At UMGC, we believe that everyone has a story worth telling—stories of triumph, perseverance, and transformation, and that’s why we launched the Unstoppable Stories podcast.  From entrepreneurs and artists to athletes and educators, our guests share their personal journeys, offering valuable insights, life lessons, and inspiration. Episodes air twice a month.

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Christina Barlas

On July 1, we featured Christina Barlas, a Senior Regional Marketing Specialist at W.R. Grace, a dedicated community leader, and a UMGC alumna. Barlas completed her degree with a 4.0 GPA. After surviving a traumatic home invasion at 16, she overcame PTSD and a negative perception of education to rediscover her passion for digital media and technology. Today, she leads major charitable fundraisers, proving the power of resilience in overcoming trauma.

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Jesse Varsalone

On July 15, we featured Jesse Varsalone, a cybersecurity expert, author, and UMGC faculty member with over 30 years of teaching experience. Transitioning from a high school math teacher to a cyber guru, he now coaches UMGC's highly successful cyber competition team, the Shells. Jesse is passionate about the low barriers to entry in tech and specializes in helping adult learners from diverse, non-traditional backgrounds turn their curiosity into thriving professional cybersecurity careers.

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