Stern Chats

It’s the final episode of the season! And in this one, outgoing President Mridula Rajagopal and Community VP Sailey Thomasi pass the torch to incoming President John Schuberth and Production VP Olivia Manousos. The group reflects on the evolution of Stern Chats, the moments that shaped this season, and their hopes for where the club goes next. Join us in closing out another incredible season of St...

In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, our latest episode unpacks the relationship between cultural heritage, identity, and professional growth at Stern. Host Katherine Jiang, ABS Co-President, sits down with Walsh Kang, ABS VP of Career Development, and Tony Vu, ABS Member, to discuss the moments, challenges, and connections that have defined their journeys,...

In this episode of Stern Chats, hosts Claire Chuff and Omar Garcia are joined by Co-President Namankita Rana and Chief of Staff Thomas Dols to get into what it really takes to bring Follies to life. From auditions and rehearsals to everything happening behind the scenes, they talk about the time, energy, and collaboration that go into the show—and why so many people, creatives or not, choose to be...

In this episode of Stern Chats, host Traiana Boyer Tretter is joined by Rivka Meir, Laura Geron, and Christina Kelly for a look inside Stern’s Executive MBA program. With warmth, humor, and honesty, they share what it’s like to balance demanding careers with graduate school while applying what they learn in real time. From leadership growth to new perspectives, they reflect on how the EMBA journey...

In this episode of Stern Chats, host Tommy Durst sits down with fellow veteran Brenden Mott for a conversation that feels like catching up with an old friend. Brenden shares his journey from college athlete to military service, and ultimately to NYU Stern, reflecting on the moments and mindset shifts that shaped his path. Together, Tommy and Brenden explore what it means to transition between such...

In honor of Women’s History Month, hosts Sim Ahuja and Allana Akhtar sit down with Alia Hakim and Paulina Sideris for an open and honest conversation about what it looks like to navigate professional spaces as women. From advocating for yourself to building strong networks and growing into leadership roles, the group reflects on the moments that have shaped their professional paths and the perspec...

MBA1s are in the house! In this episode of Stern Chats, host Olivia Manousos sits down with Simran Nijhawan and Clair Shin for a pulse check on how their first year at Stern is going. From favorite courses to recruiting and everything in between, they reflect on the highs, challenges, and surprises of MBA1 life so far. Whether you're considering an MBA or just curious about what life at Stern...

Not all careers follow a straight line. In this episode of Stern Chats, hosts Alisha Agrawal and Jordan Guillory sit down with Katie Connell and Emma Elsbecker as they share stories on forging their own paths, the risks they took, and what they learned along the way. Hosts: Alisha Agrawal & Jordan Guillory Produced by: Mridula Rajagopal Edited by: Mridula Rajagopal Music by: Jesse Han

Love is in the syllabus this week! In this episode of Stern Chats, host Kristen Brown sits down with Hop Mathews, Traiana Tretter, and Anna Ballate for an honest conversation on managing relationships alongside the demands of business school. From mid-semester wedding planning to partner support systems, they reflect on how their Stern journeys are strengthened by the people cheering them on behin...

In our final episode of the semester, host Jordan Guillory sits down with student entrepreneur Frederick Mbari to explore his remarkable journey - from taking bold risks and becoming an investor, to building ventures with friends and raising two young men (with another on the way), Freddy exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose. He also shares how Milima Tea went from an idea to a fast-grow...

Stern Chats President Mridula Rajagopal sits down with first-gen students Alexa Johnson and JC Arenas as they share what it’s like to be the first in their families to pursue higher education. This episode explores the challenges many first-gen students face, highlighting the resilience, ambition, and identity-shaping moments that define their journeys in a conversation full of insight, encouragem...

It's Veterans Week, and we're celebrating it here at Stern! In this episode of Stern Chats, MBA2 student veterans Shea S., Chris Lynas, and Tony Vu speak with host Alex Cheung about their military service, transitioning to Stern, and their future plans. They discuss some of the highs-and-lows of wearing the uniform and the misconceptions they have faced as veterans and what they're wor...

In this episode of Stern Chats, host Allana Akhtar sits down with Ali Raza, Amani Malik, and Shahriyar Haider to chat about the newly launched affinity and professional club, Muslims in Business (MiB). They share the excitement behind starting MiB, fostering a sense of belonging for Muslim students, and building connections through shared experiences. Tune in to hear how MiB plans to grow, collabo...

NYU and Stern has long been known to be a vibrant, international space; the latest MBA class has 43 countries represented! But what does it feel like, really, to move to New York for school? What should you know about the subway, Times Square, and cheap eats before you get here? That's just what hosts Gab Lombos and Siddhant Sharma discuss with guests Katherine Jiang and Joao Lima -- all inter...

In celebration of Diwali, this episode of Stern Chats spotlights SABAS and their mission to celebrate culture, foster community, and build bridges across campus. Host Sim Ahuja sits down with Kose Mathew, Anjali Nadeswaran, and Sanaya Shikari to discuss how their programming, cross-club collaborations, and cultural initiatives bring South Asian traditions to life at Stern, creating moments of both...

Getting off the waitlist is no small feat — and for many students, it’s just the beginning. In this episode of Stern Chats, host Alisha Agrawal sits down with Akiera Charles to share their journeys from uncertainty to acceptance, and the lessons they learned along the way. Together, they offer encouragement and practical advice for prospective students navigating the re-application process and fin...

This week on Stern Chats, we’re talking about connection, community, and the unexpected moments that turn classmates into close friends. Host Sailey Thomasi sits down with friends Jordan Guillory and Noa Tshimanga to reflect on how they met during LAUNCH — and how their friendship grew beyond it. From group chats that stuck, to spontaneous adventures, they share what helped them find a sense of be...

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, our latest episode explores the intersection of identity, culture, and business here at Stern. Host Anna Caceres, AHBBS VP of Events, sits down with Sandra Palomino Ruiz and Manuela Robledo, Co-Presidents of LABA, and Anthony Anzora, LABA Officer and AHBBS member, to chat about personal experiences, challenges, and insights on how heritage shapes their journey...

We're back for Season 17! And fall recruiting season is here — and for GFA & MCA students, it can feel overwhelming. In this episode of Stern Chats, hosts Sim Ahuja and Allana Akhtar sit down with GFA president Taylor Rooks and MCA president Bella Roussanov to unpack what the recruiting process really looks like, how to manage the stress, and what strategies can set you up for success. Hosts:...

It’s the final episode of the season! Outgoing co-presidents Gauri Misra & Daulat Mahadik pass the torch to incoming president Mridula Rajagopal as the three of them reflect on their journeys with the club so far: what’s worked, what hasn’t, and their hopes and dreams for the future of Stern Chats. Join us in saying farewell to an incredible Season 17, and we’ll see you all in the fall.

In what is probably the biggest recession indicator of 2025, this Stern Chats episode belongs entirely to Stern Follies. Current Follies members Lipika Sadaram and JC Arenas burn Stern Chats resources to sit down with Co-Presidents Claire Hotvedt and Aastha Girotra. Claire and Aastha talk about how they got involved in Follies and the journey to club leadership, the unique challenges of running a...

Join Ishana Nigam and Daulat Mahadik as they chat with fellow Stern MBAs and passionate runners, Maggie Kuenzi and Ricky Faillace. From qualifying for Boston on her first marathon to a 1,000-day running streak, Maggie shares what fuels her drive. Ricky opens up about running across Europe and his casual weekend half-marathons. Together, they reflect on balancing MBA life with marathon training, th...

Just a month before the release of her upcoming book Becoming You: The Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career, Professor Suzy Welch returns to Stern Chats to discuss the Becoming You methodology, which she teaches at NYU. Professor Welch talks to hosts (and former Becoming You students) Arthur Paquet and Becky Davino about what motivated her to write her framework into a book, h...

Six months to the day after their first Stern Chats appearance, MBA1s Justin Shalap and Arjun Swaminathan return to Stern Chats with hosts Brian Berry and Bhaskar Vadlamudi for a follow-up pulse check. Justin and Arjun reflect on the first year of the MBA program and look ahead to summer internships and becoming MBA2s. Along the way they share how the first year measured up to their expectations,...

Rita Bachkhanji and Omar Fahmy join host Mridula Rajagopal to discuss Stern’s MENA (Middle East and North Africa) club. Rita, a co-founder, shares what inspired her to establish MENA in 2024 as both a professional and cultural hub for students of MENA backgrounds and an educational space for allies. Omar, the incoming co-president for 2025-26, outlines the club’s future vision, key programs, and w...