On The Subject with Mike Vilardo

In this episode of  On the Subject , host Michael Vilardo, co-founder and CEO of Subject.com, travels to the beautiful state of Michigan to sit down with Jarrad Grandy, an extraordinary leader shaping education in Oakland County. Together, they delve into the transformative power of relevance in the classroom, the evolving role of technology in modern learning, and the lasting impact a single...

In this episode of  On the Subject , host Michael Vilardo sits down with Tim Baldwin, a passionate educator with over 20 years of experience, to explore the transformative power of connection and love in education. From his roots in Flint, Michigan, to his leadership role at Enterprise High (Warren Public Schools), Tim shares personal stories, insights on fostering resilience, and his vision...

In this special episode of  On The Subject , host Michael Vilardo, Co-Founder and CEO of Subject, sits down with Lynne Nowicki, an innovative leader in education who has dedicated her career to empowering students aged 14 to 21. Lynne has worked with esteemed institutions like Eastern Michigan, Grand Valley State, and Michigan State before joining Success Virtual Learning Centers, where she’s...

In this episode of  On The Subject , host Michael Vilardo sits down with Morgan Karolyi, elite trainer at the renowned Dogpound gym. They explore Morgan's journey from small-town Durham to San Diego and Los Angeles, diving into fitness, self-confidence, and the challenges of standing out in the digital age. From navigating hate comments to embracing financial stability and personal growth, th...

In this episode of  On the Subject , Michael Vilardo sits down with the one and only Robby "Heat Daddy" Gucci—entrepreneur, comedian, social media sensation, former hockey player, and the voice behind  Hockey Night in Scottsdale and the  Wet Jeans Podcast . From roller hockey roots to a cult following in Canada, Rob shares his journey of risking it all, embracing failure, and naviga...

Join host Michael Vilardo as he welcomes the multifaceted actress Kristy Dawn Dinsmore, best known for her roles in  Vikings ,  Loudermilk , and  Half Sisters . In this heartfelt and humorous conversation, Kristy shares her journey from small-town Canada to Hollywood, her passion for acting and spirituality, and the life lessons she's gained along the way. From Burning Man adventure...

In this episode of  On The Subject , host Michael Vilardo sits down for the first time in person with Steven Galanis—co-founder and CEO of Cameo, an entrepreneur extraordinaire. Steven shares the incredible origin story of Cameo, sparked at his grandmother’s funeral, and how the company redefined the autograph for the digital age. From monetizing fame to building networks through college...

In this episode of  On The Subject , host Michael Vilardo sits down with Chandler Malone, co-founder and CEO of YourPath AI. From starting businesses at a young age to diving into venture capital, Chandler shares his insights on raising capital, building impactful companies, and the challenges and rewards of moving across the U.S. to grow his career. Tune in as they explore the pressures of c...

In this episode of On the Subject, host Michael Vilardo welcomes Sandra LaPlante, the CEO and founder of Papaya Tutor, to discuss her inspiring journey from Peru to Silicon Valley, her vision to democratize access to education, and the powerful impact of one-on-one tutoring. Sandra shares how her immigrant experience and entrepreneurial spirit led her to create a platform that offers students...

In this episode of "On The Subject," host Michael Vilardo interviews tech titan Jared Grusd, whose impressive career includes roles as Chief Strategy Officer at Snapchat, CEO of Huffington Post, and General Counsel at Spotify. Now co-founder of the edtech company Ethiqly, Grusd shares his remarkable journey from South African immigrant to Ivy League graduate. He discusses how his educational exper...

In this episode of "On The Subject," host Michael Vilardo sits down with Ana Romero, Subject's Chief of Staff, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation about education, career paths, and personal growth. This episode dives deep into hot-button issues like teacher pay, work-life balance, and the true value of different educational paths. From debating the merits of high school curricula to sharin...

In this episode of On the Subject, host Michael Vilardo reunites with old friend Jordan Schmaltz, aka "Swish", after 13 years. They dive into Jordan's journey from a first-round NHL draft pick to his current roles as a comedian, podcast host, and cultural influencer, including his position as host of the hilarious Hockey Night in Scottsdale. The conversation covers Jordan's experiences in youth ho...

In this episode of  On the Subject , host Michael Vilardo sits down with Brandon Copeland, a former NFL player, Ivy League graduate, and the driving force behind Athlete.org. Brandon shares his remarkable journey from being the Ivy League Player of the Year at Penn to playing 10 years in the NFL, and how he’s now using his platform to revolutionize financial literacy and education for young a...

In this episode of  On the Subject , host Michael Vilardo interviews Sophie Szew, a student at Stanford University who shares her transformative journey from a private Jewish school in Los Angeles to public school, and eventually to Stanford. Sophie discusses the challenges she faced, including her struggle with an eating disorder that led to her temporary withdrawal from school, and how thes...

In this episode of "On The Subject," host Michael Vilardo reunites with his college roommate Joey Vecchione, founder and CEO of Gold Level Talent. They dive deep into their shared experiences as college athletes, discussing the challenges of balancing academics with Division I sports, the impact of influential coaches, and their eventual transition from athletic aspirations to successful entrepren...

In this episode of On the Subject, host Michael Vilardo sits down with Chase Griffin, UCLA quarterback and two-time NIL Athlete of the Year. Griffin shares his journey from Texas high school football star to UCLA, where he's earned three degrees while playing Division I football. He discusses leveraging NIL opportunities, the importance of education in athletics, and his future aspirations in fina...

In this episode of 'On the Subject,' host Michael Vilardo, co-founder and CEO of Subject, converses with Johnny Manziel, a Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback. They discuss Johnny's inspirational journey from being a college athlete at Texas A&M to navigating fame, dealing with the pressures of sports, and his transition into life post-football. Manziel shares insights on how his...

Join host Michael Vilardo on this episode of "On the Subject" as he sits down with Lukas 'Squid' Pakter, a dynamic entrepreneur who skyrocketed to success right out of college. Lukas shares his journey from creating cringy workout videos to becoming a viral sensation, his insights on content creation, and the importance of confidence and persistence. Learn about his innovative business Squid House...

In this episode of "On The Subject," host Michael Vilardo sits down with music producer, Rob Resnick. Rob shares his unique journey from Montclair High School in New Jersey to making waves in the NY/LA music scene. Discover how his educational experiences, from high school bands to a major in music and philosophy at Tufts, shaped his career. Rob opens up about the challenges of switching from engi...

Join host Michael Vilardo as he interviews Veronica Reeves, founder of Black Women in Venture Capital (BWIVC) and former team member at Serena Williams' venture fund. Veronica shares her inspiring journey from community college to Howard University, her experiences in consulting and venture capital, including her time at Serena Ventures, and her mission to increase representation of Black women in...

In this episode of "On the Subject," host Michael Vilardo welcomes John Lee, a UCLA MBA graduate and Villanova undergraduate, who has seamlessly transitioned from a career in mechanical engineering to becoming a prolific content creator and entrepreneur. John shares insights on how his diverse educational background and passion for creativity have shaped his professional journey. Tune in to hear J...

Join us for an inspiring episode of "On the Subject" with host Michael Vilardo as he sits down with Josh Ogundu, founder and CEO of TradeWay Tech Inc. Josh shares his journey from growing up in Michigan to becoming a successful tech entrepreneur in Los Angeles. With a background that spans corporate finance at IBM, venture-backed startups, and leadership roles at major tech companies like TikTok,...

Ross McCray, founder and CEO of VideoAmp, shares his unconventional path from UCLA dropout to successful entrepreneur and innovator.

In this episode of "On the Subject," host Michael Villardo sits down with Tristan Jass, an extraordinary basketball player, influencer, and entrepreneur. Tristan shares his incredible journey from Kenosha, Wisconsin, to becoming a viral sensation and a successful Gen Z influencer. Discover how he turned a high school basketball crossover into a flourishing career, the challenges he faced, and the...

In this episode of 'On the Subject,' host Michael Villardo is joined by Emily Bennett, a passionate education investor and principal at Owl Ventures. With a background that includes stints at Spotify, Facebook, and a Harvard Business School degree, Emily has dedicated her career to helping education companies make a significant impact worldwide. Tune in to hear Emily’s insights on the importance o...