The Hot Seat Podcast - with host Brian Kulak

Brian Kulak
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Brian Kulak is a career educator who has authored two books: Level Up Leadership: Advance Your EduGame (2019) and The Hot Seat: Real Teenage Answers to Life's Real(ly) Hard Questions (2025). Each week, Kulak hosts a show rekindling the HotSeat for the modern age with a variety of guests, including former students, teachers, mentors, and much more

  1. 8h ago

    Episode 19 - Guest Maria Qualtieri Kane

    Co-host of Mother Knows Death, with her mom (Nicole Angemi) Maria Qualtieri Kane (AHS Class of 2013) revisits the hot seat, she discusses her unconventional upbringing, career arc from photography through fashion, her admiration and business-partnership with her mom, married life, tattoos and much. Hot Seat Question: Do find yourself chasing life, or do you find life chasing you?

  2. 6d ago

    Epispde 18 - Guest Bob Baumgartner

    Bob Baumgartner (AHS Class of 2002) is on the hot seat. He talks about digging down, never really leaving school, being both a student and teacher of history, "admin brain" and beyond. Hot Seat Question: (Without choosing a family member) Who's the one person in your life who has helped you get to where you are now?

  3. Oct 8

    Episode 17 - Guest Nicole Bryan

    On this week's hot seat, Nicole Bryan (AHS Class of 2004) discusses trials and tribulations, faith, an intriguing and evolving career journey, and much more. Hot Seat Question: How did and do you function in your family?

  4. Apr 27

    Episode 16 - Guest Monica Mcnally

    Monica Mcnally (AHS Class of 2003) looks back at her high school experience, including her time on the stage and her outlook on life at that time. Monica discusses ambition, positivity an evolving career trajectory, embracing change, demonstrating resilience, navigating parenthood etc. Hot Seat Question: Do you want your children to ultimately be like you?

  5. Apr 20

    Episode 15 - Guest Jackie Kampf

    Melding family, friends, students, Kulak invites Jacqueline Kampf (AHS Class of 2005) onto the Hot Seat, where they discuss their parallel lives, career journeys, moving away from home and returning. Hot Seat Question: What have your parents each taught you specifically and differently?

  6. Apr 12

    Episode 14 - Guest Ryan Phillippi

    This week's guest Ryan Phillippi (AHS Class of 2002) is a unique guest for the Hot Seat, one that combines friendship, family, and student relationships. Among the topics discussed, processing emotions as part of going through loss, balancing the priorities of life, people-pleasing, the benefits of saying yes, being positive and beyond. Hot Seat Question: Do nice guys finish last?

  7. Apr 4

    Episode 13 - Guest John Dyer

    Kulak catches up with John Dyer (AHS Class of 2006) they discuss the similarities of their parallel lives, personal growth, mental health, relationships, parenthood, Act 2, the importance of Dyer's friendship with teacher Sebastian Marino, and much more. Hot Seat Question: What is your life missing right now?

  8. Mar 21

    Episode 12 - Guest Sherri Wilson

    Dr. Sherri Wilson (AHS Class of 2006), steps up to the hot seat, discussing high school memories, career paths, therapy etc. Hot Seat Question: Do you think it's more important to be loved or love?

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Ratings & Reviews

5
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3 Ratings

About

Brian Kulak is a career educator who has authored two books: Level Up Leadership: Advance Your EduGame (2019) and The Hot Seat: Real Teenage Answers to Life's Real(ly) Hard Questions (2025). Each week, Kulak hosts a show rekindling the HotSeat for the modern age with a variety of guests, including former students, teachers, mentors, and much more

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