Afleveringen
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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 platform empowering "everyday philanthropists" to create meaningful change.Stephen’s time at Cornell was also life-changing in more personal ways. His friendship with Frank Kelly sparked a spiritual awakening that has guided his purpose-driven path. And in an incredible twist of fate, he met his wife when she was recovering from an injury, sharing his perspective as a fellow Cornell athlete navigating the challenges of recovery. You've got to hear about his lacrosse career.
AND, find out what "Paletta Palooza" means, what the surprise is in the "Hot Truck Tuna Surprise," and what Oprah is really like.
Thank you to Frank Kelly, Jack and Callie Gitlin. Timmy Kelly and Carolyn Paletta for bringing Stephen to the podcast.
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University -
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 encourages people to add ornaments to a paper tree for every kind deed they do, spreading positivity and connection during the holiday season. It started as a family tradition and was then embraced by their church and their town, and now people all over the world.
They've written the inspiring book The Christmas Tree That Changed the World (by Cookie Claus, we will tell you why), and developed an app to make kindness the great global connector and soon a year-round habit.You will love their story of building a movement that’s transforming families, schools, and communities.
Their links:
Christmas Tree of Kindness ProjectThe Christmas Tree That Changed the World (Book)
Shout out to Nancy Winklestein for the introduction, thank you!
Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn: CornellthankU
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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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 many communities. She has held about every position you can think of in a baseball organization and was even a general manager!
In addition, as a two-time cancer survivor, Randye shares her current work helping people navigate cancer diagnoses through precision medicine.
We didn't get a chance to dive into her work on The Only Real Game, an acclaimed documentary that showcases how baseball brings inspiration to Manipur, India, but it's worth checking out! Watch The Only Real Game on Tubi.
Randye is one of the most interesting people we have spoken to and you can learn more about her on LinkedIn or on Facebook, she loves to connect. She's a grand slam!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/randye-ringler-376305/
https://www.facebook.com/public/Randy-Ringler/
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University -
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!
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University. -
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 excited for you to hear his inspiring story--and wait until you find out about all the unbelievable lacrosse players! It's actually insane.
Find everything Kelly here:
https://kellybenefits.com
https://www.frankkellyiii.com
Books:
The Creator's Game
Look and See
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University -
Welcome to season 4 of the Cornell (thank) U Podcast!
Meet Yanni and Nour, two extraordinary 20-year-old Cornell students who are revolutionizing the way we learn math with their groundbreaking platform, MathGPT.
They started MathGPT to make math more accessible and less intimidating, empowering students everywhere to truly understand the subject. Their website has quickly become the go-to resource for mastering complex math concepts.
Yanni and Nour share their Cornell experience so far, what they are doing for the next year, and their vision for the future of math education.
Get ready to be impressed, and also oddly excited about math!Connect with Yanni and Nour:
Website: https://math-gpt.org/MathGPT
Social Media: TikTok: nour.mathgpt
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University -
Join us as we look back on three incredible years of Cornell (thank) U with highlights from our anniversary party, guest shout-outs, and a thank you to our amazing community.
AND!
Ryan Greene, Cornell fiber science grad and returning guest, tells us about his life from the Cornell classrooms to the labs of NIST. Hear about his groundbreaking work in fiber science, the surprising applications of his research, and how he’s using his expertise to shape the future of materials and technology. Most importantly, he is going to Orange Theory and you probably know we are obsessed with that place.This double episode is packed with celebration and inspiration!
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University -
Our 3-year celebration came with an unexpected twist—just the kind of story we love to tell.
Thank you for being here every week for 3 years. We appreciate every single one of you, guest and listener--often that's one and the same!
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University -
Here's your exclusive peek into the mind of a true innovator!
Get ready for insights and laughs as we chat with Robyn Carter, CEO of Jump Rope Innovation!
Since 2005, Robyn’s been turning consumer trends into product ideas that make us ask, "Why didn’t I think of that?" (And yes, we pitched her a few trending ideas that we did think of —tune in to hear her take!)With an impressive background in advertising for brands you know and love (hello, Snickers and Kool Aid), Robyn knows how to keep companies ahead of the curve. She's got an amazing name for each of her services and she is getting inspiration in a way most others are not. We were riveted.
Almost forgot to mention: she didn’t graduate with a degree in communications from CALS. Not close. Curious?
Here's where you can find her:
https://www.jumpropeinnovation.com
LinkedIn: Robyn Carter
Instagram: jumpropeinnovation
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University -
Get ready for the Empty Quester revolution as Donna Korren shares her inspiring take on life after kids in this uplifting episode! Donna, founder of the Empty Quester community, is on a mission to help women redefine their next years by embracing the excitement and opportunity of an empty nest (even if we all also miss our kids just a little bit).
From her unforgettable Cornell days and lifelong friendships to a successful career in the magazine industry, launching her business Change, and even becoming a TikTok sensation, Donna’s story is a masterclass in reinvention. She dives into her top tips for thriving in this exciting new chapter and even gives advice tailored to our own (crazy) experiences. By the end, you’ll want to be her best friend—we do!
Here's where you can find her:
Website: https://emptyquester.com/
TikTok @emtpyquester
Amazing TED talk! https://www.ted.com/talks/donna_korren_the_newest_workforce_disruptors_are_over_50?subtitle=en
Instagram: emptyquester
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University -
Meet Adele Smolansky, a charismatic and brilliant Cornell Engineering graduate with a master’s from Stanford. Yup.
Adele has already made waves by creating AI Learners, a cutting-edge platform that helps kids of all abilities tailor their learning experiences. Wait until you hear what inspired her—or rather, who.
We discuss her passion for inclusive and personalized education in the 2020s and have some fun with a retro quiz we created on how math and reading were taught in the 1970s.
You'll love this inspiring conversation about innovation, technology, and transforming education!
Find her site here: https://ai-learners.com/company
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University.
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BURST ALERT!
We are bursting with this week's guest!
A very fortunate introduction at Orange Theory led us to Anthony Petrillose, whose family legacy is intertwined with some of the most iconic spots in Cornell’s history (at least as far as we're concerned).
For generations, the Petrillose family has been at the heart of Cornell’s college town culture, running Johnny’s Hot Truck and Johnny’s Big Red Grill, two beloved hangouts for students and alumni.Anthony also shares stories about his grandpa’s and dad’s barber shop, a treasured fixture in Cornell’s college town and a real "who's who" among its clients.
The Petrillose family has been a part of Cornell life for decades. This episode offers a nostalgic look at the family behind some of the favorite memories and traditions that created an unmatched sense of community, shaping the Cornell experience for thousands of students.
Anthony shares these stories with charisma, humor, and incredible humility. We feel so lucky to have met and spent time with him—you’ll love him too!
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University -
Meet Rebekah Goldstein, a remarkable student from the Dyson School. As a dedicated RA and TA, Rebekah expertly balances her academic pursuits with a demanding work week. She shares her journey of transferring schools, building a competitive concrete boat, her passion for technology and data analytics, and the challenges she faces as a student during significant global events.
Rebekah manages her responsibilities like an all-star and thrives at Cornell!
We loved meeting her!
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University -
We loved our time with Peter! He is brilliant and a lot of fun.
In this episode, we talk about his career that started at the Cornell Daily Sun and catapulted him to esteemed opinion writer for The New York Times.
Peter shares his experiences as a student journalist, where he honed his writing skills and developed a great sense for storytelling and attention to detail that shaped his career.
AND!
Have you heard of Quill and Dagger? Prospect of Whitby? Peter gives a little behind the scenes on some intriguing activities from his time in these two exclusive Cornell secret societies.
And of course, since he's a journalist, we got his opinion on our ideas of breaking news at Cornell. Don't wanna brag, but he said some of out story ideas were front page worthy...
He was a great guest and we can't wait for you to listen. And then check him out in The New York Times.
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University. -
You asked, he answered.
Brendan Kempff is back to tell us how he’s transitioned to a career in consulting, thriving in the heart of San Francisco.
We reminisce a bit about his campus reporting days as a Cornell Sun writer, what it's like to go back the first time after graduation, and he reveals his future plans to become a...
Tune in for a great conversation about living your dreams and embracing new challenges!
Brendan is exactly how you remember him, charismatic, charming and brilliant - and somehow he's even better!
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University -
Clean house and clean slate, Gwen is back with exciting news.
Her passion for healthy living shines through as she discusses her innovative new line of eco-friendly, wildly affective, aromatherapy-filled cleaning products. Ever since receiving ours, we are cleaning 10X more than normal just because her products smell so good!
Find out what happened since the last time she was on the show, now that she can finally talk about it.
We also highlight her support for Cornell through hiring interns and providing valuable advice to them, to us, and to any Cornellians launching a small business.
We love any time spent with Gwen.
Prepare for an enlightening conversation filled with laughs, insights, and inspiration to elevate your cleaning game! (P.S. we play a game with her you do not want to miss)
Find her new company at
https://www.thefillclub.com/
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University -
In this episode of Where Are They Now, we reconnect with two inspiring Cornellians: Jemma Hendricks, a first-semester freshman, and Kayla Singer, a first-semester senior.
Both returning guests share updates on their lives since we last spoke, reflecting on the growth they've experienced and the excitement they feel for what’s ahead.
Kayla discusses the profound changes she’s witnessed over her three years at Cornell, while Jemma shares what it’s like to arrive for the first time at Cornell in the midst of a strike and campus unrest.
This episode is filled with insights and inspiration from two impressive young women who, despite being at different stages of their Cornell journey, have the same deep commitment to making the most of their time at Cornell.
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University
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Meet Osei Boateng, A CNN Hero and Cornell Human Ecology Young Alumni Achievement Award winner. Osei is the founder of the OKB Foundation which provides critical clinical care and accessibility in Ghana.
Osei’s passion for community and saving lives has made him an extraordinary leader, dedicated to making a big difference. We discuss how his work is changing lives and leaving a lasting impact, and how in the world he ever came up with such a genius idea for a medical van.
We met him this past June and couldn't wait for him to come on the show because in addition to being brilliant and creative, he is funny and fun and we loved spending time with him.
Here are his links:
OKB HOPE FOUNDATION: https://www.okbfoundation.org
HEAA Recent Alumni Achievement Award 2024: https://www.human.cornell.edu/alumni/about/stories/osei-boateng-heaa-recent-alumni-achievement-award-2024
Instagram:
okbhopefoundation
LinkedIn:
Osei Kwadwo Boateng
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University -
Meet Derek Ting and Joyce Yung.
Derek, a writer and martial arts enthusiast, and Joyce, a renowned photographer, teamed up to create films that pack a punch—literally. If you like action movies, you will like their latest movie Agent Recon.
Derek may have caught the movie bug in Acting 101. Other than that, neither had filmmaking in their post grad plans. They transitioned from impressive corporate careers to the exciting world of action filmmaking.
Hear how they combined their unique talents and experiences to produce action films, including their recent project starring the iconic Chuck Norris.
Oh, and they’re married!
You can watch their films on Amazon, Hulu and Fandango and others
Lots of info at:: Http://www.Agentsaga.xyz
Find Joyce and Derek here too:
www.joyceyung.com
www.powerhousejy.com
www.randomartworkshop.com
FB: joyceyungphotography; randomartworkshop
IG: yungjoyce; randomartworkshop, powerhouse.jy
Instagram: @dkting
Website: http://www.dkting.comWe had a lot of fun with them and we're guessing there are more movies on the horizon.
Shout out to Tony Chen for introducing us to Derek and Joyce - thank you!
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University -
Jackie Garrido is a Cornell ILR graduate and seasoned Talent Development Leader with over 25 years of experience. She shares her journey in transforming workplaces into environments where people not only excel but also love what they do.
Her career path is a highlight reel of dream employers. And she met her husband at one of them...
Plus she is an expert on workflow and minimizing distraction. Guess which of our scenarios would possibly distract her?
We loved talking to her, we learned a LOT!
Find her on LinkedIn here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiegarrido/
Cornell talk:
https://live.alumni.cornell.edu/career?p=66450fdc3283ae018b38beb4&v=66450fc8cbdb8abb0e5c1636
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University - Laat meer zien
