Bruin One Ear & Out the Other

Robert details his experience at UCLA, with emphasis on study abroad in Chile and his time at the Daily Bruin. We cover his investigative piece on how donations affected admissions to UCLA’s orthodontics program and why these crises continue to unfold in spite of past coverage. Entering the industry during a financial crisis, Robert explains how he navigated his way to the LA Times, established a foothold with a piece on police corruption, and ultimately landed a Pulitzer Prize.

Congressman Gomez shares how his experience with healthcare at a young age has helped shape his views on it as a politician. We also talked about some of his early educational challenges in high school, but with resilience how he was able to move from jobs at Subway and Target to community college and finally transfer to UCLA. He also shared how a former Governor and presidential candidate helped shape his interest in pursuing public policy instead of going to law school.

David shares insights from his career trajectory that includes stops at several major cities (BOS, NYC, LA, Chicago, London, Miami, Nashville, and now Seattle), and how NYC’s financial crisis led to his journey to UCLA. He captivates listeners with a story about an old Malibu 10k race and how lessons learned from competitive running such as the power of belief apply to everyday life. As David is unable to identify his single favorite city, Pranav pushes him to identify his favorite amongst his three kids.

Erin covers studying Film and Television at UCLA as well as her astrophysics coursework. She accounts turning down acceptances to prestigious law schools, in the waning hours, for a screenwriting job with Chris Carter (X-files). She continues with the hilarious story of how she landed her gig with LMFAO and when she knew her song “Sexy and I Know It” was a worldwide hit. Finally, listeners hear about her new fitness company and a story about the time she negged Jordan Farmar, when they first met at UCLA.

Mikala talks about UCLA Acappella and living on the same floor as Pranav, their freshman year. Mikala tells Nakin about her MPH thesis on a flesh-eating bacteria. Pranav asks Mikala to introspect on how she’s personally had to evolve and step up after quickly being thrusted under the COVID-19 limelight and assuming responsiblity for 300,000 citizens.

John details the importance of agency, phase shifting, and fearlessness. He mentions his time studying accounting & architecture at UCLA and whizzing around campus in a moped. A few years after his first startup was acquired by Pinterest, John is back at it again with Y-combinator backed Aesthetic.

Jeanine talks about her transition as the winner of “So You Think You Can Dance” to a student at UCLA. Majoring in World Arts and Culture, Jeanine was able to leverage the quarter system as she picked up acting gigs. Of Cuban descent, Jeanine discusses diversity in Hollywood and how she was able to parlay a recurring role on “Grey’s Anatomy” into a series lead on CW’s hit show “Roswell, New Mexico”. Pranav and Jeanine machinate to get Nakin to try out for the Emmy award winning Fox dance show.

In our first Summer episode, Andrew explains how his MBA helped him adapt quickly to his then new role as CEO under tenuous circumstances. He explains how entrepreneurship and business can serve as rehabilitative programming as a solution to solving prison recidivism. He also discusses his role as Vice President on the board of LA Fire Commission in the time of climate change.

Ron details growing up in the Bay Area, his first date with his now wife at UCLA, and his passion for mountain biking. Listeners also learn about the effort it took to build Liftopia, a ski ticketing company. We end with Ron’s stewardship of AllTrails and the importance of civic engagement, inclusivity, and empathy.

Dan covers his time at UCLA and gives a primer on plasma physics, deep space and JPL. Listeners also get to learn about his interest in restoring cars and practicing Krav Maga.