'Cuse Conversations

Bershan Shaw ’95 was given a death sentence in 2009 when she learned she had stage four breast cancer, the cancer that killed her mother. Rather than wallow in pity over her second cancer diagnosis in three years, Shaw used this devastating news as a wakeup call, choosing to thrive in the face of adversity. Shaw turned her pain into purpose, reinventing herself through a healthier lifestyle, daily affirmations and a positive mindset. Today, Shaw is celebrating 12 years being cancer-free, and she aims to inspire others to transform their lives, overcome their obstacles and never give up on their dreams. A leadership coach, motivational speaker, women’s empowerment advocate and reality TV star, Shaw shares her Warrior Way, how her cancer diagnosis was a gift, why Oprah Winfrey chose to tell her story on the reality TV show "Love in the City," why she loves telling the stories of successful women, and how Syracuse University taught her she could accomplish anything.

When Caroline Koller '15 started suffering from persistent, debilitating pain, she began desperately seeking out a place to find answers. After a cancer diagnosis and extensive treatment, Caroline founded femUNITY—a community and crowdsourcing platform for women to discuss their health and wellness questions, thoughts and experiences. It was the platform she had been looking for, but never found. We sit down with Caroline and her sister Laurie Beth Koller '18 for an emotional discussion on how navigating this negative experience has inspired the sisters to ensure other women have support no matter what health challenge they're facing. It's called femUNITY, and Caroline and Laurie Beth hope fellow 'Cuse alumnae will feel the community's welcome embrace.

Since taking over the Syracuse University women’s basketball program, head coach Quentin Hillsman has transformed the Orange into a national championship contender during his 15 seasons. Hillsman, the winningest coach in program history, has led the Orange to unprecedented heights, including the program’s first appearance in the NCAA Division I title game, seven trips to the NCAA Tournament, 18 all-conference selections, five All-Americans and four WNBA Draft picks. Hillsman, who recorded win number 300 with the Orange last February, discusses transforming the program into a national power, using basketball to bring out the best in his student-athletes, playing games during the pandemic, how star Tiana Mangakahia’s recovery from stage 2 breast cancer is inspiring the team, his snazzy fashion sense and more.

Olivia Bowser ’16 owns and operates Liberate, a mental wellness studio that is on a mission to bring people together through movement, community, and mindfulness. Bowser, a certified meditation and mindfulness teacher, wants to take mental wellness mainstream, helping people reach their full potential and become their best selves. Bowser shares how she pivoted careers and reinvented herself by launching Liberate during the pandemic, how she learned to become more resilient, her tips for dealing and coping with anxiety, how Syracuse University influenced her career, and the best piece of advice she ever received.

Growing up, Malaka Gharib '08 struggled to find her identity as a first-generation American and didn't know how to balance embracing her Egyptian and Filipino roots with assimilating into American culture. Eventually, Gharib learned it was up to her to define her cultural identity. Today, Gharib covers the global health beat for NPR and is an award-winning author, illustrator and cartoonist. Gharib is also the author of "I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir" and is working on a new book, "It Won't Always Be Like This." Gharib discusses how she found her identity, her adjustment to life in the U.S., what it has been like reporting on the pandemic, how Syracuse University prepared her for a career as a journalist, and the most valuable piece of advice she ever received at SU.

Chris Snow '03, the assistant general manager of the NHL's Calgary Flames, is engaged in the fight of his life as he battles ALS, the degenerative disease that has already taken the lives of Snow's father, two uncles and a cousin. Snow, who was diagnosed in June of 2019, was given a "death sentence" of 12-18 months to live, but he is making remarkable strides in his battle thanks to an experimental gene therapy that is slowing the progression of this deadly disease. Snow discusses how the gene therapy is making a difference, why he is grateful for every day, how his wife, Kelsie, and their two children have served as his support system, and how he has maintained a positive outlook through it all. Snow also shares why he transitioned from a sports journalist to a front office executive, how Syracuse University and The Daily Orange influenced his career, and why he proudly bleeds Orange.

For more than three decades, John Murphy '78 has worked in the Buffalo Bills' radio booth, broadcasting NFL games to Bills fans around the world. While Bills Stadium is usually filled with raucous fans, this year has been different, as Murphy has called home games before an empty stadium while doing road games from Buffalo with the help of the television broadcast due to COVID-19. As Buffalo prepares to host a home playoff game for the first time in 25 years, Murphy reflects on his career as a sports broadcaster and his path to the NFL, the challenges of calling games during the pandemic, the success of the long woebegone Bills, how Syracuse University influenced his career, his favorite memories from Syracuse and his advice to aspiring sports broadcasters. 

As a certified child life specialist, Emma Simches ’18 supports children dealing with illnesses and their families. Through her work with Team IMPACT, Simches matches children with college student-athletes and coaches to form unique relationships. Simches makes a difference in the lives of these children, and on this 'Cuse Conversation, Simches discusses her career, how Team IMPACT is a win-win for both the children and the partner student-athletes and coaches, why she's passionate about this line of work, and why she always knew she would study at Syracuse.

Wherever you are on your career journey, the Office of Alumni Engagement has resources to help advance your career. On this 'Cuse Conversation, Jenna Collins G'19, the associate director of alumni professional development in the Office of Alumni Engagement, discusses the launch of our redesigned #HireOrange job board — where alumni can post jobs and search openings around the world. Collins also highlights the revamped career services offerings available to alumni and shares an exclusive new career design fellowship with Mission Collaborative. Russ Terry G'00, the featured career coach for December, then offers pointers for alumni who lost their jobs or are looking to switch careers, shares how he transitioned from a sports reporter to a life coach, discusses why he focuses on the holistic approach to being a life coach, and more.

By his own admission, Brandon Steiner ’81 wasn’t a great student. He was – and continues to be – a great learner. When he attended Syracuse University, Brandon was determined to get as much as he could out of his education and the college experience. Today, the proud alumnus is a leader in the sports collectible industry with Steiner Sports and Collectible Exchange, an author and a motivational speaker who makes a point to stay connected with and give back to his alma mater.

When Chris Licht '93 came to Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, he thought he was setting off on a path to become a television news anchor but when he entered the world of journalism, he discovered a passion - and a tremendous skill - for producing. His professional journey has taken him to the top of the mountain in both the news and entertainment industries. His resume includes being the first executive producer on "Morning Joe" on MSNBC, launching "CBS This Morning" as executive producer in 2012 before taking over the network's "Late Show with Stephen Colbert" as executive producer and showrunner in 2016. In this 'Cuse Conversation, Chris talks about his successful career, his Syracuse University education and experience, and the responsibility he feels as an alumnus.

Matthew Berry '92 is one of the best known and most respected voices in the world of fantasy sports. Better known as the Talented Mr. Roto, Berry has carved out an impressive career discussing fantasy football as the Senior Fantasy Sports analyst at ESPN. After graduating from Newhouse with a degree in producing for electronic media, and at a time when fantasy sports were starting to rise in popularity, Berry seized on the opportunity and has been helping fantasy owners set their lineups ever since. A best-selling author, Emmy winner and member of two fantasy sports Halls of Fame, Berry shares how he became the king of fantasy football after a career as television and film writer in Hollywood, the growth of fantasy sports, how he became fascinated with fantasy sports as a teenager, how he honed his writing style at Syracuse and learned to write on deadline as a humor columnist with The Daily Orange, some of the weirdest places where people ask him for fantasy lineup advice, and much more!

Fans of Syracuse University basketball got to know Eric Devendorf ’09 on the basketball court – knocking down shots and talking trash, a role he’s reprised as an anchor member of Boeheim’s Army in the TBT. Members of the Syracuse community have gotten to know Devendorf off the court – organizing winter coat drives, hosting free basketball clinics and delivering hundreds of Thanksgiving dinners to families in need. In this ’Cuse Conversation, Devendorf talks about his special relationship with this community, the new podcast he’s hosting, what made a kid from Michigan ultimately choose Orange over Spartan green and much more.

From an early age, Elizabeth Strout L'82 was fascinated with seeing life through someone else's perspective, so it's no surprise she envisioned a career in writing, penning works of fiction as a teenager. Upon arrival at Syracuse University's College of Law, Strout aspired to be a lawyer during the day and an author at night. While her legal career was short-lived after graduating cum laude from Syracuse, Strout's writing career has taken off. An accomplished and acclaimed novelist, Strout's books have garnered major literary awards, including a Pulitzer Prize for "Olive Kitteridge" in 2008, which was adapted into an Emmy Award-winning mini-series starring Frances McDormand. Strout discusses how she creates her characters and the authors who inspire her, reveals how she was virtually the last person to know about the Pulitzer Prize, and shares how Syracuse shaped her development both as a person and as an author by teaching her to think differently.

College All-American, basketball Hall of Famer, founder and CEO of Michigan’s largest steel company, Detroit mayor, life-changing mentor – those are just some of the titles Dave Bing ’66 has had during an illustrious career. In his new memoir, “Attacking the Rim,” Bing talks about the trademark drive, spirit and philosophy that propelled him for success on and off the court. He shares stories about his life and lifelong connection to Syracuse University in this ’Cuse Conversation.

When Patrick Garrigan '01 was studying musical theater at Syracuse University's College of Visual and Performing Arts, he learned to be fearless, to think audaciously, and to go after what he wanted in life. Those core tenets have served him well as Garrigan has carved out a successful career in the communications field, including his current job as Global Head of Bloomberg Live at Bloomberg Media Group. Garrigan discusses how the COVID-19 global pandemic affected his job, how he transitioned from a musical theater major to a creative communications and marketing professional, why he loves producing live news events, how Bloomberg relies on a data-driven approach to communicate the news to its audience, and why he's grateful for the lessons learned and the people he met at Syracuse University.

In the spring of 1970, Greg Allen '73 and seven of his teammates on the Syracuse University football team, frustrated at how they were treated by the football coaches, sacrificed their shot at glory and took a stand for equality by boycotting spring practices. Among their demands: a more diverse and integrated coaching staff, equal access to academic support and medical care, and playing assignments determined by merit and not the color of their skin. When their demands were denied, the Syracuse 8 decided to sit out the 1970 season, putting their desire to right the wrongs they observed ahead of their own personal glory. Allen, who was recruited to follow in Syracuse's long line of talented running backs, discusses the racial climate on campus back then, why the Syracuse 8 fought to ensure life was better for future generations of students, how their efforts ultimately led to change at Syracuse University, how they laid the foundation for future athletes to take a stand for social justice, and the role faith and forgiveness played in the healing process with his alma mater.

If you’re a Syracuse University alumnus, you probably haven’t heard of John and Jerry Dellas, but chances are good that you’ve been inside one of their restaurants before. John and Jerry co-own the Varsity, which has occupied the same location at the corner of Marshall St. and Crouse since its founding in 1926, when John and Jerry’s grandfather, Jerry Dellas, built the Varsity.  From its humble beginnings, the Varsity has evolved into a staple for Syracuse University Alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the Orange for nearly 100 years. John Dellas '77 discusses how the Varsity came to play such a prominent role, how former head football coach Dick MacPherson came up with its most famous tradition of flipping over the opposing football team's banner whenever Syracuse gets a win, and the lessons he learned from his days as a Syracuse student.

What started with a surprise gift from his grandfather led to quite the career for Ben Clymer '05, the founder and CEO of Hodinkee. After receiving his grandfather’s OMEGA Speedmaster watch, Clymer began blogging about vintage watches in 2008, and he quickly discovered there was a tremendous market out there for content about watches. Today, Hodinkee has grown from a one-man shop to a company with more than 60 employees. Hodinkee buys and sells new and vintage watches as part of its growing e-commerce arm of the business, while featuring a print magazine, a podcast, and a series of videos with watch aficionados like musician John Mayer, actor Fred Savage, comedian Aziz Ansari, and golfers Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman. Clymer, who holds dual degrees from Whitman and the iSchool, discusses his passion for watches, his keys to growing Hodinkee, the role Syracuse University played in his career, and how smart watches will help keep us healthy. 

Since its founding in 1987, the Our Time Has Come Scholarship has changed the lives of more than 1,500 Black and Latino students at Syracuse University. On this 'Cuse Conversation, current scholar Sofia Rossi '22 shares how the scholarship has made an impact on her life, helped her find her community at Syracuse and cultivated her leadership skills. Rachel Vassel '91 and Maria Lopez '05, G'12 with the Office of Multicultural Advancement provide historical context on the scholarship, discuss why it is an important opportunity for Black and Latino/LatinX students to connect with notable alumni, and share how alumni can support this scholarship. 

Hattie Taylor '17 felt lost living in Melbourne, Australia on her gap year between high school and college when she was approached by a women's rowing coach from Syracuse University. Intrigued by the recruiting pitch, Taylor, a native of the United Kingdom, went on to earn a political science degree as a four-year member of the women's rowing team. An All-American, Taylor credits rowing with bringing purpose and direction to her life. She uses those lessons of resiliency and overcoming adversity when mentoring young adults in the United Kingdom. Taylor reminisces about Syracuse, why she relishes the school pride associated with being an alumna, the joy she felt qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, and how she's motivated to requalify after COVID-19 delayed the Games.

When it comes to your favorite films, the actors and actresses deliver memorable performances, and the screenwriters put together an entertaining script. But before you see the movie, Selena Saldana’s '05 job is to market these films to a wide audience. Saldana, the vice president of publicity for FilmNation Entertainment, has promoted films at the Oscars and nearly every major film festival from Sundance and Cannes to London and Toronto. Saldana shares her fascinating career journey, which has included handling publicity for Oprah Winfrey’s multimedia production company, Harpo Productions, and the Weinstein Company. She shares how COVID-19 has impacted her job, the best advice she ever received, why Syracuse University was the only school she applied to, and how her life was forever changed by a semester abroad in Australia.

Whether you’re trying to land a big business deal, angling to get a raise or just trying to get your teenager to do some chores, you can probably pick up a few tips from Joshua Weiss, a 1991 Syracuse University graduate. Joshua’s latest book, “The Book of Real World Negotiations,” breaks down strategies that will help you get through those often difficult discussions. From high stakes matters of global policy to dinner table debates over who’s going to clean up the dishes, there are some surprisingly common threads that – when understood – can help lead to resolution. In this 'Cuse Conversation, Joshua talks about what brought him to Syracuse University, the tips and tricks of successful negotiations and what it means to be a part of the Orange family. 

Orchestrating the Daytime Emmy Awards is difficult enough during a normal year. But in a world grappling with COVID-19 pandemic, David Parks '83, the Executive Producer and Director of the Daytime Emmy Awards, responded to the challenge by planning and executing large-scale, live awards shows to honor television's best. Parks — whose 25-year career in entertainment and broadcast production has included live events, network TV news and sports, motion pictures, reality television, documentaries, award shows and scripted television — discusses how the virtual Daytime Emmys went off without a hitch, how Syracuse University cultivated his passion for the entertainment industry, provides advice for students who want to follow in his footsteps, relives his Syracuse men's soccer career, and more.

People have lost loved ones, their jobs, their sense of security, and even their sense of purpose during COVID-19. Brian Konkol, Dean of Hendricks Chapel, says there is another side that can be nearly as devastating: the damage done to our mental and spiritual well-being. Social distancing has changed how we interact with our friends and family members. We’re all learning to live through this unprecedented period of uncertainty, shock, sorrow and fear. Konkol discusses the healing “power of presence” and what it can teach us during times of crisis, why it's important to find community, and why this disease can’t cancel what matters most: relationships, conversations and our faith.

Charity Purchas '13, G'19 is passionate about two things: providing assistance to vulnerable residents, and Syracuse University. In her role at the Huntington Family Centers under fellow alumna and executive director Mary Lou Sales G'93, Purchas helps people in need get access to essentials like food, water, clothing, personal hygiene items and diapers. Purchas shares her passion for service, why it's important to always show love to people in need, advice for people considering a career in social work, how Syracuse University prepared her for this line of work, and why she bleeds Orange.

For 17 years, Keri Potts '98, G'99 guided strategic communications efforts around ESPN's college sports businesses, created engaging promotional content for the network's NFL and NBA coverage, the 30 for 30 documentary series, the ESPY's awards show and more. But her true passion was advocating for women's empowerment issues, and this summer, Potts became vice president of external relations with the Institute for Women's Policy Research in Washington, DC. Potts earned both her bachelors and master’s degrees from Newhouse while excelling as a member of the volleyball team. She recounts her harrowing escape from a would-be-rapist in Italy and how that encounter fueled her desire to become a women's empowerment and victims rights' advocate. She also discusses her career, why she bleeds Orange and how Syracuse University feels like home. Hear her story on our 44th podcast!

Everything Flose LaPierre '14 does is driven by a desire to make society better.  After graduating from Syracuse University with dual degrees in sociology and public relations, LaPierre worked to help Miami-Dade County adopt affordable housing policies while learning first-hand the important role community organizing plays in bringing about change. As the world grapples with issues of racial injustice and police brutality, LaPierre is rallying her fellow Los Angeles residents to stand up and speak out against injustices. This fall, she is launching a 21-day challenge to teach people to become active and involved citizens, and she’s leading a push to get more people registered to vote. Through her Write to Heal Workshops, LaPierre is encouraging participants to harness the power of writing to heal from trauma. A writer, poet and community organizer, LaPierre discusses why she's driven to make a difference while empowering people to speak up, seek justice and make the world a better place. 

Ruth Colvin '59, H'84, the founder of Literacy Volunteers of America (now ProLiteracy), has traveled the world in pursuit of knowledge. She is a proud lifelong learner, the recipient of Presidential Medal of Freedom and a member of the National Women's Hall of Fame. At 103 years old, Ruth still golfs and walks 2,000 steps a day, as tracked by her iPhone. She recently published a memoir: My Travels Through Life, Love and Literacy. In this 'Cuse Conversation, Ruth shares some of her stories, secrets and the significance of her lifelong connection to Syracuse University. 

Andrew Lunetta G'14 is the founder of A Tiny Home for Good, a not-for-profit organization in Syracuse that designs and builds single-resident houses for homeless people in and around Syracuse. Since its founding in 2016, they have built 21 homes from the ground-up for homeless tenants across Syracuse, with half of the homes going to our nation's veterans. Lunetta discusses why he's passionate about addressing the problem of homelessness, how receiving the gift of shelter has helped these people turn around their lives, and how his time at Maxwell helped fulfill his vision for how his company could impact these vulnerable residents. 

Alex Kline has always had an eye for talent on the basketball court. When he was 16, Kline started his own recruiting website, The Recruit Scoop, earning a reputation as a scout with reliable and useful intelligence. While earning his undergraduate degree in broadcast and digital journalism from Newhouse, Kline landed a job with the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, first as a basketball operations assistant and later as an intel scout. Now, Kline's a scout with the New York Knicks. With the NBA season set to resume, Kline discusses his meteoric rise as a scout, his front office aspirations, his time at Syracuse, and how his efforts to honor his late mother have netted more than $200,000 for cancer research.

2015 Miss Rhode Island Allie Curtis '14 is more than just a former Miss America contestant. A second lieutenant in the Rhode Island National Guard, Curtis graduated from the U.S. Army’s Field Artillery Basic Leadership Course, becoming the FIRST woman field artillery officer in Rhode Island. A public affairs officer, Curtis will help integrate more women into combat arms, part of her mission to empower women and girls for a brighter future. Curtis discusses her passion for elevating women into leadership roles in underrepresented fields, how she used the beauty pageant circuit to promote her "Leading Ladies" leadership platform, and how her time at Syracuse drove her to level the playing field for women in politics.

If you’re a fan of baseball, you’re familiar with Jayson Stark ’73. He’s the senior baseball writer for the Athletic, an MLB Network studio analyst and a Baseball Hall of Famer - the 2019 J.G. Taylor Spink Award recipient. In this ’Cuse Conversation, Jayson talks about his lifelong connection to Syracuse University, shares stories from his career and previews the 2020 MLB season, which is certain to be the most unusual of our lifetime.

From the moment he stepped on campus, Ian Wishingrad ’08 recognized that Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications was where he belonged. The marketing pro’s career path hasn’t been traditional, but it has led to success. Wishingrad is the founder and creative director of a marketing and advertising firm, the creator of a cereal brand and recently reunited some of the original cast members of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. In this ’Cuse Conversations podcast, Wishingrad talks about the significance of a strong brand, the importance of not being afraid to fail and the lasting impact of his Syracuse experience.

From an early age, Doug Robinson '85 envisioned a career in the entertainment industry, preferably as a producer. Robinson worked his way up from the Creative Artists Agency mailroom to become an agent, and eventually he was a partner and co-founder of the talent division at Endeavor Talent Agency where he represented Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, Will Smith, Jennifer Garner, Wesley Snipes, Ashton Kutcher and more. After these successes, Robinson reinvented himself as a television producer, and his executive producer credits include "Rules of Engagement," "The Goldbergs," and "Schooled."  His latest television project, "For Life," is a fictionalized legal drama following a prisoner who becomes a lawyer and fights to overturn his life sentence for a crime he didn't commit. Robinson discusses how he went from the mailroom to a career as a decorated Hollywood agent and producer, how Syracuse University taught him how to create his own personal narrative, and why he helped start the Syracuse University Los Angeles semester program.

Growing up, Sarah Kamya '17 loved to read books, but she struggled finding stories and characters she could identify with as a Black child. Today, Kamya is the creator of the Little Free Diverse Library Project, which aims to amplify Black voices while supporting Black authors and Black-owned bookstores. Kamya has raised more than $10,000, purchased more than 500 books written by Black authors from Black-owned bookstores, and received more than 400 books through her Amazon Wish List. These books are being distributed in 28 states around the country. Kamya discusses why this is a passion project, how these books are leading to conversations that could spark change, and how Syracuse prepared her for her career as a school counselor. 

During COVID-19, churches, mosques, synagogues and other houses of worship have been forced to transition their services online. Shayna Postman '95 is the cantor (prayer leader) and a teacher and counselor at the Town & Village Synagogue in New York City. Working with the rabbi, Postman has helped bring the synagogue's services online. Postman leads daily Zoom services for the congregation, teaches religious education classes for children and adults, has delivered supplies and resources to elderly and isolated members of her Manhattan community, and has even orchestrated virtual Zoom Bar and Bat Mitzvah’s. A graduate of the School of Music and member of the University Singers, Postman discusses the importance of staying grateful, optimistic and positive, how her community has come together during the pandemic, the lessons she learned at Syracuse University, and much more!

Sam Blum '16 reports on Southern Methodist University athletics and the Texas Rangers for the Dallas Morning News, but recently, his duties changed to include covering the impact of COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter protests in and around Dallas. Blum has faced tear gas and had guns drawn on him while covering the protests. A graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications with a degree in newspaper and online journalism, Blum describes the chaos that was his first few days on his new beat, the lessons he's learned covering the protests, how the Daily Orange prepared him and what the return of sports might look like.

As Kieran Pickering '07 watched the COVID-19 news coverage depicting overwhelmed New York City-area hospitals, he had an idea: to fuel these front line health care workers with healthy snacks and beverages. Teaming up with Founders Give, Pickering used his company, Mitchell’s New York Logistics, to deliver more than two million products to 51 hospitals since the initiative launched two months ago. Pickering discusses why he chose hospital workers and first responders, how this cause has taken off, and why it was important to give back to his hometown during the pandemic.

As communities around the world search for solutions to COVID-19, Tito Bottitta '03, Jared Novack '06 and Mike Swartz '06 are using their company, Upstatement, to design three initiatives to contain the spread of this disease. Collaborating with doctors at Brigham & Women's Hospital, COVID Protocols created guidelines for treating COVID-19 patients. COVID Safe Paths is a contact tracing app that allows people to find out if they've been exposed to the disease while mapping out a digital record of infection locations for public health officials. Project Zero identifies what precautions businesses are taking to keep their customers safe during the pandemic. The three discuss the impact these groundbreaking initiatives are having in the fight against the coronavirus, share how their time at Syracuse University and The Daily Orange led to the formation of Upstatement, and much more!

Always the creative type, Joy Cho '01 founded the Oh Joy! blog in 2005 to market her work as a graphic and product designer. Cho combined her social media savvy with captivating content to launch her own lifestyle brand, Oh Joy!, and she has become a trailblazer in the world of personal style. A home design expert, Cho was one of the first users on Pinterest, and with more than 13 million followers she is now Pinterest’s most popular creative influencer. An accomplished entrepreneur and author, Cho shares her personal style preferences, discusses her love for bringing color into people’s day-to-day lives, dishes out advice to spruce up your home décor, and much more!

Lyric Lewis is an accomplished actress, hilarious comedian, and history buff who plays history teacher Stef Duncan on NBC’s hit show "A.P. Bio." Lewis, who earned a drama degree from the College of Visual and Performing Arts, has also starred on "MadTV" and Comedy Central’s "Drunk History." Lewis says she always wanted to make people laugh, and she is one of the funnier alumna you’ll hear from on this podcast! As Hollywood continue to deal with COVID-19, Lewis shares how this pandemic has impacted the entertainment business, what Hollywood will look like once the industry is allowed to resume filming, how she transitioned from a classically-trained theater major to comedian and improv expert, and how "Jurassic Park" made Lewis get into acting. 

Brittany Berry '18 and Logan Bonney G'17 are the co-owners of Anything But Beer, a brewery and taproom in Syracuse. Specializing in gluten-free and grain-free foods and beverages, Anything But Beer was only open for one month before COVID-19 forced the restaurant and taproom to close its dining room. Berry and Bonney shifted their focus to helping the area’s health care workers, many of whom have the same dietary restrictions as the restaurant. Thanks to donations made online, Anything But Beer is providing its gluten-free and grain-free meals to medical workers through a series of free deliveries, paid for by those online gifts. Berry and Bonney discuss why they're using their restaurant to give back to our health care workers, how this gives them a renewed sense of purpose and community, and how Syracuse played a role in launching their business.

Bryan Semaan is an assistant professor in the School of Information Studies (iSchool) at Syracuse University. Semaan's research exploring how we develop resiliency in the face of a life-altering disruption such as COVID-19 is more pertinent and relevant than ever before. Semaan shares how social media can both connect us and lead to a sense of isolation and loneliness, and why, even when we're isolated in our homes, it's important to cultivate a sense of community. Semaan offers insights into how we can restore security in our lives by developing a daily routine, by finding and creating connections with others during the age of social distancing, and by engaging in activities for the greater good.

As the world continues to deal with the fallout from COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, nurses like Katie McMurray '13 are doing their part to treat patients with the coronavirus.  McMurray, a progressive care nurse at Danbury Hospital in Danbury, Conn., is a member of an Orange Legacy family who earned her biology degree from the College of Arts and Sciences before entering the health care field. Her hospital has seen its share of coronavirus patients, including treating the state’s first COVID-19 patient, Chris Tillett, who was in a medically-induced coma before recovering. McMurray discusses how the hospital responds when someone is suspected of being COVID-positive, shares how she copes with the anxiety of being a nurse during this pandemic, and reveals how her time with Syracuse University Ambulance taught her to respond to emergency situations.

Much like the rest of the sports world, the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan have been affected by COVID-19, the novel coronavirus. For only the fourth time in the history of the Olympics, the games will not go off as scheduled, with the Summer Olympics postponed until July 23, 2021. Takaya and his colleagues spent seven years securing the Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games for Tokyo, only to have the Games be affected by this pandemic. Takaya, the communications director and official spokesperson for the Tokyo Organizing Committee, discusses how his time at Syracuse University shaped his career and the decision for organizers to postpone the Summer Olympics. He addresses how these games will convey a message to the world and the Japanese people about the importance of resiliency, recovery and hope for a country that nine years ago was devastated by a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami. 

We’ve all heard how our nation’s health care workers are putting their lives on the line each and every day in the fight against COVID-19, the novel coronavirus. Isaac Budmen '12 and Stephanie Keefe '12 are using their company, Budmen Industries, to produce 3D face shields to help keep our health care workers safe. In a span of two weeks, this grassroots movement has gone from a basement in Central New York to a global scale. Budmen Industries is providing digital instructions for printing up various components of these face shields on its website, budmen.com, while connecting 3D printing enthusiasts with hospitals around the world. To date, more than 240,000 requests have come in from people who want to help. Discover how Budmen and Keefe, who met on the Syracuse campus, have turned their Orange love into an inspirational story of Syracuse alumni responding to this pandemic to save lives.

Van Dean '96 is an award-winning Broadway producer. His latest project, "Jagged Little Pill," inspired by Alanis Morissette’s Grammy Award-winning album, debuted on Broadway in December. But now, the musical, like all performances on Broadway, has been shut down by the coronavirus. On the latest episode, Dean shares how the Broadway community is coming together to take care of each other during these unprecedented times. While a student at Syracuse, Dean re-wrote "The Boys From Syracuse" to honor the University's 125th anniversary. The company he co-founded, Broadway Records, has produced more than 200 albums capturing live Broadway musical performances. He discusses the circuitous path he took to Broadway, how he founded Broadway Records to preserve Broadway performances for future generations, and how the classes he took at Syracuse University served as a road map for his successful career. 

As Syracuse University marks its 150th anniversary on March 24, 2020, we talk to two men who have written the definitive book on the University’s history. Rick Burton ’80 and Scott Pitoniak ’77 are the authors of Forever Orange: The Story of Syracuse University, which shares the stories of the people, places and moments in time that capture the essence of what it means to be Orange.

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic expands around the globe and across the country, life has changed dramatically for everyone. For journalists, keeping up with constant developments can be a tremendous challenge in a 24-hour news cycle. Another challenge: staying well - both mentally and physically - as they, like all of us, try to balance the responsibilities of their jobs with the evolving responsibilities of their lives. In this 'Cuse Conversation, we'll hear from television reporters Lissette Nunez '15, Lauren Hall '10 and Scott MacFarlane '98, as well as newspaper editor Maggie Gordon '08 about how they're approaching their jobs and their lives in our "new normal."  

For many of us, sports is a welcome and enjoyable distraction. For many others, it’s a business, a job, a source of income. In this ’Cuse Conversation, we check in with ESPN play-by-play broadcasters Mike Couzens ’10, Kevin Fitzgerald ’14 and Jay Alter ’16 and WSYR-TV sportscaster Darius Joshua ’14. We talk about life without sports, the significance of sports in society and the importance of “coming together” in this time of social distancing to help one another.

Tired of hearing the negative stories about Baltimore, Aaron Robinson '03 decided to do something to change the narrative about his beloved hometown: he started his own podcast, No Pix After Dark, to tell the positive stories from Baltimore. Robinson, who earned a retail degree from the College of Visual and Performing Arts, knew nothing about creating a podcast, but he was passionate about storytelling, and dedicated himself to this new venture. One year later, Robinson has used his podcast to tell the stories of Baltimore residents who are committed to making a difference in their communities, and his podcast was nominated for best podcast in the Baltimore Sun's Best of Baltimore readers' choice awards. Robinson reflects on the lessons learned from his time at SU, tells some of his favorite stories from the podcast, discusses why he almost gave up the podcast, and shares why his love for Syracuse runs deep.

As Ed Levine '78 will tell you, he "talked his way" into the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications in the mid-1970s and, as those who know him will tell you, Levine hasn't stopped talking. But that makes perfect sense for a man who has built a long and successful career in the radio business. Levine, who got his start at WAER while he was a student, is president and CEO of Central New York-based Galaxy Media, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. In this 'Cuse Conversation, Levine discusses how he built Galaxy into a local radio powerhouse, his love of radio and his passion and pride for Syracuse University.

Ever since he was a standout linebacker for the Syracuse University football team, Cam Lynch '14 envisioned a career in the media. A four-year varsity letter-winner, Lynch ventured into the world of sportscasting as a student-athlete, producing his own sports segment, "Cam's Cam," featuring interviews with teammates. Lynch has played five seasons in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, and while he still dreams of returning to the NFL, Lynch formed his own media company, Heart Work Media, to tell compelling stories. He provided color commentary on the radio for Super Bowl LIII after being selected from hundreds of applicants for the Broadcast Bowl. For this year's big game, Lynch is holding football camps with our troops in both Australia and Guam, capturing digital content for future television and online segments. Lynch discusses his passion for storytelling, how he built his career in media, and why no matter what happens in life, he never stops climbing up. 

Sherman Williams, a 25-year veteran of the United States Army, is an entrepreneur, a business owner and a proud graduate of Syracuse University's Institute for Veterans and Military Families' (IVMF) Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans. A mechanic in the Army, Williams saw how our troops were struggling to fuel their bodies with healthy beverages that could both survive the harsh conditions of Iraq and provide essential vitamins and minerals, so he created Body Aqua. Williams discusses how his service to country helped him discover his own greatness, and shares the lessons learned from his time in the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans.

Director Leonard R. "Lenny" Garner came to Syracuse University hoping to become a professional actor, but thanks to the hands-on experiences and lessons learned from the College of Visual and Performing Arts, Garner instead developed into a respected television and motion picture director. After graduating, Garner moved out to Los Angeles where he received his big break: being accepted into an assistant director's training program designed to help women and minorities break into the business. His directorial career spans four decades, and his credits include hits like: "Miami Vice," "The Blues Brothers," "The Rockford Files," "Wings," "NewsRadio," "Just Shoot Me!," "Sister, Sister," "Sabrina the Teenage Witch," "The King of Queens," "Rules of Engagement," and more. Discover Garner's Orange success story and hear his advice for students looking to break into the field.

Adam Fazackerley ’96 came to Syracuse University to study to become an engineer. He graduated with the education and motivation to become an entrepreneur. Adam and his wife Amy are co-founders of Lay-n-Go, an “activity mat, cleanup, storage and carryall solution in one.” Adam, who with his wife, serves on the Syracuse University Libraries Advisory Board talks about building a business, mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs and why he gets so much out of giving back to current students.

Trailblazing sportscaster Beth Mowins G'90 made history as the first woman to handle play-by-play duties for a Monday Night Football game. Mowins, who joined ESPN in 1994, has called NCAA championships in basketball, softball, soccer and volleyball, and has served as the voice of the Women's College World Series for over 20 years. Mowins discusses growing up as a passionate Syracuse sports fan, why the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications was the perfect place to hone her craft, the path she took to broadcasting success, and more. Mowins also shares advice for students who aspire to follow in her sports broadcasting footsteps. 

After about a decade as a sportswriter, Brian Moritz decided to go back to school. He chose Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of public communications, where he earned both a master's and a doctoral degree. Now, he's a communications professor at SUNY-Oswego, blogs about journalism and sports media and hosts a podcast about writing. Brian joined us to talk about why he values his connection to Syracuse Univerity, what he's learned, his philosophy on teaching the next generation of journalists, on what it takes to be a good writer and much more. 

We sit down with director Alexis Ostrander '07 to discuss her career in Hollywood and her penchant for telling compelling stories. Ostrander, who earned a musical theater degree from the College of Visual and Performing Arts, has directed television shows like FX's "American Horror Story: Roanoke," CW's "Riverdale," SyFy's "Deadly Class," and more. A member of the inaugural "Sorkin Week" immersion program as part of Syracuse University in Los Angeles, Ostrander has carved out an award-winning and Emmy nominated career as a director. Her work on the short film, "The Haircut," which premiered at the American Film Institute Festival, garnered 13 awards while telling the story of the first female class of recruits at the service academies. Ostrander describes what motivates her as a director, where she learned to tell compelling stories, how she continues to refine her voice as a director, and the role Syracuse University played in her career. 

Just five years out of college, Jonalyn Saxer '14 is building an impressive Broadway resume. After being part of the original Broadway cast of Mean Girls, she's currently playing the role of Karen Smith in the touring production of the show. In this 'Cuse Conversation, Jonalyn tells us how her Syracuse University education prepared her to stand out in a competitive field, talks about sharing the Broadway stage with other Syracuse alumni and provides some valuable advice for young actors who'd like to follow in her footsteps. 

Jeff Kurkjian ’15 stops by to discuss his successful career as a morning talk radio host. Kurkjian, whose career started in Cleveland right after graduating with a broadcast and digital journalism major, is currently a co-host on 102.7 the Coyote in Las Vegas. Kurkjian talks about his love of Syracuse University, the lessons he learned from his S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications faculty members and classmates, how WJPZ (Z89) prepared him for his career in radio, and what it was like being an Otto, Syracuse's official mascot.  Kurkjian also talks about his experiences forming Otto Tunes, the all-male a cappella group that performs around the country raising money for testicular cancer research, and the power of Syracuse's alumni network. 

Producer Monica Levinson '90 stops by to discuss her decorated career as a film producer, including her latest work on "Brian Banks," a tale of a football player whose dreams of playing in the NFL were derailed by accusations of rape and kidnapping. Banks, who was falsely incarcerated, was exonerated and now spends his time fighting for others who were falsely convicted of crimes. Levinson's career as a producer has included films like “Captain Fantastic,” “Zoolander,” "Private Parts," “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story," “Trumbo,” and “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.” Levinson reveals the break that launched her career in film, talks about reinventing herself, and shares the impact Syracuse University has on her life.

Ben Holtzman came to Syracuse University from New York City; Sammy Lopez arrived from Los Angeles. When they met on the first day of their first year on campus, the new roommates shared a similar dream -- both wanted to be Broadway performers. Now, more than a decade later, the two alumni of Syracuse University's College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) are making their marks on the theater world... in a way they hadn't initially imagined. They worked together on the team that brought one of 2019's "buzziest" shows, "Be More Chill," to Broadway. Now, they're lead producers on "Gun and Powder," an original musical co-written by fellow VPA alum Ross Baum '12, which will premiere in early 2020 at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA. Ben and Sammy talk about their education and experience in the musical theater program at Syracuse, discuss the impact social media is having on entertainment and share the many ways they stay involved with the "family" they built at Syracuse University. 

2019 Generation Orange Alumni Award winner Kevin Belbey jokingly lives by a motto used by ESPNU - "never graduate." While he has, in fact, graduated (he has three degrees from Syracuse University!), Belbey remains passionate about and connected to his alma mater. He works alongside and represents many fellow alumni as director of sports broadcasting for the Montag Group. Belbey, who was a manager for the men's basketball team as a student, has brought Orange alumni together to compete in The Basketball Tournament (TBT) for the last four summers as general manager of Boeheim's Army. 

On the latest episode of the 'Cuse Conversations Podcast, May and Smith, a pair of Generation Orange alumni (graduates of the last 10 years) stopped by to discuss some of the exciting programming available to our young alumni. May and Smith are leaders on the Generation Orange Leadership Council, a collection of young alumni responsible for organizing programs like the GO (Generation Orange) Pro Series and professional development and networking nights. They share their advice to fellow young alumni while highlighting all of the ways you can get involved with Syracuse University where you live.

For over 20 years, Gianesini has forged a successful career at ESPN, working on popular shows like "Mike and Mike," "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz," and more. Gianesini stopped by the 'Cuse Conversations Podcast to discuss his career in radio, the lessons he learned from his time studying broadcast journalism at Syracuse University, and his advice to aspiring journalists. 

Liddy recently retired as dean of the School of Information Studies (iSchool) at Syracuse University following an 11-year career as dean, and a 30-year career as a faculty member and researcher. On the latest 'Cuse Conversations Podcast, Liddy discusses her distinguished career, shares highlights from her time with the iSchool, and addresses the progress made in helping women and minorities discover careers in STEM. 

Daly went from a high school dropout to the president and C.E.O.  of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.  On the latest 'Cuse Conversations Podcast, learn how Daly became one of the world's most respected economists, and how her time spent studying economics and public policy in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs helped her devise fiscal policies geared at serving others. 

Co-hosts John Boccacino '03 and Chris Velardi '95 from Syracuse University's Office of Alumni Engagement introduce you to our new 'Cuse Conversations Podcast! Our first podcast sets the stage for what listeners can expect moving forward, while introducing you to our co-hosts, both proud graduates of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and longtime members of the media who know how to tell compelling stories.