In the 34th episode of MPods, we sit down with Raj Sarkar, the Chief Marketing Officer of CloudBees and a University of Michigan alum recognized on Forbes’ Entrepreneurial CMO list. From his early days as an engineer and launching innovative products at tech giants like Amazon and Google, to leaving a cushy job for a risky startup and rebounding from failures, he opens up about the psychological rollercoaster of a marketing leader’s journey.We cover scrappy marketing tactics like his “outbound fury” approach to virality, the rise of AI in marketing, and why he believes “culture eats strategy” when building teams. If you’re a student wondering how to launch your career, a marketing enthusiast looking for creative strategies, or a future founder weighing risk vs. stability, this episode is a must-listen. Raj shares insights on learning from failure, telling your story, and building an exciting career!

In the 33rd episode of MPods, we sit down with Jake Schwartz, founder of Endorsed, University of Michigan alum, and former Apple engineer, to explore the bold mission behind his company: reducing global unemployment with AI.

Jake takes us through his journey from building websites at age 8 to landing his dream job at Apple, and ultimately leaving it all behind to pursue the startup path. He shares powerful stories from his time at Life360, insights from high-stakes hiring experiences, and the “aha” moment that made him realize hiring is in dire need of new solutions. Now at Endorsed, he’s building AI tools that empower companies to hire faster, smarter, and more equitably by uncovering diamonds in the rough that traditional systems often miss.

Along the way, Jake opens up about his Michigan roots, late-night hackathons, influential mentors, and why tinkering on side projects just might be the best career decision a student can make. He also reflects on the future of work, the role of AI agents in our lives, and why meaningful human connection should never be replaced, even as machines get smarter.

In the 32nd episode of MPods, we sit down with Nosa Edoimioya, the Founder & CEO of Reforge Robotics, a company pioneering in autonomous manufacturing by building software to supercharge industrial robots. From turning down a high-paying job at Amazon Robotics, founding a startup, his decision to go “all in, " to securing $500K in funding and a fellowship in the same week, he opens up about the psychological rollercoaster of the founder's journey.

We cover the real challenges of automation, the labor displacement debate, and his inspiring vision of “lights-out factories” run entirely by robots. If you’re a student wondering what to do after graduation, a robotics nerd, or a future founder weighing risk vs. regret, this episode is a must-listen. Nosa shares insights on learning how to learn, telling your story, and building a life you’re excited to wake up to.

In the middle of 2025, as tensions between the U.S. and China escalate in a trade war, having empathy and a mutual understanding is more important than ever. In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of MPods, we sit down with Robert Fisch, founder of InCorpChina and a seasoned expert in U.S.–China business relations. With over 40 years of experience living and working in China, Robert shares stories that reveal the deep cultural contrasts between transactional and relationship-based societies and why failing to understand these differences can doom even the most well-funded ventures. From learning Mandarin in Ann Arbor to singing Chinese folk songs with government officials, Robert emphasizes the irreplaceable power of human connection, humility, and mutual respect in global business.

He also offers reflections on modern disconnection and the hope that younger generations can rekindle real, face-to-face relationships. It was truly a special episode so be sure to check out!

In this episode of MPods, we sit down with Jonah Liss, co-founder and COO of Meet Your Class, a startup revolutionizing how students connect before stepping onto campus. Jonah shares his journey as a University of Michigan student and entrepreneur tackling one of higher education’s biggest challenges: enrollment and student retention. Jonah talks about the power of conviction in entrepreneurship, how early validation shaped their business model, and why social media is transforming the way students choose their schools. If you’re an entrepreneur navigating early-stage challenges, a student curious about the startup world, or someone interested in the future of education technology, this episode is packed with insights, resilience, and bold vision.

In the 30th episode of MPods, we welcome Don Hicks, a Ross alum and serial entrepreneur. Don founded, led as CEO, and ultimately sold the supply chain analytics company LLamasoft for $1.5 billion. Today, he is the CEO of Optilogic, a growing supply chain company with over 90 employees, the owner of Ann Arbor’s Blue Llama Jazz Club, and the co-author of children’s book Frankenwalnut.

In this episode, Don takes us through his career journey, from bootstrapping startups to leading major acquisitions, and shares unfiltered insights on leadership, company culture, and the value of people in business. He dives into his philosophy on ethics, his approach to entrepreneurship, and why building companies isn’t just about making money.

He also discusses the importance of creativity, having fun, and staying optimistic through life!

In episode 28 of MPods, Jeff Hauptman—CEO and founder of Oxford Companies—Ann Arbor’s leading real estate investment and property management firm—shares his transformation from aspiring medical student to real estate mogul. A University of Michigan alum and award-winning industry leader, Jeff tells the story of how he turned a one-person startup into a company of over 100 people with half a billion dollars in assets under management.

Jeff highlights Oxford’s transformative Arbor South project—the largest residential and affordable housing development in Ann Arbor’s history—and his vision for vibrant, walkable, and community-focused spaces. He also shares lessons on tenacity, leadership, and building a vertically integrated company.

Whether you're interested in real estate, entrepreneurship, or urban development, this episode delivers actionable advice and inspiration. Tune in to learn how passion and perseverance can create lasting impact!

In episode 27 of MPods, Dr. Mark Kiel, co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Genomenon, shares his journey from medical student to entrepreneur, transforming genetic data into actionable insights. A University of Michigan alum, Mark discusses the pivotal moments that led him to leave academia, start a genomics data company, and tackle the challenges of building a business from scratch. Mark reflects on the power of humility, the importance of adaptability, and how he leveraged his scientific curiosity to unlock genomic data for medical breakthroughs. His story offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and scientists. Mark, an identical twin also dives into the age-old debate of nature vs. nurture. Whether you're interested in biotech startups, genomics, or entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with insights about resilience and the future of precision medicine. Tune in to hear Mark’s inspiring story and his advice for turning vision into reality!

In Episode 26 of MPods, John Seamans, the Manager of the Michigan Biomedical Venture Fund (MBVF), shares his journey from MedTech professional to advisor, leveraging his technical expertise from roles at GE Healthcare and Delphinus Medical Technologies to guide startups through challenges like FDA regulations and technical hurdles. Seamans explores the transformative potential of personalized medicine, AI, and non-invasive health monitoring. This episode offers practical insights into advancing technology, addressing real challenges, and shaping healthcare’s future. It’s a great listen for anyone passionate about technology, business, and medicine!

In this episode of MPods, Diane Bouis, an angel investor, startup advisor, and current program director at MedTech Innovator, shares her journey from academia to the business world, highlighting the importance of networking and adaptability. Diane discusses her transition from completing a PhD in Europe to pursuing a career in healthcare business, which began with a pivotal decision to obtain an MBA from Michigan Ross School of Business. She emphasizes the value of combining scientific expertise with business acumen to bridge the gap between science and entrepreneurship in MedTech.

Diane advocates for a "give first" mentality in networking, explaining how paying it forward has helped her build a strong network over the years. She offers practical advice for young professionals, such as seeking internships, engaging in fellowships, and utilizing university resources to gain real-world experience.

The episode also explores her leadership philosophy, which centers on hiring talented people, empowering them to succeed, and fostering diversity of thought within teams. Diane discusses the balance between hiring experienced professionals and nurturing promising talent. She encourages continuous career development, openness to feedback, and taking initiative to shape one's career path.