Who are those people that work the polls? How did they get there? What's involved with working the polls? What kind of training do they have?

And *gosh* what stories do they have to tell?

All our questions were answered (and then some!) but the delightful duo, Tim and Margo Smith. Just in time for US elections.

Now...GO VOTE!

Dive into the fascinating world of sports data and analytics with Alon Cohen, the co-founder of FightMetric.

Alon shares his incredible journey from an interdisciplinary college program to becoming a key figure in the UFC, WWE, and beyond. Discover how his passion for technology and systems led him to revolutionize the way sports data is collected, analyzed, and used to enhance the fan experience. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of sports, technology, and entrepreneurship.

Alon Cohen co-founded FightMetric, creating the statistics that became the official stats of the UFC. Now part of UFC and a part of the WME | IMG family, he leads research and development across the enterprise from COVID response to computer vision. His work includes UFC, Battlebots, Apple TV's Planet of the Apps, Miss Universe, and the World Surf League.

Leah Moser has tons and tons of children's books written, just laying around her house waiting to be published one day.

And *this* one is her first published children's book and it's about ANGER! Yeesh. A doozy.

What's it really like to work with an illustrator? Why anger? We get into all of it.

Leah goes big or goes home. And she isn't stopping anytime soon.

Leah Moser is a children's book author living in Northern Virginia with her husband, three children, and pup named Cali.

Her debut picture book, I AM A THUNDERCLOUD, was released in April 2024 with Running Press Kids/Hachette. Leah is represented by agent Dan Cramer of Page Turner Literary Agency.

You can order the book either from Amazon or https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/leah-moser/i-am-a-thundercloud/9780762482184/). Leah is also an editor and can be found at https://www.leahmoserwrites.com/

Leah's background is in elementary education in both a general and special education setting and she received my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Lafayette College and her Master's in Elementary Education from George Washington University.

Mike Starghill isn't an artist. He isn't a journalist.

But he sure is an amazing photographer. And can sure tell a visual story. Hmmm...

Listen in as Mike unpacks his first ah-ha moment when he saw the work of a photographer that showed something he had never seen before. And then his creativity was ignited and he never looked back.

Michael Starghill is a Houston-based commercial + editorial photographer specializing in portraiture, sports, and documentary photography. Starghill was born and raised in Houston before leaving to attend American University in Washington, DC. While taking a photography elective, a serendipitous meeting with a Walter Iooss, Jr. exhibit at a gallery piqued Michael’s interest in photography, which eventually turned into a career. Since returning to Houston in 2013, Michael has done work for local, national, and international publications, Fortune 500 companies and photographed two World Series. Michael lives in Houston with his wife, Abby, and their two daughters, Zamora and Violet.

You can find Mike at https://www.michaelstarghill.com, on FB at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelStarghillPhotography and on IG @starghill

Gun violence. Where do we even begin? Liz Russell starts at the beginning and the moment she could no longer ignore that guns are everywhere.

And she charts a path forward for us to move from awkward and uncomfortable, so taking small steps to save each other and our children.

CW: Our guest shares details about gun violence at her job.

Liz Russell is a dedicated community activist and gun violence prevention advocate with a deep passion for public service. With years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Liz has become a powerful voice for change, working tirelessly to create safer communities through her gun violence prevention work. As a committed parent and partner, she balances her professional life with active volunteerism, supporting her children's school and their activities as well as causes that support the wellbeing of children and families in her community. Liz's unwavering belief in the importance of giving back drives her continued efforts to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

We all have childhood trauma... all living beings. But Thessaly might have the best story by far. Imagine waking up one day in high school and finding out your parents are professional pot smugglers? Ha! What a trip. :)

Listen in about what it was like to find out and what it has been like to come to terms with her parents humanity and with all of the world listening.

You can find Disorganized Crime at: https://open.spotify.com/show/1thTOlbk7M1lAxuKekELSh?si=68a13e6022f04686

Her neck was guillotined by boxes that feel off a shelf. And the irony that a millimeter of fat saved her life.

LC Arisman fought her way back. And is learning what her body is capable of every day. And how to rest, it too.

(We took notes.)

We have royalty on the pod today.

Brandye Lee is super smart and her dance career speaks for itself. She lays out her hopes and dreams for the dance community and the cultural changes she hopes to see.

And her role in guiding the next generation? Well, we are glad she's at the helm.