Cornell (thank) U
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)
Episodes
214 episodes
How Cornell Hotelie Jesse Baker Built JET Hospitality, the Leader in Lifestyle Lodging
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 d...
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Season 5
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Episode 215
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35:42
Season 4 Cornell (thank) U Wrap "Party"
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 momen...
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Season 5
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Episode 214
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12:55
Cornell to Bloomberg: Inside David Gura’s Incredible Rise in Journalism
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 ...
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Season 4
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Episode 213
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47:43
Would You Go Back to Cornell for This Class? Corey Ryan Earle Makes You Want To
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: Th...
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Season 4
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Episode 212
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46:28
Alli Frank – Your New Favorite Author!
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 Co...
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Season 4
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Episode 211
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45:33
Cornell's Ed Marinaro!! - Ivy Legend, NFL Great, TV Star
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 i...
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Season 4
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Episode 210
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53:15
The New Cornell Urban Experience, thanks to Tashara Leak and CHE!
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...
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Season 4
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Episode 209
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42:57
Confronting Abuse and Inspiring Healing with Gwen Whiting
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 D...
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Season 4
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Episode 208
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28:27
Gary Bettman: From Cornell Student to Commissioner of the NHL
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 H...
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Season 4
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Episode 207
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44:44
Card tricks, Carl Sagan, and Cornell: Steve Cohen’s Magical Launch
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, an...
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Season 4
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Episode 206
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39:26
Paging Dr. Jeff Finance – Jeff Weintraub (and the Hot Truck Recipe?)
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...
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Season 4
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Episode 205
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46:46
NBC Hartford’s Weather Icon: Bob Maxon
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 wit...
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Season 4
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Episode 204
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49:01
Pam Chertok Caine: Turning Heartbreak Into a Lifeline for Others
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...
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Season 4
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Episode 203
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36:04
Alex Benson ’29: A Freshman’s First Week at Cornell
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 or...
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Season 4
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Episode 202
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12:15
Nathan Eapen ’24: From the Front Lines to the Hill
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-en...
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Season 4
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Episode 201
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42:58
Hallie Hohner: Act 1 and Act 2 are Equally Impressive!
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 ...
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Season 4
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Episode 200
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39:22
Mary Maxon Grainger - The Woman Who Makes Cornell and Ithaca Better Every Day
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 Itha...
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Season 4
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Episode 199
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31:57
Supermodel, Super Sporty, and Super Spiritual: Bruce Hulse!!
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 mos...
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Season 4
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Episode 198
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45:31
CHENgineered: Designing with the User in Mind - Meet Emily Chen!
In this episode, we talk to Emily Chen, Cornell Human Ecology Class of 2020, who is redefining what it means to put humans first—as a user experience (UX) researcher for Harvard.Emily shares her journey to becoming a bold Cornell connect...
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Season 4
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Episode 197
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33:04
Jon Housman: Salsa King and Netflix Things (big, big things)
Before he was producing Netflix’s #1 true crime documentary, Jon Houseman was making salsa in Ithaca and hustling through NYU Stern (with Michelle). In this episode, the Emmy-winning storyteller shares his journey from Cornell histo...
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Season 4
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Episode 196
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45:50
Remembering Professor James Maas: The Voice of Bailey Hall and Psychology 101
If you went to Cornell, chances are you heard his voice echoing through Bailey Hall to 2,000 rapt students at a time. In this heartfelt tribute to Professor James Maas, we remember the magic of Psych 101, his pioneering role in sleep science, a...
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Season 4
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Episode 195
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18:22
Crossword Creator: Robyn Weintraub’s Story
What’s a 5-letter word for brilliant? ROBYN. Robyn Weintraub (’91) is a crossword puzzle constructor for the New York Times, New Yorker, People, and more. She joins us to share her road from U-Hall 3 to puzzle fame, how ...
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Season 4
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Episode 194
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36:09
Abby Siegel ’23: Grit, Gratitude, and Getting into Med School!
From Miami roots to navigating snow boots and shutdowns, Abby Siegel (’23) shares her story of flexibility, friendship, and finding her stride at Cornell—despite a freshman year no one could have predicted. In this episode, Abby tak...
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Season 4
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Episode 193
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22:13
Brains, Balance, and Big Impact: Meet Dana Gershon!
We just spent an hour with Dana Gershon and have one major regret: that we didn’t know her in college. She’s the kind of person who makes you feel smarter just by listening to her—and happier just by being around her (even over Zoom). A powerho...
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Season 4
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Episode 192
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39:04
Lucie Ayres: Designing Spaces, Defining Style
She’s not a decorator — she’s a designer with vision, edge, brilliance and a strict no-word-art policy. Lucie Ayres ’98 brings bold taste, smart strategy, and signature style to every space she touches. You won’t believe the magic she creates —...
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Season 4
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Episode 191
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42:57