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The Tragedy Academy

Videos

May 8, 2023

Ep 92 | Overcoming Trauma and Discovering New Abilities with Keli Kane

"Accident to Awakening"🚑👼 Join Keli Kane as she shares her incredible healing journey from a traumatic brain injury and PTSD! This episode explores how she combined spirituality and Western medicine to overcome her challenges. #TragedyAcademy #KeliKane #TBI #healing #spirituality #WesternMedicine #accident #podcast #inspiration #recovery #personaljourney #overcoming #lifelessons #growth #triumph #humanexperience…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 05 | Special Guest: 'The Entertainment Guru' Mike Barker

TheTragedyAcademy.com In today's episode, Jay is joined by 'The Entertainment Guru' Mike Barker, who has worked with top-notch celebrities. He is an entertainment sales, events, and media professional. He is also the author of a best-selling book – "4 Strategies to Personal Branding and Marketing Strategies." Episode Highlights: • 02:03:…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 16 | Special Guests: Andre & Niki Linear - Don't Forget Unity

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 about a fresh, realistic perspective. Key Points: ?‍♀️ The Marriage Club ?‍♂️ ?‍?‍?‍? The perception…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 37 | Special Guest: Dee McB - Compassion Fatigue

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.…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 32 | 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 getting diagnosed, the battle to get a prescription, and the hurdles she had to jump through to…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 42 | Special Guest: Ben Dykstra - The Rolling Dragon

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 tireless perseverance in a field that can be tough to break into. Ben is also in…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 22 | 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 of the societal pressure he experienced as a gay Columbian man and the hurdles…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 07 | Special Guest - Sharon Green - "Everything is written within our stars"

In today’s episode, Jay talks to Sharon Green, a Reiki Master. She talks about her awakening and passion. Episode Highlights: • 3:30: Sharon talks about her interest in Astrology and how she started exploring horoscopes, sun, moon, and rising science. • 4:20: Jay points out that even though we have…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 31 | Special Guest: Edison Jakupi - Questionable Behavior

Ep 102: Edison Jakupi - Questionable Behavior 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 to helping creators elevate their careers and sharing their journey. In this episode, Edison invites us…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 19 | Special Guest: Freda Jing - Tenacity

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 she could heal from that through discovering self-acceptance. Key Points: ? Conquering seven years…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 29 | Special Guest: Kirk Nurmi - Greatness Unchained

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 fulfilled life by defending your greatness. Learn how he has taken on this treacherous journey…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 17 | Special Guest: Andrew Nethery - "BURY US!" A PUNK ROCK UPRISING

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 parts of the film shedding light on a sliver of what Basque people have endured…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 46 | Ellie Neidhart

Summary To kick off the third season of The Tragedy Academy, Jay and Gary are joined by Ellie Neidhart, the wife of late WWE legend, Jim The Anvil Neidhart. Jay and Gary are able to geek out over their shared childhood experiences of watching wrestling, while Ellie gives us her…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 48 | An immigrant's Journey: From Basketball Star in Colombia to Streetballer in NYC

Summary This week Jay and Gary are joined by an extra special guest: Jay’s father-in-law, Gabriel Torres…and he’s got quite the story to tell. Gabe grew up in Colombia where as a student he was a basketball star. After graduating high school, Gabe had an opportunity to come to the…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 50 | An Inspiring Story of Fighting Through a traumatic brain disorder UFC Fighter Vince Murdock.

This week we're joined by professional fighter and Moyamoya survivor Vince Murdock. Vince has gone through a lot of setbacks in life: • A Moyamoya diagnosis led to brain surgery. • Injuries dogged his career. • A car accident came out of nowhere. Others may have crumpled, but Vince proved…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 56 | Sip The Motivational Kid, Deandre Smith

Summary *TW* - This episode discusses experiences with death and violence that may be upsetting for some listeners. Please listen with caution. This week The Tragedy Academy is honored to have Deandre "Sip the Kid" Smith on the show. These days Deandre is an actor and motivational speaker, but in…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 04 | Special Guest: Sarah Donna - Everyone needs an awkward phase

TheTragedyAcademy.com This week's academic is five-time Miss Michigan, professional ring girl, and circus trapeze artist Sarah Donna. With such incredible accomplishments, you could not ask for a more humble and gracious guest, not to mention hilarious. Sarah discusses life as growing up in a small town as a gamer through…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 09 | Special Guest: Glauco Araujo - Nurture your love

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 into beautiful art for all to consume. Key Points: • Glauco tells his…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 58 | Iden Crockett

Summary *TW: This episode contains discussions of suicide; please listen with caution.* This week on the podcast, Jay welcomes Iden Crockett. Iden is a true Renaissance woman: artist, writer, photographer, musician, and so much more, but this has been her second lease on life. Iden was a paramedic and firefighter…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 44 | 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…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 03 | Special Guest: Jaz Brown - Facing Adversity One Problem at A Time

TheTragedyAcademy.com In today’s episode, Jay is joined by Jazmine Brown of “Just Jazz”. She has a podcast and YouTube channel. She utilizes her authenticity and position to empower people. Episode Highlights: • 3:08: It all started on November 13th, 1991, that is when Jazmine was born. Soon after, she found…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 45 | The Tragedy Academy 2.0

Summary Welcome to The Tragedy Academy... 2.0! In this episode get the scoop on what we have in store for our relaunch. Jay sits down with our new co-host, Gary, to talk about this new era of TA - from new team members to new merch, we've got it all.…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 47 | Matthew Scheall

Summary Jay and Gary are joined in the studio by musician and rapper, Matthew Scheall. Matthew came to music a little later in the game, not starting his journey until college when he was inspired and encouraged by close friends. Matthew has grown as an artist in the years since…

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May 8, 2023

Ep 27 | Janet Conroy-Quirk: National Plus Guide

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 connects people with plus-friendly businesses. In this episode, we dig into the stereotypes surrounding…

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