Azia Podcasts | Rise Above: Navigating the Career Climb

Falling in Love with Failure: ft. Gautham Viswaroopan, Aerospace Engineer and Graduate Researcher at UCLA

Gautham Viswaroopan, Aerospace Engineer and current Graduate Researcher at UCLA, joins us today to share how he has fulfilled his curiosity in space exploration from a young age; including his work with NASA, SEDS, and SpaceX. He dives into his experiences in pursuing his degrees, including the skills he’s developed in the face of adversity which have motivated him to continue pushing the boundaries of space research. Join in on this podcast as he shares his experiences with resources including Students for the Exploration of Space (for which he is an international advisor), and NASA’s Ames and Space Grant Consortium.

Courage, Grit - The Dream: ft. Pasquale Presa, Founder and Owner Of Pasquale’s Neighborhood Pizzeria

Pasquale Presa is the extremely talented Chef and Owner of “Pasquale’s Neighborhood Pizzeria” in Rochester, Minnesota. He also has his own product line - PASQUALE’S, authentically sourced from Italy. Born and raised in the landscapes of Italy, he arrived in America at a young age, carrying the rich traditions, flavors, and culinary secrets of his homeland. Today, not only is he making a mark on the American culinary scene, but has also secured his brand’s place on the shelves of some of the nation’s largest retail stores. Join us in this journey as he shares his story and how he accomplished all these milestones.

The Power of Focus: ft. Dr. Christine Waasdorp Hurtado, Pediatric GI Specialist at Children's Hospital Colorado

Dr. Christine Waasdorp Hurtado, pediatric gastroenterologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado (ranked #3 for Pediatric GI hospital in the nation by U.S. News), aspired to be part of the medical field from an early age. Her journey to working for the top pediatric GI hospital wasn’t an easy path, however. From the challenges she faced transitioning from high school to college, as well as getting into medical school, she didn’t let that stop her from moving forward. On today’s episode she dives deeper into her value of a healthy support system throughout the journey. Along the way, she shares some simple tools and resources within our reach to help relieve stress and find a sense of focus in the present.

Trusting Your Gut: ft. Annie Scalise, Corporate Director of Talent Programs at Great Wolf Lodge

Annie Scalise has been a Chicago girl her entire life, and she moved to Denver in 2021. She leaned into a career as a HR professional early, but in an exploratory way. Through job-hopping, she’s explored different HR specialties and has worked in several industries. She didn't think she could top her job working for the Chicago Cubs (and has a World Series ring) or working for Sartori Cheese (free cheese), but those jobs got her to where she is today. She currently works for Great Wolf Lodge's corporate HR team, and is in charge of building programs to advance young professionals in their career. Her role is vital in ensuring the company attracts and retains top talent while developing and growing its existing workforce. Her passion is people and she’s so happy to be able to make an impact for such a fun company dedicated to investing in its people!

Pivot... To Your Passion: ft. Joy Johnson, VP of Compliance at Crescent Hotels & Resorts

Joy grew up in Hawaii where hospitality is THE industry. After a short stint with a law firm after graduating from Georgetown University (and determining that law school was not for her), she started her hospitality career in the legal department of a hotel management company in Washington, DC. Join us as she shares how her current role as Vice President of Compliance has allowed her to come full circle and combine two areas of expertise: law and hospitality.