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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)
216 Episodes
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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...
He puts the heart in Hartford. In this episode, we talk to NBC Hartford’s beloved meteorologist, Bob Maxon, who is celebrating 30 incredible years on the air. We talk about his snowy hometown of Oswego, NY, where his fascination with wild weather began, and how Cornell University shaped both his career and his lifelong friendships. We also dive into his broadcasting career that’s seen it all — blizzards, hurricanes, and unforgettable community moments. He's the voice Hartford wakes up to ever...
This week we welcome Pam Chertok Caine ’88. We were so happy to see her and spend time with her. We have not seen her since she graduated. Pam reflects on her time at Cornell with warmth and nostalgia, before sharing a profoundly personal story of love, loss, and resilience. When faced with unimaginable heartbreak, Pam chose to honor her experience by helping others. Through her work at Griffin Cares Foundation, she and her husband and children have built a community for individuals and famil...
On just her fifth day at Cornell, freshman Alex Benson ’29 joined us for a quick but energizing conversation. Broadcasting straight from her triple in High Rise 5, Alex shared what it’s really like to experience those first whirlwind days of orientation week. She talks about the unique excitement of being one of thousands of freshmen all starting together, orientation events, dining hall discoveries, and then we shuddered at her mention of communal bathrooms. We wrapped up with a quick round ...
By the time he got to Cornell, Nathan Eapen had already faced challenges most people never encounter. After enlisting in the Army right out of high school, he trained as an infantryman, deployed to Europe on NATO missions, and faced a career-ending injury that forced him to rethink his future. That path ultimately led him to Cornell, where sprint football gave him a new team and Cornell Human Ecology gave him a new mission. Michelle first met Nathan while onboarding him for the Human Ecology ...
This week we talk with Hallie Goldman Hohner ’91, whose path proves you can succeed brilliantly in more than one world. At Cornell’s ILR School, Hallie graduated in the top 1% of her class before launching a distinguished law career. But her story didn’t stop there. Driven by her lifelong love of singing and theater, she went on to create Broadway Camp for Adults - a Broadway camp that has become a destination for aspiring performers — a place where passion, talent, and dreams collide. ...
Mary Maxon Grainger ’79 has spent her life showing up for the people and places she cares about most. From leading alumni groups to mentoring women to advocating for girls’ hockey, she’s made an impact that stretches across Cornell and the Ithaca community. In this episode, Mary shares how a gregarious first-year student in Baker Tower became a lifelong connector, volunteer, and leader. Her story is thoughtful, honest, and full of the kind of perspective you can only get from decades of servi...
You’ve heard of triple threats — but none quite like Bruce Hulse: a Cornell two-sport athlete, a globetrotting supermodel, and a lifelong seeker of spiritual truth. We talk to Bruce about his evolution from athletic star to one of the most recognizable male models of the 1980s and beyond. With a modeling career spanning over 40 years, Bruce has worked with icons like Bruce Weber, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren... and Cindy Crawford. He's also an incredible surfer — and yes, he was naked on Cornel...
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