Season 2
Feb. 7, 2022
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 c…
Jan. 31, 2022
Special Guest: Katie Chonacas - Kyriaki
Summary This 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,…
Jan. 24, 2022
Special Guest: Ben Dykstra - The Rolling Dragon
Summary This 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 tireles…
Jan. 17, 2022
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, psychologi…
Jan. 10, 2022
Special Guest: Amir Yass - Just Be Kind
Summary In 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 d…
Jan. 3, 2022
Special Guest: Damien Boath - Down Under the Stars
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 his pondering the unknown. Through his disco…
Dec. 27, 2021
Special Guest: Christian Valera - A Superhero's Heart
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 t…
Dec. 20, 2021
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 a…
Dec. 13, 2021
Special Guest: Aliza Sherman - Mindful Moments
thetragedyacademy.com Summary: 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 compa…
Dec. 6, 2021
Special Guest: Max Lemberger - The Greek Chorus
Summary: 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 …
Nov. 29, 2021
Special Guest: Alexandra Pacheco - Life's Ladder
The Tragedy Academy Summary : In this episode of the Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes gymnast turned firefighter Alex Pacheco. Alex shares her journey battling with body dysmorphia on top of a slew of other medical conditions s…
Nov. 22, 2021
Special Guest: Zelda Black - Butterfly Words
Summary: Welcome back to another episode of The Tragedy Academy; this week on the show, I welcome Zelda Black to discuss her new book, Butterfly Words. Zelda fearlessly shares her story of growing up ostracized and invites u…
Nov. 15, 2021
Special Guest: Rachel Macdonald - Supposed to Suffer
Summary: On The Tragedy Academy; this week, we welcome Rachel McDonald to discuss her experience living with Endometriosis, a rarely diagnosed disorder targeting only women. Rachel walks us through her painstaking journey of…
Nov. 8, 2021
Special Guest: Edison Jakupi - Questionable Behavior
Ep 102: Edison Jakupi - Questionable Behavior Summary: On this installment of The Tragedy Academy, Jay is joined by actor, model, and podcaster Edison Jakupi. Edison is the host of Questionable Behavior, a podcast committed …
Oct. 25, 2021
Special Guest: Kirk Nurmi - Greatness Unchained
Summary: In today's episode of The Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes actor, author, and former attorney Kirk Nurmi. Kirk has written numerous books on topics from the famous trial of Jodi Arias To pursuing a purposeful and fulfi…
Oct. 18, 2021
Special Guest: Mirko Castagna - Just Keep Trying
Summary: In this episode of the Tragedy Academy, we welcome Mirko Castagna to the show. Mirko is a recovering nicotine addict; he was a smoker for over 20 years, starting at 14. He shares his battle with addiction and detail…
Oct. 11, 2021
Janet Conroy-Quirk: National Plus Guide
Summary: On this installment of the Tragedy Academy, writer, actor, and speaker Janet Conroy Quirk is in the studio. Janet is an advocate for the plus-sized community and is co-founder of National Plus Size, a directory that…
Oct. 4, 2021
Special Guest: Ryan Cooper - F@#% It. Why Not Me.
Summary: Today on The Tragedy Academy, I welcome Ryan Cooper, entrepreneur and author of the book Fuck It: Why Not Me. In this episode, Ryan wears his heart on his sleeve, walks us through the inspiration behind writing his …
Sept. 27, 2021
Special Guest: Jaymes "The Face" Anthony
Summary: In today's episode of The Tragedy Academy, Jay speaks to Jaymes The Face Anthony. Jaymes is the host of the YouTube show Jaymes Kickback, where he interviews celebrities, influencers, and artists to showcase their a…
Sept. 20, 2021
Special Guest: Kent Lawlor - Second Grade
Summary: In today’s episode of The Tragedy Academy, Jay speaks with the author, schoolteacher, and single father of three children, Kent Lawlor. Kent details his journey full of peaks and valleys, both figurately and literal…
Sept. 13, 2021
Special Guest: Zain Aftersound
Summary: In today's episode of The Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes singer, songwriter, musician, and producer Zain of Aftersound. Zain gives us a peek into the mind of a musician and shares his perspective behind the music he …
Sept. 6, 2021
Special Guest: Hernando Del Castillo - I Am Just Gaying
Summary: In today's episodes of The Tragedy Academy, Jay invites the host of the podcast I Am Just Gaying, Hernando Del Castillo. Hernando brings us along to his journey of reflection, awareness, and metamorphosis. We learn …
Aug. 30, 2021
Special Guest: Gary DeFranco - Diversity - Part 2
Summary This week's episode is part 2 of 2 that features a conversation between host Jay and special guest Gary DeFranco. Gary is the executive producer of The Ultimate Fighter and the creative behind Max Glow MMA and the de…
Aug. 23, 2021
Special Guest: Gary DeFranco - Diversity - Part 1
Summary: Today’s episode is part 1 of 2 that features a conversation between host Jay and special guest Gary DeFranco. Gary is the executive producer of The Ultimate Fighter and the creative behind Max Glow MMA and the devel…