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Take a trip down memory lane with other Cornellians. Weekly conversations with Michelle and Stephanie will introduce you to past and present Cornellians to hear where they are now and why they are most thankful to Cornell. (Not affiliated with or sponsored by Cornell University)
222 Episodes
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Dr. Nicole McNichols ’97 is a professor whose work explores sex, intimacy, and how people connect. In this episode, Nicole breaks down what’s actually happening in modern dating and relationships — why so many people feel disconnected, how expectations around sex have shifted, and what the research really says about pleasure, desire, and communication. Drawing from both her classroom and her own work, she explains the myths we’ve absorbed, the pressure people feel to “get it right,” and...
Asian Americans make up a small percentage of artists on major stages — and Lily Tung Crystal is actively changing that. Lily is the Artistic Director of East West Players, the nation’s largest and longest-running Asian American theater company. She shares her journey from Cornell to Shanghai to Minneapolis to Los Angeles, and how her work is reshaping who gets hired, who gets supported, and whose stories are told. We talk about representation, leadership, and why lasting change in the arts t...
Meet Dr. Eric Kusseluk ’97, a board-certified dermatologist, former Cornell soccer player, and a true example of persistence. "Dr. K" (to us) shares the remarkable story of how sheer tenacity got him into Cornell off the waitlist, onto the soccer field as a walk-on, and eventually helped transform the program into an Ivy League championship team. That same determination followed him through Wall Street, medical school (another waitlist work of magic), and into building a successful dermatolog...
Some people build careers. Others build trust (and an incredible career). Beloved return guest Dave Price joins us for a deeper conversation about what it means to show up — not just on television, but for people who need connection most. From decades as a trusted television weather forecaster to traveling overseas to entertain U.S. troops, Dave reflects on service, consistency, and why presence matters more than recognition. We talk about how those trips began, what stays with him long after...
This episode is a reset. Lainie returns for a rare, mostly unedited conversation that unfolds like a masterclass in letting go. Her new book, Hold Nothing: An Invitation to Let Go and Come Home to Yourself, left us reflecting (and crying!) long after we finished — and questioning what we carry that no longer serves us. We explore what it really means to “hold nothing,” how presence and stillness shape the way we think and relate, and why friendship, service, and trust steady the nervous syste...
What actually happens when companies run out of ideas—and who do they call next? Beth Yancey Storz ’92 Beth is an innovation leader, creative strategist, and co-author of Outsmart Your Instincts. For decades, she’s helped teams break through stuck thinking and lead better brainstorms. In this episode, she takes us inside the room where ideas are really made. Do you know why “no idea is a bad idea” isn’t quite right? Or how negativity quietly kills creativity? And what great facilitators do di...
We kick off the episode with the upbeat song from Looking Up, because it’s exactly the Monday energy you need. Elena Neuman ’88 joins us to share how a 10-minute video unexpectedly became a full feature documentary—filmed on the face of El Capitan in Yosemite. Elena reflects on her Cornell experience, the professor who changed her path, and what it really takes to tell a powerful story—from creative pivots during COVID to finding the heart of a film in the edit. She also shares her work leadi...
This week we sit down with Dr. Shari Brasner, a (semi famous!) OB/Gyn, widely respected for her approach to patient care. Dr. Brasner reflects on how her time at Cornell shaped her path in medicine and shares why the relationship between doctor and patient matters so deeply. Through honest, funny, and sometimes emotional stories, she highlights the impact of trust, communication, and compassion in moments that truly count. This conversation goes beyond credentials. It’s about the importance o...
Cornell-trained veterinary surgeon Dr. Jared Baum shares the unbelievable story of how he saved Steph’s dog Buddy from emergency surgery—using skill, compassion, and one very brave hand. We talk about his Cornell Vet residency, the compassion award created in his honor, the night he drove 90 minutes to save a senior Chihuahua named Mabel, and his exciting new surgical clinic, PEAK Veterinary Surgical Care in Delray Beach. We have been dying to speak to a Cornell veterinarian—Cornell vets real...
Cornell Hotelie and former Big Red football player Jesse Baker ’09 joins us to share the path that took him from a blue-collar upbringing to founding JET Hospitality, a company transforming distressed RV parks and motels into boutique outdoor destinations. Jesse talks about discovering entrepreneurship early, finding his footing at Cornell, getting into real estate, and how flipping houses and experimenting with short-term rentals eventually shaped his approach to “lifestyle lodging.” He also...
Celebrating four years of the Cornell (thank) U Podcast with a special anniversary episode full of gratitude, laughter, and reflection. We share what it’s really been like building the show, touch on a few behind-the-scenes moments, answer your most-asked questions, and look ahead to what’s coming (and who we’re dreaming of) in Season 5. Thank you to our families, listeners, friends, and the entire Cornell community for making the last four years so unforgettable. Year Five… here we come! Wis...
David Gura tells us how a kid from Chapel Hill found his way to Cornell and into some of the most respected newsrooms in the country. He shares how writing for the Cornell Daily Sun, spending a semester with Cornell in Washington, and an early internship at NPR sparked his love for journalism. From NPR to MSNBC to Bloomberg, David has built a career telling stories across radio, TV, and podcasting. The conversation is smart, fun, and full of the insight and authenticity that make David ...
If you’ve ever dreamed of going back to Cornell for “just one more class,” this episode will take you there. Our guest, Corey Ryan Earle ’07—Cornell’s ultimate storyteller and fourth-generation Cornellian—teaches the legendary AMST 2001: The First American University, a one-credit Monday night class with hundreds of students on the waitlist known as “Storytime with Corey.” Corey shares what makes Cornell’s history so special, from live bears and Slope Day with Kanye, to the origins of “Any Pe...
This week, we welcome Alli Frank, Cornell class of ’92, who might just become your new favorite author. She’s smart, funny, creative — and the kind of person you instantly wish you’d met on campus. We do. Alli talks about her path from Cornell to publishing, the partnership behind her bestselling novels with Asha Youmans, and the humor and heart they bring to every story. You’ll hear why readers connect so deeply with her books and get a sneak peek at her upcoming release, Run for Your Life, ...
Well, we are completely starstruck. This week, we talked with Cornell football legend Ed Marinaro ’73—record-setting running back, NFL star, and fan-favorite actor. From Schoellkopf Field to the Super Bowl to Hill Street Blues, Ed’s story has it all. He tells us how Cornell changed his life, why he turned down 30 powerhouse football programs for the Hotel School, and how a purple Porsche and a closet became part of his diploma story. He’s funny, charming, humble, and full of pride...
Our guest, Dr. Tashara Leak, is the powerhouse behind Cornell’s growing presence in New York City. She’s built a life centered on opportunity and impact—creating pathways for Human Ecology students to live, learn, and work in NYC. Tashara is bringing the classroom to the real world, and she hopes every Cornell college will join the movement. She shares stories about her inspiring mom, her unexpected path from pre-med to public health, and how she’s helping Cornell students find confidence and...
Content warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual assault, though no graphic details are shared. In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Gwen Whiting is back with us to discuss her Marie Claire essay “It Took Me Decades to Realize My Doctor Was a Predator.” She shares her story of surviving sexual abuse and the long process of making sense of what happened to her and so many others. Gwen speaks candidly about her experience as a patient of Dr. Robert Hadden, the journey of com...
This conversation scores on every level. It’s not every day we get to chat with a commissioner — and not just any commissioner! This week, we talk with Gary Bettman, Commissioner of the NHL, Cornell Class of ’74, and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Gary takes us back to his days growing up in Queens, navigating a mid–high school move, and finding his way to Cornell’s ILR School. He shares what campus life was like in the early ’70s, how Cornell shaped his path to law school and event...
At Cornell, Steve Cohen honed more than sleight of hand—he built the foundation for a career performing for the world’s most exclusive audiences. From psychology classes—Steve is another incredible Cornell Human Ecology grad—to campus shows, and from a dean’s living-room gig to a performance for Carl Sagan and his colleagues that earned a standing ovation, Steve’s Big Red experience shaped the signature style of his mind-blowing show, Chamber Magic. Hear the full story of how his Cornell jour...
Have you ever met anyone who actually worked on the Hot Truck with Bob Petrilose? Well, Michelle met Jeff Weintraub on the Human Ecology Alumni Association Board, where his kindness and commitment to Cornell were immediately obvious. What wasn’t obvious? That Jeff has almost as many letters after his name as the Hot Truck menu board: MD, MBA, CFP. Jeff takes us through his fascinating journey from practicing medicine to managing money, and how he earned the nickname “Dr. Jeff Finance.” He tal...
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