Summary Gary brings another inspiring guest to the show: Artem Lobov. A former MMA fighter and boxer, Artem is taking the opportunity of an early retirement to not only protect his health, but explore who he is outside of the sport. This includes writing a book about his life, starting a clothing brand, and getting into the whiskey business - which he sees as a way of giving back to Ireland, his home since he was a teenager. Gary and Jay also talk with Artem about the misconceptions and extremes of fighting as a sport. The key takeaway lesson from Artem to our academics? Go all in! Episode Highlights 🧬 Fighting is in our DNA 💪 MMA vs Bare-knuckle boxing ⏰ Early Retirement 🥃 Whiskey! 👕 Designing a clothing brand Connect Keep up with all of Artem's exciting developments on his https://www.instagram.com/rushammer/ (Instagram.) Visit https://www.thetragedyacademy.com/ (our website) to find links to our YouTube channel, other social media, show notes, and more! Make a beautiful podcast website with https://www.podpage.com/?via=thetragedyacademy (Podpage). Explore professional recording options with https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1andutm_medium=affiliateandutm_source=rewardfulandvia=thetragedyacademy (Riverside.fm). Liked Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at https://www.intotheam.com/?utm_source=pepperjamandutm_medium=affiliatesandutm_campaign=261568andclickId=3981360776 (INTO THE AM). *Some of the links above are affiliate links and The Tragedy Academy will receive proceeds from purchases made using them.*

Summary Welcome to the Tragedy Academy's very first detention episode! With the teachers away, Jay and Gary get up to more shenanigans and our favorite delinquents have brought some seriously heavy-hitting topics. From Teddy Ruxpin bumping Wu Tang Clan in church to nightmarish ER visits, they've got it all. Plus special announcements on new ventures for the Tragedy Academy! Don't miss out! Episode Highlights 🎵 90's Music 💉 ER Visits 🐊 Florida Man 🏎️ Ruining rental cars 🥽 Safety tips Connect Visit https://www.thetragedyacademy.com/ (our website) to find links to our YouTube channel, other social media, show notes, and more! Make a beautiful podcast website with https://www.podpage.com/?via=thetragedyacademy (Podpage). Explore professional recording options with https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1andutm_medium=affiliateandutm_source=rewardfulandvia=thetragedyacademy (Riverside.fm). Liked Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at https://www.intotheam.com/?utm_source=pepperjamandutm_medium=affiliatesandutm_campaign=261568andclickId=3981360776 (INTO THE AM). *Some of the links above are affiliate links and The Tragedy Academy will receive proceeds from purchases made using them.*

Summary On the show this week is tattoo artist and actor, Sam Suarez, a.k.a High Noon. A star of Tattoo Nightmares Miami, Sam offers a unique insider perspective into the art of tattooing, as well as how he has translated that experience into acting. Plenty of bad tattoos are discussed, as well as the larger themes of transparency and transformation. Make sure you don't miss out on this contribution to our larger discussion of authenticity! Episode Highlights 🤠 Moving To The Midwest 🎨 Changing Canvases ❌ Bad Tattoos 📚 Superheroes And Literacy 👨‍🎨 Digital Renaissance Connect Find High Noon on https://www.instagram.com/high_noon/ (Instagram), https://twitter.com/HighNoonTattoos (Twitter), https://www.facebook.com/HisHighnessHighNoon (Facebook), https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRdfrojG/ (TikTok), and https://youtube.com/user/LLLLuvMyCheeba (YouTube). Visit https://www.thetragedyacademy.com/ (our website) to find links to our YouTube channel, other social media, show notes, and more! Make a beautiful podcast website with https://www.podpage.com/?via=thetragedyacademy (Podpage). Explore professional recording options with https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1andutm_medium=affiliateandutm_source=rewardfulandvia=thetragedyacademy (Riverside.fm). Liked Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at https://www.intotheam.com/?utm_source=pepperjamandutm_medium=affiliatesandutm_campaign=261568andclickId=3981360776 (INTO THE AM). *Some of the links above are affiliate links, and The Tragedy Academy will receive proceeds from purchases made using them.*

Summary This week we're joined by professional fighter and Moyamoya survivor Vince Murdock. Vince has gone through a lot of setbacks in life: A Moyamoya diagnosis led to brain surgery. Injuries dogged his career. A car accident came out of nowhere. Others may have crumpled, but Vince proved his fighting spirit and returned from it all. You won't want to miss this episode as Vince shares parts of his challenging childhood and how it has affected raising his son. The group discusses the merits of alternative medicines and fighting as a universal language and art form. Episode Highlights 👑 Comeback king 💯 Leading by example 🔗 Breaking the cycle ⚔️ The art of fighting 🌿 Alternative medicine Connect You can find Vince on https://www.instagram.com/vincemurdock/ (Instagram) and https://twitter.com/vincemurdock (Twitter). Donate and learn more about https://moyamoya-foundation.org/ (Moyamoya). Visit https://www.thetragedyacademy.com/ (our website) to find links to our YouTube channel, other social media, show notes, and more! Make a beautiful podcast website with https://www.podpage.com/?via=thetragedyacademy (Podpage). Explore professional recording options with https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1andutm_medium=affiliateandutm_source=rewardfulandvia=thetragedyacademy (Riverside.FM). Liked Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at https://www.intotheam.com/?utm_source=pepperjamandutm_medium=affiliatesandutm_campaign=261568andclickId=3981360776 (INTO THE AM). *Some of the links above are affiliate links, and The Tragedy Academy will receive proceeds from purchases made using them.* M1ZduQKFQTTiWGqdx3uQ

Summary This episode we welcome professional fighter, Bobby Maximus, to the show. A long-time friend of Gary's, the two first met on the set of The Ultimate Fighter years ago and discuss their shared experience on the show. Bobby also shares his experience of growing up in a community that focused on generosity and acts of service - he credits this upbringing as the source of his philosophy today: kindness is what makes the world go 'round. Living out his dreams, pursuing his hobbies - regardless of what other people think - Bobby challenges all of us to live our best and chase our goals without fear. Episode Highlights 😍 Go after what you want ☀️ Live every day like it is your last 💰 Define your own success ☮️ The opposite of regret is peace 💖 Change the world with kindness 😎 It's cool to be a nerd Connect Visit Bobby's https://www.bobbymaximus.com/ (website), https://www.instagram.com/bobbymaximus/ (Instagram), or check out his podcast, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-maximus-podcast/id1448791463 (The Maximus Podcast). Visit https://www.thetragedyacademy.com/ (our website) to find links to our YouTube channel, other social media, show notes, and more! Make a beautiful podcast website with https://www.podpage.com/?via=thetragedyacademy (Podpage). Explore professional recording options with https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1andutm_medium=affiliateandutm_source=rewardfulandvia=thetragedyacademy (Riverside.fm). Liked Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at https://www.intotheam.com/?utm_source=pepperjamandutm_medium=affiliatesandutm_campaign=261568andclickId=3981360776 (INTO THE AM). *Some of the links above are affiliate links and The Tragedy Academy will receive proceeds from purchases made using them.*

Summary This week Jay and Gary are joined by an extra special guest: Jay’s father-in-law, Gabriel Torres…and he’s got quite the story to tell. Gabe grew up in Colombia where as a student he was a basketball star. After graduating high school, Gabe had an opportunity to come to the US and another adventure began. Gabe built a life here: met his wife, had a family, and played street ball in NYC in the 70s. Gabe’s story is an immigrant one, and also an American one. Episode Highlights 🏀 Street Ball 👣 An Immigrant’s Journey ➡️ Be Here, Not There 🏡 Finding Home 👂 Listen First Connect Visit https://www.thetragedyacademy.com/ (our website) to find links to our YouTube channel, other social media, show notes, and more! Make a beautiful podcast website with https://www.podpage.com/?via=thetragedyacademy (Podpage). Explore professional recording options with https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1andutm_medium=affiliateandutm_source=rewardfulandvia=thetragedyacademy (Riverside.fm). Liked Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at https://www.intotheam.com/?utm_source=pepperjamandutm_medium=affiliatesandutm_campaign=261568andclickId=3981360776 (INTO THE AM). *Some of the links above are affiliate links and The Tragedy Academy will receive proceeds from purchases made using them.*

Summary Jay and Gary are joined in the studio by musician and rapper, Matthew Scheall. Matthew came to music a little later in the game, not starting his journey until college when he was inspired and encouraged by close friends. Matthew has grown as an artist in the years since embracing his authentic self and staying true to his faith. You won’t want to miss this episode as the gang talks about the ins and outs of artistry, creativity, and music. Episode Highlights 💡 Discovering your inner artist 🤗 Importance of a Supportive Environment 💯 Artistic Authenticity 💙 Believing In Yourself 🧗 Overcoming Your Implicit Biases Connect Check out Matthew's https://www.instagram.com/matthewscheall/ (Instagram), https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwKh27wszci9mMlXLz7I94Q (YouTube), or https://linktr.ee/matthewscheall (LinkTree). Visit https://www.thetragedyacademy.com/ (our website) to find links to our YouTube channel, other social media, show notes, and more! Make a beautiful podcast website with https://www.podpage.com/?via=thetragedyacademy (Podpage). Explore professional recording options with https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1andutm_medium=affiliateandutm_source=rewardfulandvia=thetragedyacademy (Riverside.fm). Liked Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at https://www.intotheam.com/?utm_source=pepperjamandutm_medium=affiliatesandutm_campaign=261568andclickId=3981360776 (INTO THE AM). *Some of the links above are affiliate links and The Tragedy Academy will receive proceeds from purchases made using them.*

Summary To kick off the third season of The Tragedy Academy, Jay and Gary are joined by Ellie Neidhart, the wife of late WWE legend, Jim The Anvil Neidhart. Jay and Gary are able to geek out over their shared childhood experiences of watching wrestling, while Ellie gives us her unique perspective on the sport. Things weren’t always easy: Ellie often functioned as a single mother because Jim had to travel so much for his wrestling career, and the convenience of communication certainly wasn’t what it is today! But throughout the episode, Ellie emphasizes the true love they shared and the special relationship they had. Episode Highlights 🎉 Welcome to Our New Co-host! 🤼‍♂️ WWE Legends 🏡 Supportive Family 💞 Destined Love 💪 The Power Of Sport Connect Find Ellie on https://www.instagram.com/ellie_neidhart/ (Instagram). Visit https://www.thetragedyacademy.com/ (our website) to find links to our YouTube channel, other social media, show notes, and more! Make a beautiful podcast website with https://www.podpage.com/?via=thetragedyacademy (Podpage). Explore professional recording options with https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1andutm_medium=affiliateandutm_source=rewardfulandvia=thetragedyacademy (Riverside.fm). Liked Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at https://www.intotheam.com/?utm_source=pepperjamandutm_medium=affiliatesandutm_campaign=261568andclickId=3981360776 (INTO THE AM). *Some of the links above are affiliate links and The Tragedy Academy will receive proceeds from purchases made using them.*

Summary Welcome to The Tragedy Academy... 2.0! In this episode get the scoop on what we have in store for our relaunch. Jay sits down with our new co-host, Gary, to talk about this new era of TA - from new team members to new merch, we've got it all. We also give a huge thank you to everyone who contributed to the re-release, and another huge thank you to all the Academics out there for your continued support ❤️ Episode Highlights 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Meet the team 💪 Preview our awesome guests to kickoff the relaunch 🎬 New episode formats 🛍 Rundown on our merch 🤑 Sponsors and affiliates to support the pod Connect Visit https://www.thetragedyacademy.com/ (our website) to find links to our YouTube channel, other social media, show notes, and more! Make a beautiful podcast website with https://www.podpage.com/?via=thetragedyacademy (Podpage). Explore professional recording options with https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1andutm_medium=affiliateandutm_source=rewardfulandvia=thetragedyacademy (Riverside.fm). Liked Jay's t-shirt from this episode? Get your own at https://www.intotheam.com/?utm_source=pepperjamandutm_medium=affiliatesandutm_campaign=261568andclickId=3981360776 (INTO THE AM). *Some of the links above are affiliate links and The Tragedy Academy will receive proceeds from purchases made using them.*

This week on The Tragedy Academy, Jay welcomes back musician and producer, Gary DeFranco, for a very special episode: The Tragedy Academy’s season finale! This is TA’s last episode before taking a short hiatus to come back even bigger and better. Jay covers some of the highlights from the past two seasons, lessons that have stuck with him the most, and sends out a huge thank you to everyone who has supported him on this journey. You also don’t want to miss out on the final reveal of all the exciting changes taking place at TA during the break, including new faces and new directions!