Cornell (thank) U

Cornell (thank) U
  • 4.8 (32)
  • Comedy Interviews
  • Updated Weekly

Take a trip down memory lane with other Cornellians. Weekly conversations with Michelle and Stephanie will introduce you to past and present Cornellians to hear where they are now and why they are most thankful to Cornell. (Not affiliated with or sponsored by Cornell University)

  1. 4d ago

    There Are Only 24 Hours in a Day. Ayotunde Ejiko Uses All of Them.

    Ayotunde Ejiko is only 20 years old, but somehow he has already fit an extraordinary amount into those 20 years. He grew up in Nigeria, moved to the United States at 11, became one of the top high school sprinters in Washington, D.C., and learned early that when something isn’t working, you don’t just complain about it—you figure out how to make it better. Today, Ayotunde is a Division I sprinter at Cornell studying Information Science and Sociology, while also fitting in internships, campus organizations, community work, friends and everything else that comes with being a college student. We talk about what it was like moving to America as a kid with an accent, why he started speaking up for other students during COVID, and how those experiences shaped the way he thinks about leadership and creating change. Ayotunde also takes us inside the intense world of sprinting, where you can train for months for a race that lasts about 10 seconds. He tells us how he ended up at Cornell, why he initially couldn’t believe an Ivy League school wanted him, and why one of the most important things he has learned at Cornell is that sometimes you simply can’t do everything at once. We also talk about his interest in the intersection of people, technology and data, what he’s learning from his internships, and how he thinks about a future that is still very much taking shape. Despite everything he’s already accomplished, when we ask what he ultimately wants, his answer is refreshingly simple: to be happy, keep learning and leave the world better than he found it. And of course, we had to find out exactly what a Cornell sprinter is—and isn’t—willing to sprint for. Ayotunde is smart, funny, thoughtful, curious and incredibly driven. We have a feeling he’s just getting started. Special thanks to Tony Chen for introducing us to Ayotunde, thank you! Instagram: ayoitstunde Cornell Track and Field profile: https://cornellbigred.com/sports/mens-track-and-field/roster/ayotunde-ejiko/85711 Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

  2. Aug 3

    The Mindset of an Athlete. The Heart of a Doctor. - Ruthie Jones

    When we first met Ruthie Jones, we knew she had an incredible story. A Division I soccer goalie at Duke. A first-year student at Weill Cornell Medicine. But what surprised us most wasn't her resume—it was the way she thinks. Ruthie shares how growing up in a family of athletes taught her confidence, resilience, and teamwork, why one decision at age 11 changed the course of her life, and how the mindset she developed as a goalkeeper has prepared her for the challenges of becoming a doctor. We also talk about what life is really like as a first-year medical student, balancing athletics with academics, anatomy lab and cadavers (yeesh), moving to New York City after Duke, and the friendships she's found at Weill Cornell. Plus, we couldn't resist talking about our medical pet peeves. It's a great story of how remarkable people find their paths. We loved her! Shout out to her whole family and especially to her brother, Daniel Jones for bringing us all together. And a thank you too to Jack Gitlin - the Jones friendship started with him. Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

  3. Jul 27

    The Humanity Behind the Headlines with KATE SNOW!

    She's here!! This interview has been at the top of our wish list for a long time. Most people know Kate Snow as the journalist they've welcomed into their homes for decades. We walked away appreciating her even more—not just for the stories she's covered, but for the humanity she brings to every one of them. In this episode, Kate takes us from Cornell to local news, CNN, ABC, and NBC News, sharing the moments that shaped her career—and her. We talk about earning the trust of people during the hardest moments of their lives and why the toughest conversations don't begin with the first question—they begin before the interview ever starts. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at live television, hear why music has always been such an important part of Kate's life, and laugh about a few moments that remind us there's a really fun and relatable person behind the anchor desk. What stayed with us most is that this conversation isn't just about Kate's television career. It's about curiosity, empathy, resilience, and the extraordinary impact one person can have simply by making others feel seen, heard, and respected. A special thank you to our friend Dave Price for introducing us to Kate. Dave, you've made so many wonderful introductions over the years that we're starting to think you deserve an honorary producer credit. Thank you for always thinking of us—and for bringing Kate into the Cornell (Thank) U family. Whether you've watched Kate for years or are just getting to know her, we hope you'll finish this episode feeling exactly as we did: inspired by the journalist, grateful for the storyteller, and genuinely touched by the person. Editor's Note: Since recording this episode, I (Michelle) had the chance to see Kate and Snowdrift perform live, and they were phenomenal. The energy was incredible, they played so many songs we loved, and the night had an unexpected Cornell twist—I was reunited with one of Kate's sorority sisters and our former housemate, Donna Pekala Kirsh, and finally got to meet friend of the podcast Joe Marraccino. It made an already special conversation feel even more personal. Here's where you can find Kate: Instagram: @TVKateSnow Facebook: @TVKateSnow The Drink Podcast!! https://www.nbcnews.com/the-drink-with-kate-snow LinkedIn: Kate Snow  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-snow-90527013b/ Music (you MUST listen!): https://hyperfollow.com/katesnow Also on Apple Music and Spotify. Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University.

  4. Jul 20

    The Beauty Product Hiding in Plain Sight: Founder Rachel Glass

    What if one of the best beauty products has been sitting in your medicine cabinet all along? Three years after her first visit to Cornell (Thank) U, GlossLab founder Rachel Glass is back with her newest venture, le-balme—and the story behind it is fascinating. Rachel shares why she believes petroleum jelly has been one of skincare's best-kept secrets, how she partnered with a New York dermatologist to rethink a product that's been around for generations (what they've done is amazing), and why she couldn't stop thinking about this idea until she brought it to life. We also talk about what changed after GlossLab, what she learned the first time around, why she's building this company differently, and how she decides which ideas are worth chasing. Whether you're an entrepreneur, someone who loves hearing how products come to life, or just curious about the next thing you'll probably be throwing into your bag, this conversation is full of insights, honest reflections, and one product we have a feeling you'll be hearing a lot more about. Launching! You can get on the waitlist and get more info here: Oficinale.com and lebalme.com  and on Instagram: @oficinale.co and @lebalme.co Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

  5. Jul 13

    She Never Wanted Fame. Then She Became Justine Snacks

    She never planned to become Justine Snacks. Today, Justine Doiron ('16) has built a community of more than 4 million followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, along with a New York Times bestselling cookbook. But behind the viral recipes is a story that's thoughtful, surprising, and deeply personal. In this episode, Justine shares how a Cornell Hotelie became one of the internet's most beloved food creators. She opens up about losing her father before college, the cold email that changed her life, the corporate job that forced her to choose between PR and social media, and why, even today, she says she never wanted fame. She also takes us back to her Cornell years—from Low Rise 6 to HumorUs, and the people who helped shape the person she would become. Whether you know her well as Justine Snacks or you're meeting her for the first time, this conversation is about taking chances, embracing unexpected opportunities, and finding the confidence to build a life that looks nothing like the one you imagined. TikTok: Justine_Snacks Instagram: justine_snacks YouTube: justine_snacks Not Sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

  6. Jul 6

    The Ultimate Cornell Bucket List (Built by 250 Guests)

    What does the perfect day at Cornell look like? After interviewing 250 incredible guests on the Cornell (Thank) U Podcast, we noticed something. No matter when they were at Cornell—or what they studied—they kept coming back to many of the same memories: • The same dorms  • The same classes  • The same professors  • The same study spots  • The same bars  • The same late-night food So, to celebrate our 250th guest, we asked ourselves one question: What would the ultimate day at Cornell look like? How many of our guests' picks would make your list? If this episode brings back a favorite Cornell memory, please share it with a classmate—and tell us what you'd add to your perfect Cornell day on Instagram @cornellthanku or Facebook @cornell thanku. Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

  7. Jun 29

    This Cornell Student Became the Acting Mayor of Ithaca- Eric Rosario '91

    How does a first-generation kid from Brooklyn end up becoming the Acting Mayor of Ithaca? For Eric Rosario '91, it all started with one history professor whose book inspired him to apply to Cornell. That one decision changed the course of his life in ways he never could have imagined. Eric is one of those people who instantly makes you feel like you've known him forever. He's thoughtful, funny, incredibly humble, and deeply committed to serving others. In this episode, we talk about the professors who shaped him, the unexpected campus job that turned into a lifelong career in philanthropy, and how years of investing in his community eventually led him to become Acting Mayor of Ithaca. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at the fascinating relationship between Cornell and the City of Ithaca, hear some of Eric's favorite hidden gems around town, and learn why leadership is really all about relationships. If you've ever wondered how one decision can completely change the trajectory of your life—or you've ever wanted to hear from someone who has dedicated his career to making both Cornell and Ithaca better—you are going to love Eric's story. We did! Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

  8. Jun 22

    They Invested in Her Future. She Built It - Alexis Gabler '24

    We had the honor and fun of talking with Alexis Gabler '24, whose connection to Cornell began long before she ever arrived in Ithaca. After her father, Cornell alumnus Fred Gabler, was killed on September 11th, his closest friends—including our Vino—made an extraordinary commitment to be a loving part of her life and to help secure her future. Years later, Alexis graduated from Cornell Human Ecology and built a career in fashion, transforming a remarkable gift into something entirely her own. Alexis shares her unique relationship with the friends who helped keep her father's memory alive, an incredible mom, her journey from New York City artist to fashion professional, her experiences navigating Cornell during the COVID years, and the internships and opportunities that led her from Sense-ational You and Saks to her current role at Theory. This is a conversation about resilience, community, gratitude, and what can happen when people invest in someone's future—and she builds something extraordinary with it. Connect with Alexis: LinkedIn: Alexis Gabler Vino's episode: 242 Julia Deney of Sense-ational You's episode: 142 Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

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About

Take a trip down memory lane with other Cornellians. Weekly conversations with Michelle and Stephanie will introduce you to past and present Cornellians to hear where they are now and why they are most thankful to Cornell. (Not affiliated with or sponsored by Cornell University)

Information

  • Creator
    Cornell (thank) U
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    250
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Cornell (thank) U
  • Show Website
    Cornell (thank) U

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