DUing Cool Things

Laura Brusca '07, recently named Chief Communications Officer of Forbes, joins the show to discuss her transition into the role, her career path, and offer advice to aspiring communications professionals. Additionally, Laura currently serves as the President for New York Women in Communications, which you can learn more about at their website. https://nywici.org/

From writing for television to being a sales leader, Terry Erwin '84 has had a career that shows off the importance and value of the liberal arts education. Listen in to hear Terry and David talk about his path and the factors that have contributed to his success in very different industries.

Blake and David sit down with Dr. Nick Geitner to discuss his career path from Physics to Data Analytics. They discuss what to look for in graduate programs, finding what you do and don't like along the way, and Dr. Geitner shares his thoughts on growing as a professional and moving into a management career.

Current Denison students Desiree Smith '26 and Anna DeVuono '25 join the podcast to discuss the Journey Program and all that it can offer Denison students in their career exploration. Learn how this program will challenge you to think and help you create a more clear path to future success. Sign up today at: https://knowltonconnect.denison.edu/the-journey-program/ And be sure to check out Ask a Denisonian featured in this episode.

The first in a series of interviews by the Healthcare, Clinical Research, and Wellness Career Community Fellows, Morgan Gilmore '25 sits down with Dr. Carrie Barnes-Mullett '99 to discuss her career as a medical doctor. Check out the rest of this series of conversations coming soon!

Paige Robnett '14 joins the pod to discuss her work as a DEI Consultant and her jump to starting her own consulting business. Listen in to learn about the work Paige is doing, how she helps organizations succeed, and how the Denison network was pivotal in her journey. Want to learn more about Robnett Consulting? Visit https://www.robnettconsulting.com/.

Tanya Dempsey '01 is the Co-CEO and Tiffani Barletta '02 is a SVP at CSG Advisors - a full-service, independent financial advisory firm that helps its clients design, finance, and implement affordable housing, urban redevelopment, and economic development initiatives. Tanya and Tiffani share their career journey, advice for young professionals, and some of their favorite moments working together.

Connor Holleran '20 joins the show to talk about how his time at Denison has prepared him to take on his role as a Senior Consultant at EY. With his Data Analytics background and desire to help others, Connor finds himself an integral part of internal team and client-facing work.

Consistency & Persistency Join our conversation with Mathew Godley '16, Founder & CEO of Spendly. Mathew shares his insight into showing up, doing the work, and seeking the right mentorship that can drive you forward in entrepreneurship.

David is joined by the Peer Career Fellows of the Healthcare, Clinical Research, and Wellness Career Community to discuss why they have chosen the professional path they are on. We discuss everything from how and why they help other students, the highs and lows of their path, and how to take advantage of some of the resources Denison has to offer.

On a pony trekking trip in Lesotho in 2004, Chris Bradshaw's life took a new direction. Upon hearing about the lack of libraries in the country, Chris decided to use her talents to make a difference. The African Library Project was born not long after, and since it's founder has established over 3,700 libraries and provided nearly 4,000,000 books. Join David and Chris to discuss the organization and how it is making a difference in the world. Check out the African Library Project at https://www.africanlibraryproject.org/ where you can learn how to set up a book drive or donate to a wonderful organization.

Cultural Strategy, Consumer Insights, Communication and more in this episode of DUing Cool Things. Olivia McLean Hess '14 joins the pod to discuss career journey and offer advice about lifestyle playing a crucial part of the career exploration process. Whether it is working at agencies or freelance capacities, Olivia's Psychology studies at Denison have given her the tools to succeed in her career and shape strategies impacting business decision.

David is joined by Rachel Mabie '16, Senior Marketing Manager at Vail Resorts, to discuss her path from "The Hill" to the slopes of the premier mountain resort company in the world. Rachel talks about the difference between brand and agency work, impactful Denison experiences, and offers advice to aspiring marketers in the newest episode of DUing Cool Things.

Blake Gooch takes the mic today as he talks with Clayton Bishop '16 about his career journey since graduating from Denison. Clayton is currently a Light Microscopy Specialist at Hitech Instruments in Cleveland, OH. He discusses how his Physics major gave him a non-traditional pathway into sales, but how it has been a huge asset in his career.

In today's episode, David sits down for a round table discussion about the Denison Edge CX Innovation Lab and how it can lead to a truly transformation summer for students. Joined by Mike Compton (CX Innovation Lab Lead Instructor), CX Innovation Lab Mentor Stephanie Matthews (CX Innovation Lab) and two Innovation Strategists from last summer's program, Adam Cohn '23 and Zora Whitfield '24, we discuss some of the many ways that students and professionals come together to form a dynamic experience that helps make an impact in the region. Learn more at https://edge.denison.edu/cx-innovation-lab/ and apply today.

David sits down with Anna Palmer, Founder and CEO of Punchbowl News. Together, Anna and David discuss the importance of college students taking advantage of every opportunity that comes their way, connecting with as many people as possible, always being willing to learn, and demonstrating the best attitude and work ethic in the room. In 2019, Anna co-authored “The Hill to Die On: The Battle for Congress and the Future of Trump’s America,” which was the inside story of Congress in the first two years of Donald Trump’s presidency. The book was an instant New York Times and national bestseller. From 2016-2020, she was the co-author of the top-rated POLITICO Playbook. She also led Women Rule, a nation-leading platform aimed at expanding leadership opportunities for women and hosted the critically-acclaimed Women Rule podcast. A native of North Dakota, Anna graduated from St. Olaf in 2004 with a BA in English and Political Science with a concentration in Mass Communications.

In this special episode of "How to DU Cool Things", David sits down with Jasmine Summers, University Relations Specialist with Eliassen Group, to discuss a range of career tips for entry-level candidates. Covering topics such a resumes, cover letters, and good interview practices, this episode gives listeners a chance to hear advice from an expert that works with early career talent on a daily basis.

David sits down with the first Emmy recipient to be on the pod–Kristin Volk '04! Kristin is the Director of Marketing for Walter | Haverfield LLP, a Cleveland-based law firm serving clients in the Midwest and nationwide. She manages everything from budgets to ad plans, business development plans, and the firm's internal and external marketing and communications strategies. Together, David and Kristin talk about the role of marketing in the legal industry, Kristin's transition from the breakneck-paced world of journalism to legal marketing, and much more.

For Manan Ganeriwala '20, networking was a powerful tool to help him launch a career in education technology. Now a Product Manager with Cyanna Education Services in Granville, OH, Manan reflects on the values and conversations that led to his career path while also sharing his thoughts on how new technology may impact education in the future.

Helping credit unions beat banks! Founder and CEO of CUCollaborate, Sam Brownell '08, joins the DUing Cool Things Podcast to discuss his post-Denison career path (and why you should take a class from Dr. Ted Burczak!). Sam founded the company in 2014 with the goal of helping credit unions maximize the impact they have on their members and their communities. In the past 3 years, CUCollaborate has scaled to more than 60 employees across the globe. Link to Denison Edge CX Innovation Lab: https://edge.denison.edu/cx-innovation-lab/