Northwestern Intersections

Small businesses across the US and the world have been hit hard by the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, many businesses have found ways to be creative with their business and have found experienced an outpouring of support from their communities. Austin Harvey '04 knows this well. Austin is an advanced cicerone and the curator and co-owner of employee-owned Beermiscuous, a Chicago craft beer bar and retailer. Chicago's shelter-in-place order went into effect two weeks after Austin and his colleagues purchased the bar from the founder.

In this episode, Austin shares the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on his business and the strong bond between the bar and the community. He also dives into his perspective on work, and alleviating some of the pressures that come with our society's definition of success and education.

If you're interested in learning more about some alumni-owned small businesses, you can visit the Northwestern Alumni-Owned Small Business Directory on our website, alumni.northwestern.edu.

Virtual interviews aren't new, but they are more prevalent and necessary than ever. Executive coach Corinne Vargas '14 MS is here to help our listeners perfect their skills and ace their next interview with some simple, memorable tips. She shares her ABCD's, standing for avoid technical issues, mind your background, curate your verbal and written voice, and discover as much as possible about your potential employer. Corinne dives into how this advice can help you be your most confident, authentic self, while standing out from the rest of the applicant pool.

For many of us, food has been a major part of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, for better or for worse. In our new segment Wellness Tip, Carla Hightower '85, '87 MD, '91 GME, '02 MBA explores the connection between nutrition and many chronic health conditions that exacerbate the effects of COVID-19. As a physician, a certified integrative health coach, and a corporate wellness consultant, Carla shares some ideas on how to make lasting changes to our eating habits so our bodies can operate and feel their best.

Carla has two free resource guides for our listeners on overcoming diabetes naturally and strengthening your immune system to put today's tip into action.

In our new segment, Career Tip, we brought back Chareen Goodman, a former guest from our Career Webinar Series, who shares how to map out a plan to S.O.A.R., which stands for stop, observe, assess, and respond. She lays out tangible steps on how to respond to your unexpected life and career change as the CEO of your own life.

Chareen will be offering complimentary career coaching call just for our listeners as a way to help out fellow 'Cats in need during this time. You can go https://careercrushercoaching.com/naa-free-gift/ to connect with Chareen Goodman.

How do you start a conversation with children over sensitive topics like systemic racism, historical trauma, grief, or divorce? In this episode, Anthony Ward Jr. '06 chats with the NAA on his take and experience on variety of techniques as a clinical therapist and also a father of two daughters. His key advice? Empathize with their point of view other than your own. Start the conversation early.

On July 21st, 2020, Anthony was a featured presenter on the NAA's 'Cats Wellness Chat to lead a discussion on cultural issues conversations. You can check out the recording either here or on our website www.alumni.northwestern.edu/intersections to hear more from Anthony.

As important conversations surrounding diversity and equity are happening in industries across the US, Jaime Esposito '14 and Stephen Hall '13 are leading the way for more queer representation in classical music. The two percussionists and educators are also the co-founders of Spectrum Ensemble, a performance group with the goal of giving the queer community a platform to create and make music.

Spectrum Ensemble's mission is to commission and perform beautiful music while supporting the community by commissioning queer composers and using their music to fundraise for LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations.

In this episode, Jaime and Stephen share insights into their work, the process of starting an ensemble, and the impact their work is having. You can catch Spectrum Ensemble's next performance at the New Media Art and Sound Summit here on July 22.

The word 'pivot' has become ubiquitous with the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and that is no different for Caleigh Hernandez '15.

Caleigh is the founder and CEO of RoHo, an accessories brand usually specializing in sandals, jewelry, and handbags. RoHo partners with four artisan groups across Kenya to create their products while creating consistent, fair paying work for their artisans, most of whom are women. With the economic impact of the pandemic, sandals and handbags were no longer a top of the shopping list purchase for most consumers. But Roho's artisan partners still needed to put food on their families' tables. In this episode of Northwestern Intersections, Caleigh shares the creative changes the company has made in order to support their team, the challenges of global business, and the importance of open and honest communication in leadership.

On this episode of Northwestern Intersections, your host Helen Kim '16, speaks with Vlada Bortnik '01, the CEO and founder of the app Marco Polo and Joya Communications. Marco Polo is a video chat app that allows users to connect with friends and family on their own time, without the pressures of curated social media or a scheduled video chat.

Vlada helps us think about screen time and screen fatigue in new ways, while sharing candid insights from the C-suite and her home during the coronavirus pandemic and anti-racist movement.

We live in an unprecedented and uncertain time, filled with stress, anxiety, and new realities for our home and work lives. It can be overwhelming, but Dr. Coco Cabrel is here to help you take a few moments to re-center and take care of yourself, whatever your struggle may be. Dr. Coco will lead you through three meditations-without-meditating, or what she calls "The Calms." Stay tuned after The Calms to hear more about Dr. Coco's work and experiences during this global pandemic we are all going through together.

Coco Cabrel '87 BS, '89 MD, is the founder of Lifestorm Calms, her coaching and consulting system for calming stress and burnout smack in the middle of the chaos. She currently offers courses and 4-week intensive programs just like the ones in this episode on www.lifestormcalms.com/kestrel. You may contact her directly at [email protected], connect on LinkedIn at /linkedin.com/in/cococabrel, or on her Instagram @lifestormcalms.

We live in an unprecedented and uncertain time, filled with stress, anxiety, and new realities for our home and work lives. It can be overwhelming, but Dr. Coco Cabrel is here to help you take a few moments to re-center and take care of yourself, whatever your struggle may be. Dr. Coco will lead you through three meditations-without-meditating, or what she calls "The Calms." Stay tuned after The Calms to hear more about Dr. Coco's work and experiences during this global pandemic we are all going through together.

Coco Cabrel '87 BS, '89 MD, is the founder of Lifestorm Calms, her coaching and consulting system for calming stress and burnout smack in the middle of the chaos. She currently offers courses and 4-week intensive programs just like the ones in this episode on www.lifestormcalms.com/kestrel. You may contact her directly at [email protected], connect on LinkedIn at /linkedin.com/in/cococabrel, or on her Instagram @lifestormcalms.