Edutainment Learning

Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Cody Sherlock moved to Las Vegas in 2017. He currently serves as a mortgage lender at CrossCountry Mortgage, helping families achieve the American dream of homeownership. In addition to this role, Cody is the owner of Living Large Las Vegas, a multi-media company, and serves as Chair of the Board for the Pinecrest Academy of Nevad...

Dr. Ricardo Villalobos currently serves as the Chief Programs Officer for Workforce Connections, Southern Nevada's Local Workforce Development Board, which oversees WIOA Title I Adult, Dislocated Workers, and Youth Programs. Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Pilot Gabriel Wall is was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, he has always had a passion for aviation. Despite not finishing high school, he dedicated himself to hard work and determination to achieve his dreams. In his 20s, he worked in information technology sales, allowing him to save up enough to start flying lessons—a lifelong aspiration he’d held since childhood. He first flew solo at the...

Jeffrey R. Woolf, Ph. D. (1991), is Senior Lecturer in Talmud at Bar Ilan University. He has published dozens of studies on the History of Jewish Law, and the Intellectual History of the Medieval Ashkenazic and Renaissance Italian Jewish communities. Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Chris Cleveland is the lead singer for Stars Go Dim, an American pop rock band from Tulsa, Oklahoma that formed in late 2007. Overcoming his 16 surgeries on his left ear, Chris is completely deaf out of that ear and still perseveres in his career as a successful singer-songwriter. Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Joe Flano, representing Major League Barber, The Original Barber Brand, is a dedicated professional who began his barbering journey at 16 and became licensed by 17. He has since built a career educating and hosting competitions at major international trade shows like ISSE Long Beach, IBS New York, and Premiere Orlando. Through Major League Barber, Joe strengthens industry standards by organizing e...

Ray Hennessy is a dedicated wildlife photographer with a passion for capturing the beauty of nature, particularly birds, through creative lighting and unique compositions. His journey into wildlife photography began in 2007 as a passionate hobby, which has since evolved into his full-time career. Since 2020, Ray has been living on the road, traveling across the United States and Canada in his van...

Joseph (Joe) Drab has served as a firefighter/paramedic for 14 years with Norfolk Fire Rescue in Virginia. Throughout his career, he has completed a 7-month fire academy, led two recruit academies as an instructor, piloted fireboats, served in Special Operations (Rescue Company 1), and helped found both the Peer Support Team and the Community Outreach Program. He was also named Firefighter of the...

Bobby Jones, Founder and Executive Director of Grow Unwind Connect (GUC), is a visionary leader dedicated to holistic wellness and community empowerment. Born and raised in Compton, he graduated with a BA in Writing from the University of Washington and was drafted with the 37th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, leading to a 12-year professional career in Italy. After retiring, he became a yoga instruct...

Brigadier General (Ret.) Robert G. "Blend’r" Novotny is the Executive Director of F-15 Business Development at Boeing’s Air Dominance Division, leading global outreach and strengthening partnerships for the F-15 portfolio. A distinguished 28-year U.S. Air Force veteran, he logged over 3,000 flight hours—including 500 in combat—as a command pilot, instructor, and operational test pilot. General Nov...

Pawel Durakiewicz is an inspiring adventurer and entrepreneur who shows us that challenges can be transformed into amazing opportunities. Born near Warsaw, Poland, Pawel went on to study in the United States at schools like Pepperdine University in California and the Carlson School of Management in Minnesota. Though his early life included struggles with alcoholism, he chose to turn his challenges...

Jeff Meyer is the CEO of Tuff-N-Uff Productions, an amateur mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Founded in 1994 by his brother, Barry Meyer, Tuff-N-Uff has been instrumental in providing a platform for amateur fighters to showcase their skills. After Barry's passing in 2013, Jeff took over the organization, continuing his brother's legacy and expanding its reach....

Walid Nasserdeen is a supply chain expert, angel investor, and operations executive who specializes in helping fast-growing CPG brands scale with precision. As the Founder of W.NDeen Advisory, he has redefined how businesses approach demand planning, inventory management, and operational efficiency—ensuring they eliminate stockouts, optimize inventory, and improve profitability. With over 15 years...

A results-driven digital marketing leader, Drew Brunson heads a high-performing team that partners with top global brands to deliver innovative media solutions and measurable business growth. He spearheaded revenue-generating programs with Fox Sports, the NFL, and the Dallas Cowboys, leading to national airtime and strategic expansion. With a sharp focus on KPIs and business objectives, he approac...

Jim Morris is no stranger to big dreams. Since he was five years old, he passionately yearned to play baseball in the major leagues. However, despite all his hard work and determination, a series of unfortunate events and injuries scuttled his career before he was twenty-five. Doctors told him he would never play again. Then at age thirty-five—after a string of highly implausible events and at an...

Larry Broughton is an award-winning hotelier and entrepreneur, bestselling author, keynote speaker, former US Army Green Beret, and Founder/CEO of Anaheim, California-based broughtonHOTELS. Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Bryan Malcolm Gaensler is an Australian astronomer based at the University of California, Santa Cruz. He studies magnetars, supernova remnants, and magnetic fields. Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Recording Artist for Blessid Union Of Souls. Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Erik Stromquist is co-founder and Chairman of CTL. He has served as CTL's CEO for 30+ years in various roles including CEO. He was a rising star recognized by Portland Business Journal, and enjoys running, music, and quality family time in beautiful Portland, OR. Are you an educator? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download student worksheets for every episode!

Justin Bernard is a dynamic figure in the combat sports industry, serving as the Announcer and Chief Operations Officer for Tuff-N-Uff since March 2010. In this role, he has been instrumental in promoting emerging mixed martial arts (MMA) talent, contributing significantly to the organization's growth and reputation. In addition to his work with Tuff-N-Uff, Bernard has been the Octagon Announcer f...

Tom Mauriello is a senior lecturer in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice and manages the department's Teaching Crime Laboratory. A sought-after forensic sciences consultant, Mauriello is regularly interviewed by media and has appeared on ABC World News, CBS Sunday Morning News, and Fox and MSNBC cable shows. He has been featured on television documentaries, including The Discovery...

Dynamic industry executive, Label Manager at Mr. 305 Records, the music label owned by Grammy Winning International artist and business entrepreneur "Pitbull". With over a decade of experience in the music industry, Barbara Rivas, affectionately known as 'Barbie,' has been able to have a proven track record of growth and success. Beginning her career in broadcasting, working in radio and TV for ov...

Jay Vickers is the Chief Operating Officer for UNLV’s Sports Innovation Initiative providing direction and leadership to position UNLV as the hub of the global intellectual capital of sport and entertainment, Las Vegas. Vickers, is a senior leader with more than 20 years of experience in the areas of management, fundraising, sales, marketing, and customer service, with a proven record of measurabl...

Alex Dixon is a strategic CEO, Board Member, and former Investment Banker with over 20 years of executive leadership across M&A, business restructuring, and hospitality development. He has contributed to iconic and Fortune 500 companies such as MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Goldman Sachs. As President and CEO of the Q Casino and DRA, a 501c4 and one of only two non-prof...