On this spontaneously recorded and minimally edited and mixed podcast, Rick shares some thoughts about the start to 2024, the therapeutic nature of podcasting, how The Pod of DC was conceived, and how podcasting can help unleash your true voice.

On this final pod of 2023, Rick reflects on his firsts this year, waxes nostalgic on how technology has evolved in helping us capture those moments throughout the year, and shares quick clip recaps from inspiring individuals featured on the pod in 2023. On behalf of The Pod of DC, we wish you all a happy and healthy New Year, and we'll talk soon in 2024!

Dave Moya is the owner of The Moya Group, the parent company of Three Stones Residential, one of the top real estate teams at Keller Williams Metro Center in Arlington, Virginia. We recorded this episode in Dave's newly set up podcast studio and discuss his candid takes on the current state of real estate, how adaptability and curiosity has helped propel his career, his approach to educating his clients, the challenges of real estate in a higher interest rate market, how AI can help move his business forward, and tips for realtors to continue evolving their business in today's difficult market. To learn more about The Moya Group, visit moyagroup.com.

Tony Barone is a Protective Paramedic Practitioner and CEO of Emergility, a security, protection, and emergency medical services company based in Alexandria, Virginia. Over 60 years ago in Alexandria, four physicians established 24/7 year-round emergency care, which today has become accessed and over-accessed from the most minor ailments to the most life-threatening ones. On this episode of the pod, Tony discusses the traumatic events in his childhood that shaped his interest in medicine and helping others, the impact business has made on the delivery of care, the true meaning of what protective treatment is, and how Emergility is filling the gaps in bringing clients and patients emergency, protective care where they need it, when they need it. To learn more, visit emergility.com

Tina Fox is an Entrepreneur, Creator, and CEO of TERN Mentoring, a B Corporation that provides a platform for individuals to share their experiences and live their legacy through mentorship. Of course, through networking, I met Tina's husband, who encouraged me to connect with Tina as she was a fellow JMU Duke. Tina and I hit it off immediately and chatted it up on how mentorship and networking shape one's career path. On this episode of the pod, Tina shares the importance of vulnerability in mentorship, how mentors and mentees can share their wisdom and experiences, the process by which TERN pairs mentor with mentee, and the crucial role of connections and networking in career advancement. To connect with Tina visit ternmentoring.com

Sytera Field is an innovative yoga instructor and owner/operator of Sytera Yoga in Vienna, Va. I’ve spent the last 1 ½ years taking classes from her and the instructor team there and wanted to learn more about Sytera’s yoga journey and experience as a small business owner. For this pod episode, Sytera and I met just outside the studio doors to share some laughs and delve into her early experiences as a yoga student following a devastating break to her right leg. Years later, she would set up a Kickstarter campaign and, with incredible community support, opened up the doors to SyteraYoga. Sytera details how yoga helps create healthy relationships “along the chain” throughout the body to manage external stressors more effectively, the qualities in bringing along new instructors to the studio, and the innovative Nadi ball method she created blending Thai yoga massage with balls to awaken the right muscle groups to prepare the body for more dynamic movements. Sytera’s story is one of perseverance and service and is a great model for individuals who practice or are new to yoga to help “find their shine.”

Rick shares another Happy Father's Day message to all the Dads out there and explains why this Father's Day feels extra bittersweet.

In 2005 David Reynolds Jr. was teaching General Music to Elementary School students when he was approached to start a percussion ensemble for kids as a community service project. At first the group consisted of about two dozen 5th and 6th graders banging on instruments available to them in the school from xylophones to trash cans and other non-traditional instruments. Fast forward to today, The Vienna Jammers is celebrating it's tenth year as a not-for-profit organization consisting of 5 performance ensembles, a tech group focused on directing and editing video performances, and serving over 130 students aged 8-18 across 25 schools throughout Northern Virginia. The performance ensemble group has traveled out of state and graced stages around Washington DC as well as on the grounds of the Lincoln Memorial. On this episode of the pod David, a 2018 Music Educator Grammy nominee, shares his approach to performance, how complex music pieces are taught and broken down that make it fun and engaging for the kids, the penultimate goal for his students to perform abroad in the countries where the marimba and steel pan sounds originated, and the meaning and importance of always bringing the "turtle poop" to every performance.

Julie Cangialosi is the founder of Operation Little Angel 101: Hope after Loss centered on advocacy and support for the pregnancy and infant loss community. It was almost six years ago that Julie and I first crossed paths on the Mrs. DC America stage and upon her crowning that evening, Julie set in motion an array of mission-driven pursuits centered on her journey as a mother, nonprofit founder, and now published author of two books, Mom: A Collection of Personal and Poignant Journeys to Motherhood and The Moon is Always Following Me, a children's book inspired by her son. On this first pod of 2023, Julie shares what led her to the pageant stage in 2017, her personal experiences with two pregnancy losses, the services and support that Operation Little Angel 101 provides families across six countries, and the light and love her family has provided that has inspired her work to grow, flourish, and make an impact.

Kristen Berset-Harris is an award-winning host of Great Day Washington on WUSA9 in the greater DC/Baltimore metro area. For the final pod of 2022, I visited Kristen at WUSA9 to discuss her upstart in broadcasting, how competing in pageantry gave her a foundation to find her voice and confidence that led to years as a news and sports anchor and co-host of the Ravens Report. But it was a second breast cancer diagnosis and fight that reshaped Kristen's focus and energy leading her to Great Day Washington, a morning lifestyle program featuring stories from throughout the region, celebrity interviews, musical performances, and all the latest trends in fashion, food, and entertainment. Kristen is a survivor and "thriver" whose hard working and infectiously fun spirit embodies all that is good in entertainment broadcasting.