What does it take to help guide a school system that serves more than 180,000 students and manages a $4 billion budget?



For Melanie Meren, it started with showing up.



Serving her second term on the Fairfax County School Board, Melanie represents the Hunter Mill District and helps make decisions that shape the educational experience of families across one of the largest school systems in the nation.



In this episode, Melanie shares her path from engaged parent to community advocate to elected leader. We discuss the challenges and opportunities facing public education, why schools are the bedrock of thriving communities, and how parents, students, and residents can make their voices heard.



Most of all, Melanie reminds us that strong schools don't happen by accident. They happen when communities choose to get involved.



Learn more about Melanie's work at melaniemeren.com.

Melanie Meren, Fairfax County School Board

Antonia Le bridges yoga, mindfulness, and accessible wellness to create inclusive, community-centered spaces that blend mindful movement with real-life accessibility.



On this episode of the pod, Antonia stops by The Pod to walk through posture, breath, and mindfulness. Having found yoga in mid-life, I’ve always appreciated the space she gives each student to create real change, reminding us to meet ourselves with compassion and let yoga be a practice, not a quick fix.



Together, we explore how small, intentional shifts like grounding the body, refining the breath, and observing the mind can transform how we move through daily life. Drawing from her lifelong meditation background, Antonia shares practical ways to build awareness, regulate the nervous system, and reconnect with yourself in a way that’s sustainable, approachable, and human centered.

Antonia Le

Colton Turner is the founder of StudyHouse Education, an innovative academic support center helping students develop the study skills and executive functioning strategies they need to thrive.



With more than 17 years of experience working with students, Colton built StudyHouse to support learners who may struggle with organization, ADHD, or traditional classroom structures. With a background in psychology and a master’s degree in special education, he’s created a space where personalized guidance, skill-building, and confidence come together to help students reach their full potential.



Learn more about StudyHouse at www.studyhouseeducation.com

Colton Turner, Founder at StudyHouse Education

Matthew Burnell is the Founder and CEO of Clickbid, an event management software that provides nonprofits a "crazy simple" all-in-one platform for mobile bidding, ticketing, and donor engagement.



On this episode of the pod, Matthew and I contrast the capabilities of AI with human-centered fundraising, re-emphasizing that fundraising is rooted in emotional truth and that in-person events create a specific moment to give, allow storytelling, and restore context for donors. Matthew delves into a few tips and tricks around AI and the power it has provided him for product exploration, prototyping, and agentic coding, and how he learned early in his career that the work he would pursue would be technical with a social benefit.



Since 2002, Clickbid has raised over 200 million for over 2,000 clients across 5,000 events and they have played a central role in supporting my fundraising events over the years.



To learn more about Clickbid, visit https://try.cbo.io

Matthew Burnell, CEO & Founder of Clickbid

As we close out 2025, it is a pleasure to welcome April Monet to The Pod of DC. April is the founder of 48x and the 48 and Forward Foundation, focused on empowering individuals to create pathways for personal growth and impact.



On this episode, April shares her unique journey coming of age as a competitive athlete in the heartland of America and the challenges she faced along the way. After injuries sidelined a once-promising collegiate basketball career, April overcame depression and found new paths in healthcare, journalism, and eventually public relations. April shares the impact of her work with professional athletes, the importance of philanthropy in her business model, the evolution of PR, and her dedication to fostering financial literacy and personal growth among her clients.



To learn more about April's inspiring story of resilience, adaptability, and commitment to success with intention, visit the48x.com.

April Monet, Founder of 48X and the 48 & Forward Foundation

First jobs, first homes, weddings, and watching our kids grow from birthday candles to graduation caps—our lives are shaped by the moments that stitch our stories together. And for us bicentennial Gen X’ers, the next thread in the tapestry is the big 5-0h.



On this episode of the pod, Rick reconnects with friend and former college professor Michael Mafodda — a creative thought leader and storyteller — for a conversation about his weekly Substack newsletter, A Pirate Looks at Fifty. The title nods to Jimmy Buffett’s 1998 memoir of the same name, fittingly released the same year Michael and Rick graduated from JMU.



Michael's Music Monday posts blend nostalgia with wisdom—reflections from a man who’s spent half a century growing as a husband, father, professional, and man of faith. Exploring his playlist feels like taking a heartfelt journey through time, rich with lessons and a deep sense of gratitude.



Subscribe to Michael's weekly newsletter on Substack at https://apiratelooksat50.substack.com

A Pirate Looks at 50 — A Conversation with Michael Mafodda

"The President's Own" United States Marine Band isthe oldest professional musical organization in the United States, performing at the pleasure of the President since 1801. Performing at over 500 events annually, the Marine Bandbrings its renowned musical excellence to presidential inaugurations, state funerals, state arrival ceremonies, Friday Evening Parades, and throughout communities across the country during its Fall concert tour each October.

On this episode of the pod, Rick visits with Master Gunnery Sergeant Steven Timme to learn about his journey in the band which began in the early 2000s. Steven shares the band’s rich history, its role in state events, the band's auditioning process, the flexibility and variety of performances, and the deep connection music fosters within the community.



To learn more about the United States Marine Band, visithttps://www.marineband.marines.mil.

Master Gunnery Sergeant Steven Timme, United States Marine Band

"The President's Own" United States Marine Band is the oldest professional musical organization in the United States, performing at the pleasure of the President since 1801.

Performing at over 500 events annually, the Marine Band brings its renowned musical excellence to presidential inaugurations, state funerals, state arrival ceremonies, Friday Evening Parades, and throughout communities across the country during its Fall concert tour each October and November.

On this episode of the pod, Rick sits down with Master Sgt. Steven Temme upon his return from his Fall concert tour to learn about his journey to the Marine Corps band from his winning first in his solo competition as part of the Northern Arizona University Curry Summer Music Camp as a child, to studying in France under the tutelage of the some the world's most renowned musical instructors.

Steven shares what he finds to be the most interesting, and enjoyable parts of performing in this world renowned musical organization and advice for aspiring young musicians who one day could too play on the world stage for the world's most powerful people and ceremonies.

To learn more about the United States Marine Band, visit https://www.marineband.marines.mil.





Master Sgt. Steven Temme joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in August 2003 and has performed around the world for thousands and for 4 presidents since 2003. A student of music and distinguished graduate of has been a featured saxophone f “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band has as he embarks on a West Coast tour performing Dr. Frank Ticheli’s Falcon Fantasy from the Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble. From Everett, Washington to Flagstaff, Arizona, Temme shares why this high-energy, rhythmically intricate piece resonated with him from the moment he discovered it. Hear Temme reflect on the soaring melodies, jazz-inflected rhythms, and emotional connection to performing in his home state of Arizona—especially in Flagstaff’s Ardrey Memorial Auditorium, where he won his first solo competition as a young musician.

Master Sgt. Steve Timme, "The President's Own" Marine Corps Band

Inspired by the 40th anniversary of We Are The World—America’s greatest musical one-night stand—The Pod of DC hit the road in March this year for a live show packed with games, prizes, and live podcast conversations. One featured raffle prize was a behind-the-scenes tour of The Pod of DC studio with a featured conversation on the pod. The lucky winners that night were Larry and Jennifer Taxon.

From their chance encounter at Dewey Beach more than 20 years ago, the Taxsons share their love story woven through marriage, parenthood, countless concerts, and life’s wild detours.

Expect Dewey Beach nostalgia, real talk on relationships, the uniqueness of DC, retirement daydreams, the evolution from mixtapes to emojis, and a full serving of family vibes—Taxon style.

Larry and Jennifer Taxson

Adrian Conforti is a songwriter and former touring musician who founded the band Soulys in the early 2000s.



On this episode of the pod, Adrian visits the studio with guitar in hand to perform his original track, “You’re Into Me” and reflect on the wild ride that music—and life—has taken him on.



We talk musical influences, the heartbreak that sparked a creative wave, developing a following on the road, and the time he auditioned to become the lead singer of INXS.



Looking back, it’s clear how Adrian’s songs evolved—from expressions of deep angst to reflections filled with gratitude and growth, transforming pain into something positive and meaningful.

Adrian Conforti, Singer/Songwriter

The Pod of DC is an interview podcast from host and producer Rick Bernstein. Drawing on years of live event emceeing, fundraising, and voice acting experiences, Rick shares the personal journeys of interesting people whose stories entertain and inspire.

Rick Bernstein

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