Send us a text

Guest Spotlight: Merry Walker

On this episode of the Buckle Up Podcast Universe with Brandon Rush & Mama Rush, we had the pleasure of speaking with Merry Walker, whose journey is nothing short of inspiring.

Merry shared her story of being the daughter of immigrant parents who came to the United States in search of opportunity — instilling in her the values of education, hard work, and global service. From her time at the University of Michigan to founding nonprofits that give back to communities around the world, Merry has always been driven by purpose.

Her career has taken her across continents, blending technology, innovation, and impact. She spoke with us about her work in both the space tech and sports tech industries — fields where she’s leading change and building bridges between innovation and human potential.

It was truly inspiring to hear her passion for using tech to uplift others and to learn about her vision for the future.

Support the show

“We didn’t know it all— we learned with love, led with kindness, and earned our way to the top.”

Send us a text

Guest Spotlight: Judge Abigail Rogers-Kennedy

Today, we had the honor of hearing from Judge Abigail Rogers-Kennedy, a remarkable woman whose journey from segregation to the bench embodies strength, purpose, and faith.

Judge Rogers-Kennedy shared how witnessing the brutality of the Civil Rights Movement — images of peaceful protesters being attacked by dogs — ignited her lifelong mission to defend the voiceless. From that moment, she knew she wanted to become a lawyer.

She opened up about the racial prejudice she faced through college and early in her career, and how perseverance and mentorship helped her rise above it all to become both a respected attorney and later, a judge.

Her story is a reminder that courage, preparation, and integrity can break any barrier. Judge Rogers-Kennedy didn’t just fight for justice — she became justice.

Support the show

“We didn’t know it all— we learned with love, led with kindness, and earned our way to the top.”

Send us a text

King John- Act 5, Scene 2

Brandon Rush delivers a stirring monologue from Shakespeare’s The Life and Death of King John, embodying the spirit of resistance and dignity. This piece captures the timeless moment when a man stands firm in his truth — refusing to bow, refusing to retreat. In this Buckle Up moment, Brandon reflects on the courage it takes to say: “Your Grace shall pardon me; I will not back.”

Support the show

“We didn’t know it all— we learned with love, led with kindness, and earned our way to the top.”

Send us a text

Today we had the pleasure of sitting down with the wonderful Heather Nye — a true creative soul. Heather shared her journey as both an actress and a teacher, opening up about:

Helping kids find their voice through art and storytelling working with Pal Connect teaching kids in Dubai, Jordan, Amman and helping them use their voices confidently.

Her work teaching students across the globe, even online in other countries

Her love for acting and performance

And a beautiful reading of Kipling’s poetry that made the episode extra special

Heather reminded us that art is more than performance — it’s a pathway for kids (and adults) to discover confidence, expression, and connection.

This was such a powerful and heartfelt conversation, and we’re grateful to have shared it with all of you.

Stay tuned for the full episode drop — you won’t want to miss this one.

#BuckleUpPodcast #HeatherNye #TeachingThroughArt #PodcastUniverse

Support the show

“We didn’t know it all— we learned with love, led with kindness, and earned our way to the top.”

Send us a text

Episode Recap: Dr. David Smith Returns

Dr. David Smith joins us once again for another powerful conversation on the Buckle Up Podcast. This time, we go deeper—asking him not only about the latest developments in the medical field but also about his personal journey. From pressing health questions to thoughtful reflections on life, Dr. Smith brings clarity, wisdom, and heart to every topic. It was a true privilege to welcome him back on the show and share this meaningful dialogue with our listeners.

Support the show

“We didn’t know it all— we learned with love, led with kindness, and earned our way to the top.”

Send us a text

Episode Description:

On today’s episode of the Buckle Up Podcast, we’re joined live from London by Daniella — or as we like to call her, Dora the Explorer. She’s down-to-earth, adventurous, and full of stories from her travels. Daniella also opens up about her love of working with children, the advice that guides her, and where she sees herself in the next five years.

It’s a positive, inspiring conversation that shows the heart behind the journey — and why “Dora Explorer” fits her perfectly.

Support the show

“We didn’t know it all— we learned with love, led with kindness, and earned our way to the top.”

Send us a text

Dr. Chaimae – Medicine, Music, and the Mind

On this episode of the Buckle Up Podcast Universe, we sit down with the brilliant and multi-talented Dr. Chaimae. Born in Morocco, Chai's journey has taken her across continents—studying medicine in Morocco and France, before moving to Montreal to continue her training, pursue research, and explore her growing passion for psychiatry.

Her story is not only about medicine—it’s about resilience, creativity, and balance. In addition to her work as a doctor and researcher, Chai is also a DJ who performs under the name Red Monkey, a tag inspired by her video game identity that’s now become part of her artistic expression.

Through our conversation, Chai shares how her love for psychiatry grew out of her public health studies, how research continues to shape her vision for the future, and how her creative outlets in music and painting fuel her medical career.

Chai is living proof that when she sets her mind to something—whether it’s medicine, music, or storytelling—she makes it happen. She is a true inspiration, and we are so grateful to have her as part of the Buckle Up Universe.

Support the show

“We didn’t know it all— we learned with love, led with kindness, and earned our way to the top.”

Send us a text

Guest Spotlight: Alyssa Gaiser

Today we were joined by the incredible Alyssa Geyser, a brilliant mind and longtime friend of mine from her days at UCLA. Alyssa holds a B.S. in Chemistry with a Minor in Mathematics from UCLA, earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry at Florida State University, and went on to a postdoctoral fellowship in Radiochemistry at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. She is now an Assistant Professor in Radiochemistry at Michigan State University, where she continues to push the field forward.

What makes Alyssa stand out is not just her knowledge but the way she breaks it all down. The way she explained complex chemistry and radiochemistry concepts today honestly reminded me of Marissa Tomei in My Cousin Vinny — sharp, clear, and unforgettable.

It was such a joy to catch up with her, learn from her, and share her expertise with our Buckle Up Podcast Universe audience. Alyssa was absolutely excellent, and we’re excited for you all to hear this one.

Support the show

“We didn’t know it all— we learned with love, led with kindness, and earned our way to the top.”