Free To Be with Lucca

I sit down with a true force for change in education — Dr. Nyree Clark, the Coordinator of Equity and Access at Colton Joint Unified School District — to discuss what it takes to hold onto hope in challenging times and build communities that support us beyond our comfort zones to break barriers and foster equity.

Reflecting on the recent election, we explore the real work that begins after pivotal moments in history like the one we ...

In this this conversation, Aralyn, a high school senior from Aztec, New Mexico, and I dive into her journey of stepping into authentic leadership. From breaking away from stereotypes and learning that the desire to lead qualifies you to lead, to overcoming judgment and taking up space, Aralyn shares powerful insights on transforming from a side character to the main character of your own life. Together, we discuss the growth that c...

In this mini-episode, we explore the journey of honoring every part of yourself — the essential pieces that make you whole and complete. A lot of our life is spent hiding parts of ourselves and pretending to be someone we’re not, just to fit in and belong, and in the process, we lose sight of who we truly are. But here's the truth: every part of you was created on purpose, for a purpose. Authenticity is about remembering who you ar...

Rejection is a natural part of the journey toward success — it’s bound to happen, but it doesn’t have to hold you back. In this solo episode, I share 5 powerful steps to help you navigate rejection with more ease and confidence. Remember, rejection is not a roadblock — it’s redirection to what is meant for you. Whether it’s in your studies, career, relationships, or personal goals and aspirations, these steps will guide you to embr...

In this episode, I sit down with my writing coach and long-lost cousin, Alan Watt, to explore the art of storytelling. Alan is an award-winning novelist and best selling author of Diamond Dogs and Days Are Gone and the creator of L.A. Writer's Lab. 

In our conversation, he shares powerful insights on the process of writing your own memoir and embracing your authentic voice. We dive into the true purpose of storytelling: to reveal tr...

Fall is the harvest time of the year — a season for gathering the fruits of our labor and reflecting on how we’ve grown. In this mini-solo episode, we'll explore what it means to acknowledge the growth we've experienced over the past 9 months and how we can release old patterns to make space for new opportunities for the next 3 months of 2024 and in 2025. 

We reflect on these 7 questions:

• What changes am I noticing in myself as t...

In this episode, we dive deep into the journey of finding yourself, your people, your dreams, and your impact. Meet Fatima, a senior at James Logan High in Union City, whose story mirrors my own high school experience in many ways. From sitting alone as a freshman to rising as ASB president, her journey is one of resilience and self-discovery.

We explore the idea that there’s no set timeline to find yourself—you don’t need to rush. ...

In this episode, I have a conversation with my friend Rashaan Davis, Assistant Commissioner of the Colorado High School Activities Association, about the power of authenticity in leadership.

How can we genuinely support young people in being themselves if we aren't truthful with who we are? Leadership is often mistaken as a role to perform, but in truth, pretending consumes more energy than simply being authentic. Imagine what we co...

In this heartfelt episode, I pay tribute to two of the most important people in my life: my best friend, Marco Santoyo, and my incredible mom Dennise. I explore the depths of true friendship and the unconditional love that has shaped who I am today. Through personal stories and cherished memories, I reflect on the power of genuine connections, the lessons I've learned, and the gratitude I feel for having these amazing individuals b...

In this conversation, I dive deep into the unpredictable journey of entrepreneurship with my friend and colleague Shatera Sangster, founder of Social Media Sidekick LLC. Shatera opens up about her path from rock bottom to breakthrough moments, highlighting the resilience, messiness, and patience required to build a successful business from the ground up. We talk about the importance of starting wherever you are, emphasizing that no...

In this solo episode, I dive into the profound impact of the words we speak to ourselves, especially when no one else is listening. Everything that follows the words "I am" has the power to shape your reality. But how are you speaking to yourself in those quiet, introspective moments of your day? Are you building yourself up, or are you tearing yourself down?

I explore the transformative power of self-talk and how the narratives we ...

In this intimate conversation, B Genduso shares their experience becoming the most confident version of themselves as a high school athlete and leader. B is currently a senior at Century High School in Oregon and serves as the president of the Oregon Association of Student Councils. B is an incredible pole vaulter and will be a professional athlete one day. Their current goal is to amplify marginalized voices in high school sports ...

I'm back with weekly episodes! To start this new chapter off, I'm sharing 2 principles that will help you connect to your authentic confidence on the daily. In this solo episode, I also share what jams are on repeat in my AirPods because music is life. I hope you feel supported on your life journey as you listen :) 

RESOURCES

• Learn how I support middle, high school and college students and educators through speaking at luccapetru...

In this episode, James Layman and I dive into: 

• The through lines that connects each of us together
• The life-changing wisdom his mom shared with him 6 weeks before she passed 
• What we can all learn from kids, Costco sample attendants, and death
• Being present to the glimmers (the opposite of triggers) in our lives 
• The journey of loving the parts of yourself that you’re nervous for others to see and love 
• And how we can all chose to b...

How can each of us lead greater impact for good with our resources, access, and privilege? This is the question Miles Palacios and I get curious about in this episode.

We also dive into:

• The importance of investing in youth and amplifying their voices and lived experiences.
• Why do we do what we do?
• Does injustice have to be personal to change?
• How self-leadership is self-care.
• Reframing open door policy to an empty office policy
• And t...

In May of 2016, I graduated from Fresno State as a curious and nervous newly out gay man. 

7 years later, on Saturday, May 20th, 2023 I led the keynote address at Fresno State’s 10th Annual Rainbow Graduation as a confident queer human who has so much freaking love for the LGBTQIA+ community and belief in all that is possible for them in their lifetime. 

It was a dream come true to share my story and an important message about authen...

Last December, I experienced the deepest depression of my life. In this solo episode, I share the small, slow, and challenging steps I took to move through sadness, anxiety, and apathy into hope, joy, and excitement for life again.

Today, 4 months later, I now know, I was experiencing the death of an older version of myself. I was shedding beliefs, ways of thinking and being, and opinions that no longer served me to create space in ...

My mentor, teacher, and friend Susanne Conrad and I have a conversation about the good, great, hard, and uncomfortable path to accessing more personal freedom and compassion in your life.  

We also discuss: 

• How to love yourself and also love those who've hurt you, and remain hopeful they can change
• How to envision a future for yourself when you feel hopeless
• Why vision work is life changing and how we're making it more accessible ...

This episode is with my college mentor, my amazing friend, and educator Mellissa Jessen-Hiser. We met when I was 19 at Fresno State, 11 years ago. We have a conversation about the power we each have to create affirming, nonjudgmental, and inclusive spaces wherever we go, especially for our youth. We also talk about the process of breaking the mold you were never meant to fit in and stepping into the freedom of who you truly are. 

Ot...