From Pro Baseball to Building Hope | Trey Barham

From Pro Baseball to Building Hope | Trey Barham

Trey Barham's years in professional baseball formed the foundation of the work he does today, whether it's resilience, perseverance, or community involvement. A native of Norfolk, Trey spent 8 years as a pitcher in the Oakland A's farm system, and our conversation today starts with a behind-the-scenes look at the process of being scouted, recruited, drafted and then moving from level to level through the minors, playing with and against stars like Mike Trout, Manny Ramirez, Josh Hamilton and more. Playing so many games per year, changing teams, meeting new teammates and saying goodbye to old ones, even moving countries: there's nothing quite like the reality of pro ball.  Trey's career in fact started by playing college ball at the Virginia Military Institute, studying biology, a degree that would set him up well for his current work. VMI was an unexpected turn, but it shaped the character, leadership and decision-making skills that have been so valuable since. As his playing career came to an end, Trey transitioned from baseball to nonprofit work, focusing on community impact. Trey is now Director of Partnerships for Roc Solid Foundation,  a charity that builds hope for kids fighting cancer nationwide. Roc Solid distribute Ready Bags to families just after they hear the devastating news that their child has cancer, and also provide backyard playsets to kids in treatment. Since public, general-access playgrounds tend to be pretty heavy with germs, kids who are immunocompromised simply cannot risk playing there. Roc Solid coordinates the fundraising, distribution and assembly of safe playsets so kids can do what they do best: play. Trey will be the first to tell you the joy and healing that play brings to these children, and the various ways individuals and organizations can get involved to support this cause. "It's such a fun moment when you have this little kid that's gone through so much, and then all of a sudden just bright smiles and happy.  But to be the connector, to get the email or the phone call back that says, 'Oh my gosh, this was the most fun team building experience we've ever had. This was the most impactful moment we've ever had as a team together,' it's honestly the most cup-filling part of it." - Trey Barham Chapters 00:00 Baseball Career and Experiences 08:49 Parenting and Encouraging Sports in Children 12:57 Life Lessons from Sports and Professional Experiences 22:43 The Standout Players in Baseball and Sports 26:30 The Mission of Roc Solid Foundation 30:01 National Reach and Community Impact 36:22 The Importance of Play in Healing 41:55 Upcoming Events and Opportunities to Help If we can ever be of help to you, give us a call at 1-877-VETS WIN, or visit https://www.graybroughton.com [http://www.graybroughton.com].

Why Teaching Still Matters | Katie Allen

Katie Allen was born to teach. Don't just take it from us, these are her exact words! Katie has known for as long as she can remember that teaching is what she wanted to do.  And now that her dream has become a reality, as a 5th grade teacher in Chesterfield, VA, she can truly reflect on and recognize the joy and fulfilment that brings her into work every day. Sometimes at 6:30 in the morning (the school day starts at 9:10 am). But as she shares with us today, and would be the first to admit, contemporary teaching is not all roses and satisfaction. Teaching is one of the most challenging professions there is, from the simple volume of kids, to getting enough support for neurodivergent students, the bureaucratic maze and, of course, salaries that don't always recognize the value nor the commitment involved. Katie herself has ADHD, but turns that to her advantage in the classroom, whether through creative projects, the ambience of the classroom, building relationships or or in simply empathizing with neurodivergent students and their reality.  We learn today how teaching is a blend of hard work and rewarding moments, and why community support can significantly impact teachers' effectiveness. Listen to the teachers in your life, lend them your ear, show them patience: they've earned it! "You have to trust yourself, because most of teaching is thinking on the fly, reacting to things as they come up. Kids will say stuff to you that you never expected to hear in your whole life. So I trust myself and I listen to my intuition." - Katie Allen Chapters 00:00 The Joy of Teaching and Personal Identity 03:14 Becoming a Teacher During COVID-19 07:01 A Day in the Life of a Fifth Grade Teacher 12:11 Creating an Engaging Classroom Environment 18:17 The Fulfilment of a Teacher and Student Connection 28:00 Creating a Safe Learning Environment 31:43 The Challenges of Teaching in 2026 36:28 How Teachers Can Be Supported If we can ever be of help to you, give us a call at 1-877-VETS WIN, or visit https://www.graybroughton.com [http://www.graybroughton.com].

Why Fatherhood Matters More Than Ever | Chris Beach

Chris Beach, CEO of the Fatherhood Foundation of Virginia, is a living embodiment of his organization's mission: The beauty of fatherhood lies in shared experiences and learning from one another. Chris shares the poignant personal story of his father suddenly leaving the family, when Chris was 16, and the gap that suddenly existed in his life. That experience shaped many of Chris' future choices and perspectives on life, from teaching and volunteer work, to his own relationship with his wife and four boys, and ultimately leading to his deeply meaningful and important work with the Fatherhood Foundation. Work-life balance is a significant challenge for fathers. We know the pressure that exists to provide and be present simultaneously. But when we look back, years from now, time spent with children is more valuable than material success.  The Fatherhood Foundation of Virginia's objective is to strengthen fatherhood, creating safe spaces for dads to ask questions and address the stigma around seeking help. Through shared experiences, coaching, events and support systems, Chris and his organization are there to give dads recognition and empowerment, for the benefit of themselves and their families. Take it from Chris: "Life goes way too fast. Kids need their dads." Learn more about Chris Beach and the Fatherhood Foundation of Virginia: https://www.vadad.org/ [https://vadad.org/] Chapters 00:00 Creating Safe Spaces for Dads 05:58 The Impact of Fatherhood on Families 12:11 Breaking the Silence: Men Talking to Men 20:59 Work-Life Balance for Fathers 25:01 Coaching and Counseling: Breaking the Stigma 29:54 The Importance of Communication 33:58 Events and Initiatives for Dads 41:31 The Vital Role of Dads in Children's Lives If we can ever be of help to you, give us a call at 1-877-VETS WIN, or visit https://www.graybroughton.com [http://www.graybroughton.com].

The Virginia War Memorial: A Living Tribute | Dr. Clay Mountcastle

Dr. Clay Mountcastle is the director of the Virginia War Memorial, the Commonwealth of Virginia’s premier monument, museum, and educational center, dedicated to Virginians who served to defend the United States from World War II through today. Clay himself grew up in a military family stationed abroad, spending most of his childhood growing up in Germany, witnessing the impacts of the Cold War and the fight against Communism first hand. These experiences would form a lasting impact on his perspectives and world view. A retired U.S. Army officer, his military service took him to Germany, South Korea and Iraq on assignments with the 82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Army 5th Corps and U.S. Army Special Operations Command. He is a 1994 graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and holds a Masters and PhD in History from Duke University.  Most recently, he served as Professor of Military History at the University of Washington in Seattle and as an Assistant Professor of Military History at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Lee, Virginia. Our conversation today highlights the importance of interactive military history, and in this respect the Virginia War Memorial is a national standard bearer in its combination of memorial and active programming. Through education and storytelling, the memorial serves as a bridge between civilians and veterans. Our thanks to Dr. Clay for joining us today, sharing his story and the mission of the VWM. No matter where you live in Virginia, or if you are visiting our state, know that this memorial caters to everyone, is for everyone, and encourages exploration of this living tribute to sacrifice. "It wasn't just about seeing names on a wall. It became about understanding the history of those names and stories. To honor those that have made the ultimate sacrifice, and learn about service to the country." - Dr. Clay Mountcastle Links and Resources From This Episode www.vawarmemorial.org [https://www.vawarmemorial.org]  https://www.linkedin.com/in/clay-mountcastle/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/clay-mountcastle/] Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Virginia War Memorial 02:55 Growing Up in a Military Family 09:03 The Impact of Military Life on Personal Development 15:01 The Importance of History and Military Heritage 29:44 The Virginia War Memorial: Honoring Sacrifice 37:52 The Power of Storytelling: Engaging Generations 40:59 The Impact of the Virginia War Memorial 43:38 Preserving History: Capturing Veterans' Stories 46:57 How to Support the Virginia War Memorial If we can ever be of help to you, give us a call at 1-877-VETS WIN, or visit https://www.graybroughton.com [http://www.graybroughton.com].

Introducing “The People Who Make Virginia” Podcast

In the first episode of The People Who Make Virginia, presented by Gray Broughton Injury Law, hosts Sharif Gray, Gray Broughton and Harry Fonseca introduce themselves and explain the show’s purpose.  Gray shares his Richmond upbringing, Army JAG service after 9/11 with deployments including Iraq, and ultimately the founding of Broughton Injury Law in Richmond, Virginia in 2018, now a 15-person firm.  Harry recounts immigrating with his mother from Managua, Nicaragua to Virginia in 2007, at the age of 12, starting personal injury intake work in 2016, and now serving as head of intake and business development for the Gray Broughton firm.  Sharif describes growing up in Northern Virginia, but also spending years of his childhood in Egypt and Lebanon, before attending VMI and UVA Law. Years of army trial experience, federal clerkships and working in big law ultimately led to discovering personal injury law, which has become his passion. Sharif also hosts the popular "Courtroom Stories & Tactics" podcast, which profiles trial lawyers from across the country and their advice for young lawyers entering the field. The People Who Make Virginia however does not have a legal focus specifically, but rather a broader aim of shining a spotlight on Virginia's community leaders, behind-the-scenes contributors and unsung heroes, to give them a platform to share their stories and projects. With put a particular focus on veterans, and their unique angle and experience. The goal is to show how people are contributing to Virginia, to give them recognition, and to enable connections that make our communities stronger. These are The People Who Make Virginia: “Real Stories from Virginia’s Leaders.” If we can ever be of help to you, give us a call at 1-877-VETS WIN, or visit https://www.graybroughton.com [http://www.graybroughton.com].