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  • Geoff Klein Reflects On The Big Choices And Chances That Shaped His Path

    Geoff Klein Reflects On The Big Choices And Chances That Shaped His Path
    2026/08/21
    Fans of the pod will know how often my college classmates’ lives have unfolded in ways none of us could have predicted back in the mid‑1990s. Geoff Klein is a perfect example of that non‑linearity. After Amherst, he nearly landed at Leo Burnett before being told (accurately) that he seemed more interested in film than advertising. That observation set off a chain of reinventions: working for Seth Godin in New York, heading to Temple Law without any intention of practicing, and ultimately moving to Los Angeles to work in the story department at major studios like Paramount and MGM. Just when it looked like he’d found his lane, life shifted again. Geoff married a woman from Manchester, England, moved overseas, worked in real estate, and eventually returned to Philadelphia. Today he teaches at Temple and Wharton, runs a story‑driven branding practice, speaks professionally, and helps organizations adopt AI in ways that keep people at the center. Through every pivot runs a consistent worldview: humans are wired for connection and stories are how we make sense of our lives. You can email Geoff at geoffrey@ninedotsmedia.com.
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    47 分
  • Jeremy Kugel Uses Humor To Create Connections We’ll Never Forget

    Jeremy Kugel Uses Humor To Create Connections We’ll Never Forget
    2026/08/25
    Jeremy Kugel has spent his life turning so many ordinary moments into shared comedy and joy. In doing so, he’s built communities where people feel safe enough to laugh, open up, and create lasting connections. From the Chicken Nugget Hour of Power in Valentine, to Tuesday Night Toothbrush Fest in Stearns, to the Mardi Gras Marathon at Maryland’s dining hall, Jeremy has a rare gift: he uses humor to dissolve self‑consciousness, spark vulnerability, and create intimacy in places that are usually serious, including the world of finance. We talk about where that instinct came from, how he’s carried it through every chapter of his life, and why learning how to laugh together is one of the best ways to get comfortable with vulnerability.
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    56 分
  • Andy Ward Shows How He Edits Some Of The Most Beloved Books Of Our Time

    Andy Ward Shows How He Edits Some Of The Most Beloved Books Of Our Time
    2026/08/21
    Josh Hamermesh asked, and boy, did Andy Ward deliver. In this episode, Andy, the Executive Vice President and Publisher of Random House, takes us deep into how he edits books written by some of our finest authors. In this episode, you'll learn: How Andy's father shaped his writing and editing skills. His intricate process of editing, emphasizing both detailed line edits and broader feedback. (Plus, the unlikely place where he does some of his best work.) How he approaches having tough conversations with authors. The potential impact of AI on the publishing industry, and the advice he'd give parents of young kids about how and how not to weave AI into their studies. The Amherst classmates he wants me to interview next. To get in touch with Andy, email him at andyward72@gmail.com. Update (10/1/25): Andy has appeared on more podcasts, not surprisingly: Check out his two appearances on the Kelly Corrigan Wonders podcast, entitled "Deep Dive with Andy Ward" and "Thanks For Being Here - Andy Ward"
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    54 分
  • Russ Hanser Seized Opportunity Where – And When – Law And Tech Collided

    Russ Hanser Seized Opportunity Where – And When – Law And Tech Collided
    2026/08/21
    Russ Hanser arrived at Amherst as a self-described nerd with big ambitions: maybe law, maybe journalism, maybe even director of the CIA. His liberal arts education sharpened his thinking and ultimately launched him into a career shaping telecommunications and technology policy at the highest levels. Today, Russ serves as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Legal Officer of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association. In this episode, he reflects on how early interests in politics and computers converged into a career navigating spectrum policy, AI governance, broadband access, and the future of connectivity. He also speaks candidly about carving out space to support not-for-profit organizations and navigating fatherhood through a divorce. Highlights: How a high school computer nerd became a leader in tech policy, and the role of both skill and fortuity played in that outcome The policy debates shaping AI and why he’s an AI optimist The life challenges that redefined him as a father Why liberal arts thinking still matters in a tech-driven world Russ also nominates the next classmates he’d like me to interview. If you’d like to connect with Russ, you can reach him at: rphanser@gmail.com.
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    1 時間 3 分
  • JoJo Thirasilpa Pushes His Learning To The Edges Of Land, Sea, And Sky

    JoJo Thirasilpa Pushes His Learning To The Edges Of Land, Sea, And Sky
    2026/08/22
    Like many people who pursue a liberal arts education, Jojo Thirasilpa has been drawn to learning and acquiring new knowledge and skills his entire life. Where and how he acquires knowledge and skill is rather unique, however. When not working in finance from his home in the United Kingdom, Jojo competes in Ironmans, has crossed the Sahara in arguably the most challenging footrace in the world, the Marathon des Sables, trained as a scuba instructor, and recently earned his pilot’s license. That means he seeks knowledge in places where many of us would find discomfort. Jojo reflects on how exploration, discipline, and endurance have shaped his entire life, and why pushing his physical, mental, and emotional limits through endurance sports has become a most unexpected classroom.
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    52 分
  • Ben Batory Gives A Master Class On Building A Winning Culture

    Ben Batory Gives A Master Class On Building A Winning Culture
    2026/08/21
    Ben Batory, an Amherst College classmate of mine who played professional basketball in Costa Rica, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Malta, Switzerland, and Mauritius, has taken an unconventional path to Wall Street. Today, Ben is SVP and Head of Trading at Franklin Equity Group, but in this conversation, he talks mostly about his role as Boys Basketball Program Director and Varsity Head Coach at Menlo School in Atherton, California. As you'll hear, Ben has made himself a student and practitioner of what I'll call the pursuit of the better. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the world needs more athletes His approach to building a resilient, healthy, and winning culture in sports and work How Ben connects with teenage athletes, developing durable character and life skills in the process The Amherst classmates (and one professor!) he wants me to interview next Resources Ben mentions: A manual for life he wrote for his daughters The creed he wrote that was inspired by the Holstee Manifesto A presentation he delivered for a master's program that leans on Chinese art for your evolution to servant leadership The syllabus he presented to his basketball team and their parents before the start of this season You can email Ben at benbatory@gmail.com.
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    58 分
  • Elizabeth Doyle Shows How An Amherst Degree Can Lead Somewhere Beautifully Unexpected

    Elizabeth Doyle Shows How An Amherst Degree Can Lead Somewhere Beautifully Unexpected
    2026/08/21
    Elizabeth Doyle is one of the proprietors of Doyle & Doyle, a purveyor of antique and vintage jewelry based in New York City. We talk about her wonderfully serendipitous path from Amherst College to the Gemological Institute of America, and then into building a jewelry business that has now spanned decades. Her journey is a delightful example of the good things that can happen from saying 'yes,' learning by doing, and staying open to whatever unfolds. Elizabeth also gives a window into what makes her so good at her work. It's so liberal arts. She knows the chemistry, histories, and stories of the objects she sells. She also has what it takes to guide couples from engagement ring decisions to helping them celebrate life's most memorable milestones. Highlights: Why selling engagement rings can feel like providing couples therapy How Elizabeth went from pre-med to geology to gemology Her leap into entrepreneurship, starting from nothing, learning on the fly, and the early lesson of “don’t spread yourself too thin” Why it's a really bad idea to serve red wine during a store opening Visit https://doyledoyle.com and email Elizabeth at elizabeth@doyledoyle.com.
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    56 分
  • The Pod Has A New Name: After Amherst

    The Pod Has A New Name: After Amherst
    2026/08/22
    I've been interviewing exclusively people with an Amherst connection for several years now. It's time the podcast's name reflects that.
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    1 分