MBA Golden Buzzer Podcast

Not every strong MBA profile looks the same. In this episode of the MBA Golden Buzzer Podcast , I’m joined by Nina Berenger , a Chicago Booth MBA, to unpack what actually defines a strong Booth candidate, beyond test scores, titles, and traditional paths. We talk about Nina’s background before the MBA, why Chicago Booth stood out in her decision process, and how non-traditional profiles can become...

What is it really like to experience the Berkeley Haas MBA? In this episode of the MBA Golden Buzzer Podcast , I’m joined by Rebeca Sousa, a former client and Berkeley Haas MBA graduate, for an honest conversation about choosing Haas, navigating its values-driven culture, and facing the pressure that many students aren’t prepared for. Rebeca shares why Haas stood out during her application journey...

What does it take to walk away from a successful medical career and build a mission-driven startup instead? In this episode of the MBA Golden Buzzer Podcast, Rene Caissie shares his journey from practicing surgeon to entrepreneur and founder, and the pivotal moments that pushed him to rethink what impact, fulfillment, and leadership really mean. René opens up about leaving clinical practice, choos...

What does it look like to navigate the MBA journey side by side with your partner ? In Part 2 of my conversation with Valentina and Arthur, we dive deep into their experience as an MBA couple, from early expectations to the unexpected challenges, biggest growth moments, and what they learned about balancing love, independence, and ambition during business school. Their story is honest, insightful,...

In this episode, Valentina Tasende and Arthur Libanio share their experience navigating life, academics, and culture at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management as international students. From managing the first-year intensity and the ACE program to finding community through KWEST, this conversation offers a true inside look at what makes Kellogg unique.

Julian Gerhart joins me to share his journey from founding a mission-driven education startup in Slovakia to earning the Skoll Scholarship and pursuing the Oxford MBA, and how the program reshaped his thinking as a social entrepreneur. We discuss what drew him to Oxford, how the MBA sharpened his leadership and communication skills, and the real challenges (and surprises) behind measuring impact a...

What happens when you walk away from a “dream job” to build a life that feels truly your own? In this episode, Tathiana Machado shares her powerful career pivot from consulting to coaching and women’s empowerment. From her INSEAD MBA to building a new life in Dubai, she reveals the lessons, challenges, and courage it takes to design a career aligned with your values.

What’s it really like to be a Latin American MBA student at Cornell Johnson? In this special panel episode of the MBA Golden Buzzer Podcast, I sit down with João Fantacini (Brazil), Katherine Jauregui (Peru), and Mauricio Borja (Colombia) to talk about why they chose Cornell, what makes the Johnson experience unique, and how the program has shaped their careers. From the classroom to campus life i...

What happens when you and your partner take on an MBA together? In this episode, Claudia Einhorn and Nicolas Kudrna share the highs, lows, and surprising lessons of navigating the Duke Fuqua MBA as a couple. From budgeting and academics to recruitment and personal growth, they reveal how they balanced love, careers, and the pressure of business school and what they’d do differently if they could d...

Claudia Einhorn and Nicolas Kudrna share their unfiltered Duke Fuqua MBA experience: from choosing Fuqua to navigating Team Fuqua culture, academics, and life in Durham. Hear what surprised them most, how the program shaped their careers, and why the Fuqua community is unlike any other.

Mohit Mehra opens up about his authentic MBA journey at IESE Business School, from choosing the program to navigating culture shock, visa hurdles, and global career ambitions. You’ll hear what truly stood out about the case method, how IESE’s international diversity shapes the classroom, and why the experience was more intense and more rewarding than expected.

Kirsten Wells, Senior Global Recruitment Manager for the MBA and MIF at London Business School, joins me to offer a complete overview of the LBS experience. From the critical differences between the one-year and two-year MBA programs to what truly makes an applicant stand out, Kirsten offers valuable insights directly from the decision-maker’s perspective. We also dive deep into eligibility criter...

In this episode, Ebi Eyesan opens up about the reality of learning AI and machine learning while working full time and raising a family. From burnout to balance, she shares what it really takes to keep going and why it’s all worth it.

In this episode, I continue the conversation with Paula Amorim, Admissions Director at IESE Business School, to explore what makes the IESE MBA experience truly transformative. From its global campus culture and ethical leadership focus to the power of the case method and real-world career impact, this episode goes beyond admissions to reveal how IESE shapes the kind of leaders the world actually...

In this episode, I’m joined by Paula Amorim, Admissions Director at IESE Business School, to break down what truly matters in your application, from the definition of fit to the most common mistakes and what sets top candidates apart.

What happens when a business leader dives into AI without a coding background? In this episode, Ebisanine Eyesan shares how UT Austin’s postgraduate certificate helped her shift from product strategy into machine learning and why she believes this is the future of business. Learn how she’s applying AI at work, navigating technical learning curves, and redefining her leadership edge.

This episode with Rodrigo Malta , Assistant Dean of MBA Marketing, Recruiting & Admissions, takes you inside the Texas McCombs MBA. Discover how to stand out as an applicant, what genuine fit really means, and how the $20M Hildebrand Scholars Program is reshaping access, leadership, and the student experience.

Arnie Longboy, Executive Director of Enrollment, Marketing & Admissions at NYU Abu Dhabi MBA , shares the inside story of one of the world’s boldest new MBA programs. In this episode, we dive deep into how this one-year, dual-campus experience prepares students to lead in the Middle East and beyond. From career support to scholarships and immersive learning, discover what makes this MBA progra...

Norman Winarsky , visionary co-founder of Siri, longtime president of SRI Ventures, Emmy Award winner and Stanford GSB lecturer, reveals what it truly takes to build ventures that break through — and last. Norman shares how he turned personal adversity into a life of innovation, how Siri was built to defy conventional wisdom, and why the world’s most impactful companies start with a mindset of pur...

Stanford MBA student Renata De Marsillac shares her journey of launching a startup focused on decarbonizing the shipping industry—all while navigating the intense demands of business school. From co-founding the company with her mother to tapping into Stanford’s powerful entrepreneurial ecosystem, Renata offers an honest look at what it really takes to build a mission-driven climate venture during...

Renata De Marsillac shares a deeply personal and honest perspective on what truly makes the Stanford MBA experience transformational. From emotionally vulnerable conversations and meaningful community-building to redefining leadership and personal growth, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the heart of GSB life.

Stanford GSB MSx alumna and founder of Sprouts Chef Training, Kate Rogers Mery de Bellegarde, returns to share what it really takes to lead with purpose. From scaling a mission-driven organization to managing tough team dynamics, Kate opens up about the messy middle of leadership — the space between vision and sustainable growth. This episode is packed with honest insights for founders, future MBA...

In this episode of the Golden Buzzer Podcast, MBA admissions expert Ellin Lolis interviews Stanford alumna Kate Rogers Mery de Bellegarde, founder of Sprouts Chef Training and hospitality entrepreneur. Kate shares powerful insights into her MSx experience, including how she scaled her mission, balanced wellness with ambition, and turned down major funding in service of her purpose. This is a must-...

Admissions Director Beatriz Campos breaks down the school’s personalized approach, multicultural community, and global business focus. Discover how the Rambla of Innovation, Barcelona’s unique setting, and ESADE’s forward-thinking culture prepare students for success in a rapidly changing world. A must-listen for anyone considering an international MBA.

ESADE Admissions Director Beatriz Campos shares what truly makes an MBA application stand out — and what can hold it back. From how ESADE defines “fit” to why authenticity often beats perfection, this episode offers insider tips on standing out with a non-traditional background, overcoming low scores, and making a lasting impression in interviews. A must-listen for anyone navigating the MBA admiss...