The Creative Chat

Instant Challenge is an integral part of Destination Imagination, and alumni have fond (or not) memories. Host Dan Grueber chats with former teammate Kevin Ponziani about competing together, what it's now like to volunteer with DI, and Kevin shares memories of writing and testing Instant Challenges, including doing 200 of them in one weekend.

This month, 1913 Media Group COO and President Joey DiFranco chats with Michael about being a creative, entrepreneur, and what it's like to run a media company and build a TV and film studio in Dayton, OH, where Joey participated in DI for 8 years. Follow along with Joey on LinkedIn, and learn more about 1913 Studios here.

Alyssa Macaluso, a New York DI Alumni, is an IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) stage hand who chats this month with host David Rousseau about working in theatre and television, on cruise ships, and how being a volunteer head appraiser helped her learn how to become a better leader and team player.

This month, host Michael Russell chats with 13-year alumnus Amanda Tipton. Amanda, from Denver, CO discusses her career as a photographer and the different challenges she encounters doing event and performance photography. You can find Amanda and her amazing photos on Instagram here.

This month, David Rousseau chats with Minnesota alumnus Ian Yue. Now based in Maryland, Ian is a Mediator and Program Associate, dealing with multi stakeholder collaboration on environmental issues. Ian shares what led him to working in mediation and environmental issues, and how some of the core DI skills he learned during his 10 years help him in his daily job. You can follow along and connect with Ian Yue by clicking here.

This month, host Michael Russell chats with Ed Song. Song, an 8 year alumnus from Ontario, Canada, shares his career as a financial advisory, and his stories of learning from failure.

As a former New York alumni, and current conductor on the New York City Subway, Max Diamond shares with host David Rousseau his interest with trains and subways, and how he uses his creativity and collaboration skills daily for the Metropolitan Transit Authority.

This month, host David Russou chats with Tech Sargent Tim Sentz of the US Air Force on how his years in New York Destination Imagination have helped him be successful working in the IT world in a military setting.

The month, Michael chatted with Georgia Alumnus Crystal Burke, a Clinical Research Coordinator in Atlanta, GA. Burke shares what it means to be a Clinical Research Coordinator, and what it was like to work on some trials to help patients suffering with COVID-19.

This month, Michael chats with New Hampshire alum Jake Levin. Levin, the Director of Partnerships at MICRO, helps bring the company's tiny bespoke museums into public spaces, including hospital lobbies and DMV waiting rooms. Levin shares how he came to work at MICRO, and how important it is to him to bring art and science to people in areas where they may otherwise not thinking of finding it. MICRO also just launched a new DIY program, which you can learn more about here: micro.ooo/diy You can find Jake Levin on Instagram here: instagram.com/jakeblevin You can find the Alumni Council on Facebook (facebook.com/destinationimaginationaap), Instagram (instagram.com/dialumni), and Twitter (twitter.com/di_alumni). Find Destination Imagination here: destinationimagination.org

This month, Michael interviews 8 year alumni Laura Theobald, who competed in Indiana and Virginia. Now an Art Director in Maryland, Laura chats about what she does in her job, and how she uses the skills she learned in Destination Imagination to succeed. Follow along with the DI Alumni Council on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Follow along with Laura on Instagram. Visit destinationimagination.org to learn more about DI.

Yasmine Ebeed, a nine year alumni from New Hampshire, joins the podcast this month to talk about her journey to becoming a Production Assistant on Nickelodeon's "Spongebob Squarepants." Along the way we'll learn how her resiliency led her to opportunities and internships at PBS's "Arthur" and Nickelodeon's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," and how she's performing her role remotely during the pandemic.

Have you ever wondered what all those orange and red painted lines and flags on the ground are for around homes and construction sites? Well, Damage Prevention Specialist Josh Jasper, a 10 year alum from Arkansas, shares what they are and how he marks them in this month's episode.

Rabbi Jason Levine, a 7 year alum and 20 year volunteer from Washington, joins Michael to talk about what it’s like to be a faith leader. He also discusses some of the many challenges facing Judaism and other religions during the ongoing pandemic, and what he is doing at his temple to overcome them.

Michael chats with 12 year alumni Wren Hayes, Owner and Director of Building Blocks Commons, a project-based school in Exeter, NH.

This month, Michael chats with Devin Shuman, a genetic counselor and rare and chronic disease advocate.

In our second episode of The Creative Chat, Michael talks with Ayan Gupta from Washington state, founder and CEO of STEMZ Education and 425 Magazine's youngest individual named to their 2019 30 Under 30 list.

On this brand new podcast by the Destination Imagination Alumni Council, we talk with DI alumni on how they use creativity and problem solving in their every day life and career. This week, Michael chats with the Creative Director of Luminarium Dance Company, Kim Holman.