The 92 Report
Conversations with the Harvard and Radcliffe Class of 1992, hosted by Will Bachman '92. Every member of the class has a story to tell, and the goal is to interview every one of them. There are 1,600 members of the class, so at a rate of one episode per week, this project will take 30 years. Register for email updates at 92report.com
info_outline
95. William Cheng, Hospitalist and Singer
04/29/2024
95. William Cheng, Hospitalist and Singer
William Cheng has been working in the Silicon Valley area since 2000. He graduated from Harvard as a bio concentrator and later attended UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine. He completed residency training in internal medicine at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, a county hospital affiliated with Stanford Hospital System. He then joined the Palo Alto Medical Foundation as a hospitalist, focusing on acutely ill patients. Working as a Hospitalist William's understanding of the world has changed over the two decades as a hospitalist. He now understands the importance of non-hard science aspects, such as interactions, communication skills, and bedside manners. He also learned logistical skills, such as navigating the healthcare system and getting patients in and out of the hospital efficiently. William talks about the need for continuous learning in his field, including navigating insurance and bureaucracy. He shares how the recent pandemic had a significant impact on the Bay Area, and how the hospital environment has evolved over time, with new challenges and opportunities for growth. William shares tips for being a smart patient in the hospital, such as asking questions, double-checking medication, and understanding the importance of being a smart consumer of hospital care. He emphasizes the importance of clear communication and respecting the intelligence of patients and families. William explains what makes a good doctor, and the various demands that come with the job, including intellectual demands, emotional demands, physical demands, and long hours on the feet. Challenges Faced by Hospitalists Hospitalists interact with patients and families more frequently during the day, especially in difficult situations such as difficult medical diagnoses, potentially life-threatening diagnoses, and end of life care. These discussions can be gratifying and stressful, but they also involve complex social interactions and relationships. He talks about the challenges of discussing severe conditions with patients, determining the appropriate treatment options, and navigating complex social discussions. Another challenge is reviewing charts quickly, understanding the patient's condition, and formulating a plan of action. In the initial admission orders, physical therapy and occupational therapy are often put in, but if the patient is too weak, additional help may be needed. Social workers or nursing case managers can then discuss these recommendations with the patient or family early on. They can teach the patient or family about the process of getting them home and ensuring they understand the process. William talks about the admission process and mentions that there are different types of patients, such as good teaching patients and non-teaching patients. A Professional Point of Pride From a professional standpoint, William is most proud of his early involvement in scheduling for his group. Scheduling is one of the main pain points or stress factors for hospitalists, as they have to be on call for certain periods of time. The traditional seven-on-seven off schedule is not ideal for patients, as it can lead to stress and dread of work. William developed a good system that has led to very little turnover in his group and accommodates everyone's time off requests. His scheduling is essentially a giant logic puzzle, and he does it all by hand within a spreadsheet for over 20 years. He continues to do this to this day to ensure that everyone is happy with their work. Influential Professors and Courses at Harvard William mentions his love for the Glee Club Harvard Glee Club, where he sang in junior and senior year. William found that there was no experience after college that matched the quality of his time at Harvard. He has been involved in an alumni chorus, which he started in the late 2000s, which has been performing in Japan and the US. They have performed three times so far and are planning to perform at SEMA this year, focusing on peace and harmony among the world. Timestamps: 02:56 Medical education, hospital care, and COVID-19 experiences 08:25 Hospital care and communication between doctors and patients 13:35 Medical work-life balance and emotional stress 18:27 Challenges and skills of a hospitalist 25:01 Streamlining hospital discharge process for elderly patients 27:35 Medical education and patient care 31:50 End-of-life care and scheduling for hospitalists 37:13 Work-life balance, scheduling, and singing experiences 43:46 Singing, harmony, and endorphins with a Harvard Glee Club alumnus
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/30937658
info_outline
94. Jeanne Simpson, Actor/Dancer/Choreographer/Director/Teacher
04/22/2024
94. Jeanne Simpson, Actor/Dancer/Choreographer/Director/Teacher
Jeanne Simpson moved to New York after graduating. She started doing day jobs in New York City to make ends meet while attending free dance classes, which allowed her to continue her training without having to pay for grad school. She eventually joined the American Isadora Dance Company, a modern company. Beginning a Career in the Performing Arts Jeanne began her acting career at HB Studios, where she was given a scholarship and studied under Austin Pendleton, a talented teacher who taught the advanced Acting Program at HB. She worked with other amazing actors and learned to choreograph scenes with them. This experience led her to work on original college shows and she choreographed for various shows. In addition to acting, she also taught at a dance studio in Park Slope, Brooklyn, before being offered her first professional choreography job where she choreographed a birthday cake song for a series on Nickelodeon and was subsequently hired for the series. This was her first professional choreography job which led to several others on films. A Volunteer in Performing Arts Programs Jeanne started volunteering at the 52nd Street Project in New York, which takes kids from Hell's Kitchen and lets them experience the transformative power of theater. They take them out of town to enjoy nature and rehearse plays with the kids, then perform the plays in Hell's Kitchen. This experience continues to inspire her belief that the performing arts can change lives, even if it doesn't lead to acting or dance. Jeanne has continued to work with the 52nd Street Project. Her experiences in the performing arts have had a profound impact on her life and she continues to inspire others to pursue their passions in the performing arts. Working in Television and Film She worked on a show called Wishbone, which was shooting in Texas. After leaving Wishbone, she returned to New York where she ended up doing more choreography jobs, and acting jobs, and getting married. She and her husband moved from New York to Los Angeles and Jeanne jobs teaching dance and theater, and worked for Princeton Review and IV West. She auditioned for Tim Robbins Actors Gang, a theater company, she worked there and eventually choreographed for the Grand Guignol company. Then she started auditioning for television and found an agent with Avalon Artists Group. Jeanne earned parts on several TV shows, including Madman, Parks and Rec, and How to Get Away with Murder. The couple moved to Valley Village, where they still live today, and they had a second child, Vivian. Arts Programs and Community Theater She started working with a community arts theater, an all-inclusive arts program that offers various classes and activities for children. She started a camp called Make Them Laugh classic comedy camp with her husband and another comedy writer, introducing classic comedy to a new generation of kids. She later taught at Berklee School, where she teaches improv and has directed at Harvard. She also teaches a dance class at Evolution Dance Studios called Big Shots. She is currently directing a production of Anything Gos with four or five and six-year-olds, and she has also choreographed a rock opera movie musical called The Promise. While she still auditions, Jeanne also tutors kids on their essays to get into schools, which has become an accidental side business. Their house is like Grand Central Station, filled with people of all ages, which they love. The journey has been a rollercoaster ride, but she is grateful for the opportunities it brings. Pursuing Acting and Choreography Jeanne discusses her experiences as an in-school ambassador for the National Young Arts Foundation and how she started dancing at age five and how her mother helped and inspired her. She talks about the different modes of acting, acting, dancing, teaching, and choreography. Acting and choreography are the two that bring the most happiness, as they allow them to be present and happy. Directing drives her insane, but as an actor and choreographer, she can let go and be present. Choreography is also fun because it allows her to share her vision with others, and learn from others, creating a collaborative experience. A Choreographer’s Process As a choreographer, Jeanne starts with the story, which is essential for their dances to convey something and then, of course, the music. She also considers the style of dance, the capabilities of her dancers, and their potential. She then develops steps that grow out of this story, making it easier to remember. Jeanne shares the example of her Saturday morning class routine. Jeanne also discusses her process and how choreographers keep their thoughts straight in their heads. She uses choreographers notation, which is mainly used as a step notation, but she also writes down the story when she does a piece. The Importance of Relationships in the Performing Arts Jeanne shares her experiences with relationships in the performing arts industry, highlighting the importance of connections and connections in her life. She shares stories of various projects and connections, such as working on a Broadway musical project called Three, where she was hired to choreograph one of the shows and supervise all others. This experience led to her becoming part of a larger community of artists, which eventually led to other jobs or volunteer opportunities. She also mentions her involvement in a community theater that taught children at a public elementary school, where she taught and was recommended by a vocal coach for her kids. Influential Harvard Professors and Courses Jeanne credits James Davis, her sociology professor, for her interest in studying people and trends. Davis was supportive and kind, attending every play and dance concert she performed. She also mentions Arthur Holmberg and Jian Guo, who was a mentor, where she learned about professional theater companies. She also mentions Jane Nichols, an adjunct professor and acting teacher who Jeanne is still in touch with. Timestamps: 10:07 Career, marriage, and TV show experiences 17:07 Career, family, and art 20:13 Career transitions and passions with a former Broadway performer 26:04 Art, dance, and theater with a passionate artist 31:16 Choreography process and creativity 34:05 Choreography and dance notation 40:06 Career connections and networking 45:18 The challenges of pursuing a career in the performing arts 47:19 Wait Wait Don't Tell Me and its hosts, Adam Felber and Paula Poundstone 53:28 Arts career and education with a guest speaker Links: Facebook: Instagram:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/30736793
info_outline
93. Joshua Brandon Holden, Math Professor and Author of The Mathematics of Secrets
04/15/2024
93. Joshua Brandon Holden, Math Professor and Author of The Mathematics of Secrets
Joshua Brandon Holden, the author of The Mathematics of Secrets, Cryptography from Caesar Ciphers to Digital Encryption, graduated with a degree in pure math and went on to teach at the University of Massachusetts and Duke. He discovered that he was spending most of his time on teaching, so he sought jobs where they would reward teaching. He then worked at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, where he did both teaching and research. Common Misconceptions about Cryptography Joshua discusses common misconceptions about cryptography and its connection to the internet. He explains that people often knew about cryptography in ancient times but don't know about the throughline. Older theories of cryptography were implicitly mathematical but not explicitly, while new theories are very explicitly mathematical. Joshua aims to open up the connection between older forms of cryptography and the new ones, stating that everyone has some ability to do all of it in varying amounts. He talks about the current state of cryptography online, including public key cryptography, which originated in the 70s and gained popularity in the 90s with internet commerce. Public key cryptography allows users to send secret messages through a one-way key, which is only decrypted by the sender who has a different key. This is important for sending credit card information to companies like Amazon or Walmart. However, end-to-end encryption means middlemen are no longer able to decrypt messages, so it's crucial to look carefully at providers' policies to determine if they stay in the loop. Joshua talks about the networks and relationships within the cryptography field, including the opportunities for professionals to work in private camps, government agencies, and academia. He notes that while there is money and space in the field, there is also a lot of space for professionals to stay updated on the latest theories and developments. Quantum Computers in Cryptography The conversation turns to the potential of quantum computers in cryptography and the potential for breaking encryption systems. He believes that quantum computers are expected to be better at breaking the problems used in creating mathematical problems used in special public key systems, such as encryption used by browsers to protect credit card information and communications. He also discusses the development of quantum resistant cryptography, which is a more complex system but the basic principles of quantum resistance systems are still relatively graspable for anyone with high school algebra and a willingness to dig deep. By applying enough computing power to end-to-end encryption systems, it is possible to break them. The only way to achieve perfect secrecy is to have a secret key, which is as long as the conversation. This method was supposedly used for the famous red phone between the White House and the Kremlin during the Cold War. Keeping Your Data Safe In terms of security, Joshua advises people to know their threat model and consider the potential threats they face. Some people may worry about powerful governments trying to break their communications, while others may be concerned about corporate spies, children, or random people passing by. For those worried about corporate espionage, it is recommended to look for end-to-end encryption systems. While quantum computers may not be easy to break, they do not guarantee that someone can’t break the system with enough computing power. Class Field Towers Explained Joshua talks about his research in the field of mathematics, specifically in the area of class field towers. He explains why imaginary numbers are not square roots but rather arbitrary choices. He also discusses the concept of Galois groups, which track the number of ways complex numbers can be shuffled around without making a difference. He explains that class field towers consist of rational numbers, real numbers with irrational decimals, and complex numbers on top of them. These towers record the complexity of each jump made in the tower. Joshua talks about the role of computers in mathematical research, stating that there is more computer usage in this area due to improved software tools and more applications in cryptography. He identifies two traits that are most useful for being successful in mathematical research: perseverance and curiosity. Perseverance is the reason most people persist. In graduate school or postgraduate school, those who stick with their passion and interest in math may be more likely to succeed in mathematical research. He encourages students to not give up on problems that require a different kind of math, even if it's not necessary for their career. He believes that having a sense of curiosity about everything comes from the fact that in mathematics, all one needs is to just think hard about things and talk to others. This gives one a sense of confidence that they can figure things out without the need for special abilities or tools. Influential Harvard Professors and Courses Joshua mentions Math 25, an honors calculus course. He also enjoyed Professor McConnell, who he still maintains a friendship with. He also shares his experience with changing his name, which was the first of his non-professional wanderings. Timestamps: 04:33 Cryptography and its applications in online security 11:57 Cryptography, public key systems, and quantum computing 21:07 Encryption, mathematics, and data security 27:49 Mathematical research and talent 33:41 Math education, career choices, and personal growth Links: Website:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/30731028
info_outline
92. Mark Jacobstein, Accidental Entrepreneur
04/08/2024
92. Mark Jacobstein, Accidental Entrepreneur
Mark Jacobstein resides in Stanford, California with his wife, two children, and his mother in law. Mark's career has primarily focused on entrepreneurial technology, primarily in health tech, biotech, molecular diagnostics, and digital health arenas. After Cambridge, he worked with Scott Murphy, a close friend and business partner. He moved to California in 2003 to start a technology company and has been there ever since. He lives on the Stanford campus, which allows his children to grow up on a college campus. Founding a Fantasy Sports Business Mark shares his journey from writing software for Mike Bloomberg in the early 90s to inventing the first online fantasy sports business [Small World] in 1994. He and his partner, Scott, initially struggled with starting a technology company due to their naivety and lack of experience in the tech startup ecosystem. However, they eventually built the first online fantasy sports business, which was one of the biggest consumer sites in the world at the time. In 1995, they spun out a web consultancy to solve various problems for corporate clients, building stateful and database-driven websites. They later built corporate websites for companies like Xerox and consulting for McKinsey on the internet's future. The business was sold to i-EXL in 1998. One common thread Mark has seen over the past 30 years is looking for systemic paradigm shifting changes in technology. Mark’s career highlights the importance of adapting to new technologies and finding the most effective way to grow a business. Entrepreneurship in Machine Learning and AI Mark’s last two companies and new venture studio focuses on machine learning and AI. He discusses his journey as an entrepreneur and the transition from a hobby to a business. He emphasizes the importance of looking for latent demand in businesses, he also emphasizes the importance of not engaging in gambling and making ethical choices in business decisions. His first experience as an entrepreneur was when he and his roommate Scott started hiring employees. They faced challenges like the.com crash and the need to lay off employees. Startup Business Mistakes Mark discusses the mistakes made by his company in structure and decision-making processes. He believes that they were naive and didn't put enough thought into the process of disagreements, which caused friction and strained relationships. He also mentions that the biggest mistakes they made were sins of omission. They were too early to realize the monstrous opportunities that nobody was taking advantage of. One example is hiring Matt Funk, a summer intern who later became a hedge fund manager. He suggested they buy domain names, but Mark argued that this was unethical. Another example is building the first Business to Business Exchange (B2B) website, TextTrade.com, in 1996. This was an effort to make the textiles business more efficient. However, Mark argues that they missed out on the commercial implications of the internet and how they could have used their technology to service other industries. Silicon Valley and the Tech Landscape in the 2000s Mark shares his experiences in the 2000s, particularly in the mobile business industry. He sold his fantasy sports business, Small World Sports, to Paul Allen, who bought Sporting News, an interactive TV channel. After a burnout at Sporting News. Mark met Trip Hawkins, founder of Electronic Arts and 3DO. Mark was offered a position as co-founder and president of a mobile phone company. He was invited to Silicon Valley to meet with Sequoia and Kleiner Perkins. He was mentored by Trip and his experience in Silicon Valley was a pivotal moment in his life. He shares his experiences in the tech industry, starting with his time at Digital Chocolate and then moving on to venture capital firm Sequoia. He was introduced to Sam Altman, a young wunderkind, and worked with him to build a company called Looped, which was later sold to Qualcomm. Working in Health Technologies After leaving Digital Chocolate, he decided to make a career shift into health tech. He enjoyed his work in fantasy sports but felt that nothing had changed the world in a profoundly important way. He eventually joined Guardant Health, a molecular diagnostic company that applied machine learning to big omics and developed cancer detection using blood draws. He was drawn to the intellectual challenge of working on circulating tumor DNA for early detection of cancer. Mark worked with Immunai, a company that uses single cell genomics and machine learning to improve immunomodulatory therapeutics. He appreciates the importance of the immune system's complexity and the work in the field. He recently founded Jiminy Health, a company that aims to address care gaps in mental health care through mobile and MLMs. The Importance of Authentic Leadership Mark has learned the importance of authenticity in running a company that is non-obvious or counterintuitive. He believes that authenticity is crucial in leadership and having a compelling vision. As a CEO, he focuses on making that vision clear and helping organizations untangle their knots to pull towards a common goal. He has learned from Sam's outrageous ambition and his ability to build companies that start with seemingly outrageous ideas. He applies these lessons to his own work, thinking about what different people would do in different situations as long as it aligns with his values and aligns with his values. He compares running a lab to running a business, which involves raising money, hiring people, meeting deadlines, and missing milestones. Influential Harvard Professors and Courses Mark discusses his experiences at Harvard, focusing on courses and professors that resonate with him. He mentions Harry Lewis, who was a computer scientist, and his career in tech. He emphasizes the importance of having a vision and articulating it to attract customers and recruit a team. He also highlights the importance of social reflection classes like Robert Coles, which taught him how telling a story can change the world and create an ethos that cares about the world. Mark’s mental health startup, Jiminy Health, aims to make scalable mental health services for millions of people. He believes that being raised in a liberal, progressive family still helps his businesses make the world a better place. Timestamps: 02:59 Entrepreneurship, technology, and business success 08:46 Entrepreneurship and technology trends 10:36 Entrepreneurship, business decisions, and growth 16:58 Missed opportunities in tech and entrepreneurship 23:34 Entrepreneurship, leadership, and the video game industry 27:03 Career shift from tech to healthcare with valuable insights 32:55 Entrepreneurship, leadership, and management style 38:02 Leadership, authenticity, and lessons learned from mentors 41:29 Relying on a spouse as a counselor in healthcare 45:58 Entrepreneurship, technology, and mental health Links:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/30600958
info_outline
91. Andreas Stavropoulos, Entering the Third Act
04/01/2024
91. Andreas Stavropoulos, Entering the Third Act
Andreas Stavropoulos, a venture capitalist and entrepreneur, came to the United States from Greece at 18 and has been in the United States ever since. His big moves include marrying his high school sweetheart, arranging their lives around graduate school, medical school, business school, and moving to California. He is now 55-years-old and is excited about the third act of his life, where he can choose where to spend his time more than he used to. A Career as a Venture Capitalist Andreas started his career as a venture capitalist in 1999 and has been doing so for over two and a half years. He has stopped making new investments in this endeavor and is now spending most of his time back to nonprofit public service and helping his country. He is increasingly spending more time back in Greece. In the third act, Andreas is considering the empty nest and choosing where to spend his time. He is now in the third act phase, where he is stepping back from full-time work, focusing on what he chooses to do with his 20+ 25+ productive years. This involves stepping back from full-time work, reducing board load, and not chasing after new deals. A View of the Business Landscape in Greece Andreas talks about his decision to pursue public service in his third act. He gives a brief overview of the crisis Greece has experienced since the 1980s. The crisis was ushered in after a short, populist five-year phase of trying empty promises. However, in 2019, a new generation of moderate, business-friendly leaders emerged, inoculating voters against the empty promises of populism. Greece is now a leader in this regard, showing the rest of Europe how a post-populist society and governance model can look like. The generation of leaders in power is younger and more business friendly, making them an opportunity to help the country catch up with Western Europe. He is also working on a board of a private company that manages large privatization and public-private partnerships in Greece, such as airports, ports, and highways. Another area of focus is AI. He is on an advisory committee to the prime minister on topics related to artificial intelligence, and he talks about the influence of Greek diaspora. On the Board of a Privatization Entity Andreas discusses his experience on the board of an entity that manages privatization. The board includes seven independent members. The nominating committee has combined complementary skills, providing a sound foundation of skills in various areas. The finance side of the board includes working with portfolio companies to mature them for financing, going public, or getting sold. The board also oversees state assets that are not ready for deal-making, designing business plans and leveraging them to create something attractive to private investment while maintaining upside for the state. The board also involves working with bankers and consultants to do transactions, as well as fiduciary duties. They also work with assets to maximize value and develop eco-friendly tourism activities. The advantage of being on the board is learning about the country's large construction projects and local opportunities efficiently. Additionally, working with local players, such as large investors and consultants, allows the board to build a network that allows them to understand data and the players in a relatively small economy. Managing and Motivating People Andreas shares his insights on the business world and the way things work. He explains that talented people, particularly project managers, can be difficult to unleash due to non-meritocratic and bureaucratic processes. For example, Greece's promotion system was purely seniority-based, based on degrees and years of service. However, this approach has led to a loss of motivation for people to go above and beyond. Andreas has learned the importance of thinking about reward systems and what drives human motivation. He believes that humans are rational and evaluative maximizers, constantly processing inputs and making decisions. Third Act Pursuits and Dharma as a Guiding Principle Andreas discusses his personal portfolio, including his involvement in public service, sailing, and travel. The couple plans to focus on their children and professional responsibilities, with Andreas' wife aiming to maintain her FTE at Stanford. He and his wife have also been involved with education, serving as chair of the board and treasurer at their children's school. He is currently president of the Alumni Board for Harvard Business School and has recently joined the board of a nonprofit that provides policy recommendations for the diaspora of Greece. Andreas believes that leaving professional firms is intentional and requires planning and commitment. He has had to tell his partners about entering a new phase, which involves changing their brand and deciding who will be in and who will not. Andreas discusses the concept of Dharma, which translates to roughly "destiny, duty, purpose.” Meditation, a spiritual element that began about 567 years ago, helped him understand their essence and purpose in life. The COVID-19 pandemic forced him to reevaluate and rethink his beliefs. He suggests that the Dharma concept is not prescriptive, but rather a gradual, intentional approach to life. He suggests that by focusing on the essence of their goals and leaving a mark on the world, they can evolve in the right way. Lessons Learned in Hiring Talent Andreas shares his lessons in hiring people who are not just like him, but also have different backgrounds, approaches, and styles. He emphasizes that having diverse people around you can lead to better outcomes overall. The biggest lesson learned is to stop thinking about hiring people based on their appearance or experience. Instead, focus on having people with different backgrounds, approaches, and styles that work well together. It's not about being friends or building a nice place to work, but about creating fair and purposeful environments. Another important lesson learned is the importance of communication and truthfulness in venture capital. Building a reputation goes beyond single interactions, and it's never about a single moment. Instead, it's about building value over multiple years, and in many cases, those same founders or employees will go on to other companies. Instead of being transactional, it's crucial to be upfront about what you stand for and what you can help with. Being upfront and admitting that you don't know is difficult, but it's essential for long-term success. Influential Courses and Professors at Harvard Andreas discusses his courses and professors at Harvard that continue to resonate with him, whether it's professional or side interest. He highlights Justice with Michael J. Sandel as the most relevant course, and his computer science classes on algorithms have taught him the ability to think systematically and break down problems in a way that works for him. He plans to spend a chunk of his third act living in Greece, despite being away for nearly 35 years, and he believes that the culture, business outlook, and family connections are all factors that lead to better quality of life. Timestamps: 02:56 Life phases and prioritizing personal choices in the third act 07:22 Greece's economic crisis and potential for growth 14:06 Board experience and diaspora contributions 19:07 Government work, talent, and motivation 25:10 Human behavior and personal interests 27:58 Personal growth and planning for a successful third act 33:44 Intentional exit from professional firm after 10+ years 39:31 Selecting and working with talented individuals in the venture capital industry 45:28 Retirement, quality of life, and family ties in Greece Links: LinkedIn:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/30600893
info_outline
90. Shannon Frison, Marine and Judge
03/25/2024
90. Shannon Frison, Marine and Judge
Show Notes: Shannon Frison joined the United States Marine Corps during her time in law school. She spent her second year at officer candidate school and became commissioned as an officer. After law school, she returned to Massachusetts, worked for a year at the TAs office, took the bar, and went on active duty with the Marine Corps. After serving at Marine Corps Air Station, New River, North Carolina, she worked for a litigation firm called Dwyer and Clora before opening a law firm. In 2009, she applied for the bench in Massachusetts and was appointed to the Boston Municipal Court. She then applied again to the Superior Court and was appointed to the Superior Court in 2013 where she stayed until 2024 when she retired from that position and reopened a law firm. The Decision to Join the Marine Corps Shannon was initially an athlete in college but later discovered the judge advocate program in the Marine Corps while taking a firefighters course. She found the Marine Corps offers a physical experience that is not sanitized or lighter training, and lawyers are considered line officers. They go through the full Marine Corps infantry officer training, which is the minimum required for being a judge advocate. Shannon shares her transformation from the Marine Corps to active duty service, stating that she was physically and mentally transformed. She learned about boundaries, limits, and how to lead people effectively. The training in the Marine Corps is designed to push individuals to their limits. Training in the Marine Corps One of the challenges she faced during her training was a 15-foot jump from a tower, which she struggled with for six months. Despite being encouraged by others, she struggled with this mental block and graduated late. This experience made her realize her weaknesses and strengths. She explains how she managed to overcome this mental block. Shannon's experience in the Marine Corps has had a significant impact on her personal growth and development. She has learned to appreciate her limitations and the challenges they present, and has been able to adapt and improve her skills throughout her time in the military. This experience has helped her become a better person and better equipped for her future roles in the Marine Corps. Shannon shares her experience of jumping off a helicopter after completing the swim qualification, which helped her overcome anxiety and mental anxiety. She also shares that her time in Harvard and the Marine Corps taught her that she would not always be the best at everything, as she met many outstanding individuals in those environments. A Career on The Bench Shannon talks about her time as a judge, where she applied to the Bench through an application process. The Massachusetts system of selecting judges mimics the federal system, but it is an application process. People may recommend applicants, and applicants must fill out a long, dramatic application that asks for every detail in their life and legal life. She explains the rigorous vetting process for applicants before they reach the governor's desk, where they meet with their lawyer for further vetting. Once the governor nominates them, Congress and the governor's counselors confirm their nomination to the bench. If they get their seat and commission on the bench, it is a lifetime position and they don't need to do it again unless they go to another court. Explaining The Difference between Courts Shannon discusses her experience working in the Boston Municipal Court and Superior Court, two different courts in Massachusetts. The Boston Municipal Court and district courts handle a variety of cases, including criminal, restraining orders, traffic tickets, and small claims matters. She states that all cases begin in these courts. The Superior Court is a court of general jurisdiction, handling more serious matters such as rapes, robberies, and murders. Judges must do both civil and criminal trials, with each session lasting three months. Finally, Shannon discusses her experience as a judge from 2009 to almost 2020. She has gained more education about law and has learned about various areas of law. She is concerned about her own safety, as threats and assaults are more common in Massachusetts. The court system enforces safety measures for judges, but she has taken steps to keep her address out of the public eye. The Role of Race Bias in the Criminal Justice System Shannon emphasizes the importance of addressing racial disparities in sentencing. She believes that conversations about race should be solidly on the table all the time, especially in sentencing. She emphasizes that the goal of sentencing should be rehabilitation, deterrence, education, and other goals, rather than satisfying the prosecutor's office or victim's family. She suggests that mandatory training on issues of bias would be beneficial, especially at the police level. She believes that more education is needed for officers to better understand the historical and consistent disparities in the criminal justice system. However, she acknowledges that people may become weary of discussing race, and it is difficult to keep it on the table. Finally, she stresses that it is essential to continue pushing for change. She believes that people must believe in the existence of these disparities and work towards changing them. Shannon discusses the need for more training for police officers, specifically in areas such as bias training and soft skills. She suggests that there is a need for more education and training to better understand the psyche of these individuals. A Speaking Career Focused on Law Shannon mentions her speaking career, which includes engagements around trial advocacy, race and bias, and navigating legal careers. She enjoys speaking to law students, undergraduates, new lawyers, affinity law groups, and associations. She also speaks regularly for different Bar Associations in Massachusetts and continues legal education for lawyers. Shannon explains why she decided to retire from the bench because she believes that a job has a season in one's life, and she wants to be part of shaping and advocating for various aspects of society, policies, politics, and culture. She believes that 15 years of her professional life is enough, and it’s time to move on and do other things, as everyone is in a lifecycle and should focus on what they aim to do while they are on the planet. Influential Courses and Professors at Harvard Shannon shares her experiences with professors at Harvard, including Martin Kilson, and J. Lorand Matory. Kilson was a government major who taught courses on city development, race, and ethnic groups. Matory, an anthropology professor, taught seminars on Afro Atlantic religions, which taught about non-Christian religions created during slavery. She believes these courses and information have stayed with her throughout her career. Timestamps: 04:24 Career change and military training 14:17 Overcoming mental block in military swim qualification 19:47 Becoming a judge in Massachusetts 27:30 Judicial experience and safety concerns 31:48 Criminal justice system reform and addressing racial disparities 39:46 Police training and community relations 44:07 Judicial experience, identity, and advocacy Links: LinkedIn: Website:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/30519923
info_outline
89. Anastasia Fernands, Patent Litigator
03/18/2024
89. Anastasia Fernands, Patent Litigator
Show Notes: Anastasia Fernands has been practicing law since graduating from NYU. She started practicing in Boston at Hutchins, Wheeler and Dittmar, which was the oldest continuously running firm in Boston at the time. Anastasia has since moved to New York and now practices at Quinn Emanuel. Anastasia’s career primarily focuses on intellectual property litigation, particularly patent litigation since the mid to late 90s. At that time there were two schools of thought on patent litigation: technical people who understood technology and those who were litigators by trade. There was a shift for litigators who weren’t necessarily experts in technology to be more involved in patent litigation. The Initial Stages of Patent Litigation Patent litigation starts after someone has received a patent from the patent office. If the patent owner thinks someone is infringing, they might reach out in a friendly business manner, send a cease and desist letter, or immediately file a complaint. Litigation begins when a complaint is filed, and sometimes even a motion for preliminary injunction is filed to try to enjoin the competitor from selling the accused infringing product. Depending on the jurisdiction, there are local patent rules in many jurisdictions. Once the complaint is filed, there is an answer, a scheduling conference, and, in jurisdictions that have patent rules, a number of specific deadlines. The preliminary phase involves exchanging information about how to interpret the patent, exchange documents, take depositions, and have expert discovery where experts give their opinions on infringement and invalidity, as well as other issues. Statutory Damages Limitation and Prosecution Latches In patent litigation, damages are limited by statute to only six years before filing of the complaint. Prosecution latches is based on delay in patent prosecution. If a party continues to file follow on applications with the patent office, prosecution latches could kick in, if they get new claims 10-12-15 years into prosecution. A Discussion on High-profile Litigation Cases Anastasia talks about her involvement in Samsung versus Apple and Apple vs. Samsung. Her role was to be a member of the team in various trials and appeals, and she was on the team from the beginning of the case through trial for one of the Northern District of California litigations. Anastasia also shares her experiences in pharmaceutical and biologics cases, highlighting the challenges of patent law. She discusses Section 101, which determines whether a patent claims patent-eligible subject matter. Invalidity can occur due to the nature of the subject matter, such as if something is naturally occurring or a law of nature. The bargain between the patent office and patentee is that the patentee must advance the art to obtain exclusive rights for their invention. A patent must provide adequate written description and sufficient information for a skilled person to recreate it. Anastasia reflects on her understanding of the world and how it has changed over the years as a patent litigator. Misconceptions about the Patent System Anastasia discusses the misconceptions people have about the patent system, particularly regarding the concept of patentable ideas. She explains that just because an idea is great doesn’t mean it meets all the requirements for statutory patentability. She discusses the difference between trademark, copyright, and patent, and the different types of intellectual property rights each covers. Anastasia cites the Supreme Court case of the Myriad, which revolved around a link between the BRCA gene and breast cancer. She also discusses the concept of section 101, which determines whether a subject matter is patentable. Section 101, concerning not patentable subject matter, has been a hot topic in law over the last 10-15 years. As advancements in science and the human genome continue to link specific genes to specific conditions, there is a tension between the remarkable advancements in identifying genes that correlate with specific conditions and the notion that a naturally occurring gene cannot be patented. Patenting AI Generated Ideas The conversation turns to the possibility of patenting an AI-generated idea using Chat via Chat GPT. They discuss the potential for a computer-assisted story to be copyrightable and the question of whether using technology to assist in idea formulation does not prevent patentability. They also discuss the possibility of independent AI agents submitting ideas to the patent office. Anastasia explains that patents currently have humans identified as inventors, and they discuss whether AI programs could also be considered as inventors. Influential Harvard Professors and Courses Anastasia talks about why she chose to pursue a career in patent litigation and who influenced her decision. At Harvard, some of the courses that resonated with her include Shakespeare, The Early Plays, Eckehard Simon’s Medieval Court, and Michelangelo, and the tutor for her Sophomore History Tutorial, Rachelle Friedman. Timestamps: 03:49 Patent litigation stages and latches 08:59 Patent law and litigation involving smartphones and pharmaceuticals 13:55 Patent law and its applications 21:21 Patentability of natural gene discoveries and AI-assisted inventions 26:43 Patent law and AI inventorship 32:15 Harvard experiences Links:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/30407803
info_outline
88. Brett Janis, Principal at Strong Bridge Advisers
03/11/2024
88. Brett Janis, Principal at Strong Bridge Advisers
After Brett Janis left Harvard, he worked as a journalist in Southeast Asia and later attended Georgetown University's Masters of Science and Foreign Service program, which introduced him to the International Affairs world. After a stint in Egypt, Brett joined the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 1995, where he focused on economic issues related to the Southeast Asia crisis, including issues related to banks and financial markets. He left the CIA just before 9/11, which was a critical moment in his life. He went back to Asia and started a business which dealt with finances for family offices. Brett returned to the US in 2005 and went to Columbia Business School, where he managed money for a family office with an international focus. Since then, he has been doing finance and consulting, working for PWC, McKinsey and the Treasury Department under Obama's second term. Brett joined the Financial Stability Council as a senior analyst during a time of financial system regulation. He also reconnected with Tim Geithner, who was one of his first principals at the CIA. Brett currently runs a private Wealth Management Practice called Strong Bridge Advisors, LLC, based in San Francisco. Working at the CIA Brett talks about his interactions with Tim Geithner and Larry Summers, two influential figures in the Treasury. Geithner was part of the committee at Treasury, which focused on social stability and risks that had not yet been faced and not just economics. The remit at that time was to understand the impact of a banking sector crisis on smaller Asian economies. Brett had his most critical briefing with Larry Summers in 1998, where he brought valuable insights from his deep knowledge of Southeast Asia and Thailand. He believes that the role of an advisor is to bring insightful information, listen to other views, and he states that a lot of the quality policy decisions are made through authentic dialogue and respect for different perspectives. Brett goes on to explain why he was comfortable with the processes and structure of the role at that time. Working at McKinsey vs. CIA As a former associate partner, Brett compares the approach of the CIA to McKinsey, both with a reputation for intense cultures and intellectual horsepower. While the CIA dealt with serious issues, such as life-threatening issues, national security and social stability issues, Brett believes that both prioritize risk-awareness. He mentions that people at the CIA have more seniority and dedication to the issues they are passionate about because their sense of public duty to the government is higher than for employees at McKinsey. In conclusion, Brett's experiences with the CIA and McKinsey highlight the importance of maintaining strong relationships and being creative in risk-taking and decision-making. Setting Up an Investment Advisory Practice Brett discusses his decision to set up an investment advisory practice after becoming a CFA. He began managing money and private capacity for family office clients at Columbia Business School, working with people who were friends and retired from different government agencies and services. He completed a value investing program at Columbia and brought this skillset to his company. Brett felt that larger institutions often didn't provide the same attention to clients as they needed, and industry pressures were often not in clients’ best interests. His company, Strawbridge, cuts through this clutter and focuses on the investment process, serving the best interest of his clients. The practice provides skills in tech investment, good value investing, and understanding macroeconomics. A View on Relationships Relationships play a significant role in Brett’s career. Many former friends and associates have become clients. He enjoys building relationships with people who have helped him or who he respects and has maintained relationships through personal changes, geographic changes, and stress situations. Brett believes that relationships are more important than what people are doing in their lives, and that it doesn't have to be business relationships. Trust is essential for managing assets and staying in touch with clients. He also enjoys staying in touch with people who share similar experiences. The Impact of the Ukrainian War Brett discusses the impact of the war on his family and his Ukrainian wife. The war has been a massive refugee issue; many families have been torn apart, they have faced issues in bomb shelters, suffered daily harassment, and medical care has been impaired leading to deaths that could have been avoidable. He is a huge supporter of Ukraine and hopes that people in the US will take action to continue their support. Influential Harvard Courses and Professors Brett shares his experiences at Harvard, His major is in English literature and he also pursued a visual arts course, where he took oil painting and continues to do, he also took Mandarin Chinese which helped him pick up Thai, some Cantonese, and even a little Russian. continued to write and explore various writing techniques. Brett also mentions learning Thai while living in Southeast Asia, where he was trained by the CIA to be like an Uber Thai speaker. Timestamps: 05:15 CIA experience, problem-solving approaches, and McKinsey 12:06 Investment philosophy and business practice 16:03 Relationships, career, and personal life 22:17 Ukraine, language learning, and personal experiences at Harvard Links: LinkedIn: Company Website:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/30310648
info_outline
87. Richard Primus, Constitutional Law Professor
03/04/2024
87. Richard Primus, Constitutional Law Professor
Show Notes: Richard Primus initially had no idea what he wanted to do professionally after graduation, but eventually realized that he wanted to be a professor with interests in both law and political theory. He took HW Perry's constitutional interpretation class and decided to pursue graduate school and political theory before going to law school. Richard decided to study political theory at Oxford with the idea of becoming a law professor. He found his studies there focused on the abstract nature of political theory at the time, which required abstract questions about justice, liberty, and government. Richard wanted to ask questions about Hobbes's ideas and how he saw the world he lived in and the system in which he was operating, but this didn’t align with what his teachers at Oxford taught. His time at Oxford made it clear that he belonged in America, and he was excited to return home and attend Yale Law School where he confirmed his decision to become a law professor. His experience in England and Yale helped him understand the importance of being an American and the need for a diverse perspective on the world. He also learned about the challenges faced by students in law schools and the importance of a good professor in teaching. Working in The Supreme Court He spent four years in New Haven clerking for a federal judge and spent two years in Washington, DC, clerking for Justice Ginsburg at the US Supreme Court. Richard discusses his frustration with the US Supreme Court and goes on to explain how a great law school teaches students. He also talks about his time as a clerk on the US Court of Appeals, and what he learned about processes and how cases are approached. He goes on to talk about his time at the US Supreme Court, which was more personality-driven and focused on technical cases. He found that these cases were satisfying because they weren't just about clashing ideologies. He later worked as a lawyer in DC before deciding to finally become a law professor. He was offered a position at the University of Michigan where he has taught for 23 years. Behind the Scenes at The Supreme Court Richard shares insights gained while working in The Supreme Court, which is often seen as the least lawful court in the federal system, which can distort our perception of courts and law. However, when functioning well, it has a different function: statesmanship rather than rule application, which is essential when dealing with difficult cases where ideologies play a role and there are no easy answers. It calls for the exercise of a different kind of judgment than is applied in other parts of the system. Trial judges must exercise judgment about witnesses' credibility, litigation progress, and governance, whereas Supreme Court Justices need to exercise judgment about governance and how it functions, and how it negotiates among the various aspects of the system that trade off against each other. A lot of this falls outside of the scope of rules that can be applied. Some justices may pretend this isn’t the case, but this is not a realistic understanding of what the court does or could do. Richard goes on to explain what he has been unhappy with in a lot of the recent work and direction of the court. He also talks about the right vs. left components of involvement, and how the steady shift right by judicial doctrine in most areas was largely masked from the general public. A View on Federal Judges Richard talks about why people become federal judges. They are often smart, good attorneys who could make more money as private practice people. They take pay cuts, often from private practice. People become federal judges partly because they like the idea of public service, partly because the work is interesting, and partly because they like prestige and power. One of the hazards of the job is spending their working life with people who defer to you, which can lead to losing perspective. Some of the best federal judges create structural ways to prevent themselves from losing perspective. Constitutional Expectations Richard discusses his favorite essay, "Constitutional Expectations," which he wrote 15 years ago after a minor crisis in American constitutional history. The incident involved President Obama taking the inaugural oath, but he and Chief Justice John Roberts got their signals crossed, resulting in Obama saying all the words in the presidential oath out of order. The next day, they restaged the oath one on one with the Chief Justice. However, the second time through, they still didn’t recite the oath exactly as it appears in the Constitution. This highlights the deep and important aspect of constitutional law, as it teaches us that people do not believe they have a constitutional obligation to adhere to the printed words in the text of the Constitution. Instead, it’s society's deeply developed expectations about how the system is supposed to work. The essay "Constitutional Expectations," explores the difference between the big C constitution and the smaller C constitution. Richard offers a few examples of interpretations from the big C constitution to small c constitution and norms that have developed. Richard’s Book on The Constitution Richard moves on to talk about his book that explores a central idea in constitutional law, which is that, state legislatures are legislatures of general jurisdiction, meaning they can make any law without affirmative prohibition from the federal government. However, Congress has a specific list of authorizations written into the Constitution called the enumerated powers of Congress. This understanding has been an orthodox part of American constitutional law since its inception. Richard's book aims to show that many of the things we say about enumerated powers are not true, and that the system of federalism doesn't depend in any way on Congress. He believes that the text of the Constitution and the history of the Constitution do not fully explain the enumerated powers required by the Constitution. He goes on to explain the role of the Bill of Rights and the myths surrounding it, its function, and its place in history. Influential Harvard Professors and Courses Richard shares his passion for teaching and the experiences he gained from his first year of college. He enjoyed taking various classes, including Greatest Hits, Sandell’s justice class, Stephen Jay Gould Science B16. He also enjoyed Seymour Slive’s Rembrandt class, and a European history class with Peter Baldwin. He mentions the Constitutional Interpretation class with W.H. Perry, and one of the teachers he appreciated was Judith Shklar in the Gov. department. Richard also mentioned his dual track in law school, where he learned from professors and implemented best practices in his own teaching. He learned from Carol Rose, a property professor, who taught the class critically, asking questions, and building conversate conversations with students. Richard learned the importance of communication, high expectations, and pushing students' success. Timestamps: 05:11 Academic journey and approaches to political theory 09:30 Law school, clerkships, and judicial decision-making 15:01 The politicization of the Supreme Court and its unique workings 22:27 The role of judicial judgment in the Supreme Court 27:15 Why people become federal judges and research interests 31:19 Constitutional Expectations vs. Textual Interpretation 40:07 The origins of the US Constitution and Bill of Rights 46:36 Constitutional Interpretation and Historical Record 51:42 Teaching techniques and intellectual growth in law school Links: Website:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/30196203
info_outline
86. Chris Ball, Research Scientist in the ElectroScience Laboratory
02/26/2024
86. Chris Ball, Research Scientist in the ElectroScience Laboratory
Show Notes: After graduation, Chris Ball spent his summer working in Cambridge before returning to Columbus, Ohio, where he began graduate school in physics at The Ohio State University. He worked with Professor Frank DeLuca, a world-renowned researcher in microwave spectroscopy. Chris’ research focused on the microwave absorption of sulfur dioxide and its relationship to NASA's Microwave Limb Sounder instrument. Studying Interstellar Bands During his time at OSU, Chris collaborated with Professor Patrick Thaddeus from the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, who was looking to hire for a postdoc position. Chris moved back to Cambridge and worked in a lab in Somerville. He continued to do spectroscopy, but this time focused on long chains of carbon that don't occur naturally on Earth. These chains are unstable and are routinely observed in radio telescopes and optical telescopes. Chris and Thaddeus attempted to study the diffuse interstellar bands, which were optical features observed in telescope measurements that had never been explained over many years. They used laser spectroscopy to measure these bands and try to determine if any exotic carbon chains were responsible for them. Unfortunately, none of the exotic carbon chains were found, but the experience was rewarding. The Intersection of Science and Engineering After their first child was born, Chris and his family decided to move back to Columbus, Ohio, where he was offered a position at Battelle where his career began to focus on the intersection of science and engineering, specifically on developing sensor technologies and communications technologies. He worked on defense and security applications, such as detecting chemical and biological weapons, explosives, and narcotics. He also worked on pollution monitoring systems and handheld sensor technologies. Around 2015, Chris became disenchanted with Batel's strategic direction and started looking for alternatives. He found a similar job at Ohio State University's ElectroScience Laboratory, which focused on radar and communication systems. He left Batel, which coincided with his marriage falling apart. He moved offices, moved to an apartment, and started a consulting business. Working on the CubeSat Satellite at NASA Chris continued to focus on sensor and communication systems development. He was involved in a NASA program that built a CubeSat satellite, which was launched in 2018 from Wallops Island, Virginia, on a resupply mission to the International Space Station. The satellite went into orbit in July 2018. Chris discusses his exciting work in space, including developing sensors to detect toxic gasses and developing handheld infrared sensors for food and agricultural products. He is also working on an x-ray communication system, which uses X-rays as a carrier for wireless communications in space. In parallel with his work, he has a consulting company and has also discovered the joy of improv comedy, which he has been practicing for several months and now is part of an improv group called The Bunsen Burnouts. Interstellar Clouds and Molecules The discussion turns to interstellar clouds, and Chris explains what they are. There are many fundamental studies about the dynamics of molecules inside interstellar clouds and how they exist and might turn into stars in some regions. He also touches on the rotation of molecules, which is a fundamental discovery of quantum mechanics, and explains that, the transitions between rotational states in molecules are typically in the infrared part of the spectrum, while electronic transitions occur in the visible and ultraviolet part. However, molecules can also have bound atoms rotating, with quantized angular momentum and transitions corresponding to microwave frequencies. X ray Communications Research Chris talks about one of the projects he is proud of, X rays and the concept of wireless communications, which involve modulating a carrier frequency to transmit information. He explains that the idea of using X rays as a carrier and modulating them in some way came from discussions with NASA. NASA had a problem communicating with spacecraft during blackout periods when they enter the Earth's atmosphere. They developed a small X ray source that can be switched on and off quickly, allowing for about a gigahertz of bandwidth. This is better than current spaceborne optical systems, which can only transmit about a gigabyte of information per second. The team licensed this technology from NASA and applied its principles to X rays. X rays have significantly smaller wavelengths than optical systems, so they can propagate them much farther than optical systems. This could be advantageous for high data rate systems that can talk to Mars, as it would allow for interplanetary communication. Chris goes on to explain their process of research, feasibility of concepts, and demonstrating applicability. Detecting Drugs and Toxic Chemicals Chris has developed detectors for detecting drugs and toxic chemicals at extremely low concentrations and explains how these work. These detectors use microwave spectroscopy principles to measure gasses like formaldehyde in a low-pressure environment. The spectroscopic lines, which are sharp Gaussian distributions, are used to distinguish different gasses from each other and uniquely identify them. They achieve high sensitivity by making the lines taller and larger, and can be used in multipass configurations where the microwave beam passes through multiple times. This allows you to discriminate different gasses from each other and uniquely identify them like a fingerprint. Chris talks about a collaboration with his PhD advisor at Ohio State that led to the development of a mission adaptable chemical sensor funded by the Department of Defense. This sensor sucked in air and measured hundreds of different chemicals apart in a relatively short time. However, the technology is expensive due to the millimeter wave frequencies used in the microwave part of the system. The best available technologies cost around $60,000 for a transmitter and $50,000 for a receiver. This means that a $100,000 instrument is needed to buy the transmitter and receiver, along with all the electronics and pumps. Influential Harvard Professors and Courses Chris discusses their experiences at Harvard, focusing on the core curriculum courses and expository writing as the most valuable course he took. His advisor encouraged him to write a NASA fellowship proposal, which was well-written due to their expository writing skills. This experience has made him more valuable in various jobs, including red team reviews and proposal reviews for NASA and other funding agencies. He also shares their experiences with math 22 and physics courses, and he mentions working at the high energy physics lab during their junior year and senior year, which was a valuable experience as they helped build a prototype muon detector system and perform measurements. Chris took advantage of opportunities to get involved with research while at Harvard, working at the high energy physics lab during the summer before his junior year and after his senior year. This experience allowed him to learn a lot about the science of expository writing and how to write effectively in academic settings. Timestamps: 01:03 Career path after Harvard graduation with a focus on physics research 06:04 Career progression from postdoc to industry to academia 10:39 Career changes, space research, and improv comedy 18:58 Interstellar clouds and molecular rotation 22:57 Wireless communication technologies and innovations 27:02 Using X-rays for high-speed communication in space 33:39 Developing infrared detectors for space applications with a focus on sensitivity and accuracy 39:16 Chemical sensing technology and its applications 45:36 Writing tips and research experiences at Harvard Links: ElectroScience Laboratory: Page at OSU: Email address:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/30086803
info_outline
85. Tom Hughes, Actor, Consultant and Coach
02/19/2024
85. Tom Hughes, Actor, Consultant and Coach
Show Notes: Tom Hughes initially planned to pursue an MD, PhD, and work on multiple sclerosis, but decided against it due to his poor chemistry skills. Instead, he focused on being an English professor, inspired by his father, who had been an English professor. During his senior year, his brother joined him and encouraged him to pursue his passion for acting. Tom auditioned for two of his favorite plays, The Lion in Winter and The Foreigner, and was cast in both of them. This was a rare moment in life where everything fell in his direction, and he was cast in all of the shows he auditioned for. He then decided to focus on his English major and thesis work. Tom recounts his journey from being a singer in The Pudding to auditioning for a production of Dangerous Liaisons. He was inspired by his love for theater and the Utah Shakespeare Festival, which he had attended every year with his family. After graduation, he moved to New York and started working off Broadway. He auditioned for Harvard's ART Institute and moved back to Cambridge. In between these years, he met a woman, got engaged and married. They moved back to New York, and Tom continued auditioning and getting small film gigs. He went back to Columbia for a master's degree in organizational organizational psychology, which eventually led to a position at Booz Allen consulting firm. Tom moved on and worked for Duke corporate education for seven years before moving to the Carlsbad California office. They stayed there for another three years before being laid off during a downsizing. This led to establishing his own business, he partnered with another friend and colleague to form a small consulting firm, and this is their 11th year working for themselves. A Conversation about a Theatrical Background Tom discusses his avocation in the theater, mentioning his father's audiobook recording as a fun outlet. He directed one show and a radio show version of It's a Wonderful Life, but he found this was not for him and decided to stay with acting. Tom’s wife is actively involved with the theater, and Tom talks about how she worked on a show during COVID-19 restrictions; this led to a part for Tom which led to directing a radio show. Tom finds the theater experience enjoyable and has worked with amazing people and talented people in the community. He believes that the experience should be about the show rather than the social aspect. Community Theater vs. Professional Theater Tom talks about the difference between community theater and professional theater which are two distinct aspects of the arts. Community theater is about the community, where friends perform for the benefit of the community, rather than aiming to become Hollywood stars. Professional theaters are more prepared, have worked before, and have more rehearsal time. They come with a different tool set, such as singers, actors, and professionals who know their craft. In community theaters, people often don't even write down their blocking notes, which can be frustrating for those who don't have the time to practice. Professional theaters have a dedicated team, preparing and working on their craft, and have more time for rehearsal. They also have a better tool set, such as experts in their craft. Mental Models and Acting Tom discusses his mental models and how his way of thinking changed from a junior in college to pursuing theater professionally. He shares two key lessons: the importance of listening and being present for others, which is crucial for success in the industry. He shares a conversation with a colleague about a famous breakup in Hollywood and how it can be difficult to stay faithful without falling in love when playing an intensely romantic role with an attractive actor. He also shares a lesson from a classmate, Glenn Kessler, who taught him that no way of working is always right. There is no style, approach, or version of oneself that will be right everywhere. Being a professional means doing what the job calls for, and it is freeing to feel like an asset and get rewarded for it. Acting Coach and Consultant Tom talks about his work as an acting coach and developing listening skills. In group settings, such as meetings, online learning, and virtual meetings, listening is crucial for effective communication. However, many people are not paying attention to others, leading to unsatisfying experiences and hindering learning. In coaching, listening and reflecting are essential for helping individuals think through their thoughts. Practicing listening and turning off the "I'm planning my response mechanism" can help create a more authentic and engaging interaction with the audience. By practicing and hearing people, one can create a more authentic and memorable experience for both the actor and the audience. Tom started his consulting practice with a partner, Jared Blake, a Harvard EDD. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he and Blake started working independently, but later reconnected and decided to work together. They formed an entity and started marketing together, serving well-known brands like Nike. They both teach for various schools, including corporate education and the Texas A&M Executive Education program. They also provide individual coaching and advisory work on leadership development and coaching for clients. Influential Courses and Professors at Harvard Tom shares his experiences with courses and professors that have shaped his life. He mentions his experience in an organic chemistry course, where he was told that it probably wasn’t for him. He also took a class from Joe Harris on Norse mythology. He was also accepted into a graduate seminar with Barbara Lewalski, who was a brilliant and challenging professor. Tom also talks about his experience working in law as an undergraduate, and why he decided this path was not for him after working on a murder case. Timestamps: 02:31 Acting career and personal life 09:49 Career transitions and theater involvement 15:29 Professional vs. community theater experiences 21:04 Acting techniques and personal growth 26:32 Active listening and its importance in professional settings 31:45 Career transition and leadership development with a Harvard MBA 35:45 Academic experiences and career choices 41:28 Legal system, theater, and personal experiences Links: Website: LinkedIn: Instagram: Utah Shakespeare Festival:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/29882028
info_outline
84. Candy Gunther Brown, Professor of Religious Studies at Indiana University
02/12/2024
84. Candy Gunther Brown, Professor of Religious Studies at Indiana University
Show Notes: Candy Gunther Brown, professor of Religious Studies at Indiana University and co-founder of the Global Medical Research Institute, discusses empirical research on prayer for healing, her own miracle story, and yoga in public schools. Candy has held her current position since 2006. She has been studying mostly Christianity in the United States and globally since 2006, however, her specific focus on healing practices has led to including world religions in her studies. She initially focused on the history of Christianity, but later realized that much of the growth of Christianity was in areas of Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity, where people pray for God to heal them when they are sick. This led her to explore questions about modern medicine's effects on praying for healing, particularly in contemporary practices. Clinical Studies on the Healing Effects of Prayer Candy has conducted field work in Mozambique and Brazil, working with medical doctors and researchers to develop clinical studies on the effects of prayer, and has published significant findings in peer reviewed medical journals. Dialogue with patients led Candy to explore the world of complementary and alternative medicine, which has become more mainstream medically than some of the prayer practices. Her research has taken on different emphases over the years, including being an expert witness in court cases over yoga in public education. One of the best courses she took at Harvard was constitutional law, which helped her consider constitutional issues involved with yoga and meditation in public schools from a legal perspective. A Personal Experience with Healing through Prayer Candy's personal journey also led to new academic and personal questions, as she met someone she met while at Harvard during graduate school and had new experiences that opened up new academic and personal questions. The Global Medical Research Institute (GMRI) was founded by Carol and her husband Josh, a brain scientist at Washington University in St. Louis. After Josh's untreatable terminal brain tumor was diagnosed, they began investigating the power of prayer for healing. They found that prayer can lead to significant improvements in various aspects of life, including hearing, vision, and emotional well-being. When Josh recovered, they decided this was an area that should be studied more consistently and in more depth, so they founded the GMRI. Healing through Prayer and the Placebo Effect Candy discusses the comparison of healing through prayer and the placebo effect, which is limited in its impact; it often sees a reduction in pain but does not provide significant changes in organic conditions. She shares the results of studies on healing through prayer, and how proximal intercessory prayer, or proximal intercession, has been shown to result in substantial improvements. For example, a subject in Mozambique was able to read fine print on an eye chart after five minutes of prayer. This is a much larger improvement than most placebo effects or related mind-body effects. Scientific research shows that people are convinced that they are healed through prayer to such a degree that it has been a major factor in the growth of Pentecostal and charismatic Christian movements worldwide. This belief has been a major factor in the growth of these movements, with approximately 635 million Pentecostals and charismatics globally, and around 2.4 billion Christians. Research on Intercessory Prayer Candy talks about research that took place in Mozambique where they were conducting studies on distant intercessory prayer. She discusses the difficulties they encountered and surprising results when conducting studies with people from different branches of christianity. In one study, researchers prospectively recruited every individual who was brought up in communities with little technological connection. They tested them with equipment and recorded all results before and after prayer, regardless of whether they reported improvements or not. The effect had to be large enough and common enough to find an actual statistical difference. The study found statistically significant improvements in those who received prayer. Cindy goes on to explain that prayer is a growing force in areas with limited access to medical care and basic necessities. She mentions research that was conducted in collaboration with 17 other scholars in Pentecostal movements worldwide. The findings suggest that healing and deliverance practices are the driving growth edge for these movements, as people in need of medical care and food security often lack the resources and support they typically receive. This finding underscores the importance of further research in this area. A Personal View on Proximal Prayer Healing Candy discusses the impact of proximal prayer on healing. She has been researching this topic for 20 years and has come across cases of fraud and falsification, however, she believes that these cases are less common than people think. She also mentions cases where people believe they got healed through prayer but also have other factors that caused them to recover, such as self-limiting conditions or mobility issues. She allows people to evaluate the data from the studies for themselves and acknowledges that some cases are hard to come up with a medical explanation for what took place, and she shares a few stories of healing, including a blind woman whose sight was restored. One studies she cites states that 73% of U.S. doctors believed that miracle healing had taken place. Alternative Medical Practices and Constitutional Implications One of Candy's research projects focused on alternative medical practices and constitutional implications. She was asked to evaluate the legal challenge over yoga in a public school district in San Diego, California. The yoga program was promoted by a Hindu guru who believed yoga was becoming one with God. However, parents, including Christian, Hindu, and atheist parents, were concerned about the teachings and wanted a secular education for their children. Candy's book explores the global cross fertilization of yoga programs, from India to the United States. Candy shares results from various studies on yoga or mindfulness practices. Influential Harvard Professors and Courses Candy shares her fond memories of her time as a professor, including being invited to a professor's house for dinner, attending a core curriculum class, and working with Owen Gingrich, a professor with a Mennonite background. These personal connections have been significant in her career, as she has been invited to his house for dinner parties and conducted research for him while traveling in the Philippines. Other memorable experiences include studying Latin 3, listening to Marjorie Garber's Shakespeare lessons, learning about Michelangelo, and writing a senior thesis. She also had significant experiences through Phillips Brooks House, particularly working with the refugee youth summer enrichment program (RISE) and the Harvard Radcliffe Christian fellowship. Timestamps: 05:19 The power of prayer in healing with a neuroscientist and religion professor 10:44 The effectiveness of prayer for healing 16:07 Clinical trials and prayer with a focus on ecological validity 23:26 Healing and spiritual practices in Pentecostal movements 28:10 Healing and divine intervention through prayer 32:08 Yoga in public schools and belief in miracles 36:56 Secularization of yoga programs and their impact on mental health Links: Website: Book: Article: Article: CONTACT University: LinkedIn: Twitter: Facebook:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/29817998
info_outline
83. Peter Kang, Pediatric Neurologist and Director of Muscular Dystrophy Center
01/22/2024
83. Peter Kang, Pediatric Neurologist and Director of Muscular Dystrophy Center
In this episode of The 92 Report, Peter Kang attended medical school in Philadelphia where he had a wonderful experience at the University of Pennsylvania, learning about different fields and cultures, and making friends. One pivotal moment in medical school was during a physician patient relationship course led by a thoughtful psychiatrist who reminded him that it’s a routine experience for the doctors, but it could be one of the most pivotal moments in the patient’s life, and they can remember everything about their encounters, which has been helpful to him throughout his career. A Career in Pediatric Neurology Peter chose pediatric neurology as his field of study, completing most of his training in Philadelphia and New Haven. He spent over a decade in Boston, where he gained valuable exposure to both the Boston area and New England. His mentorship from a well-known geneticist, Luke Konkel, helped fill a crucial gap in his career as a physician scientist. This experience gave him a strong background in genetics and has been useful to him up to this day. Peter's research interests include rare diseases. In his clinic work, he deals with these patients daily, as they might be one of only a few dozen people in the United States with that particular diagnosis. The challenge is finding enough patients to prove that a treatment works or an idea about the disease is valid. Peter also runs a research laboratory and spends much of his time supervising the lab. However, he finds it both interesting and useful to be able to connect his work in the lab with his work in the clinic. Genomics Research and Genetic Diseases Peter discusses his experience running a research lab and how it has evolved over the years. He started his independent research laboratory in Boston and later moved to Florida in 2013. He learned about running a lab from his mentor, which involved a lot of subtleties and was a lot like running a small business in terms of financing, grant applications, and hiring and managing personnel etc. The lab's focus is on genomics research, which helps identify patients with genetic diseases that don't have clear diagnoses. He explains some of the difficulties they run into and how they approach mystery diagnosis.Peter is currently a professor at the University of Minnesota, where his lab is based. He moved to Minnesota during the COVID pandemic. He and his wife were initially excited about moving to Minnesota.The move was motivated by the opportunity to work with a renowned muscular dystrophy center at the University of Minnesota, which had a unique focus on the condition. Finding Solutions to Mystery Diagnosis Peter's lab has been working on finding solutions to mystery diagnosis in genetic testing, which has been a focus for over a decade. He believes that genetic testing can help solve these mysteries and is working towards a more accurate understanding of genetic diseases. Peter discusses the challenges of treating rare neurological diseases, particularly in children. He highlights two types of diseases that have been challenging to diagnose and treat: muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy. Muscular dystrophy is a childhood disease, with milder forms starting in adulthood. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a well-known example, with patients often experiencing difficulty walking and falling as they grow older. Genetic testing has become more effective in diagnosing these diseases, but there are still shortened life expectancies and increased dependence on others for activities. Spinal muscular atrophy is another type of disease that is not technically classified as muscular dystrophy but is also seen in neuromuscular specialists. The most severe form of this disease was typically fatal by the age of two years due to motor neuron loss in the spinal cord. However, in 2016, the first FDA treatment for spinal muscular atrophy was approved, which has helped children to walk normally and avoid ventilators. Screening Programs and Metabolic Disorders Peter talks about the newborn screening programs that have been around for several decades, with each state offering slightly different panels of tests. The original screening tests focused on metabolic disorders, which could be treated by eliminating certain nutrients from the baby's diet. Newborn screening has evolved to include spinal muscular atrophy and genetically based tests. Some metabolic disorder diseases have been cured now, with some being cured through diet changes and new therapies being developed. However, Peter highlights the fact that the exact cure depends on how the word "cure" is applied, which is a topic of discussion among inpatient communities. Overall, he emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment for rare neurological diseases to improve outcomes and overall health. Peter discusses his experiences dealing with pediatric patients and how he is constantly developing his interaction skills. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the patient's perspective and avoiding taking sides. He also shares his experience of dealing with multiple people in the room, including parents and spouses, and how to navigate these conversations effectively. Challenges in Pediatric Medicine One challenge in pediatric medicine is dealing with multiple people, and sometimes there may be a difference of opinion between the child and their parent. To address this, he suggests documenting both sides of the medical record and discussing the perspectives of both parties. When discussing a child with muscular dystrophy, he advises communicating the diagnosis to the parents and the child, considering their age and preferences. He also advises being candid about the prognosis and focusing on the positives. He does not spontaneously discuss life expectancy during clinic visits due to its unpredictable nature and the hope that new therapies will come online for these patients. Advances in Biotechnology Peter talks about advancements in biotechnology. In the past few years, there has been an inflection point in biotech with advancements like RNAi, Moderna, and other technologies. There is an incredible array of technologies available that were not available in the past, such as small molecules, gene therapies, stem cells, and proteins. The interaction between academia and the biotech industry has become more collaborative, and there is a better understanding that they are working towards the same goals. Peter states that, in the future, there will be more genetic or molecular solutions specific to certain targets for treating both rare and common diseases. This specificity will continue to grow, and there will be ways to accelerate the pace of developing tailored treatments. Harvard Courses and Professors on Influence Peter mentions two gratifying courses that still resonate with him today. One was Philosophy 168, taught by John Rawls, which helped him understand Kant's ethical theory and how to see things from a different perspective. Another course was Expository Writing 52, taught by Richard Marius, who showed him how powerful writing could be and how words can influence people's behavior. Peter believes these courses have helped him develop confidence in his writing abilities and have prepared him for the challenges of personalized medicine in the coming decades. He is looking forward to the developments in the biotech sector and the potential for personalized medicine to become more of a reality. He recalls a conversation with Richard Marius, who encouraged him to bring the story to life and that it's okay to write about one's family. He also discusses how his education as a philosopher major has helped him with thinking and analysis, and achieving clarity around a particular issue or ethical dilemma. He uses this knowledge to resolve complex issues and helps patients make informed decisions about therapy options. On a global scale, Peter addresses the resource allocation for Rare Disease Research, which is a thorny problem due to limited resources. He believes that it's crucial to not let individuals with rare diseases be left behind, as they often feel isolated and struggle to find others who understand their condition. Timestamps: 04:20 Rare disease research and clinical practice 08:52 Running a research lab, genomics research, and mystery diagnoses 14:03 Muscular dystrophy diagnosis and treatment 20:00 Treating and curing neuromuscular diseases in children 28:26 Communicating with children about serious illnesses 32:57 Rare disease diagnosis and potential treatments 38:13 Personalized medicine, gene editing, and philosophy 43:00 Writing skills, ethical dilemmas, and rare diseases CONTACT:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/29501453
info_outline
82. Genève Allison, Physician Burnout and Recovery
12/04/2023
82. Genève Allison, Physician Burnout and Recovery
Genève Allison, an attending physician in infectious diseases, shares her journey since graduating from Harvard. She took a leave of absence from work in 2023, which was not something she would have predicted but turned out to be one of the best things she's done. Her journey began with working in a research lab and meeting physicians, leading her to pursue medicine as a career. She went to the University of Massachusetts Medical School and completed a residency in infectious diseases before returning to Boston to pursue infectious diseases at Tufts. Methods of Recovering from Burnout During the pandemic, Genève experienced burnout and emotional exhaustion. She sought support from her primary care doctor, who helped her get a medical leave for three months. This allowed her to heal from the trauma and work on toxic habits that can lead to burnout. She believes that we don't talk enough about taking care of ourselves in society, and she wants to share her experience on the 92 Report to inspire others to reach out for help. Genève's leave of absence was a time for her to try everything, including therapy, journaling, and writing exposure therapy. She used specific therapy notebooks to process traumatic events and write about them in detail, which helped her dissipate the stress and improve her mental health. She also participated in a pottery class, which was enjoyable and allowed her to get out of her perfectionistic stressful mindset. Genève talks about the fundamental need to make things with our hands, such as building a shed, baking, knitting, gardening, and pottery. During the pandemic, baking became a major concern, and people talked about sourdough as a solution. The conversation also touches on the importance of taking time off from work to maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as playing the flute or attending therapy sessions. A Physician’s Personal Experiences during the Pandemic The conversation shifts to her personal experiences during the pandemic. She felt scared that she didn't care enough to be a doctor, which led her to take time off. However, she found that her caring barometer was off, and she realized that she had to care for patients and their well-being. She talks about experience as an infectious disease specialist during the pandemic. She describes the surreal and bizarre situation of being the only person on her train to go to work, especially in the pediatrics where the inpatient pediatrics floor was converted into an adult Intensive Care Unit due to the need for ventilators. Genève shares her experiences with fighting with elderly chaplains who would enter patients rooms with COVID, despite not having vaccines yet. The suffering experienced by patients dying of COVID was beyond what the physician was prepared for. Patients were not allowed to have families present at their bedside, and nurses were at their bedside when they were dying. This was unimaginably painful for both the patient and their family. The emotional labor that comes with being present at a loved one's death is also difficult to witness. Factors Leading to Burnout Genève explains that a mix of things led to her burnout, including perfectionism, type A behaviors, and restlessness. The pandemic magnified these issues, as the work was never going to be done, and recommendations were constantly changing. She realized that she needed to take care of herself and figure out fixed beliefs that she couldn't prioritize. This led to therapy and the realization that she needed to prioritize herself over her work. She discusses how her approach to work has changed over the years. She now takes secondary prevention, such as avoiding smoking, exercising, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. She now focuses on self-care and taking care of her mental health, which has helped her avoid burnout in the future. Genève uses an analogy of a heart attack, where people talk about secondary prevention because they don't want another heart attack. Healing from Burnout Genève talks about her skepticism about their energetic capacity and their decision to say no more often. She mentions that she has said no to various activities, such as being part of a research committee or helping a research group. She also mentions that being tired is not a character flaw but a human emotion. She talks about acupuncture and that some studies suggest it has no scientific impact, but the placebo effect may play a role. She acknowledges that there is a lot of literature on the meridians used in acupuncture and the physiological correlates of these effects. During her training in California, she became best friends with a physician who had trained in both allopathic medicine and acupuncture and herbs. They worked together on a residency and have since worked with a group where she does acupuncture for patients undergoing chemotherapy to alleviate side effects. Her motivation for doing acupuncture was due to physical symptoms of burnout, such as migraines, dizziness, and neck pain from stress. She experienced an immediate improvement in their well-being after receiving needles in their legs, which she continues to maintain. The Field of Infectious Disease Genève talks about why she was interested in the Infectious disease field. She mentions that it is a fascinating field that involves solving puzzles and figuring things out when others cannot. It's a satisfying field where doctors can make diagnoses, create treatment plans, and see people get better. Influential Harvard Professors and Courses Genève shares her experiences with mentorship and support from Carl Liam, a professor of biology and an IQ theologist. His mentorship and belief in him made a huge difference during their sophomore year, helping her become better mentors and learn that stumbles are normal parts of life. She emphasizes the importance of seeking help for medical professionals, as many doctors commit suicide every day due to fear of losing their licenses. Links:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/28626098
info_outline
81. Alex Choi, Anesthesiologist, Politician and Mental Health Advocate
11/27/2023
81. Alex Choi, Anesthesiologist, Politician and Mental Health Advocate
Alex Choi has been involved in various professional pursuits since graduating. He joined a consulting company and worked as a research associate before moving back home to Indiana to pursue medical school. Alex obtained a master's in biology and physiology to secure admission to Indiana University School of Medicine. He met his wife in the second year of med school and they have two children. After medical school, Choi joined a private practice in Indianapolis, where he became the managing partner and president of the Anesthesia Consultants of Indianapolis. Alex also received a master's in public health and policy management, which helped him become more involved in public policy issues. He was the physician leader for the division at IU Health until last year when he stepped down to go into pre-retirement. Alex left IU Health and joined another surgery center practice and was asked to be the Indiana Medical Director for the organization. He has been involved in various organizations, including the national society and state societies of organized medicine. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder over a decade ago and has since recovered from it. This inspired Alex to partner with people who formed the Zionsville Alliance for Mental Wellness Exam, a nonprofit that helps people navigate the mental health network system. He talks about his experiences in police and has been involved in public policy, working on the transition team for governors and serving on the Zionsville Town Council. However, he decided not to run for reelection to focus on his family and watch his children grow up. Misconceptions about Bipolar Disorder Alex discusses the challenges and misconceptions about bipolar disorder, a mental health issue that is a spectrum. He emphasizes the importance of not stigmatizing anyone with bipolar disorder or any mental health issues. Alex shares his own experiences with rapidly cycling episodes of mania and depression, which can last months, weeks, or months. He emphasizes the need for support networks and the importance of understanding that bipolar disorder is a chronic illness that can be overcome with the right therapy, support, and medications. He has been open about his journey and has used his town council status to put messages out about mental health treatment for mental health disorders. His openness has encouraged others to seek help. A Governor’s Role in Healthcare Alex has also worked on the healthcare transition team for two different governors and a new mayor. In the governors' case, he helped determine healthcare priorities for the state, discussing data and determining priorities. He had a one-sheet agenda and an open forum for discussing these topics. In the mayor's role, he became involved in the town's finances, overseeing the town's finances and overseeing the city's budget. The governor oversees the Department of Health and public health systems, which are interconnected and heavily influenced by Medicaid. In Indiana, the Medicaid system is administered by the governor's office through the Family and Social Services Administration, providing a safety net for those suffering from chronic illnesses or those unable to afford health care due to income or special status. As an unpaid lobbyist, Alex was involved in lobbying state representatives and advocating for better health care in Indiana. He ran for a state representative in a caucus election in 2015. Alex talks about why he wanted to be a state legislator and his efforts in that area, including pushing for the licensure of anesthesiologist assistants, a group of advanced providers, and establishing a program that graduates 24 anesthesiologist assistants annually to address shortages and anesthesia in the state. He talks about medical liability insurance in Indiana, and lobbying from the Trial Lawyers Association which led to increased limits on liability insurance costs. Despite these challenges, Alex believes that the state has made progress in improving healthcare policies and addressing the challenges faced by physicians and patients in Indiana. Expanding the Potential of Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants Alex discusses the potential of nurse practitioners and physician assistants to perform additional procedures that current regulations prohibit. He acknowledges that these areas vary from state to state, and medical schools and residencies must adhere to strict guidelines. However, he believes that there is higher variability in what is taught in medical schools and residencies, which can lead to a lack of qualified clinicians. He believes that medical schools and residencies will continue to train physicians to more complex procedures and specialties, leading to a shortage of doctors for certain procedures or patient types. As a result, physicians will need to push towards greater involvement from nurses and physician assistants but also ensure proper oversight. Running a Political Campaign Alex talks about what he learned when running a campaign, which involves getting people to believe in oneself and their views. He found it challenging to run for office due to his full-time job and campaigning, but also appreciated the support of his family and friends. During his campaign, he faced opposition from the General Assembly, which passed one of the harshest anti-abortion laws after the DODDS decision. He had to navigate the public reaction and find a balance between advocating for pro-choice and expressing different views within a party. Influential Harvard Professors and Courses Alex shares his personal and professional experiences with several courses and professors. He attended a church near his freshman year and was an usher. While there, he found the sermons of Professor Gomes helpful and realized the importance of his involvement in student lives. Timestamps: 04:46 Bipolar disorder, treatment, and advocacy 12:14 Mental health treatment and government policy 18:52 Healthcare policy and legislation in Indiana 31:34 Medical professional scope of practice and campaign lessons learned 39:03 Mental health, politics, and career with former Indiana state senate candidate Links: Facebook: LinkedIn: CONTACT: Email:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/28625958
info_outline
80. Rachel Burg Belin, Supporting Young People to Do Democracy
11/20/2023
80. Rachel Burg Belin, Supporting Young People to Do Democracy
Rachel Berg Belin shares the journey of her career which has been inspired Inspired by the recognition that young people are underestimated in the value they can offer to communities and politics. Rachel has focused on creating spaces for young people to play a more meaningful role in schools and public life. Rachel's journey with youth and politics began with her involvement with the radio at the Institute of Politics and Phillips Brooks House, and producing a radio show called Kid Company. She has also worked with youth journalism venture Cultural Express in Massachusetts. She trained young people in the Boston area to be reporters on serious issues, interviewing people from all walks of life, including Supreme Court justices, the President of the U.S., local activists, and marginalized individuals. Rachel also moved around and led a media literacy nonprofit called Youth Voice Collaborative. She moved to Rochester, New York, where she got her master's in teaching and curriculum. She was teaching high school but felt frustrated in the classroom which felt mostly like an autocracy and wanted to do something outside of the classroom that was more in the vein of guerilla social studies. She worked with a program called Prichard Committee, which aimed to mobilize citizens to improve public education. She believed young people were a missing piece of this puzzle. Rachel's journey has been a rebellion against underestimation of the capacity of young people to contribute to our communities and affirmation of what is possible when we support young people to co-design our communities and do democracy with us. She believes that young people can be empowered and have a voice in democratic life when supported by adults and young people and established The Student Voice Team in Kentucky where young people are involved in shaping and forming education in schools, creating more just and democratic schools. Youth Leading and Designing Education Research The Student Voice Team has conducted over 16 original education studies over the last 11 years. They have conducted qualitative and quantitative studies of the extent to which their schools are safe, inclusive, and engaging, with the support of students, teachers, and families. The team has surveyed and interviewed thousands of students in diverse schools across the state, using data to write opinion pieces and columns that lift student voice on issues such as student mental health, safety, and policy. Two statewide studies have been conducted, each generating over 11,000 student responses from nearly every Kentucky County. These studies have had a significant impact on raising student voice on serious issues, such as the impacts of COVID on learning from home and the ineffectiveness of online learning for the vast majority of students. Another study focused on classroom conversations about race and racism in Kentucky during the height of the Critical Race Theory (CRT) debates. Over 11,000 students responded from nearly every Kentucky County, and the majority of students felt that their schools were not doing nearly enough to confront racism. The team presented their findings and recommendations to the State Board of Education and held a pop-up press conference on the Capitol steps to share their data and serve as a counter narrative to what older people were saying they needed in their schools. In conclusion, the Student Voice Team's strategies for creating more justice in democratic Kentucky schools involve young people leading and designing education research, policy, and storytelling. Navigating Intergenerational Dynamics The research is a youth-led, intergenerationally sustained organization that focuses on navigating intergenerational dynamics and creating space for young people to participate in decision-making processes. The organization is a reflection organization, allowing young people to contribute to the research process and guiding them in the analysis of data and messaging to the public. Adult partners, such as University of Kentucky researchers, are also involved in the research process. The organization's mission is to target an intergenerational audience and ensure equity in its ranks. They conduct research, influence policy, inform decision-makers, and develop storytelling skills. Students participate in media events, press conferences, testifying before legislatures, and writing their own pieces. They also train students in journalism to cover Kentucky Education news and provide commentary, and they have an independent news platform, The New Edu where students report on Kentucky education news, provide commentary, and produce. Funding of the Organization The organization has raised funding from various sources, including the Walton Foundation, Chan Zuckerberg and Bezos Foundation, and smaller funders in Kentucky. This has allowed the organization to pay young people fairly for their work and support those with greater economic needs. The fundraising and development process is unique because there is no gatekeeper for the work, and young people are often involved in developing proposals, and building relationships with funders, and reporting on successes and identifying metrics used to measure successes. The organization has a team of about 25 students from all over the state participating in their journalism training track. A young author and journalist, Rainsford Stouffer, leads some of the training and teaching of storytelling and journalism foundations. The goal is to fill the vacuum in Kentucky's education journalism by supporting young people to analyze and follow education news and report it to an intergenerational audience. Youth Empowerment and Agency Rachel discusses her recent learnings and thoughts on young people's empowerment and agency. She believes that democracy is more than ever a faith, and as an older person, she has to model faith rather than cynicism in democracy. She believes that young people have tools and self-awareness that we need to value as a broader intergenerational community. Rachel also mentions the Future Coalition, which is a group of young people leading the way around education justice. Influential Harvard Professors and Courses Rachel shares her experiences at Harvard, particularly the core classes and professors who had a significant impact on her career. She loved the core courses like Justice, Evolutionary Biology, and 17th-century Dutch art experience. She mentions professors Michael Sandel, Simon Schama, and Stephen Jay Gould. In conclusion, Rachel emphasizes the importance of empowering young people and fostering a broader intergenerational community. She encourages listeners to connect with other students and organizations interested in this work. Timestamps: 05:55 Education reform and student voice in Kentucky 12:37 Student-led research on mental health, race, and education in Kentucky 20:20 Youth involvement in nonprofit organization's fundraising and decision-making 25:02 Empowering young people in journalism and civic engagement 31:44 Education justice, Harvard experiences, and thesis on Massachusetts liberals during the bus crisis. Links: Kentucky Student Voice Team website: KSVT's Independent Education Journalism Platform: KSVT's Youth-Led Education Research: Rachel Belin on LinkedIn:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/28624353
info_outline
79. Wei Cui, Author and Scholar
11/13/2023
79. Wei Cui, Author and Scholar
Wei Cui shares his journey since graduating from Harvard. He describes it as a 30-year journey, with three phases: first decade, where he continued attending school in the United States, second decade, where he practiced law in New York City and Beijing, and last decade, living in Vancouver teaching at the Law School of the University of British Columbia. This period was the favorite stretch of his life, partly because of having them as part of his life and partly because it was nice to live in a beautiful part of the world and pursue scholarship at a major research university. Wei's life in Vancouver is different from earlier stretches in his career, especially from the years spent in China. He moved to Canada after spending seven and a half years working in China. The journey has been interesting from the perspective of Canada, as it allows him to think about these different parts of his life in the US and in China from the perspective of Canada. Cui's journey began when he was in Harbor College on a student visa in the United States. After deciding to stay in the US, he found a terminal master's program in philosophy at Tufts. He continued to study philosophy in Ph.d programs, then went to law school, where he became interested in China and the idea of law being applicable to China. He eventually graduated from Yale Law School in 2002, worked in New York City for three years, and moved to China in 2006. Working As an Attorney in China Wei worked in China for seven and a half years. He took up an academic position at China's largest law school in Beijing, but the university was disorganized and he had a light teaching load. He took up legal practice part-time at a local Chinese law firm. In 2008, he worked at the China Investment Corporation (CIC), which invested in Blackstone and Morgan Stanley shares. In 2009, he was secunded to CIC and started setting up a tax practice in house. He also worked in consulting with the Chinese government, working extensively on tax policy projects. He left CIC in 2010, but by that point, he decided to focus more on academia. Wei's third decade in China involved working with the Chinese government on tax policy projects. He was sought out for tax law and tax policy advice for seven years until 2013. In his third, Wei focused on research and teaching, focusing on the challenges of pursuing a career outside of China and in North America. He believes that focusing on academic work and pursuing a career outside of China helped him achieve his goals. He also talks about his current teaching role at the University of British Columbia and as an author. Divergent Economic Development Wei discusses various examples of social science scholarship, including the divergence in economic development paths and the study of ancient economic geography. He also discusses the field of philosophy, particularly the study of philosophy of mind and the foundation of self consciousness. The field of evolutionary psychology, specifically the study of cultural evolution, has gained significant attention. Wei's scholarship was broad, focusing on tax law and policy, with a focus on the US and Canada. He mentions that his book on international taxation is driven by US tax policy, with Canada playing a secondary role. China, however, has made no significant contribution to international tax policy. Wei argues that the US is an outlier in terms of its tax system, with a tax revenue to GDP ratio of 27% compared to other OECD countries. This is a significant difference from countries like France and Germany, where the tax to GDP ratio is 40%. He also discusses the unique structure of the US tax system, which is radically different from what most listeners are used to. The US has a relatively low tax rate, especially for the middle class, which is referred to as "middle-class" in the Biden and Obama administrations. In conclusion, Wei Cui's research on tax law and policy highlights the importance of understanding the unique structures and systems of advanced economies. US Tax Revenue Redistribution vs. OECD Countries and China The US does more effective redistribution of tax revenue than other OECD countries, such as France and Germany, which collect their revenue through pensions and payroll taxes. However, the US spends a greater portion of its GDP, distributing to the bottom 50% of the income distribution than these other countries. The US does not have a value-added tax, but rather low rate state sales taxes, which could potentially collect more revenue through a value-added tax. The US is also unusually reliant on personal income tax in collecting revenue, making it easier to afford less complicated tax laws. The US tax law is complicated, with the IRS being thinly staffed and heavily reliant on taxpayers and return preparers for tax compliance. The rule of law is crucial in this system, as it dictates how people should pay taxes and is followed by private parties. In contrast, China invests little in writing tax law and has many tax administrators providing taxpayer services. In China, there is a lot of individual discretion in tax administration, with each tax administrator responsible for different taxpayers and facing revenue targets. This leads to a more predictable and predictable tax collection process. Tax farming is another analogy used to describe the approach in Rome, where private societies auction off the right to collect taxes to private societies, collecting as much money as they want. Tax Compliance and Tax Avoidance across Countries Wei discusses the differences between societies that do not rely on a legal system and those that do. He talks about tax compliance and tax avoidance across countries. In advanced economies, cash collection mostly operates through business firms, which collect corporate income tax, sales tax, VAT, wage payments, interest payments, and creditors. As a result, individual behavior in terms of tax compliance does not matter as a first cut. There is quite a bit of commonality between countries and their modern tax systems, with richer countries having more big business firms to collect taxes for the government. However, there are variations in tax compliance and evasion across countries. For example, in Greece, most taxes are collected by business firms, while in the US, compliance rates for self-employed individuals are substantially lower than those employed by firms. This highlights the need for scholarship to advance and better educate the public about tax collection and evasion. From a tax law perspective, the biggest differences in China and the US are not in tax law but more in their systems of redistribution. Public finance systems define what these countries are like, making them more worthy of discussion. Influential Courses and Professors at Harvard Wei discusses his experiences in college and his connection to liberal political philosophy. He took a John Rawls’ course Theory of Justice and other philosophy courses, which he believes continue to resonate with him personally and professionally. Wei's liberal philosophy was heavily influenced by his American experience in the 1990s, which he associates with American ideology. However, he finds it sobering that people do not subscribe to these philosophies and that academics and others who subscribe to them do not make much effort to persuade others of their correctness. Wei's first irreversible awakening was the US invasion of Iraq, which he found morally wrong. He believes that what he learned from professors like John Rawls is partly what is creating a sense of discomfort and reflection about the world 25 years later. In summary, Wei Cui's experiences in college and his journey to China, the US, China, and Canada have shaped his views on morality and politics. Timestamps: 05:32 Personal background, education, and career path 10:48 Legal career, academic research, and international tax law 18:51 Academic research in various fields 23:33 China's tax system and its differences from other countries 30:02 Tax complexity and compliance in the US and China 35:06 Taxation, compliance, and avoidance across countries 41:53 Taxation, state capacity, and social safety nets in China and the US 48:18 Philosophy, politics, and personal growth Links: Website: CONTACT: LinkedIn:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/28468379
info_outline
78. Angela Romans, Educator
11/06/2023
78. Angela Romans, Educator
Show Notes: Angela Romans, a graduate of Harvard, has been an educator since graduating. She studied engineering but wasn’t sure she wanted to pursue this field. A serendipitous ad set her on a new path in education. She realized that she had a passion for education and wanted to make an impact on young people's lives. She began her career as a high school science and math teacher, working in alternative high schools in New York and Boston. Angela also worked in college admission at Brown University, where she worked as an admission officer for eleven years before she became the director of minority recruitment and academic advisor. She missed working on the ground, and moved into a position that focused on coalition building, cross-sector collaboration, and systems change work in education. She worked at an organization that supported opportunity youth and transitioned students who had stopped out of high school back into school. In 2009-10, she was invited to participate in the education campaign of Providence Mayor Angel Divaris, who was passionate about education. She was appointed the first Senior Education Advisor in Providence and served for three years of his administration. Angela also had other system building roles, including working with a nonprofit consulting firm that focused on social sector organizations. She led their racial equity work and education work, and was selected as a fellow for Innovation for Equity. She moved on to work in a non-profit consulting firm that worked with social sector organizations. She has since worked with various organizations, including the Annenberg Institute and Innovation for Equity, and continues to work on a variety of projects and initiatives. Innovation for Equity Innovation for Equity (IFE) is a unique organization that focuses on connecting, convening, and supporting senior black education leaders across the entire education ecosystem. It includes senior leaders at various levels, including CEOs, directors, and C-suites in education organizations, superintendents, college presidents, nonprofit leaders, and private sector investors. The organization focuses on two levers: connecting, convening, and supporting black education leaders, and helping to identify and scale solutions specifically working for black learners of all ages. The organization offers a Senior Leadership Fellowship, which is a year-long fellowship that connects black senior leaders for building themselves as a cohort, improving their leadership skills, and connecting them to resources such as mentors and consultants. Learning events throughout the year, such as the annual Black Education Forum and HBCU EdTech summit, help college students understand the power and potential of ed tech careers. IFE is expanding its research agenda this year to identify what's working for black learners and what black leaders need to be successful in their work. They are also expanding their research agenda to identify what black leaders need to be successful in their work to stay in organizations across education and build their coalitions and power to be as effective as possible. One of the solutions for black learners is targeting universalism, which suggests that what works for some of the most underrepresented and least well-served people tends to lift all boats. For example, having a black teacher in the classroom significantly increases the likelihood of black students graduating high school and having one during their career. Research shows that having a black teacher in the classroom leads to better outcomes for all students across the classroom. In conclusion, Innovation for Equity is a unique organization that focuses on connecting, convening, and supporting black education leaders to identify and scale solutions specifically working for black learners of all ages. Angela shares her experience as a black student of a single mom and has found that telling her story explains her why to employers and organizations to help pull all parties together. She talks about how to support black leaders and shares a story from a recent EdTech Summit. As a leadership coach for executive leaders, Angela talks about the importance of identifying common patterns and understanding experiences to help black leaders solve those problems. Angela’s Role as Senior Education Advisor As the Senior Education Advisor, Angela has been instrumental in bringing people together and improving outcomes for students in Providence. She led the Providence Children Youth cabinet, which aimed to bring together school districts and higher education businesses to work towards improving student outcomes. Major accomplishments include increasing FAFSA completion, helping the mayor prevent the city from going bankrupt, and building community coalitions at individual and larger city levels. Angela is particularly proud of her work on raising awareness about early literacy skills and the role of families and communities in this process. As the director of minority recruitment at Brown University, Angela has a unique perspective on the recent Supreme Court ruling on Students for Fair Admission versus Harvard. She believes that the decision will have a significant impact on selective colleges as an engine of social mobility. She believes that colleges need to have black students who are doing well economically and whose families are doing well, as well as black students whose families are not. To recruit a more diverse class, colleges should be more active in recruiting and visiting schools where diverse groups of students and communities are present. This can help create pipelines of students in specific areas, where some of these students are now graduates and doing amazing things in the world. Brown University has been successful in recruiting students from diverse backgrounds, including students of color, low-income students, and first-generation college bound students. By doing more of this, colleges can continue to diversify their student body and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students. How to Promote Diversity in Education Angela discusses the importance of supporting black learners in education, focusing on two or three options. The first is to increase the presence of black teachers in classrooms, providing them with professional development opportunities and networks for collaboration. This could lead to their growth and development in leadership roles within schools, districts, and charter school networks. However, barriers to this include policy and practice awareness, as well as the lack of support from school leaders and other black teachers. Paying teachers more at the college level can help bridge these gaps, but it's essential to ensure that black teachers have access to the right resources and networks to progress in their career. Additionally, creating after-school opportunities for all students in communities with curriculum and resources steeped in black culture can supplement what they receive in school. Investing more in black entrepreneurs who want to start companies can make a difference in the education sector, as having the right people with the right lived experience and technical experiences can make a difference. Harvard Professors and Courses of Influence As a woman of color in engineering thirty years ago, Angela had a difficult time in her program. She mentions that Professor Howard Stone and Doug Mazur were supportive and helped her through her program. She also mentions the course Black Women Writers in African American Studies, and the course Greek Heroes with Gregory Nagy. Timestamps: 04:48 Angela’s path to becoming an education leader 10:05 The role of innovation for equity leaders 15:34 Solutions that work for black learners 20:43 How to effectively convene a group of leaders 30:00 Impact of the supreme court ruling on diversity 35:20 Supporting non-selective colleges and universities 40:17 The importance of getting more black teachers in the classroom 45:36 The importance of diversity in the classroom 50:49 Courses and professors that continue to resonate with Angela Links: Website: CONTACT: LinkedIn:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/28337741
info_outline
77. Amelia Noël-Elkins, University Administrator
10/30/2023
77. Amelia Noël-Elkins, University Administrator
Show Notes: Amelia Noel-Elkins, a graduate of Harvard, shares her journey since graduating from the university. She began her career in intercollegiate athletics after graduating and worked as the manager of the men's swim team and an internship in the athletic department, and she was convinced this was the path she wanted to follow. After moving back to Indiana, she was accepted into an internship, and she started a master's program at Indiana University, where she also worked in the academic advising office in the athletic department. She eventually became a full-time academic advisor and was promoted to the role of associate director. After finishing her PhD at Indiana, and started the position as an Associate Director, one of her basketball players set her up with his professor. They met at a bar in Bloomington, Indiana, where her parents had met. They married and moved to Illinois where Amelia took a position as Director of University College. She talks about what was involved with this role. After 15 years, she was promoted to Interim Assistant Vice President for Student Success at Illinois State. Most recently, she started as the Associate Provost at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Amelia believes in fate and believes in following signs and signals that guide you through life. She has two children, one starting college and another junior. Amelia talks about academic advising and how she was focused on athletic advising. She talks about the friendships formed and helping students with individual courses, tutoring, time management, mentoring and working with students over the course of several years. Amelia discusses the challenges of managing the workload and balancing the demands of athletics and academics. She explains the demands of Division One athletics and offers examples of challenges faced. An example of a player student that Amelia worked with was a baseball player who faced constant travel and strict attendance requirements. Athletes especially find it difficult to manage traveling during the school year, and combining academic studies with athletic demands. She helped them plan their schedules, ensuring they could take courses at another institution or time and transfer them back to finish their degree. Amelia also discusses the importance of setting up students for success in the long term, especially during championship sports. Many of her soccer and basketball players went pro, and she helped them manage their identities as athletes while focusing on their career. She explains that a typical week for a division one athlete involves choosing classes carefully, with many morning classes and afternoon practices. However, smaller schools may have limited facilities and practice facilities, making it more challenging to manage time. Amelia also discusses the differences between student athletes and general population students in terms of time management and self-management. She believes that students from the general population school experience includes extracurricular activities, such as student government, orientation, jobs, or research labs. Overall, the advising profession in higher education is a complex and multifaceted field that requires a deep understanding of the students and their needs. Amelia has a passion for athletics management, having worked with the men's swim team and gaining an internship in the athletic department. She believes that if student athletes have people who are committed to helping them be students and athletes, there is the capacity for them to succeed. She sees this happening at Harvard, Indiana, and Illinois State, but not as much at School of the Art Institute where they don’t have a collegiate athletics program. Amelia also shares her favorite theory in student development, the challenge and support theory. This theory suggests that students need both challenge and support to overcome challenges and grow. Some students need more support at the beginning, while others need less. In conclusion, Amelia emphasizes the importance of providing students with the necessary support and challenge to succeed in their academic pursuits. By advising students on time management and promoting a love for their studies, they can achieve success in their future careers. An Academic Advisor’s Advice The challenge and support model is essential for students to perform optimally in their academic pursuits. It is crucial to provide both leeway and support, which can be beneficial for both students and adults. One tip for young people struggling with study tips is to go to office hours and consult professors for guidance. In the world of electronic gadgets and apps, Amelia stresses the importance of time management. It is important to remember the basics of plotting all tasks and print out a weekly schedule. This helps students plot their classes, jobs, and eating habits, etc. Amelia states that the political landscape has a significant impact on higher education, particularly in the field of College Student Personnel Administration. Many professionals in this field work with students on equity, diversity, and inclusion issues. Recent Supreme Court decisions and subsequent issues are expected to have a significant impact on how college personnel operate. Amelia’s perspective on the coddling of the American mind is complicated, as it is more complex than often described. She believes significant mental health issues need to be addressed. In higher education, providing mental health support is not coddling them, but rather a medical issue. Amelia's current role involves working behind the scenes on curricular issues that she didn't normally have the ability to work on in her previous job. At the School of the Art Institute, which has a high rate of students seeking a creative outlet for their creativity, it can be difficult to help identify which courses students’ actually need. She mentions a project she recently completed to help the programs work more effectively. The challenge and support model is crucial for students to perform optimally in their academic pursuits. By focusing on the basics and addressing the complex issues faced by students, institutions can better support and help students navigate the challenges they face. Amelia talks about her experiences with professors and courses that have resonated with her personally and professionally. She mentions History Professor Mark Kishlansky, who was her shadow advisor for her thesis. Kishlansky was known for his expertise in Early Modern English history which Amelia loved. After graduation, she continued working part-time for the library while she was there, which was a fun post-college job. She enjoyed not only getting books but also having conversations with the people who were working there. In summary, Amelia's experiences with professors and professors during her college years have been invaluable in her personal and professional growth, and her experiences at Widener Library and her work at the library have left a lasting impact on her life and career. Timestamps: 01:30 Career path and life journey after graduating from Harvard 05:29 Academic advising in higher education 09:45 Balancing athletics and academics for college athletes 13:47 Managing time and balancing athletics and academics in college 19:34 Time management tips for college students 24:01 Mental health, and higher education challenges 28:54 College courses and professors' impact 33:16 Bear and bull baiting sporting laws CONTACT: LinkedIn: Email: [email protected] FB and Instagram: amelianoelelkins
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/28337330
info_outline
76. Cristina Hernandez on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
10/23/2023
76. Cristina Hernandez on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Show Notes: Cristina Hernandez, a graduate of Harvard Law School, shares her journey since graduating. She went to law school for three years and graduated in 1995 then went into private practice. After getting married and having two kids, she became a law firm partner in Wisconsin. Cristina decided to move to California and started working with Renee Meyers in 2012. She still practiced law, but she began working as a consultant on diversity, equity inclusion, and eventually became her VP handling all of her clients. Six years later, they were working with Netflix, where they started the Diversity, Equity Inclusion practice at Netflix. They worked at Netflix for four and a half years, and later became the chief diversity officer at Synopsis, a semiconductor company with 18,000 engineers and employees all around the world. Christina's journey has been marked by the rapid pace of change in her life and the world in which she works. She has experienced both personal and professional growth, and is now looking forward to continuing her journey in the legal profession. Cristina explains what DEI means outside the U.S. and talks about the challenges of addressing diversity in the US, particularly in terms of gender, LGBTQ, and disability rights. She highlights that while efforts may work towards more women, African Americans, black, and Hispanic individuals, there are also other forms of diversity that exist globally. Gender oppression is a global issue, manifesting differently in different countries. Cristina highlights the importance of being curious, thinking critically, and being open to experiencing differences in various cultures. She shares an example from her time working with Netflix colleagues in Japan, where she had to listen hard and be humble about understanding gender differences playout in various workplaces. She talks about the global implications of Black Lives Matter and explains that colorism is a real issue worldwide, manifesting in different ways and affecting people of color, and how it is crucial to learn from each other's experiences. She also touches on the need to understand the complexity of different perspectives and work together with these differences. She mentions that caste oppression is another complex issue, with socio-economic differences playing out in almost every country differently. Disability rights are another area where companies like Microsoft have been pushing for improvements, but accessibility varies greatly around the world. Cristina emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting diverse perspectives in order to work towards a more inclusive and equitable society. How to Integrate DEI in the Workplace Cristina offers background information on the DEI space and goes on to explore the adoption of DEI in the workplace. She explains that employee resource groups and bias training are important for creating fair workplaces, but they are not the only factors to consider. Companies need to invest in their systems and practices, as these are the sticky things that last for a long time. Companies often get involved in these efforts for defensive, curious, or customer-based reasons. Systems that impact people include hiring, development, promotion, and mentoring. She mentions Joan Williams, a professor at the University of California in San Francisco, who has written an amazing book about bias interrupters and various practices around hiring. Cristina emphasizes the importance of writing down evaluations to mitigate recency bias and ensure accurate recall. Onboarding and promotion processes should focus on understanding generational differences and taking down barriers to welcoming employees into teams. Development and promotion systems should be structured around development and selecting high potentials, and ensuring everyone gets access to mentorship. Cristina explains that sponsorship is vital for progression and can be either explicit or implicit. It involves leveraging personal capital to ensure success, but it cannot sponsor someone or move their career along. In terms of mentorship, Cristina identifies the difference between mentorship and sponsorship, and why one size does not fit all. She talks about the various different ways of making this work. Singing as an Opportunity to Transcend Division Cristina shares her lifelong passion for singing, which began with her father who was a choral conductor. She sang throughout her schooling and college. After moving to Los Angeles, she joined her husband's choir, which brings her joy and a sense of fulfillment. She now commutes to Silicon Valley three days a week, and she finds herself enjoying being with other people. Cristina also shares her experience of transcendence in choirs, where she feels a sense of unity and hope. Choirs are generally made up of people from different backgrounds, and the only thing used is their voice. This moment of transcendence is a testament to the power of human beings to come together and create something beautiful. She believes that this opportunity to transcend through art is sorely lacking in today's divided society. She takes this inspiration into her work, as it gives her hope and inspiration to be with people from different backgrounds making beautiful things. Cristina's passion for singing has been a significant part of her life. She believes that the opportunity to connect with others through music is a valuable skill that can help bridge the gap between individuals and create a more inclusive and meaningful world. Influential Courses and Professors at Harvard Cristina mentions Bernard Bailyn’s class on Constitutional History and how it offered transformative debate and discourse in a different kind of way through the lens of history; she also loved Greg Nagy’s The Ancient Greek Hero, and professor Julian Bond. Timestamps: 07:17 What DEI means outside of the U.S. 09:32 The definition of colorism 13:06 Caste division and disability inclusion 15:53 Business drivers that drive companies to hire a chief diversity officer 24:48 Systems and processes recommended to clients 26:09 How to mitigate recency bias 30:08 Formal mentoring programs and measuring success 36:61 The power of singing in a group CONTACT: LinkedIn: Email:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/28109492
info_outline
75. Ivan Montoya, LatAm Super Angel
10/16/2023
75. Ivan Montoya, LatAm Super Angel
Show Notes: Ivan Montoya, a graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe, shares his journey since graduating from the university. He married a woman he had been dating at Harvard and moved to California and Stanford for business school in 1995. Ivan worked in McKinsey in the Houston office and in Mexico City. He moved to New York in the third year, but moved to the Bay Area just as the internet went public and he started working on projects in technology. About four years ago, Ivan started angel investing in early-stage Latin American startups. Ivan was born in Colombia and moved to the US when he was young. Both his parents were doctors, and Ivan was expected to go into the same field, however, after agreeing to finish pre-med, he decided to focus on development economics and did his thesis on Colombia during his time at Harvard with the goal of helping Columbia. After working at McKinsey in Mexico City, he returned to Colombia in 2013, and went back in 2018, and this was a hugely influential experience for Ivan. He believed the next 20 years in Latin America were going to be just as important in technology as China was in 2000 and that he needed to get involved. Ivan shares the beginning steps of this journey that led to 40 investments and involvement in the ecosystem with accelerators and startup communities in Latin America. Ivan talks about the startup tech scene across Latin America, focusing on three areas: FinTech, property tech, and supply chain and mobility. He shares stories about his investment in early-stage companies, mostly in Spanish-speaking Latin America. The hotbed in Spanish-speaking Latin is Mexico City, which is considered the Mecca of the tech scene. The other Mecca is Sao Paulo, and Bogota, Colombia, which he refers to as the Mountain View of the tech scene. Ivan also discusses the accelerator scene. He is involved with several Latin American companies that go through Y Combinator, including Platon Ventures, which started in Chile, and other startup communities like Latitude and TechStars. He also mentors at TechStars in Miami, where many Latin American founders attend. Ivan's experience with Y Combinator has been invaluable, as it has helped many Latin American startups gain access to the tech ecosystem and accelerator scene. He also highlights the importance of fostering strong connections with local startups and accelerators to foster growth and success. Proptech and Fintech Startups Ivan explains the issues facing Prop Tech such as access to credit and the availability of credible property listing platforms. Some companies working with Prop Tech are addressing these issues, such as Go Home in Peru, which aims to create the Zillow of Latin America, and other real estate systems. Access to credit is also a challenge in Latin America, with only 20% or less of the population owning a home using a mortgage. He explains that, in the informal economy, many people lack access to credit bureaus, making it difficult for them to access services like renting apartments or buying a car. Ivan talks about his investments in startups with the goal to improve the financial infrastructure and improve access to credit for those in the informal economy. He invested in a company called Jeeves, a B2B credit card and talks about a concept in Chile, called Built Rewards, which allows people to pay rent and utilities with a credit card to earn rewards and improve their credit score. He talks about how he invested in a 20-year-old founder with no college degree who wanted to start a car ownership/lending company. How an Investor Sources Startup Founders Ivan has a unique approach to sourcing founders. He believes that there is a lot of bias in the market, as many founders come from wealthy families and have a background in the US. However, Ivan's approach is inspired by Silicon Valley which is more meritocratic, focusing on founders who are doing great work and have traction. He takes numerous first meetings with founders, often focusing on metrics and traction. His primary referrals come from other founders, and he works with these founders for anywhere from one to three months before making an investment. This allows them to learn more about Ivan and he learns more about their company. Ivan illustrates how this works with a story from a startup he invested in. Ivan has been investing in startups for four and half years. He has backed 40 founders and helped hundreds of founders active in Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia. He also uses WhatsApp to connect with founders in Latin America, and he receives numerous referrals from founders, which is beneficial as they can vouch for Ivan as an investor. He is involved in the startup community and mentors in big groups, which has led to referrals from founders. One founder reached out to him after watching him talk on a webinar. He states that his job is not to refer a startup lead to an investor and how a selfie on LinkedIn helped raise the profile of many founders and shares what he learned from posting a profile for his cat on Instagram. A Freemium Model to Help Startup Founders Ivan talks about his approach to helping founders with his freemium model. He focuses on three areas: pitch decks, professional brainstorming, and connecting founders with potential investors. In the first 30 minute introductory meeting, he listens to the founders' pitch or describe their model, and then engages in 10-20 minutes of professional brainstorming. He provides constructive feedback and helps them understand their business model in more depth and explains how he helps them dig deeper to relay the benefits to an investor. In the second meeting, he introduces the founder to other investors. He talks about the pitch deck as a strategy document that is high leverage, and how he uses his experience as a consultant and McKinsey to help them refine their pitch. He believes that the first meeting should filter out potential investors and focus on assessing traction, product market fit, and indications of people wanting what the founders have created. He shares the key points of what he looks for when investing in both the founder and the startup. Ivan states that he is an equal opportunity investor, with people from all backgrounds and shares stories of some of the founders he has backed, including a company called Foodology and a company called Pick App. He believes in the laws of economic gravity and believes that even those without connections to the US may still have resources. Coco the Cat - An Instagram Success Ivan shares his story of starting an Instagram account with his Bombay cat, Coco. It started as a bet with his daughter that he could gain 1000 followers within a set time period. So, he started posting pictures of Coco on Instagram and using various tactics, such as following other popular cats. He eventually got banned from Instagram for a day or two because he’d followed so many people the bots thought he was a bot. He then discovered that pictures with kids perform better, and he started doing pictures with kids. However, he hit a wall when he reached 6000 or 7000 followers, but he noticed a lot of comments with Japanese characters and decided to post during Tokyo rush hour, which took him over the top and he reached 10,000 followers. Influential Professors and Courses at Harvard Ivan talks about his experience with Professor Dominguez’ Cuban Revolution course at Harvard. He highlights the content's interesting structure, which included a three-day class with one position on an argument and the another on the importance of individual on the issue. One of the key takeaways from the course was the importance of being open to different perspectives and seeking the truth. He also highlighted the importance of being a lifelong learner and never assuming one's knowledge is the truth. This experience has helped him meet many people he is still close to. Timestamps: 02:50 How Ivan became an investor in startups 08:56 Ivan’s areas of focus 11:39 The accelerator scene in Latin America 15:09 Investing in Proptech 19:47 Companies Ivan has invested in 23:12 Ivan’s investment model 28:50 How Ivan builds awareness as an investor 34:41 How Ivan helps founders through his freemium model. 39:01 How Ivan assesses founders and startups 43:48 A view on investors’ bias 47:13 Ivan’s criteria for getting a cat and what not to do on Instagram Links: Website: Coco the cat: The Tim Whitmire episode: CONTACT: LinkedIn:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/28109057
info_outline
74. Jean-Jacques Barrow, Sustainability Within Asset Management
10/09/2023
74. Jean-Jacques Barrow, Sustainability Within Asset Management
“Climate change is a matter now of extreme urgency. Our failure to act is a failure of imagination but recent developments suggest the pace is picking up. Within asset management, climate change and specifically carbon emissions are central factors within the broader sustainability/ESG approach. Finance is a key conduit and asset managers now need to assess the climate risk within their investments. The need to extract this information from the companies in which they invest will not only create greater transparency in terms of disclosing climate risk but it also will force change on companies who are not making the necessary adjustments.” Jean-Jacques Barrow Jean-Jacques Barrow, a member of the Harvard and Radcliffe class of 1992, shares his journey since graduating from Harvard. He began his career as an English major and moved to Paris for a four-month contract as an editorial assistant with the International Herald Tribune, which has since been rebranded the International New York Times. He learned about how journalism functions and how it is required that one serves their time on the periphery and provinces. One of his tasks was transcribing key data from the Bloomberg terminal for the financial section, so he began educating himself about the world of finance. After this position ended, he moved back to Geneva during a recession and took many jobs, including working at a construction work removal company. He eventually secured a job as an editor at Capital International, one of the world's largest asset managers where his job was to take minutes and write reports on investment meetings. Working in Swiss Private Banking He was initially impatient to secure an opportunity in the investment industry, but eventually landed a job at Swiss private banking. The Swiss private banking industry was built around tax evasion and tax optimization, but over the last 20-25 years, the industry has changed due to pressures from the European Union and the US following many scandals. The industry has become more regulated, open, and legitimate, with a focus on decoding assets and legitimate tax optimization. He believes that the key driver for change in the industry is the pressure from the US around undeclared funds from people who had not survived the Second World War, particularly Jewish, deposited in Switzerland. This pressure has led to a shift in the industry's focus on decoding assets and legitimate tax optimization. Jean-Jacques shares what he learned about tax evasion when he moved to the investment desk and started his apprenticeship, knowing very little and learning on the job. He worked for Bankers Trust, which was a pivotal moment in his career, but it ended up collapsing due to the Russia bond crisis and Korea's aggressive approach. He learned the basis of implementation and focused on discretionary portfolio management. His experience in private banking was interesting, and he talks about the many interesting developments he witnessed. He was also involved in the world of events and geopolitical forces. He later moved to the Royal Bank of Canada, where he was assigned to the French Canadian market and North American markets. However, due to the Canadian bank's regulated status, there was limited investment content based in Switzerland. Investment Management, Social Entrepreneurship, and Microfinance Jean-Jacques decided to pivot towards investment management and pursued an executive MBA at INSEAD. He became interested in social entrepreneurship and microfinance. After graduating, he found himself in the midst of a potential slowdown in 2008, which was a challenging time for job opportunities. He found a disconnect between what microfinance was supposed to be and the reality. However, the initial concept has evolved, and he was inspired by the business model developed by Bangladeshi economist Muhammad Yunus, who aimed to help the poor with micro loans. Sustainable Investing as a Growing Trend JJ talks about sustainable investing as a growing trend in the financial sector. This shift has been driven by the changing regulatory environment in Europe, which is becoming more strict about financial reporting on portfolio content. The screening process has evolved, with companies now actively screening companies within sensitive sectors, such as the extraction industry and energy banking. The process has also been refined, with a global climate 2035 portfolio focused on names and companies related to fighting climate change. This approach is a reaction to the increasing regulatory environment in Europe, which is becoming more strict about financial reporting on portfolio content. He talks about investing in secondary markets and how investing in companies with technology can help support the emergence of technology in the mainstream. However, when investing in secondary markets, the capacity to generate changes may be muted. The regulators are pushing companies to be more explicit about their environmental risks and more detailed about the externalities they generate. This will drive change, if companies are not open about their environmental risk, they may face punishment from shareholders and public challenges in general meetings. In Switzerland, the collapse of a major Swiss bank, Credit Suisse, was a prime example of how minority shareholders pushed companies to exit investment banking to stop funding fossil fuels. This has led to the closure of investment banks and the need for companies to be more transparent about their environmental risks. ESG Investing and Shareholder Power Jean-Jacques mentions the importance of ESG investing and its potential to drive change in the energy sector. He explains that ESG investing has outperformed the broader market over the last five years, with a natural quality bias and exposure to tech. However, the recent increase in enthusiasm for this style of investing in 2022 has led to delays in good intentions. He discusses the evolution of ESG investing in Europe, with companies realizing that stricter regulations will require more disclosure of information. This has led to companies realizing they need to be more open or push back. The energy sector is experiencing a shift towards clean energy from companies like Macau and BP, and moving towards electric generation and grid technologies. Despite the pessimistic mood in Europe, he believes there are reasons to be hopeful about the scale of investment and deployment. He points out that banks can add value by engaging and challenging major companies to change their remuneration policies and CEOs. He also emphasizes the importance of shareholder cooperation and the power of shareholders to influence corporate behavior. He cites the example of a company that failed to listen to dissenting shareholders, but he believes that if shareholders work together, they can make a significant difference in the industry. The ESG Scorecard and How it Works JJ explains that analysts typically have a scorecard across ESG, with different industries having different weights. For example, in the mining industry, the environmental side is higher, and there are subset segments in terms of water usage, pollution risk, and other externalities. To have an ESG rating, a company must meet a certain score. The industry has a lot of topsy-turvy stuff going on, and some analysts don't consider Tesla to be eligible because of the GE and Tesla, the government side is diabolical, and Exxon has extraordinarily good governance. Companies with good ESG attract good talent, draw upon a broader pool of talented individuals, and have better employer loyalty. The urgency around emissions has led to a sense of urgency in engagement in company response, investment, fairs, exchanges, and industry discussions. He explains that he played his cards differently in his first job at Capitol International by keeping his big mouth shut and being less confrontational. He learned to respect rules and respect rules in the American corporate environment, and he learned to source his views from different areas. He also appreciates that he has a different educational and career route, having attended Harvard and a level of intellectual curiosity. He emphasizes the importance of going off the intellectual print, orthodoxy, and looking beyond traditional sources. He advises interns and juniors to listen to other reports and sources, as it helps him understand viewpoints from classmates in different areas and doing different things. Influential Courses and Professors at Harvard JJ discusses his time at Harvard and the two key takeaways he learned from his time there. He highlights the expository writing course he took as a freshman year and the masters swimming course, which he found to be a valuable source of learning. He also highlights the importance of being clear, concise, and succinct in his daily work, especially when dealing with an audience not necessarily in English. These two key takeaways have shaped his future, particularly in terms of his interests and the core curriculum. He mentions the Behavioral Biology and Evolution courses, as well professor Neil Wilson and professor Raymond Siever's class on geology, which exposed him to the world's cycles of physical life and the impact of man on the planet. Recommended Reads: Don’t let the title put you off, this is good starting point. Makes clear the scope of the transition. Great reality check and myth buster. The role of energy companies in the current climate debate. I would not be long oil stocks… Bleak but an eye opener on the worst case scenario. . The author is active within government, policy making and the COP meetings. Very insightful, and great primer on why we are where we are. There is still time but we need to move five times faster. Useful Sources: Bloomberg Green, MSCI ESG. In terms of sustainability disclosure, ISSB has launched IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standard (S1 General disclosures, S2 Climate related). Timestamps: 02:16 The start of his career in finance 09:11 Pursuing a career in social entrepreneurship and micro finance 18:09 The evolution of sustainable investing 21:09 How sustainable investing makes a difference 25:51 ESG reporting requirements 27:42 The current state of the energy sector 30:55 How banks can add value to their shareholders 37:40 The ESG scorecard CONTACT: LinkedIn:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/28087970
info_outline
73. Steve Lebowitz, A New Approach to Private Equity Investing
10/02/2023
73. Steve Lebowitz, A New Approach to Private Equity Investing
Show Notes: Steve Lebowitz discusses his journey since graduating from Harvard and his passion for investing. He graduated from law school at HLS. He practiced law for around seven years but decided it wasn’t for him. He developed a passion for investing and joined a private equity group, where he worked for 17 years. Then,four years ago, he launched a private equity firm called Brand Velocity Group. The firm focuses on consumer-focused middle market expertise and marketing. He believes that private equity often overlooks the human side of the equation, which is critical for founders’ businesses. He believes that founders should focus on employee well-being and culture, giving 10% of their carried interest to the employees of their portfolio companies, not senior employees. This approach is not only about money but also shows that employees matter and that founders care about people. Steve and his firm wanted to make a difference and align their firm with human nature and what successful businesses do, focusing on the important role employees play and not merely reduce them to a number on a spreadsheet. Steve and his team have been working on various initiatives, such as coaching, training, and acts of kindness, to bring their company closer to human nature. He found the current culture of private equity firms is dated and wanted to change how their company operated. Building Company Culture and Employee Loyalty The company is focused on building goodwill and treating their own and their client’s employees well, not just financially. They are implementing various strategies, such as coaching, democratizing coaching, and offering discounts to employees. They are also phasing coaching to 20% of their company's employees, which is a significant portion of their company's earnings. Another example is offering gift cards to employees affected by hurricanes. This gesture shows that the company is committed to helping employees during difficult times. They also provide various Disney perks, such as VIP tours and tickets, in partnership with Barbecue Guys. The company's approach to interacting with frontline employees is based on a mix of in-person and virtual interactions, introducing themselves and discussing the company's goals. However, this can be challenging due to the large number of companies and the distance between them. The company's goals depend on the management team, who can help disseminate the company's values and goals. They maintain an open door policy to allow employees to share feedback and questions. Screening Companies as a Private Equity Firm Steve talks about his investment process and how he filters companies to determine if they are a good fit for his firm's approach. He starts by looking at companies with at least 10 million earnings minimum, but the firms typically come in at around 20 million. His background as an investor comes from his father's interest in investing. Steve began by focusing on consumer opportunities, sometimes with a sports angle. His partner has spent his career in the world of sports and brings that knowledge to the firm. He looks at companies with a differentiation that gives them a competitive edge, a reasonable growth trajectory, and a decent history, and if they have those characteristics, they are interested in investing in them. The fit with the owners is also important, as is the price. Cultural factors, such as the company's culture, are also considered. His team brings a range of expertise, including financial analytics, business development, marketing expertise, and relationships in the consumer market. Steve talks about the clients his firm serves and what his firm proves in addition to capital, such as additional support advice, services connections, and connections to the portfolio companies. They bring financial analytics, marketing expertise, advice on acquisitions, and a strong network of contacts to help companies succeed in their respective industries. The Changing Landscape of Private Equity Firms Steve talks about the changing landscape of the industry and the importance of focusing on attributes other than acquisition price. He explains that sellers now focus on price versus legacy, which is crucial for the success of their business after sale. He envisions private equity to be more human-centric and less focused on numbers and numbers. He hopes that the idea will spread, and that the business model will be successful in terms of financial success and the message it sends. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on attributes other than acquisition price in private equity deals. He believes that the future of private equity will see a more human-centric approach to the industry, with a focus on promoting kindness, common humanity, and financial success. Influential Courses and Professors at Harvard He also mentions his time at Harvard, where he took a course called East Asian Studies with Professor Washburn, which was a Japanese literature course. The class was small and interactive, with a personal touch, making it memorable. He also mentioned that he was not the most serious student and often skipped classes. Timestamps: 01:47 The launch of Brand Velocity Group 06:48 The importance of putting your money where your mouth is 12:27 Sharing the growth and helping employees 15:32 How Brand Velocity Group connects to employees 18:22 How Brand Velocity Group screens companies 25:43 What it takes to compete for deals now Links: Company: CONTACT: LinkedIn: Email:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/27951006
info_outline
72. Lindsay Sturman, Showrunner, and Bike Activist
09/25/2023
72. Lindsay Sturman, Showrunner, and Bike Activist
Show Notes: Lindsay Sturman, an English major from the Harvard and Radcliffe class of 1992, discusses her advocacy work in Los Angeles. She moved to Los Angeles after college and returned to New York for film school at Columbia and became a TV writer and has been doing that for around 20 years. She has always been interested in public policy, and she became involved with the Ed Reform movement to improve public schools. Lindsay and a group of 3000 people fought the election for the Democrats. After the 2020 election, she became aware of the housing crisis in Los Angeles. The problem was that the city stopped building housing in the 1990s. The city's downtown was built in 1987, but it took decades to catch up, making it difficult and expensive to build. People drove further and further out, leading to a massive increase in rents. Rents are now twice as high as the rest of the country’s comparable cities. Lindsay and the group have been working to unpack the issues and find solutions. She talks about what they found in terms of a wide range of issues leading to the housing crisis and best possible solutions to the problems which the group are bringing to city council. Barriers to Building Houses Lindsay talks about over regulations and the barriers to building housing. They unpacked the causes of the high cost of construction, which surprisingly leads back to parking. One of the solutions is to allow companies and people to build without parking, which could lead to the construction of three to five-story buildings in under a year or eight months, but this can only be achieved with citizen buy-in, which can be achieved through deep canvassing, where people are trained to listen to NIMBYs and their reasons for building without parking. Other barriers to building include reduction of single family house value, privacy, noise, and visual appeal. The 15-Minute City Solution Lindsay explains the 15-Minute City concept, developed by Carlos Moreno, a French Colombian scientist who created the idea that everything people need can be reached in 15 minutes. She refers to lower Manhattan, where 80% of people don't own a car. The idea is that housing doesn't need parking, and people can walk or bike to everything they need in 15 minutes. However, there are several hurdles to implementing this solution. One of the main challenges to the adoption of this concept. Lindsay identifies the list of changes that need to be made to green light this movement, including politicians' control. The idea is to take the power away from politicians and set up a system where city streets are allowed to build according to standard plans. Building Reforms in L.A. Lindsay explains how the organization is taking practical tactical steps to get reforms passed in LA. They are meeting with city council people one-on-one and attending 99 neighborhood councils. They are networking and telling the story, focusing on pain points. They are also addressing the misinformation that housing can only be built if it is 100% affordable, that developers are evil and greedy, or that there is no housing crisis. The Livable Communities Initiative The organization advocates for a few streets in the city to become low-car, bikeable streets with low traffic. They are advocating for a network of these 15-minute communities, which are being implemented all over the world. They are convincing people to use their ideas hand-to-hand, convincing neighbors, skeptics, electeds, and bureaucrats. They are also working with planners to show them the problems in the building codes and make them frictionless. The organization is praying for electeds to join the parade and lead the way in addressing the housing crisis. The Climate Crisis and Transport Solutions Lindsay shares what drives her commitment. She talks about people who work with the homeless and how they call them their unhoused neighbors, and it's heartbreaking to see. She explains that housing and transportation are interconnected, and that often 50% of the area of a city is ripped down for surface parking lots. She also highlights the importance of rethinking the inner core of cities. Her passion for this work stems from understanding the tensions in cities and the impact of transportation on climate emissions. She further explains that 20% of the city's climate emissions are from transportation, with cars being the primary source of emissions. She cites the debate over bike lanes and the supply chain issues surrounding electric vehicles (EVs). During COVID, she became interested in bikes and was interviewed about her tweets on a podcast called Bike Talk. She interviewed a climate scientist who found that EVs cannot scale in time to reach Paris climate goals, which are modest. She believes that climate is far more alarming than the average person. She believes that we need to address the crisis in 15-minute cities and understand how mobility systems work. She believes that we need to advocate for more forceful and existential solutions to address the crisis. She believes that climate is the top priority and that addressing it with 15-minute cities is a crucial step towards climate crises. Lindsay discusses her conversations with politicians, city officials, planners and developers and the difficulties they encounter in the process of getting building approval. She talks about the solutions for the transit system, mobility, and the importance of building affordable housing units for the homeless. Addressing Issues to Affordable Housing She also discusses the need for low and moderate income affordable housing as opposed to building luxury housing and hoping the occupancy will trickle down. She suggests that there are three main issues to address: building the deficit, building affordable housing, and inverting the current model. She believes that building affordable housing should be small and affordable. Lindsay also emphasizes the importance of equity in building housing. She believes that a ton of vacancies at all price points is crucial to prevent 70% of unhoused neighbors from falling into homelessness. She also suggests working with nonprofits to build housing, which can be done through church land donations and construction loans. Influential Harvard Classes and Professors Lindsay mentions a class called Rock for Jockeys, changing the surface of the earth, and Rob Moss, a professor of VES 10, and the resources available at Harvard. Timestamps: 02:45 How the problem of parking became visible 09:06 The issue of NIMBYs 11:46 The 15-minute city concept 17:24 The problem of windshield blindness and car blindness 22:24 The livable communities initiative 25:20 How housing and transportation are interconnected 31:17 Working with city administrators and bureaucrats 37:22 Luxury housing and the missing middle 42:12 How do you build housing that doesn’t push longtime residents out? Links: Website: CONTACT: LinkedIn: Twitter:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/27885582
info_outline
71. Neil Hendin, Chromebook Hardware Engineering Manager
09/18/2023
71. Neil Hendin, Chromebook Hardware Engineering Manager
Show Notes: Neil Hendin, a graduate of Harvard, has a diverse career history, including being an undergrad, grad student, teaching assistant, teaching fellow, and staff member. Neil has worked in various engineering departments, including physics, electronics, and computer systems. He has also been involved in campus radio and radio engineering. Neil also completed his master's degree at Harvard. His first job as an engineer was at Maxim Integrated Products, a semiconductor company headquartered in Portland, Oregon. He moved to Hewlett Packard, where he worked in radio engineering. He has been in Silicon Valley since working at Maxim and has also worked at HP, Nvidia, Palm, and Google. Neil currently leads the ChromeOS hardware team at Google and has moved up the engineering management ladder over the past 12 years. Neil started his career at WHRB after helping a woman set up a stereo for her college. He joined the radio station as a technical staff member and later became chief engineer. He was responsible for maintaining the hardware, including transmitter repair and maintenance. Neil's interest in radio engineering was sparked by the analog nature of circuit building and the ability to analyze and simulate the engineering tools available today. He believes that the field of radio engineering is considered one of the "black magic" fields in electronics, as it requires a lot of skill and experimentation. Radio Engineering Explained Radio engineering is the process of transmitting signals over long distances using electromagnetic radiation, such as electromagnetic waves or Morse code. It involves modulation, which involves sending data that is decoded to transmit multiple messages. Radio engineers deal with high frequency circuits, typically ranging from 100 megahertz to 70 gigahertz. The frequency range of these signals depends on the language and technology evolution, with the term "micro" being higher than UHF. Antenna engineering is another subspecialty, involving the antennas that launch signals into free space. Modern smartphones have at least six or eight antennas, which can be divided into lower, mid-range, and high bands. Some phones combine these bands, while others have a pair of antennas for each set of bands. Bluetooth is often combined with Wi-Fi, as they are in the same frequency range and are often done by the same chip in the phone. Radio engineers often gravitate towards the cell phone business due to the challenges of fitting all of this in their pocket and the challenges of running the phone off of batteries. They also worry about the potential interference with aircraft sensors and the plane's avionics. While there were initial fears of interference, radio engineers do not turn off their phones during takeoff or landing to ensure aircraft safety.. From Palm OS Architecture to Chromebooks Neil talks about the birth of the modern smartphone as a significant milestone in the history of technology. Palm and handspring invented the Palm OS, which was popular among 30 million people. They spun off from Palm and started cellular phones, adding cellular modems into the Palm Pilot type architecture. The Palm Pilot was the first modern smartphone with an app store, replacing paper calendars and address books. Neil talks about the evolution of the Palm Free and how it led to the accelerated development of the iPhone. Neil left Palm and joined the Chrome team, where they piloted a test of Chromebooks. Managing a Group of Engineers at Google Neil transitioned from being an individual contributor to managing a group of engineers. He realized that team dynamics, collaboration, communication quality, and trust were crucial for everyone's individual abilities. He realized that having a diverse mix of backgrounds and experience levels made teams more productive. At Google he noticed how well-run teams were, even if not everyone was equally experienced. He decided to manage a small team of engineers, allowing him to have more impact. He asked people if they wanted to try new roles and gave them organizational flexibility. He managed a group of 75 engineers, which is currently in the low 40s due to a recent layoff. Managing a group of engineers is different depending on the type of roles they have in their organization. His current team size is around 44 engineers. Neil shares stories of engineering challenges that may bubble up to managers, such as the down economy and the decline in the personal computer market. The Process of Designing and Interacting with Manufacturers Neil discusses the process of designing and interacting with manufacturers, such as OEMs like Dells, HP, Lenovo, Acer, Samsung, and LG. These OEMs, often based in Taiwan, have access to China's resources for high-volume manufacturing and have factories in various parts of China. Neil has a team of around 28 to 22 people, based in the Taipei office and two engineers in Sydney, Australia. They work with manufacturing companies (ODMs) to design a reference design and tweak it to ensure it stays agile and cost-effective in the current landscape. The team works closely with OEMs to build prototypes, and a lead OEM, such as Dell or HP or Lenovo, implements a lead product on one at the same ODM. The learnings from this build are then shared with another OEM. Influential Courses and Professors at Harvard Neil shares his experiences at Harvard, mentioning two professors who have influenced his career, his electrical engineering professor, Al Pandiscio, was a mentor, friend, and instructor, while Victor Jones, a professor of electromagnetics, taught the electromagnetics class and cellular communications. Timestamps: 07:57 How Neil got into radio engineering 25:16 Leaving Palm and joining ChromeBook 27:30 Testing ChromeBook 27:52 Transition from individual contributor to managing a small team 35:10 Managing as an engineer 39:28 Managing a team of new managers 45:51 How Neil works with manufacturers? CONTACT: LinkedIn: Email:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/27802098
info_outline
70. David Block, Architect and Affordable Housing Developer
09/11/2023
70. David Block, Architect and Affordable Housing Developer
Show Notes: David Block, a graduate of Harvard, had always been interested in cities since he was a child. He decided to explore his interest in cities and their physical aspects, rather than people or economics. But since Harvard does not offer undergraduate architecture major, so he took a year off from Harvard to study at Columbia University's program, "The Shape of Two Cities," which offered a comprehensive introduction to architecture, urban planning, and urban history. The program was divided into two parts and took place in both New York and Paris. He decided to apply to architecture, so upon graduating, he applied to architecture schools. He went to Princeton for one semester, but dropped out due to the program's focus on post-structuralist or literary thinking. He eventually returned to the Midwest and transferred to Washington University, where he enjoyed a more pragmatic and focused program. David's journey to becoming an architect was marked by a shift in focus from making cities and buildings to power dynamics and the influence they can have on society. David was hired as a graduate student staff for the Mayor's Institute on City Design Midwest, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts, designed to bring mayors of cities of all sizes around the country together. They covered 12 states and worked with city planners, council people, and economic development specialists to identify key economic development and urban development challenges facing midsize cities. The program was held at Washington University each fall and brought together nationally recognized experts in architecture, urban planning, and economic development. David graduated from the School of Architecture and later returned to Boston, where he worked for several firms. Working for an Affordable Housing Developer In 2000, David moved to Providence, where he could afford a house. He was hired at the Providence office of the nonprofit affordable housing developer, Community Builders. He spent five years working at the Providence office and worked on several projects around New England, including the Hope Six redevelopment, Dutch Pointe complex, Mill Village revitalization project, and a new library. In 2006, David moved to Chicago, where he joined the growing Chicago office of Community Builders. He was hired at TCB where he was involved in several of the phases of projects, including the development of a rec center and many mixed-use urban developments. He worked there for 12 and half years before he was offered the opportunity to really help build a new, national, affordable housing development practice at Evergreen Real Estate in Chicago He became involved in adaptive reuse projects, converted old ice cream factories into loft housing, and converted former Art Deco hospital buildings into senior housing. One of the most exciting projects is the one that created the biggest splash for Evergreen in terms of national growth. David’s department was selected by Mayor Rahm Emanuel to do buildings that combined a new Chicago Public Library neighborhood branch with affordable senior housing on prominent sites in several neighborhoods in Chicago. He worked with talented architects, including John Ronan, who was the only Chicago-based architect to be a finalist for the Obama Library. He also worked with Perkins and Will, an international firm based in Chicago, on a small neighborhood project in his hometown. David believes that his projects have had an important impact on cities and neighborhoods, providing much-needed affordable housing opportunities in markets where there is a growing need for affordable housing. Barriers to Building Affordable Housing Barriers to building affordable housing include the involvement of minority groups (NIMBYs) and the “not in my backyard” backlash. Some states, like St. Paul, Minnesota, and California, are considering creating opportunities for developers to override local zoning concerns to get affordable housing done, however, David is a big proponent of working with local communities to find a solution that everyone wants to see. However, sometimes, people's concerns are not rational and cannot be rationally argued. In such cases, additional tools involving state involvement in local zoning may be needed. He also talks about the impact of COVID on the supply chains and labor shortages that impact construction. Barriers to Single-Use Occupancy Buildings David explores the concept of single room occupancy (SRO) buildings as they were once viable for people who were homeless or unstable. However, zoning restrictions have made it difficult to build such buildings, making them more expensive. The current thinking is that housing for a homeless or near homeless population should include services to address underlying issues, such as mental health or drug addiction. The challenge is to find funding and staff for these services in an incredibly resource-constrained environment. National statistics show a $3-7 million dollar shortfall in housing units nationally, and the vulnerable, homeless, mentally ill, or drug addicted population are the ones who are least able to compete for housing. This leads to a massive societal crisis. Cost of Construction and Development of a Housing Unit The primary system for building affordable housing dates back to the Reagan tax reform of 1986 and the creation of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit. Back then, a housing unit could be built for under $100,000, and the tax credit functioned well in that model. However, today, construction and development of a housing unit is approaching a million dollars, even in Chicago. The financing model for affordable housing is at a crisis point, with regulatory requirements, union and prevailing wage requirements, and the sheer layers of financing involved. The question of whether the government should follow the old public housing model of the 1930s and 1940s is a question that has been answered by the better-maintained housing built with tax credits, market exposure, and oversight by banks and regulatory agencies. In conclusion, the current model for affordable housing is at a critical point, and it is unclear where to go from here. While the intentions are right, the financing model may be at a breaking point, and there is no definitive answer to where to go from here. The Issue of Empty Commercial Real Estate Post-COVID Post-COVID, many cities are experimenting with various opportunities for redevelopment. In Chicago, the city's Planning Department has put out an RFP for the redevelopment of several buildings along LaSalle Street, which is known for its historic 1920s and 30s Art Deco buildings. These buildings need significant work to adapt to residential use, particularly the newer ones. Cities are offering varying degrees of funding to address these problems, with the city of Chicago offering significant TIF tax increment financing. San Francisco is struggling with this issue, with a giant shopping mall in the middle of the city that the owners have just handed back to their lender. David talks about ways to follow a career path in urban development, however, he states that it is crucial for individuals with an extremely broad range of interests to understand the challenges and opportunities in repurposing these buildings for residential use. Influential Courses and Professors at Harvard David, an English major at Harvard, credits his English classes with inspiring insights into English literature and poetry. He took three classes with Helen Vendler, an expert on Yeats. These classes opened his eyes to the importance of artistic and creative matters in advancing meaningful conversations. Another professor was Derek Pearsalll, who taught Chaucer. David's passion for great design for housing and working with talented architects has led to the creation of beautiful buildings that can be part of urban neighborhoods. He believes that the ultimate test of his work is whether it will stand the test of time, as he believes that buildings that stand the test of time are a work of art. Timestamps: 08:45 Working as an architect in Boston 14:43 Working at TCB.Inc in Louisville, Kentucky 24:44 The impact of zoning restrictions on development 30:00 Permanent supportive housing 33:10 Why affordable housing is so expensive 36:08 On empty commercial real estate post COVID 38:57 The difference between older buildings and newer buildings 39:34 Architectural code rules on light and air Links: Website:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/27802050
info_outline
69. Carolyn Barnett Gibson, From Refugees to Boardrooms to Nuclear Submarines
09/04/2023
69. Carolyn Barnett Gibson, From Refugees to Boardrooms to Nuclear Submarines
Show Notes: Carolyn Gibson, a graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe, has had a diverse and different path since graduating from the university. She initially wanted to be an ambassador, but realized that she wouldn't be a great ambassador to the United States due to her Dutch passport and not agreeing with the U.S. foreign policy. Instead, she decided to go into international aid and development. She tapped into the Harvard network to find information about Europe and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. She worked as a speechwriter for the High Commissioner herself, Madame Agata, and later landed a three-month internship with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Carolyn was encouraged to work in the field. She had been working with two Italian men from Napoli who had received funding from George Soros to start a reunification program in the former Yugoslavia. She took up the offer to start a program using CD ROMs to record the names and photographs of children displaced during the war and make them available in UNHCR offices in the war zone for parents to find their children's homes. She talks about the importance of International laws for protecting and helping refugees, and how the Harvard network can help alumni find positions. Working in Yugoslavia during the War Carole recounts her experience in former Yugoslavia, where she helped reunite children with their parents. She experienced disillusionment with the war and the profiteering surrounding it, which led to loss of life and inappropriate media coverage. She talks about smuggling and how the role of the UN. Carolyn met her future husband, Trevor Gibson, who worked for the UN Fire and Rescue Service in Syria, which was a cowboy unit that was on the front lines, running ambulances and stopping fighting. Carolyn talks about the bias in the media and how a lack of willingness to understand and inappropriate media coverage contributed to her disillusionment. They decided to leave Yugoslavia, and Carolyn was offered a post in East Africa helping reunite parents and their children after the Rwandan genocide. She and her husband eventually decided to return to the States in 1995, but decided to move to Scotland where her husband decided to pursue a law degree in Birmingham, UK. They found themselves in a city that was similar to the Detroit of the UK, with car manufacturers and coal mining where Carolyn worked as a copywriter for nonprofit organizations before she earned a scholarship to an MBA program from Warwick University. Working in Consulting at Deloitte Carolyn talks about her experience of working in the management consulting practice of Deloitte. She started with Deloitte's program leadership practice and later worked with a child support agency. Carolyng and her husband decided to stay in Birmingham to settle down and have children. She then moved to a local government practice with Deloitte. They set up the first contact center for multiple local governments in one spot, and she became a specialist in setting up cross-governmental contact centers. However, the local government practice and Deloitte's public sector practice merged, which involved a lot more travel, so Carolyn decided to become a stay-at-home mom. Writing a Book on Teaching Languages She had been home for 10 years, running the PTA and serving on the Board of Governors for a school, and she wrote a book on teaching other languages. She shares three key tips from the book: make fun, set aside time, give children exposure as much as possible to the language they find fun. She discusses her experiences teaching their children French and moving to France for a year. They eventually moved back to Birmingham, which she has found to be a friendly city and a great place to raise a family. She moved out of the stay-at-home mom phase and started working in a startup tech company in Coventry, which focused on strategy execution software. She worked with top Fortune 500 companies, such as Nestle, Pratt Whitney, Societe Generale, Philips, L3, and energy companies and eventually became head of consulting. However, the company struggled to translate their investment into a working financial model, and she missed the opportunity to work with public sector organizations, but she gained their support to pursue a master's degree at Oxford, which had links to the UK Government. Working for the U.K. Defense Ministry After completing her master's, she worked for the Cabinet Office, particularly in the Ministry of Defense. She is in their strategic supplier program, which aims to align strategic suppliers with the UK Government's goals and vice versa. She works with Rolls Royce, a company that makes engines and E power plants for their nuclear submarines, and Babcock, helping them work at a strategic level, aligning across government, and identifying problems and improving them. Carolyn talks about her accomplishments at the Ministry of Defense and her work as a consultant, where she can make specific nudges that make a big difference. She has helped resolve major contracts and ensured that the government's goals are met. Carolyn explains the culture of a military environment, and how an open door and willingness to share information is crucial, as it allows for a more open and diverse workforce. She found that the defense industry is highly meritocratic and open to new ideas, which is important for women in the industry. Carolyn is now considering pivoting back into the nonprofit world, particularly in the area of unconditional cash transfers, which she believes is a growing area in the United States. Influential Courses and Professors at Harvard Carolyn shares the courses and professors at Harvard that resonated with her, including a course with Stanley Hoffmann about war, and a seminar with Rena Fonseca on India-China relations. She also shares her experiences with Stanley Hoffmann, who taught her the importance of holding onto convictions and ideas, and Rena Fonseca, who taught her the importance of perseverance and adaptability in the face of challenges. Timestamps: 05:11 How Carolyn’s involvement with the Harvard network helped her find work 10:30 Smuggling and profiteering in war-torn Yugoslavia 13:35 Media coverage of the war that was inappropriate 21:46 Working at Deloitte 24:00 Carolyn’s book on teaching kids languages 28:07 Working in strategy execution software at a tech startup 31:06 Impressions at the Ministry of Defense CONTACT: LinkedIn: Facebook:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/27763824
info_outline
68. Seth Hilton, Energy Regulatory Attorney
08/28/2023
68. Seth Hilton, Energy Regulatory Attorney
Show Notes: Seth Hilton graduated from Harvard and later went on to law school at UC Davis, started working as a litigation associate at a law firm before joining a large firm in the Bay Area. During the California energy crisis, he was tasked with monitoring regulatory developments and participating at regulatory agencies when needed. He eventually shifted his practice from energy litigation and energy-regulated regulatory work to almost exclusively regulatory work, although occasionally doing a little bit of litigation. Seth's interest in law stemmed from his father's law practice and his father's enjoyment of the law practice. He took a constitutional law course at Harvard, which inspired him to explore the field further. Seth is currently a partner in the law firm of Stole Rives, focusing on California energy regulatory work. He works with companies in the energy sector in California, many of which are regulated by various state agencies or entities. He advises them on current regulations and assists them in adapting or changing those regulations to better suit their clients or their customers. Seth's clients range from electric to natural gas, oil and gas, and more recently, hydrogen. Seth talks about how the California Public Utilities Commission regulates utilities and other entities providing electric and natural gas service to retail customers. They dictate what resources and types of energy are procured to serve retail customers. The commission is concerned about the near term, the next five years, and the transition to more electrification. They have directed utilities and other load-serving entities to procure renewable resources, such as solar or wind, and sometimes specify energy storage that might assist with bringing in more renewable sources of energy. Blending Hydrogen and Natural Gas Seth talks about exploring the potential of blending hydrogen with natural gas to reduce carbon intensity. This could involve blending hydrogen with natural gas or using hydrogen instead of natural gas. The California Public Utilities Commission is currently evaluating the role of hydrogen in its overall GHG reduction strategy. They are considering whether to use pure hydrogen or blend it with natural gas for retail customers, or if to use pure hydrogen and convert retail appliances to use blended hydrogen. Seth explains what the two flavors of hydrogen are and the challenges in determining the appropriate regulations for hydrogen use, such as whether to require it to be solely produced by renewable energy or if to relax regulations to make hydrogen more cost-effective. He also mentions the debates around the methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions, including accounting for the entire lifecycle of energy sources. Seth talks about how he originally wanted to study engineering but decided it wasn’t for him. He explains why enjoys working in the energy sector, particularly in response to climate change, which has had significant impacts on California, such as heat, wildfires, drought, and increased rainfall. He believes that a specific regulation or detail would be beneficial in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing the existing challenges faced by California. Nuclear Power in California Seth discusses the problems with the California grid, which is outdated and requires upgrading. The grid's old distribution system has caused wildfires and caused significant damage. The state is also trying to connect new generation resources, such as solar and offshore wind, to the grid, which requires planning and upgrading the transmission system. However, concerns about timing, cost, and retail customer satisfaction arise. Seth explains that the future of nuclear power in California is uncertain, despite the significant advantages to nuclear power, such as GHG emission-free generation and the ability to provide consistent power. However, there are also concerns about waste management and waste disposal. Currently, there is little hope for nuclear power in California, but there are potential technical developments that could change the situation, such as smaller generators. However, it would require significant technical breakthroughs to see nuclear power again in California. Stability of the Grid and Energy Storage Facilities Seth talks about the stability of a grid, and how, in California, a grid with a high percentage of solar and wind power can be unstable due to technical challenges. He explains that regulatory agencies are aware of these challenges and are creating regulations to address them, such as requiring procurement of additional energy storage. California has procured a vast amount of energy storage, primarily lithium ion batteries, which are large utility-scale batteries that store energy and discharge it when needed. Most of the storage resources in California consist of battery storage facilities, which can be either out in the field or in a large warehouse. Seth talks about storage facilities and how many homes can be served by one megawatt. The Development of Charging Stations for EV's Seth discusses the development of charging stations for electric and hydrogen vehicles, as well as the need for them in the transportation sector. The California Energy Commission is working towards creating additional hydrogen fueling stations across the state, which will provide the fueling stations for fuel cell hydrogen fuel cell cars. Hydrogen is also a good solution for larger vehicles like truck transport, as it provides the energy infrastructure to provide the energy for those vehicles. His contact information is available on his website, and he would be happy to hear from people interested in his work. Influential Courses at Harvard Seth took a Constitutional Law course which interested him as a potential profession and led him to law school. Timestamps: 05:50 How you create a market for renewable energy 11:22 The difference between clean good hydrogen and dirty hydrogen 14:16 Why Seth likes working in the energy sector 18:17 Information about the grid in California 22:26 Nuclear Power in California 24:22 How energy storage works at utility scale 29:51 How many homes could be served by a megawatt battery 33:59 How Seth ended up in the world of energy regulatory policy Links: CONTACT: Email:
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/27763716
info_outline
67. Lauren Keller Galit, Literary Agent
08/21/2023
67. Lauren Keller Galit, Literary Agent
Show Notes: Lauren Galit began her career as a magazine editor for about a decade before transitioning into editing and agency work. She started with Gentleman's Quarterly, she worked for advertisers, and later worked for Mode magazine, a plus size women's magazine. She eventually landed her last job at Good Housekeeping. Lauren was a deputy editor at a magazine, where she was responsible for managing the entire content and was in charge of every word that went into the magazine. She worked with a team of writers, editors, and editors and was able to bring her ideas to life. However, Her passion for connecting authors to audiences and helping them craft their voices led her to switch from magazines to books. She realized that going longer form was a better way to nurture these relationships and nurture the writers’ voices. She went to an agency where she took a major pay and title cut and became an assistant. Working as a Literary Agent Lauren’s journey from magazines to books has been a journey of connecting authors to audiences and helping them craft their voices. She has learned to adapt her approach to different publications and agencies, focusing on building relationships and fostering a supportive environment for authors. Agency work involves generating book ideas, seeking out authors, and working with them to shape their proposals and sell the books to publishers. The agent works with the author to execute the book, executing contracts, shepherding covers, production schedules, and timelines. Lauren started working for John Boswell Associates, a company known for creating 365 Ways to Cook Chicken, and later worked on other projects such as What Not to Wear. The success of this book led her to start her own agency in 2006 and has since worked on various projects in categories such as parenting, diet, exercise, and fitness. What a Literary Agency Does As an agent, Lauren used to work with authors to shape and create their proposals, ensuring that they were well-researched and well-written. I also helped them navigate the publication process, including negotiating deals and addressing issues with the editor. The role of the editor in publishing houses, particularly for nonfiction books, is crucial, as the author may have a vision of what the book should be, and the editor may have a different version of what will appeal to the market. The agency provides services based on the category and interventionist approach. For nonfiction, the agency shapes a proposal, which includes a table of contents, advice, tips, and anecdotes. The proposal, along with marketing and publicity sections, goes to the publisher to entice the publisher to buy the book. In fiction, the book is sold on a full manuscript, while in nonfiction, the book is sold on a proposal. Lauren explains the business side of the agreement between agent and author, the services provided, percentage of the deal, and what the publishing house covers. The Role of the Editor and Relationship with the Author Lauren explains that the agent, editor and author often have a phone call to discuss the concept, and if there are conflicts, the editor expects the author to deliver a different version of the book. There are various options for rewrites, and if they cannot come to terms, the contract can be dissolved. Lauren has represented the authors of many books around exercise, diet, and fitness, including books about eating fruits and vegetables, exercising, and getting fit. She has shifted her focus to children's literature and middle grade literature for the last decade. She explains the importance of developing a hook and offers a few examples to illustrate how the hook works. Lauren discusses her experiences in the middle grade and YA fiction space, focusing on magical realism and contemporary books with hints of magic. She highlights the importance of casting a lens on children's emotional lives and making them more consequential. Exploring What Editors Want Lauren also discusses approaching publishers and the Rolodex process, which involves researching what editors are looking for and aligning interests appropriately. She suggests that there is a need for more middle grade fiction, as dystopian fiction is being burned out. Lauren also discusses the gender imbalance in middle grade, with boys reading children's books up until a certain age. They often switch to genre fiction, mysteries, adventure novels, and fantasy, but not YA books. She explains why editors don't want to invest too heavily in YA books with male protagonists. Lauren's advice for other authors in the middle grade and YA fiction space is to focus on matching interests and aligning interests appropriately, and to be patient with the process. The Landscape of the Book Industry Lauren explains how the book industry works and how it has been broken down into imprints, with each house having different rules. Lauren touches on the decline of children's imprints, such as Razorbill, which was decommissioned and merged into a single imprint. This has led to a significant downturn in the children's market, with the famous imprint Ink Yard at HarperCollins being discontinued. As a result, the number of outlets and opportunities for book deals decreases. The shift in the book industry is driven by specialization, specialization, and the need for a diverse range of genres and formats. The book industry is a complex and evolving landscape, with authors often being upset about their intellectual property being trained by AI. This can lead to a lack of understanding of what people know or think about book publishing. Lauren talks about the role of publishing houses in the future, the importance of an agent, and offers insight on advances for writers. For both fiction and nonfiction, there may be apps that can help authors create books for themselves, such as AI tools that can write books for specific topics or provide personalized advice. However, Lauren states that AI is flawed in its current state, as it is repetitive, clunky, and introduces falsehoods. Influential Courses or Professors at Harvard Lauren mentions Marjorie Garber as an influential professor. Timestamps: 04:13 Bringing out an author's own voice 09:39 How Lauren started her own publishing company 16:03 The role of the editor at the publishing house 22:17 How Lauren got into parenting books 27:34 How to approach publishers for manuscripts 32:56 Boys and girls and YA? 37:08 Selling books with fewer and fewer big buyers. 41:23 The importance of having an editor who loves your book 45:47 Advice for aspiring writers Links: Website: CONTACT: X (Formerly Twitter):
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/27697224
info_outline
66. Greg Lisi, Military Intelligence Officer and Medical Device Professional
08/14/2023
66. Greg Lisi, Military Intelligence Officer and Medical Device Professional
Show Notes: After Greg Lisi graduated from Harvard, he spent nine years in the military before working in the medical device space for several companies. He then transitioned to a small company called Prep MD, which does medical device training. After graduation, he took his officer basic course and received an active reserve commission in the military. He spent six months at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, learning about military intelligence and officer training. He served three years as an Intel officer at Fort Hood, Texas, and attended Airborne School, Ranger School. Greg also worked as a scout platoon leader, providing forward reconnaissance for a tank battalion. Life as a Military Intel Officer Greg describes the military experience of an Intel officer. He requested a special assignment from his advanced course to attend the Armor Maneuver School. He spent six months at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and had the opportunity to go to Germany and learn about the Battle of the Bulge and the German armor officer school with his German counterparts. Upon returning, he was invited to spend his captain years in Europe, spending a year in Bonn, Germany, working for a Military Intelligence Battalion. The unit was mostly electronic, flying RC 12 airplanes and collecting electronic intelligence while supporting peace operations in Bosnia. Greg was tasked with collecting electronic intelligence. One day, he was contacted by Colonel Dragon, a battalion commander, who asked about his transfer to a new unit. Greg was transferred to his unit, which was preparing to deploy to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to monitor and stabilize the border between Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The mission was to monitor and stabilize the border while ensuring the conflict in Kosovo didn't spill over into the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Greg talks about his post serving on the UN mission to monitor and stabilize the border between Albania and Macedonia. The unit had outposts along the border, and Greg describes the drills that were different from military training, including how to respond to a sniper. Greg describes his experience as an Intel Officer in a military unit, specifically an infantry battalion, and how the officer is responsible for reporting to the brigade commander and providing advice and counsel. He talks about his experience with the largest foreign deployed operation in Europe today. Greg highlights the importance of intelligence in ensuring a stable geopolitical environment and addressing potential resistance from Serbs. Life after a Career in the Military Greg talks about his decision to leave the military after nine years. He worked with a company called Cameron Brooks, which helped junior military officers find opportunities with different organizations in corporate America. He eventually took a job in the medical device space at a company called Guidance Corporation, which was later bought by Boston Scientific. He initially worked as a field clinical representative in cardiac rhythm management, where he was the point person between the physician, patients, and the technology. Working as a Clinical Representative He fell in love with the medical device space and the patient care and technology. He served as a clinical rep for about 18 months and later took his own sales territory. He explains what he enjoyed about this job, as his livelihood was driven by the need to create relationships and create value around the technology he was working with. Greg discusses the role of a clinical representative in the healthcare industry, which is often overlooked and/or unknown. He explains that a clinical representative serves as a bridge between technology and the physician, helping bridge the gap between the two. A clinical representative can help ensure the correct things are being done for the device they represent on a given day. Greg explains how they help a physician with technology and during procedures. He discusses the importance of being quiet, good listeners, and being three steps ahead of the physician when dealing with senior attending physicians. He also discusses the importance of checklists. He learned the efficacy of checklists from his military experiences and believes that checklists are good for training people in working through procedures early in their training. Founding Prep MD Greg talks about his company, Prep MD, founded in 2009, which aims to teach, inspire, and connect talented individuals with the medical device industry. The company initially had five members, who designed a six-week program that partnered with local medical institutions in Boston. The program included hands-on didactics, simulation equipment, and a mock catheterization and electrophysiology lab. The program prepared participants for clinical rotation and observation rounds, and helped place them with companies or healthcare providers in clinical specialist roles. Today, his company trains people to become clinical representatives and helps place them with companies or healthcare providers around the country. This role serves as a bridge between the technology and the physician, making it easier for physicians to keep up with the latest innovations. The company has three different companies under the Prep MD umbrella: the initial training company, a staffing entity, and a third LLC called prep MD RMS for remote monitoring solutions. The monitoring space is growing, with wearables becoming more prevalent. Greg talks about how the company has expanded its training and development side, and how it is now looking to expand into wearables and other areas. Working with the Non-Profit Med Tech Vets Greg discusses his experience working with Med Tech Vets, a nonprofit organization that provides mentoring for veterans transitioning from the military. They recently established a scholarship program for individuals who complete their online training program, which is currently at $35,000 for the six-month program. The cost of the program is not cheap, but employers appreciate the commitment to professional development and the ability to find pre-qualified candidates who can learn and master technology. Greg talks about the entry requirements, financial aid packages available, and the high placement rate post graduation. Greg talks about the monitoring business, which involves reconnection of devices or monitoring patients' health. He explains that some healthcare providers prefer to have their staff handle patient outreach, while others outsource this task to third-party providers. Lisi also discusses the shift towards app-based technology, where everything becomes app-based, and how it is transforming the way healthcare providers work. Timestamps: 08:20 The UN’s mission to monitor the border with Macedonia 11:15 How to avoid conflict spilling over 16:22 How Greg became an intel officer 19:19 The decision to leave the army 25:11 How Greg became a clinical representative 28:15 The role of a clinical rep in guiding the physician 33:58 How Greg founded Prep MD 43:14 The entry requirements for students coming to the program 47:34 App-based medical monitoring devices Links: Website: CONTACT: .
/episode/index/show/396fea7b-f2bf-49a0-9419-993b586dc492/id/27697308