All in a Day's Work

In this special episode, created by one of our student podcast fellows, NYU student Antonella Rodio interviews Dr. Marlene Brito, Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the NYU Wasserman Center, and Kenya Farley, Senior Assistant Director of Undergraduate Career Development also at the NYU Wasserman Center. They both play a key role in the First-Generation Professional Development Mentoring Program. In this episode, They share insights from their career journey as first-generation students as well as important networking and career advice for first-generation professionals.

Dr. Marlene Brito is the Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development. She was a first-generation college student and first-generation scholar, with a Ph.D in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from NYU Steinhardt.

Kenya Farley is the Senior Assistant Director of Undergraduate Career Development at NYU Wasserman. She was a first-generation college student as well as a first-generation professional.

For a full transcript of this episode, please email [email protected]. 

In this special episode, created by one of our student podcast fellows, NYU student Sean Hu interviews Faye Oyang, Senior Manager in International Touring and Licensing at Broadway Asia. They discuss Faye’s journey working in theatre, how her background informed her passion, and what the American and Asian theatre industries can learn from each other.

Based in New York City, Faye specializes in East Asian commercial theatre markets and touring circuits in the Asia Pacific region. She currently works as the Senior Manager in International Touring and Licensing at Broadway Asia, whose portfolio spans Broadway, West End, Off-Broadway, and productions and tours in more than 40 countries worldwide. Faye holds an MA in Performance Studies from the NYU Tisch School of the Arts and a BA in Communication Studies and Japanese from Northwestern University.

For a full transcript of this episode, please email [email protected]. 

In this special episode, created by one of our student podcast fellows, NYU student Yug Thakkar interviews Dr. Pavlos Mourdoukoutas, an Industry Professor and Director of the Management of Technology Program at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. They discuss the future of technology, how AI might change the learning experience, and tips for students looking to join the evergreen field of tech management. 

With over two decades of experience as a senior economist in the music industry, Dr. Pavlos has guided stakeholders through evolving copyright landscapes, technological disruptions, and shifting business models. His current academic work centers on the economics of artificial intelligence, making him a thought leader at the intersection of technology, policy, and innovation.

For a full transcript of this episode, please email [email protected]. 

In this special episode, created by one of our student podcast fellows, NYU student Ella Sullivan speaks with Fina Strazza, an actor and NYU student in Tisch’s Collaborative Arts program. Together, they discuss Fina’s experience as a child actor, her approach to acting, advice for aspiring performers, and what her experience at NYU has been like.

A native New Yorker, Fina Strazza made her Broadway debut as the youngest actress to perform the title role in Matilda: the Musical at age 8. Since then, Fina has done not just theatre, but also film and TV. Her credits include Amazon Prime Video’s Paper Girls, John Proctor is the Villain which opens on Broadway in March 2025, and Netflix’s Fear Street: Prom Queen, coming this May.

For a full transcript of this episode, please email [email protected]. 

In this special episode, created by one of our student podcast fellows, NYU student Sixuan Chen speaks with Kayla Xiong, an NYU graduate with a background in UX design and marketing. They discuss Kayla’s experiences before, during, and after NYU. Why was she drawn to social media as a way to connect with audiences? How did she find herself in the worlds of music production and DJing? And how can you turn your personal brand into business opportunities? 

Kayla Xiong graduated from NYU having studied UX design and marketing. She has seamlessly blended her academic experience with her creative passions, carving out a unique path in both the fashion and electronic music industries. Her journey reflects a deep commitment to innovation, authenticity, and storytelling.

For a full transcript of this episode, please email [email protected]. 

In this special episode, created by one of our student podcast fellows, NYU student Ari Lin speaks with Widodo, a Master's Student in Educational Leadership, Politics and Advocacy. He is deeply committed to non-profit organizations that champion education and gender equity. In this episode, Widodo explores why he began working in the non-profit sector, the impact he has observed through his work, and his own personal growth.

Widodo is a Master of Arts student in Educational Leadership, Politics, and Advocacy at NYU. With extensive experience as an educator, he is deeply committed to non-profit organizations that champion education and gender equity. Driven by a passion for social impact, Widodo aspires to contribute to building a more equitable and empowered Indonesia.

For a full transcript of any podcast episode, please email [email protected].

In this special episode, created by one of our student podcast fellows, NYU student Khushboo speaks with Gary Zamchick, an innovation strategist who has worked in technology environments like AT&T labs Research and world-class design boutiques like Rockwell Group. In this episode, Gary talks into the intersection of art and technology, exploring new possibilities for their integration. He also discusses how we can better adapt and keep pace with future technological revolutions.

Gary Zamchick is an innovation strategist who has worked in technology environments like AT&T Labs Research and world-class design boutiques like Rockwell Group. He is an Adjunct Professor of Design & Innovation at NYU’s MS-CEI program and has served as Strategic Designer in Residence at Cornell Tech. Gary has designed innovation labs for Coca Cola, scoped out experiences for the Disney World Parade and Walt Disney Family Museum, and co-founded WordsEye, a high tech startup. He recently co-authored “Everyday Superhero,” a graphic-novel style book for Penguin Random House.

For a full transcript of any podcast episode, please email [email protected].

In this special episode, created by one of our student podcast fellows, NYU student Vedant Jain speaks with Project Management master's student, Tien Nguyen. In this episode, Tien generously shares how he reevaluated his career path after facing challenges, developed a mindset to navigate obstacles, and turned setbacks into new perspectives—all while navigating life as a new immigrant in this country.

Tien Nguyen is a student in the M.S. in Project Management program at NYU SPS. Originally from Vietnam, Tien moved to New York City in 2018 to pursue a career in the sports industry, graduating from NYU with a degree in Sports Management. His professional ambition is to leverage sports as a catalyst for positive societal change and development. Beyond sports, Tien enjoys podcasting, viewing it as a powerful networking tool and a means to enhance his storytelling abilities.

For a full transcript of any podcast episode, please email [email protected].

In this special episode, created by one of our student podcast fellows, NYU student Sandro Schwyzer speaks with neuroscientist Joseph Ledoux, a former NYU professor and the band leader of The Amygdaloids. They discuss how he came to study neuroscience and the journey music has taken him on, revealing secrets about emotions through his creative process.

Joseph LeDoux is an American neuroscientist known for his groundbreaking work on the nature of consciousness and the study of emotion. He wrote remarkable books such as “The Deep History of Ourselves: The Four-Billion-Year Story of How We Got Our Conscious Brains” where he discusses the relationship between emotion, consciousness, and the different parts of the human brain. This year, Professor LeDoux retired from his position as a professor of neuroscience and psychology at New York University. But LeDoux not only came into science in an unconventional way, he has also been very successful as the band leader of The Amygdaloids. He’s been a guest on renowned podcasts like Joe Rogan and Lawrence Krauss, has had an Amazon documentary made about him, and features in Werner Herzog’s latest documentary “Theatre of Thought.” He is currently working on his memoirs.

For a full transcript of any podcast episode, please email [email protected].

In this special episode, created by one of our student podcast fellows, NYU student Arash Dabestani sits down with actress Kristen Vaganos, currently a series regular on ABC’s General Hospital. Kristen, also an accomplished producer behind several critically acclaimed shows, shares her experiences navigating the entertainment industry. She offers valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of her career and how she finds balance between her professional and personal life.

Kristen Vaganos grew up in a loud, loving Greek family in Philadelphia before moving to New York City where she earned her BFA in Drama from NYU Tisch School of the Arts in just three years. Kristen is currently a series regular on ABC's General Hospital playing the role of Molly. She can be seen starring in films on Peacock, Hulu, Amazon, Tubi, WongFu and the Lifetime Network. As a Producer, Kristen is known for the films Bobcat Moretti starring Vivica A. Fox, Taryn Manning, Matt Peters, and Oscar-nominee Sally Kirkland, and Ramona At Midlife, starring Yvonne Woods, Alysia Reiner, and Joel de la Fuente.

For a full transcript of any podcast episode, please email [email protected].