Cardinal Conversations

Listen in as Ryane and Brett speak with alumna Emily Messina about her career path from a CatholicU swimmer to broadcaster for AAA baseball. Tune in to the conversation to learn more!

Listen in as Ryane and Brett speak with alumnus Bryson Fonville about his career path from the NBA G-League to overseeing sales for his family business, BE Furniture. Bryson has learned many things from playing high-level athletics and running a division of company, so tune in to the conversation to learn more!

In this episode, Ryane and Brett speak with alumnus Joe Olickan about his winding career path from forensic accounting, consulting, and religious discernment. Joe has helped many people through a variety of industries and has expertise in business and theology, making for the perfect pairing of a Catholic University graduate. Listen to the conversation to learn more about how to network, find your mission in work, and understand the discernment process.

In this episode, Ryane and Brett speak with alumnus Daniel Forrester, an author, entrepreneur, and consultant. The group discusses the role of the liberal arts in professional development and society, the emerging role of A.I. in business, and the need to be willing to take risks to advance your career.

This week, Ryane and Brett speak with alumna Amy Cavanaugh. Amy is the Executive Director for the Maryland Art Place (MAP) and a recording artist. The group discusses life as a session musician, transferable skills from the performing arts to leadership, and career advice for protean career paths.

This week, Ryane and Brett speak with alumna and current curator for the Library of Congress, Dr. Nakahara Mari. Mari has worked for over 15 years in the archives in the Library of Congress and is an expert in the history of architectural engineering in design. Hear her story of pursuing advanced degrees, moving from Japan to the US, and the role of the curator in scholarship.

Also, the group introduces Sykeem Lewis, B.A. 2014, M.S.M. 2019, the university's Associate Director of Alumni Engagement, Affinity Programming. Sykeem has a distinguished career in higher education and recruiting, and has joined the Office of Alumni Engagement to build and to foster alumni and students across a variety of affinity groups, including the Black Student Alliance, SOL, FOCUS, athletic alumni, campus ministry, and more! Hear about his plans, goals, and experiences, as well as his most meaningful experience as a Catholic University student.

Join Ryane and Brett as they speak with alumnus and current Catholic University professor, Dr. Shawqi Talia. Shawqi serves as a lecturer of Arabic, Neo-Aramaic, and Garshuni in the Department of Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures. He also had a long, 30+ year career serving as an interpreter for the U.S. Department of State. Listen in for insights on working in the State Department, using language for career development, and what the role of a researcher in the Middle East is like. Be sure to listen to Shawqi's original Neo-Aramaic poem!

Join Ryane and Brett as they speak with alumna Jasmine Musgrave, Manager of Marketing and Communications for the Trust for the National Mall. Jasmine has spent many years working for nonprofits in marketing and communications and is an advocate for service in the community. She has an online following through her work at the First Mommy DC blog and is a member of The Catholic University of America's Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Listen in as Ryane and Brett speak with alumnus Brian Schmisek, provost of the University of St. Mary of the Lake. Brian has authored a number of books and has had a career as a professor, adult educator, dean, and provost across many institutions.

In this episode, Ryane and Brett speak with Emma Flanagan about her career as a young alumna of the university. Emma has already worked for several companies and is thoughtful about what is needed to succeed in different environments. Listen to their conversation to learn more about what working life is like for young alumni, ways to be successful as a team, and how to manage your career for an upward trajectory.

In this episode, Ryane and Brett speak with David Muirhead about his long career working in international development. David spent the majority of his career working in the Middle East and was part of a team that developed a stadium for the 2022 World Cup. Listen to their conversation to learn more about working abroad, developing leadership skills, and what life is like for an engineer.

In this episode, Ryane and Brett speak with alumnus Christopher DeSimone about his career in communications. The group talks about navigating early career struggles and figuring out what you want to do after graduation, in addition to ways for all of us to become better at understanding our audiences.

In this episode, Ryane and Brett speak with alumnus Dr. Ali Mattu about his career as a mental health practitioner and content creator. He has been featured in shows on Netflix, HBO, and other media outlets, and now operates his own YouTube channel that focuses on providing accessible mental health tips. Listen in on their conversation to learn how to position yourself well in your job search, issues facing mental health practitioners today, and how to develop your own online persona.

In this episode, Ryane and Brett banter about the upcoming CatholicU on Wall Street trip with students and alumni. They then interview alumna Lauren Maffeo, B.A. 2011 about her career in writing and design, as well as her new book. Listen in on their conversation for tips on becoming a better writer, how to talk about your transferable skills, and what it is like to work in the District of Columbia where history is always being made.

In this episode, Ryane and Brett are joined by a Catholic University luminary, Ms. Willie Joyner. Ms. Willie has served Catholic University for nearly fifty years, and she shares her wisdom from experience and love. The group discusses what brought Ms. Willie to D.C. and Catholic University, her experience working on union matters, and what makes her approach to caring for people so special.

In this episode, Ryane and Brett chat about the university's career week and the new CACS space in Garvey Hall. Then, they interview Mark Fellin about his career path and current work with Amazon. The three of them discuss working in a large company, developing a professional network, and Mark's time as the CatholicU homecoming king. 

In this episode, Ryane and Brett chat about MLK Day of Service and then turn to a conversation with Lauren Hand Sarmir. Lauren works in communications for Northrop Grumman, and previously worked for USCCB. They discuss the common CatholicU student dream of working on the Hill and how it contributes to career development, interning in Parliament during the Brexit referendum, and the differences between working in the non-profit space and the corporate world. Finally, they discuss a recent CatholicU tradition: CapitalFest.

Ryane and Brett are joined by Dr. Melva Covington, B.A. 1984 to talk about her career in developing research and research teams in healthcare. Dr. Covington has supported research initiatives across many organizations and is known as the 'patient lady' for her emphasis on patients' perspectives and person-centered research. She offers insights on leadership, navigating large organizations and startups, and talks about her role on campus through BOSCUA.

Ryane and Brett are joined by Andrew Wade, B.S.B.A 2019 for a discussion about his young career in basketball. Andrew is currently a coach for the Washington Mystics and spent time in the 2020 WNBA bubble. Andrew offers reflections on breaking into sports, developing grit, and recognizing the role of others in your career journey.

In this episode, Ryane and Brett speak with Dr. Alma Miller, B.E.E. 2003 about her career in engineering, consulting, and leadership. Alma has lead a variety of teams and started her own firm to do help organizations, and her reflections on her career and her advice are sure to be helpful to you!

In this episode, Ryane and Brett speak with alumna Jennifer Argueta Clever, B.A. 1999. Jennifer has served for many years in foreign service, and she has many helpful tips for standing out as an employee, understanding different cultures, and how to develop grit. 

Ryane and Brett have the pleasure of interviewing Julie Larkin, Executive Director of Girl Talk. Julie discusses how she started her nonprofit organization while a student at CatholicU, dealing with issues and anxieties that people face today with empathy, and how CatholicU has helped shape her career.

In this episode, Ryane and Brett interview alumna Mary Bruton Sandifer, B.A. 1975. Mary has had a long career in writing and winemaking, and they discuss how to approach writing, leading an organization and family business, and developing resiliency through never putting your pen down.

In the inaugural episode of Cardinal Conversations, Ryane and Brett introduce the podcast, banter about their own roles in career development with The Catholic University of America, and interview their first alumni guest: Ron Hicks, B.A. 1973, J.D. 1976. Ron discusses his career in the federal government, what it takes to be an effective executive or leader of an organization, and his time in the Partnership Program at CatholicU, among other things.