Life on Shuffle

"It sure did turn out good" - John Carlock #23

Today we are featuring John Carlock, a minister, educator, humanitarian from Virginia. For nearly two decades, John Carlock dedicated his life to serving children in Gaza through education, compassion, and faith. What began as a one-year teaching assignment in Jerusalem, turned into a lifelong mission to build schools, support families, and create hope in the middle of conflict. He shares his story of leaving the United States at just 24 years old, learning Arabic, building the Lighthouse School in Gaza, and raising a family between cultures. He reveals the realities of war, identity, sacrifice, and what forced all his hard work to halt in 2023. We hope you enjoy his story and take away the importance of caring for others, taking risks, adapting to change and standing up for what is right. Today’s episode was recorded in the spring of 2026. This episode was produced and recorded by Mackenzee, Maya and Kylie. Music Track: Name Track: Sacred Ramadan Music by TimTaj PRO: BMI (IPI 1098108837)

"Still I Rise" - Tha Kid Wade #22

In this episode of the podcast, we interview Wade Nichols, commonly known as Tha Kid Wade. He is a rapper, producer, and business owner from Lenoir, North Carolina. Tha Kid Wade details his past struggles, his rise to being a community leader, and how rap plays a role in it all. This episode was recorded on May 5, 2026. This episode was Produced by Olivia Austin and Josh Cooper, and it was hosted by Xander Bruch, Forrest Hadley, Beyonce Cornejo-Vasquez, and Diana Robles.

“It’s okay to not know what you want to do in life” - Stephen McMasters - #21

Today on life on shuffle, we have Stephen McMasters, a previous teacher, coach, and now an insurance agent. Facing many different life situations, he managed to overcome those by following his heart with the support of many. Stephen says " Every door I have ever walked through has presented an opportunity for another door to open.” His perspective has really shaped who he is as a person. He continues to face many different obstacles as life shuffles. Episode is hosted by Jaquelyn, Zariyah, Jasmin, Brittany and Josh Cooper.

From the bullpen to the brush - Richard Sullivan - #20

From the dusty diamonds of Louisville to the professional mounds of the Atlanta Braves organization, Richard Sullivan’s life has always been defined by two things: a ball and a brush. Join us as we explore the journey of a man who pitched in the minor leagues for six years before conquering the world of fine art. We’ll discuss his time at SCAD, the grit of the bullpen, and how he transitioned into a premier illustrator for icons like the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Woodford Reserve. It’s a story about finding the "sweet spot" where athleticism meets aesthetic, and how one man turned his dual passions into a lifelong legacy at BNK St. Gallery + Studio. This episode is hosted by Josh Cooper.

From the bullpen to the boardroom - Ryan Pope #19

On this episode of Life On Shuffle, we’re joined by Ryan Pope, a former professional pitcher within the New York Yankees minor league organization. We explore Ryan’s journey from his early life to his time at SCAD pursuing visual communications, navigating the high-pressure world of professional baseball, and the delicate act of balancing athletics with academics. Ryan opens up about the pivotal moment he left college after being drafted and how he made the transition from the baseball field to the medical field. As he walks us through what his life looks like working as a project manager for Atrium Health, we learn how his career pathway has impacted him, and what advice he gives others that are looking for a career of their own. This episode is hosted by Laney, Aaliyah, Brodi, Maddie and Josh.