When U Grow Up Podcast: Recent Episodes
When U Grow Up Media
Rajat Tiwari, a graduate student in Computer Science Engineering Management, speaks with Dani Dinstein, a Product Manager at PulsePoint
Step into the mind of a product manager—dubbed as a "mini-CEO" by Dani—in charge of the development and adoption of new technologies. Dani and Rajat reveal product leadership insights, which has less to do with theory and more with instinct, when building something from nothing. How do you influence consumers to care about a product to go from 0 to 1?
Isaac Flores, an undergraduate in Neuroscience, speaks with Dr. Gabriela Cantarero, PhD, a Lead Scientific Reviewer for neurological medical devices at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
“Gut feeling:” the hidden element that brought discovery as much as fun twists and pivots throughout Dr. Gabriela Cantarero’s adventurous pursuits from academia to military to industry to government. A stark yet fascinating contrast to the responsibility, integrity and commitment she upholds with pride toward serving the FDA’s mission to safeguard public health by helping to speed innovations that make medical products more effective, safer, and affordable
Veet Zaveri, an graduate student in Computer Science, speaks with Rob Rowello, U.S Navy Veteran and Global Vice President at Oracle
What does diversity mean to your vision of the Future of Work in Value Selling and Cloud Strategy? What is your personal, core belief and values as a leader? And what are ways those pushed you to lead better in driving high performance when up against complex challenges such as navigating crises or uncertainty, difficult personalities, cultural stagnation, or resistance to change?
Jackson Morris, an undergraduate in Biomedical Engineering with interests in Politics and Law, speaks with Nene Kalu PhD, an Associate Director of Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) Project and Supply Management at LEXEO Therapeutics, a clinical-stage gene therapy company
Delving into the purpose-led decisions guiding Nene’s career—from academia to industry—unveiled transformative insights on FDA governance and why CMC matters to catalyze safe, ethical drug pipelines that build for more improved consumer-centric pharmaceutical care
International Student and Mental Health EditionRiti Chandrashekhar, an international student and recent graduate in Mental Health, speaks with Mervyn Christian, a global health leader and Director of Advocacy, Financing and Sustainability at University of California, San Francisco
Sifting through real, human layers of their non-citizen career journeys, Riti and Mervyn connect on what it means to navigate economic crises, visa systems, bias, fears, loneliness, chance, and belonging toward reclaiming their agency—a thrilling conversation that gives representation for cultural nuance and a voice to call on for more equitable public health pathways
Chinat Yu, a senior in computer science, has a two-part conversation with Neil Bardhan, a cognitive scientist from Hopkins. In part one of this conversation, Neil talks about earning his PhD, working and teaching abroad, and developing his passion for helping others tell their stories. Hear part 2 on the Hopkins Hacks podcast, here.
Rebecca Redding, a chemical and biomolecular engineering graduate student, speaks with Cynthia Johnson, Chief Chemist and Founder/CEO of Cindy J Cosmetic Labs. Exploring the creative flow in designing formulas within cosmetic science, Cynthia gives a glimpse into how a serendipitous path in network marketing nurtured an entrepreneurial mindset to start her own laboratory.
Dr. Sahil Khan, a medical doctor and Masters student aspires to work in the field of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, speaks with Dr. Jed Wolpaw, an Associate Professor, Anesthesiology Residency Program Director and co-leads the Anesthesiology and ICU medical student clerkships. Through a conversation on the heart of the history of anesthesiology and medicine, Dr. Wolpaw shares what his journey—that began as a K-12 history teacher—has meant to his focus on quality teaching in medicine.
Landon, a Masters student in Electrical and Computer Engineering, speaks with Dr. Dave Jansing, a senior scientist at JHU APL and faculty in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Dave shares his experience as a young engineer, finding work that would "get him out of bed every day", what it means to be a full-time student, and the future of remote accessible PhD programs in the sciences.
Tony, a rising graduate of JHU School of Education interviews Rebekah Jackson, Senior Director of Enrollment Management at The Bryn Mawr School and Ann Marie Strauss, Director of College Counseling at The Bryn Mawr School to learn about the insides of higher education. Both Rebekah and Ann share their journey and how one could identify opportunities and excel in the field education.
Hanna, a current graduate student studying MA Science Writing interviews Ginny, an alumni of the program to understand the insides of being a science writer and know the right steps to excel in the field.
Richard, a current graduate student at SAIS interviews Sergio, an alumni of SAIS to understand the dynamics of IR and know the right steps to excel in the field.
Keidai is a transfer student who has a wealth of interests related to philosophy, computer science, comedy, humanity, and more, but he's not sure how to best move in which direction. Luke moved from Poli Sci to comedy and a successful career in Hollywood, and has lots of experience taking non-traditional paths.
3:20 - When it's time to grow up and quit corporate finance to do comedy
6:30 - Taking risks in a smart way
8:24 - "Am I sacrificing my dreams?"
11:26 - Going through the trenches of the comedy world
20:33 - The delicate intersection between art and commerce
Ethan is a Financial Math grad student looking for ways to blend an interest in finance with a STEM skillset. Osei is a resilient, change-maker for the public good working in finance with a degree in Computer Engineering.
4:03 - "Any interest in finance? No, not at all."
5:48 - When Friendster was more popular than MySpace, and Amazon only sold books
13:52 - Developing personal traits to support the community
22:50 - The challenge of solving the issues of jobs, healthcare, education, transportation, and more
28:48 - "Be impatient about your career"
Mohamad is an Engineering Management grad student working on a start-up and hoping to learn how he can actually make it start up. Sabrina is a start-up veteran and Director of Product at Better.com with a wealth of experience trying, succeeding, failing, succeeding, and learning all along the way.
1:23 - How to do everything wrong in product management
3:52 - "You cross the river, then you burn the boats so you can't go back"
14:15 - The art of problem solving
21:04 - Employers HATE this one weird interview answer!
25:11 - The excitement of disrupting a boring industry
Alakarthika is working on her Masters in Data Science, and is curious as to how she can make her expertise work in the world of banking. Noor shares the ups, downs, embarrassments, and successes of a 30 year career in banking.
6:01 - Being persistent, getting rejected, feeling humiliated, and getting even.
8:16 - "The sooner you stumble, the better it is."
11:17 - The discovery of partying, and burning out in grad school.
15:22 - "I do some real work... sometimes."
18:34 - It's just money. We make mistakes. It's not that important.
Tere'ssa is studying political science and pre-law, and is wondering about her first move into a world facing a pandemic and taking risks as a professional. Nina shares her journey into service from Hopkins, to the classroom, to the DOJ, and then into non-profit refugee work.
3:33 - The path from teaching, to law school, to refugee work
10:24 - Government work vs. non-profit work
12:24 - Is the UN a dream job?
14:46 - Being willing to live in the grey
25:28 - "No one I know has had a linear path"
Fatima wants to blend entertainment and law into a career and hopes to find insight in how to do so as a first gen, Mexican American woman. Jay shares his insights on his winding, varied career within the legal realm.
4:14 - The weird, confusing road of lawyering
9:24 - Market crashes, nuclear deals, and cable companies
13:28 - Finding one's niche in law
19:12 - What even IS law school?
23:57 - A legal fairy tale with a happy ending
28:21 - Correcting institutional biases in the legal field
Lara, a recent grad, reaches out to professional screenwriter Shruthi to untangle the nebulous world of paid writing.
4:05 - Screenwriting 101
6:45 - New York to Los Angeles is a terrible commute
7:31 - The power of "wanting it more"
10:00 - To be a screenwriter, spy, sportswriter, or something else???
12:15 - "Live the story you want to tell"
16:25 - The three levels of art in writing
19:55 - Writing for different mediums
23:23 - Tell yourself the story of your identity and purpose
26:55 - Your 11 year old self holds the secret to your career
Josh is a year away from graduating and can't pick a path between medicine and entrepreneurship until Sunny swoops in and shows him the many possible ways to do both.
4:13 - Want to help patients? Become an entrepreneur!
8:10 - My name is Business. Dr. Business.
18:20 - Alphabet soup! MD MBA PhD
23:30 - "Urine is a tricky fluid to work with."
32:00 - What entrepreneurs eat for breakfast.