Best Rice Business Alumni Podcasts (2025)

1
How a Disney Skater Became a Startup Founder feat. Becky Jackson ’25 32:07

2d ago32:07

32:07

As the first figure skater to play Elsa in Disney On Ice’s Frozen and now a pioneer in the private security industry, Becky Jackson knows a thing or two about creating something from scratch. Before earning an MBA at Rice and becoming an entrepreneur, Becky had an illustrious figure skating career with Team USA and Disney. Now, she’s revolutionizin…

1
Shaping The Future of Retail feat. Ramon Marquez ’25 and Taylin Luzcando 36:37

16d ago36:37

36:37

Retail executive Ramon Marquez can point to virtually every store in a shopping mall and explain how he helped that brand grow. With a passion for retail dating back to his childhood, he’s built a career as a leader in merchandising, product management and retail operations for major retailers like JCPenney, Abercrombie & Fitch, Old Navy, and is no…

1
Transforming AI Literacy in the Classroom feat. Corey Layne Crouch ’13 38:39

1M ago38:39

38:39

Despite entering college as a pre-med major, Corey Layne Crouch ’13 found her calling in the classroom after working as a teacher’s aide for a kindergarten class. Switching majors, she set out on a path to transform the education system from within. Corey’s entrepreneurial mindset in her work as a high school English teacher and school principal le…

1
Investing in Ideas You Believe in feat. Ben Mayberry ’76 32:40

1M ago32:40

32:40

As a seasoned entrepreneur, investor and mentor, Ben Mayberry ’76 has seen a lot of change in the Houston business sector over the last 50 years. Beginning his career in the technology sector, Ben went on to co-found companies like BSG and Winston Sage, and has been deeply involved in the Rice Business community through mentorship and recruiting. B…

1
Work Smarter With AI feat. Summer Husband ’02 26:46

2M ago26:46

26:46

With a Ph.D. in computational and applied mathematics from Rice, Summer Husband ’02 has been at the forefront of AI and data innovation for years. From transforming how the U.S. Navy uses machine learning to now leading data products and applied intelligence at Worley, her career bridges complex tech and real-world impact. Following her workshop, U…

1
Building a Service Business with Scent Detection Canines 20:36

2M ago20:36

20:36

For service-based business owners looking for inspiration and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen! Join our host as she sits down with Joanne Scioli, founder of JBS Inspection Services, who built a thriving specialized business using scent detection canines to uncover bed bug infestations. Joanne shares how she turned an unexpected layo…

1
What Car Dealers Don’t Want You to Know - Inside Tips from John Rice 58:08

2M ago58:08

58:08

Are you in the market to buy a car for your business? In this episode of Scale Up Your Business, we sit down with John Rice—otherwise known as the "Inside Man" of the car industry. With over a decade of experience working every angle of the car business, John spills the secrets dealers DON'T want you to know. From hidden dealer incentives to mind-b…

1
Why Smart Failure Wins feat. Michelle Lewis '05 29:48

2M ago29:48

29:48

What’s worse than failing in your career? For Michelle Lewis ’05, it’s not trying at all. That fearless mindset propelled her from a fine arts degree to a global career as a C-suite leader, board director, and private equity principal. Over the years, Michelle has helped drive $10 billion in acquisitions across 30 countries and guided companies thr…

1
Philadelphia Catalyst Grant: Fueling Innovation and Opportunity for Local Entrepreneurs 21:58

3M ago21:58

21:58

Are you a small business owner in Philadelphia ready to take your business to the next level? In this episode, host Zakia Ringgold sits down with Leslie Acosta, a seasoned educator, and the Outreach & Engagement Manager for the Philadelphia Department of Commerce. Leslie unveils all the details on the city’s brand new Catalyst Fund—a $5 million gra…

1
Professor, Ex-Bar Owner and Snoop Dogg’s Business Partner feat. Senior Associate Dean James Weston 37:10

3M ago37:10

37:10

In this special live episode of Owl Have You Know, James Weston, the senior associate dean for degree programs and Harmon Whittington Professor of Finance, reflects on his 25 years at Rice Business. Join James and host Maya Pomroy ’22 as they explore his journey from the Federal Reserve to Rice Business, the evolution of the school over the past tw…

1
Striking the Right Chord feat. Shai Littlejohn '26 17:38

3M ago17:38

17:38

Rice Executive MBA student Shai Littlejohn is no stranger to reinvention. From law to music — and now, corporate counsel for one of the world’s most recognizable brands — she has built a career on embracing challenges and following her passions. As director and corporate counsel for global supply chain & innovation at Starbucks, Shai recently spoke…

1
Exploring Emotional Connections: The Touchy Feely Intimacy Card Game with Candace Johnson 34:38

4M ago34:38

34:38

In this episode of Scale Up Your Business, Zakia Ringgold sits down with the innovative Candace Johnson, creator of the Touchy Feely Intimacy Card Game. Dive into a conversation filled with intentionality and exploration as Candace shares the inspiration behind this universal play game designed to foster genuine connections through communication an…

1
Where Big Ideas Take Flight feat. Dr. Paul Cherukuri 32:35

4M ago32:35

32:35

A great idea is just the beginning. How do you turn it into something bigger? Dr. Paul Cherukuri, Rice University's first vice president for innovation and chief innovation officer, works with academics and industry titans to remove roadblocks for budding entrepreneurs and help cement Houston and Rice as top hubs for innovation. Paul joins Owl Have…

1
Fixing Healthcare, One Bottleneck at a Time feat. Professor Tolga Tezcan 36:23

4M ago36:23

36:23

Have you ever wondered why the wait times in emergency rooms are so long? Or what dictates the cost of healthcare and it seems so high? Professor Tolga Tezcan has studied healthcare systems around the globe, collaborating with hospitals and researching questions involving access and business operations. He has continued that work at Rice University…

1
Transforming Everyday Products feat. Tanu Grewal ’05 39:49

5M ago39:49

39:49

Tanu Grewal ’05 knows that you can learn a lot about a person’s buying habits based on what brands are in their cabinets at home. Tanu is a global marketing leader. In her roles at Coca-Cola, Whirlpool, and Kohler, she helped revolutionize iconic products used by millions of consumers in their homes everyday. She has continued this work as the Vice…

1
Remembering Scott Gale '19 26:05

5M ago26:05

26:05

In this episode, we pay tribute to our dear friend, colleague and co-host of the Owl Have You Know podcast, Scott Gale '19. Join us as we revisit some of Scott’s favorite episodes and hear from the Rice community about Scott’s lasting impact. Owl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM. Show Links: Transcript…

1
Shaping The Future of Energy Infrastructure feat. Andrea Edmundson Bryan ’20 30:38

5M ago30:38

30:38

Andrea Edmundson Bryan wasn’t exactly sure what she wanted to do with her liberal arts undergrad degree. But one thing she did know? She had a strong curiosity to learn more about the business world. To Andrea's surprise, this curiosity led her to a career in oil and gas and an MBA at Rice University. Andrea is now the Chief Administrative Officer …

1
AI Is Making Us Better Problem Solvers feat. Professor Jaeyeon Chung 37:05

6M ago37:05

37:05

How is AI enhancing our creativity and problem solving and how does that compare to other digital tools we use everyday, like search engines? Through controlled lab experiments and field studies, William S. Mackey Jr. Distinguished Assistant Professor Jaeyeon (Jae) Chung spends her time at Rice Business researching questions just like that. Her rec…

1
Three Lessons to Live By feat. Mindy Smith ’13 44:39

7M ago44:39

44:39

It takes grit for a history major to walk into a job fair for business students and convince the rep from Kraft Foods that she’s the right person for the position. But that’s exactly what our guest, Mindy Smith '13 did. Landing that job with Kraft spring-boarded Mindy into a marketing and sales career where she held positions with companies like Co…

1
Liz Niehaus, Senior Wealth Advisor & Shareholder at Truepoint Wealth Counsel (retired) 34:42

7M ago34:42

34:42

Farmer School of Business dean Jenny Darroch talks with 1986 finance alum Liz Niehaus about stepping on and off the career ladder, her busy "retirement," and following her father's advice.By Jenny Darroch

1
Scaling Up with Latoya Johnson: The Natural Body Essentials Story 19:06

7M ago19:06

19:06

Today, we're thrilled to have Latoya Johnson, the dynamic founder of Natural Body Essentials, as our guest. Latoya’s journey began with a personal quest to alleviate her family's eczema and has since blossomed into a booming skincare brand offering over 40 natural products. In this episode, she shares her inspiring story from medical professional t…

1
Pivoting with Purpose feat. Will Eldridge '17 26:50

7M ago26:50

26:50

Owl Have You Know is pleased to welcome Twice-Rice grad Will Eldridge – a consultant at Bain & Company and the president-elect of the Rice Business Alumni Association Board. Will earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil & Environmental Engineering at Rice in 2017. But after an unforgettable experience in MAcc program director Ben Lansford’s class, h…

1
Teaching Cooking to Kids and Adults with Keisha Prosser: The Mobile Cooking Teacher 22:36

7M ago22:36

22:36

Keisha is a passionate entrepreneur who brings hands-on, virtual cooking classes to the Philadelphia and tri-state area. In this episode, Keisha shares her journey from being a new parent discovering a gap in home-cooked meals to becoming an influential mobile cooking instructor. We delve into her unique business concept, the challenges she's faced…

1
Scaling Up Naturally: The Journey of Atiya Isan and Isans Naturals 19:12

7M ago19:12

19:12

In this episode, Atiya shares her incredible journey from mixing herbs in her mother's kitchen to creating a holistic wellness product line that now reaches clients as far as Germany. We'll dive into her deep-rooted passion for natural remedies, the lessons she learned from her supportive mother, and the pivotal role of community and resilience in …

1
Keep a Founder’s Mentality feat. Dan Tinker ’04 40:08

8M ago40:08

40:08

How do you take a business from bankruptcy to an $18 billion acquisition? Today’s guest is Dan Tinker, CEO and President of SRS Distribution and Rice Business alum. When Dan took over SRS, the company was bankrupt. But under his steadfast and visionary leadership, SRS profits grew rapidly over 16 years, culminating in an acquisition deal with Home …

1
Building Resilient Small Businesses Through Behavior Change with Silver Lining 45:04

8M ago45:04

45:04

For small business owners seeking actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen. Carissa Reiniger, CEO of Silver Lining, breaks down how traditional coaching and training often fall short for entrepreneurs. Instead, she champions behavior-based support systems tailored to help owners build sustainable habits and achieve lasting change. With ov…

1
Professors by Day, Partners for Life feat. Professor Lee Ann Butler & Professor Alex Butler 43:12

8M ago43:12

43:12

Today’s guests bring a unique blend of expertise and personal connection to the show. Lee Ann Butler and Alex Butler are not only esteemed faculty at Rice Business, but also a married couple! Lee Ann Butler, a senior lecturer in management, has been teaching business law and related courses since 2001, joining Rice in 2010. She also served as the f…

1
Engineering the Future through Synthetic Biology feat. Shalini Yadav ’24 38:38

9M ago38:38

38:38

In this episode, we welcome Shalini Yadav, a 2024 Executive MBA graduate and visionary leader in the field of synthetic biology. With over 22 years of research experience, including a decade in leadership, Shalini has a deep expertise in synthetic biology, immuno-oncology, and therapeutics. She now serves as the Executive Director of Rice's Synthet…

1
GoFor Delivery: Inside Jonathan McLeod’s Business Journey 15:22

9M ago15:22

15:22

Learn how a pandemic pivot turned Jonathan's side hustle into a business success. Jonathan shares his journey, the challenges he faced, and the invaluable lessons he's learned from the ScaleUp program. Find out what makes GoFor Delivery stand out and get insider tips that could transform your own business. Hit play and get ready to be inspired! Acc…

1
Exploring Artisan Entrepreneurship with Indigo in Green's Nicole Dupree 20:50

9M ago20:50

20:50

If you've ever wondered how to turn your artistic hobbies into a thriving business, this episode is for you! Join us in this episode as Nicole Dupree, founder of Indigo and Green, shares her journey from hobbyist to business owner. Learn how she creates unique, eco-friendly products and explore her TV show that takes you into the heart of nature. T…

1
Shining Light Green Cleaning: Eco-Friendly Innovations for Healthier Commercial Spaces 23:42

9M ago23:42

23:42

Listen to the inspiring journey of Marie Jeanne Aka, founder of Shining Light Green Cleaning Services. Learn how she turned natural ingredients like lemons and vinegar into eco-friendly cleaning products, and her plans to create jobs in Philadelphia. Find valuable business tips, the importance of perseverance, and how Marie uses AI to boost her com…

1
The Flexible Morals of American Voters feat. Professor Minjae Kim & Professor Ezra Zuckerman Sivan 41:26

9M ago41:26

41:26

Why do American voters support divisive misinformation? That’s the question driving our guests' latest research, and the focus of today's episode. Minjae Kim and Ezra Zuckerman Sivan are experts in sociology, and organizational behavior. In this episode, they dive into their latest collaboration, exploring moral flexibility and why some voters are …

1
Unlocking Holistic Healing: The Story Behind MA'AT Therapeutic Services 28:18

9M ago28:18

28:18

Discover the extraordinary journey of Nzingha Ma'at and her innovative approach to healing in this episode of Scale Up Your Business! Learn how she helps people overcome tough issues like anxiety and imposter syndrome by blending traditional talk therapy with unique methods like acupuncture, yoga, and sound healing. Get ready to be inspired by Nzin…

1
Marisia Robinson's Journey from Corporate Life to Garden Guru 15:23

9M ago15:23

15:23

Listen to this episode where Marisia Robinson of Seed, Weed, Reap, shares her journey from corporate downsizing to teaching communities how to grow their own food sustainably. Discover the top gardening tips everyone asks her about and learn how she uses Facebook groups to connect and grow her audience. Plus, get insider advice on valuing your time…

1
Change Is The Only Constant feat. Pooja Talreja ’08 30:10

10M ago30:10

30:10

From Dubai to Houston, Pooja Talreja’s journey is one of resilience, growth, and discovery. Her story is about more than just crossing continents—it's about breaking through personal and professional barriers to find her true passion. After a pivot from accounting to HR, Pooja is now the senior vice president of people at Ironclad Environmental Sol…

1
Fail Fast, Learn and Innovate feat. Tim Okabayashi ’05 33:47

10M ago33:47

33:47

When it comes to alumni engagement, few Owls are as deeply connected as Tim Okabayashi. A proud Rice Business alum, Tim not only earned his MBA here but also served as president of the Rice Business Student Association, volunteered with the admissions office, and played a key role in the consulting club. In October 2020, Tim and fellow alum Karen C…

1
Jackie Shropshire, JLL Chicago Industrial Lead 39:07

10M ago39:07

39:07

In this episode, Jackie Shropshire, 2002 Farmer School of Business marketing major, tells FSB dean Jenny Darroch about his career in healthcare sales, why he transitioned to real estate, and why his love for Skippers goes beyond the food.By Jenny Darroch

1
Healing Veterans Through Beekeeping feat. Steve Jimenez ’22 40:38

11M ago40:38

40:38

Interested in learning the key to a peaceful transition from military to civilian life? For many veterans, it's found in an unexpected place: beekeeping. Meet Steve Jimenez '22, a veteran and Rice Business alum, who discovered an unexpected passion when a friend introduced him to beekeeping. In 2018, this passion became a mission when he founded Hi…

1
A Recipe for Success feat. Krissy White ’23 40:52

11M ago40:52

40:52

Krissy White '23 caught the hospitality bug after graduating from Northeastern University in 2006. She put her undergraduate degree in public & organizational communications to work immediately by joining the front office team of the St. Regis Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Krissy spent the next eight years living and breathing the luxury hospitalit…

1
From Boxing to Business School feat. DeRae Crane ’22 53:27

11M ago53:27

53:27

Our guest is an Army veteran, a world-class boxer, a father, a strategic credit advisor at BP, and on top of all that, a Rice Business alum. DeRae Crane '22 was raised in Davenport, Iowa by a single father, and began boxing at the age of 9. He was awarded the Bart Stupak Scholarship to attend Northern Michigan University (NMU) for boxing, which is …

1
Kenneth Ali, managing director, Rock Gate Partners 39:00

12M ago39:00

39:00

On this episode of Beyond High Street, Farmer School of Business dean Jenny Darroch and 1990 marketing alum Ken Ali talk about the history of starting businesses in his family, how learning is different as you get older, and what he thinks makes Miami standout as a university experience.By Jenny Darroch

1
What Practicing DEI in the Workplace Really Means feat. Professor Mikki Hebl 38:31

12M ago38:31

38:31

Mikki Hebl, an industrial organizational psychologist and the Martha and Henry Malcolm Lovett Chair of Psychology – Professor of Management at Rice University, has been studying workplace discrimination and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for 30 years, well before DEI became the widely discussed topic it is today. In March of this year, Mikki…

1
From Nepal to Nanotech feat. Suman Khatiwada ’13 35:59

1y ago35:59

35:59

In this episode of Owl Have You Know, we explore the journey of Suman Khatiwada, from his roots in Nepal to becoming a trailblazing force in the chemical manufacturing industry. Suman is the co-founder, chief technology officer (CTO), and board director at Syzygy Plasmonics, focusing on using light-driven chemistry instead of combustion to power a …

1
Lance Theobald, CEO, Miami Nation Enterprises 26:31

1y ago26:31

26:31

Farmer School dean Jenny Darroch talks with 2010 accountancy alum Lance Theobald about his early years as an entrepreneur, his work on behalf of the Myaamia people as a member of the tribe, and what happened to the car he had during a trip to New Zealand.By Jenny Darroch

1
A Mother-Daughter MBA Journey feat. Misty Fehler ’24 & Alexis Weaver ’24 33:55

1y ago33:55

33:55

We have plenty of Rice families in our history. But it's rare to see a mother and daughter earn their Professional MBAs at the same time. Misty and Alexis graduated in May and co-founded La Mer Macaron, offering an assortment of homemade macarons for home delivery. Misty is the CEO of La Mer Macaron. She spent most of her career as an independent p…

1
Innovating Out of a Crisis feat. Professor Scott Sonenshein & John Mangum 40:37

1y ago40:37

40:37

Eager to learn how organizations can innovate their way out of a crisis? You may be surprised that the key to this comes from an arts organization. Tune into a special live recording of our podcast, with John Mangum, the executive director/CEO of the Houston Symphony, and Scott Sonenshein, the Henry Gardiner Symonds Professor of Management – Organi…

1
Gopa Dobson, Chief Revenue Officer at MJ REIT 22:08

1y ago22:08

22:08

On this episode of Beyond High Street, Farmer School dean Jenny Darroch's guest is Gopa Dobson, a 1990 marketing alumna, with whom she talks about being industry agnostic, the importance of customer service, and advice for someone just starting their career in marketing.By Jenny Darroch

1
Innovation Across Generations feat. Adrian Trömel ’18 & Klaus Trömel ’85 32:24

1y ago32:24

32:24

For Adrian and Klaus Trömel, getting an MBA from Rice Business was a family affair. Klaus Trömel served as the secretary general of the European Investment Bank (EIB) until his retirement in March 2018. He began his career as an analyst at Hewlett-Packard’s European headquarters in Geneva before working as a trade and pre-export finance officer. Ad…

1
Jillian Griffiths, Chief Financial Officer at Clayton Dubilier & Rice 25:36

1y ago25:36

25:36

On this episode of Beyond High Street, Farmer School dean Jenny Darroch talks with Jillian Griffiths, a 1992 FSB accountancy alumna, about the importance of giving feedback, what Jillian did during a sabbatical from work in 2000, and why Sunday night was her favorite night of the week while she was at Miami.…

1
Swapping Lab Coats for Lip Gloss feat. Ashley Henry ’22 34:56

1y ago34:56

34:56

From an early age, Ashley Henry was interested in beauty. Despite getting her bachelor’s degree in chemistry and working for the CDC in epidemiology, her childhood dreams never faded. After her stint in public health, Ashley went on to work as a hairstylist before getting her MBA and fully committing to beauty and luxury goods. Ashley is now the gl…

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