The Spaniard Show

Here's a great quote from this episode: "Ignorance of fire is better than having all the answers and being lazy." That comes from a self-described poor athlete who nevertheless made four different Olympic teams in four different decades. Ruben Gonzalez had never even seen a luge ride in person before he chose it as his sport based on his ability to persevere even through the injuries he knew would...

Today we take a look at the value of traveling and how Scott's trip to Africa opened his eyes to the world. He begins to think about how he can make a positive impact on the world by helping others. His path to charity:water is laid.  ... More with The Spaniard: Spaniard School teaches social and emotional skills to young people. Sign up here . Website Spaniard's books on Amazon   Speaking Info. R...

Ramona enters first grade and quickly realizes she's much smaller and less confident than she thought she was. She's finding her way through her emotions, but it's not without a few outbursts in class. This book is a great teaching tool for social and emotional learning. ... More with The Spaniard: Spaniard School teaches social and emotional skills to young people. Sign up here . Website Spaniard...

The fast times of club promoting takes it toll on Scott, and a close call leads him down a very different path. Today, we take a look at his introduction to volunteering his time. ... More with The Spaniard: Spaniard School teaches social and emotional skills to young people. Sign up here . Website Spaniard's books on Amazon   Speaking Info. Reading List Instagram Facebook Twitter

This week's book tells the story of Scott Harrison, a once-NYC-club-promoter turned founder and CEO of charity:water, "a nonprofit with the mission of providing clean water to the 663 million people worldwide who lack access to it." Today's intro episode sheds light on Scott's upbringing in NJ and what led him to NYC. ... More with The Spaniard: Spaniard School teaches social and emotional skills...

As low as Matt has been in his life, he maintains hope and belief. He, and this book, are a shining example of keeping moving forward. No matter how hard life gets, just keep going. Commit to that, and take it day by day. Or, at Matt puts it, "just continue to sway." ... More with The Spaniard: Spaniard School teaches social and emotional skills to young people. Sign up here . Website Spaniard's b...

Today, we take a look at Matt's introduction to Adderall during his freshman year at Villanova and the progression of his drug use and dependency.  ... More with The Spaniard: Spaniard School teaches social and emotional skills to young people. Sign up here . Website Spaniard's books on Amazon   Speaking Info. Reading List Instagram Facebook Twitter

This episode concerns obsession, addiction and redemption. After his father died in the World Trade Center on 9/11, 9-year-old Matthew Bocci was gripped by the unanswerable question of whether his father jumped and later fell into heartrending abuse at the hands of others and himself. The Spaniard and Matt talk about the depths of his turmoil and how he found his way back, including by writing the...

The world moves on, and Matt is left feeling alone. He looks to his uncles for life advice and to learn about his dad. He doesn't yet know it, but his life is about to take another dramatic turn.  ... More with The Spaniard: Spaniard School teaches social and emotional skills to young people. Sign up here . Website Spaniard's books on Amazon   Speaking Info. Reading List Instagram Facebook Twitter

Our next chapter book tells the story of Ramona, a first-grader who's trying her hardest to do her best and work through her fears and doubts. Today's introductory episode paints a broad picture of Ramona's background and flow of the book.  ... More with The Spaniard: Spaniard School teaches social and emotional skills to young people. Sign up here . Website Spaniard's books on Amazon   Speaking I...

Today, you'll get: glimpses into how a 9-year-old Matt is processing the loss of his father, a hopeful sign for Matt and his family that comes in a unique way and a look at the attention Matt was unwittingly getting from others.  ... More with The Spaniard: Spaniard School teaches social and emotional skills to young people. Sign up here . Website Spaniard's books on Amazon   Speaking Info. Readin...

When I say these books need to be read, I mean it. I cannot recommend "Sway" enough. Author Matthew Bocchi lost his father in 9/11, and this is his story of overcoming loss, abuse, addiction and so much more. He is humble, honest and pure in his to desire to share and help others. I've since become friends with Matt and recently had the opportunity to interview him for the show (It'll be published...

Lessons on: Speech, Faith, Equality, Love and Death.  ... More with The Spaniard: Spaniard School teaches social and emotional skills to young people. Sign up here . Website Spaniard's books on Amazon   Speaking Info. Reading List Instagram Facebook Twitter

Lessons on: Patience, Justice, Generosity, Discipline and Dedication.  ... More with The Spaniard: Spaniard School teaches social and emotional skills to young people. Sign up here . Website Spaniard's books on Amazon   Speaking Info. Reading List Instagram Facebook Twitter

Katie Felder mentions in this interview that The Spaniard helped her see West Point with fresh eyes during a visit there, because she found him as full of questions and observations as she is. Katie is the former public affairs contact for West Point, where she landed during one of her husband's military assignments. Katie discusses finding ways to cope and thrive during many family replantings, i...

Lessons on: Friendship, Forgiveness, Honesty, Courage and Grace. ... More with The Spaniard: Spaniard School teaches social and emotional skills to young people. Sign up here . Website Spaniard's books on Amazon   Speaking Info. Reading List Instagram Facebook Twitter

Spaniard School has been evolving since April / May (2020), and today's episode will update you on its evolution. It's been a difficult time for everyone involved in education, but I'm hopeful and confident Spaniard School will help me continue to reach more and more students. Already, our boots are firmly planted and starting to take hold. Hear where we've come from and where we're currently sitt...

Lessons on: Solitude, Humility, Gratitude, Pride and Cooperation.  ... More with The Spaniard: Spaniard School teaches social and emotional skills to young people. Sign up here . Website Spaniard's books on Amazon   Speaking Info. Reading List Instagram Facebook Twitter

This is an awesome little book, something you can read in a few sittings and refer back to often and forever. Today's intro episode sheds light on the book's creation and outlines the "Rules." ... More with The Spaniard: Spaniard School teaches social and emotional skills to young people. Sign up here . Website Spaniard's books on Amazon   Speaking Info. Reading List Instagram Facebook Twitter

Our finale episode on The Alchemist touches on love, learning through action, how you see the world and what alchemists really do. It's been an awesome week.  ... More with The Spaniard: Spaniard School teaches social and emotional skills to young people. Sign up here . Website Spaniard's books on Amazon   Speaking Info. Reading List Instagram Facebook Twitter

The title of the book is "The Alchemist", so it makes sense we learn a little bit about alchemy and how it relates to this book. I only had a vague idea of it prior to starting the book, and while certainly not an expert, I dove in to learn a little bit more. Enjoy my findings.  ... More with The Spaniard: Spaniard School teaches social and emotional skills to young people. Sign up here . Website...

Drew Manning did before, now he's doing it again—pursuing a calling to eat junk and stop exercising. Yep, you read that right. You might already know of his original Fit2Fat2Fit journey in 2011 from countless media sources, as well as The Spaniard's podcast episode #118 in September of 2017. Back then, Drew purposely gained and then lost 75 pounds in extreme devotion to increasing empathy for his...

Santiago learned an extremely valuable lesson from his sheep. He faced doubt when making a decision to continue on in his journey. And he learned a valuable lesson from a camel driver while crossing the desert. All of this will help you today. Listen and learn.  ... More with The Spaniard: Spaniard School teaches social and emotional skills to young people. Sign up here . Website Spaniard's books...

Today, we touch on some of Hank's well-meaning intentions that go awry. We also explore a major theme in the book - the learning differences and challenges unique to all of us - as we bid farewell to our friend Hank.  ... More with The Spaniard: Spaniard School teaches social and emotional skills to young people. Sign up here . Website Spaniard's books on Amazon   Speaking Info. Reading List Insta...

Today, we get into some deeper aspects of life - what's really important, understanding the wins and losses along the way and the pain of regret - as we learn a bit more about Santiago and his journey to live out his Personal Legend.  ... More with The Spaniard: Spaniard School teaches social and emotional skills to young people. Sign up here . Website Spaniard's books on Amazon   Speaking Info. R...