Best MIT Alumni Podcasts (2025)

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Leading Successful Enterprise-Wide Technology Rollouts with Branden Ramsey 13:07

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3d ago13:07

13:07

In this episode, we are featuring Branden Ramsey. Branden works at Axiom Space as the Senior Director of Digital Transformation. Today, Branden discusses how to lead successful enterprise-wide technology rollouts. He delves into how to overcome the challenges of these rollouts, as well as the tools and tactics that lead to successful ones. Technica…

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How to Grow Your Business and How to be a Great Dad 54:04

6d ago54:04

54:04

In this episode initially I help a businessman who is struggling to increase productivity find a way to grow his business through innovation and relationship building. Another show highlight is a Dad hoping to repair a relationship with his adult daughter. This show takes place close to Father's Day and will be appreciated by all dads and daughters…

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View Life as an Adventure, Men and Feelings, Mary Caring about Others 54:53

8d ago54:53

54:53

Young girl anxious about the future begins to see the future as a great adventure. Lou tells why men need to be ok with feelings, and Mary talks about caring about others.By Chuck Wolfe, WPKN

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Richard Haass: Guarding Democracy by Teaching Civics 38:57

11d ago38:57

38:57

ACTA president Michael Poliakoff speaks with Richard Haass, distinguished diplomat and president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations. Dr. Haass has served four U.S. Presidents over 25 years, including two years leading the Irish peace process as the U.S. Special Envoy for Northern Ireland. He is the author or editor of fourteen books on Am…

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METM Alumni Spotlight: Tyler Esters 9:30

1M ago9:30

9:30

In this Alumni Spotlight episode, we speak with Tyler Esters, Plant Manager at Closure Systems International and a 2024 graduate of the METM program. Tyler shares his experience returning to school as a working professional and father, how he balances family life and work with school, and the skills he gained through the METM program. Listen to hea…

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Snejina Zacharia, SF ’13: From MIT Classroom to Insurance Disruptor 32:06

1M ago32:06

32:06

In this episode, Snejina Zacharia, SF ’13, a 2013 MIT Sloan Fellow from Bulgaria, transformed a personal insurance frustration into a $500 million business by founding Insurify, the "Kayak of insurance." After a minor car accident during her time at MIT caused her premiums to spike, she discovered the absence of a comprehensive insurance comparison…

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Free Speech Soars at GMU Law School 24:12

2M ago24:12

24:12

Dubbed “Washington’s School for Civil Discourse,” George Mason University’s (GMU) Antonin Scalia Law School exposes students to all legal and political viewpoints and leads them in civil, respectful debate. In this episode of Higher Ed Now, ACTA’s Bryan Paul interviews JoAnn Koob, assistant professor of law and director of the Antonin Scalia Law Sc…

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An Emotionally Intelligent tribute to Mothers in honor of Mother's Day - 4 callers heartwarming stories 52:22

2M ago52:22

52:22

Today's show addresses the need to show our love to our Moms. As one caller put it, his Dad told him, in war when soldiers are hurt and dying, when they cry out, it is for their Mom. Even though relationships are easily strained, and we aren't always getting along with our family members, there are times when we just need to reach past the tough st…

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Reinvigorating Civil Discourse at M.I.T. 28:31

2M ago28:31

28:31

MIT Concourse is a program for first-year students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that “brings science into conversation with the humanities.” It also hosts the Civil Discourse Project, which seeks to “reinvigorate the open exchange of ideas at MIT.” In this episode of Higher Ed Now, ACTA’s Bryan Paul interviews Senior Lecturer Linda …

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Inside the Master of Engineering Technical Management Capstone with Denise Sherrod 7:54

2M ago7:54

7:54

In this episode, we speak to Denise Sherrod, Chief of Automation at Occidental Petroleum. Denise shares the story behind her Capstone Project, which she completed during her time in the Master of Engineering Technical Management program. Tune in to hear how she approached the project, what made it successful, and how it continues to influence her l…

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Civil Discourse Surges at UNC-Greensboro 37:31

2M ago37:31

37:31

ACTA’s Program Coordinator for the College Debates and Discourse Alliance, Kayla Johnston, returns to her alma mater, the University of North Carolina (UNC)–Greensboro, for a conversation with two student leaders: Lauren Fletcher and Matt Kircher. Thanks to the generous support of the Barnes Family Foundation, the College Debates and Discourse Alli…

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John Hillen: American Civics and Student Leadership 46:35

2M ago46:35

46:35

ACTA President Michael Poliakoff welcomes The Honorable John Hillen, distinguished resident fellow at the Center for Politics in Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy and an executive-in-residence of the Political Science Department. Dr. Hillen is a combat veteran and Bronze Star recipient, a former assistant U.S. secretary of state, a …

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Harvard Business School Alumni Panel discuss the growing importance of Emotional Intelligence 54:24

3M ago54:24

54:24

I organized a panel of experts to discuss the growing importance of emotional intelligence. In this episode I feature Cary Cherniss who has partnered with Dan Goleman to create and run the Consortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organizations (CREIO). Carey has also authored articles and books on emotional intelligence. Other speakers …

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Zagros Madjd-Sadjadi: Expanding Civil Discourse at Winston-Salem State University 48:49

3M ago48:49

48:49

This episode features Zagros Madjd-Sadjadi, professor of economics at Winston-Salem State University. Dr. Madjd-Sadjadi has more than 30 years of teaching and economic consulting experience and was formerly the chief economist of the city and county of San Francisco. His work has been cited in the Congressional Record and led to the repeal of the G…

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Creating Psychological Safety from the Inside Out: A Neuroscience Perspective with Dr. Noushin Bayat 25:44

3M ago25:44

25:44

In today’s episode, we are featuring Dr. Noush Bayat. Dr. Bayat works with clients for Executive Leadership Coaching and Consulting, including being one of the Personal Leadership Coaches for Texas A&M’s METM program. In this episode, Dr. Bayat discusses the neuroscience and importance of creating psychological safety in a workplace environment. Te…

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Raafet Azzouz, SFMBA ’24: Stories, Strategy, and the Strength of the Immigrant Experience 26:23

3M ago26:23

26:23

In this episode of Sloanies Talking with Sloanies, host Christopher Reichert sits down with Raafet Azzouz, a 2024 Sloan Fellow at MIT Sloan, to explore his remarkable journey from a small town in Tunisia to global finance and entrepreneurship. Raafet shares how his early love for mathematics and humanities shaped his academic path through France, u…

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A Conversation With Former Dean David Schmittlein 18:56

4M ago18:56

18:56

In this episode from 2019, Christopher Reichert, MOT ‘04, sat down with David Schmittlein, former Dean (2007–2024) and Professor of Marketing at the MIT Sloan School of Management, to discuss many topics, including where he found inspiration in his personal and professional life. Support the show Thanks for listening! Find more episodes on the Sloa…

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Jane Calvert: The Imperative to Study America's Founding 27:25

4M ago27:25

27:25

In this episode, ACTA Vice President of Policy Bradley Jackson talks with Jane Calvert, director of the John Dickinson Writings Project and a member of ACTA’s National Commission on American History and Civic Education. They contend that the study of history is less about rote memorization and more like being a detective excavating an unsolved myst…

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The Origins of Emotional Intelligence and the Emotion Roadmap with Yale President Emeritus Peter Salovey and his Colleagues and Chuck Wolfe 54:57

4M ago54:57

54:57

Two pioneering psychologists, Yale President Peter Salovey Emeritus and University of New Hampshire Psychology Professor Jack Mayer, discovered and published an article about emotional intelligence in 1990. Chuck Wolfe worked closely with them and created the Emotion Roadmap to help people improve their emotional intelligence abilities. Listen to t…

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Emotion Roadmap Benefits Diverse Business Owners 30:49

4M ago30:49

30:49

No matter the business, emotions matter. Learn how owners of businesses in trucking, warehousing, engineering, coaching, and neurodiverse solutions are benefiting by using the Emotion Roadmap.By Chuck Wolfe, WPKN

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Executive Leadership Series: Tobin Williams 43:44

4M ago43:44

43:44

In today's episode, we feature Tobin Williams, former Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Stellantis. This exclusive audio was recorded during Texas A&M's Master of Engineering Technical Management's (METM) Executive Leadership Speaker Series, where Tobin spoke to METM students, faculty, and guests. He reflects on his leadership journey tha…

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Juniata College: Embracing Debate from the Campus to Classroom 1:08:44

4M ago1:08:44

1:08:44

In this episode, Sadie Webb, ACTA's Associate Director of the College Debates and Discourse (CD&D) Alliance, discusses the Alliance’s extensive work with faculty and student leaders at Juniata College. Dean of Students Matthew Damschroder, Dean of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Derek James, and four students share how participating in classroom an…

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Mike's Ex, who left, wants to reconnect with adult children, while Gary and his codependent plutonic friend considers intimacy 54:50

5M ago54:50

54:50

Mike is a good dad and also friendly with his ex-wife who years before left the family due to mental health issues. His Ex wishes to reconnect with their adult children and Mike is uncertain about if and how he should be involved. After our call, he is feeling pleased and quite clear about his choices and their potential impact. Gary and his pluton…

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Nick and TJ deal with past childhood trauma and get help with partner relationships 54:19

5M ago54:19

54:19

Two callers, Nick and TJ, seem very pleased with the help they get using the Emotion Roadmap to guide their behaviors with their existing partners. Both are in potential breakup situations that are being influenced by their childhood challenges. Guidance is provided that while similar, is somewhat unique to their respective situations.…

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Jon Hardister: Theory and Practice of Excellent University Governance 24:30

5M ago24:30

24:30

ACTA’s chief of staff and SVP, Armand Alacbay, sits down with Jon Hardister, who once chaired North Carolina's House Education Committee, and now serves as a trustee at Western Carolina University. Hear his insider insights on the key role trustees play in university governance, student success, and protecting free speech on campus.…

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EQ in Action at MIT's Lincoln Lab: A Deep Dive with EQ Coach John Hughes 26:15

5M ago26:15

26:15

In today's episode, we sit down with John Hughes, President & EQ-I Executive Coach at EI Assessments. John has extensive experience in EQ assessments and coaching for leadership and executive development across various industries. Recently, John worked with 112 Lincoln Lab Group Leaders, Assistant Group Leaders, and professional staff, conducting p…

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Centaur Labs is conquering AI for medical labeling - CEO Erik Duhaime 50:53

5M ago50:53

50:53

We sit down with Centaur Labs founder and CEO Erik Duhaime. Duhaime — and his company —are alums of our delta V accelerator program. Centaur Labs was born out of research at the MIT Center for Collective Intelligence, which explores how people and computers can be organized so that – collectively – they act more intelligently than any person, group…

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Ohio Senator Jerry Cirino: Fortifying Open Discourse in the Buckeye State 33:56

5M ago33:56

33:56

ACTA president Michael Poliakoff speaks to Ohio Senator Jerry Cirino, vice chair of the Senate's Higher Education Committee, on his promise to enact legislation to enhance the quality of higher education in the Buckeye State. Senator Cirino aims to safeguard open discourse and intellectual diversity for both students and faculty, mandate institutio…

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Mitch Daniels: The Heart of the Academic Enterprise 29:32

6M ago29:32

29:32

Focusing on the role of higher education in preparing young Americans for citizenship, ACTA's president Michael Poliakoff speaks with Mitch Daniels, former Governor of Indiana, who also served as president of Purdue University from 2013 to 2022.

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Emotion Roadmap 1/8/25 Jay wants help with life balance. Wonderful conversation about life and purpose. 53:14

6M ago53:14

53:14

Much discussion about careers. When someone becomes somewhat bored or drained with what they are doing, they often look to do something else. At times, this makes great sense. Other times, we simply need to look at all the puzzle pieces that make up our lives and reconfigure the puzzle so we will feel purposeful and balanced, without necessarily ch…

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Joshua Dunn: Intellectual Diversity and Informed Patriotism 36:01

6M ago36:01

36:01

ACTA's president Michael Poliakoff speaks with the distinguished scholar and education leader, Joshua Dunn, who took on leadership of the recently established Institute of American Civics at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in June, 2023. Professor Dunn was previously the executive director of the Center for the Study of Government and the Ind…

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Emotion Roadmap Jan 1 New Beginnings, Emotions Involved with Change, and Career Guidance 54:02

6M ago54:02

54:02

January 1 and all that the New Year brings, challenges, optimism and a teacher who wonders about changing careers. Guidance is for anyone considering the emotions involved in change.By Chuck Wolfe, WPKN

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METM Alumni Spotlight: Martin Atchison 21:49

6M ago21:49

21:49

In today's episode, we are spotlighting an alumnus of Texas A&M University's Master of Engineering Technical Management (METM), a degree that prepares engineering and technology professionals to become the leaders of the future. We dive into Martin’s experience in the METM program and explore how the skills he gained—like prioritizing self-care, fo…

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Aaron Sibarium - On the Record 1:06:39

7M ago1:06:39

1:06:39

ACTA's Paul and Karen Levy Fellow in Campus Freedom, Steve McGuire, interviews Aaron Sibarium, a journalist who writes for the Washington Free Beacon. Sibarium graduated in 2018 from Yale University, where he was the opinion editor of The Yale Daily News. Much of his reporting for the Free Beacon focuses on issues in higher education, and he has au…

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Peter Skerry: Embracing Uncomfortable Campus Conversations 43:54

7M ago43:54

43:54

Higher Ed Now producer Doug Sprei interviews Peter Skerry, professor of political science at Boston College, who has served as a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. He has been featured in a variety of scholarly and national media publications, and is the author of Counting on the Cen…

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The Emotion Roadmap Origins 1:00:00

7M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

The radio call in show "The Emotion Roadmap: Take the Wheel and Control How You Feel" is now entering its 16th year. Origins of the show and the show's voluntary host and emotional intelligence expert Chuck Wolfe talks about how the show began, and how the Emotion Roadmap helps people manage their own emotions and their relationships with others. T…

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The Power of EQ in Leadership: A Conversation with Ryan Holt 15:19

7M ago15:19

15:19

In this episode, Ryan Holt, Manufacturing Engineering & Facilities Manager at Dover Precision Components, dives into the powerful role empathy plays in building positive professional relationships. Ryan shares how fostering empathy can strengthen workplace culture, drive team engagement, and help leaders advance their agendas effectively. As a facu…

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Tire Tutor CEO Jason Abrahams laces up his start-up skates 53:55

7M ago53:55

53:55

Tire Tutor is the “only true all-in-one solution in the automotive industry,” and it was born right here at MIT’s Trust Center. In this episode, we sit down with CEO Jason Abrahams, an alumni of our delta V accelerator program, to chat about building a start-up from the ground up. TireTutor’s products include a modern POS with integrated tire order…

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Henna Karna, EMBA ’18, on Innovation, AI, and the MIT Sloan Experience 32:20

7M ago32:20

32:20

In this episode of Sloanies Talking with Sloanies, Christopher Reichert interviews Henna Karna, EMBA ’18, who reflects on her academic and professional journey. Karna discusses how Sloan’s blend of quantitative and qualitative learning has shaped her approach to innovation, emphasizing engineering new patterns over relying on existing use cases. Wi…

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Neurobionics - Medtech success out of delta V 35:20

8M ago35:20

35:20

A Med-Tech Success from delta V! Neurobionics is a delta V alumni company founded by MJ Antonini, Phd. and Nicky Driscoll, Phd. In this episode, Chris and the co-founders chat about their tiny, implantable, neuromodulation technology, the roadmap of an entrepreneur, and the Trust Center’s delta V program. https://neurobionics.io/about/our-team/…

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A Conversation with Admiral Thad Allen, SF ’89, and Frank Finelli, SM ’86 43:33

8M ago43:33

43:33

In this special episode of Sloanies Talking with Sloanies, host Christopher Reichert, MOT ’04, sits down with two distinguished guests: Admiral Thad Allen, SF ’89, former Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, and Frank Finelli, SM ’86, a senior advisor at The Carlyle Group and founder of the MIT Sloan Veterans Fund. Together, they discuss th…

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Alumni Free Speech Advocacy at MIT: Wayne Stargardt and Peter Bonilla 43:32

8M ago43:32

43:32

For the past several years, ACTA has collaborated with the Alumni Free Speech Alliance (AFSA) to defend free expression, academic freedom, and viewpoint diversity on college and university campuses. With hundreds of alumni advocates across 27 institutions, AFSA represents a national movement empowering alumni to exert positive, meaningful influence…

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Unlocking Leadership Potential: A Conversation with Kip Gary, CEO of the Brock Group 24:03

8M ago24:03

24:03

In today's episode, Ahmed Mahmoud, retired CIO of Global Manufacturing and GPSC at General Motors, sits down to interview Kip Gary. With his career leading him to becoming the current CEO of the Brock Group, Kip discusses his experienced insight on how leaders can rise to their full potential. Kip shares practical advice, personal stories, and key …

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Core Texts in a Hispanic Context: a Special Spanish Episode of Higher Ed Now 59:37

9M ago59:37

59:37

In this episode of Higher Ed Now, the second of two conversations devoted to core texts, ACTA’s Academic Affairs Fellow Veronica Bryant speaks in Spanish with Clemente Cox, classics and philosophy scholar and the Academic Director of the Center of General Studies at the Universidad de los Andes. Their conversation includes the differences between A…

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Breaking Barriers: Dr. Elsa Murano on Leadership and Legacy 21:38

9M ago21:38

21:38

In today's episode, METM's founding director, Dr. Ben Zoghi, sits down with Dr. Elsa Murano, the Director of the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture & Development. Dr. Murano shares her incredible leadership journey. From being appointed the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety in the U.S. Department of Agriculture to b…

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From Engineer to Leader: A Conversation with Matthew Edghill of Lockheed Martin 18:22

10M ago18:22

18:22

In today's episode, Matthew Edghill, the Director of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Enterprise, explores the journey from being an individual engineering team contributor to stepping into leadership roles. Matt shares his personal experience of climbing the ranks at Lockheed Martin, offering valuable insights for those navigating similar transitions. …

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Core Texts and Enduring Questions for Today’s Students 58:28

10M ago58:28

58:28

ACTA’s Academic Affairs Fellow Veronica Bryant is joined by two distinguished educators and advocates for core texts in liberal education: Dr. Charlotte Thomas, Executive Director of the Association for Core Texts and Courses, or ACTC, and Dr. José María Torralba, board member of ACTC. Dr. Thomas is a Professor of Philosophy at Mercer University, w…

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A Conversation with Stephen Boyer, SDM ’08 32:41

10M ago32:41

32:41

In this episode of Sloanies Talking with Sloanies, host Christopher Reichert, MOT ’04, interviews Stephen Boyer, SDM ’08, co-founder and chief innovation officer at Bitsight. The conversation reflects on the evolution of cybersecurity, including the complexity of cyber threats and the challenges companies face in managing risks. Boyer shares insigh…

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Confessions of a Black Conservative: Glenn Loury 21:45

10M ago21:45

21:45

Those who listen to "The Glenn Show" will know that Professor Glenn Loury has published an extraordinary autobiography. Late Admissions: Confessions of a Black Conservative breathes the spirit of candor, intellectual openness, and personal humility that has characterized his life and work. Professor Loury is a Paulson Fellow at the Manhattan Instit…

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Jonathan Turley: We Must Live Up to the Promise of Free Speech 55:23

11M ago55:23

55:23

Renowned legal scholar, professor, columnist, and commentator Jonathan Turley joins ACTA's Dr. Steven McGuire on Higher Ed Now to discuss why free speech has always been America’s most revolutionary and indispensable right; how academia spawned the latest, and perhaps most dangerous, campaign against free speech; and why an enriching college experi…