MPods

In the 34th episode of MPods, we sit down with Raj Sarkar, the Chief Marketing Officer of CloudBees and a University of Michigan alum recognized on Forbes’ Entrepreneurial CMO list. From his early days as an engineer and launching innovative products at tech giants like Amazon and Google, to leaving a cushy job for a risky startup and rebounding from failures, he opens up about the psychological r...

In the 33rd episode of MPods, we sit down with Jake Schwartz, founder of Endorsed, University of Michigan alum, and former Apple engineer, to explore the bold mission behind his company: reducing global unemployment with AI. Jake takes us through his journey from building websites at age 8 to landing his dream job at Apple, and ultimately leaving it all behind to pursue the startup path. He shares...

In the 32nd episode of MPods, we sit down with Nosa Edoimioya, the Founder & CEO of Reforge Robotics , a company pioneering in autonomous manufacturing by building software to supercharge industrial robots. From turning down a high-paying job at Amazon Robotics, founding a startup, his decision to go “all in, " to securing $500K in funding and a fellowship in the same week, he opens up about t...

In the middle of 2025, as tensions between the U.S. and China escalate in a trade war, having empathy and a mutual understanding is more important than ever. In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of MPods, we sit down with Robert Fisch , founder of InCorpChina and a seasoned expert in U.S.–China business relations. With over 40 years of experience living and working in China, Robert shares sto...

In this episode of MPods, we sit down with Jonah Liss, co-founder and COO of Meet Your Class, a startup revolutionizing how students connect before stepping onto campus. Jonah shares his journey as a University of Michigan student and entrepreneur tackling one of higher education’s biggest challenges: enrollment and student retention. Jonah talks about the power of conviction in entrepreneurship,...

In the 30th episode of MPods, we welcome Don Hicks, a Ross alum and serial entrepreneur. Don founded, led as CEO, and ultimately sold the supply chain analytics company LLamasoft for $1.5 billion. Today, he is the CEO of Optilogic, a growing supply chain company with over 90 employees, the owner of Ann Arbor’s Blue Llama Jazz Club, and the co-author of children’s book Frankenwalnut . In this episo...

In episode 28 of MPods , Jeff Hauptman—CEO and founder of Oxford Companies—Ann Arbor’s leading real estate investment and property management firm—shares his transformation from aspiring medical student to real estate mogul. A University of Michigan alum and award-winning industry leader, Jeff tells the story of how he turned a one-person startup into a company of over 100 people with half a billi...

In episode 27 of MPods, Dr. Mark Kiel, co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Genomenon, shares his journey from medical student to entrepreneur, transforming genetic data into actionable insights. A University of Michigan alum, Mark discusses the pivotal moments that led him to leave academia, start a genomics data company, and tackle the challenges of building a business from scratch. Mark refl...

In Episode 26 of MPods, John Seamans, the Manager of the Michigan Biomedical Venture Fund (MBVF), shares his journey from MedTech professional to advisor, leveraging his technical expertise from roles at GE Healthcare and Delphinus Medical Technologies to guide startups through challenges like FDA regulations and technical hurdles. Seamans explores the transformative potential of personalized medi...

In this episode of MPods , Diane Bouis, an angel investor, startup advisor, and current program director at MedTech Innovator, shares her journey from academia to the business world, highlighting the importance of networking and adaptability. Diane discusses her transition from completing a PhD in Europe to pursuing a career in healthcare business, which began with a pivotal decision to obtain an...

In this episode, Danny Ellis and Tom Brady, two University of Michigan engineering graduates, share their remarkable journey from student robotics projects to co-founding SkySpecs, a global leader in renewable energy asset management. Tom and Danny recount how their passion for aviation and robotics led them to build autonomous drones for wind turbine inspection, eventually transforming SkySpecs i...

In this episode, Moses Lee, a proud University of Michigan Ross graduate, shares his transformative journey from investment banking on Wall Street to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Moses recounts his transition from feeling unfulfilled in finance to founding Celio, an EdTech company designed to help students build digital portfolios. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of growing Celio,...

In this episode, we talk with David Tarver, a lecturer at the University of Michigan and the founder of the Urban Entrepreneurship Initiative. David shares his journey from his early days at Bell Laboratories to starting his own business, Telecom Analysis Systems, in his basement. The company grew to significant success and was sold in 1995 for $30 million. He discusses his passion for using entre...

In this episode of MPods, we dive deep into the world of cancer research with Mukesh Nyati, a Professor in Radiation Oncology at the University of Michigan. Mukesh, with over two decades of experience, shares his journey and groundbreaking work on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors. He offers valuable insights into the complexities of cancer treatment, the importance of early diagn...

In this episode of MPods, we chat with Professor Alexandra Klass, a leading expert in energy law and environmental policy, who shares her journey through academia, private practice, and her role as a political appointee in the Biden-Harris administration. Professor Alexandra Klass offers valuable insights for college students on navigating career choices, understanding the clean energy transition,...

In this episode of Mpods, we sit down with Hermione Li, an Apple Product Design Engineer and UMich graduate. Hermione shares her journey from college to her current role, offering valuable advice on internships, job interviews, and transitioning from college to the professional world. She discusses the importance of team culture, career growth, and work-life balance while working in Shanghai. Perf...

In this episode, Victor Strecher, founder and CEO of Kumanu and professor at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health, discusses his journey in creating a mental health app to help people find meaning and purpose. He emphasizes the importance of living purposefully, which leads to better health and overall well-being. He shares his personal story of overcoming grief after the sudden lo...

In this episode, Candace shares her journey from her time at the University of Michigan to her impactful work in community development and entrepreneurship. She delves into her experiences studying liberal arts, which ignited her passion for activism and community service, especially in her hometown of Detroit. She discusses her involvement in various projects, including the Free Body group, and h...

In this episode, Adrian Fortino shares his journey from mechanical engineering to venture capital, highlighting the lessons learned from his diverse career. He discusses his early experiences in the automotive industry, the challenges and successes of his entrepreneurial ventures, and his transition into venture capital. Adrian provides valuable insights into the Midwest startup ecosystem, and the...

Scott is a seasoned startup coach with extensive experience working with founders. He is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at UChicago. Scott is also an active angel investor and a member of the local startup community. Scott holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth and a Bachelor in Psychology from the University of Michigan. In this episode we chatted with Sco...