Flinn Talks

Flinn Foundation
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Interviews with Flinn Scholars about their careers and lives.

  1. 26 MAR

    Sara Castro on Her Journey Through the International Defense Community | Alumni Hour Interview

    In this Alumni Hour conversation, Sara Zervos Knutson (’87) speaks with Sara Castro, Ph.D. (’95), about her path from Flinn Scholar at Arizona State University to a career at the intersection of intelligence, academia, and national security.Sara began her journey with early ambitions in journalism before a pivotal decision to study Chinese reshaped her career toward international relations and intelligence analysis. She went on to serve as a CIA analyst, supporting policymakers through rigorous evaluation of evidence, before pursuing a PhD to examine deeper questions about Chinese ideology and U.S.–China relations. Today, she teaches military officers, helping future leaders understand China on its own terms within an increasingly interdependent global system.In this interview, Sara discusses how language study shaped her career path, what intelligence analysis actually entails behind the scenes, and why teaching strategic thinking requires resisting assumptions and bias.Interview Highlights: 0:00 — Early career aspirations and education 2:37 — Learning Chinese and changing career direction 5:43 — Experiencing the legacy of early PRC systems in China 15:06 — Becoming a CIA analyst and dispelling common myths 25:25 — Evaluation and promotion at the CIA 27:48 — Analyst briefing and preparation techniques 31:52 — Leaving the CIA for academic research 33:57 — Insights from the Dixie Mission and U.S.–China relations 41:10 — Teaching China to military officers 44:34 — Xi Jinping, ideology, and grand strategy 48:00 — Global interdependence and global enemies 50:52 — Shared human values across cultures 52:13 — Choosing discomfort as a path to growth

    54 min

  2. 6 FEB

    Alumni Hour - Alexis Darby Discusses the Many Pivots to a Career that Truly Fits

    In this Alumni Hour conversation between Flinn alumna Sara Zervos and Alexis Darby, Lexi shares her winding path from switching majors eight times at ASU to pursuing — and ultimately leaving — a PhD program, and how stepping away opened the door to an unexpected and fulfilling career in executive search. She reflects candidly on burnout, values‑driven decision‑making, and the moment she realized it was okay to walk away from a path that no longer aligned with who she was. Along the way, Lexi offers practical insights on networking, interviewing, and navigating nonlinear careers, while highlighting the power of the Flinn community to support scholars and alumni through every pivot.

    58 min

  3. 08/12/2025

    Alumni Hour - Eric Jackson Discusses Life in China and Pivoting to Linguistics

    In this conversation between Flinn alumni Sara Zervos and Eric Jackson, Eric talks about the childhood dream of becoming an astronaut that shifted after a memorable launch delay—and how that moment opened the door to an even broader universe in linguistics. He discusses his transition into global language documentation, his work in China, and meeting his partner in the process. The episode also reflects on the profound impact Flinn-funded travel had on Eric’s academic and personal decisions.

    1 hr

  4. 05/11/2025

    Alumni Hour - Paul Burkhardt Discusses His Journey to University President

    In this engaging Alumni Hour, Sara Zervos Knutson (’87) sits down with Paul Burkhardt (’86), the newly appointed president of Naropa University, for a wide-ranging and insightful conversation. From living in the Bahamas and teaching scuba diving, to leading the closing of a liberal arts school, Paul offers thoughtful insights and heartfelt reflections on education, growth, and purpose.

    1 hr

  5. 16/09/2025

    Alumni Hour - Wylie Timmerman on Work-Life "Balance" and Data Science

    In this episode of Alumni Hour, host Sara Zervos (’87) sits down with Wylie Timmerman (’06) to talk about the many paths his journey has taken since graduating. Wylie reflects on his study abroad experiences and how living internationally shaped his perspective, as well as balancing career ambitions with family life. He also shares his strategies for maintaining meaningful connections with his professional and personal network when relocation happens. Finally, Wylie and Sara dive into the question on many young professionals’ minds: Is pursuing a graduate degree in data science worth it?

    54 min

  6. 25/08/2025

    Alumni Hour - Ryan Johnson Discusses Venture Capital, Startups, and City Design

    Enjoy our August Alumni Hour as Sara Zervos (’87) interviews Ryan Johnson (’02), co-founder and CEO of Culdesac, a company reimagining how we design cities and live together—without relying on cars. Based in Tempe, Culdesac is the first car-free neighborhood built from scratch in the United States. Ryan shares insights from his path through venture capital, startups, and city design, and reflect on how his Flinn experience impacted his values around community, innovation, and sustainability.

    58 min

  7. 30/07/2025

    Alumni Hour - Nesima Aberra Discusses the Intersection of Media and Social Impact

    In this episode, 2009 Flinn Scholar Nesima Aberra shares how her upbringing as the daughter of Eritrean immigrants shaped her passion for global issues, storytelling, and social impact. From ASU to The Atlantic to her current role as VP at Change Consulting, Nesima reflects on her academic and professional journey, offering insights on media, purpose-driven work, and taking career risks.

    57 min

  8. 09/07/2025

    Alumni Hour - Jake Batsell on Careers in Journalism and Issues Journalists Face Today

    Join our conversation with SMU professor and award-winning journalist Jake Batsell to trace his journey from Prescott to Zimbabwe, unpack the rise of digital storytelling and AI in news, and share insider tips on finding your unique voice in today’s media landscape. Tune in for a masterclass in journalism, purpose, and innovation!

    56 min
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About

Interviews with Flinn Scholars about their careers and lives.

Information

  • Creator
    Flinn Foundation
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Flinn Foundation
  • Show Website
    Flinn Talks