The Lion Heart Experience

04/06/2026

We presented at a meeting with one of the largest camps in Michigan a while back. After my session, we were just observers. At one point in the day, everyone was giving suggestions on what they think the thousands of families they serve actually want in a camp experience, what they don't like and what is most effective with kids.

Frustrated, the president of the camp interrupted the session and said, "In God We Trust. Everyone else, bring data - please continue." Then he sat back down.

We laughed, because it's true. Especially when it comes to young people, everyone has got ideas and opinions on what works and what they want/deserve - at the end of the day, you need numbers to back up your ideas.

So, here's some numbers from The Lion Heart Experience with over 700 young people from a diverse pool of locations, social-class, school size, and background offering us feedback on what we provide.

Here's the a couple that stick out:

💡Over 60% of Young people in this survey say that being exposed to the messaging of The Lion Heart Experience would have positively benefitted their mental-health earlier in their school experience.

⌚️Compared to other guest groups and presenters over 60% of students say that The Lion Heart Experience is the best they have ever seen.

Who do you need to share this with today?

Book your end-of-the-year send-off, your summer PD session or welcome back to school assembly with us.
Thelionheartexperience.com

03/12/2026

$869 Million

That’s what hospitals around the US spend on costs incurred from self-harm. Staggering. We are still waiting to get sponsored by a Health Care System. Hit us up.

We sweep through districts k-12 with what mental-health professionals are calling a “must see event.”

We fit your MTSS model and your school likely already has funding to bring us in.

We write the songs your child is meant to remember well into adulthood.

We carry the melodies they will hum to their own kids someday.

Through story, music and visual-art, every audience is left with a tangible and powerful brush with curiosity around what their life can become and a glimpse into their inherent value and worth.

Don't miss it and stop bringing lame assemblies to your school just because they are cheap.

Are you on our tour schedule?

Thelionheartexperience.com

02/11/2026

"At the end of my first year teaching in Detroit, I took a group of students street performing. With our music, we filled a whole bucket with money and at the end of the night we went and got the most obnoxious ice-cream cones - chocolate dipped, sprinkles, gummy bears, three flavors high, whip cream, cherry on top waffle cones. It was my way of helping them see your passion can make a way for you in this world.
I'm still grabbing ice cream cones and paying for them with my talents, it's just higher stakes now."

Your school can actually hear the whole story by booking a show:
thelionheartexperience.com

02/10/2026

"In the band hallway at Bullock Creek High School, there's a small metal piece above the entrance to the band room doors. It keeps you from sliding a credit card or student ID along the top latch to unlock the door. It's there because of me and my best friends. My music experience was so powerful and formative - we found a way to break into the space, not to take, not to steal - but because that classroom was magic, we knew who we were in that classroom and I had to find a way in. My middle school band teacher (Mr. Wauldron) and my high school band teacher (Mr. Smokovitz) were the first people that that showed me I could transform a talent into a meal. I've been chasing it ever since, now it's landed me at your school."

Book Joe Vercellino and The Lion Heart Experience to inspire your students today:
thelionheartexperience.com

02/08/2026

Belonging is the first thing we learn to give and rip away from others in life. It's not a coincidence that kids as young as pre-school pivot to "you're not my friend anymore" as soon as they feel mistreated.

It's also our super-power and it's not a secret. Belonging is the magic of schools, sports teams, and incredible organizations. Too often we settle for its look-alikes, the off-brand or shallow versions of it, but real belonging, you know when you experience it.

Try "A Sense of Belonging" from The Lion Heart Experience for your students, paired perfectly with a 2-hour mini-session for your staff on evidence-based practices for building the original magic.

thelionheartexperience.com

02/08/2026

You found him.

thelionheartexperience.com

02/05/2026

https://www.parkrapidsenterprise.com/lifestyle/arts-and-entertainment/lion-heart-experience-comes-to-nevis-school

The Detroit-based hip hop duo painted picture of youth self-worth for an audience of Laporte and Nevis students on Jan. 30.

02/05/2026

https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/joe-vercellino-belonging-midland-21332322.php?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawPxxopleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeCBHl7DU8B6o77n-y2UChpus7mToXOGXqCEVpuFi9wQRjG_Xu_yjJP-ZxOqg_aem_1W8lEITjv3Cit9SopyzL2A

Central Auditorium shook with music, laughter and emotion as Midland native Joe Vercellino held Central Park Elementary students' attention with a message of belonging.

01/28/2026

A thoughtful approach to your teens in your classroom or home around passion and social issues.

The fiery passion felt around social-issues, the waves of emotion and gut wrenching pain internalized for others – these times offer young people (and most of us) an incredible opportunity to fine-tune or passion. I know right, weird wording? We don’t consider that their may be an elementary, middle or mature version of passion but there is and it comes back to (not your relationship to others) but your relationship with yourself.

1. Can you articulate what you FOR as well as what (or who) you are against and why?

2. Can you identify the primary influences of your position and passion? A video, a post, a news outlet, a personal experience. A mature version of passion understands how they are influenced.

3. Can you seek out a direct voice (not a post or video) of someone involved in the issue you feel passionate about so you can ask questions, address curiosities, and give them a chance to illuminate or explain layers you might not know about?

4. Remember belief, the foundation of your passion is expressed in the utilization of your best. The best of your time, the best of your talents, the best of your resources. What you direct those things towards, that’s what you believe in.

Cheering you on. Joe.

Joe Vercellino is the Leader of The Lion Heart Experience, a national touring group specializing in helping young people stay anchored in a strong sense of self-worth and curiosity around the potential of the impact of their life. For more information visit thelionheartexperience.com

01/23/2026

There is science behind belonging – We teach it to teachers and coaches all around the country. Building it correctly and having the language to express what feels out of balance as you pursue it. Belonging doesn’t have to be something that just happens – you can build it piece by piece. Book a session for your educators or coaches at thelionheartexperiene.com

01/22/2026

"It's for everyone but it's not for everyone."
Teacher entrepreneurs.
Branding your classroom.

Grab the guide here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mvqbls6h30pmoa3xrc1s4/Standout_2025.pdf?rlkey=cl1p7rh6ifpfdsn2nrz91fhau&e=1&st=047m2ptq&dl=0

Peak your interest? Send us a message if you're looking to offer a unique and inspiring session to your school PD schedule this year.

thelionheartexperience.com