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Caroline Coors has lived in more places than most people twice her age, so she knows a thing or two about being the new girl! After transferring from Cal Poly to Cornell, she learned that finding your people doesn't always happen overnight. She also discovered that Cornell is, as she puts it, "sneaky fun," and that there are endless opportunities to be engaged in and out of the classroom. We catch up with Caroline in Copenhagen to talk about making friends, building confidence, Slope Day memories, and her passion for helping children learn through play. We also hear her thoughts on Cornell's recent headlines and have some fun with a game we call "What Coors Adores." Caroline is funny, thoughtful, super smart and full of personality. We loved getting to know her, and we think you will too!  We are very happy that Caroline found her way to Cornell—and that Cornell Human Ecology found her! Find Caroline on LinkedIn so you can see all of the things she has done by searching Caroline Coors. Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

It's been a difficult and heartbreaking time for the Cornell community. Recent events have left many feeling angry, saddened, disappointed, and concerned. We share those feelings, recognize the pain of those directly affected, and appreciate the voices speaking up, asking hard questions, and demanding accountability and meaningful change.  This week, it's just the two of us. We wanted to acknowledge what's happening, share some of our own feelings, and talk about what it means to love Cornell while expecting better from it. We've also been reflecting on what makes Cornell (Thank) U meaningful to us: the people we've met, the perspectives we've gained, and the extraordinary stories we've had the privilege of sharing. Those stories still matter. As we look ahead to Season 6, we'll continue bringing you those conversations, along with familiar favorites like Pet Peeves, Best Friend Wars, Free Advice and Where Do You Stand? And we'd love your input on new speed-round questions, music, and what you'd like to hear next. Watch our social media for polls! We're listening, we're learning, and we're grateful you're part of this community. And just a reminder that we are not affiliated with Cornell University. Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

AI can give us answers faster than ever—but getting the answer is only part of making a good decision. Cheryl Strauss Einhorn '91 returns to talk about her new book, The Human Edge, how to work with AI to make better decisions, and why judgment, self-awareness, and critical thinking are becoming more valuable than ever in the age of AI. We've made the decision that she can come back whenever she wants. We always get smarter after talking to her. If you want to be smarter too, you can find her book here and watch for announcements about upcoming book talks, they are incredible: Buy The Human Edge on Amazon Cheryl Strauss Einhorn LinkedIn Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Rachel Doyle ’05 was just 17 when she turned a brilliant idea into GlamourGals. More than 25 years later, that idea is still bringing teenagers and older adults together. We talked with Rachel about starting young, building something that lasts, and the Cornell experiences and relationships that helped shape the journey. We also talk about ambition, connection, some advice that changed the way she thought about her organization—and why the real magic of GlamourGals has never actually been solely about the makeup. Find Rachel and GlamourGirls here: https://glamourgals.org/ Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Max Hartley ’29 has been at Cornell for one month—and somehow he’s already everywhere. The 20-year-old sophomore transfer is studying in ILR, singing with Last Call A Cappella, running, building businesses and creating Sillage—what he calls “Letterboxd for fragrance fans.” We talk about leaving a college he loved for Cornell, finding his people as a transfer, getting the knock on his dorm-room door that changed his Cornell experience, and why he can sometimes identify a stranger’s cologne just by walking past them. Plus, can you guess what our game is about? We called it "Do Tell, the Smell." Max is absolutely amazing and we loved him. Shout out to his mama, Gabby, our sorority sister whom we ADORE, for the introduction. Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University And if you are reading this from Cornell Admissions or Administration, you're welcome. What an endorsement.

Gary Yarnell knew he wanted to be a veterinarian at two years old. He never changed his mind. At Cornell, he raced through undergrad, met his future wife Laurie—and once rescued a parakeet from anatomy lab by putting it in his pocket and sneaking it out. Then came vet school, 45 years of caring for animals, and a Rye practice he built by being there for his patients around the clock. Literally. Gary tells us what veterinary medicine taught him about animals, people, empathy and letting go; how the profession has changed beyond anything he could have imagined; and why he and Laurie chose to give back to the Cornell Veterinary College that changed their lives. And after all of it? He’d absolutely do it over again. Plus: The Vet, The Duet and The Pet. Are Steph and Michelle good dog parents? We loved this conversation! Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

What happens when two Cornell track athletes start commiserating about watered-down iced coffee on a 14-mile run? For Ben Gibson and Mikey Dizon-Bumann, it turned into Kube & Co. They tell us how they took a problem iced coffee drinkers have dealt with forever and figured out a way to actually solve it—through countless experiments, incredible creativity, unexpected setbacks, and a lot of persistence. We hear why their very different skill sets make them great partners and how Cornell—from the track team to the Hospitality Business Plan Competition—helped them turn Kube & Co. into a growing business. We talk coffee flavors (including some that definitely missed), Shark Tank dreams, why Kube is spelled with a K, and what’s next. While their skill sets may be different, they share an undeniable charisma. We loved our time with them! Special thanks to Ayotunde Ejiko (episode 251) for the introduction! Find their company here: https://kubeand.co/ Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University.

If you’ve been on Cornell’s campus lately, chances are you’ve seen—or heard about—Anmo Li ’28, aka the pogo stick guy. Anmo is a world-ranked extreme pogo stick athlete and founder of the Cornell Pogo Club. He joins us to talk about Pogopalooza, going viral on campus, why getting good at pogo sticking means getting comfortable with failure, and his plans to help reinvent the modern pogo stick. We also talk about his path to Cornell as a transfer student, his passion for nutrition and the gut microbiome, his research experience in China, and why the friends he’s made at Cornell mean the most to him.

Since being introduced to Jon Gordon ’93 just a few weeks ago, Michelle has read seven of his books—and genuinely feels changed by them. Then we talked with Jon, and Steph felt it too. There is something about the way Jon thinks, teaches and tells a story that stays with you. Jon is the bestselling author of more than 30 books, including The Energy Bus, The Carpenter, The Hard Hat and The Power of Positive Habits. He is also one of the world’s most sought-after speakers and works with CEOs, business leaders, coaches and some of the most successful teams in college and professional sports. We talk about his Cornell lacrosse years, the extraordinary story of George Boiardi ’04, and Jon gets remarkably candid about his own struggles with negativity, fear, failure, forgiveness and marriage. He shares why we should talk to ourselves instead of listening to ourselves, what it means to “forgive fast,” and how small changes in the way we think can change our lives. And beyond all the wisdom, we just really like Jon. He is warm, funny, generous and completely genuine—and we left this conversation understanding why so many people respond so deeply to him. A huge thank you our Vino (episode 242) for introducing us. We’re very grateful you did. This one is special. Find Jon Gordon here: https://jongordon.com His podcast: The Jon Gordon Podcast Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

If you’re a college student getting ready for recruiting season—or the parent of one—this episode could not come at a better time. Deborah Klein Glasser knows the job search from both sides. After Cornell, she built a career in marketing and consulting at companies including Pepsi, Colgate, PwC and Starwood Hotels, earned her MBA from Wharton, and today, as the founder of Pathfinder Consulting, helps college students and young professionals figure out what they want, tell their story and stand out in a very competitive job market. We talk about what actually makes a candidate memorable, how to use the Cornell alumni network without sounding transactional, why networking can feel a lot like dating, and how to answer that dreaded interview question: “What’s your biggest weakness?” Deborah also tells us whether an Ivy League degree really gives you an advantage, what to do after an interview, how persistent is too persistent, and why parents need to know when to help—and when to step away. And somehow a serious conversation about interviewing leads to Michelle’s disastrous typing test, Deb’s cheap green interview suit and Steph nearly losing circulation in her leg during a law school interview. Whether you’re looking for an internship, preparing for on-campus recruiting, starting your first job search—or trying to help someone who is—Deborah’s advice makes the whole process feel a little less intimidating and a lot more manageable. She's warm, smart and FUN! You can find out more about her company here: https://www.pathfindercareerconsulting.com/ And you can reach out to her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahglasser/ Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Ayotunde Ejiko is only 20 years old, but somehow he has already fit an extraordinary amount into those 20 years. He grew up in Nigeria, moved to the United States at 11, became one of the top high school sprinters in Washington, D.C., and learned early that when something isn’t working, you don’t just complain about it—you figure out how to make it better. Today, Ayotunde is a Division I sprinter at Cornell studying Information Science and Sociology, while also fitting in internships, campus organizations, community work, friends and everything else that comes with being a college student. We talk about what it was like moving to America as a kid with an accent, why he started speaking up for other students during COVID, and how those experiences shaped the way he thinks about leadership and creating change. Ayotunde also takes us inside the intense world of sprinting, where you can train for months for a race that lasts about 10 seconds. He tells us how he ended up at Cornell, why he initially couldn’t believe an Ivy League school wanted him, and why one of the most important things he has learned at Cornell is that sometimes you simply can’t do everything at once. We also talk about his interest in the intersection of people, technology and data, what he’s learning from his internships, and how he thinks about a future that is still very much taking shape. Despite everything he’s already accomplished, when we ask what he ultimately wants, his answer is refreshingly simple: to be happy, keep learning and leave the world better than he found it. And of course, we had to find out exactly what a Cornell sprinter is—and isn’t—willing to sprint for. Ayotunde is smart, funny, thoughtful, curious and incredibly driven. We have a feeling he’s just getting started. Special thanks to Tony Chen for introducing us to Ayotunde, thank you! Instagram: ayoitstunde Cornell Track and Field profile: https://cornellbigred.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ayotunde-ejiko/85711 Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

When we first met Ruthie Jones, we knew she had an incredible story. A Division I soccer goalie at Duke. A first-year student at Weill Cornell Medicine. But what surprised us most wasn't her resume—it was the way she thinks. Ruthie shares how growing up in a family of athletes taught her confidence, resilience, and teamwork, why one decision at age 11 changed the course of her life, and how the mindset she developed as a goalkeeper has prepared her for the challenges of becoming a doctor. We also talk about what life is really like as a first-year medical student, balancing athletics with academics, anatomy lab and cadavers (yeesh), moving to New York City after Duke, and the friendships she's found at Weill Cornell. Plus, we couldn't resist talking about our medical pet peeves. It's a great story of how remarkable people find their paths. We loved her! Shout out to her whole family and especially to her brother, Daniel Jones for bringing us all together. And a thank you too to Jack Gitlin - the Jones friendship started with him. Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

She's here!! This interview has been at the top of our wish list for a long time. Most people know Kate Snow as the journalist they've welcomed into their homes for decades. We walked away appreciating her even more—not just for the stories she's covered, but for the humanity she brings to every one of them. In this episode, Kate takes us from Cornell to local news, CNN, ABC, and NBC News, sharing the moments that shaped her career—and her. We talk about earning the trust of people during the hardest moments of their lives and why the toughest conversations don't begin with the first question—they begin before the interview ever starts. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at live television, hear why music has always been such an important part of Kate's life, and laugh about a few moments that remind us there's a really fun and relatable person behind the anchor desk. What stayed with us most is that this conversation isn't just about Kate's television career. It's about curiosity, empathy, resilience, and the extraordinary impact one person can have simply by making others feel seen, heard, and respected. A special thank you to our friend Dave Price for introducing us to Kate. Dave, you've made so many wonderful introductions over the years that we're starting to think you deserve an honorary producer credit. Thank you for always thinking of us—and for bringing Kate into the Cornell (Thank) U family. Whether you've watched Kate for years or are just getting to know her, we hope you'll finish this episode feeling exactly as we did: inspired by the journalist, grateful for the storyteller, and genuinely touched by the person. Editor's Note: Since recording this episode, I (Michelle) had the chance to see Kate and Snowdrift perform live, and they were phenomenal. The energy was incredible, they played so many songs we loved, and the night had an unexpected Cornell twist—I was reunited with one of Kate's sorority sisters and our former housemate, Donna Pekala Kirsh, and finally got to meet friend of the podcast Joe Marraccino. It made an already special conversation feel even more personal. Here's where you can find Kate: Instagram: @TVKateSnow Facebook: @TVKateSnow The Drink Podcast!! https://www.nbcnews.com/the-drink-with-kate-snow LinkedIn: Kate Snow  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-snow-90527013b/ Music (you MUST listen!): https://hyperfollow.com/katesnow Also on Apple Music and Spotify. Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University.

What if one of the best beauty products has been sitting in your medicine cabinet all along? Three years after her first visit to Cornell (Thank) U, GlossLab founder Rachel Glass is back with her newest venture, le-balme—and the story behind it is fascinating. Rachel shares why she believes petroleum jelly has been one of skincare's best-kept secrets, how she partnered with a New York dermatologist to rethink a product that's been around for generations (what they've done is amazing), and why she couldn't stop thinking about this idea until she brought it to life. We also talk about what changed after GlossLab, what she learned the first time around, why she's building this company differently, and how she decides which ideas are worth chasing. Whether you're an entrepreneur, someone who loves hearing how products come to life, or just curious about the next thing you'll probably be throwing into your bag, this conversation is full of insights, honest reflections, and one product we have a feeling you'll be hearing a lot more about. Launching! You can get on the waitlist and get more info here: Oficinale.com and lebalme.com  and on Instagram: @oficinale.co and @lebalme.co Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

She never planned to become Justine Snacks. Today, Justine Doiron ('16) has built a community of more than 4 million followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, along with a New York Times bestselling cookbook. But behind the viral recipes is a story that's thoughtful, surprising, and deeply personal. In this episode, Justine shares how a Cornell Hotelie became one of the internet's most beloved food creators. She opens up about losing her father before college, the cold email that changed her life, the corporate job that forced her to choose between PR and social media, and why, even today, she says she never wanted fame. She also takes us back to her Cornell years—from Low Rise 6 to HumorUs, and the people who helped shape the person she would become. Whether you know her well as Justine Snacks or you're meeting her for the first time, this conversation is about taking chances, embracing unexpected opportunities, and finding the confidence to build a life that looks nothing like the one you imagined. TikTok: Justine_Snacks Instagram: justine_snacks YouTube: justine_snacks Not Sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University