Going Forth: Recent Episodes
Center for Careers, Life, and Service at Grinnell College
Wondering how to spend your summer? Nail an interview? Start a business? Publish a book? Welcome to "Going Forth."
Hosts Nicholas Lampietti '25 and Meredith Benjamin '24 are thrilled to bring you a podcast from the Center for Careers, Life, and Service at Grinnell College. Through conversations with alums and experts at the CLS, we explore what it means to live a life of meaning and purpose.
Grinnellians go incredible places — this is a podcast about how they get there.
Kabir Jain '21 joins us to chat about his role as a Geospatial Analyst, advice for third and fourth year students, the importance of personal projects, and more!
Connect with Kabir
Philip Kiely '20 is back on the show and shares tons of advice about finding your first job, working at startups, content creation, personal branding, and more! Connect with Philip on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipkiely/
Connect with Philip on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/philip_kiely
Philip's website: https://philipkiely.com
Opeyemi Awe '15 has done it all, and she's just getting started! Listen to learn about her Watson Fellowship, her experience as a Schwarzman Scholar, and much more!
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @goingforthpodcast for updates on new episodes.
If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to us at goingforth@grinnell.edu.
This episode features music by SergeQuadrado (titled “Magic Loop”) available under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 license.
As a student at Grinnell, David White ‘90 discovered the importance of community, relationships, and a strong sense of self. A Rhodes Scholar with a vast array of professional experience, David reflects on the lessons and philosophies that have shaped his career. Listen to learn more about the important people and moments that led David to Stanford Law School, SAG-AFTRA, and beyond!
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @goingforthpodcast for updates on new episodes.
If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to us at goingforth@grinnell.edu.
This episode features music by FoolBoyMedia (titled “Sky Loop”) available under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 license.
During their time at Grinnell College, Latona Giwa ‘09 discovered the power of grassroots social movements. As someone who now works as a birth justice advocate in the Gulf South, Latona continues to draw from the skills and knowledge they acquired as a student. On the first episode of the season, we hear about Latona’s diverse array of experience within the realm of birth and reproductive justice. From their work as a doula to their time spent as a member of Louisiana’s Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review Board, Latona tells us about their experience navigating the dynamic and complex systems regulating birth in the United States.
Latona's full bio: https://www.latonagiwa.com/
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @goingforthpodcast for updates on new episodes.
If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to us at goingforth@grinnell.edu.
This episode features music by SergeQuadrado (titled “Little Adventure Loop”) available under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 3.0 license.
If there’s one thing we believe on Going Forth, it's in the power of the human voice to tell meaningful stories. So 3 Seasons and 41 Episodes later, we're finally doing an episode all about podcasts.
On the Season 3 Finale, Nicholas talks to Sasha Aslanian ‘90, who spent 30 years in public media working as a reporter and producer before moving to New York City in 2022 to take a job as a Supervising Producer with the podcast team at ABC News. Her commitment to Grinnell is extraordinary: she’s been a longtime Class Fund Director and serves on the Alumni Council, where she chairs a new committee on alumni-student engagement. If that wasn’t enough, she married a fellow Grinnellian and their youngest daughter is a member of the class of 2026.
Later, Going Forth gets ready to embark on an exciting new chapter. Jane and Nicholas say goodbye to the podcast ahead of their upcoming adventures studying off campus as the new hosts and producers, Maya Sciaretta '25 and Lilli Morrish '25 do their first unofficial interview.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @goingforthpodcast to find out when new episodes are released.
If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to us at goingforth@grinnell.edu.
This episode features music by Alex-Productions (entitled "Electronic Downtempo Instrumental for video / Nostalgia") available under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License and TimTaj (entitled "We're Going to a Party") under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
After graduation, a select number of Grinnell students embark on nationally competitive global fellowships, taking them on journeys to every corner of the globe. On this episode, Mary DaVega '21, Sarina Lincoln ’21, Sarina Kopf '22, and Katelyn Mehlhaus ’22 share their Fulbright journeys live from Jordan, Chile, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. Fulbright U.S. Student Grants are exceptional opportunities for graduate study, research, or an English teaching experience along with rich cultural engagement and exchange in over 140 different countries.
Mary, Sarina, Sarina, and Katelyn share their respective paths to the Fulbright, walk us through their favorite moments from their time in their host countries, and give advice for students interested in pursuing Fulbright themselves. This episode was recorded in collaboration with Grinnell’s Global Fellowships and Awards program.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @goingforthpodcast to find out when new episodes are released.
If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to us at goingforth@grinnell.edu.
This episode features music by Podington Bear (entitled "Guestlist") available under a Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License and Herr Doktor (entitled "Intro") available under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Cameo Carlson 93 is music royalty. On this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Emma Kieran Schaefer23, an Independent Major in multimedia storytelling from Niwot, Colorado, as a guest-host to discuss Cameo's career from being dubbed the "rock czarina of San Francisco" to "queen of the ringtone" by Billboard magazine. A talented singer-songwriter, Emma brings her curiosity and interest in the music industry for a conversation about Cameo’s journey, from being a KDIC host and Harris DJ to working at the forefront of streaming music at iTunes and later as the CEO of mtheory, a management and development group that works with over 25 managers representing over 100 artists.
Alongside her triumphs, Cameo also candidly discusses the industry’s challenges with racism, sexism, and ageism, issues she directly engages through her work on the Equal Access Initiative at mtheory, which seeks to expand access to resources for managers that have been historically underrepresented in the country music genre and business world.
This episode features "Mirror," an original song by Emma Kieran. You can find more of her music on Spotify.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @goingforthpodcast to find out when new episodes are released.
If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to us at goingforth@grinnell.edu.
Not many Grinnellians can say that when they graduated, the president of the college told their parents how talented they were. But if you're Ian Roberts '87, that was only the beginning. After graduating from Grinnell, he went on to found the legendary improv and sketch comedy troupe the Upright Citizens Brigade. Over his three decade career in the entertainment industry, he's worked as an actor, writer, and director, as well as showrunner/executive producer of TV Land's "Teachers", and Comedy Central's "Key and Peele" for which he won an Emmy and Peabody Award.
On this episode, host Nicholas Lampietti '25 is joined by special guest-host Nadia Langley '23, a French and History double major from Madison, Wisconsin who's about to enter the job market. Together, they discuss pursuing a career in comedy: from what makes a good scene to following your passions, even when you've racked up tens of thousands of dollars of credit card debt.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @goingforthpodcast to find out when new episodes are released.
If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to us at goingforth@grinnell.edu.
This episode features music by Podington Bear (entitled "Now Son") available under a Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License and Herr Doktor (entitled "Intro") available under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Deqa Aden, class of 2018, is all about making an impact. Working in the field of international development, she’s applied her research skills, degrees in political science and psychology, and lived experience towards improving the world. A 2022 Obama Scholar, she’s now wrapping up her master’s degree program at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy. Her lived experience, professional background in the world of international development, and ongoing academic journey lends her a unique perspective on how the field can make positive change—and highlights the ways that the field itself must change in order to be truly responsive to community needs.
In this conversation, Deqa reflects on her experiences working at both macro and the micro institutions—from the World Bank to an entrepreneurial incubator in Somaliland, and the unique challenges and opportunities innate to both. We touch on building a positive workplace culture, leading with enthusiasm, and the importance of personal mission in driving change.
27 miles to the southwest of Grinnell is the Newton Correctional Facility. It is a medium and low security prison: one of the 1,500 state prisons that blanket our nation. Since 2002, the United States has had the highest incarceration rate in the world. In many parts of America, according to the Washington Post, there are more people living in prisons than there are living on college campuses.
Our guests on this episode are Grinnellians–Emily Guenther ‘07, Jason Ross, and Jason Darrah–whose classes did not take place on-campus but at the Newton Correctional Facility, as a part of the Liberal Arts in Prison Program. Today, the initiative is one of 15 programs nationally in the Consortium for the Liberal Arts in Prison that offer access to a college education for incarcerated individuals.
This is a story about redefining what it means to be a Grinnellian, and how thanks to the power of a liberal arts education, we grant access to life-changing opportunities.
For more information about mass incarceration and education in prison, visit the Prison Policy Initiative, Bard Prison Initiative, and the Population Reference Bureau.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @goingforthpodcast to find out when new episodes are released.
If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to us at goingforth@grinnell.edu.
This episode features music by Podington Bear ("Easygoing" and "Now Son") available under a Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License.
Every spring break, dozens of Grinnell students venture across the world for externships—job-shadowing experiences with Grinnell alumni or parents. During their externships, students gain a holistic perspective on post-grad life. On this special episode of Going Forth, travel along with student hosts Xavier James 25, Indy Joseph25, George Matthes 25, Maya Llewellyn25 and Colin Singer `25 on their externship journeys across industries and the world.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @goingforthpodcast to find out when new episodes are released.
If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to us at goingforth@grinnell.edu.
This episode features music by Organs ("California Blues"), Jason Shaw ("Travel Light"), and Tim Taj ("Modern Electronic"), available under a Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License.
Eric Otoo 01’s resume is the stuff most people dream about. He’s worked across a range of business, finance, and consulting roles at firms like McKinsey and Goldman Sachs, only taking a break to graduate from Harvard Business School. Returning to his home country of Ghana, he’s implemented award-winning turnaround plans to ensure profitability for various companies and was appointed by the Minister of Finance to lead the restructuring of Ghana’s financial sector.
On this episode, we demystify the world of consulting, unpack career paths in finance, and explore questions about financial reform. We discuss the importance of mentorship, building and maintaining a successful network, and the value of hard work. For Eric, “paying it forward” is not just a job, but a mantra.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @goingforthpodcast to find out when new episodes are released.
If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to us at goingforth@grinnell.edu.
This episode features music by Podington Bear (entitled "Guestlist" and "Lola") available under a Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International License.
Dr. Kartik Sheth `93’s career has spanned the solar system. A world-renowned astrophysicist, he’s currently a program scientist at NASA HQ while advising science and technology policy at the White House. A committed activist, he’s also had a parallel career in diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility advocacy and is the founder and CEO of Empowered Earth Alliance: a non-profit that works with local leaders to empower them to create their own sustainable solutions for climate resilience.
In this episode, we discuss his advice for navigating and succeeding across academic, government and nonprofit spheres, especially for individuals who have been historically underrepresented in those spaces. The universe is unimaginably vast, but as Dr. Sheth shares with us, we live in a small world where connection is everything.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @goingforthpodcast to find out when new episodes are released.
If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to us at goingforth@grinnell.edu.
This episode features music by Giant Gutter from Outer Space (entitled "Sturm") available under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
We are thrilled to welcome Oscar-nominated comedian, writer, and actor Kumail Nanjiani '01 to Going Forth. In this episode, we chart his course rising through the ranks of stand-up comedy, landing his first writing gig, and making it onto the big screen. Whether you know Kumail’s work from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Welcome to Chippendales, Silicon Valley, The Big Sick, or his myriad other projects,we are excited to share this conversation about the power of storytelling, connection, and creativity.
In his words, “All you can do is make something really meaningful to you and trust, because of shared human experience, it will be meaningful to other people.”
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @goingforthpodcast to find out when new episodes are released.
If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to us at goingforth@grinnell.edu.
This episode features music by Podington Bear (entitled "Good Times) available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported license and Herr Doktor (entitled "Intro") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 license.
Going Forth is back, and there's a new voice behind the microphone. Host Jane Hoffman '25 joins Nicholas Lampietti ‘25 and Executive Producer, CLS Exploratory Advisor Katie Kriegel, to talk about their first jobs and what's in store for Season 3. Hear from a dynamic slate of alums, students, and CLS staff about civic engagement, Fulbright Grants, astrophysics, and more. From from finding your voice to shooting for the stars, we're going to cover it all.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @goingforthpodcast to find out when new episodes are released.
If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to us at goingforth@grinnell.edu.
This episode features music by Herr Doktor (entitled "Intro") and The Zombie Dandies (entitled "Careful") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 license.
According to Leslie Bleichner '07: "sometimes, the world moves for you in ways you are not prepared to move yourself." Other times, you are the one to make it move. Change is in the air on the Season 2 Finale of Going Forth as we revisit moments in our guests lives that can only be described as serendipitous and/or are the result of a "cold" call, email, or conversation. Their stories reaffirm that great things happen when you least expect them and that in the face of uncertainty, it's up to you to take the plunge. We also say goodbye to Producer & Co-Host Meredith Benjamin '24 as she goes forth on a new journey studying off-campus during Season 3.
This episode features stories from Jenn Mattern Lalich '92 (Episode 23: "The Candyland Path - Dismantling Toxic 'Success' Culture"), Leslie Bleichner '07 (Episode 24: "Education is My Playground), Vivek Venugopal '01 (Episode 25: "We're Not in Kansas Anymore"), Anton Jones '02 (Episode 21: "It's a Party at CLIMB"), and Sachi Graber '12 (Episode 26: "It's Not The End Of The World").
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our Instagram or Facebook: @goingforthpodcast
This episode features music by Podington Bear (entitled "Buddy Guy" and "Cracked Nut Suite") and Ketsa (entitled "Future Life") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
Christa Desir '96 has a rule: Say yes. Say yes, and try everything. It is a rule that has led her to some pretty fascinating places. She’s been a radio producer. A kickboxing instructor. A young adult romance novelist. A small business founder, totally by accident. A chief financial officer who works in barter and trade. The talent manager of the Marlborough Cowboys. The editor for novelist E.L. James, author of 50 Shades of Grey. But perhaps the most amazing thing Christa has done is do all of these things in a world that prefers when people fit neatly into a single box.
Through all of it, Christa strives to maintain what she calls her 'center line:' the voice in her head and feeling in her gut that carries her through every leapfrog she makes. In this episode, we explore the lovely, scary, and downright zany parts of living by Christa’s rule. Wise, delightfully random, and filled with stories that will make you laugh out loud, this episode is a deep dive into what life looks like when we decide we are willing to try anything once.
TW: Christa has worked as a rape victim advocate, and this episode includes mentions of sexual assault/rape.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our Instagram or Facebook: @goingforthpodcast. This episode features music entitled "Sunset Vibes" and "Future Life," available under a Pixabay Attribution-Noncommercial license.
Why does good journalism matter? What does "work-life balance" look like for journalists covering a 24-hour news cycle? Do reporters ever struggle with the second-hand trauma of witnessing tragedy? As citizens, how can we discern fake news from truth? What is the line between appropriate skepticism and conspiracy, and why has this line begun to melt away? These are some of the hard-hitting questions we explore with today's guests.
At Grinnell, Silvia Foster-Frau '15 and Stephen Gruber-Miller '15 were classmates. Today, they are both journalists who spend each day asking questions, telling stories, and investigating truth. Silvia is the multiculturalism reporter at The Washington Post, where she reports on issues of race, identity, and the nation's changing cultural composition. Stephen is the Statehouse reporter at The Des Moines Register, where he covers Iowa's most pressing political news. As journalists, Silvia and Stephen are normally the ones asking questions, but today they have answers. This episode is your inside scoop on a career in journalism, and breaking news: it's one you don't want to miss.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our Instagram or Facebook: @goingforthpodcast.
This episode features music entitled "Sunset Vibes" and "Future Life," available under a Pixabay Attribution-Noncommercial license.
Established in 1975, the incredibly prestigious Truman Scholarship provides undergraduate students committed to pursuing a career in public service with funding for graduate school. In 2021, 845 students were nominated by their institutions of learning. 62 were selected. Sarah Beisner '22 and Destiny Magnett '22 were 2 of those recipients. On this episode, they share their most meaningful experiences at Grinnell, what the application process for the Truman entails, and the ways in which they are making a difference in the world today. From "embracing gentleness" to reforming systemic inequality, with people like Sarah and Destiny leading the way: the future of humanity is in good hands.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our Instagram or Facebook: @goingforthpodcast
This episode features music by Poddington Bear (entitled "Buddy Guy") and Ketsa (entitled "Future Life") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
Angela Onwuachi-Willig '94 believes that the law is a powerful tool. It can be used for good, or it can be used for harm, and the difference lies in who wields it. That is why Angela chose to dedicate her life to the practice of law: first as an attorney, then as a judge, and now as a law professor of discrimination and race. She is a legal scholar on family and employment law and a leading expert on critical race theory. In addition to her legal scholarship, Angela holds a PhD in African American studies and Sociology and is a published author. In her current role as the Dean of the Boston University School of Law, Angela is committed to shaping the next generation of legal minds with empathy, equity, and interdisciplinary spirit. In this episode, she helps us understand what takes be accepted into top law programs, how to succeed while in law school, what paths exist within the legal realm, and what it means to have an impact on the world while wielding your law degree as a tool for change.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our Instagram or Facebook: @goingforthpodcast.
This episode features music entitled "Sunset Vibes" and "Future Life," available under a Pixabay Attribution-Noncommercial license.
Albert Owusu-Asare '16 and Ameer Shujjah '16 met on their second day at Grinnell and quickly realized they had a lot in common: they both played sports and tutored in their free time, they both planned to double-major in physics and computer science, and they were both international students stepping foot in Iowa for the very first time. What they didn't realize at the time was that this friendship would be the lantern illuminating the path they have been on ever since.
When a phone call with Albert's sister revealed the problematic intricacies of the monthly-payment cycle in developing economies, Albert knew he needed to do something to help. He called Ameer, his Grinnell partner in crime, and together they created Cadana: a mobile payroll app that allows African workers to access their earned wages on-demand. Since its launch in 2019, the startup has grown steadily, seen tremendous success, and touched the lives of workers all over the continent of Africa.
This year, Albert and Ameer were named on Forbes Magazine's famous "30 Under 30" list of the nation's brightest, most influential young entrepreneurs. In honor of this achievement, Nicholas and Meredith ask the pair of ex-roommates thirty questions on how they did it, from securing early funding to collecting feedback to coping with feelings of doubt. This is your guide to starting up a startup.
This is an episode about climate change, but it is not about the end of the world. This episode is about hope. This episode requires believing in the future. This is an episode about trying to save it.
Sachi Graber ‘12 has dedicated her life to the climate movement: She owns a sustainable dry bean farm, she serves on the board of a community-based solar energy co-op, and she works for The Nature Conservancy, the largest international environmental organization in the world.
In this episode, Sachi and Meredith unpack climate work: What does it take — and how does it feel — to spend our days thinking about the encroaching effects of climate change? Who does this work serve? Who might it harm? And, perhaps most importantly, what should we all be doing to keep the planet healthy, safe, and habitable for generations beyond our own?
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our Instagram or Facebook: @goingforthpodcast. This episode features music entitled "Sunset Vibes" and "Future Life" available under a Pixabay Attribution-Noncommercial license.
As Dorothy says in The Wizard of Oz, "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." But, if you are Vivek Venugopal '01 or Sneha Saigal '12, you are in Kansas. Or at least that's what it felt like after first arriving in Grinnell as international students from India.
So what does it mean to embrace the feeling of uncertainty, newness, and risk–of not being in Kansas anymore? Vivek and Sneha have allowed this feeling to guide and define their professional trajectories. From iterating to innovating, listening to learning, their journeys are a lesson in continually pushing the boundaries. Their wealth of experiences in the non-profit sector, fundraising, and marketing to new tech and entrepreneurship means they are experts in many fields. But if there is one thing they know best, it's taking advantage of every new experience that comes their way.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our Instagram or Facebook: @goingforthpodcast
This episode features music by Poddington Bear (entitled "Buddy Guy") and Ketsa (entitled "Future Life") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
For Leslie Bleichner '07, education is everything. If a school building represents the world of education, Leslie has spent time in every classroom; as a teacher, administrator, diversity practitioner, and beyond, working for organizations like Teach for America and the Posse Foundation. In this episode, Leslie shares insights from her experiences across the educational spectrum, assuring us that there is a place for anyone and everyone in the field. Plus, she offers additional wisdom on pivoting, dealing with uncertainty, and finding meaning in what you do.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our Instagram or Facebook: @goingforthpodcast
This episode features music by Poddington Bear (entitled "Good Times") and Ketsa (entitled "Future Life") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
Jenn Mattern Lalich ‘92 considers herself the queen of ‘almosts’: almost a famous actress; almost a world-renowned playwright; almost the author of bestselling books. But every time she got close to something big, she says, her mental health always seemed to get in her way.
Today, Jenn and I discuss brains, burnout, and what happens when our best plans go terribly awry. We wrestle with productivity culture, motherhood, humor as a survival mechanism, and the dangers of socially imposed prescriptions of success. Jenn’s stories are honest and her wisdom is raw. She is a brilliant mind and a compassionate soul, who certainly knows a thing or two about overcoming challenges. With Jenn's help, we remember that real success involves letting go of the life we had planned for, and instead learning to love the life that we have.
Content Warning: Depression, Anxiety, reference to suicide
More information about Jenn Mattern Lalich can be found at www.jennifermattern.com.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our Instagram or Facebook: @goingforthpodcast. This episode features music entitled "Sunset Vibes" and "Future Life" available under a Pixabay Attribution-Noncommercial license.
When Lawrence Sumulong '10 was a student at Grinnell, he got a job as the student photographer for Grinnell Concerts. Flash forward ten years, and Lawrence found himself backstage at the New York Philharmonic photographing John Williams and Yo-Yo Ma.
Today, Lawrence's work has appeared on New York City billboards and Grammy-winning album covers; in publications like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian; and in the hallowed halls of The Tate Modern, The Smithsonian, and The Museum of Modern Art. But much of his success, Lawrence says, can be traced directly back to his days photographing for Grinnell Concerts and The S&B.
In this episode, Lawrence explains how he went from an aspiring writer to a hugely successful performance/documentary photographer — and how it all started when he picked up a camera from the media room one day at Grinnell.
More information about Lawrence Sumulong and his photography work can be found at https://www.lawrencesumulong.com (personal) or https://www.layerstudio.nyc (commercial).
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our Instagram or Facebook: @goingforthpodcast.
This episode features music entitled "Sunset Vibes" and "Future Life" available under a Pixabay Attribution-Noncommercial license.
Can you imagine working at an organization, post-graduation, with three other Grinnellians? For Anton Jones '02, Lizzy Hinman '20, Abraham Teuber '22, and Caulden Parkel '22, it's just a typical day at CLIMB Theatre. In our inaugural episode of Season 2, we explore the power of connections, how Grinnell helps you make meaningful ones, and where those connections can take you.
For more information about the Meetups Program, email [harvith2]. To learn more about Externships, check out Episode 12: Here, There, and Everywhere - Externships and Treks CLIMB Theatre uses the power of performance to inspire people to build better communities; they create customized plays, classes and workshops that build accountability, resiliency, empathy, advocacy and self-control. Learn more about the work they do here.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our Instagram or Facebook: @goingforthpodcast
This episode features music by Poddington Bear (entitled "Good Times") and Ketsa (entitled "Future Life") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
Hosts Nicholas Lampietti ‘25 and Meredith Benjamin ‘24 are back, and excited to explore what it means to live a life of meaning and purpose alongside a dynamic new slate of guests. Hear from alums, students, and CLS staff about education, climate change, technology, law, and more. From making it big to learning from failure, we're going to cover it all. To kick off the season, they play a round of 2 truths and a lie with Executive Producer and CLS Exploratory Advisor Katie Kriegel.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @goingforthpodcast to find out when new episodes are released.
If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to us at goingforth@grinnell.edu.
They say home is where the heart is. While for most graduates Grinnell is home for four years, for some Grinnellians, it becomes home for longer. On the season finale of "Going Forth," we revisit four alums who have found their way back to the "jewel of the prairie." Sarah Purcell '92 ("Inside The Ivory Tower - Research and Higher Education"), Teague Craig '09 ("Inside Our Heads - Mental Healthcare"), Leslie Bleichner '07 ("Here, There, and Everywhere - Externships and Treks"), and Rachel Edwards-Harvith '00 ("Strategize Your Summer) each currently work on Grinnell's campus. This episode, they share their thoughts on finding meaning and purpose professionally and personally in the same place where they spent such a formative time of their lives. Without a doubt, their hearts are 100% in Grinnell.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our instagram: @goingforthpodcast or twitter: @goingforthpod.
This episode features music by Ketsa (entitled "7AM") and Birds for Scale (entitled "Smarties Intro/Outtro") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
Think about how you made your childhood best friend. Did you email them a personal resume? A list of references detailing why you'd make an awesome companion? Did you scout out the top student in the class, with the hopes that their excellence might help you succeed?
Or did it start because you simply began playing together, sharing a common purpose or goal?
Mike Lawrence thinks that we should approach networking like this. Not as something transactional, but rather as attempts to build relationships that are genuine, human, and last throughout our lives. Mike walks us through the basics of this skill on today's episode, from putting yourself out there as an introvert to utilizing your community ties to avoiding common networking mistakes. This episode covers everything you've always wondered about this important skill, and might even leave you rethinking the things you thought you already knew.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our instagram: @goingforthpodcast or twitter: @goingforthpod. This episode features music entitled "Sunset Vibes" (available under a Pixabay Attribution-Noncommercial license) and "Walk Happy" (available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.)
Once upon a time in a drawing class at Grinnell, Chris Lowery '92 met Suzie Treinen '93, and the two fell happily in love: not just with each other, but with the act of artmaking itself. With $4,000 in the bank, two M.F.As in printmaking, and no desire to get a so-called "real job," Chris and Suzie moved to New York, planning to stay for no more than a couple of years.
Flash forward nearly three decades, Chris and Suzie still live in Brooklyn, with two daughters (including current Grinnellian, Stella Lowery '24) and a brand, new art studio in their basement. Chris is the assistant director of Building Design & Exhibitions at CUNY, and has built a collection of small, daily drawings tracing all the way back to his days as a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Meanwhile, Suzie combined her love of art with a new passion she discovered along the way: education. She now teaches art to lower school students at a private school in Manhattan. Suzie and Chris have managed keep art, creativity, and beauty at the center of their lives. Unlike many, whose paths unfold around specific plans or jobs, Chris and Suzie constructed a path of their own based on true passion — with the faith that all the other pieces would find their way into place. They offer sage and encouraging advice to young art-lovers, suggesting that it doesn't take a "Capital-A Artist" to live a life where art is always within reach.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our instagram: @goingforthpodcast or twitter: @goingforthpod. This episode features music entitled "Sunset Vibes" (available under a Pixabay Attribution-Noncommercial license) and "Walk Happy" (available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.)
"The business of life" is one of Philip Kiely's '20 trademark phrases. It won't take you long to figure out why! On this episode, Philip shares his tips, tricks, and wisdom for maximizing your professional trajectory. From finding your niche in the tech world, marketing yourself, and working on lucrative side-hustles, Philip is a repository of useful information. Not only that, he extends some pretty generous offers to current Grinnell students.
For more information about Philip and to get in touch with him, visit https://philipkiely.com.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our instagram: @goingforthpodcast or twitter: @goingforthpod.
This episode features music by Ketsa (entitled "7AM") and Forget the Whale (entitled "Man Outta Town") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
By now it's no secret that Grinnell can take you incredible places. On Part #2 of our miniseries "Here, There, and Everywhere," we interview Crys Moosman: recipient of the 2022-2023 Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. Together with their advisor Kathy Jacobson and Assistant Dean & Director of Global Fellowships and Awards Ann Landstrom, they share their story and the journey upon which they are about to embark.
For more information about the Watson Fellowship and Crys, please see the following link: https://www.grinnell.edu/news/crys-moosman-receives-thomas-j-watson-fellowship.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our instagram: @goingforthpodcast or twitter: @goingforthpod.
This episode features music by Ketsa (entitled "7AM") and Forget the Whale (entitled "Man Outta Town") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
As the end of the academic year approaches, you may find yourself on the verge of a new chapter in your life. Maybe you are graduating. Maybe it's a summer internship or a new job. Maybe you'll be studying abroad in a place you've never been, where the language and customs are very different from your own. Whatever it is, periods of transition can be tricky, but they also present a rare opportunity for self-discovery and growth.
As a college counselor with 20+ years experience, Kate Peltz '00 has made a career out of helping students navigate these moments with courage, humility, and awareness of the bigger picture ahead. Meredith and Kate discuss serendipity, loneliness, the time Kate dropped out of college, good ol' midwestern friendliness, and the gifts of growing up. Kate is honest, an active listener, and a wise, wonderful soul. This is an episode for everyone, no matter what chapter of life you are in.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our instagram: @goingforthpodcast or twitter: @goingforthpod. This episode features music entitled "Sunset Vibes" (available under a Pixabay Attribution-Noncommercial license) and "Walk Happy" (available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.)
It can be hard to imagine your professors as students. But once upon a time they were, and in this case, they might have done some of the exact same things you do! In this episode, Meredith and Nicholas sit down with Sarah Purcell '92 and Sheahan Virgin '08, both of whom are currently teaching at Grinnell. They share their trajectories through the world of academia, their work balancing teaching and research, and what it means to be a professor at a small liberal arts college. Additionally, they offer wisdom for pursuing a career in scholarly engagement and what they would tell their Grinnell-selves.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our instagram: @goingforthpodcast or twitter: @goingforthpod.
This episode features music by Forget the Whale (entitled "Man Outta Town") and Smarties (entitled "Intro") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
Most of us dream of having a successful career that is both personally and professionally fulfilling. But what about both at the same time? Kari Bassett '98, a self described "IT professional by day and social justice warrior by night," knows a thing or two about what it means to lead a double life. On this episode, she walks us through her career: from working in a children's psychiatric facility, attending business school, and breaking into the world of IT without a degree in Computer Science to founding her own non-profit, the Iowa Black History Research Collective.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our instagram: @goingforthpodcast or twitter: @goingforthpod.
This episode features music by Forget the Whale (entitled "Man Outta Town") and Crush Limbo (entitled "Yuppies on Scooters") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
Making your way to the edge of town leads to vistas of gently rolling hills blanketed in corn, interrupted only by power lines. Sometimes it is hard to imagine the world that lies beyond our little corner of Central Iowa.
In the first episode of this new series, Nicholas explores travel opportunities sponsored by the CLS in the form of "externships" and "treks." You'll hear from the experts at the CLS who run these programs in addition to student reflections on their experiences engaging in these exciting adventures.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our instagram: @goingforthpodcast or twitter: @goingforthpod.
This episode features music by Forget the Whale (entitled "Man Outta Town"), Crush Limbo (entitled "Yuppies on Scooters"), and Birds for Scale (entitled "Smarties Intro/Outtro") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
Medical school may be tough, but you are tougher! That's what Dr. Alison Nair '02 is here to tell you.
If you are considering a career as a doctor, you know that there's more to the field than gets taught in biology class. From selecting specialties to finding work-life balance to maintaining professionalism under duress, Alison walks us through some of the steps and challenges a future M.D. might encounter along their path. Alison is a pediatric intensivist and physician-scientist, whose days are spent caring for critically ill children in the ICU. Outside of the hospital, her research focuses on rare blood disorders. Today, Alison tells us about the beauty that exists even in settings as scary as an ICU and the value of choosing a career that pushes you. She's wise and warm, and we were honored to speak with her on the pod.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our instagram: @goingforthpodcast or twitter: @goingforthpod. This episode features music by Ketsa (entitled "7AM") and Shane Ivers (entitled "Walk Happy") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
A spirit of social justice and ethos of activism infuses the Grinnell Campus. For many Grinnellians, it's the reason they find themselves amidst the cornfields of rural Iowa. But what does it look like to live a life dedicated to making the world a better place? Dixon Romeo '16 is an organizer fighting for racial and economic justice on Chicago's South Side. Stepping away from his his many jobs, including campaign director for United Working Families and leader of Not Me We, Dixon shares his insights about changing the world and the ways in which Grinnell shaped his trajectory.
This episode features music by Ketsa (entitled "7AM") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
What did you do today, Grinnellians? If you are like Nicholas and Meredith, you might have slept in, wrote a paper, ate some dinner, etc. But if you are anything like Nathan Clubb '11, your answer might sound more like, "today, I launched a political campaign."
When Nathan Clubb was just a senior at Grinnell, he decided to run for the Iowa State House of Representatives in order to draw attention to issues he felt were going unaddressed by state leaders. Since then, Nathan has remained a deeply active member of each community he's touched, most recently running for City Council of Atlanta. On today's episode, Nathan walks us through the process of running a political campaign, the utility (or sometimes lack thereof) of working within the electoral system, lessons from losing a campaign, and the essential role that public servants play in community change.
If you want to be the President someday, this one is definitely for you.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our instagram: @goingforthpodcast or twitter: @goingforthpod. This episode features music by Ketsa (entitled "7AM") and Shane Ivers (entitled "Walk Happy") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
As campus transitions back from spring break, we're pressing pause on releasing new episodes this week. Instead, Meredith and Nicholas reflect on the wonderful conversations they have shared with alums and CLS staff thus far. The hosts also share their excitement about episodes currently in-the-works and tease what's to come as we reach the end of the 2021-2022 year. Stay tuned!
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our instagram: @goingforthpodcast or twitter: @goingforthpod.
Today's episode of Going Forth doesn't go too far from Grinnell. In fact, it takes place around the corner at SHAW, where Nicholas and Meredith chat with Teague Craig '09. A staff counselor: Teague's journey back to Grinnell is nothing short of extraordinary. From conducting anthropological field work in Tanzania to supporting children at a hospital in San Francisco, Teague shares their fascination with the human condition and the power of caring for other people.
This episode features music by Ketsa (entitled "7AM") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
Remember how the students of East High feverishly chanted "summer!" in the opening scene of High School Musical 2, just anticipating the adventures summer break has in store? That's how you should feel when the school year ends, too.
However, for many of us, crafting a meaningful summer experience can feel daunting.
Today, Meredith and Nicholas put Rachel Edwards Harvith '00 in the hot seat, as she brainstorms ideas for hypothetical Grinnell students looking to plan their perfect summer. She shares her wisdom about finding internships, exploring different career paths, who to contact, and how to not break the bank!
This episode features music by Ketsa (entitled "7AM") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
After listening to our last episode, you went home and wrote a book — now what?! Or maybe you adore books, but aren't certain that you want to write them yourself — what else is out there?
Part II of our segment on all-things-literature features Clare Mao '14, a literary agent at Europa Content in New York. Clare represents writers and their interests at every step along a book's journey, and few understand the publication process quite as comprehensively as she. Today, Clare takes us on a behind-the-scenes tour of publishing, offering key tips on how to take that document on your computer to the top of the bestseller list. Clare walks us through various roles in publishing and explains why having an agent is critical to a book's success. Topics also cover the changing literary markets, the financial realities of professional writing, the need for labor unions in publishing, and how Clare traces her career back to serendipitous Grinnell connections she made along the way.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our instagram: @goingforthpodcast or twitter: @goingforthpod.
This episode features music by Ketsa (entitled "7AM") and Shane Ivers (entitled "Walk Happy") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
Before Ali Benjamin '92 was a bestselling author, she was a Grinnellian unsure of what to do with her life. On today's episode, Ali tells us how she wove her way through marketing, public health, and even unemployment, before setting out to write her first novel. Since then, Ali's books (among them, "Positive," "The Thing About Jellyfish," and "The Smash-Up") have garnered global attention. They have been translated into over twenty-five languages, shortlisted for the National Book Award, and praised by top critics at The New York Times, Kirkus Reviews, Vanity Fair, and more. Today, Ali discusses late-blooming, seeking inspiration, what makes "good writing," and why we shouldn't care whether our writing is good. Take it from someone who knows her well (hint: you've heard her on the podcast before) — this is an episode you don't want to miss.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [goingforth] or reaching out via our instagram: @goingforthpodcast or twitter: @goingforthpod.
This episode features music by Ketsa (entitled "7AM") and Shane Ivers (entitled "Walk Happy") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
Considering a career in government affairs? Look no further! Jay Dick '93 has done it all. His career in and passion for government, the legislative process, and grassroots advocacy has spanned from Iowa to Washington DC. On this episode, he describes his work with Americans For The Arts, the "perfect" political resume, and the value in maintaining a connection with Grinnell long after you leave the "Jewel of the Prairie."
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [kriegelk] or reaching out via our instagram: @goingforthpodcast or twitter: @goingforthpod.
This episode features music by Ketsa (entitled "7AM") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
Meet Erich Giebelhaus, a '92 alum who works for the largest public health system in the United States. Erich has spent the past two decades planning for the worst — literally. Whether it be terrorism, natural disasters, or — yes — a pandemic, Erich's agency seeks to prepare New York City to respond effectively in emergency situations. Erich knows the ins and outs of public health like no one else, and sheds light on the complicated issues facing the public health sector today. Meredith and Erich discuss policy planning, fickle community attitudes, and what happens when the worst suddenly arrives at your door in the shape of a spike protein.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [kriegelk] or reaching out via our instagram: @goingforthpodcast or twitter: @goingforthpod.
This episode features music by Ketsa (entitled "7AM") and Shane Ivers (entitled "Walk Happy") available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
Considering a career in healthcare? If so, this episode is for you! Meredith and Nicholas chat with Mary Jane "MJ" Shroyer, Director of the Health Professions Career Community at Grinnell about medical and pre-health professional opportunities. MJ offers wisdom on standing out in the application process, the interplay between pre-professional goals and the liberal arts, COVID-19's effects on the industry, and ways that Grinnell can assist students interested in this ever-important field.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [kriegelk] or reaching out via our instagram: @goingforthpodcast or twitter: @goingforthpod.
This episode features music by Shane Ivers, entitled "Walk Happy"
This is not your mother's Résumé! Résumés & Cover Letters are traditionally some of the most tedious aspects of the job and internship search process. Not with Amanda Wroblewski, Exploratory Adviser at the Center for Careers, Life, and Service! Learn all about how to tailor these pieces of personal marketing, plus lots of helpful tips and tricks for standing out to future employers.
As always, we invite you to connect with us by emailing [kriegelk] or reaching out via our instagram: @goingforthpodcast or twitter: @goingforthpod.
This episode features the song "7AM" by Ketsa, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
Get to know the voices behind the microphone as hosts Nicholas Lampietti '25 and Meredith Benjamin '24 play a lightning-round of 20 Questions with producer Katie Kriegel, exploratory advisor at the CLS.
We invite you to share questions, comments, or ideas regarding what you want to hear in future episodes by reaching out to [lampiett], [benjamin2], or [kriegelk]. Stay up-to-date on new episodes and other helpful resources by following @GoingForthPodcast on Instagram.