Nexus at UCF cover art

Nexus at UCF

Nexus at UCF

By: Jonathan Beck Brianna Bibona Andrea Stefanic Robert O'Brion Victoria Marcano Castells Caroline Krywonos Dwayne Jones Cory Gunning Natalie Broadhurst Shaw Bouley Victoria Varela Fabian Arcila
Listen for free

Season's Savings | £0.99/mo for 3 months

£5.99/mo after 3 months - terms apply. Cancel monthly

Produced at UCF, Nexus is a premier business podcast featuring in-depth conversations with industry pioneers, scholars, leaders, and global change-makers.

We dive into emerging trends, strategies, and the evolving landscape of business to equip students, professionals, and entrepreneurs with the insights needed to navigate the complexities of today, and prepare for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow.

Whether it's revolutionizing industry or reshaping organizational practices, these real-world stories and insights offer a fresh perspective on innovation, impact, and the breakthroughs that occur when visionary thinking meets the pace of modern innovation.

Join us as we connect you to the future of business.

© 2026 Nexus at UCF Economics
Episodes
  • The Work Behind Impact: Inside Nonprofit Leadership

    The Work Behind Impact: Inside Nonprofit Leadership
    Oct 15 2026
    What if the biggest steps in your career come from stepping outside your comfort zone? From embracing unexpected opportunities to building authentic connections, growth often starts when you’re willing to take a chance.In this episode of Nexus at UCF, host Luke Kelly sits down with Marisa Diaz, HR and talent acquisition leader and president of ALPFA Orlando, to explore nonprofit organizations, business development, and the power of professional networking. From building an authentic personal brand to developing transferable skills that stand out to employers, this conversation dives deep into leadership, career growth, community impact, and the evolving role of professional organizations in creating opportunities for the next generation of business leaders.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 Teaser 0:22 Welcome to Nexus & Meet Matias Diaz 3:43 Getting Comfortable with the Uncomfortable 6:58 Why You Should Seek Discomfort 10:22 What is ALPFA? 13:45 What ALPFA Means to Me 16:52 How to Get Involved as an Introvert 24:32 Building Your Personal Brand (BYOB) 30:35 Key Characteristics Employers Look For 34:00 Understanding ALPFA’s Impact & Footprint 37:17 The Journey to Becoming President 43:17 Breaking Free from Tunnel Vision & Rigid Expectations 52:47 Why Changing Your Path Isn't a Failure 58:27 Finding the Pieces to Your Puzzle 59:09 The Importance of Giving Back to the Community 1:04:52 Outro🔗 Connect with Us🌐 Website: https://nexusatucf.wixsite.com/nexus-...💼 LinkedIn: / nexusatucf 📱 Instagram: / nexusatucf 🎵 TikTok: / nexusatucf ▶️ More episodes: / @nexusatucf 🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.🔗 Connect with UCF🏛️ College of Business Website: https://business.ucf.edu/📊 College of Business on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-c...🌐 UCF Website: https://www.ucf.edu/💼 UCF on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/unive...📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay connected to the future of business.#NexusatUCF #BusinessInnovation #Podcast #Business #BusinessInnovation#ProfessionalNetworking #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #HumanResources #BusinessDevelopment
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Rooted In Principles: How Values Build A Business That Lasts

    Rooted In Principles: How Values Build A Business That Lasts
    Oct 14 2026
    In this episode of Nexus at UCF, we sit down with Marc Robertz-Schwartz, a media and marketing professional whose career began in television and eventually led him to build and grow his own marketing and production company.Marc shares how he spent his first 20 years after college working for television stations along the East Coast before transitioning into marketing and creative services. After being laid off in 2008, he turned that unexpected career change into an opportunity to start his own company, which he grew for 15 years.Throughout the conversation, Marc discusses the evolution of media, the growing importance of content creation and video, entrepreneurship, networking, career transitions, internships, leadership, and the importance of defining your personal values.He also discusses "The Red Apples Way", his book based on nine core values that he used to guide his business, relationships, hiring decisions, and leadership.Whether you're interested in media, marketing, entrepreneurship, or simply figuring out what you want your career and life to look like, Marc offers practical advice about being proactive, building relationships, and understanding who you are.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to Nexus + Meet Marc Roberts Schwartz 11:28 From Getting Laid Off to Becoming an “Accidental Entrepreneur"15:50 “The Game Is Different When It’s Your Money”28:45 Finding Your Path in Modern Media30:05 What Does Media Mean in the Creator Era?36:39 Using Networking to Create Opportunities38:45 Why Relationships Matter Long-Term45:40 How Values Determine Who You Are 47:29 Family, Core Memories & What’s Next50:36 Marc’s Final Message51:09 (Outro) – Thank you for listening!🔗 Connect with Us🌐 Website: https://nexusatucf.wixsite.com/nexus-...💼 LinkedIn: / nexusatucf 📱 Instagram: / nexusatucf 🎵 TikTok: / nexusatucf ▶️ More episodes: / @nexusatucf 🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.🔗 Connect with UCF🏛️ College of Business Website: https://business.ucf.edu/📊 College of Business on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-c...🌐 UCF Website: https://www.ucf.edu/💼 UCF on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/unive...📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay connected to the future of business.
    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
  • Franchise Fever: How One Bagel Idea Became a Repeatable Business Model

    Franchise Fever: How One Bagel Idea Became a Repeatable Business Model
    Aug 19 2026

    From a homemade bagel recipe to a growing franchise, Jeff Perera shares how taking a risk, putting in the work, and building a strong brand can turn a side hustle into a business.

    In this episode of Nexus at UCF, our host, Luke Kelly, sits down with Jeff Perera, founder of Jeff’s Bagel Run, to explore entrepreneurship, franchising, and how Jeff's Bagel Run grew from a home kitchen into a successful brand. From the financial risks of starting a business to the power of storytelling and social media, this conversation dives deep into innovation, leadership, and the evolving role of branding in business.


    ⏱️ Timestamps

    00:00 – teaser

    00:14 Welcome to Nexus + Meet Jeff Perera

    02:40 How Jeff’s Bagel Run started

    07:51 What UCF taught Jeff + Advice on how to utilize college

    12:54 When is a business ready to franchise?

    16:06 Who you need to start a franchise

    17:40 Utilizing social media for brand building

    20:22 Past experiences become tools for the present

    22:37 Expanding a franchise in Florida + becoming a franchisee

    29:06 The future of Jeff’s Bagel Run + Bagel of the day’s impact

    33:08 Jeff’s advice on starting a business

    33:31 (Outro) – Thank you for listening!


    🔗 Connect with Us
    🌐 Website: https://nexusatucf.wixsite.com/nexus-at-ucf

    💼 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nexusatucf
    📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/nexusatucf
    🎵 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@nexusatucf
    ▶️ More episodes:     https://youtube.com/@nexusatucf

    🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.


    🔗 Connect with UCF

    🏛️ College of Business Website: https://business.ucf.edu/

    📊 College of Business on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/ucf-college-of-business/posts/?feedView=all


    🌐 UCF Website: https://www.ucf.edu/

    💼 UCF on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-central-florida/posts/?feedView=all


    📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay connected to the future of business.
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet