Common Room Conversations

Episode 26: Esder Chong

Esder Chong from the fifth cohort kicks off our Season 2 finale by sharing about her upbringing as the child of Korean missionaries, being a middle child, and how she's juggling the priorities in her life (7:08). Next, Esder shares her experience with activism and how it relates to and influences her identity as a dreamer [https://americasvoice.org/blog/what-is-a-dreamer/] - including how she's built community among people (e.g., undocumented, DACA [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzYDqQDNFzc], TPS [https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status] students) trying to find home (14:48). Afterward, she reflects on her faith and how it relates to her experience at Schwarzman (26:48). Finally, Esder and Willie discuss Schwarzman Scholar values, World Cup championship predictions, practicing self-care, the story of her name and some reflections (37:35). Musical Recommendation: * My Shot by Lin-Manuel Miranda [https://open.spotify.com/track/4cxvludVmQxryrnx1m9FqL?si=e63a84b4baff4a93] Orgs/programs mentioned: * TheDream.US [https://thedream.us/] * Rutgers University

Episode 24: Miranda Gottlieb

Miranda Gottlieb from the second cohort comes to the Common Zoom to chat with Willie. After they reminisce on common room furniture, Miranda's transition from country bumpkin to geopolitical watcher (3:25), Miranda discusses her professional journey from public health vis-a-vis the opioid epidemic to trade policy/healthcare in China and taking on an executive role at a COVID-19 testing startup (13:04).  Next, Miranda shares her experience navigating job transitions, negotiations, building a sustainable life (28:07) as well as her family upbringing and meeting her partner, Phil (36:48). Finally, Miranda and Wilie reflect on one of the transformative conversations they had while they were both in Schwarzman College (44:51).  Musical Recommendation: * Whose Line - Scene to Rap: Summer Camp [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrVlndfNDIQ] from Whose Line is it anyway? Orgs/programs mentioned: * Curative [https://curative.com/] * Johnson & Johnson Innovation (JLABS) [https://jnjinnovation.com/jlabs]

Episode 23: Noah Elbot

Noah Elbot from the first cohort comes to the Common Zoom to catch up with Willie as they begin to discuss Noah's fantasy league strategy and his surrogate MBA experience as a significant other (6:30), the importance of kindness (13:44), and how the Yi Jing helped him choose college (25:04). Finally, Noah reflects on her his experience working in Mongolia and bootstrapping an alternative education program for college students during the COVID-19 pandemic (34:48). Musical Recommendation: * Afro-Harping [https://open.spotify.com/album/1XEPKavl3nlI2qVt8HuA5n?si=40tuLRzyRCGtqBsAqnvBRA] by Dorothy Ashby Orgs/programs mentioned: * University of Michigan Ross School of Business [https://rossweb.bus.umich.edu/academics/dual-degrees-minors-special-programs/mba-dual/dual-degree-opportunities-environment-and-sustainability/]  * Dalberg Global Development Advisors [https://dalberg.com/what-we-do/] * A Place Beyond [https://www.aplacebeyond.com/]

Episode 22: Juliana Batista

Juliana Batista from the first cohort pops by the Common Zoom to catch up with Willie as they recount her experiences at Cornell University and how she has changed as a function of the Schwarzman Scholars community (14:25). Afterward, Juliana opens up about being laid off during the Great Tech Layoff and finding her next role in sustainability (30:57). Finally, Juliana shares her foray into kite surfing and her favorite people (41:24).  Musical Recommendation: * The Motion [https://open.spotify.com/track/2Wa4z3v3e1lJWCplLTVV7F?si=04b3e7c467e441ed] by Tre Breezy Orgs/programs mentioned:  * The China Project [https://thechinaproject.com/] * Ta for Ta: Women, Success, China [https://thechinaproject.com/series/ta-for-ta-women-success-china/]

Episode 21: Mohamed Ramy

Mohamed Ramy kicks off our return to the Common Room by sharing his passion for cooking and experiences cooking for others before sharing why adaptability is so important for him (10:40), forgoing medical school in Egypt, deciding to attend college in the U.S., and embarking on a global journey as a Watson fellow (27:39). Finally, Ramy shares some unexpected lessons and closing reflections (55:33).  Musical recommendation * Rebelión [https://open.spotify.com/track/3v32VtMTRZbIQJUFsQpeJD?si=1a291e18105047c4] - Joe Arroyo Orgs/programs mentioned:  * Über den Tellerrand [https://ueberdentellerrand.org/] (Outside the Box) * Watson Foundation [https://watson.foundation/] * Watson Fellowship [https://watson.foundation/fellowships/tj]