Meet our new idol, Rebecca Rutstein ’93, an artist whose creative process takes her somewhere almost no one else has ever been: more than 2,000 meters beneath the ocean’s surface.

Rebecca collaborates closely with scientists, joins deep-sea research expeditions, and climbs into a six-foot submersible to explore the hidden landscapes of the ocean floor — from bioluminescent life in total darkness to a vast underwater world that feels completely otherworldly.

We talk about how a geology class at Cornell helped shape the direction of her work, what it’s actually like spending hours inside a tiny sphere with no bathroom, and how she transforms scientific discovery into breathtaking, immersive art.

Along the way, we uncover one of Rebecca's biggest fears.

It’s a funny, fascinating, and unforgettable conversation about curiosity, creativity, and seeing the world in a way most of us never will.

And wait till you see her art. Go NOW to her website: rebeccarutstein.com

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University.

Roy Danis ’78 never took Cornell’s famous wine tasting class — and yet he went on to build a 40-year career at the top of the wine and spirits world.

Roy takes us from Oceanside, Long Island to Cornell, where he captained the men’s gymnastics team, and into an extraordinary professional journey including Seagram, Campari, start-ups, and his newest venture, Revival Spirits — alongside business partner Edgar Bronfman Jr.

Roy shares what actually makes a brand succeed, why great leadership is about humility and credibility, and the “all in” mindset that’s guided him through every chapter.

We also explore Roy’s deep commitment to giving back through his work with the Viscardi Center and the UJA-Federation’s Wines & Spirits Division.

And of course, we end with our speed round — including the one cocktail even Roy had never heard of until today. Can you guess it?

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University 

Dr. Nicole McNichols ’97 is a professor whose work explores sex, intimacy, and how people connect.

In this episode, Nicole breaks down what’s actually happening in modern dating and relationships — why so many people feel disconnected, how expectations around sex have shifted, and what the research really says about pleasure, desire, and communication. 

Drawing from both her classroom and her own work, she explains the myths we’ve absorbed, the pressure people feel to “get it right,” and what actually leads to more connected experiences.

Nicole also reflects on her journey from Cornell to leading the most popular undergraduate course in the history of the University of Washington, and shares key ideas from her book, You Could Be Having Better Sex, about what helps people feel more confident, connected, and fulfilled.

She's incredibly fun and she's gone viral on social media - here's where you can find her:

Instagram and TikTok: nicole_thesexprofessor

Sign up for her newsletter at: https://nicolethesexprofessor.com/

Her book is sold wherever you buy books starting February 3, 2026

And thank you to past guest and author Alli Frank for the introduction.

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Asian Americans make up a small percentage of artists on major stages — and Lily Tung Crystal is actively changing that.

Lily is the Artistic Director of East West Players, the nation’s largest and longest-running Asian American theater company. She shares her journey from Cornell to Shanghai to Minneapolis to Los Angeles, and how her work is reshaping who gets hired, who gets supported, and whose stories are told.

We talk about representation, leadership, and why lasting change in the arts takes systems — not just talent — along with the creativity and care that make live theater matter.

We had so much fun with Lily. Fun fact: she’s a sorority sister we hadn’t connected with since 1990!

Read about Lily here:

https://www.eastwestplayers.org/blog/ewp-announces-artistic-director-lily-tung-crystal

Find East West Players and their schedule here:

https://www.eastwestplayers.org/

And a special thank you to Beth Storz, a recent guest and sorority sister, for making the connection.

Not sponsored or affiliated with Cornell University

Meet Dr. Eric Kusseluk ’97, a board-certified dermatologist, former Cornell soccer player, and a true example of persistence.

"Dr. K" (to us) shares the remarkable story of how sheer tenacity got him into Cornell off the waitlist, onto the soccer field as a walk-on, and eventually helped transform the program into an Ivy League championship team. That same determination followed him through Wall Street, medical school (another waitlist work of magic), and into building a successful dermatology practice in Manhattan.

We also get Dr. K’s no-nonsense take on current skincare trends, answering the questions everyone is asking in our game “Dr. K Yay or Dr. K Nay.” He breaks down what’s worth your time, what’s mostly hype, and how to keep skincare simple, healthy, and realistic.

You will love this conversation about showing up and proving what’s possible when you don’t quit.

Dr K's website:

https://www.kusselukmd.com/

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University 

Some people build careers.
Others build trust (and an incredible career).

Beloved return guest Dave Price joins us for a deeper conversation about what it means to show up — not just on television, but for people who need connection most.

From decades as a trusted television weather forecaster to traveling overseas to entertain U.S. troops, Dave reflects on service, consistency, and why presence matters more than recognition. We talk about how those trips began, what stays with him long after he returns home, and why this work continues to matter so deeply to him.

An absolute gift on a Monday morning — we even tested a few ideas we’re thinking about for 2026.

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

This episode is a reset.

Lainie returns for a rare, mostly unedited conversation that unfolds like a masterclass in letting go. Her new book, Hold Nothing: An Invitation to Let Go and Come Home to Yourself, left us reflecting (and crying!) long after we finished — and questioning what we carry that no longer serves us.

We explore what it really means to “hold nothing,” how presence and stillness shape the way we think and relate, and why friendship, service, and trust steady the nervous system. We talk about grief, parenting, spiritual health, and the small, deliberate shifts that change how we move through the world.

If you’re heading into a new year looking for clarity, steadiness, and perspective, this conversation is worth everything.

And of course, we asked her to play along with us and comment on some tricks and trends for 2026.

Find Lainie here:

https://elenabrower.substack.com/p/when-friendship-cracked-me-open

Find her book on Amazon, and we strongly suggest you also download the audiobook to hear the content in Lainie's actual voice.

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

What actually happens when companies run out of ideas—and who do they call next? Beth Yancey Storz ’92

Beth is an innovation leader, creative strategist, and co-author of Outsmart Your Instincts. For decades, she’s helped teams break through stuck thinking and lead better brainstorms. In this episode, she takes us inside the room where ideas are really made.

Do you know why “no idea is a bad idea” isn’t quite right? Or how negativity quietly kills creativity? And what great facilitators do differently to keep energy high all day long?

Tune in if you want those answers and to know why learning how to think may be more important than what you think.

WE think she's amazing. No brainstorming needed for that one.

LinkedIn: Beth Storz

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

We kick off the episode with the upbeat song from Looking Up, because it’s exactly the Monday energy you need. Elena Neuman ’88 joins us to share how a 10-minute video unexpectedly became a full feature documentary—filmed on the face of El Capitan in Yosemite.

Elena reflects on her Cornell experience, the professor who changed her path, and what it really takes to tell a powerful story—from creative pivots during COVID to finding the heart of a film in the edit.

She also shares her work leading the effort to build Cornell’s first standalone Hillel, creating the kind of community she wishes had existed when she was a student. 

It’s a conversation about perseverance, curiosity, and forward momentum. And it's clear that Elena is a gifted storyteller, maybe especially when it comes to telling her own!

Her documentary:

https://www.neumanfilm.com/lookingup

Hillel

 https://www.cornellhillelcampaign.org/

LinkedIn:

Elena Neuman Lefkowitz

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

This week we sit down with Dr. Shari Brasner, a (semi famous!) OB/Gyn, widely respected for her approach to patient care.

Dr. Brasner reflects on how her time at Cornell shaped her path in medicine and shares why the relationship between doctor and patient matters so deeply. Through honest, funny, and sometimes emotional stories, she highlights the impact of trust, communication, and compassion in moments that truly count.

This conversation goes beyond credentials. It’s about the importance of a great doctor, the human side of medicine, and why thoughtful, attentive care can make all the difference.

You will rethink everything.

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University