Welcome to ACCESS GRANTED

In this latest episode of Access Granted, Renato Paiva, the CEO of Access Youth Academy, interviews former Major League Baseball player Nick Hundley. Nick discusses his journey, including his upbringing, early sports involvement, and professional baseball career spanning 12 seasons. He highlights the importance of competition, mental preparation, and the value of empathy in leadership. Nick shares his transition to working with the Texas Rangers, emphasizing the need for continuous learning and adaptation. He also reflects on the significance of sports in personal development, community building, and overcoming challenges, drawing parallels to his own experiences and the lessons he imparts to his children. The conversation revolves around the lessons learned from overcoming challenges in sports and life. Nick discusses the impact of having a tough coach and how it can shape future decisions and life choices. Renato shares a story about sending his daughter Marina to a tough tournament in Brazil, emphasizing the value of hardship and resilience. Nick Hundley reflects on his minor league experience, highlighting the hardships but also the reward of achieving his professional goals. The discussion concludes with Nick encouraging young athletes to persevere through adversity, as the effort is ultimately worth it.

Introduction of Nick Hundley

• Renato introduces Nick Hundley, a former major league baseball player, highlighting his 12-season career, his work with the Texas Rangers, and his role as a father of two girls.
• Nick Hundley expresses gratitude for being on the podcast and reminisces about his days playing squash with the host, Renato Paiva.
• Nick shares his background, mentioning his parents' long marriage, his father's career as a college football coach, and the values of competition and winning instilled in him from an early age.
• Nick describes his family's frequent moves across different states and his early involvement in various sports, including baseball, track, tennis, basketball, and wrestling.

Nick's Early Baseball Career

• Nick recounts his early days playing baseball, influenced by his older brother Jake, who was a wrestler and aerospace engineer.
• He shares how his mother supported his sports activities, taking him to the field and allowing him to condition with the team from a young age.
• Nick's father, a college football coach, taught him the importance of competition and winning, which helped him develop a strong work ethic and mindset.
• Renato Paiva recalls Nick's father's involvement in his baseball training and the intense focus Nick had as a catcher from a young age.

Nick's College Experience and Professional Baseball Journey

• Nick discusses his decision to attend the University of Arizona instead of joining the major leagues, influenced by his parents' emphasis on education.
• He shares his experience of being drafted in the fifth round by the Marlins and his father's negotiation tactics to secure a better deal.
• Nick explains the rule that prohibits players from being drafted out of high school and the benefits of attending college for three years before being eligible for the draft.
• He describes his time at the University of Arizona, meeting his wife Amy, and the supportive environment of the baseball team, which included several players who later played in the major leagues.

Nick's Professional Baseball Career with the Padres

• Nick talks about being drafted by the Padres in the second round in 2005 and his initial excitement about playing for a major league team.
• He recounts the challenges of playing for a team that had to cut payroll after being sold and the support he received from manager Bud Black.
• Nick shares his experience of playing in the minor leagues and the quick progression to the...

Welcome to ACCESS GRANTED

In this latest episode of Access Granted, Renato Paiva, the CEO of Access Youth Academy, interviews Peter Ahn, Chief Customer Officer at Tiger Beetle, and discusses his journey from Korea to the U.S., his education at Stanford, and his career in tech sales. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity in sales, advocating for building human connections over automation. Ahn shares his experiences at Google, Dropbox, and Slack, highlighting his decision to prioritize values over financial gains. He also discusses the impact of AI on sales and the necessity of hard work and genuine interactions. Ahn offers advice to young people, stressing the value of overcoming obstacles and the importance of dedication in achieving success.

Introduction of Peter Ahn

• Renato Paiva introduces Peter Ahn, the current Chief Customer Officer at Tiger Beetle, a tech sales coach, startup advisor, and Stanford graduate.
• Peter Ahn is noted for his unique perspective on leadership and sales, especially through the lens of his Korean background.
• Renato mentions meeting Peter at a basketball court and expresses admiration for his athletic skills.
• Peter Ahn thanks Renato and expresses his honor to be on the podcast, appreciating the community work Renato is doing.

Peter Ahn's Background and Early Life

• Peter Ahn shares his background, starting from his birth in Korea and moving to Rochester, New York, where his father was getting his PhD at the University of Rochester.
• Peter describes moving multiple times before settling in Palo Alto, California, and grappling with his identity as a Korean American in predominantly white areas.
• He attended Stanford University after moving to Palo Alto and worked at Google, Dropbox, and Slack, finding a passion for coaching early-stage startup founders on sales.
• Peter discusses his current role at Tiger Beetle, a company that powers real-time financial transactions, and his excitement about growing the company and brand.

Choosing Stanford and Early Career Challenges

• Peter explains his decision to attend Stanford, influenced by its proximity and the high pressure and competition in Palo Alto.
• He describes the challenges of adjusting to Stanford, including the high-pressure environment and the competitive nature of getting into prestigious schools.
• Peter shares his experience of being rejected from consulting and investment banking jobs after graduating from Stanford and how he almost didn't get into Google due to a technical error.
• He credits his best friend, who was an intern at Google, for helping him get an interview and eventually land his first job at Google.

Sports and Extracurricular Activities

• Peter talks about his involvement in sports, including playing tennis in high school and basketball in college.
• He shares his experience of coaching the JV girls tennis team and his initial interest in rowing crew at Stanford.
• Peter recounts how he ended up joining the cheerleading team at Stanford, initially as a challenge and later as a passion, traveling with various sports teams and enjoying the experience.
• He reflects on the importance of sports and extracurricular activities in his life and how they shaped his identity and interests.

Transition to Sales and Authentic Sales

• Peter discusses his transition from Google to a career in sales, initially handling chat and phone support for advertisers.
• He explains his love for pivoting conversations based on the needs and emotions of different people and how this led him to explore enterprise sales.
• Peter shares a story about creating a television commercial for a client, which helped him understand the creative aspects of sales and the importance of expanding customers' mindsets.
• He emphasizes the concept...

Welcome to ACCESS GRANTED

In this latest episode of Access Granted, Renato Paiva, the CEO of Access Youth Academy interviews Hugh Davies who shared his journey from South Africa to the U.S., highlighting his family's move due from apartheid and his education at Princeton and Groton. He discussed his career in art, including his dissertation on Francis Bacon and his 33-year tenure at the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art. Davies emphasized the importance of perseverance and family, recounting how he balanced work with personal life. He also discussed his involvement with Access Youth Academy, where he supports young people through education and sports. Davies' story underscores the power of sports and education in fostering resilience and community impact.

Achievements

• Hugh Davies worked as the director of the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art (now Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego) for 33 years.
• Davies has been involved with Access Youth Academy for about 10 years.
• Renato Paiva has been working with Access Youth Academy for 19 years.

Introduction to the Access Granted Podcast

• Renato introduces the Access Granted podcast, emphasizing its focus on stories of hope, perseverance, inspiration, and impact.
• The podcast aims to explore the lives of guests, their pivotal moments, and how they became difference makers in their communities.
• Renato highlights Mandela's words on the power of sports as a catalyst for social change and a universal language.
• The podcast promises to feature guests from various walks of life, sharing their unique stories of opportunity, resilience, and impact.

Hugh Davies' Early Life and Family Background

• Renato welcomes Hugh Davies to the podcast and asks him to share his life story, starting from his childhood.
• Hugh Davies was born in South Africa in a town named Grant's Town, which later changed its name to Maconda.
• His father, a British soldier, moved to Rhodes University to start a department of divinity and theology, but had to leave due to the introduction of apartheid in South Africa.
• The family moved to Oxford, England, where Hugh's father taught at Mansfield College, and later to Princeton, New Jersey, where Hugh attended school and experienced a significant cultural shift.

Hugh's Education and Early Sports Involvement

• Hugh attended Groton Prep School in New England on a scholarship, where he played various sports like cricket, rugby, and field hockey.
• He later moved to Princeton University, where he played squash and was part of the undefeated freshman squash team.
• Hugh's father had a sabbatical in Cambridge, England, where Hugh attended an English school and enjoyed playing sports, which he couldn't do in the fully integrated school in the US.
• Hugh's experience at Groton and Princeton shaped his love for sports and his academic journey.

Hugh's Academic and Professional Journey

• Hugh graduated from Princeton in 1970 and decided to pursue graduate studies to avoid being drafted during the Vietnam War.
• He spent a year in London researching British painter Francis Bacon, securing first-person interviews with the artist.
• Hugh returned to the US, completed his dissertation, and started working at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst as the founding director of the University Museum of Contemporary Art.
• He later taught modern and contemporary art at Amherst College and co-taught a course with his first wife.

Transition to California and Career at the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art

• Hugh took a sabbatical and traveled to Rwanda and Israel before receiving a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts to study museums and galleries in Southern California.
• He...

Welcome to ACCESS GRANTED

In this latest episode of Access Granted, Renato Paiva, the CEO of Access Youth Academy interviews Walter Green who shares his life journey on the Access Granted podcast, highlighting his 29-year segments: a struggling childhood, a business career, and a phase of service. He discusses his father's impact, his own career in the hospitality industry, and his transition to philanthropy. Green emphasizes the importance of expressing gratitude while people are alive, leading to the creation of the Say It Now movement, which has inspired over 10 million expressions of appreciation globally. He also praises Access Youth Academy for its mission, leadership, and success in helping underserved kids achieve higher education.

Walter Green's Early Life and Career Journey

• Reanto welcomes Walter Green to the Axis Youth Academy and expresses excitement about discussing his life story.
• Walter Green reflects on his life, describing his early years as a struggle marked by frequent moves due to his father's business ventures and health issues.
• He recounts his father's dream of owning a dude ranch in the Adirondacks, which led to financial difficulties and frequent relocations.
• Walter shares the impact of his father's heart attack and subsequent death, which influenced his early adulthood and career choices.

Career Transitions and Business Success

• Walter discusses his various jobs in his 20s, including working in the CPA field, food service, and hotel business.
• He describes his transition to a startup company in the executive conference center field, which became a successful business.
• Walter explains his decision to sell the company at 59 and move to the West Coast to focus on serving others through nonprofit work.
• He highlights his involvement in projects like the Institute of Science and his work in Kenya, emphasizing his commitment to serving others.

The Concept of Serving Others

• Reanto inquires about Walter's motivation for serving others, particularly in his later years.
• Walter explains that his entire life has been about serving in different forms, whether in business or nonprofit work.
• He emphasizes the importance of working with people he loves and the evolution of his service work to have no commercial application.
• Walter shares his belief that everyone has been given something by someone, and it's important to acknowledge and express gratitude.

The Say It Now Movement

• Reanto introduces Walter's Say It Now movement, which encourages people to express gratitude to those who have made a significant impact on their lives.
• Walter explains the inspiration behind the movement, which stemmed from his own experience of publicly acknowledging his friends' impact on his life.
• He describes the process of visiting 44 people to tell them how they had influenced him, leading to the creation of his book.
• Walter highlights the impact of the movement, which has inspired millions of expressions of gratitude globally.

Impact of the Say It Now Movement

• Walter shares the success of the Say It Now movement, including its reach in 83 countries and over 80,000 schools.
• He explains the importance of expressing gratitude while the person is alive, as it provides a meaningful experience for both the giver and receiver.
• Walter discusses the role of technology, such as Zoom, in facilitating the movement during the pandemic.
• He emphasizes the power of the movement to change lives and the positive feedback he has received from people who have participated.

Walter's Personal Reflections and Future Plans

• Walter reflects on his personal journey and the importance of having a supportive partner, like his wife Lola, throughout his...

Welcome to ACCESS GRANTED

In this latest episode of Access Granted, Renato Paiva, the CEO of Access Youth Academy interviews Susan Taylor who shared her journey from growing up in New England to becoming a TV news anchor, highlighting her experiences in Edmonton, Hartford, Dallas, and San Diego. She recounted a significant hostage crisis incident where she negotiated with a hostage taker for five hours. Taylor transitioned to Scripps Health, where she produces YouTube videos and interviews doctors. She emphasized the importance of compassion and credibility in journalism. Taylor also discussed her involvement with Access Youth Academy, which supports low-income students in San Diego, and her excitement for squash becoming an Olympic sport in 2028.



Susan's Career Journey

• Susan recounts her visit to her cousin, a producer for NBC in New York, which sparked her interest in TV news.
• She describes her transition from the University of Colorado to Boston University, where she pursued a degree in public communication.
• Susan details her internships at an ABC station in Boston, which solidified her career path in TV news.
• She shares her first job in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where she co-produced the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games.

Susan's Experience in TV News

• Susan discusses her early career in Hartford and Dallas, and her move to San Diego, where she worked as a reporter and anchor.
• She highlights her experiences in Miami and Los Angeles before returning to San Diego.
• Susan emphasizes the importance of being a reporter and producer before becoming an anchor, as it provides a comprehensive understanding of the news process.
• She shares her experiences of being in dangerous situations, such as being shot at and driving through wildfires, and how these experiences shaped her career.

The Hostage Crisis Incident

• Susan recounts a significant incident where she was involved in a five-hour negotiation with a hostage taker.
• She describes how the hostage taker called the newsroom, and she was tasked with negotiating with him.
• Susan shares how the hostage escaped through a second-story window, and the hostage taker later took his own life.
• She reflects on the experience, noting how it changed her perspective on interviewing and the importance of compassion in journalism.

Susan's Transition to Scripps Health

• Susan explains her transition from TV news to Scripps Health, driven by her desire to spend more time with her family.
• She shares her father's complicated heart surgery and the exceptional care he received at Scripps.
• Susan praises the culture of Scripps, describing it as a giving culture focused on patient care.
• She discusses her current role at Scripps, where she produces YouTube videos and interviews doctors, highlighting advancements in healthcare.

Susan's Involvement with Access Youth Academy

• Susan talks about her involvement with Access Youth Academy, an organization that provides academic and athletic opportunities to low-income students in San Diego.
• She emphasizes the organization's commitment to supporting students through college and into the workforce.
• Susan shares her excitement about the inclusion of squash in the 2028 Olympics and the potential for Access Youth Academy students to participate.
• She reflects on the impact of Access Youth Academy on its students, noting their academic and athletic achievements.

Susan's Message to Young People

• Susan encourages young people to go for their dreams, despite the obstacles they may face.
• She advises...

Welcome to ACCESS GRANTED

In this latest episode of Access Granted, Renato Paiva, the CEO of Access Youth Academy, and his co-host Michael Castro interview Robin Toft, who shares her journey from Detroit to becoming a successful executive in the biotech industry. She emphasizes the importance of following one's intuition and building a strong personal brand. Robin discusses her career transitions, from medical technology to sales, and her pivotal moment when she was diagnosed with cancer at 45, leading her to focus on diversity in cancer care. She highlights the significance of AI in drug discovery and diagnostics. Robin also advocates for impact investing in female-led companies and supports cancer research through organizations like CureBound. She advises young people to foster connections and find their purpose.


Introduction of Robin Toft

• Renato Paiva introduces Robin Toft, a long-time friend and co-host of the podcast, and invites her to share her story.
• Robin Toft begins by recounting her early life in Detroit, Michigan, describing her working-class upbringing and the influence of her parents.
• Robin shares her early realization that she did not want to follow the traditional path of marriage and children, opting instead for a big life and career.
• She discusses the role models in her life, including her uncle who became a CEO and her aunt who encouraged her to pursue education and a career.

Robin's Early Career and Education

• Robin describes her early interest in sports, particularly water skiing, and how it built her confidence.
• She recounts her high school experience, including her decision to become a cheerleader and captain of the team, despite having no prior experience in gymnastics.
• Robin shares her academic journey, including her decision to attend the University of Michigan despite her father's belief that girls did not need to go to college.
• She discusses the challenges and rewards of transferring from the University of Michigan to Michigan State University, where she found a better fit and earned a credential in medical technology.

Robin's Career Transition and Personal Growth

• Robin reflects on her early career in sales, driven by her love for talking about science and her desire to make more money.
• She shares her experience of being mentored by a sales head who taught her the three reasons rule for solution-based selling, which led to her success in sales.
• Robin discusses her realization that her career had been largely self-centered and her decision to focus on making a difference in the world.
• She recounts her battle with cancer at the age of 45, which led her to change her life's direction and focus on elevating diversity in the life science workforce.

Robin's Impact on Diversity and Cancer Care

• Robin explains her decision to build an executive search firm focused on cancer and diversity, and how it grew rapidly.
• She discusses the importance of diversity in enhancing business performance and the impact of her work on cancer care and precision medicine.
• Robin shares her involvement in various nonprofit boards and her commitment to impact investing in female-led companies and cancer research.
• She emphasizes the importance of following one's passion and purpose in life, and how her work has been fulfilling and meaningful.

Robin's Philosophy on Life and Work

• Robin reflects on the importance of intuition and following one's inner voice in making life decisions.
• She discusses the role of meditation and mindfulness in quieting the mind and achieving a sense of peace.
• Robin shares her daily routine, including early morning walks, yoga, and meditation, which help her maintain energy and...

Welcome to ACCESS GRANTED

In this latest episode of Access Granted, Renato Paiva, the CEO of Access Youth Academy and his co-host Michael Castro interview Blair Sadler, very beloved in our Access family, sharing his journey from New York City to becoming a leader in healthcare and education. He discussed his early life, education at Amherst College, and his transition to law and medicine. Blair highlighted his collaboration with his brother, Fred, on legal and ethical issues in medicine. He detailed the founding of Access Youth Academy, an urban squash program in San Diego, and its challenges, including securing funding and facilities. Sadler emphasized the importance of resilience, mentorship, and impacting lives through education and sports. He also promoted his book, "(P)LUCK," co-authored with his brother.

Blair Sadler's Early Life and Education

• Blair Sadler shares his birth in 1941 in New York City and his upbringing in Allentown, Pennsylvania, highlighting his parents' influence on intellectual curiosity and learning.
• Blair recounts his early exposure to music, nature, and sports, including his mother's involvement in music and his father's interest in science and nature.
• He describes his academic journey, starting from public schools, attending Amherst College, and his involvement in squash, emphasizing the importance of collaboration over competition.
• Blair's experience at Amherst, including his transition from tennis to squash and his rise to the varsity team, is detailed, showcasing his passion for the sport.

Transition to Law School and Early Career

• Blair discusses his decision to attend the University of Pennsylvania Law School and his continued involvement in squash, highlighting the transition from hardball to softball squash.
• He shares his experience teaching tennis in summer programs, emphasizing the importance of communication and dealing with challenging students.
• Blair recounts a memorable teaching experience at Stanton Junior High School in Wilmington, Delaware, where he had to clean a broken glass-covered court and teach basic tennis skills to diverse students.
• The emotional impact of his teaching experience and his love for working with kids are highlighted, setting the stage for his future in education and mentorship.

Collaboration with His Brother and Early Professional Success

• Blair and his brother Fred collaborate on a legal and ethical study of the Good Samaritan problem, presenting their findings at Mass General Hospital.
• They receive mentorship and encouragement from Anthony Amsterdam at Penn Law School, leading to their pursuit of their idea despite their lack of experience.
• Blair and Fred secure a position with the US Public Health Service, working on organ donation and transplantation laws, which are widely adopted by states.
• Their work at Yale and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is highlighted, showcasing their ability to create and implement significant health care programs.

Transition to Scripps Clinic and Children's Hospital

• Blair joins Scripps Clinic in La Jolla, California, as Vice President, Director of Hospital, and later becomes President and CEO of Children's Hospital.
• He emphasizes the importance of providing healthcare to all children, regardless of their ability to pay, and his role in expanding the hospital's services.
• Blair's involvement in the renaming of Children's Hospital to Rady Children's Hospital is discussed, highlighting the impact of a major donor, Ernest Rady.
• His transition from hospital management to healthcare leadership is framed as a natural progression of his commitment to helping children and improving healthcare systems.

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