Ancestor Architects

Emerson Allen is a seasoned educator, coach, and former collegiate athlete with over two decades of experience shaping young minds and athletes. From his early days coaching at Strake Jesuit High School to his current roles in San Antonio, Emerson has dedicated his life to teaching, coaching football and track, and inspiring others to reach their full potential. A proud husband and father, Emerson...

Cutler Wellness Programs, Wellness U., Behind the Whistle, Advancement of Blacks in Sports (ABIS), AthMindset®, PA4WN™Lab, and AthleteTalk are partnering to produce March into Mental Health ’23. #Marchintomentalhealth is a one-week “event” to highlight mental health and wellness at all levels of women’s and men’s college basketball. The goal of this effort is twofold – first to highlight the uniqu...

Did you know that sleep routines are skills that can be developed? Have you ever felt like having a poor sleep schedule is innately horrible? If so, this episode of the Ancestor Architect podcast was made specifically for you. Take a few moments to glean life-changing information on sleep and mental health. Mental Health and Wellness Programs expert, Betsy Cutler and your favorite clinician's favo...

Cutler Wellness Programs, Wellness U., Behind the Whistle, Advancement of Blacks in Sports (ABIS), AthMindset®, PA4WN™Lab, and AthleteTalk are partnering to produce March into Mental Health ’23. #Marchintomentalhealth is a one-week “event” to highlight mental health and wellness at all levels of women’s and men’s college basketball. The goal of this effort is twofold – first to highlight the uniqu...

Meet Head Football Coach DeMarcus Harris A native Texan, Harris began his teaching and coaching career in 2007 in Dallas ISD at Hillcrest High School, where he was a special teams coordinator, strength and conditioning coach, and track coach for four years. He spent two years at Little Elm High School as a U.S. history teacher, defensive coordinator, and track coach before moving to Arlington ISD’...

Coach Carlesa Dixon is a life-giving spirit. If you are blessed to spend a few minutes with Coach Dixon, you will leave a better person.  Dixon, a native of Dallas (Texas), has coached for 16 years, 14 of which she served as a head coach. During her coaching career, she has led Dallas Lincoln High School (Texas), John Tyler High School (Texas), and Summer Creek to regional appearances. She ha...

Monique A.J. Smith, is a Leadership Strategist that guides Athletics Departments/Sport Organizations and Individuals who wish to advance in Athletics Administration/Sports Business or the Marketplace. Smith, a Sports Management veteran of 30 plus years, owns a consulting business Seeds of Empowerment ® LLC, where she consults in four ways 1. University workshops & retreats, 2. Monthly Membersh...

Catelyn Vasquez is the Partnership Development Specialist at CAST Lead High School. She is also a former Business Development Assistant on the International and Kosher Department for H-E-B. Wait, there's more! Catelyn is also a former English teacher and volleyball coach at John Jay High School in San Antonio, TX. Keep reading! This ancestor architect also taught Composition I and II at OSU a...

Dr. Sara Erdner, CMPC is the author of the recently published book, Dear Coach: What I Wish I Could Have Told You, Letters from Your Athletes, where Dr. Erdner asked athletes one question: what do you wish you could have told your coach but never did? Athletes responded to this question via confidential letters, providing a wealth of knowledge for coaches, sport administrators, and all who care fo...

Chiaka Ogbogu is simply PHENOMENAL! Her accomplishments pale in comparison to her kind and compassionate spirit. We thank Chiaka for taking time out her busy schedule earlier this year before heading out of the country to play professional volleyball. This future Olympian blessed us with a few moments of her life and we are better people for it. Links to stories and other biographical information...

Coach Ed and Dr. Dianna Carberry are remarkable ancestor architects with seeds of positive change sewn across the country and world. The Carberry's positively impact generations of leaders through sport and education. Coach Carberry is the Head Football Coach at Southwestern Community College in Chula Vista, CA with countless victories in the lives of the young men in his programs from high school...

Jen Fry is a native of Arizona, a Division II athlete, and veteran volleyball coach with over 15 years of experience at the collegiate level with coaching stints at Elon University, the University of Illinois (2011 National Runner-Up), Washington State University, and Norfolk State University.  She turned social justice educator when she realized there was a need for educating not only our student...

Mari Ross-Alexander, M.A., LPC-MHSP, is a licensed professional counselor treating individuals (age 13 and up), couples and families. Originally from Las Vegas, NV, Mari completed her undergraduate work at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ in 1997 and earned her Masters of Arts in Counseling from Argosy University in 2007. Currently, she is pursuing her Ph. D. in Clinical Counseling from...

Brittany L. Collins is Owner of Developing ME! Counseling, & Consulting, LLC. She is currently a 4th year Doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program, with a Multicultural and Social Justice Cognate within the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology at the University of Cincinnati. She serves as Mental Health Counselor to stude...

Dr. Brandon W. Jones is the Associate Director for Student Learning and Development in Housing and Dining at the University of Texas at Austin. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design and Master’s Degree in Higher Education from Abilene Christian University. He also earned his Ph. D. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2015....

Jessica Hazard holds the title of Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Development at Texas Christian University and she is much more than that. Our uncut conversation with Jessica was so amazing we split it into two parts to share her AWESOMENESS for more than one episode. Please get yourself in the most receptive position possible to share life with this amazing human being.

Jessica Hazard holds the title of Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Development at Texas Christian University and she is much more than that. Our uncut conversation with Jessica was so amazing we split it into two parts to share her AWESOMENESS for more than one episode. Please get yourself in the most receptive position possible to share life with this amazing human being.  

We were honored to meet The Brett Bell while attending the Black Student Athlete Summit at the University of Texas at Austin in 2018. Ironically, Brett was on crutches from a college knee injury. Brett was gracious enough to share his time and story with two prying high school teachers from San Antonio during a networking social. We were thoroughly impressed then and are grateful for knowing that...

Kyle Adams is a transformational servant leader, motivational speaker, coach, and consultant with expertise in higher education and athletic coaching. He has experience in student recruitment, advocacy, retention, counseling, programming, and development. With, over 2 decades of experience as a college basketball coach, Adams has strived to create inclusive environments that provide students with...

Join the conversation with people who are invested in the wellbeing of volleyball athletes. This webinar series will focus on issues related to COVID-19 and its effects on volleyball. 

We are THRILLED to have Coach Kyle Adams joins us for our podcast return. His biography is forthcoming in the full episode. 

Trennis joined PCA in October 2016 to serve as the first Executive Director of the PCA-Central Texas Chapter. Trennis is responsible for the overall success of the Central Texas Chapter. He works with the chapter board to develop, implement and evaluate a long-term strategy for the chapter. He represents PCA in the local community by developing relationships with business, philanthropic, academic...

We want to thank Trennis Jones for taking time share life with us. Our conversation with him was informative and uplifting. Trennis Jones is a leader among leaders. If you ever get the chance to speak with or listen to him, do it! His ability to make plain the perils and promises of life through various lenses is empowering. Fasten your seatbelts, get your notepads and pens ready for an engaging r...

Dr. Dominic Morais, an Assistant Professor in the Business Administration department (School of Business, School of Sport Administration) at Trinity University is a brilliant beacon of light. He graciously spent a few hours with us recently and shared his thoughts with us. What an honor! 

Behind the Whistle, LLC is proud to present the Ancestor Architects podcast. This podcast is dedicated to discovering how people and organizations develop great ancestors. Let's build great ancestors together!