Discover
Cornell (thank) U

Cornell (thank) U
Author: Cornell (thank) U
Subscribed: 2Played: 90Subscribe
Share
© 2025 Cornell (thank) U
Description
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)
181 Episodes
Reverse
Here’s what you can look forward to in this episode with Josh Gully: What it’s like to be part of a five-generation Cornell legacyHow he almost majored in horticulture—and why he didn’tHis unexpected journey into family financial planningThe story behind the flower empire he and his dad ran from their backyard How legendary coach Richie Moran changed his lifeWhy Cornell continues to hold deep personal meaning for himTune in for a thoughtful, fun conversation about the many ways Cornell s...
From the Hill to the White House, Seth Harris has shaped labor policy at the highest level—and he’s got the stories to prove it. He worked with Clinton, Obama, and Biden. He sat at the Cabinet table. But before all of that, he was a Cornellian enjoying Cornell to the fullest—from learning what really matters, to finding his voice—and discovering a path that would take him all the way to the West Wing. Oh, and he had a lot of fun too. And now, he's a blogcaster. You read that right. Tune...
Before he was reinventing teeth whitening and launching cutting edge dental tech, smile icon Dr. Jonathan Levine was lighting up the lacrosse field as a two-time Cornell all-star. In this episode, we discuss his Big Red beginnings, an amazing Cornell program he launched with Dr. David Levine, and how he built a family business rooted in innovation and compassion. And Lenny Kravitz...how does he factor in? Also, you will not believe what they can do in his office - think very, very high ...
In this special episode, we honor the life and legacy of Michelle's mom, Marilyn Stuzin — a woman whose heart belonged to Cornell and whose presence left a lasting mark on everyone lucky enough to know her. Marilyn was elegant, funny, and full of love — the kind of love that showed up in big ways, whether it meant racing down the highway, embracing Michelle's friends like family, or dating one of Cornell's celebrity professors in the 60's. Her connection to Cornell ran deep, as does our love ...
Scarlet Fu, a longtime Bloomberg anchor and chief markets correspondent, has spent over 25 years covering the biggest stories in finance. Turn on your TV, you will blown away. And here's what else you need to know: She’s a Phi Beta Kappa graduateShe interned at the White House under President ClintonShe once auditioned to be an MTV VJ in Hong KongShe was a producer at CNBC AsiaShe’s absolutely hilarious and one of the best storytellers we’ve ever had on the podcast This conversation is e...
Scott Oliaro won’t say it himself, but we will—he’s a Cornell Football legend. A two-time captain, multiple record holder, and Cornell Athletic Hall of Famer, Scott embodies the ultimate team player, both on the field and in his role as Director of Sports Medicine at UNC. From the moment he set his sights on sports medicine, Scott dedicated his career to keeping athletes healthy, preventing injuries, and optimizing performance. In this episode, he takes us behind the scenes of his work with e...
This week we talk to Sue Scheiner about her path from beautiful Cornell to the vibrant world of Sesame Street. We had an incredibly fun and nostalgic conversation about education, inspiration, and the magic of mentorship. As an HDFS major in Cornell Human Ecology, she was guided by the wonderful Professor John Condry, whose influence helped launch her 35-year career at Sesame Street. Sue shares how her love for learning, her incredible Cornell friendships, and her passion for chil...
Melissa Gellman Weiss is a brand strategist and marketing leader who has shaped major companies like Amazon, J.Crew, Theory and Barry’s Bootcamp. Melissa has built and transformed businesses by combining data-driven insights with creative storytelling—a skill she credits in part to her English major at Cornell. Beyond her corporate success, Melissa pursued a deeply personal dream—launching her own women’s fitness studio, a space designed to empower and challenge middle-aged women to build str...
In this episode, we talk to Joe Holland—a Cornell football All-American and Academic All-American who went on to become a minister, lawyer, author, politician, and community leader. His impact spans industries and generations. Joe shares his remarkable journey—transferring from Michigan, finding his path at Cornell, excelling on the football field despite challenges, and ultimately dedicating his life to serving and uplifting Harlem’s homeless community. We also dive into his many other achie...
We’ve been looking forward to this episode! Kim Murstein ('18), the brilliant creator and co-host of Excuse My Grandma, joins us to talk about her time at Cornell, what led her to launch a podcast with her hilarious Grandma Gail, and how their multi-generational banter has taken over TikTok and Instagram. From dorm life and sorority days to fashion, dating, and building a media empire, Kim gives a really interesting look into how it all came together. Plus, we play a grandma-themed game...
From the Cornell Hotel School to leading Fischer Travel (with his grandpa and mom!), Max Rosenthal (‘16) shares his journey into the world of exclusive, ultra-luxury travel (that's the only way to categorize it - wait till you hear!). He discusses working in a multi-generational family business, creating seamless experiences for high-profile clients, meeting his wife at Cornell, and keeping up with his Cornell friends and network. Plus, we put Max to the test with a "Would You Rather" t...
Meet Yaneris Rosa, Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs at WWE and a trailblazer in sports entertainment. Yaneris shares her inspiring story from growing up in the Dominican Republic and then Long Island, NY, to attending Cornell University as a first-generation student, and ultimately earning a degree from Harvard Law School! She has a remarkable career path, including her time at startups, Fortune 100 and 500 companies, and tells us how she brought innovation to WWE dur...
In this powerful episode, we reconnect with Holly Zax Shuter, a beloved sorority sister from Los Angeles. Holly shares stories of resilience during the recent California wildfires, detailing the challenges of evacuation, the generosity of her community, and the inspiring efforts to rebuild and support those affected. We also delve into Holly's treasured memories of Cornell—her experience as a West Coast student navigating life on the East Coast, the lifelong friendships formed at Corne...
Tara "Blitzy" Blitzer Benson ’93 brings her signature humor, sharp insights, and favorite Cornell memories to the podcast! From her days as an enthusiastic social chair to her impressive career as Vice President and General Counsel at Proscia, a cutting-edge digital pathology company, Tara’s story is as inspiring as it is fun. She raised two Cornellians, one starting next fall, and she shares her unique perspective as both an alum and a parent. Oh, and as a college town bartender. Get ...
You’ll love this conversation with the legendary Jeremy Schaap, Cornell alum and Emmy-winning ESPN sports journalist. From his roots at the Cornell Daily Sun—where he spent more time than anywhere else on campus—to his 30+ years at ESPN, Jeremy has covered every major sporting event and the most fascinating athlete stories. Known for award-winning documentaries like E:60 and Outside the Lines, he brings unparalleled depth and passion to his storytelling. Today, Jeremy reflects on his time at ...
From pioneering patented construction technologies that transformed NYC’s infrastructure, to working underground for over a decade (and surviving to share with us what’s really down there!), Stephen Paletta '87 has built a career and a life defined by innovation and purpose. A life-changing trip to Rwanda sparked a mission of giving back, and he’s been reshaping philanthropy ever since. As the "Biggest Giver" on Oprah’s Big Give, Stephen used his $1M prize to launch GiveBack, a platfo...
This was the perfect conversation to have just days before Christmas. We spoke with Beth and Dan Duffy, whose love story began on campus in 1978. Dan, a member of the Cornell hockey team, and Beth, known for her warmth and wide circle of friends, created lifelong connections during their time on campus. Their love story started as freshmen, took a pause, and then started again 20 years later when they got married. Together, they’ve created the "Christmas Tree of Kindness," a project that enc...
This week we’re thrilled to celebrate the incredible Randye Ringer, who was recently introduced to us by Peter Kaplan (thank you, Peter!) and she was just inducted into her high school’s Hall of Fame! Why, you ask? Randye’s career has been a testament to creativity, resilience, and a passion for making a difference. From her 15 years with the New York Mets to her humanitarian work with First Pitch: The US-Manipur Baseball Project, Randye has used sports as a bridge to foster joy and hope in ...
Meet Georgia Kelly, a fierce defender on Cornell’s field hockey team with ties to both England and Ireland. Georgia shares her inspiring journey of overcoming injuries, adjusting to life at Cornell, and making an impact on and off the field. Known for her stellar defensive skills and unstoppable spirit, Georgia gave us the inside scoop on life as a student-athlete. With her humor, energy, and authenticity, Georgia made this conversation as fun as it was inspiring—we couldn’t get enough of her...
Frank Kelly III’s journey is one of resilience, faith, and family. As a standout athlete at Cornell, he captained the lacrosse team, played football, and overcame injuries-- and most of all, he had a profound spiritual awakening his sophomore year. Now he’s the CEO of Kelly Benefits, a coach, speaker, and author! Frank shares how his faith shaped his life and guides his work and family. And we want to be honorary members of that family! He and all the Kellys are incredible! We are excit...
Comments