Coming up in Edutainment | April 21-28
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
Pawel Durakiewicz is an inspiring adventurer and entrepreneur who shows us that challenges can be transformed into amazing opportunities. Born near Warsaw, Poland, Pawel went on to study in the United States at schools like Pepperdine University in California and the Carlson School of Management in Minnesota. Though his early life included struggles with alcoholism, he chose to turn his challenges into strengths.
Determined to rewrite his story, Pawel not only overcame his personal battles but also set two Guinness World Records. One of his most incredible achievements is a six-month, over 2,100-mile barefoot journey across the Iberian Peninsula—proving that with persistence and hard work, anything is possible. Today, living in the beautiful Sicilian countryside, he founded Salemi Ranch, an addiction treatment centre dedicated to helping others overcome similar struggles. His journey is a great reminder that setbacks can lead to new beginnings, and that each of us has the power to achieve greatness with self-discipline and determination.
Jeff Meyer is the CEO of Tuff-N-Uff Productions, an amateur mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Founded in 1994 by his brother, Barry Meyer, Tuff-N-Uff has been instrumental in providing a platform for amateur fighters to showcase their skills. After Barry's passing in 2013, Jeff took over the organization, continuing his brother's legacy and expanding its reach. Under Jeff's leadership, Tuff-N-Uff has hosted over 130 live events, featuring more than 3,000 athletes, with over 60 fighters advancing to the UFC, including notable names like Ronda Rousey and Felicia Spencer. Jeff's commitment to the sport and dedication to nurturing emerging talent have solidified Tuff-N-Uff's reputation as a premier amateur MMA promotion.
Brigadier General (Ret.) Robert G. “Blend’r” Novotny is the Executive Director of F-15 Business Development within Boeing’s Air Dominance Division. In this role, he leads Boeing’s global outreach efforts for the F-15 portfolio, strengthening partnerships and delivering advanced air dominance solutions to allied forces around the world.
Prior to joining Boeing, General Novotny completed a distinguished 28-year career in the United States Air Force, where he served as a command pilot with over 3,000 flight hours—more than 500 of those in combat. As an F-15C/E instructor pilot and operational test pilot, he flew a wide variety of aircraft including bombers, helicopters, airlift, and remotely piloted aircraft. His leadership in combat and test operations set a standard of excellence across multiple theaters.
General Novotny held command positions at every level, culminating as Commander of the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada—the Air Force’s premier advanced testing and training wing. There, he oversaw 36 squadrons across 12 installations, managing over 182 aircraft including F-15s, F-16s, F-22s, F-35s, and MQ-9s, as well as supporting bomber, reconnaissance, and airlift platforms. He led the overhaul of RED FLAG, expanded the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, and revitalized the Thunderbirds, leading to their iconic “America Strong” flyovers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He previously commanded the 48th Fighter Wing—“The Liberty Wing”—at RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, leading critical NATO readiness efforts and directing multiple counter-ISIS strikes into Africa. As Chief of Staff to the Air Component Coordination Element and Deputy Chief of Staff for Air Operations in Afghanistan, he helped execute a Presidentially directed force posture change while maintaining ongoing counterterrorism operations.
As Deputy Director of Plans, Programs, Requirements and Analysis for Air Combat Command, he shaped over $60 billion in annual programming for more than 146,000 personnel and 2,800 aircraft. He was a key architect behind the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) and the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) family of systems.
A distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Undergraduate Pilot Training, the Naval Command & Staff College, and the National War College, General Novotny holds four master’s degrees in public administration, military art and science, national security, and strategic studies.
His military decorations include four Legions of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, seven Air Medals, the Air Force Combat Action Medal, and the NATO Meritorious Service Medal.
General Novotny’s expertise, strategic insight, and legacy of innovation continue to impact the future of air combat and defense leadership around the globe.
Joe Flano represents Major League Barber, The Original Barber Brand, and is a dedicated professional in the barbering industry. His journey began at the age of 16, inspired by a transformative experience at Silk N Classy Barber College in Chicago, IL. By 17, he had become a licensed barber and has since devoted himself to the craft with unwavering passion.
Joe’s career has led him to educate and host continued education classes, as well as barber competitions, at prestigious international trade shows, including ISSE Long Beach, IBS New York, America’s Beauty Show, IBS Las Vegas, San Juan Beauty Show, Premiere Birmingham, Bronner Bros., and Premiere Orlando. In addition, Major League Barber organizes educational and competition events across various U.S. cities, strengthening industry standards and fostering camaraderie among barbers.
Driven by a deep commitment to delivering exceptional experiences, Joe values the opportunity to connect with fellow barbers and build meaningful relationships within the community. Major League Barber is preparing to launch the pioneering Online Barber Platform, providing international barbers with a comprehensive online trade show experience that transcends geographical boundaries.
Additionally, Joe offers his expertise through Barber Expo & Tradeshow Consulting, assisting aspiring barbers in bringing their event-hosting aspirations to life in their respective cities. Committed to elevating the barbering profession, he continues to contribute to its ongoing growth and excellence.
Chris Cleveland is the lead singer for Stars Go Dim, an American pop rock band from Tulsa, Oklahoma that formed in late 2007. Overcoming his 16 surgeries on his left ear, Chris is completely deaf out of that ear and still perseveres in his career as a successful singer-songwriter.
Jeffrey R. Woolf, adjunct professor of Jewish History at the Graduate School, also teaches at Bar-Ilan University in Israel.
Dr. Woolf received his PhD in medieval history at Harvard University in 1991. Upon receiving his doctorate, he spent two years at Yale University, as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Department of Religion. Woolf also has served as a visiting professor at Yale University, Yeshiva University and New York University.
Dr. Woolf is the author of over thirty-five scholarly monographs. He has edited three books, among them the recent translation of Rabbi Soloveitchik’s, Kol Dodi Dofeq. He is presently completing a major study entitled, Sacred Community in Medieval Franco-Germany: The Ashkenazic Qehillah Qedoshah, which will be published by E. J. Brill, as part of its distinguished Études sur la Judaïsme Mediévale. In addition, he is the author of dozens of articles that have appeared in popular publications.
Pilot Gabriel Wall is was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, he has always had a passion for aviation. Despite not finishing high school, he dedicated himself to hard work and determination to achieve his dreams. In his 20s, he worked in information technology sales, allowing him to save up enough to start flying lessons—a lifelong aspiration he’d held since childhood. He first flew solo at the age of 16 in 2002, even before he could drive. However, due to financial limitations, his progress was temporarily paused. It wasn’t until 2013 that he completed his commercial license, and by 2016, he secured his first job as a flight instructor.
In 2019, he moved to the United States, where he began his career with a regional airline, progressing to the role of captain in 2021. In 2022, he joined Frontier Airlines as a first officer and recently upgraded to captain in September this year. His journey is a testament to resilience and the belief that the path to one’s goals is as significant as the destination itself. His experiences echo those of many in the field, as he finds inspiration in the diverse backgrounds of his fellow aviators, some of whom have transitioned from careers as police officers, paramedics, and business owners. His story is one of perseverance, adaptability, and the pursuit of a lifelong dream.
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.
