WGU Alumni Podcast
WGU’s alumni network now has more than 400,000 graduates living in all 50 states. The WGU alumni podcast highlights the incredible work that our alumni are doing in their local communities. We also share benefits, perks, resources and partner information to help our graduates stay engaged and get the most out of the alumni community.
WGU Alumni Podcast
From Insurance to Illusion: Thomas Graham II and the Eight Traits that Change Lives
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On this episode of the WGU Alumni Podcast, we sit down with WGU alum Thomas Graham II, whose career spans two seemingly different worlds. By day, Thomas is a Senior Clinical Account Director at Elevance Health, helping organizations improve healthcare outcomes. Outside of work, he has developed a passion for magic, using it as a creative way to teach life skills through the 8 True Traits Foundation.
Throughout the conversation, Thomas shares how curiosity, communication, resilience, respect, and leadership have shaped both his professional career and his passion for inspiring others. He reflects on the role WGU played in his journey, why lifelong learning continues to matter, and how creating moments of wonder can leave a lasting impact in the workplace, the classroom, and everyday life. It's a fun, insightful conversation about leadership, personal growth, and finding extraordinary lessons in unexpected places.
To learn more about the WGU Alumni experience, including events, benefits, and ways to stay connected, visit wgu.edu/alumni.
Welcome And Guest Introduction
SPEAKER_01Hey everybody, welcome back to the WGU Alumni Podcast. We're thrilled to have you back for another great episode. My name is Jeff Burton. I'm the senior manager of alumni engagement here at WGU, and I have the great privilege of connecting with our graduates across the country. Individuals who have recognized and realized it's never too late to invest in themselves and really to use education not only to better their lives, but also to impact and better the lives of those around them. And I'm excited for today's episode because we're talking with a graduate who teaches kids magic, but in a unique way. I'm joined today by Thomas Graham II. Welcome to the podcast, Thomas. Good to see you. Thanks, Jeff. Super happy to be here. All right, so for background, uh Thomas earned his master's in education from WGU, specializing in learning and technology. He currently serves as the Senior Clinical Account Director at Elevance Health and also the Executive Director at the Eight True Traits Foundation. And beyond his professional work, Thomas is deeply involved in something unique, using kids' enrichment activities as a tool to teach life skills through the eight true traits. You and I were talking before this, and what stood out immediately to me is that you kind of live in two different worlds. On one side, um, you're leading in corporate America, uh in the corporate environment. And on the other hand, you're teaching through magic. And so uh let's start there.
From Teaching Adults To Kids
SPEAKER_01How did these two worlds come together for you?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it's a great question, Jeff. So uh I was studying English for my undergrad with the ultimate goal of becoming a middle school English teacher. I I've always loved teaching and I really wanted to get into that space. And so I was doing some student teaching, but at the same time, I was teaching adults as kind of like a part-time job. And uh I found myself more and more enjoying teaching the adults than the kids at that time. And so I leaned more into that. I graduated with my English degree and then got a job in corporate America. I pretty quickly moved into the training area of that uh company and training adults on how to use different systems, doing some technical training. But I recently have felt the draw, the pool more to teaching children. And so I found a couple of years ago a curriculum that I could use to help teach kids life skills through magic.
SPEAKER_01Awesome. Very interesting background. And um you you mentioned uh that you've spent a large part of your career in in training and development and leadership roles. Uh I'm curious what initially drew you uh to that space and working with people in that way.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, so I I've always loved teaching people things, uh, whatever it is. I I I find out about something and I my initial reaction is to share it with other people. Uh so in in the early 2010s, I was spending some time in Lithuania actually in Europe, uh, serving the people and teaching, and I just I really fell in love with teaching at that point. Uh, and and my time there really solidified that that's my calling to teach. I I fell in love with it, and that's what I wanted to do was teach.
SPEAKER_01Awesome. What was there a moment early on where you realized this is something I'm actually really good at?
SPEAKER_00Good question. Um, not a specific moment that I can think of, but more lots of those little moments of of seeing it click in someone's mind or um seeing them use something that I taught them and and seeing a life changed because of something that I taught. Uh it's it's a lot of those little moments that have become incredibly fulfilling for me. But not I can't think of a specific moment where I thought, oh yeah, this is it.
SPEAKER_01Well, we're gonna get back into uh here in a few minutes, uh, kind of uh what you're doing, a little bit on the magic, obviously.
Why WGU And Learning Technology
SPEAKER_01But I I want to um start real quickly and just focus on your WGU journey because I'm kind of curious about that. So uh you chose to pursue a master's in education while you were already building your career. Uh, why was that the right next move for you? And why did you choose WGU specifically?
SPEAKER_00Good question. So I was training in corporate America at the time, uh, and I have always had a fascination with the intersection between technology and learning and technology and humanity. And uh I I thought I'm missing something, I need something more in my life. Um, I participated in a research study in my undergrad where we really looked at the impact of technology and education, and uh I found this degree at WGU, and the timing made sense. My company had a partnership with WGU. I saw the program, it was really interesting to me. Uh, and so I started talking to people about it. And I talked to a friend of mine who's actually a WGU alum, and she had nothing but positive things to say about her experience, and things just kind of lined up. It was the right timing, and I made that decision, and I I couldn't be happier with it.
SPEAKER_01That's so cool. And and I love that you were referred by a friend, by someone who had had an experience. We hear that over and over again, and certainly I'm sure you've had the opportunity to share your WGU experience with others as well. Absolutely, yeah. So, what was it like balancing school with a full-time career? Uh, I understand you have a large family as well and a lot of other uh commitments. So, kind of walk us through what that looked like.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, so I I was working full-time, I have five kids. I had fewer at the time, but still a number of kids. Um, somewhat newly married, and so we're we're working through that as well. And so it was it was kind of a chaotic time in my life. But I'm so glad that I made that decision. Um, I have to give praise to my amazing wife, who is always supportive, who just kind of took it in stride. I said, I want to go back to school, I want to get my master's, and she didn't bat an eye. She said, Yeah, let's do it. And um, it was it was a busy time, but incredibly rewarding. Yeah, that's awesome.
SPEAKER_01And and looking back, what's something from that experience from earning your degree that you still use today?
SPEAKER_00I use a lot of the things that I learned there all the time. Um but I think probably the thing I use most, the general structure that WGU uses in their approach to learning. I love the competency-based model. I love that WGU uses and relies on program mentors. So Lindsay was my program mentor and she was fantastic. I really loved this idea of having someone to keep me accountable, but also help me progress throughout the entire journey. I love that WGU uses this approach of presenting information, letting the learner engage with it. If they have questions, they can go to the course instructor about specific content questions. But then I also have that program mentor that I can reach out to and just kind of talk generally holistically about my experience. That structure I think is brilliant. And so what I've tried to do in my own training career is mimic that structure and set up training environments that follow what WGU is using. So I think that's probably the biggest thing that I've taken away from my WGU experience is how to present training in a way that works for the learner.
SPEAKER_01I'm so glad it was a positive experience and that you're still using that many years later, uh, you know, in your life. So uh now I want to shift to the other side of your story because that's where I think it really gets
When Magic Became A Mission
SPEAKER_01interesting. Uh so Thomas, where did magic first show up in your life?
SPEAKER_00Oh man, when I was a little kid, my sister came back from college doing magic and I fell in love with it. And uh and I I know I've always loved magic, it's been a really um interesting and big part of my life. And um, and even and and even though I love magic, I necessarily wouldn't say that I'm a magician. Like I don't do a lot of performances for people. Uh, I would think of myself more of an educator who uses magic than a magician who educates.
SPEAKER_01That's really cool. I've always loved magic and been fascinated with it as well. So I'm curious though, for you, when did it go from something fun to something that was more meaningful?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, so I I mentioned before I have five kids now. Uh, and a few years ago, I realized that what I enjoy more than anything else is spending time with those kids and just learning from them and seeing them grow. And so uh a couple of years ago I was teaching adults, but I I thought I really want to teach children more. Uh, and my my kids love magic, they love sports, and so I thought, let me let me do something in that space. Um, and so my focus shifted to teaching more of kids as I had my own, and as I saw the the growth that they experienced and the love that they had for enrichment activities.
SPEAKER_01Very nice. And and then I'm curious, what what drew you to using magic specifically to work with youth?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, so I mentioned that my sister came back from college doing magic, and um, she had made a friend while she was there named Brian South, and Brian has since become one of my greatest friends. Brian, 11 years ago, created a magic curriculum called Discover Magic, uh, which is focused on teaching kids character, confidence, and communication skills. Um, so they use magic as a vehicle to bring kids in and teach them these life skills. And so, as I a couple of years ago thought I really want to get into teaching kids more and seeing them grow, I reconnected with Brian and rediscovered this curriculum that he's been proving over the past 11 years uh and and just jumped all in. I I fell in love with the curriculum, I fell in love with the the purpose behind his company, what he's trying to accomplish, and and dove right in. Um, so I started teaching magic classes to kids a couple of years ago and and haven't looked back. It's been such a blast having this experience with kids and not just seeing them grow as magicians, but more importantly seeing them grow as human beings. That's been really, really rewarding.
SPEAKER_01Thomas, that's really cool. Uh, I'm expound on that a little bit. Rewarding in what ways?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, so the magic curriculum teaches so much more than magic. That's the carrot, that's what brings kids in. But the true meat of the program is the eight true traits. So we teach kids to be a true magician, and we do that using the eight true traits. So it's rewarding to see the kids learn magic, but it's more rewarding to see them learn and start growing into true magicians who are utilizing these eight true traits.
SPEAKER_01I love that. So I want to dive into those eight true traits for those that are tuning in that maybe are not familiar, myself
The Eight True Traits Explained
SPEAKER_01included. What are those eight true traits? Tell us a little bit more about those.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, so the eight true traits are respectful, prepared, enthusiastic, confident, humble, creative, authentic, and giving. And we call them the eight true traits because they sort of sort of serve as uh uh building blocks or uh primary colors, elements that work together in order to form all different forms of character. So, for example, kindness would be a combination of respectful and giving with a touch of humility, right? We use these traits in different ways to form character.
SPEAKER_01I love that. And uh tell me why they matter beyond just magic.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, the the eight true traits really permeate all of our relationships. So I've come to know that our lives are more joyful when we focus on the relationships that we have with others, when we connect. And these eight true traits really help us to connect in better, more fulfilling and joyful ways. So they they really do expand beyond magic, they expand into all of our relationships that we have with other people. If I'm more respectful, if I'm more enthusiastic, then that makes a stronger connection with somebody else. If I'm more giving, then that is a more joyful relationship. And so because they expanded beyond magic, we've actually taken them and expanded them to other kids' enrichment programs. So we've expanded them to soccer and to dance and to Legos and things that kids find fun. We've tried to integrate our eight true traits into those enrichment programs as well.
SPEAKER_01So cool.
SPEAKER_00How are they being received? Really, really well. We so we've talked to a dance studio out of Utah who's been integrating these eight true traits, and and they've told us it's a complete game changer. Like they are so excited to be able to refer back to them with their dancers and say, now a true dancer is respectful, a true dancer is prepared. Make sure next week that you bring your ballet shoes with you in order to be prepared. And it's it's given them kind of like uh something to rally behind and a consistent structure for all of their lessons.
SPEAKER_01And Thomas, I think you and Brian are onto something. I I think this is fascinating, and I think it is uh needed, and obviously, such great tools that set kids up for success, uh, which is awesome. So tell me a little bit more
Building Character Through Fun Activities
SPEAKER_01about the foundation.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, so the A True Traits Foundation, our mission is to help people to truly connect through character-enhanced activities. So we take what's already fun for kids and we make it character building. We especially help with that social emotional learning or the SEL that so many kids need and that programs are trying to get to kids. So many programs take SEL and they try to make it fun. Our approach is to take what's fun and make it character building. So we're not playing games that teach respect, we're teaching magic and doing it in a way that builds respect in the kids.
SPEAKER_01Ah, very nice. So let's go a layer deeper uh to you personally. Which one of these traits has had the biggest impact on you personally?
SPEAKER_00Oh, that's a great question. Um, recently I was talking to a friend of mine and they asked me a similar question. They said, which of these traits would you like your kids to most learn? Um, and and it's something that I've benefited from in my life and had an impact on me personally, and that's probably giving, that last trait. Um, I've been so blessed by so many people and good mentors in my life that I feel so blessed that I've been given to, and I would love for my kids to take that giving nature and apply it to other people as well. I really want my kids to find opportunities to give, to always be finding ways to give to other people. The really neat thing about these traits is that they kind of build on each other, though. So giving is the last trait. So if you want to be giving, the first seven traits help you be giving. As you're respectful and prepared and enthusiastic, it makes you confident. And as you're creative and authentic and humble, that naturally leads to being more giving. Uh, and so the the traits have played a role in helping me develop my own character, uh, and they they kind of build on each other up to that that ultimate trait of giving. I like that.
SPEAKER_01Now, of these eight traits, what do you think the world needs most right now? Like for kids? What what's I mean, I know they're all important, like you say, they all build, but if you just had to like pick one, what one would you pick?
SPEAKER_00I think I'd have to say respect, that first trait, um, because everything else builds off of that, right? Uh in a world that feels increasingly divisive and driven by instant gratification, we need these traits, and they all begin with respect. I love that they actually begin with respect and lead to giving. Um, to me, those are the most important bookends of character. If I don't start with respect, that fundamental willingness to see someone else's perspective, to think of it from their point of view, I lose that ability to truly connect with them. I love this quote from Winston Churchill. He says, We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. Uh and and when we have respect, it leads us to want to give. So whether I'm standing in a room full of corporate executives or a circle of eight-year-olds holding magic wands, the truth is the same. Character is a journey that begins with how you see others and ends with what you contribute to them.
SPEAKER_01Certainly, there are viewers and listeners tuning in today that are like, this is really cool, and they may want to learn more about this. Do you have a website that people could go to to learn more?
SPEAKER_00We do, yeah. So the Eight True Traits Foundation is at www.eightruTraits.com. That's the number 8 true traits.com.
SPEAKER_01Okay. And and people can, again, if somebody's running a dance program or someone's running karate or someone's doing, you know, whatnot, they're they're able to tap in. Can they can they sign up for something? Can they work with you? How what does that look like?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I'd love to connect. We do have a free 40-page guide that helps kind of put these ideas into practice so they can go through and download the guide and start putting these ideas into practice. But I'd really just love to connect and talk with you uh and uh and find out what you're doing and how we can help. We've started moving more in the direction of training. So we'll come to your organization and help your team learn how to make connections through these character-enhanced activities. Um, so we we offer training as well, but at the beginning, I just love to connect. I'd love to talk with people about this. And and I'm I'm really excited about it. I'm passionate about it, and I just love talking about it. So uh if somebody wants to connect, they can find me on the website, on the atruTraits.com website. There's a connection there uh or a contact information there. Um, you can also find me on LinkedIn as well. I'm happy to connect. Good stuff.
Bringing The Traits Into Work
SPEAKER_01So one of the things I find fascinating about this, the these traits, uh, confidence, creativity, giving, they're not just for magic, they show up uh everywhere as you've as you've talked. Um, how do you see these traits play out in your corporate role? Is there any connection there?
SPEAKER_00Oh, yeah, absolutely. So that so they're in every relationship, right? They're in every connection. I work in clinical case management right now. Uh, and if we don't respect the patients that we're trying to help, if we're not prepared, if we're not confident in our answers, we fail. Uh if we're not humble and willing to learn or creative in our solutions, if we're not giving, then we fail, right? All of those traits help us to be more successful in the relationships that we have with the patients that we're interacting with. They really do permeate our entire lives. Uh, and they make they make life fun, they make life joyful.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, for sure. Uh, has your work with magic and with these kids have they made you a better leader?
SPEAKER_00I think so, yes. Um teaching children always reminds you that you can't force anybody to learn anything or to do anything. Kids have strong wills, and and I love that because it reminds me to be humble and to learn from them. Um, it reminds me that I can inspire, I can I can try to inspire, I can invite, I can create a motivating environment, but ultimately they have to do it themselves. And so if I can make that environment as as uh motivating as possible, as engaging and exciting as possible, then it makes it easier for them to do the things that I'm asking them to do, whether that's leading my own kids, leading a group of 27-year-olds, or leading at work in my corporate job. Um, if I can make it an engaging, exciting environment, then it's easier for them to follow. I think it also teaches me to focus on people and not performance. So focusing on the people leads to better performance as opposed to focusing on the performance leading to better performance.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I I think that is so true. Um, really good insights. So um I I'd like to make
A Shy Student Finds Confidence
SPEAKER_01this real for people listening. Um, so I I'm curious if you can share a moment, maybe with a student, where you saw this truly click, these traits click in in one of your students' mind.
SPEAKER_00There was one uh one particular student that comes to mind. I'm gonna call him James here. Um, but James was so shy in the first couple of classes. Uh so one of the things that we like to start our classes with is a low stakes, no-fail activity where they get a chance to do something and be successful at it pretty early on. And and the activity we were doing for that particular or one of these particular classes was the kid had to come up to the front and take a bow, and then everybody would give them a huge round of applause just to get get them excited about being there. And uh it was James's turn, so I invited James to come up to the front, and he was he was adamant, no, I'm not going up to the front of the class. And I said, that's okay, we'll we'll work on it. And uh, and we just continued with the class, right? We want we don't want them to feel like they're failing, we want them to be successful, and so I I said that's okay. James has now been taking magic classes for two years with me. Uh and the the growth that I have seen in his confidence and his ability to connect with the other kids has been incredible. He um he is the first to volunteer to come to the front and spotlight whatever the magic trick is that we're learning that day. He's the first to reach out to a friend and give him a hug or or encourage them. It's just been phenomenal seeing his growth from not wanting to be engaged or involved at all to being one of the first to offer to help. Um it's just been it's just been amazing. And the traits have really played a huge part in his life.
SPEAKER_01Thomas, this has been so great to connect with you, to learn about what you're doing. I love how uh you know your WG degree is is helping you be successful uh again, not only at work, but also in uh as a as a trainer, as a leader, but also in in what we've been talking about with the eight true traits and the great work that you're doing there. It's it's super fun. So um I want to shift for a moment and have a little bit of fun with
Rapid Fire And Final Takeaways
SPEAKER_01you. Uh you seem like a fun guy, and I want our audience to get to know you a little bit better. So we've compiled a list of rapid fire questions. We're calling it from the nest. Uh, are you game to take a seat on the hot seat? Let's do it. I love games. All right. So uh Thomas, just respond with what comes quickly to your mind. Uh, are you an early bird or a night owl? Night owl, absolutely. What is your favorite late-night snack? Chips and salsa. I love them. They're so good. What's one word to describe earning your degree from WGU? Uh empowering. A trait that you're personally working on right now. Humble. Uh, I can always say thank you more often.
SPEAKER_00What is a book or a podcast that you recommend? Oh, I just finished uh The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Um that's a fantastic read. Really, some some interesting, good ideas in that book. Uh, and then the other one is The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Just a classic. I love that one.
SPEAKER_01What's the best leadership quality every person should develop? It's gotta be respect, right?
SPEAKER_00Start with respect and the rest will follow.
SPEAKER_01Love it. How about a quote or a mantra that you strive to live by?
SPEAKER_00I really love this one by Harold B. Lee. The most important work you'll ever do will be within the walls of your own home. Love it. And uh, how about what makes you proud to be a night owl? It's exciting to be part of a community that's so revolutionary and forward-thinking about what education can be. Um that's that's it's just fun to be a part of and something that I can be proud of.
SPEAKER_01Well, we're proud of you and grateful to have you as an ambassador as a great example of WGU, and you are with that officially off the hot seat. All right. It wasn't that hot. It was all right. Nah, well, it wasn't too bad. Well, very good. As we wrap our interview today, I would love to, as always, um give you, our guests, uh, the final words. So to our audience of alumni, students, families, supporters, staff, and and maybe those that are just learning about WGU for the first time, uh, to take us out. Uh, what uh what would you like uh as a final parting word from you?
SPEAKER_00I think if I could leave the WGU community with one thought today, it's this it's never too late to decide what kind of character you want to lead with, and it's never too late to make a true connection with those people around you. I mean, we've talked about how character is a journey that begins with respect and leads to giving. Whether you're a student first starting out your first term or an alum leading a massive organization, the most impactful thing you can do, I think, is invest in human connections. I love that. Thomas, great stuff. At the A True Traits Foundation, that's really what we're trying to do. We're trying to help people build connections through those character-enhanced activities. We've taken the success of our youth programs and built professional trainings to help teams and organizations connect more deeply and thrive together. So if you're looking for a way to bring that spirit of respect, confidence, and giving to your team, please reach out. I'd love to I'd love to talk to you.
SPEAKER_01I love that. Yeah, definitely reach out to Thomas and uh learn a little bit more. And uh it's been so great having you, Thomas. It's been great being with you, Jeff. Thank you again so much for the opportunity. And thanks to our listeners for tuning into the WGU Alumni podcast. If today's episode has inspired you, we invite you to share it with a friend, a family member, a colleague, someone who can take the words that Thomas shared about it's never too late to invest and to believe in yourselves and to recognize that growth can come from the most unexpected places. And as always, we invite you to visit wgu.edu slash alumni to learn more about ways to stay engaged, to access all of the wonderful benefits and resources, and to learn about events happening in your neck of the woods. So thank you again, everybody. Thank you, Thomas, and have a great day, everybody.