Advertise on podcast: Business Beyond Usual

Michigan Ross stands out as a business school in part for its numerous action-based learning experiences. There are seven student-led investment funds at the University of Michigan, where students source real deals, make real investment decisions, and manage real capital while still in school.  On the season 10 finale of Business Beyond Usual, our hosts sit down with 5 MBA students who are each exploring venture capital (VC) at Ross. The guests delve into what makes each of their funds unique, sharing investment theses which often focus on both financial viability and social impact. They demystify the application process, explain how the funds are structured, and take us through the investment process — from sourcing deals, to conducting due diligence, to making the final decision.  Students pursuing VC at Ross acquire a wide variety of hard and soft skills, such as financial modeling, dealing with ambiguity, and learning how to take a bet on a team of people rather than on the product or technology alone.  Student Led Venture Funds Featured in the Episode Michigan Climate Venture (MCV) Wolverine Venture Fund (WVF) Michigan Social Venture Fund (SVF) International Investment Fund (IIF) Zell Lurie Commercialization Fund (ZLCF) Hosts: Aishwarya Raja and Oghoghosa IgbinewekaGuests: Arsh Anand, Prithu Verma, Sunny Huang, Taku Muravu, and Ivy LeeExecutive Producers: Aishwarya Raja and Oghoghosa IgbinewekaStudio Producers: Jonah Brockman and Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are around 60+ student organizations at Ross, spanning professional clubs, affinity groups, and social and sports clubs. On this episode of Business Beyond Usual, hosts Aishwarya Raja and Sylvia Percovich sit down with 4 deeply involved Ross students to discuss finding community outside of the classroom.   Topics covered include navigating the club fair as first years, deepening impact and involvement as second years, and, through it all, making it to Skeeps on Thursdays. Our guests take us inside the affinity groups, covering the Black Business Student Association (BBSA), Africa Business Club (ABC), Consortium, Latin American Business Students Association (LABSA), Brazilian Business Student Association (BRASA), Indian Subcontinent Business Association (ISBA), Michigan Business Women (MBW), MoMBAs, and more. The panel then looks forward to some favorite Ross events on the horizon, from Latin Vibes to the Follies Roast/Toast.  Our guests leave listeners with valuable advice: be open, show up, and get involved!  A list of all Michigan Ross clubs and organizations can be found here.   Hosts: Aishwarya Raja and Sylvia PercovichGuests: Colleen Heaney, Elie Mutomb, Marina Balassanian, and Alyssa DaumExecutive Producer: Aishwarya Raja Studio Producers: Jonah Brockman and Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Business Beyond Usual, hosts Oghoghosa Igbineweka and Jasmin Lopez sit down with three full-time Michigan Ross students to talk about what it’s like to call Ann Arbor home while pursuing an MBA. Our guests talk about living in a walkable community where the student body informs the whole town’s culture. They share their day-to-day routines, tips for setting boundaries so as to make the most of their time, and some of their favorite Ann Arbor spots like Dozer Coffee, Slurping Turtle, and York.  Our guests leave listeners with their invaluable advice: come to Ross with an open mind; do what scares you; and lean into the community. Mentioned in Episode: Africa Business Club Black Business Student Association Michigan Marketing Club Peridot Sanger Leadership Crisis Challenge Hosts: Oghoghosa Igbineweka and Jasmin LopezGuests: Amidat Sonekan, Kameron Akbarzadeh, and Eva OguduExecutive Producers: Oghoghosa Igbineweka and Jasmin LopezStudio Producers: Jonah Brockman and Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Business Beyond Usual, our Full-Time MBA students demystify recruiting by industry. The guests do individual deep dives into recruiting in the CPG, retail, healthcare, energy, tech, corporate finance, investment banking, and consulting fields, highlighting methods for navigating unstructured recruiting processes. Topics covered include differing timelines, intentional networking, various interview styles, staying on top of industry trends, as well as how to make a career pivot and land on your feet.  Our guests leave us with their key pieces of advice: to set priorities, lean on community, and stay open to confusion and uncertainty.  Hosts: Aishwarya Raja and Jasmin LopezGuests: Mayank Goel, Sammy Srinivasan, Ross McQuate, Rahul Narain, Serena Ahuja Executive Producers: Oghoghosa Igbineweka, and Jasmin LopezStudio Producers: Jonah Brockman and Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At Michigan Ross, international programs allow students the opportunity to immerse themselves in new cultures, tackle business challenges from a global perspective, and have once-in-a-lifetime experiences with their classmates while building lifelong connections around the world.  On the 10th season premiere of Business Beyond Usual, our full time MBA students speak to why they went global. They discuss various programs: student-led treks through MTREK, international Multidisciplinary Action Projects (MAP), and study abroad through the MBA Global Semester Exchange Program. They dive into the day-to-day life of time abroad, talking about the challenges — from language barriers to unfamiliar corporate culture — and reminiscing on the highlights of their travels. The students come away from their experiences with more empathy, compassion, and confidence, not to mention new friends and a deeper understanding of global business.  Subscribe to Breezy’s substack! @breezydoesit Hosts: Aishwarya Raja and Oghoghosa IgbinewekaGuests: Diane Jen, Abha Bhanu, Breezy Adams, Dominique Gill, and Janel WeatherlyExecutive Producers: Sylvia Percovich, Aishwarya Raja, Oghoghosa Igbineweka, and Jasmin LopezStudio Producers: Jonah Brockman and Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the Season 9 finale of the Business Beyond Usual podcast, next year’s BBU hosts, Jasmin Lopez, Aishwarya Raja, Oghoghosa Igbineweka, and Sylvia Percovich, join this season’s hosts, Vashisht Sai, Aishwarya Dhume, and Mark O’Connell, to pass the torch and prepare for graduation. In the first part of the episode, our graduating hosts share their excitement for post-grad life and reflect on their time at Michigan Ross, discussing their favorite moments and biggest challenges. In the second part of the episode, our incoming hosts gear up to become MBA 2s. They express their enthusiasm for settling in at Ross, strengthening friendships, being more present, and contributing to the Ross community. Thank you, Vashisht, Aishwarya, and Mark, for an incredible ninth season of BBU! Go Blue! Hosts: Jasmin Lopez, Aishwarya Raja, Oghoghosa Igbineweka, Sylvia PercovichGuests: Vashisht Sai, Aishwarya Dhume, Mark O’ConnellExecutive Producers: Mark O'Connell, Aishwarya Dhume, Vashisht Sai, and JT GodfreyAudio Engineer: Jonah BrockmanEditorial Production: Mads Henke  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the Business Beyond Usual podcast, hosts Aishwarya Dhume and Vashisht Sai sit down with Dave Brandon, former CEO and current Executive Chairman of Domino’s. Dave takes us through his long and varied career, from attending U-M as a student athlete and aspiring teacher to working in executive leadership roles across industries. He discusses his approach to taking two different companies public, as well as the challenges he faced throughout his career. The conversation is a masterclass in creative problem-solving and how leaders persevere. Hosts: Aishwarya Dhume and Vashisht SaiGuest: Dave BrandonExecutive Producers: Mark O'Connell, Aishwarya Dhume, Vashisht Sai, and JT GodfreyAudio Engineer: Jonah BrockmanEditorial Production: Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the Business Beyond Usual podcast, hosts Aishwarya Dhume and Jasmin Lopez sit down with Ross Full-Time MBA students Vashisht Sai, Yashvi Patel, and Vraj Mehta to discuss how they financed their MBAs. The guests shed light on their individual journeys and share tips on de-mystifying student loans, campus jobs, internships, and scholarships. They touch on the role that expenses play in the recruitment process and their experiences in budgeting. One important tip? Buy the Michigan football pass! Hosts: Aishwarya Dhume and Jasmin LopezGuests: Vashisht Sai, Yashvi Patel, Vraj MehtaExecutive Producers: Mark O'Connell, Aishwarya Dhume, Vashisht Sai, and JT GodfreyAudio Engineer: Jonah BrockmanEditorial Production: Mads Henke  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the Business Beyond Usual podcast, hosts Aishwarya Dhume and Vashishta Sai sit down with Megan Anda, Managing Director of the Office of Action Based Learning, Professor M.S. Krishnan, and Will Pan, MBA ’25, to discuss the Multi-disciplinary Action Project, or MAP, at Ross.  Topics covered include MAP’s history, how it has changed over the past 30 years, how the 100+ projects are sourced each year, the role of MAP faculty, and the student experience. We learn how this foundational part of the Michigan Ross education serves as a window to the ever-evolving business world and how it prepares students for their internships while imparting skills that will be used for their whole careers.  Host: Aishwarya Dhume and Vashishta SaiGuests: Megan Anda, M.S. Krishnan, and Will Pan Executive Producers: Mark O'Connell, Aishwarya Dhume, Vashishta Sai, and JT GodfreyAudio Engineer: Jonah BrockmanEditorial Production: Mads Henke  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, host Aishwarya Raja sits down with guests Andrew Johnson, JT Godfrey, Chiara Lucchesi, and Javier Balam to discuss the experience of being a partner at Ross. With full calendars and a welcoming environment, partners of Ross MBAs aren’t just plus ones; they become members of the community themselves with a myriad of involvement opportunities. In this episode, the four partners discuss making the move to Ann Arbor and all of the opportunities and hidden gems the city has to offer, from proximity to the arts and sports teams to the best spots for sushi and burgers.  The guests also share how they’ve gotten involved at Ross, including events through the Partners Club, becoming members of student clubs and affiliate groups, and employment opportunities with U-M. They conclude the conversation by discussing the challenges of supporting a partner through MBA recruitment and leave listeners with a few pieces of advice.  Host and Episode Producer: Aishwarya Raja Guests: Andrew Johnson, JT Godfrey, Chiara Lucchesi, Javier BalamExecutive Producers: Mark O'Connell, Aishwarya Dhume, Vashishta Sai, and JT GodfreyAudio Engineer: Jonah BrockmanEditorial Production: Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the Business Beyond Usual podcast, hosts Aishwarya Dhume and Mark O’Connell sit down with Grant Potts, Macey Guthery, and Rachel Schulingkamp from The Bus – the unofficial business school tailgate committee dedicated to stirring up school spirit, Brian Vu from Risky Business – Michigan Ross’s MBA student led band, and Tyler Ringler from Michigan Business Social Association (MBSA) – the organization behind Winter Formal, Disorientation, and Thursdays at Skeeps, to discuss each of the uniquely Ross groups with which they are involved. The panel focuses on how these groups form community and deep friendships while marveling at the fun they bring to the Michigan Ross experience. They touch on balancing extracurriculars with the workload of an MBA and the qualities they each look for in selecting new members. They promise you don’t have to be an extrovert to enjoy the countless events each group offers.   Hosts: Aishwarya Dhume and Mark O’ConnellGuests: Grant Potts, Macey Guthery, Brian Vu, Rachel Schulingkamp, Tyler RinglerExecutive Producers: Mark O'Connell, Aishwarya Dhume, Vashishta Sai, and JT GodfreyAudio Engineer: Jonah BrockmanEditorial Production: Mads Henke  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the Business Beyond Usual podcast, guest hosts Arthur Bochner and Radhika Muthukrishnan sit down with three fellow Executive MBA students to discuss their journeys to Michigan Ross and their experiences in the program so far.  The group explores ways they have applied the program’s action-based learning approach directly to their workplaces, how they manage to balance an EMBA program with their careers and personal lives, and the supportive culture they found in the Los Angeles and Ann Arbor cohorts. In the discussion, we learn about the options and tools EMBA programs provide to seasoned executives while allowing the flexibility executives need to balance academic and professional success.  Host: Arthur Bochner and Radhika MuthukrishnanGuests: Kevin Kubota, Vanessa Archambault, and Jerry WangExecutive Producers: Mark O’Connell, Aishwarya Dhume, Vashisht Sai, and JT GodfreyAudio Engineer: Jonah BrockmanEditorial Production: Mads Henke  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the Business Beyond Usual podcast, hosts Aishwarya Dhume and Vashishta Sai sit down with four Full-Time MBA students to discuss their recruitment journeys.  The panel explores the differences in recruiting processes for the marketing, consulting, technology, and investment banking fields. They discuss preparing for case interviews, the coffee chat system, and the biggest challenges of recruitment – time management, prioritization, and self-care. We learn about the importance of trusting the process over focusing on a certain outcome, having a backup plan, and leaning on your community through the whole recruiting season.  Hosts: Aishwarya Dhume and Vashishta SaiGuests: Deb Sarkar, Ziyi Liu, Janaki Balachander, Yuan ZhangExecutive Producers: Mark O'Connell, Aishwarya Dhume, Vashishta Sai, and JT GodfreyAudio Engineer: Jonah BrockmanEditorial Production: Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the premiere episode of season nine of the Business Beyond Usual podcast, we sit down with the Full-Time MBA Council. The group shares their favorite memories from their first year at the Ross School of Business and what they’re most looking forward to experiencing as second-year MBAs.  The panel also explores the role of the FTMBA Council and its goals for this year. We learn about the MBA Council’s three main pillars: cross-collaboration, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and prioritizing well-being. Our guests share their commitment to supporting those who have made real sacrifices to pursue MBAs and emphasize how important it is to lean on each other. Being supported by others gives us the power to pay it forward.  Host: Mark O’ConnellGuests: Alex Maxwell, Drew Maloney, Diya Rambhatla, and Vraj MehtaExecutive Producers: Mark O'Connell, Aishwarya Dhume, Vashishta Sai, and JT GodfreyAudio Engineer: Jonah BrockmanEditorial Production: Mads Henke  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the Business Beyond Usual podcast, this year's full-time MBA executive producers welcome the incoming group of student hosts.  The MBA ’24 producers — John Brown, David Amorim, and Arpit Sharma — explore their advice for second-year MBAs, their favorite Ann Arbor memories, and the key lessons they learned from their time at Michigan Ross.  The incoming MBA ’25 producers — Mark O’Connell, Aishwarya Dhume, and Vashisht Sai — share how they stayed motivated during their first year of the Full-Time MBA Program, their goals for next year’s season of Business Beyond Usual, and what their plans are for the summer.  To learn more about the hosts, participants, and resources discussed in this episode, check out a full-length article at https://michiganross.umich.edu/news/podcasts/business-beyond-usual.  Host: John Brown, David Amorim, Arpit SharmaGuests: Mark O’Connell, Aishwarya Dhume, and Vashisht SaiExecutive Producers: John Brown, David Amorim, Arpit Sharma, and JT GodfreyAudio Engineer: Jonah Brockman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.