Ednium Presents: Backyard Brilliance

Were BACK!! Spring has sprung and the fellas have returned to share in the fun. Welcome to Ednium Presents: Backyard Brilliance. This is the first episode of many to come that will be illustrating the living/breathing evolution of the podcast.Episode 80 brings us a wonderful conversation wit Stephanie Lopez a College Success Program Manager with DSF. The 2024 Dream Investor Homegrown award winner. And overall kind human being. We have a great conversation about purpose, faith, and family. And we are excited to for you to learn more about Stephanie and get a glimpse of what it sounds like to walk in gratitude.(LIKE, COMMENT, and FOLLOW)- Helps support the podcastContent Disclaimer: Our ultimate goal as a podcast platform is to host and facilitate the authentic voices of our guests so that those who sit with us are able to express themselves freely. Our job is not to censor the voice of our guests. Ednium: The Alumni Collective, does not endorse all sentiments shared on the podcast. 

New year, new faces, same focus. We are excited to introduce the new squad: Richard, Kathe, and Alonso! Kathe is a Denver native raised by African immigrant parents. She is an East High School Alumni and earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations with minors in Psychology and Communications from the University of Colorado Denver. After graduating, Kathe started her career in the nonprofit world wanting to serve the communities she grew up within. Helping to create and develop programs, opportunities, and resources for communities in need has become a passion of hers and it is truly seen through her work. Finding her goals and values to be in alliance with Ednium, she joined the team! Kathe is excited to be a part of the team and is ready to help us get to the next level!    ---- Alonso immigrated to Denver by himself as a teenager. He enrolled into Abraham Lincoln High School where he later graduated in the class of 2011. Upon graduation he moved on to Western Nebraska Community College where he graduated with an associate degree of science. Alonso then furthered his education at Chadron State College where he later graduated.  Ednium’s vision and mission captivated Alonso’s interests as a member of the Leadership Launchpad Cohort 3. So when he had the opportunity to join the team, he didn’t hesitate.  He is excited to contribute to the betterment of Denver’s social infrastructure, so our youth can thrive. ---- A graduate of John F. Kennedy High School, Richard is responsible for all programs including the annual leadership development cohort, research and storytelling initiatives, and policy ideation and implementation. Prior to joining Ednium Richard served as IB Program Manager at George Washington High School, where he led school-wide professional development around equity and authentic student engagement and helped eliminate barriers to increase BIPOC student access and engagement in advanced courses. Additionally he served as the coach for the Student Board of Education team, a policy-focused student organization as well as the GW Powerlifting team. He is passionate about community engagement, volunteering with organizations such as Minds Matter Colorado and the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Program. Richard holds a bachelor's degree in History and Spanish and a masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Denver, and a certificate in Educational Leadership from Colorado State University Global. Richard resides in southwest Denver with his partner and two rambunctious puppies.

This week we sit down with Sia Chandler-Garcia. She was born and raised in Denver Colorado. Has a B.A. in Behavioral Science, a Masters in Counseling of Education, a postgraduate degree in Principal Administration, and a graduate from Denver Seminary with a certificate in Chaplaincy. She is currently working as the Principal at Emily Griffith High School in Denver. Sia has worked in education for over 26 years and has a counseling business named With Love. Her latest adventure is Sia’s Bean Pies. She loves to bake! Sia co-founded Watch Me Grow Mentoring Program for girls ages 11-14. Where they mentor young ladies by encouraging them to exhibit self-love, and love for others and the community. Sia has authored two books: Luke the Loving Dog (yes, it is about my dog), and I Don’t Want to Fight Anymore: How to get your tween/teen to listen to you. Though she has established a career in education, and counseling, Sia’s first love is singing. She is the founder and lead singer of Decades of Love Band, performing annual concerts to raise funds for various causes. She is married, has a blended family of 5 children and 1 dog. Her ultimate goal in life is to see how much love she can give. Denver Artist Spotlight - Decade of Love - Live performance - https://youtu.be/pAncMo5_6tQ

Welcome Back!  This week we sit down with Founder of Juntos 2 College, Luis Antezana Alba.  He was born in Bolivia, raised in Los Angeles, and has called Colorado his adopted home since 2015. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the Honors College at the California State University of Los Angeles. His professional career began as an educator in Colorado Springs, teaching high school Language Arts and AVID. In recent years, Luis has focused on college access for Seniors as a Denver Scholarship Foundation College/Career Advisor at Abraham Lincoln High School. With 6+ years of experience, Luis has worked with hundreds of immigrant students and families to help guide them through state financial aid (CASFA), private scholarships (including helping over a dozen students receive the DREAM.US scholarship), career exploration, ITIN support, entrepreneurship, and the DACA process. Luis is a global speaker and is often sought out to consult with teachers, educators, school leaders, and legal teams to support individual families. For his efforts toward education equity, Luis was recognized with the Teach for America 2018 Colorado Springs Alumnus of the Year award.  Denver Artist Spotlight - Avatar Vaughn - "Stray Away" (Cosmic)

We welcome you to the first episode of December and our last traditional conversation of the year (don't worry we are cooking something cool for the end of 2025). This episode of Backyard Brilliance, the fellas have a dope opportunity to share space with a Denver Westwood homie that has been putting in work for many years, Sarahi Hernandez. We have a conservation about power of reflection, the responsibilities of being a trailblazer, and the significance of investing in family & community. Content Disclaimer: Our ultimate goal as a podcast platform is to host and facilitate the authentic voices of our guests so that those who sit with us are able to express themselves freely. Our job is not to censor the voice of our guests. Ednium: The Alumni Collective does not endorse all sentiments shared on the podcast. (LIKE COMMENT & FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE) Leave us a review too!

Welcome back to our regularly scheduled programing. Join the fellas as we visit a conversation from earlier in the summer with between David, Langston and current At Large Denver City Councilwoman, Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez (SGG). A 4th generation Denver North High graduate and former House District 4 state representative. We get to hear about SGG's experience as a mother, wife, community member and OG denverite, more than being an elected official. In the pursuit of honoring and humanizing our leaders as people we invite our listeners to see one our most deeply connected leaders as a holistic person. And ask yourself what kind of ancestor do you want to be?Content Disclaimer: Our ultimate goal as a podcast platform is to host and facilitate the authentic voices of our guests so that those who sit with us are able to express themselves freely. Our job is not to censor the voice of our guests. Ednium: The Alumni Collective does not endorse all sentiments shared on the podcast. (LIKE COMMENT & FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE) Leave us a review too!

The Fellas are back with a wonderful conversation from earlier this summer. Leadership Launchpad alumnae and Advocacy Accelerator Synique Cortez, joins the show. An aptly titled episode, where Synique discusses how her positive relationship with Denver has shaped how she shows up in her family and friend circles and community at large. From advocating her peers to remain and build in the city, her leadership skills being sharpened by Ednium programing, and her unwavering confidence and hope. Tune in for more of a great conversation with Synique Cortez.Content Disclaimer: Our ultimate goal as a podcast platform is to host and facilitate the authentic voices of our guests so that those who sit with us are able to express themselves freely. Our job is not to censor the voice of our guests. Ednium: The Alumni Collective does not endorse all sentiments shared on the podcast. (LIKE COMMENT & FOLLOW/SUBCRIBE) Leave us a review too!

Welcome back family!This episode of Backyard Brilliance is a fun one.David and Langston sit down with the wonderful Annalia Acuna. Annalia is a teacher, UNCO Bear alum, and Denver Deep Dive participant. The conversation hits on connection to community, relationship with identity, and the role it plays in all our spaces—the power of being in tune with your spirituality and how it can impact us professionally and personally.We’re genuinely excited to share with people the perspective of being a jack of all trades and how you can be great without being boxed in.Our Call to Community this episode is:How are you interrogating your role(s)?Send your responses and thoughts to: podcast@ednium.orgShare this episode with a friend and tap in!Content Disclaimer: Our ultimate goal as a podcast platform is to host and facilitate the authentic voices of our guests so that those who sit with us are able to express themselves freely. Our job is not to censor the voice of our guests. Ednium: The Alumni Collective, does not endorse all sentiments shared on the podcast. (LIKE COMMENT & FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE) Leave us a review too!

Ednium family we welcome you to July, the best month of the year! The fellas are back with a great conversation with the Executive Director for the Latino Cultural Arts Center of Colorado, Alfredo Reyes. In this episode we get to learn about and from a man that has navigated an array of feelings and experiences. Alfredo talk about his relationship with his parents, indigeneity, the importance of learning from and serving your community. And about how a warrior has to be gentle. Tap in and give a listen to The Book of Alfredo.Content Disclaimer: Our ultimate goal as a podcast platform is to host and facilitate the authentic voices of our guests so that those who sit with us are able to express themselves freely. Our job is not to censor the voice of our guests. Ednium: The Alumni Collective, does not endorse all sentiments shared on the podcast. (LIKE COMMENT & FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE)

Happy belated Fathers day to all our dad's across the ednium community! While there may not be any fathers (yet) in this episode, we do have a great conversation between 3 young men as the fellas have a sit down with Ednium program participant member Joshua Magallanes. Josh is currently involved with both The Leadership Launchpad and Denver Deep Dive. There is some real vulnerability around education, showing up in PW spaces, and masculinity.Tune in and give a listen.The Call to Commnuity Question this episode is:When was the last time you held space for yourself or someone else to cry?Content Disclaimer: Our ultimate goal as a podcast platform is to host and facilitate the authentic voices of our guests so that those who sit with us are able to express themselves freely. Our job is not to censor the voice of our guests. Ednium: The Alumni Collective, does not endorse all sentiments shared on the podcast. Create an intro for the podcast asking folks to leave us a review (RATE, COMMENT & FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE)

Our first official mailbag episode!Check out this week's question found in the 59:00 mark.How are you pushing through the nerves of speaking your truth because the moment calls for it?Email us at Podcast@ednium.orgThis episode the fellas get together with a godo friend, Alexis Salas to talk Serverance, public service, and what means to have the people you trust believe in you and give you hope. Alexis is a Manual HS alumna who is a Metro State University grad, who is proud of her roots from the eastside of the city out to Commerce City. Alexis works in public policy and has a true passion for understanding how laws impact everyday people and wants to continue to serve and represent her neighborhood and family.Content Disclaimer: Our ultimate goal as a podcast platform is to host and facilitate the authentic voices of our guests so that those who sit with us are able to express themselves freely. Our job is not to censor the voice of our guests. Ednium: The Alumni Collective, does not endorse all sentiments shared on the podcast. (LIKE COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE)Tune in to hear more

Episode 82 is full of game just like the course of an NBA season. The fellas have an Ednium OG, Elijah Huff stop by and drop some gems. Around his journey from his first time on the podcast back on Episode 2. To now his official role as Research & Action Initiatives Manager for Ednium. To his evolution as a son & a man and now as father & leader.Please take a second, tune in and give episode 82 a listenContent Disclaimer: Our ultimate goal as a podcast platform is to host and facilitate the authentic voices of our guests so that those who sit with us are able to express themselves freely. Our job is not to censor the voice of our guests. Ednium: The Alumni Collective, does not endorse all sentiments shared on the podcast.  Leave us a review (LIKE COMMENT & SUBCRIBE)

81 Episodes like a Kobe game...This episode the fellas are back with a wonderful conversation with Vallerie Bustamante! Val is a mother and a true leader within her community that is consistently seeking out opportunities to grow and be better. The conversation finds its way navigating grief and how that fuel us and drain us. We learn about Vallerie's perspective and experience with commitment and the ways she is challenging herself to reconsider the best approach. Tune in give a listen!(LIKE COMMENT & SUBCRIBE)Content Disclaimer: Our ultimate goal as a podcast platform is to host and facilitate the authentic voices of our guests so that those who sit with us are able to express themselves freely. Our job is not to censor the voice of our guests. Ednium: The Alumni Collective, does not endorse all sentiments shared on the podcast.

Episode 79 brings us the dawn of a new era. With fellas having the privilege of reintroducing Richard Maez to the podcast but now as Executive Director of Ednium: The Alumni Collective. We invite our community to join us in tapping into a conversation where not only do we get to learn about Richard's vision for leadership in this new role but we get to learn more about the evolution of leadership and service throughout his life. His relationship with failure, education, and his community. Our aim is, to always provide a space for our leaders and community memembers to share their authentic voice. As we embark on this new chapter of Ednium, we hope that this conversation allows us to have a deeper understanding to the man behind the vision, which in turn, allows us to see ourselves within it.    DISCLAIMER: Our ultimate goal as a podcast platform is to host and facilitate the authentic voices of our guests so that those who sit with us are able to express themselves freely. Our job is not to censor the voice of our guests. Ednium: The Alumni Collective, does not endorse all sentiments shared on the podcast..

Happy New Year to everyone! To kick off 2025 we are excited to bring you the first of the five Ednium Homegrown awards winners from 2024. This week we have the wonderful Cristina Chacon joining the fellas, as the recipient of the Table Builder award. Cristina has spent time in the classroom as a teacher and in the non-profit space. Currently, she is a master facilitator of all things wellness, with her instructing yoga and crafting up her own teas meant to address the various needs of the human experience. We can’t wait to share with you this heartwarming and encouraging conversation with YEBO’s own Curator, Pollinator, and Activator Cristina Chacon. Let us know what you think!

Lucky number 77 of the Ednium Podcast has the fellas expressing and living in gratitude with their guest; Storyteller, Trendsetter, and Mother Lesley Del Rio. Lesley Joins us this post-thanksgiving holiday episode where the conversation focuses in on the transformation of identity and our environment. The interconnectedness that happens as growth and evolution can occur in both of those spaces separately and yet when we recognize how intertwined or sense of self and the identity of our environment are, the greater our ability to live in purpose is. Tune in and listen to a lovely conversation about motherhood, passion, and rewriting the narrative. Let us know what you're feeling in this episode. Content Disclaimer:  Our ultimate goal as a podcast platform is to host and facilitate the authentic voices of our guests so that those who sit with us are able to express themselves freely. Our job is not to censor the voice of our guests. Ednium: The Alumni Collective, does not endorse all sentiments shared on the podcast. 

Episode 76 of the Ednium Podcast, we are proud to share the conversation we had with Mom, Educator, and Activist Myka Petit. Coming fresh off the heels of the 2024 national election, David & Langston find themselves in conversation with a woman that is walking in tune with her educational destiny, aligned in her political values, and someone who is strategizing how best to keep hope alive for herself, her son, and the kids she teaches everyday. Give episode 76- “We Have to Hope, We Have To Resist” a listen and let us know what you think!  Content Disclaimer: Our ultimate goal as a podcast platform is to host and facilitate the authentic voices of our guests so that those who sit with us are able to express themselves freely. Our job is not to censor the voice of our guests. Ednium: The Alumni Collective, does not endorse all sentiments shared on the podcast. 

Episode 75 brings us our 2nd episode under our new stewardship for the podcast where we meet our guest Kellsie Forfar-Jones. A friend, a planner, and a silly soul of a human being.  Throughout this episode, we learn how Kellsie’s relationships with Denver and her family & friends fuels her passion as an urban planner. We get to learn about how her journey through DPS shaped her post-secondary experience. And how her relationship with our very own co-host Langston Mayo has helped shape her view on hope and curiosity. Tune in and let us know what you think about this beautiful conversation between friends and good humans.

Welcome to the newest iteration of The Ednium Podcast! New hosts, Langston Mayo & David Martinez add their seasoning to the podcast that historically has held intimate conversations with leaders around the Denver Metro Area. The esteemed guest for this podcast is TeRay Esquibel, a father, husband, and leader that does the courageous action of being vulnerable with some homies. This episode intentionally sets the stage for the new iteration of the podcast that will center around Hope, Curiosity, Love, and Community.

Bailey Loving grew up in Denver, Colorado and graduated from Montbello High School. His undergraduate major was in Molecular Biology at The University of Denver, where he had early exposure to Radiation Biology. He then completed his medical doctorate at the University of Colorado, where he further pursued his interest in oncology. He is grateful for the opportunity to train at Beaumont and is excited to further develop his experience using diverse radiation modalities to treat complex cases. He is interested in combining his basic science research with translational research.  Timestamps: 4:30  what pushed you through your career path 15:10  the process 23:20  what makes a great doctor 31:40  our childhood 37:12  on psychosis 40:30  on sub-evolution 43:50  our reward systems 49:40  expectations Link to Financial Literacy Specialist position at Denver Public Schools. https://dpsjobboard.dpsk12.org/ltmprod/CandidateSelfService/controller.servlet?dataarea=ltmprod&context.session.key.HROrganization=1&context.session.key.JobBoard=EXTERNAL&context.session.key.noheader=true#