By the time he got to Cornell, Nathan Eapen had already faced challenges most people never encounter. After enlisting in the Army right out of high school, he trained as an infantryman, deployed to Europe on NATO missions, and faced a career-ending injury that forced him to rethink his future. That path ultimately led him to Cornell, where sprint football gave him a new team and Cornell Human Ecology gave him a new mission. Michelle first met Nathan while onboarding him for the Human Ecology Alumni Association — and knew instantly that his story had to be shared.

In this inspiring conversation, Nathan opens up about life in uniform, the challenges of starting over, and the mindset that carried him from combat boots to the classroom. His story is proof that grit, belief, and community can transform even the hardest setbacks into strength.

We loved every minute with him and you will too!

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

This week we talk with Hallie Goldman Hohner ’91, whose path proves you can succeed brilliantly in more than one world.

At Cornell’s ILR School, Hallie graduated in the top 1% of her class before launching a distinguished law career. But her story didn’t stop there. Driven by her lifelong love of singing and theater, she went on to create Broadway Camp for Adults -  a Broadway camp that has become a destination for aspiring performers — a place where passion, talent, and dreams collide.

Hallie tells us how she built something extraordinary that combines her sharp intellect with her artistic heart. 

And then she even weighs in on marshalling - it's a thing.

It’s an inspiring story you will love as much as we did!

Instagram: bcfachicago

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BroadwayCampforAdults/

Camp website: https://broadwaycampchicago.wordpress.com/

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Mary Maxon Grainger ’79 has spent her life showing up for the people and places she cares about most. From leading alumni groups to mentoring women to advocating for girls’ hockey, she’s made an impact that stretches across Cornell and the Ithaca community.

In this episode, Mary shares how a gregarious first-year student in Baker Tower became a lifelong connector, volunteer, and leader. Her story is thoughtful, honest, and full of the kind of perspective you can only get from decades of service.

Over the years, Mary’s dedication has been recognized with numerous honors, including, brace yourselves:

Frank H.T. Rhodes Award for Exemplary Alumni Service
AAUW Title IX Champion
Cornell Tradition’s Debra S. Newman Community Recognition Award
Women of Excellence, Girl Scouts Seven Lakes Council
AFP Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year
Agda Osborn Award, Family and Children’s Service
Women Making History Award, City Federation of Women’s Organizations
Megan Shull Award, Tompkins Girls Hockey Association
Tompkins Trust Company Award for Excellence

We love her a little extra because she is also a sorority sister of ours who just helped plant a beautiful garden in remembrance of sisters who are no longer with us.

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

You’ve heard of triple threats — but none quite like Bruce Hulse: a Cornell two-sport athlete, a globetrotting supermodel, and a lifelong seeker of spiritual truth.

We talk to Bruce about his evolution from athletic star to one of the most recognizable male models of the 1980s and beyond. With a modeling career spanning over 40 years, Bruce has worked with icons like Bruce Weber, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren... and Cindy Crawford. He's also an incredible surfer — and yes, he was naked on Cornell’s campus… more than once.

We hear about the devastating losses he experienced during the LA fires, and how his deep spirituality is helping him through it.

Plus, the full-circle moment of watching his daughter graduate from Cornell, just steps away from where he once trained as an Ivy League athlete.

Bruce is a model in every sense of the word — of style, resilience, and living a fascinating life with grace and humor. We LOVED him. And yes, we’ll be posting photos.

Big thanks to our Peter Kaplan for introducing us to another phenomenal guest.

Instagram: @brucewhulse
His book is on Amazon: Sex, Love, and Fashion: A Memoir of a Male Model

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

In this episode, we talk to Emily Chen, Cornell Human Ecology Class of 2020, who is redefining what it means to put humans first—as a user experience (UX) researcher for Harvard.

Emily shares her journey to becoming a bold Cornell connector, diving into how a love for doodling led her to the Design and Environmental Analysis major. She opens up about rebranding herself socially, finding the perfect blend of science and empathy in her studies, and eventually discovering the little-known but hugely impactful field of UX research. Let is know if you've heard of this!

Emily’s story is all about following curiosity, embracing vulnerability, and designing a meaningful life—with the user always in mind.

Also she has 100 people to family events.

You can find Emily on her LinkedIn:

Emily Chen https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilywmchen/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Before he was producing Netflix’s #1 true crime documentary, Jon Houseman was making salsa in Ithaca and hustling through NYU Stern (with Michelle). 

In this episode, the Emmy-winning storyteller shares his journey from Cornell history major to global media entrepreneur—and reveals how a spicy startup and a passion for untold stories led to streaming success.

He’s the best, he’s the most fun, and we can’t wait for you to hear his story.

Find out more about Jon on his LinkedIn: Jon Housman,

and more about his company, here: https://www.trulyadventure.us/

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

If you went to Cornell, chances are you heard his voice echoing through Bailey Hall to 2,000 rapt students at a time. In this heartfelt tribute to Professor James Maas, we remember the magic of Psych 101, his pioneering role in sleep science, and the multimedia lectures that made his class unforgettable. 

Stephanie shares her personal experience as his TA and advisee, along with the memories that still give her and Michelle goosebumps.

He will be missed.

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

What’s a 5-letter word for brilliant? ROBYN. 

Robyn Weintraub (’91) is a crossword puzzle constructor for the New York Times, New Yorker, People, and more. 

She joins us to share her road from U-Hall 3 to puzzle fame, how she constructs with personality, and what makes a great clue.

Special thank you to her husband, Jeff Weintraub, who introduced us to Robyn and gave us a day filled with fun, learning, and an inside look at a world we were dying to understand.

Google Robin’s puzzles — and get hooked!

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University 

From Miami roots to navigating snow boots and shutdowns, Abby Siegel (’23) shares her story of flexibility, friendship, and finding her stride at Cornell—despite a freshman year no one could have predicted. 

In this episode, Abby takes us through her transition from sunny South Florida to icy Ithaca, the sudden arrival of COVID during her first spring, and how she found meaning, connection, and unexpected joy in the years that followed. 

She’s thoughtful, funny, and on her way to medical school after winning a top award from Cornell Human Ecology. 

Plus, we put her future MD skills to the test in a game about beloved 1970s medicines.

Find Abby on LinkedIn: Abby Siegel

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

We just spent an hour with Dana Gershon and have one major regret: that we didn’t know her in college. She’s the kind of person who makes you feel smarter just by listening to her—and happier just by being around her (even over Zoom). A powerhouse attorney, mom of four, marathon runner (x4), and immediate past president of NCJW, Dana has done it all—and somehow makes it look effortless. She’s brilliant, warm, and wildly accomplished, but still totally down-to-earth. We left this conversation inspired, impressed, and maybe a little obsessed.

P.S. The only “B” we left out of the episode title is for Balch — and you’re going to love that story.

LinkedIn: Dana Gershon

National Council of Jewish Women:

https://www.ncjw.org/

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University