Harvard College Class of 2000: The Podcast

Today we have another couple interview! From their meetcute early freshman year, to their years abroad, in California, and now back in Jeannie’s hometown, Brian and Jeannie have had quite a ride together. Jeannie started Let’s Get Ready with a few Harvard classmates sophomore year, and Brian has pursued a number of passions, including starting his own company and working at Facebook, all the while...

Megan talks about how she discovered nutritional anthropology, worked at WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), and ended up doing a PhD in international health at Johns Hopkins, raising her three kids, and working in sodium reduction programs around the world. She is now a scientist at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health living a bicoastal life. Megan Henry lived in Wigglesworth and Eliot House. S...

Today, Eileen talks to entrepreneur Jasmin Sethi, CEO of Sethi Clarity Advisers. Jasmin works with clients to improve efficiency in compliance using AI, identify opportunities in regulated sectors such as retirement plan access, and align business strategies with evolving government and philanthropic policy goals – in particular to broaden access to retirement plans for underserved communities. Ja...

Nick’s story is a unique one, starting with taking time off of school for a year which led to a new path, allowing him to think about what he wanted to do versus staying on the path set out for him. Nick’s new path included writing and directing films , including Drunk Wedding, and now running The McCollum Writing School (check it out for your kids-they work remotely). Nick is from Pennsylvania an...

We have our first drinking game podcast- take a drink every time Judy mentions her favorite place, the Science Center! In addition to her love of the Science Center, Judy talks about how working for Let’s Go and an exhibit on sofas changed her career trajectory. Judy is the author of White Walls (a memoir) and The Light of Days (a narrative non-fiction about young, Jewish women who fought the Nazi...

Michael Stern talks about his life from being dropped off at the Philadelphia Zoo as a kid to his thesis and life work in Uganda. Michael is both a primatologist and runs the New Nature Foundation with his wife (and the help of a few classmates along the way!). Michael was a transfer student who lived in Quincy House and concentrated in Bio Anthro. Learn more about his work via a short film , the...

Long-time listener, first time caller, Jeff Weinshenker recounts his journey around the world (he’s been to 50 countries) over the past 25 years. Originally from New Jersey, this jean-short wearing, Springsteen and Bon Jovi fan, joined the State Department as a foreign service officer. Jeff talks about how failing the Spanish language placement test freshmen year led to the start of his State Depa...

Today, Eileen talks to her blockmate Alexis Todor Walsh about her work in the wine industry, the dedication it took to be a star member of the Harvard Swimming and Diving Team, why the “Landmarks” class has stuck with her all these years, and some favorite college memories. Remember the April Fool’s Day Blizzard freshman year? This Californian does! At Harvard, Alexis lived in Holworthy Middle and...

Get a peek into our first class book club, hosted by Eileen and featuring What We Left Unsaid by classmate Winnie Li . This is the second part of the book club, where Winnie spoke to us. If you'd like to join the book club, please email Dara, and she will add you to the email list.

Dara talks to Jesse Needleman about his travels, career in business and marketing, yoga and meditation, and his love of live music (which he now gets to work in- an amazing mix of work and play).

Dara talks to Jason Larocque about his journey from Harvard baseball to the Red Sox, and then into a long career in education. While still an educator, and still connected with the Harvard baseball team, Jason has combined his love of education, fitness, and men's health into an impressive coaching career. You can learn more about Jason's men's coaching program at: https://www.coachlarocque.com/ W...

It's our 50th episode!! Dara and Eileen take a minute to reflect on the podcast, our process, and some themes we've seen. Sign up to record your own episode or recommend someone!

Today Wendy (known as Wendy Lu in college) and Eileen discuss Wendy’s book, Regenerative Purpose , and the radical reframe of purpose not as a goal-driven personal mission, but rather a dynamic, co-creative process with Life — one that invites deeper connection and alignment with something beyond ourselves. Wendy shares her winding journey from a successful corporate career to a life devoted to su...

Dara talks to Alisa Meny Freed about being a family medicine doctor, taking care of parents, her upcoming trip around the world, Maine, photography, theater, and her husband, Dick Freed ‘01.  Alisa lived in Thayer and Cabot and was an English and American Literature and Language concentrator.

Dara talks with Izzy Ruiz about his journey through the world of high fashion and design to his new-found passion of oenology and wine. Izzy explains his red book entry of how he crossed the cat-human speech border!  A proud member of the Currier 10 man, Izzy also lived in Canaday D and was a sociology concentrator.

Dara talks to Bhakti about sustainable finance and investing, keeping in touch with friends, and her work teaching and writing about sustainability and finance. A huge thank you to Bhakti for hosting our spring NYC pre-reunion party at her house and co-hosting the one coming up on October 12th at the Empire Hotel bar. Bhakti lived in Canaday and Quincy House and concentrated in chemistry.  Yo...

Dara talks to Michael Blaugrund who tells us about his journey from Ohio to Cambridge to NYC. Michael talks about his band, the Headset, with classmates in NYC in his 20s to his work in the financial industry, including as the COO of the New York Stock Exchange  and CEO of DriveWealth (note that he has since changed positions since the interview to work at the Intercontinental Exchange. If yo...

You’ve seen her puns and jokes on the WhatsApp thread, now it’s time to get to know Sunana Sohi. Sunana is a gastroenterologist who makes talking about colonoscopies fun- and hot tip, get your colonoscopy now if you haven’t yet- we are past due at our age. Dara and Sunana talk about meeting her husband, classmate Greg Sulkowski over problem sets, vegan diets, the circus, living in her childhood ho...

Dara talks to Paul today about his life as a NYC lawyer in the music business, representing such epic clients such as Dave Matthews Band and Pearl Jam, spending the past 19 years at the same firm! Paul also talks about meeting his wife thanks to classmate Ned Freeman, running, biking, and more!  Paul lived in Matthews and Currier and was a government concentrator. 

Today’s episode features Chris Amar. Chris was a Class Marshal senior year. Chris talks about his journey from random jobs after college to publishing, Americorps, to being a lawyer, to his current career as a financial advisor. Chris talks about how he gives back to his community in so many ways- from being on the boards of so many non-profits to his annual party that guests bring gifts to for fo...

Dara talks to Amanda Brown Baldwin about the throughlines of design, beauty, and business in her life. From turning left, not right when comping the Crimson, to going to a Goldman info session because she was hungry, all roads have brought Amanda to being the CEO of beauty companies Supergoop! and Olaplex. She also talks about the importance of putting things out in the world, and how that (and a...

Dr. Christopher Cowherd is an educator and school leader who is passionate about innovation, student agency, and self-directed learning. Having worked in New England independent schools, international schools in Barcelona, Beijing, Bangkok, and now as the executive director of learning and innovation at the International Community School of Addis Ababa [Ethiopia], his philosophy centers...

In today’s episode, Dara interviews Lano Williams. Lano lived in Hollis North and Winthrop. Lano talks to Dara about his writing (which many of you have read post-reunion), his journey with addiction (and a huge post-reunion thank you to Lano for organizing daily recovery meetings for classmates), his Red Book entries, including his marriage to a classmate in Vegas! Check out Lano’s websites inclu...

On Sunday, June 8, 2025, our class held a Memorial Service in Memorial Church for the classmates we have lost. The service was organized by Sienna Leis and led by our classmate, the Reverend Dr. Teddy Hickman-Maynard. Readers include: John Basbagill, Jessamyn Conrad, Sonali Das Thiesen, Edidiong Ikpe-Ekpo, Justin Krebs, Izzy Ruiz, Malka Zeefe, and Sara Reistad-Long. A chorus composed of class memb...

Today we have another reunion throwback! On Saturday, June 7th, Kibi Anderson and Sara Blanchard hosted Professor Robert Waldinger for a session that was standing room only! Below is the original description.  Many of us left Harvard believing that success was measured in careers, wealth, and prestige. But what if the true markers of a good life lie elsewhere? Join us for a fireside chat with...