The Mic is Ahn

Welcome back to the Mic is Ahn Podcast! In this episode we talk to Kelly Sopak, the head coach of the University of Nevada women's basketball program.  Kelly is back for another chat, which is his third time on the podcast.  

In this quick update, we talk about how he became the head coach of a division one women's basketball program, and how much that has changed for him and his family.  We talk about what it's like to now focus so much time solely on basketball, and how that differs from all the years in high school and club.  Then, we hear about how the practice schedule is structured, and all the things that go into getting a team ready for the season.  Before we are done, we revisit some old memories from our coaching days together at Northgate High School and look forward to the Nevada women's season.

A huge thank you to Kelly, who said that he wanted to come on before the season began, and fulfilled that in this episode.  You can go back and listen to Kelly on episode 7, from January of 2021, and episode 75, from April of 2025 to get many more stories.  Thanks for listening, and if this is your first episode, don't let it be your last!  The Mic is Ahn and Kelly Sopak.....a necessary part of your life.

Kelly Sopak Instagram: kellysopak, nevadawbb

Podcast Email: [email protected]

Podcast Instagram: ahniebpe

Episode 79 brings Kristina Dumbeck back to the Mic is Ahn Podcast to talk all things education.  Because we both teach high school students, we wanted to tackle all kinds of educational topics in a thorough manner.  Kristina and I talked a lot about the impact of technology in education, and how that affects relationship building, particularly in high school.  We also talk about teaching philosophy and parenting approaches, and how they intertwine with both of our lives.  We talk about building trusting relationships in the classroom, the greatness of cultural diversity, and things high schools focus too much and not enough on.  Kristina asks me a question about administration near the end, which results in hot opinions on that and how I compare each school year to a pregnancy.  Good times for sure.  Even if you don't teach I assure you Kristina is a wealth of knowledge and care.  Teachers like her deserve to be heard, and she is not to be missed.  Enjoy the summer by listening to Kristina and I together on The Mic is Ahn Podcast!

Kristina Dumbeck 

Instagram: kdumbeck

Podcast 

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: ahniebpe

This is an episode full of questions for me that I am answering in full.  It starts from the title, as Questions and Ahnswers was suggested a couple of years ago...and now it's real!  In this episode I answer a bundle of questions that include: My nationality, my dream job or what I would do if I wasn't a Physical Education teacher.  I also talk about my bucket list, favorite shoe and clothing brands, favorite snacks and injuries and altercations that have happened in my classes.  I cover my secret talents, favorite unique app I use, and an uncommon interest that I have.  Near the end I talk about my motivation behind why I do what I do, and then give a shout out to my good friend Kelly Sopak.  Come for the questions, listen to the answers, and get more familiar with The Mic is Ahn Podcast!

Episode 77 was a long time coming.  Dave Gomez returns for his 4th visit on The Mic is Ahn Podcast!  Of course, you may know him better as Officer Gomez, or Deputy Gomez.  Dave is a school resource officer in the state of Idaho, and in this episode we cover the changes that have taken place in the last few years.  He starts by telling us where he's at, and how he got there.  Then, we begin talking about the speaking career that began from him posting about his life as an SRO on Facebook.  Both his Facebook page and his speaking engagements have blown up, so we get all the details about that.  

We also cover phones and chromebooks in schools, and the problems they present.  Dave continues to talk about how parenting plays the biggest part in helping children be able to overcome anything.  Other topics we hit include homeschooling, differences in schooling, getting offended, and of course vaping...both nicotine and thc..and how hard it is to quit.  

Before we're done, you'll hear us touch on food and family times, as Dave and I are first cousins as well!  If this is the first time you're hearing Dave, you'll want to go back and listen to previous episodes (54/40/3) and hear all about his life. He is one of the best humans I've ever met, and I promise that his information and way he approaches young people is both special and unique.  Listen to the episode, tell your friends and neighbors, and welcome....to The Mic is Ahn!

Dave Gomez

Facebook: @deputygomez

Instagram: deputygomez

Youtube: @officergomez

TikTok: @officergomez

Email: [email protected]

Podcast Email: [email protected]

Instagram: ahniebpe

In this episode I welcome Lauren Sherbakov back to the Mic is Ahn Podcast.  Lauren, who is making her third appearance, is the creator of Your Balanced Belly, a business that focuses on weight loss and gut health.  

It has been more than 3 years since she has visited, and a lot has happened both in her professional and personal life.  We delve into all those topics, talking about how she recently left the nursing profession after more than a decade to fully invest her time and life in her company.  Lauren also goes in-depth about the kinds of things she does and what type of help she gives to all of her clients.  

I wanted all of you to be able to hear Lauren's philosophy and impressive communication skills, because I know the good Lauren brings to her job and the fact that most of you know someone who would really benefit from it.  

Of course, we also talk about all kinds of other subjects, including how Lauren's competitiveness helps her in her job, food, pet peeves, scents (yes, I said scents) and memories from high school.  

And, not to be forgotten, Lauren has time at the end to get in a few questions of her own for me, including the podcast, love for teaching, summers, and even paddle tennis.  

This is a great interview that I know will bring joy and happiness to all of you out there needing it.  Lauren Sherbakov. Your Balanced Belly. Good times...on The Mic is Ahn!

Website: yourbalancedbelly.com

Instagram: yourbalancedbelly

Podcast email: [email protected]

Instagram: ahniebpe

In Episode 75, Kelly Sopak returns to the Mic is Ahn Podcast.  Fresh off a 2025 State Championship with his Carondelet Cougars Girls Basketball Team, and having been named Girls Basketball Coach of the Year in California, we needed to talk about everything. 

We start by talking about the feeling of winning his first state championship as a coach and how it came about.  But, the rest of the interview is spent talking about in-depth coaching questions that he did a great job of answering.  Questions include 3 things people don't understand about coaching girls high school basketball, what is the hardest thing about it, and the biggest differences nowadays between high school programs and clubs.  I also got Kelly to talk about specific players that he has had the opportunity to coach that made a lasting impression.  

Kelly is a phenomenal coach, person, father and friend.  We talk about it all, and even get to some great Northgate memories at the end.  Those of you not familiar with Kelly will be fans by the end of this episode.  Enjoy your time, and come back for more...on The Mic is Ahn!

Kelly Sopak Instagram: kellysopak

Podcast email: [email protected]

Podcast Instagram: ahniebpe

Episode 74 brings us Heather Thompson Day, a speaker, author, educator and podcaster.  Heather is someone that is very well known in the Christian media world and I have been looking forward to having her on this podcast for quite some time.  
I have wanted to talk to her ever since I initially found her on Twitter, talking about students and education.  Once I became more familiar with her, it became a goal to get her to The Mic is Ahn.  As most of you know, my goal with the podcast is to interview people who I believe are interesting and need to be heard by everyone.  Heather fits that bill completely.  We talked about her writing career, how she began speaking, what led her to education in the first place, and everything in between.  Many of you who listen to this episode may already know Heather and want to hear what she is up to.  For those of you who are just meeting her here, you are in for a treat!
Heather Thompson Day is an impressive person, and you are about to hear all about her.  We also touch on parenting, her new book, what her future looks like....and we even sneak in some food talk.  
I'm so happy to bring this to you, because Heather is someone that truly makes a difference.  Sit back and enjoy...and start the year off with Heather Thompson Day on The Mic is Ahn!

Heather Thompson Day
heatherthompsonday.com

Instagram: heatherthompsonday

Podcast email: [email protected]
Instagram: ahniebpe

In this episode, Alyssa Abina returns to talk all about eating and TikTok.  Alyssa has over half-a-million TikTok followers, and we focus on her foray into the Mukbang and ASMR world over the last year-and-a-half.  We get into how she decided to start shifting her focus to Mukbangs and ASMR,  what exactly they are, and how things have skyrocketed since she made that adjustment.  
I also ask her questions about the uniqueness of filming mostly from her vehicle, and when she first got comfortable eating on camera.  Other topics focus on her followers, how she gets contacted by restaurants who want to work with her, and how she got to go to Bottlerock for free!
We also talk a bit about being paid on TikTok, the future of TikTok, and how she has been recognized out in public.  
Yes, most of the episode is about food....but it's interesting and Alyssa really explains her thought process and what all of this has meant to her.  
Come for the food...enjoy the conversation....and get acquainted with Alyssa, and The Mic is Ahn!

Let your family and friends know that they can listen wherever they get their podcasts!

Alyssa Abina 
TikTok: alyssaabina
Instagram: alyssa.abina

Podcast email: [email protected]
Instagram: ahniebpe

Episode 72 of The Mic is Ahn Podcast talks about the importance of class reunions, memorial services, and answering the question of how students have changed over time.  This episode is all my voice (exciting!), talking about attending a recent class reunion as a teacher and what the experience was like.  

I felt compelled to talk about how I think that reunions and memorials are meaningful to seeing old friends and acquaintances and the opportunity to reconnect with former parts of your life.  

I touch on the fact that I don't have very many friends that live near to me and how that might not be abnormal...but that only means we have to treasure times we have with those who are close to us.  

I finish off by answering a question that I have been asked by many former students: What are the biggest changes in students nowadays?

You might be surprised by the answer....but no matter what...check the episode out and let me know what you thought!  The Mic is Ahn....4 years strong.....unreal.

Podcast email: [email protected]
Instagram: ahniebpe

This episode is the 4th in a series following the college careers of Paige Davis and Lexi Miloradovitch.  Better known on this podcast as the college girls, we have followed Lexi and Paige all the way through their 4 years of higher education.  What started in 2020 with an idea to see what it would be like to document two good friends going through completely different college situations, we now get to talk about them being College Grads!  Both Lexi and Paige graduated in the summer of 2024 and now we are here to talk about it all.  
We hit their final year from all angles.  What was their final year like? What were their graduation experiences (remember, they didn't get a normal high school graduation)? We talk about their next stops before diving into their final views on college.  
What will they miss the most about college? What will they miss about their college cities? What will they not miss?  We also touch on what they miss about high school and a whole bunch of other college related topics. 
I am so proud of both of these young women for being willing to share their thoughts and feelings with me and you, the listeners, as they followed their collegiate paths.  As you will hear, they are all grown up now, and they have plenty to say about what this experience meant to them.
As their former teacher, I could not be more proud of their growth, maturity, and ability to be introspective at such a high level.  
Take a listen to Lexi and Paige here on the Mic is Ahn, as we close the book on The College Girls...year 4....College GRADS!

Paige Davis Instagram: paigedavis54
Lexi Miloradovitch Instagram: lexi.milo
Lexi's year in Spain Instagram: lexisvidalinda

Podcast Email: [email protected]
Podcast Instagram: ahniebpe