Stern Chats : Amazing Stories Of The Nyu Stern Community

It’s the final episode of the season! Outgoing co-presidents Gauri Misra & Daulat Mahadik pass the torch to incoming president Mridula Rajagopal as the three of them reflect on their journeys with the club so far: what’s worked, what hasn’t, and their hopes and dreams for the future of Stern Chats. Join us in saying farewell to an incredible Season 17, and we’ll see you all in the fall.

In what is probably the biggest recession indicator of 2025, this Stern Chats episode belongs entirely to Stern Follies. Current Follies members Lipika Sadaram and JC Arenas burn Stern Chats resources to sit down with Co-Presidents Claire Hotvedt and Aastha Girotra. Claire and Aastha talk about how they got involved in Follies and the journey to club leadership, the unique challenges of running a small and scrappy club, and tee up the Follies End of Year Show on May 3rd at the NYU Skirball Center. This episode will answer questions you didn't even know you had like how long did Aastha stay at her first job? How many languages can Claire say the word "platypus" in? And what the heck is a "folly"? Hosts: Lipika Sadaram & JC Arenas Produced by: Lipika Sadaram & JC Arenas Edited by: Gauri Misra Music by: Jesse Han

Join Ishana Nigam and Daulat Mahadik as they chat with fellow Stern MBAs and passionate runners, Maggie Kuenzi and Ricky Faillace. From qualifying for Boston on her first marathon to a 1,000-day running streak, Maggie shares what fuels her drive. Ricky opens up about running across Europe and his casual weekend half-marathons. Together, they reflect on balancing MBA life with marathon training, the mindset overlap between business and endurance, and offer tips for aspiring runners. Hosts: Ishana Nigam & Daulat Mahadik Produced by: Ishana Nigam & Daulat Mahadik Edited by: Daulat Mahadik Music by: Jesse Han

Just a month before the release of her upcoming book Becoming You: The Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career, Professor Suzy Welch returns to Stern Chats to discuss the Becoming You methodology, which she teaches at NYU. Professor Welch talks to hosts (and former Becoming You students) Arthur Paquet and Becky Davino about what motivated her to write her framework into a book, how to reconcile when our deepest values conflict and evolve, and the challenges of widening our aperture when it comes to finding the right role and industry for us. Hosts: Arthur Paquet & Becky Davino Produced by: Arthur Paquet & Becky Davino Edited by: Alexander Cheung Music by: Jesse Han

Six months to the day after their first Stern Chats appearance, MBA1s Justin Shalap and Arjun Swaminathan return to Stern Chats with hosts Brian Berry and Bhaskar Vadlamudi for a follow-up pulse check. Justin and Arjun reflect on the first year of the MBA program and look ahead to summer internships and becoming MBA2s. Along the way they share how the first year measured up to their expectations, what they hope to accomplish as incoming leaders of two of the largest organizations at Stern, and their favorite MBA1 memory. Hosts: Brian Berry & Bhaskar Vadlamudi Produced by: Brian Berry & Bhaskar Vadlamudi Edited by: Gauri Misra Music by: Jesse Han

Rita Bachkhanji and Omar Fahmy join host Mridula Rajagopal to discuss Stern’s MENA (Middle East and North Africa) club. Rita, a co-founder, shares what inspired her to establish MENA in 2024 as both a professional and cultural hub for students of MENA backgrounds and an educational space for allies. Omar, the incoming co-president for 2025-26, outlines the club’s future vision, key programs, and ways for members and allies to get involved. They also discuss MENA’s collaboration with other clubs on campus to foster cross-cultural connections, engagement, and education. Host: Mridula Rajagopal Produced by: Mridula Rajagopal Edited by: Gauri Misra Music by: Jesse Han

Hosts Smriti Ahuja and Gauri Misra welcome back esteemed Associate Professor of Management and Organizations, Michael North, to explore his research on the aging and multigenerational workforce and its impact on the workplace, the current political climate, perceptions of gender norms, and our lives as MBA students and beyond. Professor North also delves into how he has evolved his teaching approach over the years and what drives his passion for education. As Stern MBAs contemplate life after the MBA, this conversation offers crucial insights into what the future holds for us and our co-participants in the workforce. Hosts: Smriti Ahuja & Gauri Misra Produced by: Smriti Ahuja Edited by: Gauri Misra Music by: Jesse Han

In collaboration with Stern Women in Business and in honor of International Women's Day, Stern Chats sits down with Jennifer Wynn, Clinical Associate Professor at NYU Stern who teaches courses including Difficult Conversations and Reparative Conversations. In this Women's Day Special, hosts Radhini Sridhara and Nikita Garg chat with Professor Wynn about the women who inspired her, the importance of mentors and sponsors (both female and male), and navigating the challenges and barriers faced by women in the workplace. Hosts: Radhini Sridhara & Nikita Garg Produced by: Radhini Sridhara & Nikita Garg Edited by: Daulat Mahadik Music by: Jesse Han

As businesses increasingly deal with navigating the gray area between right and wrong, Stern Chats brings you insights from Alison Taylor, Professor of Sustainability for Competitive Advantage and Professional Responsibility at Stern! Professor Taylor joins hosts Nikhita Ramakrishnan and Kovin Sachdev as the trio navigates the winding decision journeys of corporations as they tide the tumultuous ethical waters to reach their "Higher Ground." Their conversation touches upon company ownership, Professor Taylor's new book "Higher Ground," and Zen outside of work. Be sure to catch this gem for some food for thought! Hosts: Nikhita Ramakrishnan & Kovin Sachdev Produced by: Nikhita Ramakrishnan & Kovin Sachdev Edited by: Alex Cheung Music by: Jesse Han

As MBA application season continues, Stern Chats brings you some insider insights from Stern Admissions! Director of MBA Admissions, Matthew Moll, joins hosts Mridula Rajagopal and Radhini Sridhara to share his tips for Stern MBA applicants and to discuss the wealth of courses and experiential opportunities that future Sternies can look forward to. All the while, Mridula and Radhini share anecdotes from their own admissions experiences before playing a game of Application Dos and Don'ts with Matthew! Hosts: Mridula Rajagopal & Radhini Sridhara Produced by: Mridula Rajagopal, Radhini Sridhara, Surya Ravipati Edited by: Mridula Rajagopal Music by: Jesse Han

"What do global businesses owe to the faraway workers and partners that make their products?" Professor Michael Posner, the Jerome Kohlberg Professor of Ethics and Finance and the Director of the Center for Business and Human Rights at the NYU Stern School of Business, asks this question at the start of his new book Conscience Incorporated: Pursue Profits While Protecting Human Rights. In this episode, Professor Posner and host Gauri Misra pull from Conscience Incorporated and Professor Posner's personal experiences to have a wide ranging discussion on business and human rights including the lead the E.U. has taken in human rights regulations, how to parse between tangible efforts to improve human rights and "window dressing," and how much responsibility lies with the consumer. Host: Gauri Misra Produced by: Gauri Misra & Smriti Ahuja Edited by: Alex Cheung Music by: Jesse Han

Love is in the air (and ears) this week as married MBA2s Lolo Giuliani and Lucas Biondi Sanchez join Stern Chats for our Valentine's Day Special! Lolo and Lucas sit down with hosts Ishana Nigam and Claire Lichtenstein to share moments from their story including the modern-dating method they used to find each other and what it was like to apply for an MBA together - in different rounds! Later, Lolo and Lucas are put to the test to see who knows the other better. Hosted by: Ishana Nigam & Claire Lichtenstein Produced by: Ishana Nigam & Claire Lichtenstein Edited by: Gauri Misra Music by: Jesse Han

How does a recent Stern MBA grad look back on their time in the program? Guests KJ Brown and Arnab Chatterjee (FT MBA '24) join host Gauri Misra to reflect on their two years at Stern and share why they felt an MBA was right for them, how they made the most of their time at Stern, and how the experience still affects them almost a year out. Stay until the end to hear the one professor both say you have to take before you graduate! Host: Gauri Misra Produced by: Smriti Ahuja & Gauri Misra Edited by: Daulat Mahadik Music by: Jesse Han

Merry Christmas from Stern Chats! In addition to juggling courses and careers, many Sternies actively pursue creative passions outside the classroom. In our last episode of 2024, host Arthur Paquet talks to Sternie comedians Claire Lichtenstein and Jonnathon Stadwick. Claire and Jonn share how they got into comedy and what brought them to Stern before deep diving into the interplay between their creative and professional lives. Stick around to the end to hear how you can follow Claire and Jonn (and see them live in NYC)! Host: Arthur Paquet Produced by: Arthur Paquet Edited by: Arthur Paquet & Claire Lichtenstein Music by: Jesse Han

In this episode, hosts Bhaskar and Daulat welcome Bhushan Sethi, an Adjunct Professor at Stern, and Julia Lamm, a Stern MBA graduate from the Class of 2011. Both guests are Partners at PwC Strategy&. The discussion delves into the evolving consulting industry, key trends shaping the business landscape, and essential skills for thriving in today’s workforce. Julia and Bhushan share their unique career journeys, insights into consulting hiring, and actionable advice for MBA students aspiring to stand out. Whether you’re exploring consulting or honing your career strategy, this episode is packed with practical takeaways. Hosts: Daulat Mahadik & Bhaskar Vadlamudi Produced & Edited by: Srikanth Kundrapu & Rushang Gupta Music by: Jesse Han

NYU Stern's MBA has a unique offering - any MBA student can take up to 25% of their classes at other graduate school divisions in the NYU ecosystem, allowing for a specialized education tailored to each student's career goals. On this episode, we hear from 3 MBA students who have taken advantage of this program (host Claire Lichtenstein, and guests Anestya Pramana and Miguel Sevidal) as well as Marie-Rose Nduku, Executive Director of Academic Advising and Graduate Financial Aid. Host: Claire Lichtenstein Produced by: Claire Lichtenstein Edited by: Alex Cheung Music by: Jesse Han

Ever wondered how to tell a compelling story about yourself in an interview? How to leverage genAI in the recruitment process? What the pulse check is on common industries and functions? Hear the answers to these questions and more on this week's episode of Stern Chats! Host Gauri talks to Director of Career Coaching, Genevieve Kenny, on all of the above as well as Genevieve's own career journey and the "realistic positivity" that she approaches career coaching with. Host: Gauri Misra Produced by: Daulat Mahadik Edited by: Gauri Misra Music by: Jesse Han

Ollie Spring (Stern Full-Time MBA '24) and Sophie Racciatti join hosts Gauri and Daulat to discuss their company, OOSO, a tea-based natural wine alternative that proves non-alcoholic beverages can be "bold, not boring." Ollie and Sophie give us the run-down on what OOSO is, speak to how they incorporate their backgrounds into their work, and share some entrepreneurial wisdom the whole way through. Sip your favourite non-alcoholic beverage while you listen to this one - bonus points if it's OOSO! Hosts: Gauri Misra & Daulat Mahadik Produced by: Gauri Misra Edited by: Alex Cheung Music by: Jesse Han

To mark the launch of the Stern Women's Forum, Stern Chats is joined by two powerhouse Stern alumnae in venture capital! Kange Kaneene, Venture Partner at Hearst Level Up Ventures, and Sasha Levyn, Associate at Oceans, join Stern Chats to discuss breaking into VC, the value of a strong network, what challenges they face in their work, and what it's like to be women in VC. Whether you're a fellow Stern alumna, a current student, or simply interested in VC, you'll walk away with some valuable insight from two incredible Stern women! Hosts: Erin Malone & Erica Borsack Produced & Edited by: Gauri Misra Music by: Jesse Han

On the eve of Diwali, one of the most celebrated festivals in South Asia, Stern Chats and SABAS come together to give you a glimpse into the cultural richness of the South Asian community. Hosts Radhini and Bhaskar are stoked to welcome SABAS Co-Presidents Shreya and Rohit to discuss all things SABAS, what the club stands for, and how SABAS strives to share the rich cultural heritage of South Asia with the wider Stern community. This episode is packed with fun, laughter, conversation, and some Koffee (not with Karan)! Hosts: Bhaskar Vadlamudi & Radhini Sridhara Produced by: Nikhita Ramakrishnan & Daulat Mahadik Edited by: Daulat Mahadik Music by: Jesse Han