Press Pause welcomes Dr. Alison Thompson, founder and CEO of Third Wave Volunteers, a global humanitarian leader with decades of front‑line disaster response experience. Driven by her nine months volunteering at Ground Zero after 9/11, Dr. Thompson built Third Wave Volunteers into a network of more than 30,000 first responders delivering aid in crises from Syria and Ukraine to Afghanistan, and beyond.

After Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica last October, Third Wave's rapid response team worked directly with families and communities cut off after the Category 5 storm to deliver food, solar lights, clean water solutions, communication systems, medical support, and other essential supplies.

A recipient of the 2026 New South Wales Australian of the Year award for her humanitarian work, Dr. Thompson shares her perspective on the long road ahead toward recovery for Jamaica.

Developmental psychologist, educator, and author Dr. Biko Sankofa takes Press Pause to another dimension. Born in Trinidad and Tobago and shaped by his years at Howard University, Dr. Sankofa's journey—rooted in lived experience and spiritual inquiry—sets the stage for a thought-provoking conversation about his new book, Transcending the Human: An Alien's Guide to a Universe of Infinite Possibilities.

Part memoir, part manifesto, the book follows Vusi, a character who, on his path to self-discovery, grapples with ego, identity, and the boundaries of being human. In conversation with host Mark W. Wright, Dr. Sankofa unpacks how the limitations we accept can become gateways to growth—if we're willing to do the work.

Patrick Agyemang admits that even he has to pinch himself when he reflects on how his life — his soccer life — have turned out. Just a few years ago, as a high schooler, his game garnered zero interest from colleges. It quickly became clear that if he was going to achieve his dream of playing professionally, his path to pro would need to take some unconventional turns.

But with a strong family unit behind him, Agyemang stayed the course — first showcasing his potential at Division III Eastern Connecticut State University before catching the attention of Rhode Island University, where he flourished.

At the 2023 MLS Combine, Agyemang shared that he felt optimistic after his conversations with Charlotte FC and hoped they'd call his name on Draft Night. They did, and Agyemang hasn't looked back since.

As the club's leading goalscorer from last season, Agyemang is optimistic about a top-four finish in 2025 — and a deep playoff run.

In this episode of Press Pause, Agyemang reflects on how his deep Ghanaian roots continue to shape his personal growth and gazes into his crystal ball to predict what the soccer gods have in store for him personally in 2025 — and beyond.