captain, and Emory University track commit. Hugh shares his journey from transferring to University School in high school to becoming a leader in academics, athletics, and student life. He discusses his transition to US, the challenges of stepping into leadership roles, and the rewarding aspects of being a prefect. Hugh also reflects on organizing school events, leading the track team, and breaking a school record in the 4x100 relay.

Beyond sports and leadership, Hugh dives into his passion for theater, his experience in the school musical, and his ambitions in sports management. He opens up about his senior speech on substance abuse, his personal decision to abstain from alcohol, and how he hopes to inspire others. He also shares advice for incoming students, thoughts on the house system, and his hopes for the next class of prefects. This episode is packed with insights on resilience, personal growth, and making the most of high school—perfect for students and aspiring leaders alike.

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 25 of The Late Start Show, Charlie Martin and Jack Nelson sit down with Lee Kravitz, former editorial director of Scholastic, former editor-in-chief of Parade Magazine, and author of Unfinished Business. A proud University School alumnus, Lee shares his journey from his early days at US to becoming a leader in the publishing world.

In this insightful conversation, Lee reflects on his time at University School, the mentors who shaped him, and the challenges he faced while navigating the journalism industry. He discusses his experiences covering major global events, the evolving landscape of media in the digital age, and the responsibility of journalists to maintain integrity in an era of misinformation. Lee also delves into the importance of personal reflection, the power of storytelling, and his latest project—exploring the role of dreams in understanding oneself. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in writing, media, and personal growth.

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 24 of The Late Start Show, Charlie Martin and Jack Nelson sit down with Charlie Horton, a former professional goalkeeper who played in the MLS, EFL, League One, and USL before transitioning into finance. A University School alum (Class of 2013), Charlie shares his journey from growing up in London to playing soccer at the highest level, passing up a UNC scholarship to go succeed in Europe, and navigating life after sports.

Charlie reflects on the lessons he learned as an athlete, the impact of his time at US, and how his experiences shaped his career in investment banking and private equity. He also offers valuable advice for student-athletes looking to compete at the next level.

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 23 of The Late Start Show, Charlie Martin and Jack Nelson sit down with Grant Brugger and Colton Gile, two eighth graders from University School’s Shaker Campus. They discuss their experiences as new students, their favorite moments from eighth grade, and their excitement and nerves about transitioning to the Upper School. From Founders Day to the house system, sports, and clubs, they share what makes the middle school experience special and how they’re preparing for the next chapter.

Grant and Colton also reflect on their involvement in local government, explaining how their letters to the mayor of South Russell helped push forward a project to install sidewalks and bike lanes in their community. They discuss the impact of their teachers, the lessons they’ve learned, and their goals for high school and beyond. Whether you're a current student, an alum, or just curious about student life at US, this episode offers an insightful and inspiring look at the middle school experience.

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 ofThe Late Start Show, Charlie Martin and Jack Nelson sit down with Mr. Greg Malkin, the legendary former business teacher at University School and the founder of the Young Entrepreneur Institute. Mr. Malkin shares his incredible journey from launching his first business in college to starting Technical Software at the dawn of the personal computer revolution, later growing it into a company with over 300 employees.

In this engaging conversation, Mr. Malkin reflects on the lessons he learned as an entrepreneur, the values that shaped his approach to business, and how his passion for teaching led him to University School. He discusses the founding and evolution of the Young Entrepreneur Institute, the importance of experiential learning, and the entrepreneurial mindset that has driven both his career and his mentorship. Whether you're a student, a budding entrepreneur, or just someone interested in the power of innovation and business, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiring insights.

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.