The 92 Report

Rana Dershowitz went straight to Harvard Law School after graduating in 1992, partly due to the economy and her love for learning. She describes her experience at Harvard Law School, including her role as a law school "old timer" in Cambridge. After law school, Rana moved back to New York and started working on Wall Street, initially hating the big law environment but appreciating the people she worked with.

Entertainment Law at Madison Square Garden and onto Sports Law

Rana discusses her career counselor's advice to explore sports law, which she had overlooked despite her involvement in sports and technical theater at Harvard. She took a six-month leave of absence and was offered a job in sports law the day she started her leave. Rana worked in entertainment law at Madison Square Garden (MSG) from 2001 to 2007, handling legal work for the Knicks, Rangers, and the WNBA's New York Liberty. She met her future husband during this time and moved to Colorado in 2007, where she continued her legal career.

Joining the US Olympic Committee and Life in Colorado

Rana joined the US Olympic Committee (USOC) as Deputy General Counsel in 2007, becoming interim General Counsel and then General Counsel and Head of Government Affairs. She describes the challenges of commuting between Colorado Springs and Denver, with her husband working in Bould, while managing her job and family life. Rana and her husband moved to Basalt, Colorado, in 2011, where she continued her legal work, joined the Aspen skiing company, and became involved in the Aspen community. She transitioned to a part-time role at Aspen Skiing Company while working as Phil Weiser's policy director for his gubernatorial campaign.

Challenges and Opportunities at the US Olympic Committee

Rana explains the unique structure of the USOC, which is federally chartered and subject to congressional oversight, unlike most Olympic committees. She discusses the complexities of funding and intellectual property rights, including the USOC's unique trademark rights. Rana highlights her work on safe sport initiatives and the challenges of managing independent national governing bodies for various sports. She reflects on the legal and operational complexities of hosting Olympic Games in the United States and the international dynamics involved.

Working at Madison Square Garden and New York Liberty

Rana shares a story that reflects her personal connection to Madison Square Garden. She describes the structure of MSG, which owns the building, the Knicks, the Rangers, and the Liberty, and her role in handling sponsorships and league rules. Rana recounts her involvement in the New York Liberty's WNBA finals run in 1999, feeling proud to be part of the team's success. She also discusses her role in managing entertainment acts during team sports events at MSG and shares a few of her proudest moments.

Policy Work and Campaign for Phil Weiser

Rana explains her role as Phil Weiser's policy director, focusing on active listening and building a grassroots campaign across Colorado. She outlines key issues the campaign is addressing, including affordability, climate change, water resources, and public lands. Rana emphasizes the importance of bridging urban-rural divides and finding innovative solutions that benefit the entire state. She highlights the campaign's efforts to address youth mental health and promote outdoor activities for children.

Rana's Broader Role at Aspen Skiing Company

Rana discusses her expanded role at Aspen Skiing Company, overseeing sustainability, community engagement, planning and development, and PR.

She describes her transition to leading mountain operations and her current role that spans looking into employee housing and childcare. Rana reflects on the importance of understanding systems and structures beyond legal work, drawing on her experiences at Aspen.

Harvard Reflections

Rana shares her initial reluctance to follow in her family's legal footsteps but eventually being drawn to law by her interest in the "Justice" class. She credits the course for shifting her perspective and leading her to law school. She also mentions auditing the "Thinking about Thinking" class taught by Stephen Jay Gould, Robert Nozick, and Alan Dershowitz, and reflects on the importance of considering different perspectives in policy work and legal decision-making.

Timestamps:

02:26: Transition to Sports Law and Madison Square Garden

05:23: Joining the US Olympic Committee and Family Life in Colorado

13:15: Challenges and Opportunities at the US Olympic Committee

20:38: Experiences at Madison Square Garden and New York Liberty

31:34: Policy Work and Campaign for Phil Weiser

40:33: Rana's Broader Role at Aspen Skiing Company

44:24: Reflections on Harvard

Links:

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rana-dershowitz/

Phil Weiser for Colorado: https://philforcolorado.com/

Aspen One: https://aspen.com/

USOPC: https://www.usopc.org/

Madison Square Gardens: https://www.msg.com/madison-square-garden

Featured Non-profit:

The featured non-profit of this week's episode is brought to you by Peter Kang who reports:

"Hi. This is Peter Kang from the class of 1992. The featured nonprofit of this episode is the Greg Marzolf Jr. Muscular Dystrophy Center at the University of Minnesota. We provide cutting edge research and clinical care for children and adults with muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular disorders. I have been the director of this center since 21 and it has been a privilege to see all the good work that we do to find out more. Please go to M, E, d.umn.edu/md center, or email me at p, k, a, n, [email protected], thanks very much. And enjoy today's podcast."

To learn more about their work, visit: https://med.umn.edu/mdcenter

*AI generated show notes and transcript.

Show Notes:

Eugene Kim shares his post-graduation journey staying in Boston to finish research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute which was part of his thesis and also laid down the groundwork for his own cancer research which he has conducted over the years. He credits his understanding of science to his time at Harvard. He also worked at the now-closed Love the Border Cafe. Eugene reflects on the valuable lessons learned from working at the cafe and describes the unique subculture of the cafe's staff, including the Brazilian kitchen staff and the diverse backgrounds of the waiters and waitresses.

Securing a Position in Research

Eugene talks about his major in biochemical sciences and his interest in molecular biology. He describes how he got involved in research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, working with a researcher named Sam Speck. Eugene details the hands-on experience he gained, including growing bacteria, running gels, and learning the importance of meticulous work, and shares memorable experiences of working there, including biking through snow to continue his research during a Thanksgiving blizzard.

Enrolling in Columbia Medical School

Eugene discusses his decision to attend Columbia Medical School in New York City, influenced by his desire to learn in a bustling city and study at a school that was his top choice. Eugene talks about his four years in medical school, his general surgical training, and working in a cancer research laboratory and developing an interest in pediatric cancer. Eugene recounts his experience during 9/11, including the hospital's response and his involvement in helping first responders at Ground Zero. He reflects on the impact of 9/11 on the New York City community and the long-term health effects on residents.

A Focus on Pediatric Surgery

Eugene explains his transition from adult surgery to pediatric surgery, driven by his desire to help children. He describes his training at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and the competitive nature of obtaining a spot in pediatric surgery training. Eugene shares his experience in Houston, Texas, and the importance of mentorship in his career. He discusses the challenges and rewards of being a pediatric surgeon, including the need to specialize in various areas of surgery. Eugene emphasizes the importance of mentorship in his career and his efforts to mentor young surgeons and researchers. He describes the physical and mental demands of long surgeries and the importance of staying physically fit. Eugene discusses the impact of new technologies on pediatric surgery, such as robotic surgery and advanced imaging techniques. He reflects on the importance of remaining open-minded to new technologies and incorporating them into his practice.

Harvard Reflections

Eugene reflects on his time at Harvard, including his interest in art history and Japanese art and history taught by John Rosenfield. He shares his appreciation for the seminar course with Mark Ptashne, which deepened his interest in molecular biology. He also mentions an Introduction to Architecture course with James Ackerman. Eugene discusses the importance of taking courses outside of his major and the impact of these courses on his career. He reflects on the value of the requirements at Harvard and how they broadened his perspective and knowledge.

A Journey into Wine

Eugene shares his interest in wine, including his extensive collection and the impact of the Palisades fire on his collection. He describes his journey into wine, including learning about different regions and types of wine. Eugene recounts a memorable experience of tasting rare wines with the head red wine maker from Penfolds in Australia. He reflects on the importance of balancing professional and personal interests and the joy of sharing his passion for wine with others.

Timestamps:

04:44: Early Research Experience at Harvard

08:13: Medical School and Early Career

18:46: Transition to Pediatric Surgery

40:09: Mentorship and Professional Development

44:03: Personal Interests and Hobbies

51:03: Reflections on Harvard and Beyond

Links:

Hospital website: https://researchers.cedars-sinai.edu/Eugene.KimX/about

Twitter / X: https://x.com/dreskim

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugenekim3/

Show Notes: Jonathan Hughes talks about his career in consulting, starting with an economic consulting firm, Putnam Hayes and Bartlett, in Los Angeles. He mentions his connection back to Harvard through CMI (Conflict Management Inc.) founded by Roger Fisher and Bruce Patton, and his subsequent roles at Vantage Partners and BDO. The Career Path As a Consultant Jonathan describes his role at CMI, focusing on complex negotiations and business partnerships, and his role in helping to start the boutique firm, Vantage Partners where he spent around 25 years as a partner. He later moved over to BDO, a large professional services firm, where he led the Management Consulting practice in the US, and globally.

Working As a Conflict Management ConsultantJonathan discusses his work with CMI, emphasizing the importance of managing conflict constructively and approaching conflict creatively to develop solutions. He shares his experience with a pro bono project for OCHA (Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance) at the UN, focusing on partnerships with the private sector. Jonathan highlights his work with conventional and special forces in the military, including SEALs and Civil Affairs, on negotiation and conflict management training. He explains the challenges of internal and interagency negotiations, as well as those with external parties, in both the military and corporate sector.Influence Training to Special ForcesJonathan elaborates on the influence training provided to special forces, including negotiations with governments and local leaders, partner forces, CIA, and the Department of State.He compares the challenges of internal negotiations within organizations to external negotiations with customer, strategic partners, and suppliers. Jonathan emphasizes the importance of aligning different stakeholders and executives within any organization. He shares an example of a multi-billion dollar negotiation with a state-owned enterprise a global corporation where understanding the other side's perspective was key to coming to an agreement.Unpacking Negotiation TechniquesThe conversation turns to the influence techniques at McKinsey, including role-playing scenarios and tools like legitimacy, logical persuasion, and appealing to friendship.Jonathan discusses the importance of fact-based negotiation and the role of psychology and emotional motivations in influence. He introduces the concept of "calling people to a higher purpose" and the psychological drive for consistency. Jonathan shares a story about a negotiation where challenging the other side's unreasonable demand led to a more fair agreement.Work History SummarizedWhen asked how conflict resolution training has influenced Jonathan's personal life.Jonathan says that he is sometimes better at giving advice than incorporating it himself. Jonathan mentions that he has pursued a breadth of experiences working across life sciences, and biopharma, energy and natural resources, the semiconductor industry, and the intersection of software, financial services, and data and analytics. He mentioned extensive work with Equifax over the last 13 years. Jonathan discusses the balance between competition and collaboration in his strategy work.Creative Pursuits and Cat RescuersJonathan mentions his current focus on figuring out his next steps after leaving BDO and shares his interest in film. He mentions his experience as an executive producer on a documentary called "The Cat Rescuers." Jonathan mentions his love for travel, scuba diving, reading, and writing, including contributions to Harvard Business Review and MIT's Sloan Management Review, focusing on topics ranging from innovation, to supply chain management, to negotiation, influence, and conflict management. Jonathan expresses his interest in finding another film project in the future. He emphasizes the importance of reading philosophy and science books, which continue to influence his thinking.Harvard ReflectionsJonathan mentions his concentration in philosophy and the impact of professors like John Rawls and Stanley Cavell. He highlights a course called Thinking About Thinking taught by Stephen Jay Gould, Alan Dershowitz, and Robert Nozick. Jonathan discusses the relevance of his philosophy education to his career in consulting.He mentions his continued interest in philosophy and science, despite focusing on business in his professional life. Jonathan shares recently read books, including a new translation of The Odyssey and rereading the Earthsea trilogy by Ursula K. Le Guin. He reflects on the theme of human finitude in Le Guin's books and its relevance to current discussions on human immortality and transhumanism. Jonathan expresses mixed feelings about the pursuit of human immortality and the importance of accepting human limitations. He mentions his recent LinkedIn post predicting future trends, including the impact of AI and technology on society.

Timestamps:

02:56: Conflict Management and Pro Bono Work

06:25: Influence Training for Special Forces

11:37: Influence Techniques and Training Methods

22:43: Conflict Resolution in Personal Life

23:44: Professional Evolution and Current Focus

27:28: Personal Interests and Future Plans

29:19: Influential Courses and Professors at Harvard

32:48: Favorite Novels and Personal Reflections

Links:

LinkedIn: Jonathan Hughes | LinkedIn

Articles:

What's Your Negotiation Strategy? HBR

Formalize Escalation Procedures to Improve Decision-Making - MIT Sloan Review

Unlearning to Innovate - Ivey Business Journal

Why Influence Is a Two-Way Street - MIT SMR Store

Simple Rules for Making Alliances Work - HBR

Featured Non-profit:

Hi. This is Mark Messenbaugh, class of 1992. Special thanks to Will Bachman for putting this podcast together to keep us all informed of what one another is doing. Great to hear your stories. The featured non-profit for this episode of The 92 Report is the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. I worked for BGCA back during the 2000s. It is a life changing organization that brings youth development and safe after school and summer programs to neighborhoods around the country that need it most. Saves Lives, saves communities. I hope you'll take a look at them. You can learn [email protected] and with that, here's Will Bachman with this week's episode.

To learn more about their work, visit: www.bgca.org.

AI generated show notes and transcript

Show Notes:

Steve recounts his senior year at Harvard, and how he was torn between pursuing acting and philosophy. He graduated with a dual degree in philosophy and math but also found time to act in theater and participated in 20 shows.

A Love of Theater and a Move to London

Steve explains why the lack of a theater major at Harvard allowed him to explore acting more than a university with a theater major. He touches on his parents' concerns about his career prospects if he pursued acting, and his decision to apply to both acting and philosophy graduate schools. Steve discusses his rejection from all graduate schools and why he decided to move to London with friends Evan Cohn and Brad Rouse. He talks about his experience in London.

Europe on $20 a Day

Steve details his backpacking trip through Europe on a $20 a day budget, staying with friends from Harvard and high school. He mentions a job opportunity in Japan through the Japanese Ministry of Education and describes his three-year stint in Japan, working as a native English speaker for the Japanese Ministry of Education, and being immersed in Japanese culture. He shares his experiences of living in the countryside and reflects on the impact of living in a different culture, learning some Japanese, and making Japanese friends. He discusses the personal growth and self-reflection that came from his time in Japan, including his first steps off the "achiever track."

On to Philosophy Graduate School

When Steve returned to the U.S. he decided to apply to philosophy graduate schools again, this time with more success. He enrolled at the University of Michigan. However, he was miserable during grad school, which led him to seek therapy. Steve credits therapy with helping him make better choices in life. He discusses the competitive and prestigious nature of the Michigan philosophy department and the challenges of finishing his dissertation. He touches on the narrow and competitive aspects of pursuing a career in philosophy and shares his experience of finishing his dissertation and the support he received from a good co-thesis advisor.

Kalamazoo College and Improv

Steve describes his postdoc experience at Kalamazoo College, where he continued his improv hobby and formed his own improv group. He mentions a mockumentary-style improv movie called Comic Evangelists that premiered at the AFI Film Festival. Steve moved to Buffalo, Niagara University, and reflects on the challenges of adjusting to a non-research job. He discusses his continued therapy in Buffalo and the struggle with both societal and his own expectations of professional status, however, with the help of a friend, he came to the realization that he had "made it" in his current circumstances. Steve describes his acting career in Buffalo, including roles in Shakespeare in the Park and collaborating with a classmate, Ian Lithgow.

A Speciality in Philosophy of Science

Steve shares his personal life, including meeting his wife in 2009 and starting a family. He explains his specialty in philosophy of science, focusing on the math and precise questions in analytic philosophy. He discusses his early interest in AI and computational epistemology, including the ethics of AI and the superintelligence worry. Steve describes his involvement in a group that discusses the moral status of digital minds and AI alignment.

Aligning AI with Human Interests

Steve reflects on the challenges of aligning AI with human interests and the potential existential risks of advanced AI. He shares his concerns about the future of AI and the potential for AI to have moral status. He touches on the superintelligence concern and the challenges of aligning AI with human goals. Steve mentions the work of Eliezer Yudkowsky and the importance of governance and alignment in AI development. He reflects on the broader implications of AI for humanity and the need for careful consideration of long-term risks.

Harvard Reflections

Steve mentions Math 45 and how it kicked his butt, and his core classes included jazz, an acting class and clown improv with Jay Nichols.

Timestamps:

01:43: Dilemma Between Acting and Philosophy

03:44: Rejection and Move to London

07:09: Life in Japan and Cultural Insights

12:19: Return to Academia and Grad School Challenges

20:09: Therapy and Personal Growth

22:06: Transition to Buffalo and Philosophy Career

26:54: Philosophy of Science and AI Ethics

33:20: Future Concerns and AI Predictions

55:17: Reflections on Career and Personal Growth

Links:

Steve's Website: https://stevepetersen.net/

On AI Superintelligence:

• If Anyone Builds it, Everyone Dies

• Superintelligence

• The Alignment Problem

Some places to donate:

• The Long-Term Future Fund

• Open Philanthropy

On improv

• Impro

• Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual

Featured Non-profit:

The featured non-profit of this week's episode is brought to you by Rich Buery who reports:

"Hi, I'm Rich Buery, class of 1992. The featured nonprofit of this episode of The 92 Report is imentor. imentor is a powerful youth mentoring organization that connects volunteers with high school students and prepares them on the path to and through college. Mentors stay with the students through the last two years of high school and on the beginning of their college journey. I helped found imentor over 25 years ago and served as its founding executive director, and I am proud that over the last two decades, I've remained on the board of directors. It's truly a great organization. They need donors and they need volunteers. You can learn more about their [email protected] That's www, dot i m, e n, t, O, r.org, and now here is Will Bachman with this week's episode.

To learn more about their work, visit: www.imentor.org.

Show Notes:

P.J. shares the backstory of his name and how he became a high school principal. He studied simultaneously in law school for a JD and in the Philosophy department for a PhD at the University of Chicago. After realizing he didn't enjoy law or philosophy, he taught math at Phillips Andover and later in Chicago. He helped start a new public school, Walter Payton College Prep, and has been a principal at Lake View High School for the past 10 years.

Teaching Chaos Theory and Math

P.J. describes his experience teaching at Phillips Andover, including teaching chaos theory. He found the environment supportive and the students "good at doing school", which made his first year of teaching easier. He enjoyed working with the students, especially the boys in his dorm, and found teaching math more enjoyable than he expected. P.J. reflects on the differences between teaching at a private school and a public school.

Starting Walter Payton College Prep

P.J. discusses the creation of Walter Payton College Prep in Chicago. The school was designed to attract affluent and white families back to the city. P.J. and his partner, Doug O'Roark, started the math department and implemented common lessons and assessments. The school grew to become the most selective in Chicago, with a high percentage of students enrolling in college.

Challenges and Successes of a Principal

P.J. describes his current role as principal at Lake View High School and touches on what has made the school successful in addition to the challenges. The school serves a diverse population, with 85% low-income students, including refugees, and a high percentage of first-generation college-goers. P.J. emphasizes the importance of providing support and opportunities for all students. He shares the success of the school, with 75% of the class of 2024 enrolling in college, and explains what a principal does on a daily basis.

Leadership Evolution and Philosophy

P.J. reflects on his evolution as a leader, emphasizing the importance of believing in the potential of every individual. He shares his philosophy of focusing on what he can influence and being creative in his approach, and in how the school fosters growth in the students. P.J. discusses the importance of selecting teachers who love working with high school students and are committed to improving their practice, and the key factors he looks for when hiring teachers. He highlights the value of providing conditions for talent to thrive.

Math Circles of Chicago

P.J. explains the concept of the non-profit he started, Math Circles of Chicago, which provides math enrichment for students. The program offers one-day festivals, classes, and a math research symposium. P.J. emphasizes the importance of providing engaging and challenging math experiences for students. He explains the organization's creative approach to supporting both the teachers and students with curriculum development, lesson planning, and workshops. The program has grown to serve 5500 students annually, with many Chicago Public School teachers participating.

Harvard Reflections

P.J. discusses the impact of his education at Harvard, particularly the course "Justice". He mentions the influence of philosophy professors like Warren Goldfarb and the importance of skepticism towards big theories. P.J. reflects on the value of learning from roommates and classmates, which shaped his perspective and approach to life. He also mentions a class on 20th century classical music. He highlights the importance of community and collaboration in his educational journey. P.J. shares his final thoughts on the importance of providing opportunities for all students to succeed.

Timestamps:

03:18: Teaching at Phillips Andover

19:12: Starting Walter Payton College Prep

24:32: Leadership Evolution and Philosophy

36:19: Math Circles of Chicago

40:38: Impact of Harvard Education

51:17: Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Links:

Lake View High School https://www.lakeviewhs.com/

Math Circles of Chicago https://www.mathcirclesofchicago.org/

Featured Non-profit:

The featured non-profit of this week's episode is brought to you by Dennis Murphy who reports:

" Hi. I'm Dennis Murphy, class of 1992. The featured non-profit of this episode of The 92 Report is Glam Girl, the Global Local athletic movement. GLAM is a youth-led organization that empowers girls through sports by running service projects, advocacy projects, and sports and leadership camps in the US and around the world. Something as simple as not having a sports bra can keep female athletes from playing the sports they love. GLAM helps them stay in the game and partners with athletic directors to support entire teams. I'm so proud of my daughter Izzy for being one of the organization's founders. She currently runs a GLAM club at her high school. You can learn more about their work at GlamGirldotlife. And now here's Will Bachman with this week's episode.

To learn more about their work, visit: https://www.glamgirl.life/

Show Notes:

Scott Cole describes his initial struggles at Harvard, dropping out after freshman year, and returning multiple times before finally graduating in 2012. He shares his first dropout experience, including a brief stint in California and a return to Harvard for sophomore year. He details his various jobs and adventures, including working at a car wash, landscaping, and a research assistant position at Harvard Forest.

Working on a Ranch in Wyoming

Scott thinks back to his days working at a ranch in Wyoming, where he learned cowboy skills and participated in cattle drives. He describes his move to Middlebury, Vermont, where he worked on an organic farm, a cross-country ski area, and a bakery. He also shares where he learned to cook.

Back to School and on to a Law firm

Scott discusses his return to Boston to finish college, working part-time at a law firm and attending school. He describes the challenges of balancing work, school, and financial aid, leading to another dropout. Scott talks about his relationship ending and moving back to California, where he worked at Sequoia National Park resort teaching cross country skiing. He quit this job to go to Guatemala with his dad's school group and spent some time there before moving to Oakhurst and working at a restaurant where he learned cooking skills. He worked there for two years until he paid off his student loans, and with his new found freedom, decided to hit the road and hike through the Sierra Mountains. He also talks about working in Fresno and in a job at the UC Cooperative Extension promoting school gardening as a way to teach nutrition education.

From Alaska to Nevada

Scott recounts his time working at a back country lodge in Alaska, teaching cross-country skiing, and working as a hiking guide and naturalist. He later moved to Boston to help a friend renovate a Victorian house and then worked with the Boston Children's Museum. After Boston, Scott describes his move to Michigan to be with a girlfriend in graduate school and working at the Maharishi Vedic University in their organic greenhouse. He also talks about his work with the Nevada Conservation Corps, cooking for a chainsaw crew, and his job at the White Mountain Research Station where he looked after a herd of sheep and cooked for the researchers. Scott finally decided to return to Harvard to finish his last six classes and talks about his experience completing his degree.

Riding the Wave

After completing his degree, Scott biked across the country with a friend. He reflects on his diverse experiences, including working with his hands, helping a friend who is a sculptor on building a sculpture for an exhibit. He talks about "The Table" tour working in Death Valley, and volunteering at various places, and biking in Canada from the Rockies to Bella Coola. He discusses the challenges of returning to school at an older age and the joy of completing his degree. Scott mentions his love for gardening, cooking, music, hiking, and outdoor activities, and how these hobbies filled his off-hours.

Harvard Reflections

An English major at Harvard, Scott mentions seeing Alan Ginsberg read at Harvard. He mentions taking a poetry class and a printing class. He also mentions Literature and Human Suffering with James Engell, Chicano Literature with visiting UCLA professor Héctor Calderón, Folklore and Mythology with Simon Bronner, a poetry class with Henri Cole, and Place, Space, and Region with Stephanie Burt.

Timestamps:

00:02: Scott Cole's Journey through Harvard and Beyond

06:36: Exploring Different Career Paths

09:41: Returning to School and Balancing Work and Education

40:07: Adventures in Alaska and Beyond

54:13: Reflecting on Life Experiences and Future Plans

Links:

Scott's email: [email protected]

Instagram: scootersride

Historical building preservation: Welcome to HistoriCorps

Adobe restoration: https://www.cstones.org

Adobe courses and home builder support:

Adobe in Action: https://www.adobeinaction.org

Reuben Margolin art: Waves – Reuben Margolin – Kinetic Artist

Science Research Station:

White Mountain Research Center — Supporting scientific achievement for 75 years.

Featured Non-profit:

The featured non-profit of this week's episode is brought to you by Jared Eigerman who reports:

"Hi. I'm Jay Eigerman, class of 1992. The featured nonprofit of this episode of The 92 Report is Street Lab. Street Lab is a nonprofit that works in neighborhoods throughout New York City to activate and improve spaces, including pedestrian streets, at no cost to the public. I've been a board member since 2011 when they first started in Boston. I especially like the street lab sales programming kits at reasonable cost so others around the world can deploy them on their own. Please take a look at streetlab.org. Now here is Will Bachman with this week's episode."

To learn more about their work, visit: streetlab.org.

Show Notes:

Miruna studied art history at Harvard, focusing on Renaissance art. After taking a year off to travel and visit Romania, she decided to study Latin American Studies and Spanish and Portuguese at Yale. She found the graduate experience at Yale challenging, especially the sense of isolation that can come with graduate work when it is not socially or politically involved. Miruna began traveling to Mexico for her research on colonial Latin America, focusing on the intersection of history of science, literature, and ritual.

Teaching History of Science

Miruna moved to Mexico City, where she still resides. She works at a public university, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, in the Humanities Department where she works on narratives that have to do with the history of science. She also teaches courses on collecting and museum formation from a material culture perspective. She works with the national archeological collection in Mexico City, focusing on how collections are formed and the role of material culture in shaping history.

Arriving in the U.S. As a Refugee

Miruna shares more about her experience as a refugee and her journey to the US. Miruna was 13 when she left Romania with her parents, staying in a refugee camp near Vienna before moving to the US. Her parents applied for asylum in Australia, Canada, and the U.S., and the U.S. was the first to grant it. Miruna describes the cultural shock of arriving in Los Angeles in March with heavy winter coats, highlighting the differences between Central Europe and Southern California.

The Cultural Importance of Understanding the Past

Miruna discusses her teaching at a public university in Mexico, where she encourages students to question and engage with the past. She explains the hierarchical nature of Mexican society and how public universities provide a space for people from different backgrounds to meet. Miruna emphasizes the importance of understanding that the past is not fixed and that there are always opportunities to intervene and shape the present. In her courses on the history of archeology and collecting, she encourages students to develop their own relationships with the past.

Archeological Collections and Community Ownership

Miruna shares a story from the 19th century about the National Museum of Mexico and how archeology became a central part of the country's national heritage. She explains how archeological collections were moved from communities to the capital, often with resistance from local people. Miruna discusses a specific incident where urns from the Pacific coast were shattered during transportation, highlighting the different ways of caring for objects. While disciplinary narratives insist that museums care for objects, this episode shows how the opposite is true as well: objects and their meanings can be destroyed, physically and conceptually in their transfer to museum. She further discusses a more recent event, involving state violence and local resistance, when a 168-ton monolith was moved from a village outside Mexico City to the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, in 1964.

Practices and Norms in Archeology

The conversation turns to changes in archeological practices and norms over the years. Miruna notes that younger archeologists are more likely to seek permission from local communities and give credit to local guides and people working on excavations. She mentions the increasing difficulty of accessing certain areas in Mexico due to organized crime, which has reduced the number of archeological projects in some regions. Miruna emphasizes the importance of local museums and community collections in providing more inclusive and contextualized narratives.

The Rise of Political Parties and the Zapatista Movement

Miruna shares her experience of arriving in Mexico and the political changes she witnessed, including the rise of new political parties and the Zapatista movement. She describes the vibrant and dynamic nature of Mexican society, with ongoing efforts to find new ways of relating to the past and imagining the future. Miruna discusses the challenges of prejudice and hierarchies in Mexican society, despite progress in areas like gay marriage and feminist marches.

Science Fiction as a Form of Resistance

Miruna teaches science fiction written from the Global South, which she sees as a form of resistance against dominant narratives. She explains that this genre is relatively new in Latin America and is influenced by writers from the Global North like Octavia Butler and Ursula Le Guin. Miruna highlights the work of young writers like Gabriela Damian and Fernanda Trias, who explore social and cultural realities through science fiction. She discusses the importance of imagining open networks and connected worlds, rather than closed systems and technological fantasies.

Archeological Points of Interest in Mexico

Miruna offers a few recommendations for visitors interested in archeology in Mexico. She suggests visiting the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, which focuses on archeology and pre-Hispanic history. She also recommends a trip to Teotihuacan, highlighting the importance of visiting the mural paintings in the residential compounds. Miruna also recommends exploring the center of Mexico City, which is a palimpsest of different centuries and cultures, with the Templo Mayor, a pre-Hispanic structure from the 16th century, which is rising out of the ground due to shifts in soil and shifts in the water table.

Harvard Reflections

Miruna mentions Joseph Koerner, who taught Northern Renaissance art, and John Sherman, who taught Italian Renaissance art. She also recalls Oleg Grabar, who taught Islamic art and read poems such as Yeats' poem "Sailing to Byzantium" to inspire students to see art with different eyes. Miruna expresses regret for not taking classes with other influential professors like Stephen Jay Gould, which she would have loved to do now.

Timestamps:

01:35: Studying Art History and Latin American Studies

03:20: Life and Work in Mexico City

04:43: Experiences as a Refugee and Arrival in the US

08:43: Teaching and Research in Mexico

13:41: Historical Context of Archeology in Mexico

21:43: Changes in Archeological Practices

24:33: Miruna's Experience in Mexico and Political Context

29:38: Teaching Science Fiction from the Global South

Featured Non-profit

The featured non-profit of this week's episode is recommended by Becca Braun who reports:

" Hi. I'm Becca Braun from the class of 1992. The featured nonprofit of this episode of The 92 Report is the Lawrence School in Sagamore Hills, Ohio. The Lawrence School is a leading school in teaching students with ADHD and dyslexia, and its wonderful tagline is "Great Minds Don't Think Alike."

Lawrence School has been transformative for our youngest child with ADHD, and he went from thinking that he was a troublemaker and problem student to completely believing in himself and loving going to school every day. Every child should have this opportunity, regardless of their financial means. We have donated and hope that you might so that more children with ADHD or dyslexia, those who are unable to thrive in large public school classrooms might have the opportunity to attend this transformative school. Thanks a lot. You can learn more about their work at Lawrence school.org, Lawrence L, A, W, R, E, N, C, E, school.org, and now here is Will Bachman with this week's episode."

To learn more about their work, visit: www.lawrenceschool.org.

Show Notes:Franklin Habit talks about working in higher education administration (and elsehwere) before eventually finding happiness in his current profession within the fiber arts. He discusses some of the blind alleys he explored, including museum work, opera stage directing, web design, and online marketing. Building a Career in KnittingFranklin shares how he learned to knit from a veteran knitter and classmate, Eliza Lake. He describes how his blog about knitting took off, leading to a book deal and a career in teaching and writing. Franklin recounts the early days of his blog, starting with a department lecture where he first heard the word "blog." He describes how he initially thought his blog was private and was surprised by the comments and traffic it received. Franklin mentions attending the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival, and meeting major figures in the fiber arts community. COVID and Transition to Teaching and SpeakingFranklin discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic affected his in-person teaching and speaking engagements. He explains his transition to online teaching and to Patreon, which helped him maintain income during the pandemic. Franklin shares how he enjoys making videos and audio pieces and adapting his in-person classes for online audiences. Living in Paris The conversation turns to Paris, why he moved there, and his life in Paris, including his love for walking and discovering hidden places. He mentions attending performances and visiting museums and galleries. Franklin talks about his Instagram account, where he posts about his daily life, needlework, and animals in his neighborhood. He explains how he balances posting about knitting with other interests to keep his followers engaged. Harvard Reflections Franklin reflects on how his art history degree from Harvard influences his knitting and teaching. He mentions professors James Ackerman, John Shearman, and Seymour Slive, who taught him valuable research and teaching skills. He explains how his background in art history helps him connect historical and cultural elements to his knitting, and he uses his knowledge of art and architecture to design and teach knitting patterns. Franklin explains the complexity of knitting, including the mathematical and three-dimensional aspects. He mentions teaching students how to knit using pre-literate methods and the connections to ancient systems like the Kanon of Polykleitos. He also discusses the gender perceptions and prejudices associated with knitting, and his upcoming project with Knit Stars, a series of classes and documentaries about notable needleworkers. Timestamps: 03:12: Discovering Knitting and Blogging 05:43: Franklin's Unique Style and Books 11:11: The Early Days of Blogging 17:05: Transition to Online Teaching and Patreon 20:45: Life in Paris and Instagram 29:42: Influence of Art History on Knitting 51:09: Complexity and Satisfaction in Knitting 51:29: Gender Perceptions in Knitting 51:46: Franklin's Online Presence and Future Plans

Links:

Instagram and Threads: @franklin.habit

Bluesky: @franklinhabit.bsky.social

Patreon:patreon.com/franklinhabit

Knit Stars:

https://knitstars.com/masterclass-franklin-habit/?ref=567&utm_campaign=franklins-season-10

YouTube channel: youtube.com/franklinhabit

Society6 (art prints and merchandise): society6.com/franklinhabit

Spoonflower (fabrics and wallpapers): spoonflower.com/profiles/franklinhabit

Foxe and Boxe Project: foxeandboxe.com

Featured Non-profit:

The featured non-profit of this week's episode is recommended by Pete Schmidt who reports: "

Hi, I'm Pete Schmidt, class of 92. The featured non-profit of this week's episode of The 92 Report is the Davis Phinney Foundation. Davis started this Parkinson's disease patient advocacy organization to focus on how people with Parkinson's disease can be empowered to take charge of their condition and live their best lives now. I've worked with the foundation for over a decade and served on their board for six years and am currently serving as chairman. You can learn more about their work at dpf.org. And now, here's Will Bachman with this week's episode."

To learn more about their work, visit: dpf.org.

Show Notes:

Diego kicks off the conversation with a quick review of his career path, which included working at a business school in Barcelona, consulting in biotech and healthcare, and working as product manager and product running product groups. He then went back to business school. He talks about his job at the business school in Barcelona and what prompted him to take it. He explains that the opportunity arose through a professor he knew, and the timing of the 1992 Olympics made it hard to resist. He shares his insights on Catalonia's cultural differences and the importance of knowing Catalan.

Educational Toys and Founding Imagination Supply Co.

Diego's current work is with educational toys and ed tech. He discusses his exposure to the case study method of teaching, which he found valuable and enjoyable and describes his transition from biotech to setting up a maker space at his daughter's school and becoming a resident tinkerer. He explains the challenges he faced with existing products for teaching electronics and coding, leading him to start Imagination Supply Co. Diego introduces the product line "Electrify" and its focus on making learning about electronics and coding engaging and accessible.

The Very Useful Monster Project Design

Diego elaborates on the "Very Useful Monster" project, which teaches coding through a constructivist learning approach. He discusses the importance of creating products that align with how he believes these subjects should be taught. Diego shares examples of his products, such as a vibrating motor project for exploring the engineering process. He contrasts the traditional pinewood derby project with his approach, emphasizing the importance of iterative learning.

Addressing the "Fear Pyramid"

The conversation turns to the impact of Diego's products on students and teachers. Diego highlights the engagement and transformation he sees in students who build and code their own projects. He notes the unexpected benefit of making teaching more accessible to teachers, who often feel intimidated by STEM subjects. Diego explains the concept of the "fear pyramid" in teaching, where teachers feel increasingly uncomfortable with more advanced subjects like coding.

Diego's Background as a Tinkerer

Diego has a history as a tinkerer and he talks about his interest in building things. He recounts his experience at Harvard, where he took a machine shop class and built a cannon as a project. He shares his independent study project to measure the power output of a cyclist's pedal stroke, which involved designing and building a full pedal.

Maker Spaces in Education

Diego explains the initial enthusiasm and funding for maker spaces, particularly through DARPA's Mentor Maker Spaces program. He discusses the various goals of maker spaces, such as teaching hands-on making, STEM, and problem-solving through design thinking. Diego highlights the challenges of articulating the purpose of maker spaces and the different approaches taken by schools like Nueva and Lick-Wilmerding.

Biotech Venture and Lessons Learned

Diego talks about his experience working with the biotech company, Sutro Biopharma. He explains how he got involved in the company through a class at Stanford and its focus on cell-free protein synthesis. He also discusses the challenges of working in biotech, including the hierarchical nature of the industry.

Influential Harvard Professors and Courses

Diego highlights the impact of John Stilgoe's "Gas Stations" class, which taught him to observe and question the built environment. He shares how this approach influenced his thinking and approach to problem-solving. Diego also reflects on his involvement in rowing and cycling at Harvard, and how these activities have continued to be important in his life.

Timestamps:

03:47: Opportunity in Barcelona and Cultural Insights

06:19: Educational Toys and Imagination Supply Co.

09:24: Product Design and Teaching Methods

13:18: Impact on Students and Teachers

17:03: Diego's Background as a Tinkerer

22:21: The Rise and Fall of Maker Spaces

26:58: Life as an Empty Nester

31:29: Biotech Venture and Lessons Learned

Links:

Lectrify website: https://www.lectrify.it/

Featured Non-profit:

This featured non-profit of this week's episode is recommended by Kerry Dean Carso who reports:

"Hi, I'm Kerry Dean Carso, class of 1992. The featured nonprofit of this episode of The 92 report is Children's Hospital Colorado, as a nationally ranked pediatric hospital. Children's Hospital Colorado cares for families throughout Colorado and surrounding states. My brother works for the Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation, and I'm proud of the work he does to raise funds for the hospital and its mission of improving the health of children in the Rocky Mountain region. You can learn more about their [email protected] and now here is Will Bachmann with this week's episode.

To learn more about their work, visit: www.childrenscolorado.org

Show Notes:

Kellie Doucette describes her journey as zigs and zags, with three distinct chunks defined by her location: Northern Virginia, Bermuda, and New Jersey. She worked for a small health policy consulting firm called the Lewin Group in Northern Virginia, DC, where she met her future husband, John Doucette.

A 13-Year Stint in Bermuda

Kellie, an actuary, began her career in the Bermuda market after taking the actuarial exams. She and her husband moved to Bermuda in 1996, and they enjoyed the adventure of visiting family on the East Coast and raising their children there. The reinsurance industry in Bermuda was growing rapidly, and Kellie joined a life and health group company and continued taking the actuarial exams. Their 13-year stint in Bermuda provided innovative career opportunities, working with clients and devising innovative ways to achieve objectives.

Pursuing a Path in Politics

However, Kellie left her job in 2008 to pursue a different path. She worked remotely for a few years, but she started feeling like she needed a change. In 2016, she became unhappy with the trajectory of national politics and decided to become more involved in politics. She started volunteering for local government office campaigns and met a candidate running in her congressional district during the 2018 midterms who aimed to flip a seat from red to blue. During the midterms, Kellie lived in a swing district, which could potentially flip the seat. Kellie found herself in the midst of New Jersey politics. She was fortunate to work with a candidate, Mikie Sherrill, who won a congressional race and is now running for governor in New Jersey.

Establishing a District Office

Kellie worked to establish a district office for Mikie, which spanned over six years. As the district director, Kellie aimed to build bridges between the district and the mayors, ensuring they served the entire district, not just the blue parts. She prioritized building trust and respecting the fact that they were there for everyone, learning from the mayors, local electives, and community stakeholders. Kellie emphasizes the importance of showing up everywhere and respecting that it would take time to build trust with the community. Her experience highlights the importance of being genuine and understanding the needs of the community.

Working Across Party Lines

Kellie shares her experience working with a congressional office during a divisive time. The office was open to serving constituents and addressing issues that were not always seen in government. She found it rewarding to work with local officials and local officials across party lines to tackle various issues, such as flooding, public safety, and mental health. Since leaving the congressional office, Kellie continues to do what she can to support Mikie in her run for Governor. She has also been involved in consulting work for a county college and serves on two boards - as vice chair of the board of her high school and on the board of Ibis Reproductive Health, a non-profit run by our classmate Kelly Blanchard. Kellie is excited to see what comes next in her journey!

The Challenges of a Congressional Office

The conversation turns to Congress members setting up and running their offices, with a set budget that can be used in various ways due to different priorities and districts. New Jersey is a densely populated state, and in Kellie's district they could have a single district office serving everyone. A district in a western state, for example, may have to budget differently to accommodate multiple offices. Kellie mentions the importance of having support of more established congressional offices in New Jersey when they were setting up and the choice in Mikie's office to have two district directors to ensure mayors in their 54 towns had a senior contact in the office. Kellie also discusses the challenges of setting up a congressional office in a flipped district where you do not get as much cooperation from the prior office. She acknowledges the need for strong communication and organization and stresses the importance of a well-organized and efficient office environment. She goes on to share how the district office works and how the different agencies work.

Outreach During the August District Work Period

Kellie talks about her experiences with the August district work period, which is a time for organizing outreach for the Congresswoman in the district. She highlights how much she enjoyed learning about the strong manufacturing economy and pharma industry in the district, as well as the innovative work happening in various sectors. How important it was to bring local electeds and colleges into the conversations to support these companies and ensure they have the workforce pipeline and education system in place to attract talent. She talks about the role of the bipartisan group of mayors, known as The Strike Force and how it has assembled to deal with the issue of flooding in the area.

Influential Harvard Professors and Courses

Kellie, a former government major, transitioned to economics as a better fit for her. She took Public Sector Economics under Larry Summers, which highlighted the integration of her policy and economic interests. She appreciates the breadth of classes and the opportunity to learn from different perspectives. She believes that the best learning experience was managing the football team at Harvard.

Timestamps:

02;25: Kelly's Career Journey: Northern Virginia and Bermuda

07:37: Transition to New Jersey and Political Career

12:27: Building Trust and Serving the District

35:05: Challenges and Achievements in District Work

41:14: Reflecting on Harvard and Career Insights

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellie-doucette-a3424a11a/

Email: [email protected]

Featured Non-profit

The featured non-profit of this week's episode is recommended by Angela Romans who reports:

"Hi. I'm Angela Romans, class of 1992. The featured nonprofit of this episode of The 92 Report is Innovation for Equity. Innovation for Equity is a network of changemakers across the education ecosystem committed to transforming the life outcomes of black learners of all ages. Co-founded by several Harvard 92 and 93 graduates, I have been privileged to serve as the founding executive director of Innovation for Equity, or IFE, since 2021 you can learn more about our work at Innovation Equity dot O, R, G, and now here is Will Bachman with this week's episode."

To learn more about their work, visit: InnovationEquity.org.