Launched in October 2020, How We Bounce Back is about fostering positive human connection and sharing stories of overcoming adversity. The purpose of this show is to drive meaningful conversations, share funny and light-hearted moments, elevate diverse voices who have walked widely different paths on this Earth, and remind you that you are not alone when facing rough patches.
We’re all here to succeed in this life’s journey, together as a collective humanity.
S3 Ep6: An Actor’s Ascent - #27
Rhandy Torres, a decorated actor in film & TV, provides insight into his work with The Cleaning Lady on FOX, Master Chief: Part 1, his first feature film in the Philippines, and more!
S3 Ep5: A Passion for Artistry - #26
Marita de Lara, a seasoned actor in film, TV, and commercials... shares her experience working for This Is Us, General Hospital, Hawaii Five-0, and more. Marita also takes a deep dive into her long career as an artist, including stand-up comedy, dancing, pilates, and taking a step back from her career to raise her kids.
S3 Ep4: Hair & Makeup Artist - #25
Maddie Sword, a licensed esthetician, details the challenges of freelancing and finding job stability. All the while improving her clients’ confidence with her passion for hair & makeup styling.
S3 Ep3: Acting, Directing & Writing - #24
Actor & Director, Evie Abat, shares how she defines failures and successes in her film, TV, and theatre work. From taking the stage in Washington D.C. to directing her first short film in LA, Evie prevents any limitations from holding her back.
S3 Ep2: Stand-Up Comedy, Podcasting & Marathon Running - #23
Fellow podcaster, Tyrone “Champ” Smith of Player Won Podcast, talks through his 8-year journey in LA. From stand-up comedy at The Comedy Store to coaching the youth with the LA Clippers, Champ’s long list of accomplishments is met with setbacks that never kept him down.
S3 Ep01: Why We’re Back, A New Life in Film - #22
Our host, James C. Velasquez, explains why the show disappeared and why it's back.
S2 Ep10: NICU Nursing & Legal Nurse Consulting - #21
Andrew Velasquez is a NICU Nurse at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He also runs his own business: Velasquez Legal Nurse Consulting. Andrew discusses his approach on starting a business and having an introverted personality, caring for babies in the NICU department, and his passion for being in the healthcare system. Andrew also plays a game of “Picture Association” looking at pictures of his favorite (and random) people and describing what they mean to him.
S2 Ep9: Hometown Teacher - #20
As a high school teacher at his alma mater, Kyle Geck is a community leader to his peers and his students. Kyle goes deeper into his day-to-day life as an educator and discusses helping the quieter students in the class, positioning student-athletes for success in or outside of sports, and places an emphasis on students supporting each other. As a former US history/world history teacher, the tables have turned on the teacher and Kyle plays a trivia game on US history to test his own knowledge of the subject.
S2 Ep8: Global Marketing & Brand Partnerships - #19
James Namude is an experienced marketing professional and currently a Senior Product Marketing Manager at Amazon. He was also the Director of Global Sponsorships and Brand Partnerships at Brand USA, working in the travel and entertainment industry for nearly a decade. James discusses his journey working at Brand USA during the start-up days and the impact that his career at Amazon has on helping other people. Lastly, James plays a game of “Picture Association” looking at pictures of his favorite (and random) people and describing what they mean to him.
S2 Ep7: Product Design & Living in NYC - #18
Talented and well-spoken product designer, Tina Phan, drops all the rules when it comes to valuing careers and how they shouldn’t define us. She also discusses the mental toll after hitting a low point living in NYC, the feelings of guilt living far away from her parents and family, and her overall development settling in a big city. Tina also plays a classic game of trivia, answering random questions as if it was trivia night at an East Village local bar.
S2 Ep6: Occupational Therapy & Heart Health - #17
American Heart Association’s Real Women 2021 ambassador and Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Student, Devon Brzezynski, shares an emotional story of heart health from before she was born through today. Along with raising awareness for women’s heart health, Devon also details the steps she took getting into a Doctoral program after many tries. Devon also plays a game “Lightening Scavenger Hunt”, showcasing random items around the house.
S2 Ep5: Teaching in Elementary School - #16
An elementary school teacher in Las Vegas, Ms. Bernadette Rulloda, shares her deep connection and joys of being an educator for children, bouncing back from a difficult time in teaching, and the funniest stories about her students. Bernie also shares an incredible story, detailing the steps and hurdles she endured transitioning from an office job to becoming a teacher - with no previous educational background, the will to make her dreams happen.
S2 Ep4: Building a Career in Los Angeles - #15
Media Supervisor at OMD for the Apple TV account, Lauren McGee, joins us this week to discuss the skill sets you develop working for ad agencies in LA, long-term career ambitions, and experiencing racial biases in college and in the workplace. Lauren also plays a classic game of “Word Sneak” inspired by The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
S2 Ep3: The Journey of Becoming a Doctor - #14
A family physician at EVMS Norfolk, Doctor JB Navarro, joins us this week to discuss his journey in medical school and the years leading up to it. As a doctor, JB emphasizes the importance of health and ways to improve our quality of life. JB also plays a fun game of “Count the Calories” when looking at pictures of some “good” food and being a big fan of the Washington Football Team.
S2 Ep2: Navigating Fatherhood & Career - #13
Senior Product Manager, Devin Edwards, details how he finds his place working as a sales professional. At that same time, the fate of his life with his family started at his workplace. Devin shares his ways of developing confidence at work, the product he implemented and currently leads: Anthem's Virtual Second Opinion Program. A role model for young fathers, Devin discusses balancing his career and family, his IMMENSE love for sandwiches, and a hilarious game of answer the question or take a shot.
S2 Ep1: In Loving Memory of The Great Jaime “Jim” Velasquez - #12
We return for the Season 2 premiere in high honor of the beloved, Jim Velasquez, the father of our host James C. Velasquez. Jim's 1st son pays tribute by discussing his life entire life of love, family, friends, 22-year service in the US Navy, sacrifices, and stories of how his father bounced back.
S1 Ep11: Frontline Nurse, Coming to America, and Military Spouse - #11
In our season finale, Luz Velasquez joins us as our surprise guest and is the Mother of our Host James C. Velasquez. Luz reminisces on the fun times immigrating to America, being a frontline nurse going into the final years of her career, and coping with a military husband stationed abroad.
S1 Ep10: Grandparents, Toxic Work Culture, and Health - #10
Our guest host, Rose Mary Garcia, interviews her fiancée James C. Velasquez on similar questions he’s asked all season long.
S1 Ep9: Life Crossroads, Career, and Passion - #9
Bjorn Rulloda is a talented graphic designer for the Philadelphia Union. He has a passion for creating and designing sports-related content. After college, Bjorn went through 7 months of turmoil with no job, no income, and difficulties finding work where his passion was nearly sacrificed. This conversation is meaningful for those that have finished college and facing uncertainty as well as those at a standstill in life, especially with the ongoing pandemic.
S1 Ep8: Public Service, Mental Health, and Anxiety - #8
From humble beginnings in West Virginia to elevating her career in Security Studies & U.S. Policy, Olivia Vanway shares her willingness to be open and normalize sensitive issues: dealing with anxiety, how she takes advantage of time with herself and prioritizing mental health way before the pandemic started. As a Master's student at Georgetown University and currently living in Washington, DC - Olivia has aspirations to be a future leader for this country.