Harvard College Class of 2000: The Podcast

This podcast episode features an edited audio recording of the 25th Reunion session, “The Paths We’ve Traveled: Unexpected Journeys Across 25 Years,” held on Saturday, June 7, 9-11AM, in Sanders Theatre. The session featured nine classmates who shared a story about some of the experiences that have shaped their paths and how they understand what matters in life over the past 25 years. Organized by...

Today, Dara talks to Angela Crenshaw Shaiman about living in Dudley Coop, her work as a psychotherapist, working with Cornel West, and living in Colorado. Angela lived in Weld, Dunster, and the Dudley Coop and concentrated in African-American Studies. Angela's professional website is available here: https://www.angelashaimanmft.com/

Today Dara talks to Danny Shapiro about his journey from being a life-long, die-hard New Yorker, to moving out west and living in the San Francisco suburbs. Danny talks about his interest in non-profits, public policy, health, aging well, and ideally playing soccer for the rest of his life. Danny lived in Pennypacker and Dunster and was an economics concentrator.  We are also excited to featu...

This is a reading of an essay by Wendy May, author, purpose coach, healing guide and wellness retreat creator. The essay was originally published on her Substack channel, Maybe We — a space for human-generated words that explore awakening at the intersection of spirituality and social change. For more of Wendy’s words, you can subscribe to her Substack here:  words.heywendymay.com

In this episode, Eileen talks to physician Jessica Montalvo about her journey from treating patients and teaching in a hospital setting to practicing functional medicine, which is based upon “understanding the human body as a complex system of systems.” Jess also shares her thoughts about the power of a quiet morning, making space for boredom and curiosity (so that the magic can come in), and the...

Our final day together! See you at the walk/run, Memorial Service, or brunch at Annenberg..... View the memorial service program

Saturday updates including all our amazing panels and party at the Science Center tents. The document listing all of our classmates in the arts (that we currently know of) is here . Email me, Winnie Li, or Eileen O'Connor if you'd like to be added to it or know of someone who should be on it!

Friday is Alumni Day- and is chock full of Harvard-focused events! We start with Forming a More Perfect Harvard at 8:45am in Science Center B, move on to the Alumni Day Parade & Program (line up at Grays), check out the FAQ about bags, then a party in the Old Yard, then a whole bunch of programs- from symposia (Joe Garland is speaking at the public service one- go support him!), to SIG meetups...

Here's a quick update on what's going on Thursday at reunion- see you at Lowell House or Grafton Street!

Dara talks to Hayley Solomon Quant about her journey to being an ob-gyn doctor, Peloton, JV ice hockey, meeting her husband, and family life. Hayley lived in Grays West, Quincy House, and was a biology concentrator.

Today, Dara talks to Elizabeth Dotson-Westphalen Frascoia about all things jazz, the Harvard Club of Beef, and Eliot House’s grilled cheese and chicken a la king. Elizabeth is a trombonist and singer who has two albums (Hot & Silver and Brainchildren)- check them out on Band Camp . She’s played around the world with everyone from Adele to Michael Bolton to Big Bird to Dara’s favorite Harvard a...

We have a special short episode today where you will hear from some of the many classmates on our reunion committee who have been organizing some amazing panels and events for you- hear some of the details on these events. Remember, early bird online registration ends May 15th, but you can always walk in and register. A huge thank you to everyone on the committee who has been volunteering this yea...

Eileen has a conversation with museum curator Kathy Hurwich Haas, Director of Historical Resources at Girard College in Philadelphia. Kathy talks about her love of archival research, history, and museum education, and her dedication to singing choral music and long, adventuresome treks — she completed the Camino de Santiago! Kathy also shares her story of conversion to Catholicism and the classmat...

Alicia and Dara talk about her days as a cheerleader getting to explore the Northeast, working on the Cue Guide, running a PBHA program, and the continued impact Robert Putnam has had on her life. Alicia is now the parent of a Harvard freshman and looking at going back to school herself! Listen to learn more about why giving to the Harvard College Fund is so important, the impact Harvard had on he...

Today, Dara interviews her first couple! Sarah Melvoin Bridich and Jeff Bridich chat about their couple origin story, their odyssey together since graduation, and their Harvard Yard family connections, including generations of baseball players and a family of secondary school educators. Jeff speaks about his journey from Harvard Baseball to managing the Colorado Rockies, while Sarah talks about he...

Today, Eileen talks with the dynamic Kibi Anderson—lifelong storyteller, executive coach, and leadership expert—about the powerful connection between the stories we tell ourselves and how we communicate with others. Kibi shares her insights on curiosity as a core leadership skill, the role of emotions and honesty in the workplace, and her frameworks  The Power of the Pause  and becoming...

Today, Dara talks to Jeremy Smith. Most importantly, Jeremy is going to the Shakira concert in Orlando, Florida on his way to reunion (apparently, it’s close by?!) if anyone wants to join him (Seriously. We bumped the playing of this podcast up to give people time to arrange their plans). Jeremy tells the story of how he went from drawing stick figure cartoons for The Crimson to a fellowship in Eu...

Dara talks to Brendan Harley, a professor of chemical and biological engineering at the University of Illinois. Brendan talks about his research and the joys of working at a university, running marathons and ultramarathons, how having leukemia (AML -acute myelogenous leukemia, but also CLL, the same CLL that Matt Davids researches- see last week’s interview), and meeting his wife at Harvard. His D...

Dara talks to Matt Davids about picking up his wife at the gym, saving his uncle’s life (and so many others) through his work as a doctor and researcher of CLL (a blood leukemia), applying to medical schools while living overseas, and raising half a million dollars for cancer research through an annual 192 mile cycling event (join me in donating- see link below!). Boston Magazine article on Matt:...

In this episode, Dara talks to Bryan Leach about theater, mountain climbing, meeting his wife at Harvard, writing for Let’s Go , living a life of purpose, singing with The Blowholes, and giving back through his company Ibotta (which you should download if you don’t have it yet!). Ibotta had the largest tech IPO in Colorado history, changing the lives of so many employees and investors, a much bigg...

In this episode, Eileen talks to Dublin-native Sinead Walsh about her amazing career of service working for NGOs and the Irish government. Sinead is currently Climate Director at Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs. Before that, she served as EU Ambassador to South Sudan and Irish Ambassador to Sierra Leone and Liberia, where she took a leading role on the frontline of the response to the Ebol...

Dara talks to Matthew Trent about fashion, New York City, theater, Cape Cod, and singing bass at Marie’s Crisis, a piano bar in NYC. Matthew has worked in talent and human resources at Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior Couture, Tapestry, and the luxury division of Loreal. Matthew is also on the Board of Trustees at the New York Theatre Workshop .

Today, Eileen talks to Ali Wenzke, best-selling author of The Art of Happy Moving: How to Declutter, Pack, and Start Over While Maintaining Your Sanity and Finding Happiness . Ali shares advice for organizing and decluttering our spaces, cultivating gratitude, and living a joyful life. Pro-tip: have fun and spend time with those you love. Ali’s enthusiasm is so infectious that she even inspired th...

Dara talks to Daniel Zahler about his life since college, living on two coasts- NYC and Los Angeles and his connections with Harvard classmates. Daniel is well-known for the NYC in LA community he created, which has been featured in the New York Times and brings together New York transplants in Los Angeles. Daniel is also a healthcare consultant and Substack writer - subscribe! 

Today Dara talks to Jason Stevenson. Jason has been a huge help with this podcast series, writing the thoughtful questions that we send to interviewees before these conversations. Jason talks thoughtfully about happiness, leaving things better than we found them, FOP reunions, and learning from each other during midlife. Jason was in Thayer North and Leverett and concentrated in Social Studies. Ja...