A lot of what we talked about today (and much more) can be found on Adam's Instagram page, he's getting millions of views for a reason! Check the link:

https://www.instagram.com/attorneyadamashby?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Adam Ashby is a prominent criminal defense attorney and Managing Partner at Jackson White Attorneys at Law in Mesa, Arizona, where he represents clients facing everything from petty crimes to complex felonies. A summa cum laude graduate of the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, he is highly regarded for his strategic advocacy and has been consistently recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star. Fluent in Spanish, Ashby founded the firm's criminal defense Spanish division in 2020 to ensure high level legal access for Arizona's Spanish speaking communities. Outside the courtroom, he reaches a massive audience through his educational social media content on constitutional rights and legal advice.

Malaki Ta’ase is a husband, father, and currently plays football at Iowa State University. He grew up in Mesa, Arizona where he attended Mountain View High School. He lettered varsity all four years, where he was named Arizona’s defensive player of the year.

After high school, Malaki served a mission in Ghana, Africa for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. After returning, he played for New Mexico State, where he was named on the all CUSA freshman team. After that season, he transferred to Washington State, where he saw the field in 13 games, and is now playing his junior year at Iowa State.

Malaki was married in early 2025. Just a few months ago, he and his wife welcomed their first baby.

Reto - the idea that was born and killed within the span of a year. What is Reto? You and a friend create a challenge to block certain apps from your phone, put real money on the line, and whoever caves first coughs up the money to their friend. It’s like a beautiful mixture of Strava, Brick, and Kalshi.

The idea came from a challenge between Jacob and his friend to see who could stay off Instagram the longest. Whoever redownloaded the app and logged back in first would give the other $100. Both friends stayed off addictive social media for several months and noticed improved focus, energy, and performance in their intense college classes.

Unfortunately, Reto’s progress was terminated due to concerns raised by Apple. Unfortunately, Apple is the ultimate gatekeeper when it comes to what is allowed and what isn’t allowed on most American’s phones.

Keith Moon is a highly versatile educator, coach, and philanthropist who has been a cornerstone of The Hotchkiss School community since 1989. Holding degrees in Russian literature and area studies from Dartmouth College and Harvard University, Moon boasts an impressive academic range. Over his tenure, he has taught English, U.S. history, Russian, and Spanish, while also serving as a class dean and dorm head, ultimately earning the prestigious Lufkin Prize and the E. Carleton Granbery Teaching Chair. Beyond the classroom, he has been the head coach of the boys' varsity swimming and diving team since 1994, earning the 2025 NEPSAC Distinguished Service Award for his athletic leadership. Moon is equally renowned for his profound commitment to philanthropy, particularly his three-decade dedication to Special Olympics Connecticut. As the founder of the annual Hotchkiss Swimathon, he has helped raise over $300,000, earning him an induction into the organization's Hall of Fame in 2025.

Braxton and Ike met in the fall of 2023 while serving as full-time volunteer missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Ike met hundreds of unique and outstanding individuals during his time in D.C., but Braxton always stood out because of his intense passion for life. Growing up in a small town in southeastern Idaho, Braxton played football, acted in musical theater, hunted big game in Africa, skied all over the world, built a pond in his backyard, and racked up a significant criminal record at a young age. Recently married in December of 2025, Braxton is now moving to Nashville, where his wife will continue her music career.

Jill Geigle is a mother, author, and advocate against the online sexual exploitation of children. She received her bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in education from Columbia International University. Since high school, Jill has been passionate about protecting individuals and families from the harmful effects of pornography, eventually becoming the Director of Parent and Child Advocacy at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. In 2024, she attended a hearing at Capitol Hill where the Senate Judiciary Committee questioned the executives of big tech and social media companies, such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Meta.

Gisele Bethea is a former American Ballet Theatre standout, world-renowned professional ballerina, and mother of two. She began her serious training at Scottsdale’s Master Ballet Academy and went on to become one of the most decorated junior dancers in the world. Her accolades include Gold and Silver medals at major international competitions in Moscow, Beijing, and the United States, as well as the prestigious Youth Grand Prix Award. Today, Gisele shares her expertise through private instruction and continues to captivate audiences on stage, most recently performing in The Nutcracker and Giselle.

Instead of bringing on a guest, for this first episode I would like to explain why I've decided to create a podcast. In December of 2025, I published an article called "It's No Wonder I Tried to Kill Myself".

I learned very quickly that my own observations of our "post iPhone world" are shared by many, and I'm more sure than ever that either something is going to give, or something needs to change.