Coming up in Edutainment | April 14-18
We connect students around the world to primary source experts from a wide variety of topics and subjects. For more information, visit edutainmentlearning.com.
Upcoming Live Zoom Sessions
Bobby Jones, Founder and Executive Director of Grow Unwind Connect (GUC), is a visionary leader dedicated to holistic wellness and community empowerment. Born and raised in Compton, he graduated with a BA in Writing from the University of Washington and was drafted with the 37th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, leading to a 12-year professional career in Italy. After retiring, he became a yoga instructor, life coach, and community activist, integrating wellness practices into various programs to foster personal development and community engagement. Bobby’s unwavering commitment to uplifting communities and inspiring the next generation drives the impactful work of GUC, making him a beacon of positive change.
Gary G., owner of Houdini Car Wraps, is a creative entrepreneur with a passion for custom vehicle design. Starting with a love for cars, Gary turned his talent for customization into a thriving business known for bold, high-quality auto wraps, from sleek color changes to commercial fleet graphics.
In this Edutainment Learning interview, Gary will give students a behind-the-scenes look at the exciting world of auto wrapping, sharing how designs are created, wraps are applied, and technology shapes the industry. His journey from hobbyist to successful business owner offers inspiration for students to turn their passions into future careers.
Joseph (Joe) Drab has been a firefighter/paramedic for 14 years. Over the course of his career he has attended a 7 month fire academy, been stationed at one of the busiest fire stations in the state of Virginia, was the lead instructor for two fire recruit academies, been trained as a vessel operations pilot (fireboat), been trained and assigned to Rescue Company 1 (Special Operations), been a founding member of the Peer Support Team, been Firefighter of the Year, and a founding member of the Community Outreach Program.
Joe Drab serves the citizens of the City of Norfolk, Virginia. Norfolk is approximately 66 square miles with a population of roughly 250,000 residents. This population swells to almost 350,000 people during the work day. Norfolk is also the home of the largest naval base in the world (Naval Station Norfolk).
Norfolk Fire Rescue runs upwards of 50,000 fire and EMS calls every year. These calls are answered from fourteen different fire stations placed strategically throughout the city. The department is made up of over 500 individuals and has 14 ambulances, 14 fire engines, 7 ladder trucks, 2 heavy rescues, 2 fire boats, and three battalion chiefs that make up the Operations aspect of the department.
Norfolk Fire Rescue responds to calls that are a matter of life-or-death multiple times a day. Not many days go by without something significant occurring. While it may not be exactly like the movies, enough happens within Norfolk to keep Norfolk Fire Rescue personnel busy responding to calls that test the members intelligence, bravery, and ability to think fast.
Walid Nasserdeen is a supply chain expert, angel investor, and operations executive who specializes in helping fast-growing CPG brands scale with precision. As the Founder of W.NDeen Advisory, he has redefined how businesses approach demand planning, inventory management, and operational efficiency—ensuring they eliminate stockouts, optimize inventory, and improve profitability.
With over 15 years of experience in finance, economics, and operations, Walid has worked with industry giants like Mattel, Barbie, and Pelican, as well as an impressive portfolio of emerging brands. His expertise in Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), forecasting, and change management has helped companies bridge the gap between strategy and execution, turning supply chain bottlenecks into opportunities for efficiency and scale.
A Certified Professional Forecaster (CPF) and a featured expert in The Los Angeles Tribune, Walid is recognized for his ability to simplify complex supply chain challenges into clear, actionable strategies. His leadership combines first principles thinking, business economics, and operational alignment, making him a sought-after thought leader in the industry.
Ray Hennessy is a dedicated wildlife photographer with a passion for capturing the beauty of nature, particularly birds, through creative lighting and unique compositions. His journey into wildlife photography began in 2007 as a passionate hobby, which has since evolved into his full-time career.
Since 2020, Ray has been living on the road, traveling across the United States and Canada in his van to explore and photograph stunning natural landscapes and wildlife. His distinctive approach to photography emphasizes not only the subject but also its surrounding habitat, allowing viewers to experience the full story of the wildlife he encounters.
Beyond his work behind the lens, Ray is committed to educating and mentoring other photographers. He has had the privilege of teaching students from around the world, both in person and remotely, helping them refine their skills and develop their own artistic vision. Through his workshops, he strives to share his knowledge and inspire others to grow in their wildlife photography journey.
Edutainment Podcast
Our podcast features bi-weekly episodes that are uploaded to all major streaming platforms. Each episode comes with a downloadable student worksheet to accompany the listening portion!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Edutainment Learning? Edutainment Learning is an online educational platform that connects students and teachers to primary sources of learning from a wide variety of subjects. Our goal is to provide students access to in-person conversations with industry leaders, historical figures, athletes, musicians, and more.
Do I need to pay for this service? No! Our newsletter, programming, and student worksheets are accessible to everyone for free.
How do I join the live Zoom sessions? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/upcoming and click the link to join.
How do I find the student worksheets? Go to edutainmentlearning.com/podcasts to download free student worksheets.
