Podcast
Lion Legacy
Hosted by Penn State Alums Jared Melzer & Ross Weisbrot · EN
The Lion Legacy podcast uncovers stories of Penn State University alumni and their compelling professional and personal journeys. Founded by 2004 graduates and great friends - Jared Melzer and Ross Weisbrot - the duo interviews guests from wide-ranging career industries and dives into how Penn State has prepared them for growth and success.
12episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Larry Jaffee, Author - "Record Store Day" (#60)
Oct 30, 202300:46:07Tap to summarize1986 Penn State graduate Larry Jaffee loves this quote from Albert Einstein: "I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." Larry's curiosity has led to a career in journalism, teaching and his latest endeavor, authoring the book "Record Store Day" that dives into vinyls' comeback. In this episode, we cover a wide range of topics that keep Larry curious. (7:33) - Pursuing a career in journalism(8:45) - Writing style(12:28) - Concerns about ChatGPT(13:11) - Advice to aspiring journalists(14:15) - Going into teaching (16:05) - Sports reporting(19:57) - Bringing the vinyl industry together(29:08) - Writing "Record Store Day"(31:15) - MTV's impact on the music industry(37:15) - Top record collection(39:57) - Lions Den presented by http://Lions-Pride.com: Penn State ExperienceLearn more at http://LarryJaffee.com.Special thanks to Penn State student intern Dan Bransfeld.Show off your Penn State pride with the latest apparel and gear by visiting http://Lions-Pride.com.Keep up with all the Penn State news at http://Collegian.PSU.edu.Join Penn State's network connecting students and alumni at http://Alumni.PSU.edu/LionLink.Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production and is not affiliated with Penn State University. Visit us at http://LionLegacyPodcast.com and http://Instagram.com/LionLegacyPodcast.
Transcribe →Jeff Coppola, Executive - WorldStrides (#59)
Oct 26, 202300:53:26Tap to summarize1982 Penn State graduate Jeff Coppola is all about journeys. From his current company, WorldStrides, that focuses on experiential trips for students, to his own professional journey through numerous industries, to his family's personal journey with autism, this episode has great nuggets on leadership and career insights. (5:25) - Getting to know Worldstrides(13:38) - Role at Worldstrides(18:58) - Putting the focus on the customer(22:45) - Early career lessons(27:33) - Transferable skills across industries (31:08) - Experiencing challenges(34:22) - Board Member for the Virginia Institute for Autism(39:08) - Lions Den presented by http://Lions-Pride.com: Penn State ExperienceLearn more at http://WorldStrides.com.Special thanks to Penn State student intern Dan Bransfeld.Show off your Penn State pride with the latest apparel and gear by visiting http://Lions-Pride.com.Keep up with all the Penn State news at http://Collegian.PSU.edu.Join Penn State's network connecting students and alumni at http://Alumni.PSU.edu/LionLink.Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production and is not affiliated with Penn State University. Visit us at http://LionLegacyPodcast.com and http://Instagram.com/LionLegacyPodcast.
Transcribe →Jill O'Brien, FlyNYON (Helicopter Experiences) (#58)
Oct 17, 202300:38:33Tap to summarize2013 Penn State graduate Jill O'Brien is flying high as Chief of Staff at FlyNYON, which specializes in creating enduring memories through helicopter experiences. On this episode, Jill shares with us how FlyNYON helps film movies (The Wolf of Wall Street), celebrate wedding proposals and more!Jump right in:(7:01) - Flying in a helicopter(9:46) - Career journey(13:33) - Role as Chief of Staff(17:50) - Commercial side of the business(21:45) - Drones vs. helicopters(25:52) - Passion for photography(28:43) - Photography style(30:17) - Appreciation of photography in the age of smartphones(31:31) - Lions Den presented by http://Lions-Pride.com: Penn State ExperienceLearn more at http://FlyNYON.com.Special thanks to Penn State student intern Dan Bransfeld.Show off your Penn State pride with the latest apparel and gear by visiting http://Lions-Pride.com.Keep up with all the Penn State news at http://Collegian.PSU.edu.Join Penn State's network connecting students and alumni at http://Alumni.PSU.edu/LionLink.Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production and is not affiliated with Penn State University. Visit us at http://LionLegacyPodcast.com and http://Instagram.com/LionLegacyPodcast.
Transcribe →Larry Seamans, President - FamilyAid (#57)
Sep 25, 202300:43:09Tap to summarize1985 Penn State graduate Larry Seamans is leading the fight against family homelessness. As President of FamilyAid, Larry discusses how his organization is providing holistic support to families in need, the policy changes he'd like to see and more! Jump right in:(7:55) - The impact of homelessness(10:12) - Role of FamilyAid(12:18) - Impactful stories(16:04) - Mental and emotional aspect (17:30) - Talking to donors about FamilyAid(22:05) - Recognition by Charity Navigator(23:02) - Policy changes (27:42) - Career trajectory (30:16) - Most challenging aspect of role(32:28) - Advice for students considering a career in not-for-profit(33:41) - Lions Den presented by http://Lions-Pride.com: Penn State ExperienceLearn more at http://FamilyAidBoston.org.Special thanks to Katie O'Toole's podcasting class and student Kristin Hoberman.Show off your Penn State pride with the latest apparel and gear by visiting http://Lions-Pride.com.Keep up with all the Penn State news at http://Collegian.PSU.edu.Join Penn State's network connecting students and alumni at http://Alumni.PSU.edu/LionLink.Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production and is not affiliated with Penn State University. Visit us at http://LionLegacyPodcast.com
Transcribe →Kate Chan, Social Media Influencer & Agency Founder (#56)
Sep 19, 202300:39:23Tap to summarize2021 Penn State graduate Kate Chan knows how to connect with and create a community around Gen Z. In this episode, we learn about Kate's social media agency Ichiyuzu Media, creating an influential instagram account on food (@KatieEatsPhilly) and more! Jump right in:(4:32)- The meaning behind the agency name and type of agency(10:15) - Social media platforms(14:05) - Favorite brand campaigns(17:02) - Impact of social media on the business(20:45) - The creation of Katie Eats Philly on Instagram(25:43) - Creating a personal brand(27:08) - Favorite Philadelphia and State College restaurants (28:41) - Lions Den presented by http://Lions-Pride.com: Penn State ExperienceLearn more and follow Kate: http://IchiyuzuMedia.com and http://Instagram.com/KatieEatsPhillySpecial thanks to Katie O'Toole's podcasting class and student Xi Chen.Show off your Penn State pride with the latest apparel and gear by visiting http://Lions-Pride.com.Keep up with all the Penn State news at http://Collegian.PSU.edu.Join Penn State's network connecting students and alumni at http://Alumni.PSU.edu/LionLink.Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production and is not affiliated with Penn State University. Visit us at http://LionLegacyPodcast.com
Transcribe →Ryan Hager, Professional Golfers' Association (#55)
Sep 7, 202300:59:04Tap to summarize2016 Penn State graduate Ryan Hager has made a profession of helping people improve their golf game. As Director of Instruction at Plainfield Country Club and a social media influencer (78k followers on Instagram), Ryan shares his experiences with the PGA Golf Management program at Penn State, his dream golf foursome and more! Jump right in:(6:36)- The early years of developing a passion for golf(13:06) - Certification process to become a PGA instructor(17:54) - Teaching style(22:24) - The mental aspect of the game(25:26) - Virtual coaching(28:28) - Coaching highlights(30:02) - Creating a personal brand on social media(32:58) - Advice on how to improve the game(38:14) - State of the industry(45:48) - Lions Den presented by http://Lions-Pride.com: Penn State ExperienceLearn more and follow Ryan: http://RyanHagerPGA.com and http://Instagram.com/RyanHager_PGAShow off your Penn State pride with the latest apparel and gear by visiting http://Lions-Pride.com.Keep up with all the Penn State news at http://Collegian.PSU.edu.Join Penn State's network connecting students and alumni at http://Alumni.PSU.edu/LionLink.Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production and is not affiliated with Penn State University. Visit us at http://LionLegacyPodcast.com
Transcribe →Geoff Martha, Chairman and CEO - Medtronic (#54)
Aug 23, 202300:48:06Tap to summarize1992 Penn State graduate Geoff Martha is Chairman and CEO of Medtronic, the global leader in healthcare technology. In this episode, Geoff gives us a special look into the role of a CEO, the importance of leadership, and his experiences taking the helm of a healthcare company during the start of the pandemic. Jump right in:(2:50)- Medtronic’s business(5:50) - Major trends in the healthcare industry(10:33) - Becoming CEO during the pandemic(18:24) - Experiences that led to becoming CEO(21:09) - Leadership characteristics(23:38) - Short term expectations vs. long term vision(27:54) - Time management (30:41) - Lions Den presented by http://Lions-Pride.com: Penn State ExperienceShow off your Penn State pride with the latest apparel and gear by visiting http://Lions-Pride.com.Keep up with all the Penn State news at http://Collegian.PSU.edu.Join Penn State's network connecting students and alumni at http://Alumni.PSU.edu/LionLink.Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production and is not affiliated with Penn State University. Visit us at http://LionLegacyPodcast.comSpecial thanks to http://StudioPodSF.com for their support.
Transcribe →Ian Katz, Licensed Real Estate Broker (#53)
Aug 16, 202300:58:31Tap to summarize2004 Penn State graduate Ian Katz is helping people buy and sell homes in one of the most popular and competitive markets - New York City. As a Licensed Real Estate Broker at Compass, Ian provides great perspective on successful brokers, the current mortgage rate environment and the vacant office building situation. Regardless if you live in NYC or not, you'll be sure to learn a lot and come away with a new appreciation for the industry.Jump right in:(3:59) - Starting his career on Wall Street(5:51) - Transitioning to real estate(17:05) - Joining Compass(19:42) - Day in the life(22:12) - Setting prices(26:56) - Securing new clients(28:43) - Advice for being a successful real estate agent(32:27) - Prideful moments(36:50) - Dealing with the current mortgage rate environment (42:37) - Converting office space to apartments (46:22) - Advice to sellers and buyers (48:59) - Lions Den presented by http://Lions-Pride.com: Penn State ExperienceShow off your Penn State pride with the latest apparel and gear by visiting http://Lions-Pride.com.Keep up with all the Penn State news at http://Collegian.PSU.edu.Join Penn State's network connecting students and alumni at http://Alumni.PSU.edu/LionLink.Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production and is not affiliated with Penn State University. Visit us at http://LionLegacyPodcast.comSpecial thanks to http://StudioPodSF.com for their support.
Transcribe →Matt Roda, Neuro Fitness/Training (#52)
Aug 9, 202300:48:14Tap to summarize2020 Penn State graduate Matt Roda wasn't your typical college student. While at Penn State, Matt co-founded and launched a company, Reflexion, specializing in neuro fitness and training. In this episode, Matt explains what neuro fitness entails and how Reflexion is helping people recover from injury and professional athletes unlock new levels of performance (like the NBA Champions Denver Nuggets), as well as his entrepreneurial journey. (6:54) - Understanding neuro fitness(9:14) - The origin of Reflexion(14:23) - From concept to launch(16:12) - The early days(20:52) - Biggest sense of pride(22:54) - Neuro fitness becoming part of general fitness(30:32) - Use by older individuals(32:31) - Advice as an entrepreneur(37:08) - Lions Den presented by http://Lions-Pride.com: Penn State ExperienceLearn more at Reflexion.coSpecial thanks to student Tobey Prime of Professor O'Toole's podcasting class for helping to produce this episode.Show off your Penn State pride with the latest apparel and gear by visiting http://Lions-Pride.com.Keep up with all the Penn State news at http://Collegian.PSU.edu.Join Penn State's network connecting students and alumni at http://Alumni.PSU.edu/LionLink.Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production and is not affiliated with Penn State University. Visit us at http://LionLegacyPodcast.comSpecial thanks to http://StudioPodSF.com for their support.
Transcribe →Bob Holland, Walt Disney Imagineer (#51)
Jul 28, 202300:48:34Tap to summarize1973 Penn State graduate Bob Holland is a 27 year veteran of the Walt Disney Company, serving as an Imagineer on key projects including EPCOT, Disneyland Paris, and Disney Cruises. In this episode, Bob takes us on a journey and shares stories on the magic behind Disney.Jump right in:(4:52) - Starting his career working for the government(8:28) - Most challenging project(10:43) - Relationship between engineers and architects(15:06) - Developing Disney Cruise ships(22:30) - Designing international parks(26:21) - The magic of Disney(32:13) - A surprise about Disney(33:20) - Meeting his wife at Disney(35:10) - Advice to improve Disney(57:57) - Lions Den presented by http://Lions-Pride.com: Penn State ExperienceSpecial thanks to student Matthew Rudisell of Professor O'Toole's podcasting class for helping to produce this episode.Show off your Penn State pride with the latest apparel and gear by visiting http://Lions-Pride.com.Keep up with all the Penn State news at http://Collegian.PSU.edu.Join Penn State's network connecting students and alumni at http://Alumni.PSU.edu/LionLink.Lion Legacy is a Baroudeur Production and is not affiliated with Penn State University. Visit us at http://LionLegacyPodcast.comSpecial thanks to http://StudioPodSF.com for their support.
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