The Elevated Hope Project

James Meehan
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Self-Improvement

The Elevated Hope Project, hosted by Elevated Education, is a podcast discovering the stories and journeys of the success stories from Elevated Educations' Arizona-based charter schools: EastPointe HighSchool, Elevated Academy, and Accelerated Learning Centers.

  1. Jun 13

    Hidden in Plain Sight: Dr. Kelly Burns on Human Trafficking - EP 19

    Today on the Elevated Hope Project, we are honored to share the story of Dr. Kelly Burns, Superintendent of the Yavapai County Accommodation District and one of Arizona's most passionate advocates in the fight against human trafficking. What started as a routine professional development day turned into a mission she has not stopped fighting for since. This conversation with Dr. Kelly Burns is about what happens when you stop looking away. Not the comfortable conversations. Not the easy topics. The ones that make you shift in your seat, look around the room differently and realize the threat is closer than you ever imagined. Dr. Kelly breaks down what human trafficking actually looks like in schools, in rural communities, in hotels and on social media. She talks about how educators, parents and everyday citizens can recognize the warning signs, what to do when something feels off and why staying silent is never the safe option. From identifying victims in her own school to witnessing trafficking firsthand at a hotel in St. Louis, this episode is a wake-up call. If you are a parent, a teacher, a school administrator or simply someone who cares about protecting kids, this is a conversation you need to hear. The truth is simple. It is happening in your community. The only question is whether you are going to be the one who sees it. This episode will challenge how you think about safety, awareness and what it means to protect the most vulnerable among us.   Resources mentioned in this episode: Project Starfish: www.projectstarfish.education National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 #humantrafficking #childprotection #education #awareness #schoolleadership #antitraficking #stophumantrafficking #elevatededucation #elevatedhope #resilience #communityaction #parentingtips #safeschools #yavapai #arizona Elevated Education is committed to providing students with hope, opportunity, and support to re-engage in their education and pursue their dreams. Connect with us on social media: Facebook: / elevatedteens Instagram: / elevatedteens LinkedIn: / elevated-education-for-teens TikTok: / elevatedteens

    44 min

  2. Jun 13 ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: No Magic Pill with Blake Mycoskie

    Introducing Treating Mental Illness Like a Physical Injury with Olympian Alexi Pappas from No Magic Pill with Blake Mycoskie. Follow the show: No Magic Pill with Blake Mycoskie After becoming an Olympian in 2016, runner Alexi Pappas was afraid to slow down. Her mother had died by suicide when Alexi was just four years old, and she feared that her own depression would become a death sentence, too. But with the support of friends and family, she found the strength to get help and heal. Alexi’s story is for anyone who wants to feel a little braver, to face the world new each day, and understand that it doesn’t take Olympic strength to change your life. In this conversation you’ll learn: – Why we should treat mental illness like a physical injury – How to tell the difference between pain as warning vs. pain as transformation – The best way to support someone who is suffering – How to embrace the unknown with excitement rather than worry You can learn more about Alexi Pappas and buy her book at https://www.alexipappas.com/. And watch Blake on Alexi’s podcast, Mentor Buffet, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtbyxv34TMw. Enough Foundation's mission is to spread reminders in every form — bracelets, messages, actions, community — until feeling ENOUGH becomes the cultural default. To learn more, visit weareenough.co.  Produced, Directed, and Cinematography by Wubetu Shimelash / IG: Wubetu Shimelash Disclaimer: No purchase necessary. While supplies last. Visit http://www.weareenough.co/rules for full terms. More information on Blake’s other projects here:  Morning Water  Morning Water is a daily hydration formula that restores energy, balance, and performance with essential electrolytes, minerals, and nutrients in one simple routine.  To learn more, visit morningwater.co and use code NOMAGICPILL for 25% off your first order. SONIA  Sonia is a conversational AI companion designed for emotional support. Through voice and text, it offers guided wellbeing sessions, including meditations, journaling, personalized recommendations, and practical exercises. To learn more, visit www.soniahealth.com and download it on the App Store. MOOVLAB At MOOVLAB, we bring health and wellness to your workday.  MOOVLAB - the answer to sitting is moving.  To learn more, visit www.moovlab.com Follow Blake on Instagram and stay up to date with Lemonada on Facebook and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at lemonadapremium.com. Subscribe to Spotify Premium to watch ad-free video. Disclaimer: This episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical questions or concerns you may have. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. May 26

    Purple Heart to Purpose: DOC Ivory on Healing, Hustle, and Leaving a Legacy

    Today on the Elevated Hope Project, we are honored to share DOC Ivory's remarkable story. Once a promising athlete with dreams beyond his neighborhood, DOC found himself on an unexpected path that led him from the streets of Chicago to the front lines of combat. What followed was not a story of perfect victories, but a lifelong commitment to rising, serving, and refusing to quit. This conversation with DOC Ivory is about what happens when life asks more of you than you think you can give. Not the decorated moments. Not the accolades. The moments where you carry war, loss, and struggle all at once and still choose to keep going. DOC breaks down what it really means to serve, in uniform, as a father, as an author, and as a man who refuses to let his pain be wasted. He talks about identity, purpose, and what it looks like to turn every hardship into fuel for the next generation. From combat medic to Purple Heart recipient to building an entire ecosystem of impact, this episode is about what true resilience looks like in real life. If you are a student, a veteran, or someone who has ever felt like the odds were stacked against you, this is a conversation you need to hear. The truth is simple. You don't have to have it all figured out. You just have to keep climbing. This episode will challenge how you think about service, strength, and what it means to build something bigger than yourself. Elevated Education is committed to providing students with hope, opportunity, and support to re-engage in their education and pursue their dreams.

    54 min

  4. Apr 9

    Don't Quit: David Huff on Failure and Mental Toughness

    This conversation with David Huff is about what happens when things don't go your way. Not the highlight moments. Not the wins. The moments where you fail, lose confidence, and start questioning everything. David breaks down the reality of competing at a high level, where talent alone is never enough. He talks about pressure, identity, and what it actually takes to keep going when most people would quit. From learning how to move on to the next play, to understanding that failure is often the signal that something needs to change, this episode is about building real mental toughness. If you are an athlete, a competitor, or someone working toward something that actually matters, this is a conversation you need to hear. The truth is simple. The only regret you will have is quitting. This episode will challenge how you think about failure, discipline, and what it means to stay in the game. #mindset #mentaltoughness #baseball #leadership #discipline  Elevated Education is committed to providing students with hope, opportunity, and support to re-engage in their education and pursue their dreams. Connect with us on social media: Facebook: / elevatedteens Instagram: / elevatedteens LinkedIn: / elevated-education-for-teens TikTok: / elevatedteens

    49 min

  5. Jan 30

    The Real Meaning of "Ready" with Kylene Nosewicz

    Kylene, better known as "Cupid," joins The Elevated Hope Project to share a story that is equal parts raw and relentlessly hopeful. From growing up in a chaotic home environment to battling chronic health conditions, severe depression, and the constant pressure of simply getting through the day, Cupid explains what it felt like to live in survival mode while still trying to stay in school and keep working. This episode highlights the turning point, her move to East Point High School, where flexibility, structure, and a mentor who truly met her where she was helped her rebuild momentum. You will hear how she managed work, health appointments, and credits, what it took to finish multiple courses in a short window, and why compassion and community are not extras, they are the difference. Cupid also shares what she would tell her 12-year-old self, why advocacy matters in education and healthcare, and how she is now building a future at the University of Arizona with a clear mission: become a general practice PA who listens, believes patients, and helps change the course of someone's life early.

    50 min

  6. Jan 9

    Education That Puts Kids First with Matt Gress

    What does it actually mean for a student to be "ready" for the future? In this episode of the Elevated Education Podcast, we sit down with Matt Gress, Arizona State Representative and Chair of the House Education Committee, for a candid and deeply personal conversation about education, accountability, and what our systems are truly preparing students for. Matt shares his journey from growing up in a single-wide trailer in rural Oklahoma to becoming a teacher, budget director, and state education leader. Drawing from firsthand experience in the classroom, public policy, and mentorship, he challenges conventional definitions of readiness and calls out the gaps between spending, outcomes, and accountability in K–12 education. This episode explores why proficiency matters, why kids must come before adults, the long-term impact of COVID-era decisions, and the critical role of caring adults, mentors, and human connection in re-engaging disconnected students. From literacy and chronic absenteeism to alternative education and real accountability, this conversation cuts through the noise to focus on what actually helps students succeed. If you care about education that works, leadership that listens, and preparing students for real life, this is a conversation you don't want to miss.

    1h 39m

  7. 12/12/2025

    From Hoops to Hustle: RaSean McMiller's Pivot Into Entrepreneurship

    What do you do when the dream you built your whole identity around gets taken away? In this episode of the Elevated Hope Project, we sit down with RaSean McMiller, a former high-level basketball recruit who had to make a hard pivot after injury and setbacks changed his path. Instead of isolating, RaSean chose action. That decision started with something simple, selling socks at 17, and turned into a whole new mindset: solve problems, add value, and keep moving. RaSean shares how he went from growing up outside Chicago with big NBA dreams to launching a hair care brand (inspired by his grandmother, Eula) and getting it into beauty supply stores. Then he takes us into his newest venture, Flash Path, a golf swing training aid built to give beginners immediate feedback while saving time and money. Along the way, he breaks down what he learned from bootstrapping, building a team, using mentors, and putting himself in rooms that force him to grow. If you are a student, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone trying to recover after life forces a pivot, this conversation will hit you right where you are. Key themes: resilience, discipline, mentorship, momentum, entrepreneurship, and turning setbacks into purpose.

    42 min

  8. 11/25/2025

    The Truth About Grief and Growing Up: Mayson's Story

    Today on The Elevated Hope Project, we are honored to share Mayson's remarkable journey. A graduate of Accelerated Learning Center in Phoenix, Mayson has lived through more loss in her young life than many face in a lifetime. Yet through every hardship, she remained grounded, compassionate, and determined to move forward. In this candid conversation, Mayson reflects on her upbringing, the challenges her family faced, the heartbreak of losing her sister and later her mother, and how ALC became a safe place to heal, grow, and rediscover her strength. Now working, building her own independence, and exploring her future, Mayson shares heartfelt advice for any young person dealing with grief: "Just look forward. Don't let your trauma define who you are or what your future holds." This episode is a testament to resilience, supportive school communities, and the hope that can rise from even the most difficult seasons. We hope her story inspires you the way it inspired all of us.

    40 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Elevated Hope Project, hosted by Elevated Education, is a podcast discovering the stories and journeys of the success stories from Elevated Educations' Arizona-based charter schools: EastPointe HighSchool, Elevated Academy, and Accelerated Learning Centers.

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