Sinopsis
Podcast by Shawn Robinson
Episodios
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OA Vault: Making Waves
19/03/2025 Duración: 30minIn this special episode, Shawn sits down with Dillon Javid, a high school senior, student-athlete, and OA alum. As the editor-in-chief of his school newspaper and a dedicated rower, Dillon has been making waves both on and off the water. He reflects on his journey with Orange Arrow, from the Summer Academy to unforgettable moments like meeting the legendary Franco Harris and networking at OASIS.
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OA Vault: Matthew Goncalves
12/03/2025 Duración: 25minMatthew Goncalves is a former Pitt football athlete and Orange Arrow intern. Tune in to hear about his experiences at Pitt and how he balanced his sport and extracurriculars. As always, stick around to the end to hear his advice for young student-athletes and why he supports the work of Orange Arrow.
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OA Vault: Football Might Disappear
05/03/2025 Duración: 29minTodd Hill is a student-athlete, Duquesne graduate, and former OA intern. A native of Homestead, PA, Todd discusses how he got his start playing football — a sport that took him a while to warm up to — eventually leading him to be part of the first generation in his family to graduate from college. Now a graduate student-athlete at Slippery Rock University, tune in to hear more about his college football journey, in Pittsburgh and beyond, and some of his favorite, most impactful memories from his time as an OA coach.
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Episode 125: The History of Training Table
28/02/2025 Duración: 09minIn this mini pod episode, host Shawn Robinson takes listeners back to the origins of Training Table — how it all started and the impact it has made. Plus, stay tuned for an exclusive insider announcement about the upcoming Training Table Tour!
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OA Vault: Introducing OASIS
19/02/2025 Duración: 09minJoin Shawn as he introduces OASIS — Orange Arrow’s groundbreaking event that brings people together to transform the sports community.
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Episode 125: The Making of OASIS
12/02/2025 Duración: 13minGo behind the scenes of OASIS! Host Shawn Robinson gives listeners an inside look at the planning, vision, and conversations shaping the symposium. From the inspiration behind it to the details that make it all come together, this episode reveals what it takes to create a powerful event focused on building inclusive and winning teams at the intersection of sports and education. Tune in for a firsthand look at the making of OASIS!
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Episode 124: Tray Crayton
06/02/2025 Duración: 01h13sWe're back! In this episode, host Shawn Robinson catches up with his former teammate, Tray Crayton. As they discuss sports, music, and faith, they uncover an even deeper connection — both were shaped by their early experiences growing up in the church. Tray, a former professional athlete and sports executive, shares his journey of overcoming adversity and finding purpose through his faith, which led to his book, “Battled and Bruised,“ and his platform, Triumph with Trai. Tune in for a powerful conversation on resilience, purpose, and the lessons that go beyond the game.
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OA Vault: Mike Pichette
30/01/2025 Duración: 30minWe're going back into the OA Vault to revisit our episode with Mike Pichette, Ohio native, standout swimmer, and Pitt grad. Listen as he talks about growing up a swimmer, his injury, finding structure through Orange Arrow, and how he prepared for life after graduation.
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OA Vault: Too Much Sauce
23/01/2025 Duración: 28minBreonna Greene is a former OA intern and current student at Penn State where she serves as the PR Chair for the Black Caucus and is on the e-board of the Multicultural Resource Center. A native of Penn Hills, PA, Breonna discusses her upbringing and sports background and why her taste in music and TV make her an old soul. Tune in to hear how she got her start with OA last summer, including some of her favorite memories (notably, a Chick-fil-A sauce incident) and her advice for future OA interns.
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OA Vault: We Are Tied Together
16/01/2025 Duración: 32minNathan Bossory grew up on an apple orchard outside of Ann Arbor, MI. Now working in finance, Bossory, a former Pitt student-athlete and OA coach, discusses his upbringing, including how sports became a bridge to learning and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Tune in to hear more about his entrepreneurial mindset and how he developed the attitude of “Get the job done." Stick around as he and Shawn recount some of the courageous conversations they’ve had about treating everyone with dignity, building trust, and making the greatest impact.
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OA Vault: Time
09/01/2025 Duración: 11minListen in as Shawn recaps a previous speaking engagement at Tuskegee University, part of their career readiness program, College Transition: Student-Athlete Edition. Shawn and other OA team members speak with current student-athletes about the importance of utilizing your time because the time to plan for your future is today.
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OA Vault: Ryan Jacoby
02/01/2025 Duración: 22minTune in as Shawn talks to Ryan Jacoby, a graduate student and offensive lineman at Pitt! An Ohio native, Jacoby grew up as a football fan, but didn’t start playing until middle school. Tune in to hear his mixed feelings about Lebron James and how OA has positively impacted both him and the young student-athletes he coached this summer.
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OA Vault: Small Wins
26/12/2024 Duración: 45minOur first ever repeat guest, Rafael Araujo-Lopes, is a former Pitt student-athlete and OA intern, coach, and program manager. Now a sales representative at Stryker, a medical technology company, he discusses what he’s been up to since we last heard from him on the podcast and explains why so many of his fellow Pitt grads go on to also work at Stryker. Stick around as he shares the importance of having good coaches and reflects on some of the most impactful people he met during his time at Pitt.
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OA Vault: Building Trust with Kevin Acklin
19/12/2024 Duración: 14minIn this episode, Shawn sits down with Kevin Acklin, President of Business Operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Acklin shares his journey from growing up in South Oakland to leading one of the NHL’s most iconic franchises, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and trust on and off the ice. He also discusses the Penguins’ efforts to build trust with their community, the value of consistently showing up, and the leadership qualities that unite people in sports and beyond.
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Episode 123: DJ Moyer — Balancing the Game and Life
12/12/2024 Duración: 31minToday, Shawn sits down with DJ Moyer, a student-athlete and OA intern, who shares his journey through college sports and academics. A first-generation college student, DJ opens up about balancing life as a student-athlete, offering tips for staying ahead of schoolwork and shedding light on the transfer portal experience. Our first football intern to manage his internship during the season, DJ also discusses his time with Orange Arrow, from the benefits he has received from mentoring youth to his favorite activities to do with the kids.
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Episode 122: Sam Novelli
05/12/2024 Duración: 30minIn this episode, host Shawn Robinson chats with Sam Novelli, who first joined Orange Arrow as a middle schooler through the OA12 program. Now a college student, Sam reflects on his journey, sharing his "superpowers," fondest OA memories, and his passion for music and education. This heartfelt episode offers a glimpse into their relationship over the years and highlights the lasting impact Orange Arrow has had on Sam's life and growth.
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OA Vault: Full Circle
28/11/2024 Duración: 35minJoin Shawn for a full circle moment with Barry Frierson, our first grade school participant turned OA coach. Tune in as he recounts his journey from being a young student-athlete to now coaching at his elementary alma mater in Pittsburgh. He also delves into his entrepreneurial pursuits and his commitment to mentoring, ensuring every OA participant receives the same invaluable experiences he did.
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OA Vault: The Spirit of the OA Brand
21/11/2024 Duración: 40minRJ Thompson is the driving force behind Orange Arrow’s “cool factor.” By day, he serves as the Manager of Digital Strategy in the Health Sciences at Pitt and teaches at Pitt, the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), Point Park University, and West Virginia University. A longtime supporter, RJ is the creative mind behind the evolution of the OA brand and various OA projects, including launching this podcast. Tune in to hear how Captain America inspired his career in graphic design, and stay to discover how he listens to stories to capture the spirit of OA in his designs.
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Episode 121: Securing the Keynote
14/11/2024 Duración: 14minJoin us for Episode 121, where Shawn dives into the behind-the-scenes journey of securing the opening keynote speaker for the Orange Arrow Symposium in Sports (OASIS). Don’t miss this inside look at bringing the vision of OASIS to life!
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OA Vault: Hank Poteat
07/11/2024 Duración: 01h03minHank Poteat is the cornerbacks coach for the Iowa State Cyclones. In this role, he not only coaches but also mentors and develops his players to be more than just an athlete. Tune in to hear about his 10-year NFL career, which included a Super Bowl win, and the unique opportunity he had to play in the final game at two iconic Pittsburgh stadiums.