Rising Phoenix: The Podcast

Join us as we sit down with Peter Fortunato to talk about his incredible career as a creative videographer. He has worked with teams such as Elon football, Wake Forest basketball, Rutgers football and is now the Assistant Director of Creative Video for Ohio State football. We dive into his story about how he got to the top stage of college football and what it feels like to be a National Champion.

Join us as we talk to Rachel Mikolay to talk about her incredible journey from the lacrosse field to the world of sports media. After an unexpected medical setback ended her playing career, Rachel pivoted to social media, building her skills. Now, she’s making an impact on one of sports' biggest stages as the Tom Mickle Communications and Social Media Intern for the College Football Playoff. We dive into her story of resilience, creativity, and seizing new opportunities.

Join us as we talk to Elon Track & Field alum, Madison George. During her time at Elon, as an All-CAA Pole Vaulter, she defended her and undergraduate thesis as an Honors Scholar. She conducted an interdisciplinary research and development project leading to the design of the first women's pole vaulting shoes. Now at she's at Stanford University pursuing a PhD in Bioengineering. We talk about her remarkable journey and how she's grown at Elon and beyond.

Join us as we sit down with Jared Bunder about his time broadcasting for Elon Athletics. Now an Associate Engineer for Game Creek Video, he shares his journey from Elon Athletics to working on Thursday Night Football, NASCAR, the Super Bowl, and more.

Join us as we sit down with Javik Blake about his path to being a baseball broadcaster for the Biloxi Shuckers. We heard his story on how he got to Elon University and where he is going now post graduation.

Join us for a conversation with Clare Grant who talks about her time as a photographer for Elon Athletics, and how it has shaped her career in photography.

Join our hosts Chase and Aidan as they discuss their journey to Elon and how they both got involved with Elon Athletics and Rising Phoenix.

Join us for a conversation with Rising Phoenix founders Jacob, Joanna, & Daniel. Through their leadership, the organization has grown and surpassed the expectations of many. Alongside host Chase Strawser, they look back on the creation of Rising Phoenix, it's first year, and the future.

Join us for a conversation with Matt Krause as he discusses his time at Elon. From serving as a broadcaster for various Elon athletic programs throughout his four years and beyond, to his current role as the radio voice of the UNC-Chapel Hill Women’s Basketball team, we delve into his experience broadcasting Elon athletics, his journey from Elon to Chapel Hill, and how he discovered his passion for broadcasting.

Join us for a conversation with Aaron Smith Jr. who talks about his time at Elon and the journey he has been on since leaving campus in 2013. From playing overseas, to starting a business, to returning to higher education, and so much more.

Join us for a conversation with Ben Zipay who talks about his time on the Elon men's tennis team and his life outside of tennis. He also discusses where he will be going next in his career.

Join us for a conversation with Aaron Mellette who talks about his time at Elon and his return to campus as Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Services. He discusses his journey from Elon to the NFL and back to Elon.

Join us for a conversation with Evonna McGill who talks about her time at Elon and her current career as a Sales Associate for the Milwaukee Bucks. She discusses her experiences as a player and professional with the changing landscape of the sport industry.

Join us for a conversation with Lily Barker and Caroline Doyle from Elon Volleyball who talk about their winter term trip to the Dominican Republic. The duo also talked about how they are applying their experiences to the volleyball team at Elon.

Join us for a conversation with Kailee Follette and Kiley Selquist from Elon Lacrosse who talk about their team’s strong start to the season. The duo also spoke about their roles as ambassadors for Morgan's Message and the impact the organization can have.

Join us for a conversation with Shauna Galvin, a 2023 Elon tennis alum who discusses her Elon experience and how she has pursued her passion with Impact Alamance as a Junior Program Officer.

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Khirey Walker, a 2011 Elon alum who discusses his journey from a student athlete to his current role as an Assistant Professor of Sport Management. Dr. Walker reflects on his experiences at Elon, his transition from the field to academia, and the valuable insights he brings to the world of sport management.

Join us for a conversation with Hunter Lakey, a 2023 graduate of Elon University, now making his mark as Assistant Baseball Strength & Conditioning Coach at Mississippi State University. Hunter shares his insights, experiences, and the exciting journey that led him to a pivotal role at Mississippi State.

Join us for a conversation with teammates Kerri Coffman and Kennedy Jones as they take a trip down memory lane. They discuss their shared experiences on the soccer team, reliving thrilling overtime game-winners and the excitement of playing matches abroad in front of record-breaking crowds.

Join us for a conversation with Isabella Seman, an Elon Athletics alumna, as we discuss her journey from being a student athlete to becoming an Associate Producer at ESPN.

Join us as we delve into Strickland's journey, his passion for sports, and the dedication it takes to excel both on and off the field.