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  • Leo Bernstein Transformed A Layoff Into A Big Bet On Himself

    Leo Bernstein Transformed A Layoff Into A Big Bet On Himself
    Sep 22 2026
    Leo Bernstein arrived at Amherst with a fear of failure that shaped his academic choices and early career. A layoff at the age of 40, however, forced him to reset. He made a big bet on himself, starting a commercial real estate business that invested in properties the market had overlooked or undervalued. He then founded LineSlip, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform born from his frustration with the opaque world of commercial insurance. In the process, he learned to see risk not as something to avoid, but as a necessary ingredient for growth and resilience. We also talk about Networking as a Skill, the workshop he created with our classmate Rob Bernstein to help younger people build stronger professional connections, and the rooftop apiary he built with his son, a project that’s become a surprisingly rich source of metaphor and reflection. Contact Leo at leo@lineslipsolutions.com.
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    54 Min.
  • Greg Grunberg Shows How Life Expands When You Trust Your Own Path

    Greg Grunberg Shows How Life Expands When You Trust Your Own Path
    Sep 15 2026
    Greg Grunberg’s story is a study in self‑determination. From Amherst College onward, he’s developed what I call a quiet rebel streak that I admire. He possesses an instinct to question rules and identify paths that might not be apparent to most of us. Greg talks about discovering academic and personal freedom at Amherst, rejecting academic and career options he could have pursued but that didn’t feel right, and building an unconventional career defined by a willingness to change course when the moment demands it. He also shares how his family history and Jewish faith shape the way he moves through the world, grounding him, guiding him, and giving his children a sense of connection to a past defined by overcoming persecution and not just surviving, but thriving.
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    54 Min.
  • Suzette Duncan Rebuilds Her Life With Creativity And Purpose

    Suzette Duncan Rebuilds Her Life With Creativity And Purpose
    Sep 8 2026
    Suzette Duncan is a study in resilience and purpose. She graduated from Amherst College and entered a PhD program. But 9/11 happened, and the things she wanted to talk about among her peers and instructors weren't welcome, so she left the program to teach. She was really good at teaching, too, helping young people see themselves more fully. In 2018, everything changed. A cascade of health crises forced her to step away from her career. What followed were years of uncertainty, discomfort, and rebuilding her health. Only recently has she reached a place where she can imagine working again. Today, Suzette is figuring out what's next. She’s tutoring, making art, writing, hosting a radio show, and considering an after‑school program that blends creativity with community. She reminds me that reinvention is possible at any age, and that the experiences we would never choose for ourselves can throw off unexpected silver linings. Look up her radio show on KFJC.org under her alias, S.A.D. Cat.
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    58 Min.
  • Geoff Swift Shows Why Intimate, Place‑Based Education Still Matters

    Geoff Swift Shows Why Intimate, Place‑Based Education Still Matters
    Sep 1 2026
    Geoff Swift — California‑born, New England‑made, and now the vice president for finance and administration, as well as treasurer at Bates College — reflects on a life shaped by small institutions and the enduring value of the liberal arts. He traces his path from Amherst as an econ major to economic consulting, Harvard Business School, and ultimately a two‑decade career in higher education, where he now spends every day advocating for the kind of intimate, residential learning that shaped him back in the day. He talks candidly about the business realities of higher ed, the rising anxiety around ROI considerations, and why he believes the core experience at places like Amherst and Bates, including small classes, close faculty relationships, and rigorous thinking, is more essential than ever.
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    1 Std. und 1 Min.
  • 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
    Aug 21 2026
    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 Min.
  • Jeremy Kugel Uses Humor To Create Connections We’ll Never Forget

    Jeremy Kugel Uses Humor To Create Connections We’ll Never Forget
    Aug 25 2026
    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 Min.
  • 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
    Aug 21 2026
    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 Min.
  • Russ Hanser Seized Opportunity Where – And When – Law And Tech Collided

    Russ Hanser Seized Opportunity Where – And When – Law And Tech Collided
    Aug 21 2026
    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 Std. und 3 Min.