Episode 7: A Campus Conversation with Mickey McCourt
Wellness at Penn: Campus Conversations
Release Date: 02/18/2025
Episode 8: A Campus Conversation with Micaela Alpert
Wellness at Penn: Campus Conversations
Episode 8. Our guest today is Micaela Alpert, a senior at the University of Pennsylvania, whose resilience, intellect, and compassion shine through as she shares her ongoing battle with cancer while pursuing her dream of becoming a pediatric surgeon. Diagnosed in eighth grade with cervical cancer, Micaela has undergone over 110 rounds of immunotherapy, a journey marked by hospital stays, isolation, and profound reflection. But through it all, she’s built a life of purpose and excellence: triple majoring in biology, biochemistry, and biophysics; leading Penn’s Medical Emergency Response...
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Episode 7: A Campus Conversation with Mickey McCourt
Wellness at Penn: Campus Conversations
Our guest today is Mickey McCourt, a PhD student studying Developmental, Stem Cell, and Regenerative Biology. Mickey opens up about his journey from addiction to recovery. He shares how a life marked by daily struggles, living in a shed, and a fractured relationship with his family transformed into a story of redemption. Now, Mickey not only enjoys a thriving relationship with his loved ones but is also dedicated to helping others overcome their obstacles. Tune in for an inspiring story of resilience and hope!
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Episode 6: A Campus Conversation with Dr. Lia Howard
Wellness at Penn: Campus Conversations
Episode 6: Our guest is Dr. Lia Howard, a political scientist who specializes in American politics and serves as the Fellows Director at Penn’s SNF Paidea Program. Lia shares her journey as a researcher at the intersection of political culture, education policy, and citizenship. She offers valuable and timely insights about political empathy—what it entails and how we can achieve it—and the dynamics of civic dialogue. She recalls how a simple conversation on a park bench in Erie, Pennsylvania, sparked an unexpected and heartwarming reaction. Join us as we unpack the transformative power...
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Episode 5: A Campus Conversation with Michael Krone
Wellness at Penn: Campus Conversations
Our guest today is Michael Krone, L’24 W’24 C’19. Michael is a recent graduate of the Carey JD/MBA Program at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and The Wharton School. Michael shares thoughtful insights about his academic journey at Penn, both as an undergraduate and graduate student, highlighting ways the campus has changed over the years. He tells us how the laws of addition and subtraction allowed him to thrive as a student, reminds us that laughter is the best medicine and shares how Wawa fits into his life plans.
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Episode 4: A Campus Conversation with Eric Anglero
Wellness at Penn: Campus Conversations
Our guest is Eric Anglero, Penn’s new LGBT Center Director. Together, we stumble into a candid conversation about intersectionality and learn about their journey as a Queer Latinx person. They share with us how mentors helped them stay afloat in trying times and remind us of the importance of finding community. We also find out why their glasses match their shoes and about the role of queer Kickball in their self-care repository.
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Episode 3: A Campus Conversation with David Clark
Wellness at Penn: Campus Conversations
Episode 3. Our guest is David Clark, a graduate student at the School of Nursing and a newly minted Peer Wellness Coach at Penn. In conversation with David, we learn about his pivot from engineering to psychiatric nursing and how he navigated this career transition. He shares with us the fulfillment he experiences as an accountability partner in his work as a Peer Wellness Coach. We also learn about how surfing the Jersey shore and his fear of blood impacted his professional journey thus far.
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Episode 2: A Campus Conversation with Rev. Charles (Chaz) Howard
Wellness at Penn: Campus Conversations
Episode 2. Our guest is Rev. Charles (Chaz) Howard, a Penn alum who serves as the University Chaplain and Vice President for Social Equity & Community. In conversation with Chaz, we learn about the surprising role Paula Abdul played in his formative years, his special connection with the biopond on Penn’s campus, and how he prioritizes self-care in order to avoid depleting his empathy reserves. Now a proud Penn Parent, he also shares the advice he gave his daughters as they embarked on their own college journey at Penn.
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Episode 1: A Campus Conversation With Taunita V. Stephenson
Wellness at Penn: Campus Conversations
Episode 1. Our guest is Taunita Stephenson, Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging for Wellness at Penn and the Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics (DRIA). In conversation with Taunita, we learn about what is was like to be an Army brat, make decisions unpopular with her parents, and work for the National Football League.
info_outlineOur guest today is Mickey McCourt, a PhD student studying Developmental, Stem Cell, and Regenerative Biology. Mickey opens up about his journey from addiction to recovery. He shares how a life marked by daily struggles, living in a shed, and a fractured relationship with his family transformed into a story of redemption. Now, Mickey not only enjoys a thriving relationship with his loved ones but is also dedicated to helping others overcome their obstacles. Tune in for an inspiring story of resilience and hope!