Ep. 320 Adam Brody

Checkmate on Trauma: How Adam Brody’s Journey from Foster Care to CEO is Changing Lives Through Chess

Brody is the visionary President and CEO of Strategic Kids, an organization dedicated to empowering youth through "play with a purpose." Growing up within the foster care system, Adam faced a childhood marked by trauma and instability. However, it was through these challenges that he discovered the transformative power of mentorship and the game of chess. These experiences became the blueprint for his life’s work: providing children with the strategic tools they need to navigate life’s complexities both on and off the board.

Jeanne Pepper and Adam Brody at the PeppTalks Studios

While studying at UC Irvine, Adam began teaching chess at local elementary schools, including Foothill Ranch Elementary School. What started as a collegiate endeavor quickly blossomed into a mission-driven career. He realized that chess was more than just a game; it was a vehicle for teaching critical thinking, patience, and confidence—skills especially vital for at-risk youth. This passion led to the expansion of Academic Chess and the eventual founding of Strategic Kids.

Today, Adam is a recognized leader in the Orange County community, recently serving as a keynote speaker for the Orangewood Foundation, an organization that once supported him during his own time in foster care. His programs now reach thousands of students across multiple states, offering everything from chess and LEGO engineering to magic and coding. Adam’s story is a testament to the fact that one’s beginnings do not define their end, and that a single mentor—or a single game—can change the trajectory of a child's life forever.

In this emotional episode of PeppTalks With Jeanne, Adam and Jeanne reflect on their remarkable history. Adam was one of the very first people to teach Jeanne’s son, Blaze, the game of chess during his early days at Foothill Ranch Elementary. Their paths crossed again years later in a moment of bittersweet reflection, highlighting the enduring impact of educators and the legacy of a brilliant young boy whose spark Adam still remembers vividly today.

Episode 320

Hosted by: Jeanne Pepper

Guest: Adam Brody

Social Media: Facebook. Instagram

Executive Producer: Jeanne Pepper

Producer: Eli Moskowitz

Original Theme: Jay Bernstein

Special Thank You to our volunteers

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DISCLAIMER Jeanne Pepper is providing this podcast as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Jeanne Pepper unless so stated. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Ms. Pepper’s guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ms. Pepper. If you have any questions about this disclaimer or the content herein, please contact us at Producers@PepptalkswithJeanne.com #PeppTalkswithJeanne #JeannePepper #BlazeitForward