Extracurricular with Stephanie Vanos and Eddie Geller

After spending an unusual amount of time discussing sports, Eddie and Steph welcome Louell to the pod to share her perspective as a young person navigating the world and actively trying to make it a better place for everyone (10:46). A junior in high school, Louell walks us through her early influences (shout out to her incredible mom!) and her work as a community organizer. Her values are deeply rooted in believing in the humanity of all people which led her to organize an Inclusivity Walkout at her school (28:57). The group shared their perspectives on the proposed ICE detention facility in Orlando (37:30) as well as the Florida Board of Education letter that was sent to all schools and parents in response to recent student walkouts and protests around the state (41:55). Lou ends the episode talking about what she would like to see from elected officials (49:41).
Mentioned on the Pod: The Story Of The Mayor of Ohrdruf 
Follow us:
Louell
Extracurricular Podcast
Stephanie Vanos
Eddie Geller

Steph and Eddie kick off the show discussing a local ICE protest, a special election victory in Texas, news that Ron DeSantis is now going to take federal money for taxpayer-funded vouchers, and watching her daughter give public comment.
We then move on to the heart of the show: Steph’s takeaways on a recent advocacy trip to our state’s capital, Tallahassee. We start with the fallout from the state’s taxpayer-funded voucher program (20:48), what it’s like in the room in her meetings with lawmakers (27:00), and the state’s response to Schools of Hope (33:25). Finally, Eddie lets out a little steam from his beer league hockey trials and tribulations—plus Eddie and Steph give a couple movie recommendations (46:16).
Follow us:
Extracurricular Podcast
Stephanie Vanos
Eddie Geller
 

After an emotional weekend, Eddie and Steph begin by addressing the murder of Alex Pretti and the ongoing occupation of ICE in Minneapolis. None of us know what comes next, but we hope for accountability of this lawless, reckless administration. 
Then we get to our big interview: Aaron Parnas (10:45). We start by digging into how Aaron built such a large platform and what it says about the media, writ large. We asked Aaron how his perspective has changed since blowing up and what media consolidation is going to mean for him and the rest of the country (19:47). Lastly, Aaron gives us an update on what’s happening with the Epstein files—a story Aaron has been vigorously tracking—what elected officials are saying behind the scenes in Washington, DC, and what he thinks of the 2028 Democratic hopefuls (30:05).
Take Action: Indivisible ICE Out For Good: https://indivisible.org/campaigns/how-rein-ice-now/Follow us:
Aaron Parnas
Extracurricular Podcast
Stephanie Vanos
Eddie Geller

To start off the show Steph and Eddie touched on the ICE kidnappings in Minneapolis, the potential impact of ICE in Orlando, an (attempted) banned book that came in front of OCPS, and a quick recap of Eddie’s improv show.
 
Then, we invited activist and all-around powerhouse Linda Coffin to join the podcast (14:47). Linda has spent years advocating for children and specifically to end the scourge of gun violence. We begin by running through some bills being reintroduced by Congressman (and former Extracurricular guest!) Maxwell Frost (17:25). Next, the crew delved into the impact of active shooter drills on students and teachers (32:14). Finally, Linda laid out the importance of being active and involved (40:40).
 
Follow us:
 
Extracurricular Podcast
Stephanie Vanos
Eddie Geller

Welcome to a new year with Extracurricular! Eddie and Steph welcome 2026 and catch up on current events in public education and in Orange County. They then welcome Venezuelan American Jose Gamboa to the show (15:00). Jose recounts his childhood in La Guaira and how former President Nicolas Maduro rose to power following the death of Hugo Chavez (21:00). Jose shares some of his experiences as part of the student protest movement and then his journey to America (32:30). After living in America for almost ten years, Jose describes his reaction to learning about the United States’ capture of Maduro last Saturday morning and how he has been processing the news (37:42). Jose shares his concerns about the political power transition and the group discusses what Venezuela’s political future might look like (49:45). They end the show with Jose’s message to Americans amidst the current international political climate and his call for more conversations, empathy and immigration reform (1:05:45).
 
Follow us:
Jose Gamboa
Extracurricular Podcast
Stephanie Vanos
Eddie Geller

It’s the end of the year! Steph and Eddie review 2025 by awarding some Roses, Buds, and Thorns—plus a few confessions! But before that, Steph touches recent school closures and a letter from the State Board of Education.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! 
Follow us:
Extracurricular Podcast
Stephanie Vanos
Eddie Geller

It’s time for some REAL journalism on the podcast. This week, Steph and Eddie welcome veteran independent journalist, Jason Garcia. We invited Jason to give us an overview of some of the most enraging scandals to come out of the DeSantis administration starting with Hope Florida (12:45). But things get more juicy—just a few days before recording the podcast, another shoe dropped with an incredible investigative piece from the Tampa Bay Times, which we spent some time digging through (25:13). Afterwards, we explore its impacts, why DeSantis was so desperate to beat Amendments 3 & 4, and then we touch on the $84 million dollar land purchase blessed by the Florida legislature (47:10). Finally, we asked Jason about what’s coming ahead in the 2026 legislation session, and listener, we were not happy about what we heard (58:10)!
 
Tampa Bay Times: DeSantis admin diverted child welfare and medical funds for consultants, ads
 
Follow us:
Seeking Rents
Extracurricular Podcast
Stephanie Vanos
Eddie Geller

This week, our duo starts off by discussing Steph’s exploits at the FSBA (Florida School Board Association) Conference and who got booed during their speech. Eddie and Steph also share their (wildly differing) athletic exploits. Then, we get to Steph’s first solo interview (!) with Hillsborough County School Board member, Jessica Vaughn. Jessica and Steph follow up on a thread from a previous episode: Does Florida want public education to fail (20:09)? Then, on an incredibly related topic, they discuss the disaster that is Schools of Hope, and importantly, what it means when schools are under-enrolled (30:26). Jessica then addresses her latest thinking on running for Governor of Florida, along with a discussion of the top two candidates in the race (43:47). Finally, Jessica lays out the one thing she would do to improve public schools in Florida if she had the chance (55:33).
Follow us:
Jessica Vaughn
Extracurricular Podcast
Stephanie Vanos
Eddie Geller

We’re back after digesting our Thanksgiving dinner and ready to pod! Before getting into the interview, Steph and Eddie discuss the latest with school start times and where we think the community stands (8:40)—and then also a discussion on whether Trump is cooked (15:07). 
 
After the initial chatter, we bring on Eddie’s favorite guest ever to join the pod—Eddie’s dad, Richard Geller (21:22). Born in the Silent Generation, Richard has seen a lot both in America and in Florida. We delved into his time as a history teacher, and then what he sees as the similarities and differences between what’s come before, and where we’re at now (37:06). And finally Richard explains why the Trump administration is indeed the most frightening administration he’s ever lived through (45:48). 
Follow us:
Extracurricular Podcast
Stephanie Vanos
Eddie Geller

Before getting to today's interview, our tenacious podcasters answer the burning question on everyone's mind: What is the Phoenix Declaration? Steph and Eddie share some thoughts about the Florida Board of Education’s recent adoption of this Declaration (5:40), followed by a warm welcome to Rebecca Thompson, a School Board Member in Broward County, Florida. Rebecca fills us in on the current state of affairs in Broward and the (12!) town halls she has recently hosted (12:55). She talks about what it means to live in a state that consistently handicaps public education and the efforts districts and boards are taking to ensure our students continue to thrive in this climate (27:25). The group discusses how to be an advocate in your community (41:11) and Rebecca shares her vision for what our public schools could look like outside of survival mode (48:00). 
 
Follow us:
Rebecca Thompson
Extracurricular Podcast
Stephanie Vanos
Eddie Geller