1986 Penn State graduate Larry Jaffee loves this quote from Albert Einstein: "I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." Larry's curiosity has led to a career in journalism, teaching and his latest endeavor, authoring the book "Record Store Day" that dives into vinyls' comeback. In this episode, we cover a wide range of topics that …

1982 Penn State graduate Jeff Coppola is all about journeys. From his current company, WorldStrides, that focuses on experiential trips for students, to his own professional journey through numerous industries, to his family's personal journey with autism, this episode has great nuggets on leadership and career insights. (5:25) - Getting to know Wo…

2013 Penn State graduate Jill O'Brien is flying high as Chief of Staff at FlyNYON, which specializes in creating enduring memories through helicopter experiences. On this episode, Jill shares with us how FlyNYON helps film movies (The Wolf of Wall Street), celebrate wedding proposals and more! Jump right in: (7:01) - Flying in a helicopter (9:46) -…

1985 Penn State graduate Larry Seamans is leading the fight against family homelessness. As President of FamilyAid, Larry discusses how his organization is providing holistic support to families in need, the policy changes he'd like to see and more! Jump right in: (7:55) - The impact of homelessness (10:12) - Role of FamilyAid (12:18) - Impactful s…

2021 Penn State graduate Kate Chan knows how to connect with and create a community around Gen Z. In this episode, we learn about Kate's social media agency Ichiyuzu Media, creating an influential instagram account on food (@KatieEatsPhilly) and more! Jump right in: (4:32)- The meaning behind the agency name and type of agency (10:15) - Social medi…

2016 Penn State graduate Ryan Hager has made a profession of helping people improve their golf game. As Director of Instruction at Plainfield Country Club and a social media influencer (78k followers on Instagram), Ryan shares his experiences with the PGA Golf Management program at Penn State, his dream golf foursome and more! Jump right in: (6:36)…

1992 Penn State graduate Geoff Martha is Chairman and CEO of Medtronic, the global leader in healthcare technology. In this episode, Geoff gives us a special look into the role of a CEO, the importance of leadership, and his experiences taking the helm of a healthcare company during the start of the pandemic. Jump right in: (2:50)- Medtronic’s busi…

2004 Penn State graduate Ian Katz is helping people buy and sell homes in one of the most popular and competitive markets - New York City. As a Licensed Real Estate Broker at Compass, Ian provides great perspective on successful brokers, the current mortgage rate environment and the vacant office building situation. Regardless if you live in NYC or…

2020 Penn State graduate Matt Roda wasn't your typical college student. While at Penn State, Matt co-founded and launched a company, Reflexion, specializing in neuro fitness and training. In this episode, Matt explains what neuro fitness entails and how Reflexion is helping people recover from injury and professional athletes unlock new levels of p…

1973 Penn State graduate Bob Holland is a 27 year veteran of the Walt Disney Company, serving as an Imagineer on key projects including EPCOT, Disneyland Paris, and Disney Cruises. In this episode, Bob takes us on a journey and shares stories on the magic behind Disney. Jump right in: (4:52) - Starting his career working for the government (8:28) -…

1992 and 1996 Penn State graduate Pete Carmichael is a Civil War professor and historian at Gettysburg College, but this podcast is anything but just a history lesson on America's most famous war. In this episode, Pete brings passion, a new perspective to the past and present, and how learning about history is important for everyone. Trust us, you'…

2013 Penn State graduate Rachele DeSantis is the woman behind some of your favorite theme park attractions. From WaterWorld to Jurassic World, Rachele has been a key engineering lead that brings these experiences to life (and keeps them safe) at Universal Studios Hollywood. In this episode, Rachele details the various roles throughout her career jo…

2017 Penn State graduate Norah Candito believes nourishment goes beyond the foods we ingest. Taking a holistic approach to health, Norah started her own company - Nutrition with Norah - to help people on their wellness journey. In this episode, Norah shares her own journey working in different clinical settings, her viewpoints on certain foods and …

2009 Penn State graduate Emily Sher is a mother to a one year old, so it's only fitting that she recently was promoted to Senior Editor of Parents at TODAY.com. Emily shares her career journey from being an intern at Harper's Bazaar to covering some of the most interesting stories and trends for TODAY's flagship digital website. Jump right in: (5:2…

1986 Penn State graduate Chip Kidd is best known for designing the cover of Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park. The uber-talented graphic designer shares many perspectives and stories in this podcast, including his "no-style" style, a book he wrote based on experiences at Penn State and why he values printed books over digital versions. Jump right in…

2019 Penn State graduate Jon Gross has dreams of being a broadcaster for ABC's College Football Game of the Week. Though only a few years out of college, you'll quickly see that Jon has the talent and work ethic to rise to the top. Jon takes us behind-the-scenes and shares the amount of preparation and focus that goes into the job. He also shares s…

1989 Penn State graduate Jeff Barth has a job that impacts every individual in New York State. As the Director of Design Mapping and Automation Bureau for the New York State Department of Transportation, Jeff has influenced countless roads, rails, bike lanes and more. Jeff does a great job in making this highly technical field easy to understand. J…

1982 Penn State graduate Mike Poorman might as well be called Mr. Penn State. Beyond teaching courses in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, Mike is a true champion of students and alumni - advising, interacting and connecting. After this episode, you will surely wish you knew Mike during your days as a student. Jump right in: (6:52…

2018 Penn State graduate Noah Pilato grew up going to Penn State football games so when he received a scholarship to play soccer at Penn State, it was a no-brainer. Noah's success on the pitch at Penn State has led him to become a professional soccer player. Recorded during the 2022 World Cup, there's no better time to catch-up with Noah and talk s…

2004 Penn State graduate David Hua is blazing the trail in the cannabis industry. As Co-Founder and CEO of Meadow, David takes us into the world of cannabis and how he's on a mission to provide support to companies and help the industry evolve as a whole. Jump right in: (8:27) - The cannabis industry and Meadow (19:51) - The future of the industry …

2015 Penn State graduate Richie Tevlin loves beer - not only drinking it like many of us, but brewing it too. As Head Brewer at Victory Brewing Company, Richie runs the recently opened Victory Brewing Taproom in the heart of Philadelphia. Crack open a cold one and enjoy the episode with Richie as he talks about his career and the beer industry! Jum…

1980 Penn State graduate Gail Ramsay is one of the most decorated squash athletes and coaches in the world. Her numerous accolades have earned her a spot as a member of the 2022 US Squash Hall of Fame class. In this episode, Gail shares about her illustrious coaching career and desired legacy. Jump right in: (7:33) - Differences between squash and …

2012 Penn State graduate Mike McHugh is a world traveler! He documents his travels on his blog GimpyGlobetrotter.com, where he also shares living with a condition that affects the tendons in his legs. Mike is a true inspiration - he has a strong mentality and believes there's nothing he can't achieve. We also learn about his unwavering love for Pen…

2021 Penn State grad (MD/PhD) Olivier Noel is a lifelong learner! While in grad school, Noel founded DNAsimple, a company that helps streamline the way researchers obtain patient samples for scientific studies. He appeared on the prestigious Shark Tank show and shares his experience of winning over one of the Sharks (listen to find out which one). …

2002 and 2005 Penn State graduate, Rashanna Moss, has dedicated her life to helping athletes, coaches and business executives attain new levels of greatness. From the Penn State football team to Nike to Pure Barre, Rashanna now owns her own business, Modern Muse. After listening to this episode, you will certainly have a new appreciation for mental…

1989 Penn State graduate, Dave Wurtzel, is a hero among heroes! Not only is he a firefighter, he also created The First Twenty, a non-profit committed to the health and wellness of first responders. Dave brings the energy and passion with a touch of comedy to the episode. A special thank you to Dave and all the first responders who continue to keep…

1995 Penn State graduate, E.J. Johnston is creating the most electrifying hockey league tour - 3ICE. Set to debut in the summer of 2022, E.J. tells us about how he came up with the idea and the differences compared to traditional hockey leagues. We also dive into his career journey and time spent in the fashion and entertainment industries. Jump ri…

2006 Penn State graduate Michal Naisteter is a modern day matchmaker. It's easy to see how Michal's infectious personality and passion for meeting and connecting people help people go from first dates to marriage. Michal also talks about the importance of teaching children about human sexuality earlier on in their lives, as well as her favorite foo…

1992 Penn State grad Steve Moyer and 2008 grad Danielle Stemple are two of the main people behind our favorite Penn State retailer, Lions Pride. Beyond being a great partner of Lion Legacy, we wanted to learn about what it takes to operate a small business in a college town. Steve and Danielle also provide some great insights on how they work with …

2007 Penn State graduate Justin King is one of the top cornerbacks in Penn State football history. After a career in the NFL, Justin jumped right into the sports business industry and recently started his own company, L.I.G. Sports. In this episode, Justin talks about his new venture, his thoughts on college football and the NFL, and of course, his…

2020 Penn State graduate Ashley Ferrara is the most recent alum to become a Hotdogger for Oscar Mayer! She spent a year touring the country in the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile and shares her time on the road, meeting some very interesting people (and dogs!) and of course driving the famous hot dog. An episode filled with puns, you'll be sure to laugh y…

2007 Penn State grad Ashley Bisman entered college just a few years after her father's death in the September 11th World Trade Center terrorist attack. With an electric personality and positive outlook on life, Ashley shares her story on coping with the tragedy and finding love in her new book "Chasing Butterflies: The True Story of a Daughter of 9…

2003 Penn State graduate John Colaneri’s name may sound familiar! If you watch HGTV, you’ll know him as one “the cousins” from the franchise of home design and renovation shows. John shares his journey from the corporate world to television. We’re also excited for him as he will be the Grand Marshal for 2021 Penn State Homecoming. Jump right in: (5…

1990 Penn State grad Mike Xenakis has had quite an adventure - from entering the Air Force to helping build OpenTable and guiding it through both an IPO and acquisition to joining Vacasa, a vacation rental company, just prior to the pandemic. Join Mike as he shares his wisdom and key lessons along the way, including his decision to choose Penn Stat…

1954 Penn State graduate Dave Jones is a true storyteller. Would you expect anything different from a former journalist and editor? Dave’s career spans two of the world’s most prestigious papers - The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. Dave shares some amazing stories, including how he broke a story on confidential information, his coverag…

Special 25th episode edition presented by Lions-Pride.com! Co-hosts Jared Melzer and Ross Weisbrot talk about their experiences at Penn State, their great friendship and their journeys post graduation. Jump right in: (1:43) - Meeting at Penn State (5:27) - Choosing Penn State (11:54) - Favorite Penn State memory (15:19) - Life after graduating (25:…

1993 Penn State grad Elizabeth Miller was stressed, feeling overwhelmed and faced with a longer than normal to-do list when she became a caregiver for her ailing parents and disabled brother - in addition to raising her children and working a full-time job. Elizabeth not only found a way to manage, she took control and made sure she focused on ways…

1982 and 1984 Penn State graduate Lisa Baird is paving a new path for women and women's sports. As Commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), Lisa talks about her journey from Penn State to some of the biggest brands in the world to entering the sports business world in prominent roles at the NFL, USOC and now the NWSL. She also sha…

2013 Penn State graduate Rob Lawless is on a big mission - to meet 10,000 strangers! Yes, that's a one with four zeroes! If you're wondering why, how and where - then you'll enjoy this episode with Rob. Jump right into: (5:49) - The genesis of the idea (9:31) - Student Question of the Episode presented by The Daily Collegian: Impact of the pandemic…

1984 and 1989 Penn State graduate, Dr. Cedric Bryant, has always found ways to get people moving for a healthier lifestyle. From academia to StairMaster and now the American Council of Exercise (ACE), Dr. Bryant's impact on the industry and people everywhere has earned him many recognitions, including this year's Penn State Distinguished Alumni Awa…

1983 Penn State graduate Joe Battista is one of the most passionate people you'll meet. In this episode, he shares his Pragmatic Passion philosophy that has shaped his career and impacted countless others. Coach Battista, commonly known as JoeBa, also gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how he helped take Penn State from club hockey to the va…

2016 Penn State graduate Matt Enderle enjoys sharing his passion of the outdoors and the National Parks with visitors. Currently based in Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska, Matt tells so many great stories, including his encounter with a bear and some changes he'd like to see to increase diversity. Jump right in: (8:13) - Life as a National Park …

2010 Penn State graduate Ashlyn Sparrow is in one of the fastest growing industries - gaming. However, her role is a bit unique and goes beyond pure entertainment. As Assistant Director of the Weston Game Lab at the University of Chicago, Ashlyn works on developing games to create socio-cultural impact. In this episode, she dives into what that tru…

2002 Penn State graduate Lisa Benson has walked the red carpet with her clients at the world's biggest fashion shows. As Vice President of IMG Models, Lisa gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the industry, how its evolved over the years, as well as stories of her family friend, the late professional golfer, Arnold Palmer. ** Apologies for som…

1983 Penn State graduate Brian Cuban's time in Happy Valley was not all that happy. Battling numerous addictions (eating disorders, alcohol, cocaine, etc.) at Penn State and throughout his life, Brian shares his very honest journey to sobriety. Today, Brian spends his time as a public speaker and author - on a mission to help others who are in simi…

1987 Penn State grad Jean Oelwang is determined to create a better world. Jean is President and CEO of Virgin Unite, the non-profit foundation of Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group. In this episode, Jean shares about starting her career in the mobile phone business, some of the amazing projects she has worked on at Virgin Unite, how leaders can cha…

2014 Penn State graduate Paul Suhey is on a mission to electrify urban mobility. In this episode, Paul shares his journey of going from a big oil company to founding an electric mobility company, the different ways Revel is helping people get around cities, how they helped during the pandemic, and more! Jump right in: (2:49) - The legacy of the Suh…

2002 Penn State graduate Bridget Lasda has worked at two of the world's largest beverage companies: Coca-Cola and Heineken. Currently, she serves as Chief Customer Officer at Calypso Lemonades. In this episode, Bridget talks about finding her way into the beverage industry, selling to major retailers such as Target, her transition to Calypso Lemona…

2003 Penn State graduate Clifton Tay has worked for some of the world's most exciting tech companies - GE, Facebook, Uber, Zillow and now Genentech. In this episode, Clifton shares his work recruiting talent for these companies, his perspectives on the future of work and more! Jump right in: (4:06) - Getting into the talent acquisition field (5:45)…

2005 Penn State graduate Neil Goldman saw a need in the hospitality market, created a solution and then figured out how to help underprivileged children. In this episode, Neil shares his entrepreneurial journey, why it's important to give back and more! Jump right in: (5:43) - The business of Hotels for Hope (6:56) - The birth of the idea (12:10) -…