Beyond The Challenge Podcast

In this episode of Beyond the Challenge , Rob Toombs from Bank of America sits down with co-host Wyatt for a powerful and motivating conversation centered on financial growth, personal development, and the value of mentorship. Rob shares how Bank of America’s partnership with TCP, a school they proudly sponsor, is helping shape the next generation of leaders. From celebrating the Student of the Ye...

Join Wyatt and Dasha for the Student Edition as they dive into the latest in pop culture, from Dancing with the Stars to the shows and movies everyone’s talking about, including Wicked for Good. They also touch on some sports highlights before sharing helpful tips on how to stay motivated and focused as a student. It’s a mix of fun conversations, current trends, and real advice made for students l...

In this episode of Beyond the Challenge , we welcome Sakshi Patel , our new Social Media and Marketing Manager at The Challenge Program, Inc. Join us as we get to know Sakshi, explore her passion for digital media, and hear her vision for connecting with students and communities. From her background and inspirations to her plans for growing TCP's online presence, Sakshi shares what excites her...

Join us for a quick Q&A with Stephanie Daniels, Program Development Manager at The Challenge Program, Inc. In this episode, Stephanie shares what her role looks like, her favorite parts of the job, and why she’s passionate about connecting students with local businesses. She works closely with schools and companies across Cambria, Bedford, Blair, Indiana, and Somerset counties to build strong...

In this episode of Beyond The Challenge, Dasha sits down with Santana Kennedy, our 2025 Student of the Year. From finding out she won to what the title means moving forward, Santana shares her story, her struggles, and the support that helped her get here. She opens up about her experience with The Challenge Program, the role of business partners, and how she hopes to inspire others. Tune in for a...

Meet our newest intern, Reagan Chase! In this fun and fast-paced episode, we get to know Reagan through quick questions and personal insights. From her music artist to her career goals, you'll learn what brought her to The Challenge Program, what she's hoping to gain from her internship, and a few fun facts along the way. Tune in to hear her story and welcome her to the team!

In this episode of Beyond the Challenge , Dasha sits down with Lexie Steiner, Human Resources Generalist at American Eagle Paper Mills, for a deep dive into the interview process. From preparing your resume to making a strong first impression and asking the right questions, Lexie shares real advice from the HR side of the desk to help students feel confident, prepared, and ready to land the job. F...

In this special episode of Beyond the Challenge , we’re recapping the unforgettable 2025 Crystal Owl Gala and saying goodbye to our co-host and marketing intern, Damien, as he wraps up his time with The Challenge Program, Inc. What’s Poppin’? – We break down what the Crystal Owl Gala is all about, share our behind-the-scenes highlights, and reflect on the night’s impact. Plus, a quick Met Gala fas...

In this episode of Beyond the Challenge , Dasha and Wyatt are diving into all things job prep —from your first-ever paycheck to internships that launch your career. Whether you’re dreaming big or just trying to land a summer job, we’ve got tips to help you stand out and feel confident walking into any opportunity. What’s inside: What employers really look for (it’s not experience) Simple ways to p...

In the second episode of Beyond the Challenge, Dasha and Wyatt are joined by special guest Damien for a fun, laid-back convo all about what’s going on in high school right now—and how soft skills play a bigger role than you might think. We kick things off with “What’s Poppin’?” to talk musicals, senior assassin drama, and what’s trending in the hallways. Then we jump into some random fun in our “J...

In the first episode of the Beyond The Challenge Podcast, join Dasha and Wyatt as they dive into everything that comes with the end of the school year and what’s ahead. From summer internships to school trips, prom, and more—all while staying on top of it and finishing the school year strong!

Join Sarah Klawinski, Recruiting & Onboarding Manager at DiamondBack Covers, as she provides an inside look at the company’s operations, culture, community efforts, and partnership with The Challenge Program, Inc. (TCP). In this episode, we’ll learn about the inner workings of DiamondBack Covers, from their daily operations to exciting projects that drive their team. Sarah shares insights on h...

In this episode of Challenge Chats, we dive into the inspiring journey of McAneny’s Director of Human Resources. Discover how passion and education shaped his career path and gain valuable insights into the HR industry. Whether you’re a student wondering about future career possibilities or a professional looking for motivation, this episode offers practical advice and heartfelt stories. Tune in f...

✉️ Join us for an inspiring conversation with Kaylee Frederick, the 2022 Student of the Year winner who is making waves in academia and ultra-running. From tackling 100-mile races to pursuing a double major with additional certifications, Kaylee shares her journey of resilience, growth, and finding balance in college life.   🌎 Discover how Kaylee’s experiences with the Challenge Program shaped he...

Welcome to “Challenge Chats,” where ambition meets action! In this must-listen episode, we sit down with Cole Nickolls, whose journey from high school standout to real estate trailblazer is nothing short of remarkable. Cole shares the pivotal role The Challenge Program (TCP) played in shaping his path, instilling values like integrity and resilience that resonate with both young go-getters and sea...

At The Challenge Program (TCP), we are in the midst of our busy season, with our upcoming Gala Event and spring assemblies just around the corner. Despite all the hustle and bustle, our marketing team never rests, and we are excited to present another podcast episode featuring an outstanding guest. This week, we have Craig Staresinich joining us to share his journey to success at NASA and beyond,...

Meet Grace Messina, a bright rising high school student who's making waves as a member of The Challenge Program's Student Influencer group. Inspired by her remarkable contributions, we invited Grace to join us for a paid summer internship, joining our marketing team to further bolster our online presence. Tune in to this episode of Challenge Chats as we dive into Grace's journey, her e...

Bryce Maldet and Melanie Muha interview with Genna Mucci Project Manager at JV Manufacturing. Today we talk about a variety of topics in manufacturing. What it is like being a woman in manufacturing? What is the work environment like in manufacturing? If you want to hear about any of this and so much more, you’ve found yourself in the right episode. To learn more about JV Manufacturing or their jo...

Bryce Maldet and Melanie Muha interview the president of Allied Resource Group. We explore many different subjects, from what he looks for when hiring new employees to the advice he wishes he would have heard before making his track through his extensive and successful career.   All Our Links: The Challenge Program Website Instagram Facebook TikTok

Bryce Maldet and Melanie Muha sit down with Alex Matthews from Highmark Health to talk more about Highmark Health, why they are partnered with The Challenge Program, and what opportunities they offer for students.   All Our Links: The Challenge Program Website Instagram Facebook TikTok

This Episode of Challenge Chats will be featuring an exclusive interview with Addeson McAninch From Penn Highlands Healthcare. Addeson is currently a student outreach coordinator; she gives us an insight into Penn Highlands Healthcare and how they currently work with high school and college students. We dig into how The Challenge Program further evolves its student outreach, The opportunities for...

Staring off this month's episode we explore the exciting start of TCP’s assembly’s kicking off for the 2022-2023 year, we interview Bobby Fetter and explore his challenging road to winning TCP’s Community Service Award for 2022, and as always we share our current plans, goals, and current events we have going on at TCP.

The Beginning, it all started with Dan our founder. We felt there was no better person to start our interviews off with than the person that started our entire program, Dan Perkins. We update you all on some exciting TCP news including our theme for this year. Finally at the end of the episode Bryce and Mel review the interview with dan reflecting on the many amazing things we took away from Dans...