Unstoppable Stories

University of Maryland Global Campus
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to UMGC’s "Unstoppable Stories," a podcast that showcases extraordinary journeys of individuals who turned their dreams into reality. Join hosts Lauren Cardillo and Nathan James as they sit down with inspiring people who have broken barriers, defied expectations, and achieved remarkable success in their fields. In each episode, Lauren and Nathan dive deep into the real, unvarnished stories behind their guests' accomplishments. From military veterans turned entrepreneurs to working parents who became industry leaders, these inspiring individuals share the obstacles they overcame and the pivotal moments that shaped their paths to success. They offer compelling insights for anyone looking to transform their own life and achieve their dreams. "Unstoppable Stories" goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the grit, determination, and resilience it takes to achieve your goals. Whether you're a student, career changer, or simply someone seeking inspiration, these powerful narratives prove that with dedication and perseverance, there's no limit to what you can achieve.

  1. 9h ago

    Unstoppable Stories S. 2 Ep. 14: Hack the Madness: Building a Worldclass Cyber Team Online

    Host Lauren Cardillo sits down with Jesse Varsalone, a cybersecurity guru, UMGC faculty member, and the coach of UMGC’s award-winning cyber competition team, the Shells. Jesse shares his 32-year teaching journey, explaining how he transitioned from a high school math teacher to the fast-paced world of cybersecurity. He breaks down the biggest misconceptions about the field, emphasizing that it requires curiosity rather than advanced math, and boasts incredibly low barriers to entry. Jesse also dives into the diverse makeup of his championship team—which includes everyone from bartenders to military personnel—and how their online, flexible model helped them conquer major professional competitions and reach the Final Four in "Hack the Madness". Whether you are a career changer or a tech hobbyist, Jesse proves that anyone with passion can go pro in cybersecurity.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!To learn more about UMGC, visit: UMGC.edu/Unstoppable. Host: Lauren Cardillo  Guest: Jesse Varsalone, Associate Professor & Cyber Team Coach Time Stamps & Show Notes:  00:00 No Barriers to Entry 01:03 A 32-Year Teaching Journey 04:07 Pivoting to Cybersecurity 09:12 Diversity on the Cyber Team 11:50 Naming the Shells 15:12 Coaching Adult Learners Online 22:12 Recruiting Cyber Team Members 24:41 Inside a Cyber Competition 32:20 Beating Professional Cyber Teams 35:34 Reaching the Final Four

  2. Jul 1

    Unstoppable Stories S. 2 Ep. 13: The Architecture of Resilience: Reclaiming Life After Trauma

    Host Nathan James sits down with Christina Barlas, a Senior Regional Marketing Specialist and UMGC MBA graduate who turned a life-altering trauma into a story of absolute resilience. At age 16, Christina’s world was shattered by a violent home invasion that left her feeling unsafe and disconnected from her education.  After initially dropping out of school to work in the salon industry, Christina realized that her true potential lay beyond the stylist's chair. She shares the pivotal moment she rediscovered her childhood love for art and technology, leading her to enroll at UMGC. Balancing multiple jobs with a rigorous academic schedule, she not only earned her bachelor's degree but went on to complete her MBA with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Today, Christina advocates for "making the most of wherever you go," using her past experiences as a foundation for leadership, mentorship, and a future dedicated to helping other victims of crime. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments! Time Stamps: 00:00 It Is All Worth It 01:11 The Sixteen-Year-Old Self 02:56 Surviving a Home Invasion 04:40 Processing PTSD and Survival 07:12 Pivoting from Salon Life 10:33 Finding a Fit at UMGC 13:19 Falling in Love with Learning 15:04 The Hectic Dual Grind 16:47 Impact of Micro Internships 19:43 Achieving a 4.0 MBA 23:11 Climbing the Corporate Ladder 27:22 Leading Through Service 30:28 Advice for the Lost 32:58 What Felt Like the End

  3. Jun 17

    Unstoppable Stories S. 2 Ep. 12: The Defender of Potential: How Mentorship Helps Solve Poverty

    Host Lauren Cardillo sits down with Kwame Johnson, President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, an author, and a UMGC graduate. Kwame shares how a wrong turn at age 17 led him to prison, where a year in solitary confinement forced him to figure out his life's purpose. He recounts the persistence it took to become the first person in the U.S. to take the SATs behind bars, paving the way for his college education. Guided by civil rights leader Bob Woodson, Kwame learned to view his past mistakes not as a stigma, but as his "superpower". Today, he dedicates his life to being a "defender of potential," advocating that mentorship is the most effective solution to poverty in America. Kwame emphasizes that anyone can be a mentor by simply incorporating a young person into their existing routines, proving that it truly takes little to be big. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments! Time Stamps:  00:00 Defender of Potential  02:59 Finding A Way Out  04:13 Solitary Confinement Awakening  05:59 SATs Behind Bars  09:51 Meeting Bob Woodson  11:58 Human Antibodies  16:50 Journey to CEO & Challenges 22:37 Creating Safe Spaces for Men 26:13 Simple Mentorship Moments  29:35 Vision to Solve Poverty

  4. Jun 3

    Unstoppable Stories S. 2 Ep. 11: It’s Not About the Leash: Finding Calm Through Community Connection

    Host Lauren Cardillo sits down with UMGC student and nonprofit leader Sharon Grassi to explore her profound transition from a corporate career to becoming a full-time caregiver for her combat medic son. Sharon opens up about the "mama bear" advocacy required to navigate the VA healthcare maze, the loss of her professional identity, and the pivotal moment a paracord dog leash sparked a new mission. Sharon explains the science behind her nonprofit, Co-Op Survival, revealing how the simple rhythm of weaving leashes provides bilateral brain stimulation that helps veterans and caregivers lower stress and connect. She also discusses her return to education as a Pillars of Strength scholar, proving that even after life-altering setbacks, it is possible to find a new tribe, a new degree, and a renewed sense of self. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments! To learn more about UMGC, visit: UMGC.edu/Unstoppable. Time Stamps: 00:00 Intro and The Leash  01:48 Becoming a Caregiver  05:09 The Turning Point  07:40 Navigating The VA Maze  10:59 The Mama Bear Advocate  12:43 Leaving Corporate Life  17:34 The Dog Leash Origin  24:27 The Science of Healing  32:13 A New Academic Path  39:12 Finding Your Tribe

  5. May 20

    Unstoppable Stories S. 2 Ep. 10: Boots to Books: Finishing Strong with Ehsan Jamshidi

    Host Nathan James sits down with Marine veteran and UMGC alumnus, Ehsan Jamshidi to trace a journey that begins in Afghanistan and evolves into a life of service, study, and purpose in the United States. Ehsan shares how his mother’s sacrifice and the challenge of learning English shaped his mindset, why the Marine Corps Embassy Security Program became a proving ground, and how discipline, attention to detail, and gratitude guided each decision along the way. He recounts the 2021 Kabul evacuation turning personal when his own family needed a way out, then describes rebuilding after medical retirement, transitioning into a Department of Defense role, and finishing both a bachelor’s and a master’s with top grades. The conversation highlights practical lessons for veterans and adult learners, why it's important to use every resource, keep your network active, and move forward with steady routines that compound over time.  His incredible story of perseverance and his commitment to excellence in the classroom earned him the 2024 UMGC Student Veteran of the Year award.  Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments! To learn more about UMGC, visit: UMGC.edu/Unstoppable. Host: Nathan James Guest: Ehsan Jamshidi, Marine veteran and 2024 UMGC Student Veteran of the Year Time Stamps:  00:00 Kabul crisis response 01:11 New country start 04:24 Mother fuels grit 07:23 Choosing purposeful service 11:28 Embassy duty momentum 14:46 Family rescue mission 19:01 Medical setback reset 23:28 Defense career pivot 27:11 Degrees driving gratitude 31:09 Forward focused advice

  6. May 6

    Unstoppable Stories S. 2 Ep. 9: Commencement Episode: The Stories Behind the Degrees

    Welcome to a special edition of Unstoppable Stories. May is a special time of the year for students – especially those who will earn their degrees and officially graduate. This week, we’re excited to share interviews from several UMGC graduates from around the globe as they tell their stories and offer advice on what made their journeys a success. As with most of our students who manage work, family life, military service, and more on the road to earning their degree, you will love these genuine clips of these graduates from UMGC locations worldwide. From Asia and Europe to stateside, these unstoppable stories will give you insights and inspiration as you pursue your own educational goals. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments! To learn more about UMGC, visit: UMGC.edu/Unstoppable Time Stamps:  00:00 Introduction  00:39 Kiwamu  02:15 Ashley  03:16 Frederick  04:49 Donald  06:01 Abigail  07:29 Scott  08:39 Jackie  10:16 Pamela  11:55 Jasmin  14:04 Daniel  16:07 Nikkia  17:10 Conclusion

  7. Apr 22

    Unstoppable Stories S. 2 Ep. 8: Ask, Listen, Adapt: Pathways to Cyber Confidence w/ Tamila Urumbaeva

    Host Nathan James sits down with UMGC cybersecurity graduate, Tamila Urumbaeva, to trace a move from Uzbekistan to the United States, a seven year stretch apart from her father, and the decision to rebuild in a new language and culture. She explains the hardest early hurdle, communicating with care across cultures, and how asking good questions, listening closely, and adjusting tone in real time became a daily practice.  Tamila shares how she chose cybersecurity, earned an Excellence in Cybersecurity award at community college, transferred to UMGC for the online fit, stacked credentials like CompTIA Security Plus, and balanced four jobs with school through disciplined routines and honest burnout recovery. She also reflects on launching leadership with Women in Cybersecurity, the confidence of conference community, and a vision to secure systems and inspire more women to enter the field.  Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments! To learn more about UMGC, visit: UMGC.edu/Unstoppable. Host: Nathan James Guest: Tamila Urumbaeva, Cybersecurity Specialist, UMGC alumnus Time Stamps & Show Notes:  (00:00 - 00:50) Cybersecurity Impact (00:50 - 02:59) Delay and move (03:00 - 05:12) Culture shock (05:13 - 08:10) Choosing cyber (08:11 - 10:34) Early wins (10:35 - 13:10) UMGC fit (13:11 - 16:35) Four jobs (16:36 - 19:49) Burnout reset (19:50 - 24:15) WiCyS leadership (24:16 - 27:08) Never give up (27:09 - 30:59) Community and close

  8. Apr 8

    Unstoppable Stories S. 2 Ep. 7: Fairways and Friendships, Lessons Beyond the Score with Ben Thapa

    Host Nathan James sits down with systems engineer and UMGC alumnus, Ben Thapa to trace the thread from Nepal to night classes, from a first IT role to a multi decade career built on routine, persistence, and family support. Ben explains how early mornings, long commutes, and library nights created momentum, and why staying curious kept doors opening at work and at school. He shares the story behind playing golf in all 50 states and on every continent, including a bucket list swing in Antarctica, and how the real goal was never the scorecard but the friendships and check ins that followed. Along the way he highlights the master’s decision, the campus resources that helped, and a people first mindset that turns busy schedules into lasting community. Listen for lessons on structure, gratitude, and connection that apply far beyond the fairway. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments! To learn more about UMGC, visit: UMGC.edu/Unstoppable. Host: Nathan James Guest: Ben Thapa, Systems Engineer, Author, UMGC alumnus Time Stamps & Show Notes:  (00:00 - 00:22) People first (00:22 - 00:53) Welcome (00:54 - 03:10) Golf origins (03:11 - 05:04) Work and UMGC (05:05 - 09:12) Daily grind (09:13 - 12:34) Family view (12:35 - 16:08) First IT role (16:09 - 20:32) Master’s decision (20:33 - 24:10) 50 states, 7 continents (24:11 - 29:39) Staying in touch (29:40 - 32:43) Connection over loneliness (32:44 - 33:32) Gratitude and close

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to UMGC’s "Unstoppable Stories," a podcast that showcases extraordinary journeys of individuals who turned their dreams into reality. Join hosts Lauren Cardillo and Nathan James as they sit down with inspiring people who have broken barriers, defied expectations, and achieved remarkable success in their fields. In each episode, Lauren and Nathan dive deep into the real, unvarnished stories behind their guests' accomplishments. From military veterans turned entrepreneurs to working parents who became industry leaders, these inspiring individuals share the obstacles they overcame and the pivotal moments that shaped their paths to success. They offer compelling insights for anyone looking to transform their own life and achieve their dreams. "Unstoppable Stories" goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the grit, determination, and resilience it takes to achieve your goals. Whether you're a student, career changer, or simply someone seeking inspiration, these powerful narratives prove that with dedication and perseverance, there's no limit to what you can achieve.

Information

  • Creator
    University of Maryland Global Campus
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Unstoppable Stories