Advertise on podcast: Fresh Perspectives

In this season finale, Brisa Reza from Communities In Schools of Brazoria County and longtime Learn Fresh educator, joins the show to share how her own experiences as a student shaped the educator she is today. With more than 15 years of experience spanning the classroom, after school programs, and family engagement, Brisa offers a holistic perspective on what students need to thrive beyond the report card. Growing up with limited access to resources fundamentally shaped Brisa's approach to education and the mindset she brings to her work today. That lived experience allows her to connect with many of the students and families she serves, fueling her passion for creating opportunities and providing the resources she once needed for the next generation. In this episode, they discuss how out-of-school time programs help students build confidence, strengthen relationships, and stay engaged through hands-on learning. Brisa shares the challenges educators face—from limited resources and staff burnout to meeting students' needs—and explains why simply being present can have a lasting impact on young people's lives.

Adam DeVon Miller, founder and CEO of Good Game Foundation, joins the podcast to discuss how sports led him into the nonprofit world, the evolving role of professional athletes in creating social impact, and what's next for his organization. As an avid sports fan and collegiate athlete, Adam experienced firsthand how sports can bring people together through teamwork, shared goals, and a sense of belonging. While competing in college, he began to see the power of sports beyond the scoreboard, including how athletes and fans consistently unite not only during major moments of crisis, but also around everyday causes. This very idea inspired the creation of the Good Game Foundation, leveraging the unifying power of sports and the platforms athletes have into meaningful impact. In this episode, Adam shares his journey into the nonprofit sector, discusses why athletes are uniquely positioned to build community and inspire action, and explains how sports can become a catalyst for lasting social change.

Julia Broudy, Manager of Community Relations at Los Angeles Football Club, joins the podcast to talk about a career built at the intersection of sports and social impact — and what it means to do that work in your own hometown. Julia's love of sports started early. She was the only girl in an all-boys baseball league growing up. That passion followed her into college, where she found a path into the nonprofit world and began exploring how sports and social impact could intersect. After her family was directly affected by the LA wildfires, she saw firsthand just how much community investment matters. So when the opportunity to join LAFC came up, she took it, and the role took on new meaning by working in her own hometown. Julia breaks down what community engagement actually looks like inside a professional soccer club and what makes community partnerships work. The three also dig into how a men's professional team can actively work to uplift women in and out of sports, and why representation in leadership still matters so much in this industry.

From his first role as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer to serving as Vice President of Community at San Diego FC, Joel Katz has built his career around one guiding principle: leave the world better than you found it. Joel joins the podcast to discuss how a career rooted in service prepared him to build San Diego FC's community impact strategy from the ground up.  Joel shares why consistently showing up matters, how his team developed strategic priorities based on the needs of San Diego's diverse communities, and why community impact should be woven into every part of an organization's operating philosophy - not confined to a single department. From creating parks and pitches to empowering players to serve in ways that reflect their individual passions, every initiative is designed with long-term impact in mind. The conversation explores the realities of building a department in a startup environment, balancing ambition with focus, and the responsibility that comes with shaping an organization's reputation from its very first season. This episode offers practical insights on leadership, intentionality, and building programs that last.

Longtime Houston Dynamo community relations leader, Valerie Holland, joins the podcast to break down the evolution of the community impact space in MLS, the surge of energy the World Cup brought to Houston as a host city, and how she's used soccer to uplift the communities around her. Valerie has spent 12 years with the Houston Dynamo & Dash, entering her 13th season, building the club's community relations department from the ground up. Having worked across the NHL and NBA before soccer, she shares the unique position MLS holds as an entrepreneurial leader in philanthropic investment. Growing up wanting to be a teacher, Valerie reflects on how that instinct still shapes her work today—from exposing kids to career paths in sports beyond playing to building programs tailored to Houston's underserved communities. The three discuss what makes a program actually stick with kids, the immense power of players as mentors, and the strength of partnerships in creating greater impact for all instead of trying to be everything to everyone.

Noah Adnan — Maryland native, Stanford grad, and now a defender for Loudoun United FC — joins the podcast this season. Growing up a dual athlete, Noah speaks to the lessons learned from balancing education and sports, and what ultimately led him to make a defining decision: choosing soccer over basketball, a call that set the course for where he is today. Noah reflects on the impact that role models have had on his journey, both on and off the field. These include his tough-but-formative high school calculus teacher, who instilled discipline and work ethic, as well as athletes like Jaylen Brown, who is committed to education and community impact. The three discuss the platform athletes are given and the choice they face in how to use it. Noah has chosen to give back, being guided by a simple phrase from one of his coaches at Stanford: "Leave the jersey in a better place than you found it." For Noah, that mindset extends well beyond the game, shaping how he shows up in his community. Nick and Calvin trace what it took for Noah to get to the next level, the evolving role of statistics within the game and for the athlete, and sports’ ability to bring communities together.

Season 7 kicks off with Zeeyana Jivraj, a professional footballer for Pakistan's Women's National Team with a master's degree in cancer biology. Her story doesn't begin with soccer or science alone. For Zeeyana, the two have always been intertwined. In this episode, our hosts explore how growing up with two passions shaped her journey—and why they have more in common than you might think. Zeeyana reflects on how education has influenced her soccer career, the barriers that still exist in women's sports, and her commitment to increasing representation for South Asian women in the game. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the transferable skills shared between education and athletics, the power of representation, and how hard work and perseverance can open doors on the pitch and beyond.

In this special episode, Nick and Calvin sit down with Ted Dintersmith, venture capitalist, filmmaker, and author of Aftermath: The Life-Changing Math That Schools Won’t Teach You, to discuss the future of math education in the age of AI. From standardized testing to the heavy emphasis placed on calculus, Ted challenges the way math is traditionally taught and asks an important question: are we preparing students for real life or just for tests? The conversation explores the lasting impact math education can have on student confidence, how AI is reshaping the skills students need, and the role nonprofits, foundations, and educational institutions can play in building a more relevant and engaging learning experience. “In this world, if machines do all those things, we need to be curious, audacious, and creative.” For anyone who’s ever wondered, “When am I actually going to use this?”, this episode is for you.

In the season finale of our podcast, hosts Nick Monzi and Calvin Sibert are joined by Monica Rowley, an award-winning educator, poet, and lifelong learner whose journey offers an inspiring lens on the evolving purpose of education. From teaching neurodiverse students in Hawaii to leading classrooms in New York City and now Philadelphia, Monica shares what it means to truly meet children where they are and build communities with curiosity and care. She opens up about her life as a writer and how it has served as a powerful tool for reflection and advocacy. The conversation dives deep into the ever-changing learning landscape, discusses how we can reimagine academic spaces to adapt to these changes, and talks about the future.

In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, Diana Leon joins host Calvin Sibert to explore the importance of empathy and community within education. A first-generation Mexican American, Diana shares how her background in mental health and child welfare shaped her desire to help young people succeed, both in and beyond the classroom. Diana brings her personal experiences, creating a way to connect and understand challenges firsthand. This fuels her passion to find meaningful programs and tools that open doors - creating spaces where children can grow, thrive, and feel seen and supported.

Joining the conversation this week is Aimee Katz, an inspiring educator whose lifelong curiosity has shaped her career in the classroom. From teachers who pushed her to be her best self to meaningful school experiences, Aimee now strives to create those opportunities for her own students every day. They discuss the lasting impact of COVID-19 on academics and relationships, the need to rebalance subject focus, and how project-based learning can spark creativity and address gaps. Aimee reflects on the realities of teacher burnout and the ever-growing to-do lists, while celebrating the joy of watching children grow, flourish, and find their voices.

In this episode of Fresh Perspectives, hosts Nick Monzi and Calvin Sibert sit down with George Lee, an energetic Los Angeles educator who’s transforming his community through his enthusiasm, empathy, and purpose. George opens up about his own struggles in school and how these experiences shaped his mission to make a difference. From the challenges of burnout and turnover to the joy of seeing realized potential, this heartfelt conversation highlights what it means to lead with intention and the role neighborhoods can play for teachers and students alike.

Brian Scott, a dedicated science educator from Minnesota, joins the conversation to discuss the power of experiential learning. Brian shares his journey into the classroom, from a baseball coach to a teacher, channeling his passion for uplifting the youth. Swapping anecdotes, Brian discusses how his personal life guided his own teaching style by leveraging real-world experiences to engage students. From tackling stormwater pollution through art projects to empowering young scientists with field experiences and community engagement, Brian talks about the challenges in education and how creativity and collaboration can overcome them.

In the season premiere, hosts Nick Monzi and Calvin Sibert sit down with Tania Vellejo, a passionate program specialist with Communities In Schools, whose journey has been driven by one mission - to be the person she needed when she was younger. Tania shares her journey from a high school volunteer to growing into a leader who now supports students, families, and educators across 20 campuses through the ACE after-school program. She shares how these types of services play a crucial role in providing support and structure. Together, they explore the challenges and opportunities of today’s education landscape, from technology to social media, the lasting impact of mentorship, and a reminder that being present can change a life.

In this season finale, Nick and Calvin sit down with Jordan Thew and Josh McQuillan from the Boys & Girls Club of Fox Valley to explore how out-of-school-time (OST) programs are transforming student outcomes across Wisconsin. Jordan and Josh share their personal journeys into youth work, how leading with purpose brought them to the Boys & Girls Club, and what keeps them dedicated. They discuss how OST programs fill important gaps left by the school day—offering everything from educational support to enrichment activities, sports, and exposure to the arts—and how expanding that impact without losing community trust requires meaningful relationships and leadership rooted in care. Along the way, they highlight the real-world challenges OST providers face, from funding to transportation, and why personal relationships remain at the heart of educational success. Find a club near you: https://www.bgca.org/