Dr. Doug Smith on Wolves, Yellowstone, and the Power of Purpose | Season 2, Ep 32

Mr. Peter Sweeney on Code, Career Pivots, and the Age of AI | Season 2, Ep 36

In Episode 36 of The Late Start Show, we sit down with Mr. Peter Sweeney, University School upper school math and computer science teacher, founder of the US Robotics Team, and longtime veteran of both the tech industry and education. Mr. Sweeney reflects on his journey from a 12-year-old teaching himself to code on an Apple IIe in Belgium to a decade in corporate tech, sharing how an early love of making things and solving puzzles shaped a career he never originally planned. He opens up about the meaningful pivot that led him away from a successful consulting career toward teaching, and how a search for purpose and a passion for helping others ultimately guided that choice. From his first nervous morning in front of a classroom to building University School's robotics program from nothing into one of the strongest in the state, Mr. Sweeney discusses what real education looks like, why he treasures traditions like the Sherman Speaking Prize, and how he approaches teaching computer science as a craft of problem-solving and creativity. He also dives deep into the rise of artificial intelligence, offering a candid, thoughtful take on how AI should be integrated into learning, the risks it poses to critical thinking and the future, and the difference between today's language models and a true AGI. Looking back on his path, Mr. Sweeney reflects on what he hopes students remember about him and the "why" behind his work, one centered on curiosity, service, and the belief that knowledge is a wealth no one can ever take away. Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.

Deacon Nelson on Baseball, Leadership, and Staying Consistent | Season 2, Ep 35

In Episode 35 of The Late Start Show, we sit down with Deacon Nelson, University School McKinley House prefect, baseball captain, and Auburn commit. Deacon reflects on his journey from a young athlete shaped by family and a deep love for the game to becoming a leader of a rising baseball program at US. He shares what drew him to the school, from the meaningful relationships between students and teachers to the strong sense of brotherhood he experienced on his shadow day, and how those early moments helped him feel at home and build lasting connections within the community. From committing to Virginia as a freshman to navigating a coaching change and ultimately finding the right fit at Auburn, Deacon opens up about handling attention, expectations, and pressure while staying grounded in consistency and preparation. He discusses his growth as a leader through baseball, his role as a house prefect, and his involvement in Focus, highlighting the importance of faith, humility, and connection. Looking ahead, Deacon reflects on his personal growth, what he will miss most about US, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind, one centered on leadership, character, and making a positive impact on others. Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.

Ms. Konrad, Mr. Kneisel, and Dr. Laux on Learning, Growth, and Real-World Skills | Season 2, Ep 34

In this Special Annual Fund Live Episode of The Late Start Show, we bring something a little different to the table, three conversations, three perspectives, and one shared purpose. In front of a live audience of students, parents, faculty, and alumni, we sit down with Ms. Kimberly Konrad, kindergarten lead teacher and longtime elementary educator, Mr. Keith Kneisel, middle school math teacher and soccer coach, and Dr. Sarah Laux, science department chairperson and outdoor projects advisor at University School. Each guest represents a different stage of the student experience, but all are united by a deep commitment to teaching, mentorship, and building meaningful relationships with boys. From Ms. Konrad’s journey from public school education into the Lower School and her passion for creating a “circle of care,” to Mr. Kneisel’s unconventional path into teaching and his mission to make middle school both engaging and human, to Dr. Laux’s evolution from wildlife biologist to educator shaping real world scientific inquiry, this episode highlights the people behind the mission. Throughout the episode is a powerful reminder of what makes University School special, and how the Annual Fund helps make experiences like this possible. The conversation moves through early childhood education, the challenges and opportunities of middle school, and the power of experiential learning in science. Ms. Konrad reflects on the importance of play with purpose, relationship building, and helping young boys develop emotional awareness and confidence from their very first days of school. Mr. Kneisel shares how he breaks down the intimidation of math, balances structure with personality, and connects with students both in and out of the classroom, even through something as simple as a growing stack of Mountain Dew cans. Dr. Laux dives into the impact of hands on research, the value of asking real questions without clear answers, and why getting students outside, whether on Lake Kilroy or in the woods, is essential to developing curiosity. Across all three conversations, a common theme emerges, great teaching is not just about content, it is about connection. Each educator opens up about their “why,” revealing that at the center of their work is a desire to make students feel seen, supported, and inspired. This live episode serves as both a celebration of those educators and a reflection of the community that makes it all possible. Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.

Mrs. Hamburg on English, Authenticity, and Creating Space for Boys to Be Real | Season 2, Ep 33

In Episode 33 of The Late Start Show, we sit down with Mrs. Melissa Hamburg, eighth-grade English teacher, middle school English department chair, and varsity soccer coach at University School. She takes us back to her childhood in Georgia, where she grew up as a curious kid who questioned everything, and traces her remarkable journey to becoming one of the school's most influential educators. Mrs. Hamburg reflects on the transformative mentors who shaped her: a soccer coach who taught her work ethic and discipline, a college professor who demanded authenticity over perfection, and a youth pastor who taught her to focus on the present moment rather than worry about every pitch coming her way. The conversation goes through education, openness, and building real community. Mrs. Hamburg shares her experiences teaching in inner-city Atlanta, her choice to move to Ohio, and why she ultimately chose to teach at an all-boys school like University School. She discusses the unique dynamics of teaching boys, the freedom to have honest conversations about masculinity and what it means to “stand on your business”, the challenges of proving herself as a woman coach in a traditionally male-dominated space, and the profound trust that comes from knowing the hearts of the educators shaping your children. She opens up about raising her sons at the same school where she teaches, the delicate balance of being both a teacher and a mom, and her goal to create a classroom where students feel safe being authentically themselves while doing meaningful work. At the center of it all is her why: to ensure that for one hour a day, students feel good at school. She wants to give boys the language to express themselves confidently in any situation, to create a space where they can be real without judgment, and to help them understand that the work they do matters. Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.

Dr. Doug Smith on Wolves, Yellowstone, and the Power of Purpose | Season 2, Ep 32

In Episode 32 of The Late Start Show, we sit down with Dr. Doug Smith, University School alumnus (Class of ’79), longtime leader of the Yellowstone Wolf Project, and former senior wildlife biologist at Yellowstone National Park. He takes us back to a childhood shaped by the outdoors at his family’s Red Raider Camp and his early years at University School, where small classes, close mentorship, and outdoor education helped define his path. From there, we follow the pivotal moment of his senior project working with captive wolves, an opportunity that sparked a chain reaction leading to years of fieldwork, advanced study in wildlife biology, and ultimately a career at the center of one of the most ambitious conservation efforts in modern history. Along the way, Dr. Smith reflects on the teachers and coaches who influenced him, the balance between athletics and intellectual curiosity, and the importance of staying broad rather than over-specializing too early. From there, the episode becomes a powerful conversation about conservation, storytelling, and purpose. Dr. Smith shares the reality behind the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone, from the early uncertainty and political controversy to the long-term ecological impact through trophic cascades that reshaped entire ecosystems. He discusses the misconceptions he has spent decades correcting, the rise of wolf-watching as a cultural phenomenon, and the challenge of communicating complex science to the public in a meaningful way. More than anything, he reflects on what it means to dedicate a life to something larger than yourself, urging students to pursue what genuinely fascinates them rather than chasing prestige or money. At the center of it all is his why: to give nature a voice, to help restore what was lost, and to remind us that the most meaningful work often comes from passion, curiosity, and a willingness to follow opportunity wherever it leads. Credits to Theo Walter for Production and Editing, Russ Nobles for the Intro and Outro songs, Mr. Wickboldt for being our advisor, and you for listening to our podcast and keeping up with the latest US news.