Podcasts about b school

When Pablo Coello began his medical training, he noticed a persistent gap in healthcare: clinicians and administrators often weren't speaking the same language, and the result was inefficiency that directly affected patient care. That realization ultimately led him to pursue a dual MD/MBA through Baylor College of Medicine and Rice Business.Now an orthopedic surgery resident at UC Health, Pablo brings a dual perspective to medicine — one grounded in clinical practice and another shaped by business training. That combination allows him to think not only about individual patient outcomes, but also about system-wide decisions that affect hospitals and communities.In this episode of Owl Have You Know, hosted by Maya Pomroy '22, Pablo shares why more physicians need business fluency, how teamwork at Rice reshaped the way he practices medicine and what it means to look beyond the exam room to the health of an entire community.Episode Guide:00:00 Meet Pablo Coello01:14 Why Pursue an MBA Alongside an MD03:26 Early Path to Medicine04:13 Harvard Research Summers06:33 OR Inefficiencies Spark Change11:00 Inside the Rice MD MBA13:28 Biggest MBA Takeaways17:01 Advice for Med Students22:16 Defining Success Long Term25:33 Closing ThoughtsThe Owl Have You Know Podcast is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Why a hospital is an entity in a community17:51: Medicine is so much more than just what you do in a clinic, in the OR, in the hospital in general. A hospital is an entity in a community. It's not just a place you go. I've noticed this even…especially now that I'm actively practicing and training. There are people that actively need your help. And if you broaden your skills, eventually your level of impact is not just going to be on a patient-to-patient basis. It's on a community as a whole. And that's why I got my MBA, and that's why I would argue as any med student in the Houston area, any med student in general that has access to a business school, especially one as good as Rice, in their backyard or anywhere close, should ideally, if it's financially possible and the timeline works out, get an MBA so that they can have that impact in their community eventually.Medicine is a team sport14:02: Medicine is a team sport. You hear that all the time because we interact with other teams all day, every day. As an orthopedic surgery resident, our field is very specialized. So as a result, we get called by a lot of people, and we have to also call a lot of other people to help us manage things that we simply do not know how to manage. And I think having learned what I learned in the MBA helped a lot in terms of managing a lot of different things at once, different voices, if you will, in the clinical setting, which I did not really expect, to tell you the truth. But it helped because I learned also to not rely on myself as much.On fixing the structures that fail patients08:53: The supportive structures around the OR and other clinical aspects are simply not where they should be; we are failing the patient, and we are doing that over and over and over and over again. And it's affecting the overall health of the community. It's affecting the overall opinion of the community on the healthcare system, and it's costing the hospital—whatever hospital—thousands of dollars a day, every day for eternity. So I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I got this MBA because I wanted to be like this knight in shining armor, and I was going to solve all the problems, because I'm not. That's unrealistic, and I get it. But I want to be part of the solution, if you will.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profile:Pablo Coello | LinkedIn

If you're running a B2C business and you're not on LinkedIn - you're leaving serious money on the table. And I'm not just talking about a few missed connections. I'm talking about referrals, speaking gigs, media features, and high-ticket clients who found you, vetted you, and said YES - all because of one thing: your LinkedIn presence. In this episode, I'm breaking the myth that LinkedIn is only for corporate types or B2B brands. Whether you're a coach, consultant, service provider, or creative - if relationships and trust drive your business, LinkedIn is your secret weapon. Here's what you'll learn: Why affluent buyers vet you on LinkedIn before they ever reach out How LinkedIn referrals compound over time - even while you're at the beach The difference between attention (Instagram) and authority (LinkedIn) Why your content works harder and longer on LinkedIn than anywhere else 5 simple action steps you can take this week to start building your LinkedIn presence Ready to stop being invisible online? Grab a pen - your homework is at the end.   Resources Mentioned In The Episode: Monetize Your Magic Karen's FREE weekly training on LinkedIn strategy https://www.thelinkedupcollective.com/masterclass  Visibility SalonKaren's signature program for building LinkedIn visibility and authority https://www.thelinkedupcollective.com/visibilitysalon/ Good Girls Get Rich Podcast Weekly podcast hosted by Karen Yankovich www.KarenYankovich.com/podcast  BSchool by Maria Forleo Business training program for online entrepreneurs https://www.marieforleo.com/bschool Karen Yankovich on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/karenyankovich   Magical Quotes From The Episode: "The women who win in the next decade aren't necessarily the ones posting the most content. They're the ones becoming known, trusted, referenced, and recommended." "Visibility without credibility just creates more noise. Visibility with positioning - that's where the real opportunities happen." "Your goal isn't to become internet famous. Your goal is to become professionally unforgettable."   Help Us Spread The Word! It would be awesome if you shared the Good Girls Get Rich Podcast with your fellow entrepreneurs on Twitter. Click here to tweet some love! If this episode has taught you just one thing, I would love if you could head on over to Apple Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW! And if you're moved to, kindly leave us a rating and review. Maybe you'll get a shout out on the show!   Ways to Subscribe to Good Girls Get Rich: Click here to subscribe via Apple Podcasts Click here to subscribe via PlayerFM Good Girls Get Rich is also on Spotify Take a listen on Podcast Addict

Professor Jonathan Miles' path to teaching organizational behavior at Rice Business is anything but conventional. Before entering academia, he earned a degree in computer science, worked in IT and even launched a comic book store — experiences that shaped his perspective on leadership, influence and human behavior.Today, Miles is known for challenging students to think differently about power, workplace dynamics and ethical decision-making. A co-adviser at the Virani Undergraduate School of Business and voted “Teacher of the Year” by our undergraduate business students, he has built courses that push both MBAs and undergraduates to confront uncomfortable truths about what it really takes to lead and succeed.In this episode, Miles joins host Maya Pomroy ‘22 to discuss why so many talented people struggle to advocate for themselves, what his comic book store taught him about entrepreneurship, and why influence is often misunderstood. He also shares his perspective on AI's growing impact on the workplace, the future of Rice Business and his hope for bringing undergrads and graduate students together in ways no business school has done before.Episode Guide:0:00  Introduction & Teacher of the Year Award2:29  Growing Up: Family, Influences, and Early Life4:40  The Winding Path: Journalism to Engineering to Computer Science7:40  The Value of Exploring Outside Your Major9:57  From IT to Teaching: Discovering a Calling15:56  Teaching Power & Influence at Rice17:55  The Biggest Misconception About Influence at Work22:15  Professionalism & Ethics: Why People Break Their Own Moral Frameworks25:04  AI in the Workplace: Hype, Risk, and the Road Ahead30:19  What Jon Hopes Students Take Away32:27  The Comic Book Store: Lessons in Entrepreneurship37:46  The Future of Rice Business & the New Building40:50  Closing and ConclusionThe Owl Have You Know Podcast is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Why hard work alone won't get you promoted20:24: I find it interesting that, in the eight years I've been teaching it here at Rice, I don't think I've ever had a class where the majority of people in the class, when I talk about the things that hold them back from power, won't raise their hands and say, "Yeah, at least one of those affects me." And, you know, things like—we call it the just world hypothesis—the idea of like, oh, well, you know, merit exists, and if I do a really good job, I will rise in the organization because people will notice. And we talk about the fact that our research is pretty clear that that's not true. We have years of research on this that says your boss doesn't have any idea what you do, and your boss's boss certainly doesn't. And so this idea of you have to advocate for yourself, even though it doesn't feel great to you. Leaders vs. bad managers36:09: What I told my students is, "I'm not here to make you into great leaders. Some of you will be great leaders because you have that natural piece, and I'm going to teach you this, and if you follow and do this information, you'll become a great leader. But I guarantee you, if you just follow what I say, you won't be a bad manager. You won't be a bad leader." And I've had enough bad leaders over the years that my crusade is to get rid of them, to try and, try and teach people so that we don't have them. And I'm hoping that the people who come out of here with Rice MBAs, and even our Rice undergrad degrees, have the understanding of how to be a manager that does the right things.What Jonathan hopes for the future of Rice Business45:19: I hope that we can maintain doing that because we could provide our undergrads with a tremendous ability to get a great education, and one that they're not going to get in an undergrad program elsewhere, from people who really know what they're talking about and are good at teaching it.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profile:Jonathan Miles | Rice BusinessJonathan Miles | LinkedIn

Following an upbringing as an expat in Jakarta, Indonesia, today's guest is applying his unique worldview to the management consulting industry and helping clients solve complex business challenges with digital solutions. David Aldrich, a Rice Business alum from the Professional MBA Class of 2015, serves on the Rice Business Alumni Association Board and is a practice lead at EPAM Systems, a management consulting firm where he focuses on energy and AI. David joins co-host Brian Jackson '21 to discuss his journey of growing up abroad and how the Rice MBA helped him pivot into consulting. They also explore how AI is reshaping the consulting industry and how Rice Business became not just his alma mater, but a lifelong community and support system. Episode Guide:00:00 Meet David Aldrich02:00 Growing up in Jakarta05:27 Landing in a Philosophy Major07:38 Venturing Into Startup Sales at FlightAware12:00 Pivoting to Consulting Through a Rice Professional MBA18:09 Life at EPAM Systems21:47 Finding Digital Solutions for Clients Through AI28:55 What Makes a Good Consultant31:36 The Ukraine War's Impact on EPAM37:09 Life Outside of Work39:38 Giving Back to Rice41:12 Alumni Breakfast Series42:59 Future of AI Consulting46:39 ClosingThe Owl Have You Know Podcast is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:An advice for students who want to get into consulting17:12: My advice to students that want to go into consulting is you need to get really good at the AI piece, right? Study right now and get proficient with tools like Anthropic, tools like, you know, ChatGPT's Codex, tools like, you know, Gemini's Nano Banana, and, like, PaperBanana, the new one that they just announced. You have to be proficient in this space and be certified in this space, too. Like, Claude just announced a certification program. You can go get certified as, like, an Anthropic Claude architect. It's free. You can do it. Like, these are things that I think you need to have on your resume to position yourself for value, regardless of what strategy you take. If you want to go into strategy consulting or Big Four or technology, having those new skills on how to create agent capabilities for clients is going to be the table stakes to separating yourself from, I think, other people who are also looking to go into consulting.Adapting to AI with caution26:15: I don't think you should stop AI adoption because of that potential, but I think it's important to understand that there's things that you can do right now to enhance productivity by using these tool sets. There's other things that require, I think, a little bit more due diligence, and is it the right decision to completely re-architect the way we work with agents? Because what's good for Anthropic and how they might not be the best thing for your company long term.What makes a good consultant29:10: A good consultant is not afraid to ask questions, to push clients, and, kind of, challenge thinking. I think there's an art to being able to do that without offending and pissing clients off, and understanding when you have the opportunity to, kind of, push hard to get clients thinking in a different way. I think the other key part is being able to be hungry for any opportunity and not scared to learn any new topic, right? Because the nature of consulting is that you're being thrown into a bunch of different businesses, and no matter how much you've worked in a specific industry or at, like, businesses, there's always going to be something new that they're doing, whether it's from a technology that they're using, a process that they're following, the nomenclature that they're using.Show Links: Learn more about EPAMTranscriptGuest Profile:David Aldrich | Rice BusinessDavid Aldrich | LinkedIn

Yan "Anthea" Zhang, the Fayez Sarofim Vanguard Chair of Strategic Management at Rice Business, has spent more than two decades researching the decisions that make or break organizations: CEO succession, corporate governance, and the gender dynamics shaping who rises to the top.On this special live episode, Zhang joins host Maya Pomroy '22 to share what her research reveals about the leap from functional roles to the C-suite, and why taking risks is non-negotiable for career advancement (especially for women). She also opens up about her origin story — from being part of the first-ever cohort at Nanjing University's business school to building a life and career in Houston — and why, after 25 years, Rice still feels like home.Plus: her latest research on AI-powered customer service, advice from her "Last Lecture" and how Rice Business Executive Education's Executive Leadership for Women program is giving women the tools and community to rise.Episode Guide:00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro03:19 Professor Zhang's Origin Story05:09 Hong Kong and USC07:46 Why Rice Feels Different12:32 CEO Succession Insights17:45 Executive Leadership for Women Program19:04 Challenges Women Still Face24:54 Teaching Global Strategy30:06 Managing Uncertainty & Frameworks For Risk36:25 How AI is Transforming Online Sales38:47 Advice to Students The Owl Have You Know Podcast is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:On creating a safe space for women to grow in the workplace19:58: For people who want to move up the career ladder, we need mentors. But a lot of times, people in more senior positions are still men, right? So, that's why both male and female mentors are all important. Because there are still so few women in senior leadership positions, right? That's why if you only rely on more senior female leaders to champion for you, to mentor you, that's not sufficient. You really need mentoring from both male and female leaders. So, I think that is why one benefit of our program is that we really target women who already have some leadership experiences. We create a safe space for them to share their concerns, challenges, and also allow them to share best practices with each other in a safe space. So, we really needed that.Why asking is important for women17:15: [Anthea Zhang] Dare to ask, dare to take risks, dare to get into areas, functions you are not comfortable with, you are not familiar with, which are those factors that are really key. And you have to show your track record instead of saying, "I want to," having a plan or having ambition is not sufficient. You have to show the track record.Higher leadership role means greater responsibility14:35: For people who already made it to top management team positions but still focus on more function-based roles, if you want to make it to the overall leadership role like a CEO, you have to take profit and loss responsibility. You have to expand the responsibility of your position. You know, of course, we see some people transition from CFO to CEO, but what is required for a CEO position is way more, it is way broader than, like, the CFO or chief marketing officer. Show Links: Executive Leadership for Women | Rice BusinessEnergy Transition Strategy | Rice BusinessExecutive Education | Rice BusinessTranscriptGuest Profile:Professor Yan "Anthea" Zhang | Rice BusinessLinkedIn Profile

When Professor Yael Hochberg made the decision to come to Rice, she had a vision for building an entrepreneurship program like no other — it would be one for the modern era that would set the pace for entrepreneurship education going forward. Now, more than a decade later, Rice consistently ranks number one in the country for entrepreneurship and is leading the way in world-changing innovation through hubs like the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Lilie), which offers experiential learning opportunities and co-curricular activities.In this episode, Professor Hochberg, head of the Rice Entrepreneurship Initiative and Lilie, joins co-host Brian Jackson '21 to discuss how she brought her vision for a modern entrepreneurship program to life at Rice, the incredible innovation that has come from Lilie over the last 10 years and what the future holds for entrepreneurship education in the age of AI. Episode Guide:00:00 Introduction to Professor Yael Hochberg00:37 Her “Accidental” Entrepreneurship Origins05:50 Why She Chose Rice & Her Vision for Better Entrepreneurship Education09:18 Inside the Liu Idea Lab16:22 Student Startup Wins19:53 Alumni Network Power22:59 Research-Driven Teaching 30:32 AI and Entrepreneurship35:02 What's Next for Lilie41:47 The Most Rewarding MomentsThe Owl Have You Know Podcast is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:On the entrepreneurial spirit at Rice39:31: [Brian Jackson] When I think about the entrepreneurial spirit that's present at Rice, I think a big driver pulling that in is the recognition we consistently get, be it Princeton Review ranking us as a, you know, the nation's top graduate school for entrepreneurship seven years in a row. When you think about that success, what do you think is the biggest driver behind it? What's making that possible?39:54: [Yael Hochberg] I think it's a combination of many things. It's our students, our amazing students who come in with the drive to create things. It's our alumni who are willing to stand behind us and support us. It's people like Frank Liu who were willing to see the resources that were necessary here on campus to, to truly support entrepreneurial ventures. It's the amazing staff and faculty at Lilie who, you know, give 90 to a hundred-hour weeks, 365 days a year to make sure that our students have the support that they need, that our faculty have the support that they need.Entrepreneurship can be taught if there's a drive04:43: People always ask me, what do you mean you can teach entrepreneurship? Why do you guys even bother with entrepreneurship programs? People are either born as entrepreneurs or they're not. They either have that entrepreneurial drive or they don't. I think there's something to that, and that it is true that I can't take someone without the drive and turn them into an entrepreneur. But I can take someone who has that latent drive and who is interested, and I can give them tools and frameworks that will help them be successful if they pursue entrepreneurship. I happen to be one of these people who has that drive. I like to build, I don't like sitting still. When I see problems, I don't like to simply say, “Hmm, that's really annoying.” I try to solve them.AI is changing how fast you can build and test ideas31:02: The tools that are available today really do change how you think about things, because the tools offer you an opportunity to build things faster than you could ever imagined before, to test things faster than you could ever imagined before. We have classes where nearly all of our classes are experiential. The students are actually building something. They're doing something, they're walking through the process, and they're getting it in the wraps, right? And it may be on something stupid like Uber for cats, I don't care. I want them to learn the process and actually go out and experience it. And when the right idea comes along, they'll already know how to actually do it.Show Links: The Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and EntrepreneurshipTranscriptGuest Profile:Yael Hochberg | Rice BusinessYael Hochberg's WebsiteYael Hochberg on LinkedIn

Bob Dittmar has big goals for the Virani Undergraduate School of Business. As the school's associate dean and Houston Endowment Professor of Finance, he aims to increase Rice Business' national footprint, making it a household name for top-tier business education from coast to coast. Dittmar came to Rice in 2022 after teaching for nearly 20 years at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. He's taught finance courses across Rice Business' degree programs, including in the undergraduate and MBA programs.On this episode, Dittmar joins co-host Maya Pomroy '22 to share what sets the Virani Undergraduate School of Business apart from other undergraduate business programs — and his advice for prospective students who are trying to decide if Rice Business is the right fit for them. He also delves into his fascinating research on options and how to assess risk more clearly, especially when the signals aren't obvious.Episode Guide:00:00 Introduction to Associate Dean Bob Dittmar01:59 Early Influences and Academic Journey03:11 Discovering a Passion for Finance04:59 College Years and Mentorship08:55 Research on Options and Market Psychology16:05 Role as Associate Dean for the Virani Undergraduate School of Business18:05 Teaching Finance and Real-World Applications23:02 The Psychology of Investment Decisions25:54 Understanding Risk and Uncertainty29:35 AI's Role in Education and Work33:31 The Unique Culture of Rice University37:17 Future Vision for the Virani Undergraduate School of BusinessThe Owl Have You Know Podcast is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Taking the Rice beyond Houston38:03: My goal at Virani is really largely to try to expand Rice's national footprint to some extent. So I think, you know, if you grew up in Houston, you know a lot about Rice, and you know, Rice is a great institution. Rice is a great institution and really hard to get into. Yeah, absolutely. You know, I mean, look, you know, our median student is, you know, in the right tail, basically, of most students across the country. But look, when I was growing up in Chicago, Rice really was not on my radar. There were a few liberal arts schools in the Midwest that I kind of thought about, but Rice never kind of came up. But I do think that Rice needs a little bit more visibility on the coasts. And that is especially important in business and finance in particular, where New York is so much the center of activity.How do you know if Rice is for you?41:01: If you want to be at a place that is truly collaborative, that has a rigorous education and provides opportunity and really cares about its students, then I think Rice is the right place for you. Think about Rice as a whole institution and how you feel on campus, and compare that to how you feel on the campuses of these other universities. And again, this is a little weird to say, because I am a finance guy. I am supposed to be cold and rational about all these things, but how you feel about these kinds of things, I think, is usually a pretty good indication of what actually is right for you and what is going to suit you.Why Rice is a special place to get your business degree34:29: At the business school at Rice, you get a lot of what I think makes Rice as an institution special. Which, you know, our students are a little quirkier maybe, but they are also a little nicer and less, you know, maybe not quite so cutthroat, I guess, maybe is what I would some ways, much more collaborative. And so I think that, combined with the fact that Rice has this STEM focus that it always has, so it is grounded in a really rigorous way of, kind of, approaching things, really combines together to make this a very special place to get your business degree.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profile:Robert Dittmar | Rice BusinessProfessional WebsiteLinkedIn Profile

How Wharton dominates rankings of business school academic research

What does it look like to not just survive cancer — but truly thrive through it? In this inspiring episode, cohosts Vince Todd, Jr. and Daniel Abdallah sit down with Elissa Kalver, a force of nature who is living with stage 4 breast cancer and channeling that experience into something extraordinary. Elissa is the founder of We Got This, a nonprofit organization reimagining what support looks like for the cancer community. Through thoughtfully curated gift registries, trusted product and resource recommendations, and a growing library of essential tools, We Got This is helping patients and their loved ones feel seen, equipped, and empowered at every stage of the journey. But Elissa didn't stop there. She's also the author of the We Got This book, the host of the We Got This podcast, and the creator of her personal podcast Live Like It Matters — a testament to her belief that every single day is worth showing up for. In this conversation, Elissa shares the story behind the mission, what she's learned about resilience and purpose in the face of a stage 4 diagnosis, and how she's building a community that refuses to be defined by fear. This is an episode about courage, impact, and living with intention. You don't want to miss it. Learn more about We Got This at wegotthis.org.

Most companies think they're customer-focused. Many are wrong.Vikas Mittal, the J. Hugh Liedtke Professor of Marketing at Rice Business and faculty director of the Center for Customer-Based Execution and Strategy, has spent his career helping CEOs, MBA students and others learn the difference between truly serving customers and simply appeasing them. In this episode, Vikas joins host Brian Jackson '21 to explain why so many corporate strategies fail: the buzzwords, shiny-object initiatives, and mission-statement retreats that produce 50 priorities and zero focus. He shows what it looks like when organizations commit to the one or two things that genuinely create customer value — and stay the course.He also shares how this approach comes to life through his Executive Education course, Strategic Growth Through Customer Focus, and the Center for Customer-Based Execution and Strategy, which produced a landmark report – interviewing over 3,000 customers to reveal what actually drives value across industries and what doesn't.Plus: his famous sneaker collection and why he thinks everyone should write with fountain pens.Episode Guide:00:00 Guest Introduction: Meet Professor Vikas Mittal01:21 From Family Business to PhD03:26 Why Most CEOs Don't Actually Know What Their Customers Want05:54 Trend Chasing and Misalignment11:28 The Science of Customer Focus17:45 Building The Center for Customer-Based Execution and Strategy21:20 Executives Unlearning Legacy Strategy32:29 How Colorful Sneakers Changed His Life40:52 Final Focus TakeawaysThe Owl Have You Know Podcast is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Strategy is an ultimate dark art26:10: Strategy is the way it is done in companies. And I repeat this all the time, it's the ultimate dark art. Nobody knows why we are doing it, but everybody believes we have to do it just because my predecessor told me this is how we should do it. And you ask the predecessor, why are you doing it? Well, my predecessor told me this is how we do it. Right? And it's the ultimate dark art and people just keep doing it.Defining customer focus11:36: Customer focus means using science to figure out what creates value for customers, which is very different than just asking the customer what would you want? And believing that whatever the customer tells you is right and just doing it. When academic research calls the CEO01:40: Surprisingly, a lot of the work I ended up doing with CEOs and companies came from CEOs at different companies reading my research, published in academic journals, you know, which is completely the opposite of what a lot of people think, that if you publish in academic journals, people don't read it. I was blown away, how many times I got contacted by companies say, we've got such and such paper of yours, can you come and help us? Show Links: The Center for Customer-Based Execution & StrategyRice Business Executive EducationStrategic Growth Through Customer Focus ProgramThe Center for Customer-Based Execution & Strategy's Customer Value ReportGuest Profile:Vikas Mittal | Rice BusinessVikas Mittal | LinkedIn

Over the past decade, Rice Business has scaled with intention.MBA enrollment has doubled. Faculty ranks have grown. New MBA formats have launched. The Virani Undergraduate School of Business was established. And a new building will open soon, designed to further fuel collaboration, research and innovation.In this conversation, Dean Peter Rodriguez reflects on the strategy behind that momentum — from championing the Online MBA to building one of the nation's strongest entrepreneurship ecosystems in the heart of Houston. He discusses AI's impact on business education, the evolving energy landscape, and the leadership lessons that come with guiding a school through rapid transformation, all while shaping the next chapter for Rice Business.Episode Guide:00:00 Meet Dean Peter Rodriguez01:20 Online MBA Origins and Vision for Growth07:50 Virtual Campus Advantage09:41 From Space Crunch to Expansion: Designing the New Building16:29 Launching the Virani Undergraduate School of Business21:51 AI and Business Education28:46 Dean Life and Daily Headwinds29:23 Why Rice Ranks High & Houston's Entrepreneurship Advantage36:32 What Deans Learn on the Job43:37 Next 50 Years Vision48:25 ClosingThe Owl Have You Know Podcast is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:On Rice MBA's Growth over the decade01:37: If there was one overarching theme of the last decade, I think growth is it. The question is always like, well, why growth? Or growth for what? And of course, clearly want growth for the good outcomes, and that good outcomes all start with pursuing the mission.We have a mission to create and disseminate knowledge at the vanguard of business and the business disciplines. And so that is what we really do. And when I was really looking at the job almost exactly 10 years ago and thinking about where Rice was and where it needed to be, one of the first conclusions that was easy to draw was that it needed to be about twice as big as it was, at least, you know, and, and it is not that growth is all good, but why would I say that? And the thinking was, you know, in order to advance that mission, we needed more tenure track faculty. And there the foundation on which more or less everything else proceeds.How does the Rice Business navigate AI? 22:19: On the basic part of our mission, which is delivering an education, we have to do two things. We have to prepare people to think really critically and to be able to assess them as individuals without this incredible, unprecedented tool. That is to say, what can Peter do of his own accord? What does he know? And then I have to train him very aggressively to make sure that with the tool, he is also highly capable, far more capable to do some things, and as capable as anybody in any university in the country is using the tool. So there's sort of almost sounds like martial arts mastery. You know, you have to sort of, wax on, wax off, you know, learn these sort of things that are apart from the tool, and then you are sort of empowered. That's where we are, is trying to do that.Houston loves risk takers30:59: Houston loves risk takers. It is part of the environment, it is part of a Texas thing too, but, you know, it is going to space, drilling out in the Permian Basin or deep in the ocean, putting in an artificial heart, whatever it is. I think there is a real admiration for trying hard things and picking yourself up if you fail and not being discouraged because things did not go right the first time.Show Links: Rice Business New Building PlansTranscriptGuest Profile:Peter Rodriguez | Rice BusinessLinkedIn 

Leveling up your game just got so much easier, thanks to the new cutting-edge technology from BeONE Sports — a startup that uses mobile motion-capture and AI to enhance athletic performance, prevent injuries, and support coaches and athletes at every level.Co-founded by former Division I athlete Scott Deans '22, the idea for BeONE started right here at Rice Business. Scott has loved sports since his days playing football, and through the EMBA program, he found a way to bring his passion and business acumen together.He joins co-host Brian Jackson '21 to discuss his early career journey through architecture, the 12 years he spent at bp and what ultimately led him to Rice Business. They also dive deep into the exciting technology being used at BeONE and how the company's partnership with Rice Athletics is helping student athletes optimize their performance and prevent injuries.Episode Guide:00:00 Introduction to Scott Deans and BeONE Sports01:02 Scott's Athletic Journey and Transition to Architecture05:55 From Architecture to Analytics at BP12:56 Pursuing an MBA at Rice University16:36 Founding BeONE Sports and Its Technology28:23 Partnerships and Applications of BeONE Sports37:44 Challenges and Advice for Entrepreneurs42:20 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThe Owl Have You Know Podcast is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:On building company your passionate about19:35: I sometimes imagine if I had chosen the other, one of the other companies, and I was like, there is no way I would be here after four years, grinding through the trenches, as they say, on something that did not matter to me. So, yeah, I think that is a huge, huge point in any entrepreneurial journey, that it has to matter to you; otherwise, you are not willing to compromise and go through all the pain in order to make it successful.How the Rice program helped Scott build his business28:30: So another big piece of the program at Rice was really focused on, like, building a team. And I have been a coach for a long time. I have been part of teams and built teams, so teams are, in my opinion, the linchpin, really the basis for product and a business and all those things. But part of that process is everybody's recognizing what they are good at and what they are not good at, and then where you have gaps. You need to find people who are strong in those areas. So, recognize really quickly the areas that I am not strong at and, Jason, basically from a business side and many other sides, filled those perfectly.The importance of asking better questions09:55: Always try to ask better questions, and this has been a mantra of mine since I was a little kid. I think. Because, you know, there are always going to be answers. You can always find a solution. But is the solution the right one? And is there a better question we could be asking to, you know, a lot of rework or pivoting and changing. And so it creates a mindset of constant flux, like you are in constant change. And that is not an easy mindset for many people.Show Links: BeONE Sports “Rice partners with BeONE Sports to transform athlete performance with AI technology” | Rice BusinessTranscriptGuest Profile:Scott Deans | LinkedIn

Want to succeed in business — without wasting thousands of dollars and years of your life? In this exclusive episode, eavesdrop on a live B-School coaching session with 4 brave entrepreneurs. You'll learn how to follow through, get attention from influencers, attract the right customers, and bring in more PROFIT. Click play to listen now. Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/marieforleo Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marieforleo Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/marieforleo X: http://www.X.com/marieforleo MORE RESOURCES FOR YOU: B-SCHOOL: Want to start making money faster – without the years of trial-and-error? Get the profit system that's worked for over 80,000 entrepreneurs → www.MarieForleoBschool.com If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review!

Oh lieve luisteraar, Lou hier. Vanuit Miracle Town in Costa Rica. Jetlag is eigenlijk een hele mooie metafoor voor Identity Shifting en Identity Based Reality Creation. Je bent al in het nieuwe land, je bent al in de nieuwe tijdzone maar je lichaam moet zich nog aanpassen aan de nieuwe realiteit. Dat doe je door de nieuwe tijd aan te houden. Als je steeds vanuit je oude tijdzone zou blijven opereren dan zou je dus nooit echt aankomen. En dat is wat we zo vaak doen als het gaat om manifesteren, we blijven vanuit onze oude identiteit opereren. Hoe dan ook, in deze uitzending gaat het over verticaal bouwen in plaats van horizontaal bouwen. Als we maar in de breedte blijven meegaan met iedere creatieve ingeving, iedere nieuwe inspiratie, iedere nieuwe ruis, dan ben je steeds weg vlák voor de Miracle. STABILITEIT creëer je nieuwe REALITEIT. Blijf lang genoeg staan om gebruik te maken van de gravitational potential energy. Als je nét weer weg bent voor het dominosteentje kan vallen, dan kán je gedroomde realiteit zich niet ontvouwen. Rise UP! Verder hebben we het over de vraag of je bij je nieuwe Identity ook meteen een hele levensstijl ziet of dat je alleen bij het gevoel blijft dat alles er al is. En tot slot zijn Tika en ik hier weer begonnen met B-School. Zij voor haar nieuwe business, ik voor voor Miracle Town en mijn nieuwe workshop serie: Identity Shifting: van Identity naar Reality. Ik ben weer helemaal opnieuw geïnspireerd. Zowel voor B-School als voor mijn business zelf. Op dit moment is enrolment voor B-School geopend (tot vrijdag 20 februari). Deze keer kun je uit twee opties kiezen. Self pased of met coaching erbij. En ze heeft een speciale AI tool erbij ontwikkeld die er voor nieuwe B-Schoolers t.w.v $297, een jaar gratis bij zit. Ik denk dat je daarmee rázendsnel per module de hele outline van je business maakt. En de dollar is voor ons nu heel gunstig. Je vindt alle info over B-School hier:

Golden Globe nominated actor and director, Bryce Dallas Howard, star of Jurassic World, Pete's Dragon, The Help and more shares the most valuable lessons she's learned — from the power of day jobs, to knowing the tough statistics, to why taking our B-School program was an important turning point in her growth.  She also reveals how her learning disabilities as a child, along with her struggle with postpartum depression as a new mom, have helped her grow stronger and more compassionate as an artist and a citizen of the world. Thanks for listening! New episodes drop every Tuesday. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified.

Not every job will feel like the perfect fit, but for David Verbitsky '10, every new position is an important stepping stone in your career, and an opportunity to learn and grow. When David wanted to pivot his career from engineering to finance, the path led him straight to an MBA at Rice Business. His experience at Rice spring boarded him into a career in investment banking with a special focus on agriculture and food. Over the past 15 years, he's worked as the global head of agriculture and nutrition investment banking at Goldman Sachs, as the global head of AgTech and sustainable food investment banking at Nomura Greentech, and as a member of the global chemicals and agriculture investment banking team at Barclays.Now, David is applying all of his industry expertise to his own investment banking firm, Verbitsky Capital. In this episode, he chats with co-host Maya Pomroy '22 about how Rice Business prepared him for a successful career in finance, what he learned through every job change and where he thinks innovation in the agriculture sector is heading next.Episode Guide:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:59 David's Early Career in Engineering03:06 Transition to Business School and Finance06:09 Investment Banking Journey08:59 Shift to Agriculture Sector18:20 Navigating the VC Fund Experience21:30 Exciting Deals in AgTech23:24 Challenges and Lessons Learned29:44 Building and Leading a Team with Verbitsky Capital31:37 Future of AgTech34:35 Career Advice and Final ThoughtsThe Owl Have You Know Podcast is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:The importance of judgement in every leader31:19: [Maya Pomroy]: What do you look for in leaders?31:26: [David Verbitsky] I do not really know if you can quantify or measure it, but it is judgment. The only way you can really see that is seeing people in action, right? It is seeing, okay, when you are in a difficult situation, or maybe it is not even difficult, but when you have to make decisions. And take responsibility for things. And some of it is, could be very easy, like simple things who just, we are in the middle of a deal and you gotta just decide on what, how you move forward. Right. How do you take decisions? How do you move forward? How do you take accountability? How do you, in certain circumstances, decide not to do something? Which is probably more important in many different ways.On networking and constant learning36:16: [Maya Pomroy]:What would you say to someone that is sort of considering maybe an MBA to really pivot their own career.36:25: [David Verbitsky]  So first and foremost, I would say it is all about relationships. And her ability to, to maintain them. Right. That, that is part networking, but it is also just part effort of just people you already do know. Maintaining those relationships. Do you think that is first and foremost is the most important thing? Do not burn any bridges. Right? Keep them, keep them all active and then building off of that just sees opportunities when they present themselves, be open to things. Because they might be the wrong choice, but. You should learn something from every new step you take.From missteps to momentum37:04: Going to Goldman Sachs and switching a hundred percent into agriculture was a big opportunity, which I was like, I do not know, but let us try it out. Right? Those things worked out incredibly well. And then I had a bunch of missteps of like trying, trying to go and do startup or VC fund that just was not the right fit, or go into a place that was good for a while, then was not, and then just, it leads you here. So like. Realize when an opportunity presents itself and do not be afraid to take it. Which is the right piece of advice. Just be aware and realize this is an opportunity. Maybe it is not the right one, but be, I think, very mindful.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profile:David Verbitsky | LinkedInVerbitsky Capital

Is an MBA interview like a job interview — or something completely different? Can you (and should you) script your answers? Does a tough interview mean bad news? What a great MBA interview feels like The real traits AdComs are evaluating Differences between AdCom-led and alumni interviews Practical prep advice and post-interview etiquette Tips to stay calm, confident, and authentic

When it comes to working in military intelligence, strong leadership skills and the ability to make quick decisions under pressure are key. Just as important to a mission's success is being a good team player.Those were the lessons and skills Chris Stillwell '24 carried into his two career pivots after his time working as a military intelligence officer for the U.S. Army. His first pivot landed him a role at Kearney in Dubai focusing on M&A integration and strategy consulting. Chris then decided to pursue an MBA at Rice Business to sharpen his financial skills and pivot once again into the world of investment banking. Now an investment banking associate at Bank of America, Chris joins co-host Brian Jackson '21 to discuss his military experience, why he chose Rice, how the program helped him make a major career transition, and his advice to those considering an MBA to pursue new career opportunities. Episode Guide:00:00 Introduction to Chris Stillwell01:03 Military Intelligence: Separating Fact From Fiction02:15 Roles and Responsibilities in the Army03:08 Leadership and Decision Making in High-Pressure Situations08:07 From Military to Consulting09:49 Living Abroad: Challenges and Cultural Insights15:02 Transitioning to an MBA at Rice University18:13 Involvement and Networking at Rice20:56 Entering Investment Banking: Preparation and Challenges25:37 Day-to-Day in Investment Banking28:46 Advice for Career Pivoters and VeteransThe Owl Have You Know Podcast is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:The moment Chris realized that Rice gave him an edge over his peers[20:48] Brian: Going into investment banking, was there, like, now an elevated sense of confidence of, Okay, I've done this before; I'll do it again?[20:56] Chris: Maybe some blind confidence sometimes. Yeah, you could even ask my parents. I went home for like four days for the Christmas break the year I was recruiting. And I was studying flashcards with my mom of all the IB 400 questions. And I was like, “I'm not going to get a job. You know, like all these people around me are much smarter than me. There's a really—we've got a really talented pool of candidates that are recruiting this year.” But you know, I felt like at the end of the day, the Finance Association and Rice, just the classes I took, really prepared me to understand the basics of finance, the basics that are expected of the interview process. And then, going forward, I saw when I started as an intern at the bank, I went to New York for a week…We were training with all these people from all these different schools, going to all these different groups in the bank, and some people didn't even know what a DCF was or didn't know how to do it that well, I should say. We were doing some practice problems, and I was like, “Wow, we're actually far ahead of a lot of these other schools and people.” So that was kind of good to see that Rice really put an effort into training us up. What Chris learned about leadership through three career pivots[30:15] There are certain people who can be leaders and are very good at being leaders. But being a good leader in the military might not translate to being a good leader at banking. And a lot of times you actually see that, or you see military officers leave the military and go into the corporate world and not be as successful. Because I really think you do need to tailor your leadership style to the one the industry you're working in, and two, the people you're working with, you know, different ways of operating motivate people differently. Like in the military, you could yell at somebody and hold them to a higher standard and maybe they'll do it. But if you yelled at somebody like, you know, a marketing job, they probably would shut down and that'd be the end of it. It really doesn't work the same. The leadership style is something that you have to adjust to the area you're working in.On how his military experience strengthened his teamwork skills[04:03] In the military, you are a leader, but you learn how to be a good follower as well. And I think what you do with that is that you are able to have great teamwork. You're able, like in my current job now, I have an analyst underneath me, but I have people like VPs and MDs above me and I can understand what their intent is and what we need to get accomplished in our day-to-day job, but also articulate to the people below me, Hey, this is the intent and this is how we do it. So it's kind of been very helpful in those soft skills.On how Rice gave him the academic foundation he needed[16:49] My reasons for going to Rice were great, but once I got there, I appreciated it a lot more. I really got exposed to, I mean, I was looking for some things like smaller classrooms for example. Like a lot of people we hire from Kearney were from Yale or HBS, and their class size was like a thousand people. And maybe you didn't have a lot of rigor in terms of academics. I think Rice, especially in the first term, really forces you to go to classes to do your homework, to learn the materials. And that was attractive to me as well, because I didn't come from a finance background at all. So I didn't even know what a DCF was before I came to Rice. So I was very grateful at that, you know, getting to Rice and realizing that it was such a good platform to be integrated into.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profile:Chris Stillwell | LinkedIn

Recent Policy Changes to US Student (F1) VisaNew Mandatory Social Media Reivew RequirementContradictory Information on Visa Form vs on LinkedIn ProfileReduction in the Validity Perriod of Student VisasChanges to Visa Interview LocationsShould you remove controversial social media postsPre interview DocumentationWhy Visa Officers Sometimes Do Not Look at your DocumentsProof of FundingDoes School's Reputation Matter in Securing a Visa?The Role of Career Plans & Ties to Home CountryThe Interview, What Visa Officers Want to Know3 Things Visa Officers Evaluate in the InterviewRed Flags in InterviewsWhen & Why Should One Hire Immigration AttorneyWhat If Your Visa is Not Approved

As a first-generation American from Saudi Arabia, Rzan Yunus '17 learned from an early age what ambition and perseverance can lead to. She credits her immigrant father's determination to build a successful career and life for his family in the U.S. as inspiration for her own strong work ethic and drive. It was that drive that led her first to a career in insurance at American International Group (AIG), and eventually all the way to Rice Business. Since pivoting from insurance into consulting, Rzan has put her Rice MBA to use as a senior director at Alvarez & Marsal, where she's helping companies solve tough problems. Rzan chats with co-host Brian Jackson '21 about how her father's pursuit of the American dream inspired her, the critical skills she picked up at AIG, why she was drawn to the Professional MBA program and how her experience at Rice has left a mark on her forever. Episode Guide:00:00 Introduction to Rzan Yunus01:00 Early Life and Family Influence05:39 Career Beginnings at AIG09:40 Pursuing an MBA at Rice18:28 Transition to Consulting23:07 Current Role and Consulting Insights35:40 Balancing Career and Personal Life39:46 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThe Owl Have You Know Podcast is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Finding community, support, and belonging at Rice[12:32] When you learn entrepreneurship, you learn to hustle. You learn to think like an owner, or take  accountability to be resourceful, to drive results. I really appreciated Rice's pathways with other organizations and other companies, particularly consulting. I knew I wanted to explore that eventually and knew that they recruit based on certain programs. And then my favorite thing about Rice, and when I went and visited, is the team and peer atmosphere. You know, you spend so much time at work, but you also spend so much time in this program. And the people that I met and the camaraderie and the collaboration and the fact that you rarely ever achieve anything alone in life. I really wanted to be surrounded with people that were smart and hardworking and capable and collaborative and supportive. Very similar to the support system that I think everybody needs in life to be successful.Why the MBA program was an important investment in Rzan's future.[16:17] My two years in the program, and I think I said this earlier, it really changed my life. I am becoming and am the person now that I never thought I could have been 10 years ago, 15 years ago. I mean, the program is hard. It's a top MBA program for a reason. Balancing school and your personal life is difficult. Working full-time while earning an MBA is not a casual commitment, but it's the most important step that you can take to invest in yourself. Surround yourself with people that reflect the ambition and the dedication that is contagious. Why she chose to pivot to consulting[19:11] I chose consulting because I loved the variety of work that they got to do, you know, in every year, and this was something that really attracted me to it when I was meeting with people from Alvarez & Marsal. You know, you work in different industries and different projects. One year you might be doing a transformation for a media company. The next, working on a financial services operational improvement. The following year on a manufacturing cost reduction. And I think that continuous learning really appealed to me.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profile:Rzan Yunus | LinkedInRzan Yunus | Rice Business

If you're an intuitive or somatic practitioner who knows your gifts are real but still hesitates to fully commit, this episode is for you. In this deeply honest episode, Brenda Winkle shares why so many gifted healers struggle to get paid - not because they lack skill or motivation, but because betting on yourself feels like it could cost you safety, relationships, or identity. Brenda reflects on a year when she nearly quit, the nervous-system realities of visibility and leadership, and the quiet fears that keep practitioners under-charging, over-giving, and second-guessing their work. This episode explores: Why fear - not laziness -keeps practitioners stuck How staying “uncommitted” actually costs more over time The nervous system impact of charging a living wage Why letting clients pay you is part of their healing How intuitive somatic structure creates confidence, clarity, and sustainability If you've ever wondered whether your healing work can truly support your life, this conversation will meet you where you are—and invite you into your next level. ✨ Enrollment for the Intuitive Somatic Healing Certification is open for a few more days. We begin January 5 and close January 2. Links mentioned in this episode: Intuitive Somatic Healing Certification – Enrollment closes January 2 - Click here to enroll - payment plans available Free Energy Audit: brendawinkle.com/audit Spiritual CEO Membership (January enrollment open) Click here to enroll Keywords: Brenda Winkle, Your Yes Filled Life, leadership guide, psychic medium, somatic coach, ambitious leaders, year-end review, personal journey, professional journey, challenges, mentorship experiences, Marie Forleo, Dream Builder, B-School, quarterly analysis, income-producing work, group coaching program, success stories, Purple Frog Healing and Sound, self-healing certification program, Reiki, breathwork, meditation, embodiment practices, personal growth, mindset shifts, reflective practices, coaching business, fears, commitment, Intuitive Somatic Healing Certification, energy tracking, sustainable practice, community support, transformation, fulfillment, podcast growth, audience engagement, personal development, overcoming self-doubt, charging for services, professional identity, emotional well-being, client relationships, enrollment, Spiritual CEO membership, vulnerability, persistence, courage, 2025 reflections, future aspirations.

Liam Morris '23 manages one of the most complex corners of United Airlines — airport operations quality control across more than 80 stations spanning Latin America, Central America and the Southwest U.S. In this conversation, he shares how early travel experiences opened the door to a career in aviation, the path that led him from loading bags in El Paso to overseeing global safety audits, and what it takes to lead with precision, clarity and calm under pressure.Liam also reflects on United's customer-centric transformation, the moments that shaped his commitment to the industry, and how the Rice Online MBA gave him the flexibility and confidence to grow as a leader while navigating an ever-moving, always-on operational world.Episode Guide:00:00 Introduction to Aviation and Role at United Airlines00:29 Ensuring Safety and Compliance in Airport Operations02:56 Passion for Aviation and Early Influences06:08 Managing Multiple Stations and Time Zones08:00 Why United Airlines Stands Out12:16 Best Flight Experience and Customer Insights13:54 Decision to Pursue an MBA at Rice19:58 Mutual Learning and Decision Making22:27 Leadership Growth and Student Association26:47 Career Journey and Future Goals30:02 Travel Tips and Flying Etiquette37:19 Conclusion and FarewellThe Owl Have You Know Podcast is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode QuotesFrom cleaning planes to leading global operations25:34: I never, ever envisioned that I would be where I'm at now, and I can honestly say from when I was a business partner with United — cleaning aircraft and loading bags for another company, right — but working the United product, I never had a plan to get to where I was. My internship with United came up out of nowhere, and I moved to Jersey. Then, midsummer, I got a full-time offer to stay, and I transferred schools. You know, at the very last minute, I went up to Rutgers from UT El Paso. And then, you know, an opportunity came to transfer to Dallas, and there I ended up. You know, our CEO lives there. Ended up meeting him and a lot of executives all the time, and my name got out there really great. And then I came down to Houston to go to Rice as an assistant manager here in the airport. Then I finished my B.A. and went into the current role that I'm at, which is safety and regulatory. I can honestly say I never really had a plan to get where I was, but I'm thankful that I was always willing to walk through the door, because every single opportunity that I've had — both promotion and a lateral — was a great move, and it was such an instrumental, pivotal move.On being part of something bigger than yourself04:06: I wanted the ability to be in an industry where I am a part of something bigger, right? And being a part of an airline is really cool because even though, you know, my work now may not directly affect a flight leaving on time out of here, it does affect the customer experience some way. So I just wanted to be a part of a really, really big machine that gets people where they need to go.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profile:Liam Morris | LinkedIn

As the youngest founder in her Rice MBA cohort, Allison Knight '10 knows a thing or two about blazing a trail. At just 24 years old, she co-founded Rebellion Photonics, which used cutting-edge technology to identify and quantify gas leaks on oil rigs, preventing catastrophic explosions. Knight went on to sell Rebellion Photonics to Honeywell in 2019, and is now codifying blue collar genius through Alaris AI. In this episode, Knight joins host Brian Jackson '21 to discuss how Rebellion Photonics used early AI technology to improve hyperspectral imaging and revolutionize gas leak detection. She also opens up about her experience as a young woman founder in a predominantly male industry, her role as an adjunct professor at Rice Business and why she believes blue collar work is the next frontier for AI exploration. Episode Guide:00:00 Introduction to Allison Knight01:09 Founding Rebellion Photonics02:25 Challenges and Innovations in Gas Leak Detection03:48 The Role of AI in Rebellion Photonics04:26 Reflections on Being a Young Founder12:44 Lessons From Startup Life16:25 Introducing Alaris AI: AI for Blue Collar Workers23:35 Teaching AI at Rice Business27:52 The Future of AI in the Workforce32:44 Final Thoughts and ReflectionsThe Owl Have You Know Podcast is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:On being a young entrepreneur12:17: I was 24. I was the youngest student in the Rice MBA program, and I had gotten a prestigious, semi-prestigious investment banking job that I had accepted. And then I did the thing you're not supposed to do under any circumstances, which is renege on a job. They do not like that. But I am a physicist more than I am an MBA. Science and tech still make me the happiest. So, I ended up, even at Rice, just hanging out with Rice techies, like other applied physicists. Yeah. And it was just too tempting. I knew I should do the investment banking job, but I just could not do it. I had to go for this crazy methane emissions monitoring company. And I loved it.Allison's first AI moment08:31: I think everyone will experience this, and I just happen to experience this 15, 16 years ago. It is your, like, AI moment—that first time where you run some code with AI. We had been trying to do real-time video detecting and imaging gas leaks in real time and kind of making do with it, and they were ugly. But then we brought in AI and started doing very, very, very, very basic machine learning, and it was just like magic, Brian. It was magic.On AI's next frontier17:20: Pretty much across the board, AI really sucks for blue-collar work. With white-collar work, we can just boop, boop, boop—take the generic ChatGPT, and it works beautifully. And that's because we, white-collar workers, have been typing for a long time. We've got all their documents in different folders, new ones, and so it's all been trained on that for the most part. So it's really trained on white-collar documentation and meant for it. Blue-collar documentation—basically, manuals and SOPs—has inherently always been stinky. But more importantly, none of the documentation has been done on what's in their head, what's in the foreman's head, the supervisor's head, or the individual's head. And so, when you don't have that data documented, structured, codified, the AI will be useless.Show Links: Alaris AITranscriptGuest Profile:Allison Knight | Rice BusinessLinkedIn Profile

How does something as simple as a five-star rating system reveal subtle biases?When she's not teaching MBA and undergraduate students at Rice Business, Professor Sora Jun studies the hidden forces that shape how we see and treat one another. Her work explores how our minds process inequality and how even small design choices, like switching from stars to thumbs-up icons, can make systems fairer. Host Brian Jackson '21 sits down with Sora to discuss her research on the hidden bias of gig worker ratings, what she loves most about teaching at Rice, the findings of her latest paper and how her background has shaped her work. Episode Guide:00:00 Introduction to Sora Jun, Ph.D.00:58 Journey From Finance To Organizational Behavior02:20 Impact of Diverse Upbringing on Research05:05 Teaching Experience and Philosophy08:52 Research on Bias and Inequality17:50 Framing Inequality: Advantage vs. Disadvantage24:34 Exploring Anti-Asian Discrimination29:17 Future Research Directions30:56 Teaching Across Different Programs32:20 Final Thoughts and TakeawaysThe Owl Have You Know Podcast is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:How embracing insecurity helped Dr. Sora on her research23:32: It actually took me a while to really feel like I had enough legitimacy in standing and studying this in some ways, because I felt like I did not really have the real, like, Asian American experience, given that I have been in so many different circles and I'm hearing so many different stories about what it means to be Asian for different people. But I think really embracing that insecurity almost was useful because I think it just made me dig in deeper and realize that might be part of that Asian experience—feeling like there are so many different kinds of Asian experiences. I'm sure this is similar for other groups as well, but I think I've just become more appreciative of just asking people, like, what's this been like for you? I started to do more qualitative-oriented work because of this, and I think that is helping me sort of reaffirm my own, I guess, standing and studying this topic.Why the way we talk about inequality matters14:52 [Brian Jackson]: Why does framing matter so much when talking about pay gaps or wealth disparities?16:08 [Sora Jun]: So, framing of inequality matters because even though what is being talked about is logically equivalent for an advantage or disadvantage frame, people understand it to be very different. And then they focus on different, I guess, objects.On balancing the fairness of the gains of a binary system with the loss of nuance13:36 [Sora Jun]: I think that's a really tricky part. I do think it is a challenge if we were to imagine changing all these numerical rating scales to dichotomy scales. We would lose a lot of the fine-grained information. So it probably depends a lot on the context. I think from our study, what we were finding was that the ratings using a five-point scale were already quite inflated, so there was not actually a ton of fine-grained information to be had from even the five-point scale information.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profile:Sora Jun | Rice Business

One year ago, the Virani family made a historic gift to Rice Business, establishing the Virani Undergraduate School of Business. To mark the occasion, Owl Have You Know welcomes Farid Virani — entrepreneur, philanthropist and proud Rice University parent.In 1999, Farid founded Prime Communications with a single storefront in Houston's Baybrook Mall. Today, Prime Communications is the largest AT&T authorized retailer in North America, with more than 2,500 locations across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Along the way, Farid has relied on three guiding principles — "stay humble, hungry and scrappy" — which continue to shape his approach to business and life.He joins host Maya Pomroy '22 to share his entrepreneurial journey, the Virani family's commitment to education and community, and the vision behind the Virani Undergraduate School of Business — a school designed to empower the next generation of ethical, curious, and compassionate business leaders.Episode Guide:00:15 Meet Farid Virani: Entrepreneur and Philanthropist04:26 Building a Business Empire05:58 Philanthropy and Community Investment07:39 The Virani Undergraduate School of Business11:24 Leadership and Business Education17:32 The Faris Foundation: A Legacy of Giving20:25 Advice for Aspiring EntrepreneursThe Owl Have You Know Podcast is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:How being agile can separate you from other business leaders14:13: So, everything is moving very fast. For the next generation of entrepreneurs, the business leaders not only have to build businesses and solve problems in society, but they have to be agile. They have to be fast. They have to embrace technology. That's a lot of stuff that is coming their way. They have to find their own North Star as to what they're going to do, and how you do it, I think, will depend on individuals—on their passion, on what they find exciting, what excites them. But more than that, to me, it will require a mixture of basic business fundamentals—doing the right things, building things, having great teams around—but embracing technology, not running away from it. Embracing change, not running away from it. I think that will separate successful entrepreneurs and businesses.What Farid hopes for the Virani School15:48: So, my hope is that the Virani School at Rice becomes a top 10 school in the country. Top 5. You said it. That is what we strive—I think Peter and the leadership will strive to do that. But more than that, for me, is that it becomes an institution—the Virani School—that develops the future leaders for the country. Now, whether they are in business, in entrepreneurship, whether it is in the political arena, or whether it is in any industry, so long as it develops leaders that give back to the community and give back to society, and give back to the country, then we will all benefit.Stay humble, hungry and scrappy21:02: Be curious, because you just do not know what life has in store for you. I mean, I think for me, being curious and asking questions about things has served me well, and obviously, be grateful that you are part of an amazing institution like Rice—even more special, the Virani School. But then, you know, stay humble, stay scrappy, and stay hungry, and that pretty much has served me well. And it is simple, you can remember it, and it is nothing fancy.Show Links: TranscriptThe Virani Undergraduate School of Business announcementGuest Profile:Farid Virani | Rice Business

In part one of this three-part discussion, Erika chats with her HBS classmate Rahul Mehendale about what he did to differentiate himself from thousands of other Indian male engineers applying to business school. 

Your package isn't the problem (but your approach might be)You're stuck in a service package spiral and wondering why nobody's biting.You've followed all the rules, named your niche, picked a job title, copied someone's “signature package” off their website, put your offer together, and still… crickets?Let's change that.This is Part 1 of a two-part episode series, and it's the one you cannot skip. I just wrapped the first round of my free “100K Roadmap” mini service calls (PSA: book yours at the link below), and there was one BIG theme that came up over and over again:Packaging. But not in the way you think.Most service providers are packaging their offers backwards. You're building from your skillset instead of starting with what your market actually wants. In this episode, we're flipping the script on how to craft a signature service that actually books clients and grows your business without you burning out or undercharging.If you're tired of hourly work, custom proposals, or no one buying your stuff, hit play now.In this episode, we're diving into:The #1 mistake service providers make when packaging their offersWhy copying others in your niche will keep you stuck (and broke)What it actually means to be commodified—and why that's killing your salesThe missing piece that Marie Forleo's B-School didn't teach back in the dayWhy you must separate your skillset from your business offer (yes, really)How to shift from freelancer mode to true business owner thinkingWhat positioning actually means (and why your package doesn't matter until you've nailed this)If you want to create a service that people see and say “YES—this is exactly what I need,” this is the episode to binge. (And don't forget to tune in next week for Part 2 where we get into the nitty-gritty of what goes in your package.)Resources + Links:

For Marian Villegas '23, art can be found in everything — even petroleum engineering. Raised in Tabasco, Mexico, Marian grew up inspired by her father's work in oil and gas and her own lifelong love of painting. That dual passion led her to a career in petroleum engineering — and eventually to Rice Business, where her MBA helped her grow in both her role as a senior asset manager at EDP Renewables North America and as the founder of her art studio, Mablueart.In this episode, Marian joins co-host Maya Pomroy '22 to share how she's built a career that bridges energy and art, the lessons she's carried from Tabasco to Houston, and why creativity continues to guide everything she does.Episode Guide:01:38 Growing up in Tabasco04:37 Pursuing a Career in Petroleum Engineering09:51 Transition to the United States and Career Growth14:05 Discovering and Nurturing a Passion for Art18:57 Exploring Graduate School and MBA Programs23:43 Starting Mablueart26:15 Incorporating Unique Elements Into Art33:12 Future Goals and Teaching at RiceThe Owl Have You Know Podcast is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Seeing petroleum engineering as an art[6:13]: So I wanted to have a good understanding of that [petroleum engineering] from a guy who was leading an entire organization. So I went there. He was extremely nice. He saw me, he's a very sharp guy. And then the minute he saw me, he was like, “Okay, Marian, I guess those are all your questions. I'm going to just talk about petroleum engineering. You don't need to tell me questions. I will just tell you my story.” And after an hour and a half — not 15 minutes — an hour and a half, of this amazing story, I fell in love with that, the idea of being a petroleum engineer. He'd talk about, “This is art.” You know, the words, the way he was explaining that to me, like a story… for me that was a: Yes, I want something that I can feel that passionate about. For me, it's also art in a way.From oil and gas roots to pursuing art[3:59]: I grew up in this beautiful town. It's a very small town, Tabasco (Villahermosa), but it is all about oil and gas. Everybody, every single thing, is about oil and gas. So I always loved art in a way — always reading art, always painting. I have been painting my whole life in different aspects, but I never thought about that as another source of income, in a way, as a business.When art as therapy becomes a business[17:06]: Until today, it [creating art] used to be my therapy, in a way. I would work the entire week, and during the weekends I would paint full-time. And for me, that was my escape. Today it's also business. I have deliverables, I have people waiting. And my biggest fear was that, at some point, I would just stop enjoying this part of the art world because I needed to deliver. So that's why I guess it took me so long to decide to make it big, as I did not want to see this as another job. I wanted to keep painting and seeing this as my therapy, and art is always, for me, the answer. But, I did'nt want that to take away that creativity from me.Show Links: Mablueart.comThe Art of Networking with Marian Villegas – Nov. 1, 2025 at Rice UniversityTranscriptGuest Profile:Marian Villegas | LinkedIn

Can GMAT Truly Make or Break Your Admission Chances?What If Your GMAT Score Is Lower than School's Average?When It Makes Sense to Re-Take the GMAT and When It Doesn'tWhen the GMAT Is a Strong GiftGMAT vs GREHas GMAT Regained Dominance Post-Covid?Are There Cut-Offs for GMAT Scores?What's a Good GMAT Score for Myself? (Precise Decision Framework)Profile Roast Segment - #1 Canadian Banker Targeting M7 B-Schools#2 Indian Finance Entrepreneur

Al Danto, senior lecturer in entrepreneurship, has been a trusted mentor and beloved member of the Rice Business community for more than two decades. A serial entrepreneur, he launched his first company at the age of 23, growing it through multiple acquisitions before selling to a private equity-backed group. After earning his MBA at Rice Business, he returned to teach New Enterprise, Enterprise Acquisition and their corresponding E-labs – guiding students as they build and acquire businesses of their own. He is also a driving force behind the Veterans Business Battle. Beyond his professional success, Al has had a personal journey few could imagine. In May 2022, Al experienced two life-threatening medical crises and was placed on advanced life support. Sixty-five days later, he walked out of the hospital determined to return to the classroom, and by October, he was back. In this episode of Owl Have You Know, Al shares his extraordinary career journey, his story of recovery and why he urges everyone to “grab life” and make a difference. Episode Guide:00:22 Meet Al Danto: The Entrepreneurial Legend01:01 Al Danto's Early Ventures and Successes07:56 Scaling the Business and Strategic Exits12:32 The Rice MBA Experience16:55 Launching Universal Worker20:31 Rice Alliance and the Rice Business Plan Competition25:52 Teaching and Mentoring at Rice29:22 Identifying the Secret Sauce of Successful Entrepreneurs33:42 Personal Health Challenges and Overcoming Adversity43:38 The Role of Mentorship and Support in Success49:00 The Veterans Business Battle: Supporting Veteran Entrepreneurs51:24 Vision for the Future of Rice UniversityOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:On the tough realities of entrepreneurship and success[26:44] Maya Pomroy: For people to sign up to really take these risks, what do you think that it is that you bring? That people are so excited about.[26:53] Al Danto: First thing I try to do is talk you out of it. It's not easy. I mean, it's tough. You have — it's really hard. I mean, you see a lot about the glamour, and you see all this stuff. You know, 80% of business startups — fail. I think at Rice, what we do is we have a fertile ground, right? To plant these seeds in. You have support. You have nurturing, and you have everything, but it's a tough road. To me, a lot of it is you make the decisions. I personally think, for most cases, if you start a business, the success or failure comes to you. You know, 86% of plane crashes are pilot or human error. Which we talk about in class. And I think entrepreneurship is pretty similar.On making ideas real and sustaining Rice's entrepreneurial legacy[28:50] The reality is you have to get out there and you have to do it, and you have to make these things real. And I think, you know, we've done that. It's kind of in our DNA. And so now, five years, six years in a row now, the No. 1 Graduate Entrepreneurship Program — it's not because of me, it's because of what was started long ago, and it's because of support. And now our alumni come back in, and they say what they've done — the good and the bad — that we bring back in.Believing in something bigger and rowing together at Rice[50:30] I think it's important to have something that you believe in. I think if you can't believe in, and anytime you see a military veteran, they put their life to go give us freedom. And a couple years ago, one of the veterans told me the best way that you can show our support is not to thank us, but to go out there and take advantage of the freedoms that we have. I think entrepreneurship is one of them as well. So it's really been great, and every year these guys have not wanted to let the next person down, and they've stepped up and stepped into it. And I think that's just not letting the next person down. And I think everyone that goes through Rice is going to experience that. It's tough, but you're in the rowboat mentality. We're in this together, and we have to get through it, and y'all will. And that's part of it.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Al Danto | Rice Business

The Impact of Big Companies on ResumeHow AdComs Compare Candidates from Big vs. Small CompaniesHow BSchools Form Their MBA ClassWhat's the First Thing AdComs Look in Your Application?How Low GMAT / GRE Scores are Assessed?What If You Haven't brought a Big Impact in your Work?When Applicants Don't Recognize their PotentialWhen an Applicant Built a Hospital & didn't Mention it in the ApplicationWhat AdComs Really Want to See in Essays

The 7-state Chesapeake Bay Watershed agreement is up for renewal, but environmental activists are unhappy with the new text.The federal takeover of DC has lapsed, but 14 Congressional bills still pose threats to home rule. The plight of H-1B schoolteachers who were recruited with promises of green cards. Not on your fall bingo: a lice report. And more. Music by Dear Daria.

After you submit your MBA applications, should you contact the admissions committee with updates on your candidacy? What should you do if you find an error in your materials? Should you start preparing for your interviews now?  This episode answers those questions and more, and advises listeners on the best way to make use of their time between submission deadlines and their interviews.

After many successful years as a mechanical engineer for Baker Hughes, Sujeev Chittipolu '21 thought it was time to invest in his leadership potential. That led him to Rice Business.   As part of Rice's Professional MBA program, Sujeev formed invaluable connections through programs like CoachRICE and even joined the board of one of his classmate's nonprofits — Amel Association Houston. Through Amel, Sujeev is taking what he learned at Rice Business and building leadership coaching programs for underserved youth in Houston, particularly in refugee communities. In this episode, Sujeev chats with co-host Maya Pomroy '22 about his 16 years at Baker Hughes, how growing up in an entrepreneurial family shaped him, his work with Amel to give back to the community, and how the Rice MBA helped him put the final pieces together in his career. Episode Guide:01:30 Early Career and Education02:14 Journey at Baker Hughes05:37 Pursuing an MBA at Rice09:51 Giving Back Through AMEL15:19 Balancing Career and Personal Life16:00 Advice for Aspiring MBA Students16:43 Impact of Rice MBA on Career22:23 Staying Connected with Rice24:53 Future Aspirations and Final ThoughtsOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:How coaching transforms a student's confidence and future12:36: I would say one student named Musafa. He was initially not a student. He was active doing his things, but he was not very verbal in the class, right? [13:41] So as he worked with a coach, what we've seen was he could explore his inhibitions, he could set his goals, understand what were some of the drivers that were inhibiting his potential. And we've seen a clear change. He was about to quit high school. Yes, and working with the coach, it changed. He was over the process of a year, right? Two semesters, he became more verbal. He was confident in himself. He could understand what he wanted in life. He could realize, okay, I have a goal in career, and then okay, I can work towards it. So I think that one story kind of inspired more of us to come back and give. And it's just like we've seen many of those, Maya, over the last three-plus years working with HISD.Shaping mindset and leadership through the Rice MBA16:19: [Maya]: So thinking back on before Rice and after Rice, what were some of the ways that your mindset has really changed because of the MBA that you worked for?16:32: [Sujeev Chittipolu]: So many ways. I think the way I look at problems and the way I look at challenges is very different now. I'm kind of more holistic in approach. I challenge myself much more based on the lessons I've learned during Rice, and even the leadership piece, right? Leadership not just at work, but I think leadership goes all the way — starts from home, through the community, at work. So you set an example for yourself. You set an example for your family members, so you're learning always, trying to grow. So I think Rice has influenced me personally, professionally, and I think I keep continuing to reap rewards as I grow personally as well as professionally.On the hard work of growth and the rewards of giving back15:38: There is no easy way or there's no shotguns in growth or in career. You have to differentiate yourself. You have to work hard to one, grow yourself and be able to give back. I think both of these. If you are passionate, if you want to grow, it's not easy, but the journey might be tough, but the efforts are always rewarding, right? Giving back, you can see one story that is shared. It changes your perspective on life. It gives you things that show how grateful you are to be able to give back. So, take the leap forward. I think you always find time. There are weekends that you can stretch. There are days you know you need like one or two hours a day that you can stretch and always be able to give back. So yeah, I think take the leap forward, and it will be worthwhile.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Sujeev Chittipolu | LinkedInBoard Profile | AMEL Association Houston

In order to stand out from your MBA competition, you need to take a step back and assess your candidacy from the admissions committee's point of view. This episode explains what they're looking for, how to differentiate yourself if you're in an over-represented demographic or industry bucket, and generally what types of themes successful applicants focus on in their essays.

At a time when startups are primarily funded by private market investors, who you know has become a critical factor in gaining access to that venture capital. But how does the reliance on alumni and professional networks create barriers for startups from historically disadvantaged groups?Emmanuel Yimfor '20 is a finance professor at Columbia Business School and holds a Ph.D. from Rice University. His research focuses on entrepreneurial finance, diversity and private capital markets, with insights into gender and racial disparities in venture capital funding, board representation and how resources could be more equitably allocated.Emmanuel joins co-host Maya Pomroy '22 to discuss his career journey from working at a Cameroonian telecommunications company to teaching at some of the top U.S. business schools, as well as his research on the influence of alumni networks in venture capital funding, how AI tools can address biases in lending, and finally how he's teaming up with his son to bring AI tools to young innovators and entrepreneurs in Cameroon. Episode Guide:01:00 Exploring Entrepreneurial Finance03:36 The Role of Networks in VC Funding08:10 Emmanuel's Journey From Cameroon to the U.S.12:34 The Rice University Experience15:43 Research on Alumni Networks and Funding21:49 Algorithmic Bias in Lending33:17 Empowering Future Innovators in Cameroon38:42 Final Thoughts and Future OutlookOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Rethinking who gets funded in venture capital31:07: What does good networks mean exactly? If you look at venture capital partners, for example, right? They have worked at McKinsey before they became venture capital partners. So they have worked at certain companies, they have done certain jobs that then led them to become VCs. And so to the extent that we have a lack of representation in this pipeline of jobs that is leading to VC, then the founders that do not come from these same backgrounds do not have as equal access to the partners. And so what that suggests is something very basic, which is like, just rethink the set of deals that you are considering. That might expand the pool of deals that you consider, because, you know, there might be a smart person out there that is maybe not the same race as you, but that has an idea that you really, really want to fund. And that is something that I think, like, everybody would agree with. You know, we want to allocate capital to its most productive uses.From hard data to meaningful change29:13: So I have a belief in America, at least based on my life journey, which is: if you work hard for long enough, somebody is going to recognize you and you will be rewarded for it. And so I really believe that America takes in data, thinks about that data for a while to think about whether the research is credible enough, and then, using that data, they are a good Bayesian, so they get a new posterior. They act in a new way that is consistent with what the new before and the new data. And so I think about my role as a researcher as just like, you know, providing that data. Here is the data, and here is what is consistent with what we are doing right now. Now, you know, what you do with that information now is like, you know, update what you are doing in a way that is most consistent with efficient capital allocation—is my hope.Why Emmanuel finds empirical work so exciting 21:34: Empirical work is so exciting to me because then you are like, "I am a little bit of a police detective." So you take a little bit of this thing that feels hard to measure, and then you can create hypotheses to link it to the eventual outcomes, to the extent that that thing that is hard to measure is something that is leading to efficient capital allocation. Then, on average, you know, this feeling that you get about founders that are from the same alma mater should lead to good things as opposed to leading to bad things. And so, you know, that is exactly the right spirit of how to think about the work.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Emmanuel Yimfor | Columbia Business SchoolEmmanuel Yimfor | LinkedInEmmanuel's Website 

Sometimes “Why do you need an MBA now?” is an essay question that programs ask directly, but more often than not it's something applicants should end up covering in an essay response even if there isn't a question about it. Questions around the timing of an applicant's MBA pursuit could also be asked in an interview.  This episode covers common reasons why applicants need an MBA now versus earlier or later in their careers, and suggests exercises to help articulate a strong response to questions about MBA timing.

After navigating a challenging endometriosis diagnosis, multiple surgeries, and a complex healthcare system, Andria “Monique” Pourkarimi '25 decided to tackle a gap she experienced firsthand. While pursuing an online MBA at Rice, an idea born in the classroom grew into Dr. Clara, LLC — a women's health startup focused on closing the communication gap between patients and providers.Just a year earlier, Monique founded Pourkarimi & Associates, LLC, a financial consulting and independent insurance brokerage firm that helps clients navigate complex financial decisions and insurance needs. In this episode, Monique joins co-host Brian Jackson '21 to share how her health journey inspires her work with Dr. Clara, why financial and insurance literacy are so important, and what led her career from the aisles of Costco to entrepreneurship and a Rice MBA.Episode Guide:00:00 Introduction to Monique Pourkarimi01:23 Balancing Business and MBA09:08 The Inspiration Behind Dr. Clara10:46 Challenges and Advocacy in Women's Health19:19 Future Plans and Reflections22:29 The Importance of Financial Education27:43 Pursuing Public Policy for Healthcare Reform30:51 Concluding ThoughtsOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Where did Monique get her entrepreneurship spirit?07:45: I think entrepreneurship runs in my blood. So my uncle has a logistics company that is here in the US and transports in Mexico as well. My grandmother, she works with him and his business, and, my mom has her own insurance brokerage as well, specializing in Medicare. So independent of my pursuits, my grandmother and my mom are the ones who raised me. So here it was three generations of strong Mexican women who were, you know, just under one roof. And I think that is kind of what shaped me in terms of  the woman that I am today and that entrepreneurial spirit.Success is about impact, not numbers27:25: I think for me, success is counting how many people am I able to help at the end of the day, right? And it's not a number of just benchmarks of, oh, okay, I have a quota of helping 500,000 people. No, it's not about that at the end of the day. And do I confidently know that I have been able to help make a positive impact in this world? I do not want to leave it as I am starting these businesses because I am doing them for myself, or even with awards that I received through Rice. I think success is: what is my legacy? And if I were to die today, you know, what would people think about me? I think success is: what is my legacy? And if I were to die today, what would people think about me? Did I make a positive impact in people's life? That, to me, is success.The moment Monique said yes to Rice05:21: For me, I was thinking, wow, there is so much potential—especially with an MBA. There is so much potential I have in growing my businesses. And, as you said, Brian, being connected with the other students—I joke that Rice did all the background checks for us because I love my cohort. The people at Rice, the alumni—we are one big Happy Owl family. I had a lot of people who believed in me and were willing to help and point me in the right direction.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:2025 Best & Brightest Online MBA: Andria Monique Pourkarimi, Rice University (Jones) | Poets & QuantsAndria Monique Pourkarimi | LinkedIn

In this replay of one of our most popular episodes, Meg — a former University of Chicago Booth admissions committee member and current SBC admissions consultant — joins Erika to discuss some of the biggest things they see MBA candidates wasting their precious time on during the application process. They address: Their most-hated question MBA candidates often ask *Why* it doesn't make sense to worry about certain things in the admissions process What applicants' time is better spent on What waitlisted candidates should do (and not do) to strengthen their position  The pros and cons of MBA message boards What MBA candidates should do if/when they find themselves filled with doubts

Your resume is perhaps the single most important part of your application materials. This episode covers how to maximize that one precious page.  

During their time at Rice Business, Mike Tatz '14 and Corban Bates '15 saw an opportunity to connect veterans with capital and the network needed to start a business. As veterans themselves, they understood how important it is to have the right connections and platform to pitch an idea. With that, the Veterans Business Battle was born. But Mike and Corban's story starts long before Rice. The two first met as students at West Point and followed similar paths — from Division I athletics to Army service to financial services, and eventually entrepreneurship. After launching the Veterans Business Battle and earning their MBAs at Rice, Mike went on to found a CBD company for athletes, and Corban began overseeing direct investments into private companies — now serving as the chief financial officer for one of those investments. Mike and Corban join co-host Maya Pomroy '22 to chat about how their time at West Point shaped them, what brought them to Rice Business and the impact the Veterans Business Battle has had over the past decade. Episode Guide:00:00 From Battlefield to Boardroom: Meet Mike and Corban03:01 Life at West Point: Challenges and Lessons08:38 Transitioning From Military to Business School12:57 Creating the Veterans Business Battle20:18 The First Prize and Investor Opportunities22:15 The Journey and Impact of the Competition24:01 Career Transitions and Personal Growth25:29 Mike's Venture Into the Sports Industry27:57 Corban's Path to Artisan Bakery33:43 Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring EntrepreneursOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:The conversation that led Corban from Army to business school09:55: [Corban Bates] Mike's been a huge blessing in my life, 'cause business school wasn't really even on my radar. It's just kind of going up and down the aisles of the career conference, and there were probably 20 schools there, but I didn't talk to any of 'em. It wasn't on my radar, and I talked to Mike. I just ran into him and it's like, “Hey, how have you been?” Like, you know, all for Rice. He was there recruiting for Rice — Rice had a booth — and he starts telling me about it. And he was just about to start this internship at Goldman Sachs, and he had this amazing first year at Rice, and it just sets you up…[10:24] Yeah, I just ran towards it and was extremely fortunate to get in, and Mike completely changed the course of my career. If I hadn't run into him, then things would be very different.On unapologetically pursuing what lights you up34:29: [Mike Tatz] I think a lot of people, even at business school, they get very pigeonholed into thinking that they have to be a consultant or an investment banker because they think about the financial support that it is going to give them or the safety net. There is a gazillion ways to make money out there. I think you have got to be happy. You have got to be happy. And you can be, but you have got to take that leap. You have got to have a plan. And then once you figure out what it is, you go, baby. You go as hard as you can, and you make everybody else think that you are crazy for how hard you are working at whatever you are doing. If you do that, I think good things are going to happen.Why veterans and business school are a perfect match17:09: [Corban Bates] Rice came up with this concept of really bringing on more veterans to their business school. I think it's a great match of veterans being very far along in their leadership development and people management development by the time they're in their late twenties, but being behind on the business concepts. And then you pair, you know, the rest of the civilians who are advanced in their business concepts but are probably lacking on the leadership front — probably haven't led that much in their twenties. And so it's this great pairing where both sides can learn from each other.The business network gap veterans face13:35: [Mike Tatz] I don't think veterans need any special treatment, nor should they expect — or do we expect — any special treatment. But what I do think is the case is that, going back to that last example — let's say I do want to start a business. I'm starting a business. There are a lot of steps to it, but one of those steps that is crucial is capital. And so my network, being in the military, is Army sergeants, Army majors, privates — whatever it may be, right? They're not the Goldman Sachs folks. They're not the people looking to make investments into companies. They're not the people with the means to not only provide financial capital, but mentorship capital and experience capital that you would need as somebody being in the military, coming out and trying — and wanting — to start your own business.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Mike Tatz | LinkedInCorban Bates | LinkedInVeterans Business Battle

In this new episode, our host Erika and fellow SBC admissions consultant (and former Kellogg adcom) Caryn have a discussion that covers: Multiple tactics applicants can use to raise their quantitative profiles, especially if they don't work in finance- or numbers-heavy roles  Insight into who might want to consider the GRE or EA instead of the GMAT for their admissions test How to use the Additional Info field/essay to address any quantitative weaknesses in your candidacy

Marie Forleo joins me for a full-circle conversation on building a dream life and business—with clarity, resilience, and heart.We cover: ✨ Why “clarity comes from engagement, not thought” ✨ How to know if you're chasing your dream—or someone else's ✨ Marie's favorite money mantra ✨ How she handles doubt + setbacksMarie also shares the surprising lesson from a jewelry collab—and drops 3 powerful money + success mantras you don't want to miss!

Like the discovery of penicillin, it started with an unexpected moment in the lab.Charlie Childs and Madeline Eiken didn't set out to revolutionize drug testing — but a surprise breakthrough led them to create the world's first lab-grown human intestine and win the 2025 Rice Business Plan Competition's grand prize. Their startup, Intero Biosystems, could dramatically reduce clinical trial costs, improve drug safety and advance personalized medicine.Host Maya Pomroy '22  talks with Charlie and Madeline about the moment that sparked it all, their experience winning the 2025 Rice Business Plan Competition, and what's next for their fast-growing startup. Episode Guide:00:59 Meet the Founders: Madeline and Charlie01:49 Their Groundbreaking Innovation of a Lab-Grown Human Intestine03:24 The Journey From Lab to Startup07:06 The Accidental Discovery11:49 Competing in the Rice Business Plan Competition15:52 The Pitch and the Competition Experience19:14 Support and Success at Rice23:37 Future Plans and Advice for Aspiring EntrepreneursOwl Have You Know is a production of Rice Business and is produced by University FM.Episode Quotes:Charlie on the lab-grown intestines breakthrough04:43 [Charlie Childs]: I think, every day, like, as we develop this model, we are just more and more amazed how amazing, like, nature is and how smart science is. So, what we can do is we take these stem cells, which, like you said, can turn to anything in the body, and then we simulate human development. So, every day we give them… we literally call it Gatorade. Like, the cells live in this red liquid, and it truly is Gatorade. It has, like, glucose and proteins and other things that the cells need to live just like our bodies do. And each day, we give them different proteins that leads them down human developmental time until they turn into the miniature intestines. So, it's actually a lot more simple than you would think. And our breakthrough figured out that a single protein that we switched in this process caused this beautiful thing to form. So, the cells, we joke about this every day, like, the cells just know what to do and we just need to, like, push them in the right direction and they will figure out what to do.From lab partners to startup co-founders 04:06 [Madeline Eiken]: We just know that we work really well together. We know that we have really complementary skill sets. So my background is in engineering, and, while Charlie is a biologist, and so the way that we approach problems is quite different from each other, but we have this, like, really shared interest in commercializing that technology.How does the Rice Business Plan competition stand out in comparison to some others?18:12 [Charlie Childs]: It was like a whole other beast, and people kept warning us, like, leading up to it. They were like, “This is fun, but wait till you get to Rice.” It was just like the breadth of not only the startups, but also the judges and all the people from Rice. It was the investors — like, we were just blown away at how much support and interest there was. And I mean, our first pitch was crazy. Like, people were audibly like gasping and cheering, and it was just such a fun group to pitch to. And we just made so many wonderful connections, and I truly, truly, like, this is like launching us into another realm that we didn't even think we were gonna be able to be in. Both from, like, connections and investors, and just support — we're so thankful.What's next for Intero Biosystems?24:05 [Madeline Eiken]: We're really excited to be really laser-focused on de-risking the company and meeting our milestones with this fundraise. We were really lucky to basically double what we were hoping to raise. So that was really awesome and exciting for us. And because of that extra cushion that we have, we think we can push a lot faster on some of our milestones that we had been thinking about for seed rounds and even Series A. So, right now we're really focusing on onlining our manufacturing and figuring out how we're gonna make the organoids really reproducibly so we can get them into the hands of customers as quickly as we can. So, now the fun part of running the company is what we get to do.Show Links: TranscriptGuest Profiles:Charlie Childs | LinkedInMadeline Eiken | LinkedInIntero Biosystems

In this episode replay, Chandler dives into 6 tips for MBA essays that even the most confident writers might miss. 

For our milestone 250th (!!!) episode, our host Erika shares her thoughts on if applying to business school still makes sense in these tumultuous times.    

This episode will motivate you to get going on your Round 1 MBA materials, and will cover what makes the most sense for you to be working on right now before applications are released.

Chuck and Chris catch up on nerve conferences, business school, and review a difficult CMC arthritis case.  Join us!Please complete our survey:  https://bit.ly/3iHGFpDSee www.practicelink.com/theupperhand for more information from our partner on job search and career opportunities.The Upper Hand Podcast is sponsored by Checkpoint Surgical, a provider of innovative solutions for peripheral serve surgery. To learn more, visit https://checkpointsurgical.com/. Subscribe to our newsletter: bit.ly/3X0Gq89As always, thanks to @iampetermartin for the amazing introduction and concluding music.For additional links, the catalog.  Please see https://www.ortho.wustl.edu/content/Podcast-Listings/8280/The-Upper-Hand-Podcast.aspx

As an educator, you are not simply tied to the classroom – there are so many opportunities for you to build massive wealth for you and your family.  In this episode, Kelly Roach sits down with Dr. Erica Jordan-Thomas, a former school principal turned 7-figure business owner, to discuss how educators can leverage their skills to build thriving businesses.  Dr. Erica shares her strategic approach to planning for massive growth, the importance of leading with empathy, and how educators can transition from the classroom to entrepreneurship.  If you're ready to transform your expertise into a profitable business, this episode is packed with insights you can't afford to miss. Key Takeaways: ✅ The Power of Choice in Business Models – Why you don't have to limit your revenue potential, even if you're stepping away from traditional roles. ✅ The 10X Mapping Process – How to plan your next 5–10 years in business and break it down into actionable steps. ✅ Quarterly Strategic Planning – Why planning too far ahead can backfire and how to effectively map out your business growth in 90-day sprints. ✅ Leading with Empathy – The leadership lessons Dr. Erica brought from education that help her build high-performing teams in business. ✅ The Four Priorities of a CEO – Why balancing people, product, process, and profit is key to sustainable success. ✅ The Million-Dollar Mindset – How thinking like a millionaire before you hit 7-figures sets the foundation for success. ✅ B-School for Educators – How Dr. Erica helps educators turn their expertise into profitable businesses, starting with the skills they already have. Timestamps: [03:45] Transitioning from principal to business owner [07:30] The 10X mapping framework for scaling a business [12:15] Breaking down strategic planning: 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year visions [18:50] Why leading with empathy is a non-negotiable in business [23:20] The 4 pillars of business success: People, product, process, profit [27:10] The psychology of a millionaire & how to cultivate it [30:45] B-School for Educators: Turning teaching skills into a 7-figure business [35:00] How to sign up for Dr. Erica's free 5-day workshop Resources & Links: Join Dr. Erica's 5-Day 7-Figure Business School – www.7figuredbusinessschool.com (Completely Free!) Connect with Dr. Erica Jordan-Thomas: https://www.instagram.com/e_jordanthomas/  Join the FREE Profit Push Workshop on April 7th – Make a massive cash injection in your business to kick off Q2: https://go.virtualbusinessschool.com/profitpush?am_id=ashlyn8172  SUBSCRIBE TO THE KAIROS NEWSLETTER: Faith leadership strategies to bulletproof your business and life that are delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. https://thekellyroach.com/kairosnewsletterorganic Follow Kelly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyroachofficial/ Follow Kelly on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelly.roach.520/  The Kelly Roach Show is your business podcast that gives you quick, actionable trainings for business growth, sales growth, and leadership. Kelly teaches about the entrepreneurial mindset and how to leverage building an unstoppable team with high performance strategies for rapid and sustainable business growth.  

Since she was a young girl, Marie Forleo has been a “multi-passionate entrepreneur.” She never wanted to settle and had a multitude of interests, from hip-hop to spirituality to psychology. After attempting to find happiness at a string of corporate jobs, Marie realized that her combination of interests and skills was a strength, not a liability. She gave up the security of her 9-5 to become a life coach. Now, she has a digital empire that touches millions. In this episode, Marie will share why “everything is figureoutable”, how we can overcome self-limiting beliefs, and how we can live a more productive and stress-free life!  In this episode, Hala and Marie will discuss: (01:30) Introduction (02:43) Marie's Childhood and Early Ambitions (03:48) First Job on Wall Street (04:26) Mindset Shifts for Career Success (07:07) Transition to Magazine Publishing (09:31) Discovering Life Coaching (11:51) Building a Coaching Practice (14:31) The 10-Year Test and Dance Career (27:44) Personality Traits and Success (29:50) The Dark Side of Perfectionism (30:12) Career Tipping Points and Role Models (31:00) Consistency and the Long Game (37:57) The Origin of 'Everything is Figureoutable' (44:06) Financial Independence and Early Lessons (48:09) Burnout and the Turning Point (55:35) Time Management and Productivity Tips Marie Forleo is named by Oprah as a thought leader for the next generation, and she is the owner of one of Inc.'s 500 fastest-growing companies. Marie has created a socially conscious digital empire that inspires millions. She's the star of the award-winning show MarieTV, with over 75 million views, and host of The Marie Forleo Podcast, with nearly 26 million downloads. Marie has taught entrepreneurs, artists, and multi-passionate go-getters from all walks of life how to dream big and back it up with daily action to create results. She runs the acclaimed business training program B-School, the writing program The Copy Cure, and the joyful productivity program Time Genius. Her #1 New York Times bestselling book, Everything is Figureoutable is available now. Sponsored By: Shopify - youngandprofiting.co/shopify Airbnb - airbnb.com/host Rocket Money - rocketmoney.com/profiting Indeed - indeed.com/profiting     RobinHood - robinhood.com/gold  Factor - factormeals.com/factorpodcast    Rakuten - rakuten.com NordVPN - nordvpn.com/PROFITING Microsoft Teams - aka.ms/profiting Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals       Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap  Youtube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting  LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/  Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/  Social + Podcast Services - yapmedia.com   Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new  Entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship podcast, Business, Business podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal development, Starting a business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing,Money, Finance, Side hustle, Startup, mental health, Career, Leadership, Mindset, Health