Episodes
Overcoming Adversity Through Butterfly Words: A Conversation with Zelda Black
Join us for another episode of The Tragedy Academy, where host Jay speaks with author and poet Zelda Black about her latest book, Butterfly Words. In this episode, Zelda shares her inspiring journey of growing up in a rural t...
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 ...
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 t...
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 fulfil...
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 details...
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 ...
”F#@k It: Why Not Me?” - A Journey of Perseverance with Ryan Cooper
In this episode of The Tragedy Academy Podcast, host Jay Hicks sits down with entrepreneur and author Ryan Cooper as he shares his inspiring story of overcoming adversity. Despite growing up with a bipolar mother and later be...
From Sheltered Child to Queer Host: The Inspiring Story of Jaymes The Face Anthony
Summary: In today's episode of The Tragedy Academy, Jay speaks to Jaymes, The Face Anthony. Jaymes hosts the YouTube show Jaymes Kickback, where he interviews celebrities, influencers, and artists to showcase their art and ge...
Overcoming Obstacles and Self-Discovery as a Single Father: A Conversation with Kent Lawlor
In this episode of The Tragedy Academy Podcast, host Jay Hicks sits down with Kent Lawlor, an author, schoolteacher, and single father of three children. Kent shares his journey of parenting, mental health struggles, and self...
The Power of Vulnerability: Zain of Aftersound Gets Real About Making Music
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 c...
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 o...
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 dev...
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 develo...
Special Guest: Freda Jing - Tenacity
Summary: In today’s episodes of The Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes Freda Jing, or as she has coined herself, a Hexagon threat. Freda courageously takes us on her journey of overcoming seven years of clinical depression and how...
Special Guest: Jennifer Menendez - The Yellow Rose
Summary: In this installment of The Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes long-time friend Jennifer Menendez. Jennifer wears her heart on her sleeve and lets us in on the journey of her mother's cancer diagnosis. She illustrates to u...
Special Guest: Andrew Nethery - ”BURY US!” A PUNK ROCK UPRISING
Summary: On this episode of The Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes documentary filmmaker Andrew Nethery. His new documentary, Bury Us! A Punk Rock Uprising is a film about the Basque punk rock scene. Andrew discusses the harrowing...
Special Guests: Andre & Niki Linear - Don’t Forget Unity
Summary: On this installment of The Tragedy Academy, Jay is joined by two good friends, Andre and his makeup artist wife, Niki. Together, they break down the barrier of race, stereotypes, and social conditioning and bring abo...
Special Guest: Lucas Hill - The Spirit Molecule
🎙Summary: In today’s episode of The Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes Lucas Hill, personal trainer, and seeker of insight and wisdom. Lucas takes us on a wild journey of revelation, enlightenment, and self-discovery, all conseque...
Special Guest: Theoni Bekiari - ”I am here.”
🎙Ep 85: Theoni Bekiari - "I am here." 🎙 Summary: In today's episodes of The Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes Greek actress Theoni Bekiari. Theoni was born in Greece but now resides in Los Angeles to pursue acting. She majored in...
Special Guest: Amy Lerie - No plan B’s and no giving up
Summary: In today’s episodes of The Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes singer, songwriter, and soon-to-be actress Amy Lerie. Amy shares with us her story that began with tradition and conformity, but that ended with fulfillment an...
Special Guest: Christine Twyman - We’re all traumatized children
Summary: In today's episodes of The Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes actress and director Christine Twyman. Chrissy breaks down the concept of trauma and presents a method of healing by art. Christine advocates that through art,...
Special Guest: Karen Laven - The Other 23 Days
Summary:In today’s episodes of The Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes Karen Laven. Karen is the author of The Other 23 Days: Scores of Alternative Uses for Feminine Hygiene Products. Karen walks us through her first menstrual experience and explains just ...
Special Guest: Jordan Delagrange - Martial Arts & Wellness
In today’s episode of The Tragedy Academy, Jay is joined by Jordan Delagrange, a martial artist, stunt-man, and healer. Jordan enlightens us with his perspective on how mind and body are equally connected and how we can all a...
Special Guest: Glauco Araujo - Nurture your love
Summary: In today’s episodes of The Tragedy Academy, Jay is joined by Brazilian actor and dancer Glauco Araujo. Glauco walks us through his life growing up in remote farmland in Brazil and how he turned his internal struggles...