The Unity Center & Marian Leadership Initiative present Talk it Out Tuesday: The Podcast. Every episode, Directors Marisa Zambrano and Angelica Smith kick back with a student to talk real about leadership, culture, and wellbeing. It’s honest, cross-cultural conversation that helps you grow, connect, and show up as your best self on campus and beyond.
Marisa sits down with Niky Quezada, Senior Engineering student and former Marian Soccer Player. Niky shares how her faith has helped her on her journey from leaving home and her family in Mexico to dealing with injuries while playing soccer and learning to put her "trust in the Lord" for all of it.
24 Mar 2026
Episode 9: Sharing the "Keys to the Doors"
Discussing Peace and Justice, Marisa sits down and speaks with Anuar Velazquez, Dean of Students at Herron High School. He shares his career journey as a Law Enforcement officer now working to earn his PHD in Urban Education with a focus on Counseling. He shares his educational journey and what led him to work in education. Navigating "Self-Belief."
17 Feb 2026
Episode 8: The Trailblazer Mindset with Cassie Mitchell
Angelica & Marisa sit down with Cassie Mitchell, senior graphic design and communication major, about blending art, leadership, and community on campus. From leading in UBI and working several campus jobs to creating murals and bringing people together through theater, Cassie shares how she balances it all, stays grounded, and uses her creativity to make an impact. In honor of Black History Month, she reflects on what it means to take up space as a Black creative and inspire connection through her work.
17 Feb 2026
Episode 7: Onward & Upward with Demetree Jones
Angelica sits down with Demetree Jones--senior mechanical engineering major, Alpha Phi Alpha chapter president, and student-athlete--to talk about perseverance when things don't go as planned. From leading through low engagement to navigating a tough end to an undefeated football season, Demetree reflects on what it means to carry responsibility, manage ego, and keep showing up when it would be easier not to. During Black History Month, this conversation centers resilience, brotherhood, and the kind of leadership that's built in pressure.
5 Feb 2026
Episode 6: Rooted in Reflection
In this special episode, we turn the mic over to the voices from the Transformational Leadership & Service Conference (TLSC), which happened at Marian University on January 19, 2026. This is an annual tradition at Marian University in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Student host Blessing Malunga connects with conference attendees, workshop speakers, university staff, and administrators to capture their biggest takeaways—from meaningful moments of service to personal definitions of transformational leadership. Through these reflections, we explore how leadership shows up in action, community, and everyday choices, and how TLSC continues to shape the way Marian leads and serves. See interview timestamps below:
0:00—Welcome & Conference Overview
2:53—Interviewer Introduction
4:21—Sergio Palacio-Ornelas
7:19—Kalyn Rudow
10:44—President Daniel Elsener
15:32—Demetree Jones
18:06—Zion Dawson-El
22:27—Dr. Jennifer Plumlee
25:59—Peter Waning
29:19—Jadyn Akers
32:39—Tori Williams
37:10—MacKenzie Harless
41:32—Jerson Medina
46:21—Marisa Zambrano
51:14—Christian Yataco
54:59—Lian Fernandez
58:44—David Esquivo
1:01:29—Linny Rousseau
1:05:11—David Gibson
13 Jan 2026
Episode 5: Stewardship, SGA & Speaking Up w/ Jadyn Akers
Happy new year! We're kicking off 2026 with Jadyn, SGA Vice President of Unity & Access. Angelica chats with her about her leadership journey at Marian, how she uses her voice to empower her fellow students, and her work on the Transformational Leadership & Service conference planning committee. Don't forget to register for the conference on January 19, 2026, at the Evans Center from 8AM-4PM! Registration Link: https://marian.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6XdGBmZGKJvdkwe?_gl=1*2znfdl*_gcl_au*MTk0MjM4ODc4LjE3NjI4MDYyNzI.*_ga*MTMyNTM1MDg5MS4xNzYxODUyMTEz*_ga_FEF5Q4C1FJ*czE3NjgyMzU4NDQkbzQkZzAkdDE3NjgyMzU4NDYkajU4JGwwJGgw (https://marian.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6XdGBmZGKJvdkwe?_gl=1*2znfdl*_gcl_au*MTk0MjM4ODc4LjE3NjI4MDYyNzI.*_ga*MTMyNTM1MDg5MS4xNzYxODUyMTEz*_ga_FEF5Q4C1FJ*czE3NjgyMzU4NDQkbzQkZzAkdDE3NjgyMzU4NDYkajU4JGwwJGgw)
Timestamps:
0:00 - Welcome & Guest Introduction
3:11 - Franciscan Value of the Week
5:39 - Jadyn's Interview
28:41 - Current Events Discussion
39:21 - Game - "Access or Excess"
45:27 - Conference Details & Upcoming Events Announcements
50:09 - Angelica's Final Question & Pod Wrap-Up
16 Dec 2025
Episode 4: Routine to Remarkable w/ Lian Fernandez
On this episode, Marisa & Angelica sit down with Lian Fernandez to talk student involvement, leadership, and community. Lian shares what it's really like balancing life as a student, athlete, and leader, how she shows up in her organizations, and what it means to advocate for her community with intention. As our final episode of 2025, we also take time to reflect on the year and dream a little about what's ahead in 2026. If you've ever wondered how to get involved on campus and avoid burnout, this episode is for you.
30 Nov 2025
Episode 3: "God Don't Care About Gucci" w/ Diamond Williams
'Tis the season of giving back! This week, Marisa and Angelica sit down with Diamond Williams, a senior with a heart for service who challenges all of us to think about how we can be a light for others. Diamond talks about growing up in community service, taking the lead on mission trips abroad, and launching her own service-based organization. She also reflects on her Marian experience and gets real about what servant leadership looks like in everyday life—and how we can all show up for our communities with intention.
11 Nov 2025
Discussing Resilience
For our second episode, Marisa and Angelica sit down with Christian Yataco, 2nd year MU Soccer player and P.E. Student. We discussed how Christian was able to bounce back after experiencing some major challenges, both physical and emotional. We talked about the meaning of resilience; how do we recover and grow stronger when facing challenges? Why is being resilient an important leadership quality?
31 Oct 2025
PILOT
For our first episode, Marisa and Angelica sit down with Madi Brubaker, the Unity Center's Peer Engagement Student Manager. We discussed how Madi makes meaning of transformational leadership, her early experience facilitating Talk it Out Tuesday programs in the Unity Center, and the importance of leading with self-awareness.
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