Have you ever wondered what it means to get the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval? Have you wondered if people are fire testing products by lighting things on fire? Do you recall the Pirate's Booty scandal? Have you suddenly been hearing about the fiber science major as often as we have? If yes, then this episode is going to be very satisfying. Lexie Sachs explains it all and tells a little secret about Dinos too.

You may have seen her on the Today Show and the like, and you can read her articles in Good Housekeeping and online. She's brilliant, and she's FUN.

Here are some links:
Instagram @lexiesachs
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/author/1540/lexie-sachs/
https://www.today.com/video/best-in-bedding-see-good-housekeeping-s-award-winners-173838405535

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Dream. Guest.

From day one we have wanted to interview Andrea Savage.

You know her from everywhere: Step Brothers, Veep, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Man Bites Dog, Tulsa King and our absolute favorite show, I'm Sorry, which she created, wrote and starred in.

Before all of that, she was a sorority sister, a Cascadilla squatter, a government major and a registration line dream girl at our beloved Cornell.

There is no better way to start or end your day than with this podcast - you will laugh and smile. And she settled our best friends debates as well.

Andrea's Instagram:
@andreasavage


Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

If he had given us 10 hours, it still would not have been enough.

We all know Mickey Rapkin for his groundbreaking, trend setting, mania inducing novel, Pitch Perfect. Now hear the rest of the story - a Cayuga Waiter, journalist, screenwriter, runner, kindergarten teacher and brilliantly funny human, we loved Mickey. 

Pitch Perfect is just the tip of the Rapkin iceberg. He's endlessly talented and full of ideas. Listen to two of his solos at the intro and outro of the episode.

PS, you're welcome, we just found the ultimate baby present.

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Lots of hopeful students write in their college essays that they will "give back" to Cornell and Ithaca if they are accepted. Some do it, some don't. Ryan did it in a HUGE way and was recognized for it.
From being on the dean's Undergraduate Advisory Council, to conducting community service projects in Ithaca, to restarting his fraternity, Ryan looked to improve life on campus every chance he got.
He's one of only eight students to win the SUNY Chancellor Award and still finds time to be the club lacrosse goalie, and wait until you hear his GPA!
This kid has no ceiling and we loved him!
He also has a really good pet peeve - and it's fixable, people. Get it together in college town!

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

In this episode, our friend (and idol) Stacy Smith Ross, shares her story of parenting a child with Borderline Personality Disorder, and all the highs and lows that are her life.  

She has a book due out next spring that she hopes will help and heal the readers. She is very open about an incredibly personal journey her family is on.

When we met Stacy decades ago, she was business savvy, driven, brilliant, funny and warm. None of that has changed. You will love her.


Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University.

If we want to be conservative with our word count, we would sum up Neal this way:
Extremist and Ice Creamist. 

Neal is the most adventurous person we have ever met. He has climbed the tallest mountains, taken a stand in countries that frown upon taking a stand, opened and closed a delicious ice cream-for-good business, and rowed crew. Crazy enough - that is not all!

Tune in to hear Neal's Cornell journey, his career, and his brilliant idea that just may make life happier, healthier and safer.

We loved meeting Neal. His story is one of a kind.


Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University.

Graduation is bittersweet - extremely exciting things ahead, but it's also difficult to leave the Cornell campus. We remember the feeling well.

Today's episode is a compilation of the brilliant advice our guests would like to give to seniors.

Congratulations to all the seniors and their families, we believe in you!



Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Dr. Dana Weiner is a Senior Policy Fellow at the Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago. After decades of experience championing the causes and betterment of our youth, Dana was appointed by Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois to evaluate and redesign the mental health systems that support the most vulnerable kids and adolescents. She's created a blueprint for change, access, and education that's even got the Surgeon General interested!

We also know her as a funny, fun and brilliant sorority sister and it's impossible for us to contain our pride in this episode, so we don't.

That said, she does have a pet peeve and she's got some of the more creative ways to instantly turn her day to happy.

Here's her incredible bio on the Chapin Hall website:
https://www.chapinhall.org/person/dana-weiner/

You can read more about her initiative here:
https://www.chapinhall.org/news/chapin-hall-and-gov-pritzker-launch-blueprint-for-transformation-to-overhaul-mental-health-services-for-illinois-youth/
and here:
https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.26110.html


Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Total life highlight to be invited to speak at the Cornell Entrepreneurship Conference!

Invited by Zach Shulman at Gwen Whiting's suggestion, we talked about this podcast and then did our first live podcast with Barry Beck, co-founder of Blue Mercury and now, Evenly.

We also hit every stop on our bucket list, and every college town bar.

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

We love her! Carolyn Gitlin is Steph's sister-in-law and a favorite friend to both of us. 

We have always wanted to know what Ithaca College students thought of Cornell students, if their paths often crossed, and whether what they did for fun in Ithaca was the same as what we did.

And, did they have to take a swim test???

You'll also hear how a brilliant choice of major and some encouragement from a special friend led to a life of limitless and rewarding volunteer work. Carolyn is a born leader and tremendous giver of her time and kindness.

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University.