Flinn Talks

Flinn Foundation
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  • CAREERS

Interviews with Flinn Scholars about their careers and lives.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 18/06/2025

    Alumni Hour - Wendy Cassity on Careers in Law, and Choosing Scary Things

    Wendy shares her transition from studying English to pursuing corporate law, highlighting her various roles over 25 years, including her current position as general counsel at XPO. Wendy shows us how some unexpected paths can stem from a humanities degree, the importance of networking, and the balance between seeking change and maintaining career stability.

    51 min
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About

Interviews with Flinn Scholars about their careers and lives.

Information

  • Creator
    Flinn Foundation
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Flinn Foundation
  • Show Website
    Flinn Talks