The University of Denver's Entrepreneurship Podcast

What does it really take to turn an idea into a product sold in thousands of stores? In this episode of The Business of…, Bri Bradley shares how she built Smart Cookie Bakery from the ground up, growing from local farmers markets to more than 2,000 retailers. She takes us behind the scenes of the pet products business, including manufacturing, distribution, margins, scaling and the lessons she learned along the way.

How do we prepare students to lead in an increasingly complex world? In this episode, John Sebesta and Melissa Akaka welcome Professor Graeme Roy from the University of Glasgow for a conversation about Adam Smith's enduring legacy, the evolving definition of wealth, and the critical role universities play in developing thoughtful, principled leaders equipped to navigate today's greatest challenges.

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship at DU Podcast, Director John Sebesta sits down with students and faculty to reflect on a recent global immersion course in Guatemala. Stepping beyond the classroom, participants worked directly with organizations creating real impact on the ground, including Friendship Bridge, local businesses, and community partners. The conversation explores what it means to see entrepreneurship, social impact, and business ethics in action, from navigating expectations versus reality to engaging in real client work. Along the way, they share the moments that challenged their perspectives, deepened their understanding of business as a force for good, and continue to shape how they think about impact long after the trip ended.

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship at DU podcast, Director John Sebesta sits down with DU alum and founder MK Barlow to trace her journey from student entrepreneur to launching her company, Flaunt Bra, on Kickstarter. Inspired by a deeply personal experience and validated through research with hundreds of women, MK shares how she’s tackling the overlooked issue of breast asymmetry with a customizable bra designed for real bodies. The conversation explores the power of experiential learning, the vulnerability of building a mission-driven brand, and how DU’s entrepreneurial ecosystem helped transform an idea into a venture poised for launch

Dioramas just don't cut it anymore for museums that want to keep new generations of kids interested in their collections. Instead, George Saunders has steered the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in a direction that has kept the 125-year-old institution relevant, in an age when almost anything in the world can be seen on a computer screen.On this episode of the Voices of Experience podcast, Saunders explains how his industry has changed—and how he's developed the mindset to make it happen.

Table of Contents:

1:14 Life-changing executive coaching • 2:32 Creating the "10-year plan" • 3:14 "It's not just about making money" • 4:22 Developing a strong moral compass • 5:25 What people don't realize about museums • 7:07 Surviving COVID-19 • 9:56 Today's challenges for museums • 15:42 The career "identity crisis" • 18:10 Developing an innovative workforce • 19:41 What if you were an executive coach? • 21:35 Rebuilding community • 13:08 Show notes and credits

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship@DU Podcast, host Joshua Ross sits down with members of the Pioneer Venture Group (PVG) - the University of Denver’s student-led venture investment fund - to explore how students gain hands-on experience investing real capital into early-stage startups. Joining the conversation are faculty advisor Dr. John Sebesta and managing partners Conner Sieck and Jack Ingalls, who share the origin story of PVG, its mission, and how the fund operates as an experiential, interdisciplinary learning lab for both undergraduate and graduate students. 

The discussion explores how PVG sources deals, conducts due diligence, and makes investment decisions, emphasizing the importance of judgment, founder fit, and learning through real-world risk.

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship@DU Podcast, host Joshua Ross sits down with Dean Naomi Boyd and Dr. Melissa Akaka from the Daniels College of Business to explore how research is evolving in higher education and the impact and opportunities of becoming an R1 institution. Together, they discuss the importance of curiosity, collaboration, and societal impact in expanding what “quality research” means in today’s world. 

The conversation highlights how Daniels faculty are bridging academic scholarship with real-world challenges, connecting research to business practice, and preparing students to think critically and creatively. Boyd and Akaka share how data, partnerships, and technology -including artificial intelligence - are impacting how research is used, applied, and shared beyond the University of Denver campus.

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship@DU Podcast, host Joshua Ross sits down with Dean Naomi Boyd and Dr. Melissa Akaka from the Daniels College of Business to explore how research is evolving in higher education and the impact and opportunities of becoming an R1 institution. Together, they discuss the importance of curiosity, collaboration, and societal impact in expanding what “quality research” means in today’s world. 

The conversation highlights how Daniels faculty are bridging academic scholarship with real-world challenges, connecting research to business practice, and preparing students to think critically and creatively. Boyd and Akaka share how data, partnerships, and technology -including artificial intelligence - are impacting how research is used, applied, and shared beyond the University of Denver campus.

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship@DU Podcast, host Joshua Ross sits down with DU professors Michael Myers and Aaron Duncan to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping higher education. Together, they explore how AI is transforming the way students learn, faculty teach, and universities prepare graduates for an evolving workforce. 

The conversation dives into creating psychological safety in the classroom, integrating AI, and the importance of collaboration between students and educators. Myers and Duncan share how they are rethinking assignments, assessment, and engagement to help students build curiosity, adaptability, and critical thinking skills in an AI-driven world.

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship@DU Podcast, host Joshua Ross sits down with DU alum Eric Schneider, founder of Futureproof Studios. Eric shares how his background in art and design fueled a career at the intersection of creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship, and why he believes curiosity and user-centered thinking are essential for innovation.