The Tragedy Academy

Lessons Learned

This week on The Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes back musician and executive producer, Gary DeFranco, for a very special episode: The Tragedy Academy’s season finale! This is TA’s last episode before taking a short hiatus to come back even bigger and better. Jay covers some of the highlights from the past two seasons, lessons that have stuck with him the most, and sends out a huge thank you to everyone who has supported him on this journey. You also don’t want to miss out on the final reveal of all the exciting changes taking place at TA during the break, including new faces and new directions!Key Points🤔 Reminisce on episodes past🐶 Underdogs👊 Bullying😊 Gratitude🎉 BIG Changes Coming…[3:17] - Jay explains that this episode will be a little different, beginning with some of the highlights of the season. First, he mentions the incredibly important lesson that he learned from guest, Brandon Lloyd. A veteran dealing with PTSD from his war experiences, Brandon explained that comparing trauma is not helpful. Jay’s conversation with Brandon led him to the realization that while we may all experience different traumas, they still have similar damage and we all carry similar burdens.[11:02] - After Gary mentions being inspired by a fighter who is trying to enter the professional ring later in life, Jay asks why we seem to like the underdog so much. Gary believes this comes from our own experiences as underdogs in various areas of our lives.[13:22] - Jay argues that you need confidence that you’ll succeed before you have achieved success. Gary agrees, elaborating that fear of success can be the biggest hindrance to people achieving their dreams. Instead of external forces putting up roadblocks in your path, sometimes you can be your own biggest enemy.[20:51] - Jay pays tribute to his dear friend, Garrett Dano, for inspiring him to start the show. Jay really broke down after he lost Garrett to suicide. The realization that Garrett felt he could not turn to Jay for help is part of what inspired Jay to tackle topics such as trauma and mental health on the podcast. Gary agrees with Jay that it can be impossible to tell from the outside that someone is struggling, which makes projects like The Tragedy Academy that open up with conversation all the more important.[32:32] - Jay and Gary take on the topic of cyberbullying. Gary notes how different things are today than when he was in school. The conflict was often resolved through quick physical fights, whereas now physical fighting seems to be obsolete. In contrast, today’s victims of bullying are subjected to harassment 24/7 through social media and the internet. Jay is only half-joking when he says he would prefer physical pain that fades with time to constant jabs of mental and emotional hurt from cyberbullying.[41:25] - Both Jay and Gary agree that an easy way to learn if a person is someone you want to associate with is to pay attention to how they treat others. Anyone who treats those in service positions poorly clearly values some people more highly than others and Gary and Jay have no time for this kind of thinking.[45:31] - To wrap up the episode, Jay gives thanks to everyone who has made Seasons 1 & 2 of The Tragedy Academy possible. Gary announces that he will be joining the show, and Jay talks about all the exciting changes coming up in TA’s future.Connect with The Tragedy Tragedy AcademyOur Website | www.thetragedyacademy.comOur Merch | https://bit.ly/3uo3QJcInstagram | https://bit.ly/35U8B31 | @thetragedyacademypodcastTwitter | https://bit.ly/3osbEG0 | @tragedy_academyYouTube | https://bit.ly/3B8l4eTTikTok | https://bit.ly/32ZIOVU | @thetragedyacademyFacebook | https://bit.ly/3GukBVt | @TheTragedyAcademydFdpiboR4fl1QbX4HPuzMentioned in this episode:Connect with us!📲 Connect with us!
https://www.thetragedyacademy.com
✨ Resources & Affiliate Links:
💻 Create your own stunning podcast website with PodPage: https://bit.ly/3LSCBh5
🎙️ Elevate your recording game with Riverside.fm: https://bit.ly/3ImjNWD
👕 Love Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at INTO THE AM: https://bit.ly/431MLD5
📚 For Tragedy Academy-recommended books and authors, visit our Bookshop:
https://bit.ly/42pPHcv
📲 Connect with us!
📺 Don't forget to Subscribe to our YouTube channel! 💥 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg
🙏 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe to our channel for more enlightening discussions and hilarious moments. Be cool, and keep learning!
📲 Connect with us on socials!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetragedyacademypodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTragedyAcademy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tragedy_AcademyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacyChartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Special Guest: Katie Chonacas - Kyriaki

SummaryThis week on the Tragedy Academy podcast, Jay rolls out a very big welcome for the talented multi-disciplinary artist, Katie Chonacas (aka KYRIAKI). Not only has Katie acted in numerous productions with A-list stars, but she also recently released a book of poetry and her debut album, Dreamland 1111. Jay and Katie dive deep into her musical inspirations, her revolutionary work creating NFTs and the future of art in the blockchain. Be sure you don’t miss out on this episode, and don’t forget to check out Katie’s podcast, She’s All Over The Place!Key Points🧬Quantum Physics🔊Healing Frequencies 😤Dealing with Toxic People🧘🏿‍♀️Mindfulness🔐NFT Art & The Blockchain Episode Highlights[1:46] - Katie recounts her fond memories of growing up in Detroit’s EDM scene. Attending raves and after-parties until the early morning, Katie loved the incredible energy she felt and the connection with others in the crowd. The music of her childhood would go on to influence her own artistic journey.[6:12] - Katie explains that she has always been on a spiritual path, but after being introduced to Eric Thompson, an energy scientist, she began to experiment putting certain frequencies in her music to promote emotional healing.[12:16] - Referencing Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit and Sacred Contracts, Katie discusses the misconception that most people have about micro versus macro choices. While people may assume that macro choices are what govern our lives, Katie argues instead that it is the daily micro choices that are most important. Micro choices build the habits and behaviors that shape our lives.[17:17] - Continuing on this theme of choices, Jay emphasizes the impact mindfulness and meditation have had on his ability to shape his own life. Cultivating mindfulness, allows us to take a step back from any situation and choose how we would like to respond. Katie agrees that meditation is vital in creating this “space in-between”.[27:13] - Katie points out that we typically only have the capacity to focus on one thing at a time, but if the thing that we are focusing on is negative, this serves to amplify that negativity in our lives. Katie recommends that if there are toxic people in your life, gradually limit the amount of time that you spend focusing on them. This isn’t about maliciously cutting people from your life, but lovingly letting go of emotions that do not serve you.[32:45] - Jay congratulates Katie on her success as an NFT artist. Katie is at the forefront of this new movement and works actively to get more people into the space. When she released her album, Dreamland 1111, on the blockchain, two of her songs were purchased by artist and NFT collector, Blake Jamieson. Jay also reveals some exciting new directions for the Tragedy Academy podcast.[40:23] - Jay and Katie discuss how the blockchain can be a difficult topic to discuss with others as it is still so new and not well understood. However, Katie emphasizes the incredible diversity and financial benefits that this space can have for artists. There are many options for people to support causes that are important to them, and not all platforms within the blockchain are destroying the planet.[48:23] - To finish out the episode, Jay and Katie discuss authenticity and gratitude. Katie mentions Miguel Ruiz’s book, Mastery of Love, which argues that at our most primal state we are beings of unconditional love, both for ourselves and the world at large. Finally, Jay reminds us of one very important part of life: we have the honor of being grateful.Connect with KatieWebsite | https://www.chonacas.com/Podcast | https://bit.ly/3AC8gguLinkedIn | https://bit.ly/3rUaQe4Facebook | https://bit.ly/3o0wQTl | @KyriakiChonacasInstagram | https://bit.ly/35oSvhr | @chonacasTwitter | https://bit.ly/3rgvxln | @katiechonacasTiktok | https://bit.ly/3G7oPSL | @chonacasSpotify | https://spoti.fi/3g4aUSNPatreon | https://bit.ly/3IIEQAmYoutube | https://bit.ly/youtube-KatieChonacasIMDB | https://imdb.to/3b2OQG3NFT Art | http://bit.ly/opensea-NFTKatieChonacasBook Website: https://www.aloversfairytale.comCheck out Sturman’s artwork in A Lover’s Fairytale and more on his website at robertsturmanstudio.com.
Mentioned in this episode:Connect with us!📲 Connect with us!
https://www.thetragedyacademy.com
✨ Resources & Affiliate Links:
💻 Create your own stunning podcast website with PodPage: https://bit.ly/3LSCBh5
🎙️ Elevate your recording game with Riverside.fm: https://bit.ly/3ImjNWD
👕 Love Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at INTO THE AM: https://bit.ly/431MLD5
📚 For Tragedy Academy-recommended books and authors, visit our Bookshop:
https://bit.ly/42pPHcv
📲 Connect with us!
📺 Don't forget to Subscribe to our YouTube channel! 💥 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg
🙏 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe to our channel for more enlightening discussions and hilarious moments. Be cool, and keep learning!
📲 Connect with us on socials!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetragedyacademypodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTragedyAcademy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tragedy_AcademyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacyChartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Special Guest: Ben Dykstra - The Rolling Dragon

SummaryThis week on the Tragedy Academy, Jay introduces Ben Dykstra, a.k.a. The Rolling Dragon. Born with Spastic Cerebral Palsy, Ben hasn’t let his disability limit his potential. Ben is a talented voice actor with tireless perseverance in a field that can be tough to break into. Ben is also in the midst of developing a new podcast that would highlight the stories, voices, and talents of the disabled. Tune in to hear Jay and Ben discuss everything from perspective and authenticity to the Metaverse and bonobos.Key Points💪 Living with cerebral palsy🎙Voice acting🌤Silver linings👏🏼Authenticity attracting opportunity✊🏼Social media & advocacyEpisode Highlights[2:35] - Jay introduces us to Ben, whose cerebral palsy has allowed him to develop a unique perspective on life. While Ben acknowledges that it is easy to get angry or bitter when dealing with disabilities, he also suggests that the universe gives even as it takes away. His own example of this “universal trade-off” is his outgoing personality and ability to use his voice.[11:21] - Ben comments on how he has gained a unique perspective on pursuing authenticity early in life. Jay explains that this is hardly a mystery because of what Ben has experienced so far. Each experience in our lives adds to the nuance of our worldview.[13:21] - Jay asks Ben about his podcast idea that centers around the universal trade-off. Ben explains that while the podcast is still under development, his goal is to create a space where he can showcase the hidden talents behind disabilities. While society often considers disabilities to be solely disadvantages, Ben wants to prove that there are many advantages to be found as well.[14:53] - Ben mentions his career as a voice actor allows him to conceal his disability from potential employers and therefore potential discrimination. Jay understands Ben’s perspective but encourages him to try to avoid doing this if possible in order to attract the best people and best opportunities into his life.[21:00] - Jay asks Ben what impact he thinks the Metaverse will have on the disabled community. Ben expresses his concerns that rather than solving any problems, the Metaverse could simply increase the presence that trolls have on social media. Jay counters that the Metaverse could be a way to move past society’s implicit bias against the disabled.[33:41] - Ben shares his experience with recent wind storms that hit the entire province of Ontario. With no power or Wifi, he had to cancel a scheduled performance, and many others in the province are still without power days later.Connect With BenInstagram | https://bit.ly/3fISp67 | @_rollingdragon_Twitter | https://bit.ly/3FJBcnH | @benendykstraFacebook | https://bit.ly/3IkrUQI | @rollingdragon-mediaWebsite | https://www.rollingdragonmedia.com/
Mentioned in this episode:Connect with us!📲 Connect with us!
https://www.thetragedyacademy.com
✨ Resources & Affiliate Links:
💻 Create your own stunning podcast website with PodPage: https://bit.ly/3LSCBh5
🎙️ Elevate your recording game with Riverside.fm: https://bit.ly/3ImjNWD
👕 Love Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at INTO THE AM: https://bit.ly/431MLD5
📚 For Tragedy Academy-recommended books and authors, visit our Bookshop:
https://bit.ly/42pPHcv
📲 Connect with us!
📺 Don't forget to Subscribe to our YouTube channel! 💥 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg
🙏 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe to our channel for more enlightening discussions and hilarious moments. Be cool, and keep learning!
📲 Connect with us on socials!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetragedyacademypodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTragedyAcademy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tragedy_AcademyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacyChartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Special Guest: Michael Anthony - Think Unbroken

In this episode of the Tragedy Academy, Jay brings trauma survivor and life coach, Michael Unbroken, on to the show. Michael is the host of his own podcast, “Think Unbroken”, where he invites experts, researchers, psychologists, and therapists to discuss healing from trauma and childhood PTSD. Michael himself is no stranger to this healing process. Growing up with two abusive parents, Michael was trapped in a nightmare familiar to many of his listeners. Having overcome his past to choose a brighter future of his own making, Michael hopes to inspire others to do the same.Key Points✊🏼 Taking Action😬 Mistakes & the Human Experience❤️‍🩹 Forgiveness vs. Letting Go😱 Facing Fear🧐 Finding Your True Self📲 Are we in the matrix?Episode Highlights[1:47] - Jay introduces Michael Unbroken, host of the Think Unbroken podcast. In addition to sharing about his own experiences of overcoming trauma, Michael sees his podcast as an opportunity to bring on other experts and inspire people to begin their own healing journey. Michael focuses on bringing raw, real experiences to his show so his listeners see that they are not alone.[6:14] - Michael explains that while he produces his podcast on mental health and healing, he’s never actually helped anyone change their life after trauma. This is because each person has their own individual responsibility to begin their healing journey. While Michael and his guest speakers may have built a roadmap for listeners, it is up to them to act and follow those instructions.[13:31] - Is letting go just a valid option as forgiveness? Does forgiveness always bring emotional healing? Michael points out that some events in his childhood are hard to forgive, but he has let them go because they are not the things that he wants holding him down in life. [22:36] - Michael explains his worst fear: dying and being forced to watch a movie of his life - but all the things he didn’t do when he had the chance. While people may have the tendency to push off action until tomorrow, Michael urges listeners to overcome these fears and live the life they want now so they don’t have regrets later.[26:57] - Jay asks Michael to explain a term that comes up a lot in his work: the vortex. The vortex is a space of negativity that some people are drawn into. This space prevents them from taking action, from taking care of their health, from pursuing their authentic selves.[34:24] - As a biracial man, Michael has spent a great deal of time thinking about cultural and historical trauma, and how this trauma can be passed down over time. Michael believes that the energy of oppression and violence some groups have experienced in history can be transferred from generation to generation. This in turn combines with family systems that perpetuate trauma.[38:51] - Michael agrees with Jay that sometimes service to others can be ego-driven, but argues that this shouldn’t be seen in a negative light. Rather than being humble about what we do for others or what achievements we have, Michael suggests that we should embrace the fact that these actions provide us benefits as well as others.Connect With Michael:Blog | https://bit.ly/3r8wdYGThink Unbroken Podcast | https://bit.ly/3GnztFKInstagram | https://bit.ly/34wdrmb | @michaelunbrokenYouTube | https://bit.ly/3zP0X4CTwitter | https://bit.ly/3r9anEr | @michaelunbroken TikTok | @michaelunbroken  
Mentioned in this episode:Connect with us!📲 Connect with us!
https://www.thetragedyacademy.com
✨ Resources & Affiliate Links:
💻 Create your own stunning podcast website with PodPage: https://bit.ly/3LSCBh5
🎙️ Elevate your recording game with Riverside.fm: https://bit.ly/3ImjNWD
👕 Love Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at INTO THE AM: https://bit.ly/431MLD5
📚 For Tragedy Academy-recommended books and authors, visit our Bookshop:
https://bit.ly/42pPHcv
📲 Connect with us!
📺 Don't forget to Subscribe to our YouTube channel! 💥 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg
🙏 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe to our channel for more enlightening discussions and hilarious moments. Be cool, and keep learning!
📲 Connect with us on socials!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetragedyacademypodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTragedyAcademy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tragedy_AcademyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacyChartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Just Be Kind - Living Unapologetically as a Queer Muslim with Amir Yass

SummaryIn this episode of the Tragedy Academy, we sit down with Amir Yass, digital creator, and LGBTQ activist. As a queer Muslim man, Amir has faced discrimination from all sides - even from other LGBTQ individuals. This discrimination inspired him to affect change and begin a series of panels that address biases within the queer community. As host of "The Take On" podcast, Amir continues his work tackling the big topics while interviewing some of Bravo TV's brightest stars. Today, Amir lives out his authentic, unapologetic self, bringing him closer to his faith and reaffirming his belief that orientation and religion are not mutually exclusive. Through candor and humor, Amir paints how standing up for equality of all facets is how we bring about change. Key Points📲Living unapologetically on social media🏳️‍🌈Queer resiliency🤣The power of humor🚫Ignoring the hate🎙Marrying religion with sexual orientationEpisode Highlights[1:45] - Amir describes his experience on the gay dating app, Grinder. Even within this supposedly open community, he was surprised to find he was on the receiving end of racist bullying. These events inspired him to begin a series of panels on various forms of discrimination within the LGBTQ community.[5:36] - Amir discusses the unique position as gay and Muslim and how these communities interact. While many in the LGBTQ community have complicated relationships with religion, Amir believes that his relationship with God is very personal and doesn't need to involve his sexual orientation. The two are mutually exclusive to him.[12:05] - As a stand-up comedian, Amir has witnessed how jokes made at the expense of the LGBTQ community are still very funny to most people. He believes that while queer people are still the butt of the joke, bullying and homophobia will continue. It also means there is still a lot of work to do in our own country to address these attitudes.[18:47] - Jay points out that comedy can also be an excellent vehicle for change. While you have a captive audience, you can use humor to point out ignorance. Perhaps the ignorant minds in the audience will go home and begin to think differently without having been personally accosted. [24:02] - Amir argues that coming out can almost be performative for straight people. Amir brings up the enormous pressure that is put on people within the LGBTQ community to come out as themselves for the benefit of their family and friends - something straight people will never experience. Amir believes this pressure can cause mental health issues that extend beyond coming out. [30:45] - Toxic masculinity has recently been at the forefront of our social consciousness, but in Amir's experience, some of the most vitriolic comments surprisingly come from women. Amir suggests that these women feel threatened by effeminate men because they encroach on their territory of femininity.[40:55] - To wrap up the episode, Amir tells us it isn't rocket science. While some may confuse the issue by saying there are too many pronouns or genders to keep up with, Amir explains that all you need to do is just be kind.Connect with AmirInstagram | https://bit.ly/3JR9Krm | @amiryassofficialCameo | https://bit.ly/3pZyUwiThe Take On Podcast | https://bit.ly/3JRaoVO Mentioned in this episode:Connect with us!📲 Connect with us!
https://www.thetragedyacademy.com
✨ Resources & Affiliate Links:
💻 Create your own stunning podcast website with PodPage: https://bit.ly/3LSCBh5
🎙️ Elevate your recording game with Riverside.fm: https://bit.ly/3ImjNWD
👕 Love Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at INTO THE AM: https://bit.ly/431MLD5
📚 For Tragedy Academy-recommended books and authors, visit our Bookshop:
https://bit.ly/42pPHcv
📲 Connect with us!
📺 Don't forget to Subscribe to our YouTube channel! 💥 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg
🙏 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe to our channel for more enlightening discussions and hilarious moments. Be cool, and keep learning!
📲 Connect with us on socials!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetragedyacademypodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTragedyAcademy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tragedy_AcademyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacyChartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Exploring the Unknown: A Conversation on Astrophotography and Deep Space with Damien Boath

Summary:Welcome back to another episode of The Tragedy Academy; today, Jay meets Australian native Damien Boath. Damien shares with us his fascination for deep space and his love for pondering the unknown. Through his discovery of astrophotography, Damien can get a tiny glimpse of what is out there waiting for us to explore!Key Points:🇦🇺 Asking an Aussie🍊 Florida’s weird reputation🌌 Astrophotography❤️‍🔥 Discovering the passion for Astrophotography👩‍🚀 Envisioning exploring spaceEpisode Highlights:[00:00] Introduction to Damien Boathe [06:01] Jay asks Damian what we all want to know about living in Australia. Damien sets the record straight on how common it is to see kangaroos in the wild, the truth behind koala’s deceiving cuddly face, and Aussie’s blunt banter.[11:21] Jay weighs in on Florida’s weird reputation; he attributes it to the Sunshine Law, where every portion of every meeting of an agency shall be open to public observation – essentially, It is available, records state. Jay continues by providing significant state pros, like no state tax, high tourism, diverse cultures, tropical weather year-round, and low cost of living. [19:08] Damien shares his fascination with deep space and the unknown, so deep he shares his hobby of Astrophotography with his son. He admits that taking on this hobby can be expensive and has a steep learning curve, but getting a glimpse of deep space makes it all worth it.[24:10] Damien’s fascination with space deepened with the realization that we are so minute compared to the universe. He points out that looking into space is like looking back in time. Similarly, he ponders how people in 1975 could look into space with limited technology.[29:31] Damien and Jay dwell on what it would look like if we ever made it into deep space. How would it look? Would our senses even be able to understand it? Is there life on other planets? If there are, are they even looking for us?[32:36] Damien shares an anecdote on how oblivious he is when women try to get his attention. He mentions his long marriage and recent divorce and notices a significant shift in dating culture. Time plus technology have made dating difficult in some ways and easy in others; etiquette and expectations are also different. [49:04] OutroConnect with Damien: TwitterInstagramYoutubeClosing Show links and affiliate promotions:👉 Make sure to check our guest's links in the show notes on our website:➡️ https://www.thetragedyacademy.com📺 Don't forget to Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on social media for more engaging content! 💥💻 Create your own stunning podcast website with PodPage: https://www.podpage.com/?via=thetragedyacademy🎙️ Elevate your recording game with Riverside.fm: https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=thetragedyacademy👕 Love Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at INTO THE AM: https://www.intotheam.com/?utm_source=pepperjam&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_campaign=261568&clickId=3981360776📚 For Tragedy Academy-recommended books and authors, visit our Bookshop:https://bookshop.org/shop/thetragedyacademyMentioned in this episode:Connect with us!📲 Connect with us!
https://www.thetragedyacademy.com
✨ Resources & Affiliate Links:
💻 Create your own stunning podcast website with PodPage: https://bit.ly/3LSCBh5
🎙️ Elevate your recording game with Riverside.fm: https://bit.ly/3ImjNWD
👕 Love Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at INTO THE AM: https://bit.ly/431MLD5
📚 For Tragedy Academy-recommended books and authors, visit our Bookshop:
https://bit.ly/42pPHcv
📲 Connect with us!
📺 Don't forget to Subscribe to our YouTube channel! 💥 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg
🙏 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe to our channel for more enlightening discussions and hilarious moments. Be cool, and keep learning!
📲 Connect with us on socials!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetragedyacademypodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTragedyAcademy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tragedy_AcademyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacyChartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Finding Self-Discovery Through Art and Superheroes with Christian Valera

Summary: In this episode of The Tragedy Academy, we meet Christian Valera. Christian runs a YouTube channel where he dives deep into the Marvel and DC universe and details each superhero. Christian used art and superheroes to escape his reality, which later blossomed into a love for film and creating. His story is one of self-exploration and self-discovery; through years of being raised by movies, he takes a peek into the outside world and experiences the endless possibilities it holds.Key Points:🎨 Dealing with loss in childhood and turning to art🗡 The double-edged sword in life👨‍👩‍👦 Surrogate parental figures📈 Growing into the person you've become🦸‍♂️ Entering the superhero world🚚 Constantly moving as a child🎭 Sadness to appreciate happiness Episode Highlights:[00:03:33] Christian shares his experience growing up with parents who had children out of wedlock. His mother passed away at the age of 5, being raised by his father and grandmother. During this transitionary period, Christian had trouble comprehending the severity of losing a parent while rarely seeing his caretakers due to work. He grew a latchkey kid leaving tv to raise him. [00:07:41] Christian credits his love of art to his art teacher. He describes being on a first-name basis with him and details a moment when he even helped him purchase a book at the scholastic book fair. His generosity made a lasting impact on Christian. In addition to his teacher's kindness, Christian also pulled his value from movies. He describes it as a window into other people's lives.[00:13:47] Christian describes being raised by tv as a double-edged sword; on the one hand, it gives you a peek into the world, and on the other hand, it gives unrealistic expectations. As he grew up, Christian realized that you could not apply everything to real life, one example being a hopeless romantic. He would obsess over girls, and it left him feeling confused and lost without reciprocation.[00:18:25] Growing up, Christian had different surrogate parental figures. His grandmother raised him until 15 and from there was raised by his aunt and uncle until he moved out. As a result, he never experienced a stable one-on-one connection with someone, which was amplified by constantly moving around. In addition to the loneliness, Christina had no one to turn to when he had felt to express and resulted in keeping everything bottled up.[00:24:44] The first film Christian ever saw in theatres was Spiderman in 2002; his father took him for his birthday. Since then, he fell in love with creating ideas in his head and seeing them come to fruition through self-directed videos. When he got to high school, Christian took every film class they had available to dig deeper and learn more about his passion.[00:28:17] Christian admits to being an impressionable kid with a good heart. He looks back to the people he has helped, even reluctantly. Jay points out the importance of allowing yourself first before helping others.[00:35:39] Moving a lot as a kid made a significant impact on Christian's life. It changed how he perceived himself; he often felt unwanted and homeless. During this time, he perfected the use of "the mask." Every time he moved found himself displaying different parts of himself to other people.[00:54:00] Jay points out the reality of needing to experience Sadness to appreciate happiness. Without adversity, joy loses its meaning and becomes a disposable feeling in life.[00:57:44] Christian shares the concept behind his YouTube videos. With his friends, he noticed a need for an explanation for superhero movies and their franchises. So, he starts from the very beginning. He begins a series where he goes into every movie's details. [01:05:59] Connect with ChristianConnect with Christian:Youtube | https://bit.ly/3ErXUA4Instagram | https://bit.ly/30Yd3vv | @chris_valera12Learn more about Bridges and Butterflies | https://bit.ly/3ppWeTu Mentioned in this episode:Connect with us!📲 Connect with us!
https://www.thetragedyacademy.com
✨ Resources & Affiliate Links:
💻 Create your own stunning podcast website with PodPage: https://bit.ly/3LSCBh5
🎙️ Elevate your recording game with Riverside.fm: https://bit.ly/3ImjNWD
👕 Love Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at INTO THE AM: https://bit.ly/431MLD5
📚 For Tragedy Academy-recommended books and authors, visit our Bookshop:
https://bit.ly/42pPHcv
📲 Connect with us!
📺 Don't forget to Subscribe to our YouTube channel! 💥 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg
🙏 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe to our channel for more enlightening discussions and hilarious moments. Be cool, and keep learning!
📲 Connect with us on socials!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetragedyacademypodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTragedyAcademy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tragedy_AcademyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacyChartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Special Guest: Dee McB - Compassion Fatigue

Summary:This week on The Tragedy Academy, Jay invites Dee McB. Dee is a zookeeper and lover of all animals, and in this episode, we get into compassion fatigue and growing up with ADHD. Dee educates us on animal behaviors and touches on how her nurturing personality contributes to compassion burnout. Key Points:😪 Compassion fatigue💨 ADHD❤️ Nurturing🦧 The difference between the four great apes🐒 Howling monkeys and Macaques🐈 Interacting with animals as with humans⚱️ Death🦇 BatsEpisode Highlights:[00:01:55] Dee shares the concept of compassion fatigue or fatigue burnout; is mainly experienced by veterinarians or those in any form of medical care. She explains the toll animal care takes on people, specifically when euthanizing litters at a time.[00:14:20] Jay and Dee discuss Olympic athlete Simone Biles and her refusal to continue participating during the 2020 Olympics. They point out the strain in which athletes are put through both mentally and physically and point out that in the end, a life of stress is not sustainable. They also touch on the indifference people have toward athletes.[00:16:54] Dee gives some background on growing up with ADHD. During the first quarter of her life, Dee never considered having ADHD because she earned good grades in school – mainly because she had a teacher-parent. Naturally, Dee did not assume there was nothing to treat. It wasn't until a friend helped her recognize that her scatterbrain tendencies were a symptom of ADHD.[00:22:24] Dee describes herself as highly nurturing, even to her detriment. She notes that although she loves bringing joy to others, she recognizes that compassion fatigue is a symptom. Her zookeeping proclivities transferred over into helping her friends – an everybody keeper. [00:27:14] Dee breaks down the difference between the four great apes; bonobos, gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans. Gorillas are the most loyal but not the brightest, orangutans are mechanically minded, bonobos are the "hippies" of the group, they solve everything with sex, and chimpanzees are the most aggressive.[00:37:04] Jay recalls his experience with Howler monkeys and Macaques. He details the piercing, screeching yells of howler monkeys and their constant movements through the jungle. Jay also gives an anecdote with a Macaques; he shares the story of almost getting his finger bitten off over a bag of Cheetos and a sprite.  [00:48:02] Dee shares the difficulty in trying not to form bonds with animals as a zookeeper. She notes that animals are frequently moved from zoo to sanctuary and vice versa, especially if the endangered ones. Dee describes how it's near impossible not to feel compassion and form a bond with the animals for which she cares.[00:51:00] Jay and Dee agree that we need to destigmatize Death. There is beauty in Death; it's the body decomposing and returning to mother earth to continue the circle of life. Dee also touches on the existence of conservation cemeteries.[01:05:00] Dee shares her experience dealing with a terrible waiter. She notes that her previous experience working in food service has the credentials to weigh in how a waiter should treat guests. Jay details the waiter's point of view and how we should have sympathy on what they might be going through.[01:24:50] Dee shares her love for her two favorite animals, bears and bats. Jay shares his disdain towards bats, specifically Vampire bats from Panama, due to their method of attacks and the contents of their tongues that can cause a numbing effect.  [01:34:25] Outro Contact Dee: Instagram | @thedeemcb https://bit.ly/3p5OvK3TikTok | @deemcb https://bit.ly/3yCUWaN 
Mentioned in this episode:Connect with us!📲 Connect with us!
https://www.thetragedyacademy.com
✨ Resources & Affiliate Links:
💻 Create your own stunning podcast website with PodPage: https://bit.ly/3LSCBh5
🎙️ Elevate your recording game with Riverside.fm: https://bit.ly/3ImjNWD
👕 Love Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at INTO THE AM: https://bit.ly/431MLD5
📚 For Tragedy Academy-recommended books and authors, visit our Bookshop:
https://bit.ly/42pPHcv
📲 Connect with us!
📺 Don't forget to Subscribe to our YouTube channel! 💥 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg
🙏 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe to our channel for more enlightening discussions and hilarious moments. Be cool, and keep learning!
📲 Connect with us on socials!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetragedyacademypodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTragedyAcademy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tragedy_AcademyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacyChartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Navigating the Grief of Losing Both Parents with Aliza Sherman

thetragedyacademy.comSummary: In this installment of the Tragedy, Academy Jay welcomes Aliza Sherman to the show. Aliza is an author, entrepreneur, and web pioneer. She has written 12 books and co-founded Ellementa, a company dedicated to educating women on the use of cannabis for wellness. In this episode, Aliza shares the most critical turning point in her life – the passing of both her parents. She unveils the grief behind death, that although we are aware of it, we are not prepared. Aliza reveals her treacherous journey of navigating the death of a parent while gathering the strength to remain sane and balanced.Key Points:💔 Losing both parents☠️ Toxic parents❤️‍🩹 Connecting while separating👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Generational trauma😪 Grief and fear🧘‍♂️ Searching for moments of centralization❤️‍🔥 Transforming anger into fuel👼 End of life doulaEpisode Highlights:[07:15] Aliza shares her tragic past of losing both parents within two years. She describes it as a major turning point in her life; no one could prepare for it. Her father went to outpatient treatment for his liver only to be omitted to the emergency room 12 days later for liver failure. Due to the massive amount of antibiotics given, his kidneys also began to fail. Aliza describes this time as terrifying, stressful, and traumatic.[10:18] As her father’s end came near, Aliza became responsible for handling his finances. Not knowing anything about finances before, Aliza felt overwhelmed but grateful she spent time with her dad daily. At the time, she did not understand the impact this would have on her, watching her father die while simultaneously dealing with medical misconduct. She expresses that she has never recovered from the trauma and does not know if she ever will.[13:17] Aliza’s mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer soon after her father’s death. She was doing chemo for over two years until she decided to stop and let nature take its course. Aliza described this time as being much easier than the last; this time around, she learned how to die with more dignity and peace.[18:18] Aliza shares being very close to her father but not her mother. As an adult, she disowned her, which lasted six years. The time apart gave her the ability to heal and separate herself from the fear of turning out like her mom. [20:40] Jay and Aliza agree that humans tend to allow people and experiences to rent space in our heads, often with those who have mistreated us. Aliza points out the difference between difficult and abusive and carries that logic to toxic parents.[24:17] Grief and fear manifest differently in people, but ultimately it makes you face your demise. Aliza shares watching her parents die made her recognize her mortality and accept that as a reality check.[26:41] During the intense years of dealing with Grief and trauma, Aliza made it a point to take a moment for herself. She would go outside every day to walk on the grass, sit under the sun and breathe. Most importantly, Aliza ensured her health was intact and fully hydrated to combat her body constantly being on overdrive.[33:33] Aliza shares the significance of turning her anger into fuel. She used her anger to articulate problems, find better support, and get out of her mental fog. In those moments of anger, Aliza describes it as opportunities to cut through the Grief and get things done with determination.[41:42] In the last hours of her father’s life, Aliza fulfilled his last request to order takeout from his favorite Thai retreatant. She turned every stone to make it happen, and as her dad went to sleep, she noticed an intense pain in her hips. Aliza later learned that women stored Grief in their hips and knew she needed to find a way to destress her body.[44:54] Aliza shares her discovery of end-of-life doulas. They are used as a guide for the terminally ill patient to transition to the other side. [52:47] Connect with AlizaConnect with Aliza:Website:AlizaSherman.comTwitter: @alizashermanInstagram: @alizashermanLearn more about Megan Devine’s course Writing Your Grief:EllementaBuy her booksMentioned in this episode:Connect with us!📲 Connect with us!
https://www.thetragedyacademy.com
✨ Resources & Affiliate Links:
💻 Create your own stunning podcast website with PodPage: https://bit.ly/3LSCBh5
🎙️ Elevate your recording game with Riverside.fm: https://bit.ly/3ImjNWD
👕 Love Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at INTO THE AM: https://bit.ly/431MLD5
📚 For Tragedy Academy-recommended books and authors, visit our Bookshop:
https://bit.ly/42pPHcv
📲 Connect with us!
📺 Don't forget to Subscribe to our YouTube channel! 💥 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg
🙏 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe to our channel for more enlightening discussions and hilarious moments. Be cool, and keep learning!
📲 Connect with us on socials!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetragedyacademypodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTragedyAcademy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tragedy_AcademyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacyChartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

Special Guest: Max Lemberger - The Greek Chorus

In this episode of The Tragedy Academy, we meet runway model and actor Max Eric Lemberger. Max's journey into acting and the fashion industry came later in life but with double the intensity. He is a true testament to time having no boundaries and an inspiration to those who have a dream to chase but think it's too late for them.Key Points:💪 Acting at 69🏡 Becoming an at-home dad🔍 Getting discovered by being seen⛹️ Multisport athlete🤩 Breaking into the fashion industry🚫 Being a part of a non-inclusive industryEpisode Highlights:[04:06] Max began acting at 69, but the journey started in 1959 when he saw Steve Reeves in Hercules. At the time, he felt that a career in acting was unachievable, but the desire never left his heart. In his early 60s, Max revisited his love for acting and decided to take the plunge. He researched, took his headshots, and joined a modeling agency.[10:00] Max became a stay-at-home dad after losing his job and leaving a collapsing career. Throughout the years, he started picking up handyman jobs in his community. At 41 years old, Max discovered that he enjoyed handy work and felt he would have pursued a blue-collar career had he been exposed to it. Yet, through trial and error, he landed his lifelong dream of acting.[18:57] Max shares that getting discovered is only part of the battle; another important factor is how you get found. He gives the example of filming adult movies as a bad way to get noticed. Conversely, Max has been given opportunities from other non-traditional forms of scouting – he's become a regular at a local shopping channel that has a reach of over 70 million homes.[23:43] Max shares his background in athleticism. Growing up, he was a multisport athlete, with his main focus being basketball. Max shares that although he was one of their top players, his 5'9" stature kept him from getting any scholarship offers. In his 30s, Max took up tennis and skiing while maintaining a consistent gym schedule throughout his whole life.[25:40] Max gives his experience breaking into the fashion industry. He recently signed with Naturally Fit Agency to join their campaign focused on hiring models of senior age with a goal to shift towards inclusivity. The fashion industry is known for being ageist, with editorial being the most ageist. Nonetheless, Max expresses being overwhelmed with pride and accomplishment.[33:00] Breaking stereotypes and becoming a part of a traditionally non-inclusive industry is inspiring. Max shares a similar story of a colleague who broke into fashion on similar terms but with different body types. He gives an example of a friend who is a plus-size model and dominating in her career, setting the standard that anyone has the potential to become a model. [40:44] Jay describes the reason behind all the masks we wear in our lifetime; he notes that they each serve a purpose and rose from a wound that wanted to remain hidden. Jay gives the example of growing up in poverty and having a false idea of happiness. He notes that pursuing other people's ideas of happiness will only overshadow your happiness.[48:18] Connect with MaxInstagramClosing Show links and affiliate promotions:👉 Make sure to check our guest's links in the show notes on our website:➡️ https://www.thetragedyacademy.com📺 Don't forget to Subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on social media for more engaging content! 💥💻 Create your own stunning podcast website with PodPage: https://www.podpage.com/?via=thetragedyacademy🎙️ Elevate your recording game with Riverside.fm: https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=thetragedyacademy👕 Love Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at INTO THE AM: https://www.intotheam.com/?utm_source=pepperjam&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_campaign=261568&clickId=3981360776📚 For Tragedy Academy-recommended books and authors, visit our Bookshop:https://bookshop.org/shop/thetragedyacademyMentioned in this episode:Connect with us!📲 Connect with us!
https://www.thetragedyacademy.com
✨ Resources & Affiliate Links:
💻 Create your own stunning podcast website with PodPage: https://bit.ly/3LSCBh5
🎙️ Elevate your recording game with Riverside.fm: https://bit.ly/3ImjNWD
👕 Love Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at INTO THE AM: https://bit.ly/431MLD5
📚 For Tragedy Academy-recommended books and authors, visit our Bookshop:
https://bit.ly/42pPHcv
📲 Connect with us!
📺 Don't forget to Subscribe to our YouTube channel! 💥 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg
🙏 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, and subscribe to our channel for more enlightening discussions and hilarious moments. Be cool, and keep learning!
📲 Connect with us on socials!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEUXqlregig6vcrvuVNGlKg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetragedyacademypodcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTragedyAcademy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tragedy_AcademyThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacyChartable - https://chartable.com/privacy