Talk it Out Tuesday: The Podcast

Episode 10: Faith in Leadership

Marisa sits down with Niky Quezada, Senior Engineering student and former Marian Soccer Player. Niky shares how her faith has helped her on her journey from leaving home and her family in Mexico to dealing with injuries while playing soccer and learning to put her "trust in the Lord" for all of it.

Episode 9: Sharing the "Keys to the Doors"

Discussing Peace and Justice, Marisa sits down and speaks with Anuar Velazquez, Dean of Students at Herron High School.  He shares his career journey as a Law Enforcement officer now working to earn his PHD in Urban Education with a focus on Counseling. He shares his educational journey and what led him to work in education.  Navigating "Self-Belief."

Episode 8: The Trailblazer Mindset with Cassie Mitchell

Angelica & Marisa sit down with Cassie Mitchell, senior graphic design and communication major, about blending art, leadership, and community on campus. From leading in UBI and working several campus jobs to creating murals and bringing people together through theater, Cassie shares how she balances it all, stays grounded, and uses her creativity to make an impact. In honor of Black History Month, she reflects on what it means to take up space as a Black creative and inspire connection through her work.

Episode 7: Onward & Upward with Demetree Jones

Angelica sits down with Demetree Jones--senior mechanical engineering major, Alpha Phi Alpha chapter president, and student-athlete--to talk about perseverance when things don't go as planned. From leading through low engagement to navigating a tough end to an undefeated football season, Demetree reflects on what it means to carry responsibility, manage ego, and keep showing up when it would be easier not to. During Black History Month, this conversation centers resilience, brotherhood, and the kind of leadership that's built in pressure.

Episode 6: Rooted in Reflection

In this special episode, we turn the mic over to the voices from the Transformational Leadership & Service Conference (TLSC), which happened at Marian University on January 19, 2026. This is an annual tradition at Marian University in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Student host Blessing Malunga connects with conference attendees, workshop speakers, university staff, and administrators to capture their biggest takeaways—from meaningful moments of service to personal definitions of transformational leadership. Through these reflections, we explore how leadership shows up in action, community, and everyday choices, and how TLSC continues to shape the way Marian leads and serves. See interview timestamps below: 0:00—Welcome & Conference Overview 2:53—Interviewer Introduction 4:21—Sergio Palacio-Ornelas 7:19—Kalyn Rudow 10:44—President Daniel Elsener 15:32—Demetree Jones 18:06—Zion Dawson-El 22:27—Dr. Jennifer Plumlee 25:59—Peter Waning 29:19—Jadyn Akers 32:39—Tori Williams 37:10—MacKenzie Harless 41:32—Jerson Medina 46:21—Marisa Zambrano 51:14—Christian Yataco 54:59—Lian Fernandez 58:44—David Esquivo 1:01:29—Linny Rousseau 1:05:11—David Gibson