Free To Be with Lucca

I sit down with Muskaan , a junior at Dinuba High School in California’s Central Valley and the host of her own podcasts, Me, Myself & I is All I Need and Spreading Smiles . We dive into what it takes to grow into the best version of yourself and how the environment and people around you play a huge role in shaping who you are. Muskaan opens up about: Why your circle of friends matters and how the...

I sit down with a true force for change in education — Dr. Nyree Clark , the Coordinator of Equity and Access at Colton Joint Unified School District — to discuss what it takes to hold onto hope in challenging times and build communities that support us beyond our comfort zones to break barriers and foster equity. Reflecting on the recent election, we explore the real work that begins after pivota...

In this this conversation, Aralyn, a high school senior from Aztec, New Mexico, and I dive into her journey of stepping into authentic leadership. From breaking away from stereotypes and learning that the desire to lead qualifies you to lead, to overcoming judgment and taking up space, Aralyn shares powerful insights on transforming from a side character to the main character of your own life. Tog...

In this mini-episode, we explore the journey of honoring every part of yourself — the essential pieces that make you whole and complete. A lot of our life is spent hiding parts of ourselves and pretending to be someone we’re not, just to fit in and belong, and in the process, we lose sight of who we truly are. But here's the truth: every part of you was created on purpose, for a purpose. Authentic...

Rejection is a natural part of the journey toward success — it’s bound to happen, but it doesn’t have to hold you back. In this solo episode, I share 5 powerful steps to help you navigate rejection with more ease and confidence. Remember, rejection is not a roadblock — it’s redirection to what is meant for you. Whether it’s in your studies, career, relationships, or personal goals and aspirations,...

In this episode, I sit down with my writing coach and long-lost cousin, Alan Watt , to explore the art of storytelling. Alan is an award-winning novelist and best selling author of Diamond Dogs and Days Are Gone and the creator of L.A. Writer's Lab.  In our conversation, he shares powerful insights on the process of writing your own memoir and embracing your authentic voice. We dive into the true...

Fall is the harvest time of the year — a season for gathering the fruits of our labor and reflecting on how we’ve grown. In this mini-solo episode, we'll explore what it means to acknowledge the growth we've experienced over the past 9 months and how we can release old patterns to make space for new opportunities for the next 3 months of 2024 and in 2025.  We reflect on these 7 questions: What cha...

In this episode, we dive deep into the journey of finding yourself, your people, your dreams, and your impact. Meet Fatima, a senior at James Logan High in Union City, whose story mirrors my own high school experience in many ways. From sitting alone as a freshman to rising as ASB president, her journey is one of resilience and self-discovery. We explore the idea that there’s no set timeline to fi...

In this episode, I have a conversation with my friend Rashaan Davis, Assistant Commissioner of the Colorado High School Activities Association , about the power of authenticity in leadership. How can we genuinely support young people in being themselves if we aren't truthful with who we are? Leadership is often mistaken as a role to perform, but in truth, pretending consumes more energy than simpl...

In this heartfelt episode, I pay tribute to two of the most important people in my life: my best friend, Marco Santoyo , and my incredible mom Dennise. I explore the depths of true friendship and the unconditional love that has shaped who I am today. Through personal stories and cherished memories, I reflect on the power of genuine connections, the lessons I've learned, and the gratitude I feel fo...

In this conversation, I dive deep into the unpredictable journey of entrepreneurship with my friend and colleague Shatera Sangster , founder of Social Media Sidekick LLC. Shatera opens up about her path from rock bottom to breakthrough moments, highlighting the resilience, messiness, and patience required to build a successful business from the ground up. We talk about the importance of starting w...

In this solo episode, I dive into the profound impact of the words we speak to ourselves, especially when no one else is listening. Everything that follows the words "I am" has the power to shape your reality. But how are you speaking to yourself in those quiet, introspective moments of your day? Are you building yourself up, or are you tearing yourself down? I explore the transformative power of...

In this intimate conversation, B Genduso shares their experience becoming the most confident version of themselves as a high school athlete and leader. B is currently a senior at Century High School in Oregon and serves as the president of the Oregon Association of Student Councils. B is an incredible pole vaulter and will be a professional athlete one day. Their current goal is to amplify margina...

I'm back with weekly episodes! To start this new chapter off, I'm sharing 2 principles that will help you connect to your authentic confidence on the daily. In this solo episode, I also share what jams are on repeat in my AirPods because music is life. I hope you feel supported on your life journey as you listen :)  RESOURCES Learn how I support middle, high school and college students and educato...

In this episode, James Layman and I dive into:  The through lines that connects each of us together The life-changing wisdom his mom shared with him 6 weeks before she passed  What we can all learn from kids, Costco sample attendants, and death Being present to the glimmers (the opposite of triggers) in our lives  The journey of loving the parts of yourself that you’re nervous for others to see an...

How can each of us lead greater impact for good with our resources, access, and privilege? This is the question Miles Palacios and I get curious about in this episode. We also dive into: The importance of investing in youth and amplifying their voices and lived experiences. Why do we do what we do? Does injustice have to be personal to change? How self-leadership is self-care. Reframing open door...

In May of 2016, I graduated from Fresno State as a curious and nervous newly out gay man.  7 years later, on Saturday, May 20th, 2023 I led the keynote address at Fresno State’s 10th Annual Rainbow Graduation as a confident queer human who has so much freaking love for the LGBTQIA+ community and belief in all that is possible for them in their lifetime.  It was a dream come true to share my story...

Last December, I experienced the deepest depression of my life. In this solo episode, I share the small, slow, and challenging steps I took to move through sadness, anxiety, and apathy into hope, joy, and excitement for life again. Today, 4 months later, I now know, I was experiencing the death of an older version of myself. I was shedding beliefs, ways of thinking and being, and opinions that no...

My mentor, teacher, and friend Susanne Conrad and I have a conversation about the good, great, hard, and uncomfortable path to accessing more personal freedom and compassion in your life.   We also discuss:  How to love yourself and also love those who've hurt you, and remain hopeful they can change How to envision a future for yourself when you feel hopeless Why vision work is life changing and h...

This episode is with my college mentor, my amazing friend, and educator Mellissa Jessen-Hiser. We met when I was 19 at Fresno State, 11 years ago. We have a conversation about the power we each have to create affirming, nonjudgmental, and inclusive spaces wherever we go, especially for our youth. We also talk about the process of breaking the mold you were never meant to fit in and stepping into t...

Today, my friend Mark Fields and I have a very important and vulnerable conversation about pain, something we all experience in life. We talk about the understanding, resilience, freedom, and peace on the other side of pain if we choose to do the hard and intentional work of becoming aware of it, accepting it, and healing from it.  We discuss the choice we have to heal from our childhood and adult...

If you are ready to intentionally create the year you really want, this episode with my wonderful friend Alicia Wolfe is for you.  The first hour is all about how we've bravely brought our biggest desires and dreams to life. We share practical ways to manifest the things you really want in your lives and how to move from self-doubt and letting limiting beliefs rule your world to truly believing in...

Today, I have a conversation with my friend Matt Corke r about living unapologetically yourself in all areas of your life.  Matt opens up about his experience being a gay father and husband and how he had to become the queer role model and representation he needed to create a life he really wanted. He shares how he found the man of his dreams by following the 5 date rule for one whole year. We als...

The theme of this episode is gratitude. I've been really going through it lately and find myself being stuck in worry many times a day. I realize that worry doesn't serve my highest potential and the big goals and dreams I have for myself. In this episode, I make a commitment to let go of worry and welcome in more gratitude and trust in my life. I reflect back on a time when I really wanted what I...

People-pleasing is feeling overly concerned with pleasing others and earning their approval as a way to maintain relationships. It’s prioritizing others' reactions of what you do and say, and how you show up. It’s doing things because you fear rejection or want the approval of others in order to feel like you’re enough.  Being a concerned and caring person is an important part of maintaining healt...