James Protin on LinkedIn: Inside Team USA’s World Championship Journey | The James Protin Podcast (2024)

EBTEHAL BADAWIEpisode 119“How do you build bridges between people?”Our guest for Episode 119 is Ebtehal Badawi an esteemed expressionist artist and dedicated culture explorer, embodies the transformative power of art. Her fervent belief in art as a potent healer and a bridge-builder has been a source of inspiration for many. Through the Pittsburgh Builds Bridges project, she has crafted art installations that not only unite the community but also promote love and acceptance.Ebtehal's remarkable journey and her work's capacity to effect change are truly moving, ready to inspire anyone who encounters her story.Ebtehal Badawi was born in Saudi, Arabia. Ebtehal now resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Since she was in 5th grade, she always knew that she wanted to be an artist. However, she took a different path and got a bachelor’s degree in biology from King Abdul-Aziz University.During her journey, she joined the Malian Art Institute and learned different techniques in painting. The first thing everyone notices about her art is that it is colorful and uplifting. Her art has a big influence on people. She designed a poster for anti-bullying and anti-racism which was posted in different schools in the Pittsburgh area. This was aimed to help kids understand the power of unity. She was also a part of different art shows in Pittsburgh.Ebtehal is not just an artist but is a writer and a photographer as well. She enjoys going and spending time in nature and connecting with Mother Earth and writing about her experience. Her goal as an artist is to create art that would uplift peoples’ souls and connect with more artists to share the beauty and the magic of art.Ebtehal Badawi is also a 2022 Pittsburgh TEDx speaker.Pittsburgh Builds Bridges is a community outreach movement that encourages diversity, inclusion, and connection within the community using simple actions, the stroke of a paint brush, dialogue, and awareness.Ebtehal created this movement because her son endured bullying as a young child. Along with bullying, Ebtehal quickly realized that many children and adults felt like outsiders in their community because of their race, gender, language barrier, beliefs, etc. She decided that Pittsburgh Builds Bridges was not just a social movement for anti-bullying but was also about inclusion, diversity, acceptance, and cultivating community.Pittsburgh Builds Bridges has curated events that have brought together over 4,000 children and adults to create murals that embody unison and harmony and discuss how to build bridges in their communities. As always, the visually inclined can catch it on YouTube, or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. #JamesProtinPodcast #PittsburghBuildsBridges#ThePersonintheChair#TrueStory#stopbullying#DiversityInclusionBelonging#LiveLoveLearnPrayInspire

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My friends, I cannot think of a better way to spend your lunch hour. I’m looking forward to participating in what I’m sure will be enlightening discussion. #LiveLoveLearnPrayInspire

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Wise words from my friend Kate Matz:“Let's support each other's causes and make a positive impact together.”

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Join us for what will surely be a lively panel discussion at Ritual House. How do you build bridges between people?

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TEAM USA BALL HOCKEYEpisode 118“Champions’ Voices: Inside Team USA’s World Championship Journey”Our guests for Episode 118 are three young student athletes from our region, Caleb Horner, Collin Moffett, and Anthony Bonari. They are members of the Team USA U16 Ball Hockey tram that is traveling to Slovakia in a few weeks to compete in the world championships.Caleb and Collin are from Belle Vernon and in the 11th grade a Belle Vernon Area HS, while Anthony is from West Newton and attends Yough Area HS. These guys are no strangers to winning. In addition to last year‘s bronze medal, All three play other “mainstream“ sports. Caleb has been a member of the BVA football team that won back-to-back WPIAL and PIAA championships, Collin is a member of the Ringgold PIHL ice hockey championship team. Anthony is also a standout on the ice. You may know the sport as street or dek hockey. By whatever name, its popularity is growing around the world. All three our guests were members of the 2023 team that brought home a Bronze Medal from the Czech Republic.The 2024 edition of Team USA, led by Head Coach Willie Rennebeck and General Manager Ryan Shannon, will compete for the 2024 U16 World Junior Men's Ball Hockey Championships July 4-7 at Niké Arena in Žilina, Slovakia.The International Street & Ball Hockey Federation (ISBHF) is the global governing body of Street & Ball Hockey. Headquartered and registered in Prague, Czech Republic as a non-profit organization. The organization has 55 national associations from around the eorkd as members. Ball Hockey is a team sport and a close variation of the popular sport of ice hockey. With origins and rules tightly connected to ice hockey, the major differences are that the game is played on foot and a solid surface, most often sport-court or concrete, and a specifically designed orange ball is used instead of a puck.All ISBHF official events are held in full sized hockey arenas. Check out this interesting conversation with three of our own young men who are representing our country and competing on a global stage. As always, the visually inclined can catch it on YouTube, or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. #JamesProtinPodcast #thepersoninthechair #TeamUSA #ISBHF #LiveLoveLearnPrayInspire

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JAIME CHESNEYEpisode 117“The Fighter” Our guest for Episode 117 is Jaime Chesney Jaime has excelled in a variety of roles in her professional life, including Vice President of Sales and Digital Marketing, New Business Development Director, Sales Director, Executive Advertising Consultant, Account Executive, Digital Media Specialist, Keynote Speaker, and Inside Sales Trainer. Her expertise spans industries such as advertising, marketing, real estate, education, and automotive.Drawing from her diverse background, Jaime has honed her ability to adapt creatively and resourcefully to her clients' ever-evolving needs. Her client-centric approach is deeply rooted in the unwavering principles of integrity and professionalism she upholds in her own life. Consequently, her clients are consistently impressed by her exceptional dedication to providing top-tier representation.Jaime is eagerly engaged in a mission to revamp the Pittsburgh real estate market by promoting the integration of environmentally sustainable materials, ensuring a brighter future for the next generation. Serving as a Real Estate advisor for both home buyers and sellers, Jaime seeks to demonstrate that luxury services can and should be built on a foundation of ethical principles.Beyond her commitment to the Pittsburgh real estate landscape, Jaime is a dedicated martial artist with a journey that commenced in 1996 with Muay Thai Kickboxing and Boxing. Through relentless determination, she achieved the title of International Muay Thai champion in 2000, in addition to other regional championships. Jaime also holds the prestigious position of an Official Judge with the Pennsylvania and West Virginia State Athletic Commissions.In 2016, she launched the Kicks4kids program, a complimentary martial arts initiative focused on fitness, self-defense, empowerment, and life skills. Jaime’s latest endeavor is a nonprofit dedicated to stopping human trafficking, rape, and child abuse. More can be learned at roadtoheal.orgAs always, the visually inclined can catch it on YouTube, or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. #JamesProtinPodcast #ThePersonIntheChair#TrueStory#MuayThai#Kicks4Kids#LiveLoveLearnPrayInspire

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Good morning everyone: Keep being you…To feel loved for who you are is the most sacred feeling in life. On the surface, we are unique in every way, we’re all different. That’s by design…it’s intentional. That’s why we need to dig a little deeper beneath the surface, and get to the heart of the matter. The heart…your heart and mine. Our hearts know that we have more similarities than our minds may think. Our authentic selves live in our hearts. The first step on the journey of self-discovery that leads to your heart can be intimidating. We don’t know what we’ll find there. All we know is that despite what the world is telling us…in our heart we will find the truth. What if we discover that the world has been lying to us?When you go deeper into yourself, you’ll see past surface-level differences, to the fundamental similarities that unite us. You’ll see you and I’ll see me…and we’ll see each other for who we are. We’ll see just how easy it is to love each other for who we are. Look at life and everyone you meet while you’re living it through your heart. Believe what it shows you. When you view life through your heart, you tap into a more genuine understanding of yourself and others. An understanding that makes “being you” not quite as scary. Thus, being you, staying true to yourself, involves trusting your heart’s insight and embracing both your individuality and commonality with others.We can accept one another. We can respect one another. We can love one another. I’m not naive…far from it. I understand we have our differences, but I’ve learned to embrace each person I meet for who they are and to seek out our commonalities. And I always find something…Listen to your heart. Hear its calling and feel its pull. Though limitless, your heart contracts and becomes small when filled with more anger than love. It doesn’t concern itself with society’s messages to your brain. Instead, focus on what your heart is grateful for.#LiveLoveLearnPrayInspire #ThePersonintheChair #TrueStory #365DaysofLove #keepdoingyou #444

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Looking forward to closing out a busy week by filming a few new episodes of The James Protin Podcast at our favorite place, Chicco Baccello in Canonsburg, with our favorite people. The Lineup:William “Will” TopraniEbtehal Badawi Ed Troup and Brian Carothers USA U16 National Ball Hockey Team#JamesProtinPodcast #ThePersonintheChair #TrueStory #LiveLoveLearnPrayInspire

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We are honored to be part of the CHROME Federal Credit Union family. Great people making a significant positive impact in our communities. #LiveLoveLearnPrayInspire

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