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Insights are generated by CastFox AI using publicly available data, episode content, and proprietary models.
Total monthly reach
Estimated from 4 chart positions in 4 markets.
By chart position
- 🇲🇽MX · Personal Journals#1531K to 10K
- 🇳🇿NZ · Personal Journals#4610K to 30K
- 🇰🇪KE · Personal Journals#138500 to 3K
- 🇵🇪PE · Personal Journals#198500 to 3K
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Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
6K to 23K🎙 ~2x weekly·52 episodes·Last published 1mo ago - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
12K to 46K🇳🇿65%🇲🇽22%🇰🇪7%+1 more - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
4.8K to 18K
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
On the show
Recent episodes
Developing Leaders: The Skills and Vision Needed to Change the World
May 6, 2026
Unknown duration
Embracing Luck, Opportunity, and Serendipity: A Conversation with Tina Seelig
Apr 22, 2026
Unknown duration
The Quest for a Problem Worth Solving
Apr 8, 2026
Unknown duration
The Path to Sustainable Innovation Through Collaboration and Community
Mar 25, 2026
Unknown duration
Remain Open to Learning: The Foundation for Real-World Impact
Mar 11, 2026
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/6/26 |  Developing Leaders: The Skills and Vision Needed to Change the World | In this special episode, Eli Cahan (2019 cohort) and Willie Thompson (2022 cohort) speak with John Hennessy, co-founder and inaugural director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS). John imagines a world where the next generation will provide the leadership that is so desperately needed in all walks of life.John shares the story behind the founding of Knight-Hennessy Scholars, providing insight into why a commitment to young people lies at the heart of his vision for change. He also discusses the importance of forging and nurturing strong relationships, including the role that Knight-Hennessy scholars play in building the culture of KHS.Finally, John shares more about his life, recounting how a job as a grocery store bagger led him to meet the love of his life, and recounts a surprising conversation with the Dalai Lama. John also expresses his hopes for the future of Knight-Hennessy Scholars and for higher education as a whole.Highlights from the episode(3:56) John’s definition of leadership(5:40) The inception of Knight-Hennessy Scholars and its aspirations(8:48) Why young people matter(10:54) The value of developing and maintaining strong relationships(18:50) The importance of good leadership in 2026(21:04) Rapid fire questions: people and adjectives(23:48) John’s relationship with his wife(28:32) Favorite Knight-Hennessy Scholars core memories(31:56) Hopes for the future of Knight-Hennessy Scholars and education at large | — | ||||||
| 4/22/26 |  Embracing Luck, Opportunity, and Serendipity: A Conversation with Tina Seelig | In this episode, Sydney Hunt (2023 cohort) and Anson Zhou (2024 cohort) sit down with Tina Seelig, Executive Director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars and renowned author, who imagines a world where everyone feels empowered to bring their ideas to life. Tina reflects on her journey from a childhood spent on both coasts of the U.S., to earning a PhD in neuroscience and exploring careers in academia, entrepreneurship, multimedia, and writing. She shares insights from her new book, What I Wish I Knew About Luck, and discusses the difference between luck and fortune, the role of serendipity, and how intentionality and forgiveness open doors to opportunity.Tina discusses finding balance through career pivots, the importance of reframing problems, and why Denning House is a crucible for luck and learning. She also celebrates becoming a grandmother, reveals her improbable dance marathon achievement, and tells stories about her beloved dog Coco. Sydney and Anson end the interview with a lightning round of questions and reflections on Tina’s impact on Knight-Hennessy Scholars and the scholar community.Highlights from the episode(2:54) Becoming a grandmother and the joys of grandparenting(4:26) Unpacking the difference between luck and fortune(8:15) The wind metaphor for embracing and navigating opportunities(16:10) Key moments from Tina’s career journey(27:17) Connecting the dots: Why trying new things is essential to growth(33:52) How manifestation practices and writing to your future self can create lucky outcomes(37:41) The value of “frame-storming” before problem-solving | — | ||||||
| 4/8/26 |  The Quest for a Problem Worth Solving | In this episode, Eli Cahan (2019 cohort) sits down with Ileana Pirozzi (2018 cohort), who imagines a world where the quality of surgery can be democratized everywhere.Ileana traces her journey from growing up in a family of tobacco farmers in southern Italy to attending a United World College in the Netherlands, and then Brown University in the United States. She reflects on how a tumor diagnosis during her freshman year drew her toward cancer research and, eventually, healthcare more broadly.Ileana discusses her search for a problem worth dedicating herself to, and the courage it took to commit when the right opportunity appeared, even amid tremendous uncertainty. She speaks about how her time as a Knight-Hennessy scholar taught her patience and the value of sitting with the unknown. That willingness to embrace uncertainty, she shares, gave rise to a desire to connect more deeply with her fellow scholars, which she formalized into what is now a Knight-Hennessy Scholars tradition: Deep Dive.Highlights from the episode(2:22) From growing up in Italy to studying in the Netherlands(6:40) How an early personal challenge shaped her commitment to healthcare democratization(8:11) How a professor's trust and an unexpected poster led her to Stanford(12:37) On the quest for a problem worth solving, and the courage to tackle it(17:20) Grappling with the discomfort of making hard and necessary decisions(20:07) How Knight-Hennessy Scholars taught her to embrace uncertainty(22:43) Deep Dive: The tradition she started to help scholars connect with each other(28:14) Favorite Knight-Hennessy Scholars core memories | — | ||||||
| 3/25/26 |  The Path to Sustainable Innovation Through Collaboration and Community | In this episode, Max Du (2024 cohort) talks with Sreya Vangara (2023 cohort), a third-year PhD student in mechanical engineering. Sreya shares her journey from empowering young women in STEM in Maryland to providing educational opportunities and sustainable solutions around the globe, including work in Madagascar, the Navajo Nation, and Guyana. As she pivots from high-tech environments, like nuclear fusion, to tackling energy access through innovative battery technologies and AI, Sreya emphasizes her belief in the power of education and collaboration. She imagines a world where cutting-edge technologies are accessible to marginalized communities, allowing them to create solutions that benefit their local contexts.Highlights from the episode:(2:38) Early experiences in STEM and advocating for women in tech(10:45) Global community service work in Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, and beyond(18:32) The intersection of technology and diplomacy in addressing real-world challenges(25:29) Insights from working on nuclear fusion and learning about the geopolitical impacts on science(39:09) The role of AI in democratizing access to battery design and renewable energy solutions(44:33) Sreya's vision for a future where every community can harness the power of technology for sustainable development(52:41) Sreya expresses her belief in the necessity of lifelong learning, reinforcing her commitment to helping others bridge the gap between knowledge and opportunity. | — | ||||||
| 3/11/26 |  Remain Open to Learning: The Foundation for Real-World Impact | In this episode, Eli Cahan (2019 cohort) talks with Abuzar Royesh (2018 cohort), who imagines a world where there is no inequality between developing and developed worlds. Abuzar reflects on how his childhood spent between Afghanistan and Pakistan shaped his worldview, and how his time in the United States as an exchange student sharpened his awareness of global inequality. He recounts how he decided to attend college in the United States and focus on policy, a path that led him years later to Stanford, where he earned two master's degrees: one in international policy and one in management science and engineering.Abuzar also shares the start of his entrepreneurial journey during his time at Stanford, as well as his current work developing fraud detection and anti-money-laundering solutions for banks in Nigeria. Finally, Eli and Abuzar discuss Abuzar's efforts to help evacuate 450 Afghan girls through the 30 Birds Foundation, and the lessons in leadership and courage he learned from that experience.Highlights from the episode(2:54) Growing up between Afghanistan and Pakistan(5:56) Experiencing the United States for the first time as an exchange student(9:34) Returning to Afghanistan with newly formed perspectives(13:26) Coming to Stanford as a Knight-Hennessy scholar(17:57) Lessons from entrepreneurship at Stanford and beyond(27:26) Helping evacuate 450 young girls from Afghanistan through the 30 Birds Foundation(33:59) Favorite Knight-Hennessy Scholars core memories | — | ||||||
| 2/25/26 |  Human Connection Over Loneliness and Division | In this episode, Anson Zhou (2024 cohort) interviews Amanda Morrison (2024 cohort), a JD student at Stanford Law School, about the through line connecting her upbringing in Montana, her longtime relationship to dance, her work in documentary filmmaking, and her decision to pursue law. Amanda imagines a world where human connection prevails over loneliness and division. She reflects on how the outdoors and ballet trained her in discipline, endurance, and growth through discomfort, and how those lessons continue to shape the way she moves through new challenges.Highlights from the episode:(03:06) Growing up in Helena, Montana and getting into ballet(08:11) Why she began studying policy(10:50) Going to China and studying U.S.–China relations(16:55) Becoming immersed in the world of film and then law(27:37) Storytelling as a tool in law(34:55) Pursuing her interests in law school(52:30) Improbable fact, Denning House snack takes, and advice for future applicants | — | ||||||
| 2/11/26 |  Building Pathways to Higher Education that Everyone Can Access | In this episode, Eli Cahan (’19 cohort) speaks with Sarahi Espinoza Salamanca (’24 cohort) who imagines a world where every child has access to quality education that can get them to a college experience as they wish, where they wish, regardless of where they were born.Sarahi reflects on her journey from being told she was not meant for college to becoming a Knight-Hennessy scholar. She shares how finding mentors helped her carve out her own path, and how her experiences empowered her to build platforms that support undocumented students in pursuing higher education. Sarahi also speaks about the role of community, faith, and religion in her life. She reflects on the opportunity of the current moment to imagine and build systems that work for everyone. The episode concludes with Sarahi sharing her favorite Knight-Hennessy Scholars memories, including an iconic trip to Japan.Highlights from the episode(3:00) When her college dreams were shattered(12:48) Reckoning with an identity crisis(18:16) Navigating systems that were not built for her(22:24) The place of faith and religion in her journey(28:34) How joining Knight-Hennessy Scholars enriched her life(34:40) Reflecting on the present and looking ahead.(40:57) Favorite Knight-Hennessy Scholars core memories | — | ||||||
| 1/28/26 |  Where Linguistics Meets the Law | In this episode, Ashley Yeh (’24 cohort) and Tanajia Moye-Green (’24 cohort) speak with Tilly Brooks (’24 cohort) about her interdisciplinary work at the intersection of linguistics, law, and justice. Tilly shares her path from studying ancient languages to examining how meaning is constructed in legal texts, why ambiguity and “ordinary meaning” shape legal outcomes, and how linguistic expertise can inform legal reform.Highlights from the episode:(03:57) How early exposure to Latin and ancient languages sparked Tilly’s fascination with language and meaning(25:30) Tilly’s three research areas: language of law, law of language, and linguists as advocates(35:10) Research on the California Racial Justice Act and identifying racially discriminatory language in courtrooms(48:19) What it’s like pursuing a joint JD/PhD and navigating interdisciplinary training(53:14) How Knight-Hennessy Scholars shaped Tilly’s intellectual community and collaborative opportunities(56:33) Advice for students interested in interdisciplinary paths and building meaningful scholarly impact | — | ||||||
| 1/14/26 |  Venture Capital through an Anthropological Lens | In this episode, Eli Cahan (’19 cohort) speaks with Rex Woodbury (’19 cohort) who imagines a world where technology and startups are a force for good.Rex reflects on his decision to leave the world of investment to attend business school and on how he began sharing his ideas on social media. He discusses how writing on Substack helped him pivot from private equity to venture capital, where he now supports early-stage founders as they develop their ideas. Rex believes technology can have a positive impact on society, and he describes how this work has given him a sense of meaning and purpose. He explains how Knight-Hennessy expanded his understanding of impact, situating impact entrepreneurship within broader structural issues. The episode concludes with Rex sharing his favorite memories from his time at Stanford and offering thoughtful advice to prospective students.Highlights from the episode(3:21) Deciding to leave TPG and come back to school(7:54) A typical day in an investing career(12:10) Daybreak Ventures and how he got there(18:30) On sharing his ideas with the world(27:58) How does social media influencing fit in?(29:53) Knight-Hennessy Scholars changing his understanding of impact(35:33) Favorite Knight-Hennessy Scholars memories(39:45) Advice for prospective applicants | — | ||||||
| 12/10/25 |  Unrelenting Curiosity: On Knowing Ourselves and the Universe | In this episode, Max Du (’24 cohort) speaks with Barkotel Zememu (’24 cohort) who imagines a world where the mysteries of the physical universe are mysteries not just to those who are detectives but also to those who are not. Barkotel, who is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is pursuing a PhD in physics at Stanford. In this episode, Barkotel shares his journey from Addis Ababa to Stanford, discussing his first experience of the world beyond Ethiopia and his adaptation to new cultural contexts. He addresses the importance of cultivating deep and authentic relationships, and how writing became a valuable tool for reconnecting with himself. Barkotel also explores the role of community in life, his reflections on the role of chance in shaping our destinies, and his fascination with dark matter and the curiosity that fuels his physics studies. He concludes by offering insightful advice to prospective students.Highlights from this episode:(2:33) Journey from Addis Ababa to Stanford(3:54) Experiencing the world outside Ethiopia for the first time(7:49) Noticing and navigating cultural differences(14:28) Cultivating meaningful and vulnerable relationships(18:45) Journaling as a way to connect with oneself(27:28) Going through life in community with others(29:47) Reflecting on the randomness of life(33:19) What is dark matter?(42:05) Bringing unrelenting curiosity to the study of physics(48:44) Humanizing the scholar experience(53:30) Advice for prospective applicants | — | ||||||
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| 11/26/25 |  Deconstructing Cultural Barriers to Girls’ Education | In this episode, Eli Cahan (’19 cohort) speaks with Ayo Dada (’19 cohort) who imagines a world where education is accessible to everyone regardless of any aspect of their identity. Ayo shares his journey from Nigeria to Stanford—an unexpected path set in motion by a single email—and reflects on how discovering Carol Dweck’s research on growth mindset shaped his academic trajectory. He discusses his early steps after studying psychology at the University of Lagos, his PhD research on psychologically wise interventions, and his current postdoctoral work focused on expanding opportunities for girls in underserved regions. Ayo also reflects on how the Knight-Hennessy Scholars community broadened his perspective, the skills he gained through the program, and the global experiences that continue to inform his commitment to education as a collaborative, empowering process.Highlights from this episode: (2:08) Introduction(2:48) Recounting the journey from Nigeria to Stanford and how one email changed everything(4:38) Reflecting on the influence of Carol Dweck’s work on growth mindset(6:22) Exploring his path after studying psychology at the University of Lagos(7:58) Describing his current postdoctoral work expanding opportunities for girls in underserved regions(9:05) Discussing his PhD research on psychologically wise interventions(14:02) Reframing education as a collaborative process (19:54) How Knight-Hennessy Scholars complemented his experience at Stanford(25:13) Identifying the main skill he gained from Knight-Hennessy Scholars(27:15) Takeaways from his Global Travel/Study program trip to Norway(30:00) Highlights from the Global Leadership Program(33:10) Remembering favorite Knight-Hennessy Scholars traditions | — | ||||||
| 11/12/25 |  Translating Discovery into Care | In this episode, Sydney Hunt (’23 cohort) interviews fellow host Anson Zhou (’24 cohort) alongside special guest host Katherine Hu (’22 cohort). Anson imagines a world where all medical discoveries successfully translate into patient care. He discusses how his experiences in research, consulting, and clinical rotations deepened his commitment to addressing the “translation gap” in medicine — ensuring that innovations reach the patients who need them most. Highlights from this episode: (06:27) Journey from New York to Suzhou, China to D.C. and eventually California(11:02) Pursuing biomedical engineering in undergrad(20:01) Reasoning behind pursuing an MD and MBA dual degree at Stanford(29:34) Reflecting on the MD experience so far(34:50) Hopes for his MBA year(40:38) How he plans to use his MD and MBA in the future(45:34) Rapid questions, advice to Knight-Hennessy Scholars applicants, and improbable facts | — | ||||||
| 10/29/25 |  Dancing Between Worlds: IAW Alumni Edition | This is the inaugural episode of the Imagine A World podcast, Alumni Edition, where host Eli Cahan (’19 cohort) sits down with alumni to explore their journeys since graduating from Stanford and how they are making an impact in their personal and professional lives. In this episode, Eli speaks with Bingyi Wang (’18 cohort), who imagines a world where technology and science transcend borders to bring benefits to everyday people. Bingyi shares her path from China to New Mexico, where she attended a United World College, and then to Williams College, where she studied physics before later pursuing a PhD in physics at Stanford University. Bingyi discusses her research on curing blindness, her experiences as a Knight-Hennessy scholar, and how being part of the KHS community has shaped her worldview and commitment to global collaboration. Highlights from the episode 2:46 Recounting the journey from China to Stanford4:36 Reflecting on how Immersion Weekend drew her to Stanford6:33 Connection between her work today and her time as a PhD student10:23 Framing how Knight-Hennessy Scholars fit into her experience at Stanford and beyond14:04 Thinking about scientific rigor beyond research in a time of uncertainty16:38 Founding her first company through Knight-Hennessy Scholars18:09 The value of improv and storytelling21:20 Favorite Knight-Hennessy Scholars memories | — | ||||||
| 10/15/25 |  Caring for Earth While Reaching for the Stars | In this episode, Sydney Hunt ('23 cohort) and Ashley Yeh ('24 cohort) speak with Alina Santander Vinokurova ('24 cohort) who imagines a world where the aerospace industry serves both humanity and Earth equally. Alina shares about her journey from growing up in Bolivia to pursuing a master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford. She also reflects on how climate crises like the Amazon wildfires shaped her vision for an aerospace industry that not only advances exploration but also protects our planet.Highlights from the episode:(3:56) Exciting summer plans(10:53) Journey from Bolivia to Stanford(17:32) Navigating the application process for university(21:05) Becoming interested in engineering, aerospace, and climate tech(38:06) Being a Knight-Hennessy Scholar(50:17) Competing in the NASA Rover Challenge and other improbable facts | — | ||||||
| 6/18/25 | Humbitious: The Many Lives of Willie Thompson | In this episode, Sydney Hunt ('23 cohort) interviews Willie Thompson ('22 cohort), one of the original creators of Imagine a World, and a person whose presence will be deeply missed within the Knight-Hennessy Scholars community. Throughout the episode, he reflects on what it means to be in community with others and how that has looked for him from where he grew up to his time as a husband and father at Stanford as part of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars community.Don't miss: A surprise visit by another person who played a pivotal role in the creation of the Imagine a World podcast: Taylor Goss ('21 cohort).Highlights from the episode:(02:46) Imagine a World/Denning House-style guessing game(05:54) Surprise visit from Taylor Goss(07:18) Growing up in the Deep South, going to Morehouse College, spending a year in Taiwan as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant, spending a year in Beijing as a Schwarzman Scholar, and working at The Bridgespan Group (11:29) Things Willie liked to do in his communities growing up and the inspiration behind his interest in education(15:51) Wanting to start a school(19:49) His experiences in high school leading up to Morehouse and how he was able to form a tight-knit community with his peers at Morehouse(29:25) Deciding to apply to Fulbright and Schwarzman(33:55) Elaborating on his Imagine a World statement(41:48) Being in the Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars community and being in community as a father, husband, and a Knight-Hennessy Scholar (47:19) Value of mixing fields and programs while at Stanford(54:44) Improbable facts, five favorite albums of all time, and Willie's walk-on song | — | ||||||
| 6/4/25 | Trust, Transparency, and Transformation | In this episode, Willie Thompson ('22 cohort) interviews Rachel Desch ('23 cohort) who imagines a world where trusted institutions and leaders are able to mitigate violent conflict and inspire innovative policymaking. Rachel is a second-year master’s student in international policy. Before coming to Stanford, she spent nearly a decade working in the federal government. In this episode, Rachel describes how her upbringing on a military base and wide-ranging academic background have fueled her commitment to building trust in government, adopting holistic approaches to conflict resolution, and potentially running for public office. She highlights the “start-up culture” pockets within government where mission-driven work thrives, and shares other personal interests.Highlights from the episode:(02:21) Reflecting on spring quarter(05:54) Growing up in a military community in Fayetteville, North Carolina(11:38) Going from high school to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to Stanford (19:59) Working on foreign policy analysis and making the decision to go back to graduate school(24:45) Reason behind working in the government after graduating from UNC(29:06) Building people's trust in institutions and leaders, mitigating violent conflict, and inspiring innovative policymaking(36:44) Reflecting on people's perceptions of government and government work(41:24) Advice for people interested in applying to Knight-Hennessy Scholars(43:10) Improbable facts | — | ||||||
| 5/21/25 | Highlights from Imagine A World, Season Two | In this special episode, Sydney Hunt (‘23 cohort), Anson Zhou ('24 cohort), and Max Du ('24 cohort) curate some of the most memorable moments of Season 2 through the lens of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars leadership model. Across four segments—curiosity, inspiration, open-mindedness, and visionary thinking—they revisit several standout clips from scholars who pushed boundaries in science fairs, forged lifelong friendships, embraced mentorship, and built new paths for their communities.Highlights from the episode:(01:46) Curiosity: Catharine Bowman ('22 cohort) recounts her first backyard water-filter experiments, her bacterial-growth grocery-bag study, and how a local science fair project led to a world-record baking soda volcano on the Discovery Channel.(05:43) Inspiration: Takondwa Priscilla Semphere ('23 cohort), Sanaa Alam ('23 cohort), Hannah Melville-Rea ('23 cohort), Jocelyn Ricard ('23 cohort), and Leona Neftaliem ('23 cohort) reflect on building enduring friendships across time zones and how the programming at Knight-Hennessy Scholars enabled their close bonds. We also hear about the friendships shared by Longsha Liu and David Jiang and Sydney Hunt ('23 cohort), Gianmarco Coronado Graci ('23 cohort), and Will Dwyer ('23 cohort).(17:16) Open-Mindedness: Jordyn Sanico and Christian Tanja share the teachers and early-career mentors who urged them to “just try,” followed by Eliza Ennis’s ('22 cohort) insights into empowering community leaders in global health policy.(25:38) Visionary: Quyên Nguyễn-Hoàng ('22 cohort) describes the beauty of slowing down in a fast-paced world, and Khushi Malde ('24 cohort) describes founding an entrepreneurship nonprofit that bridges Kenyan students with mentors. | — | ||||||
| 5/7/25 | Building Resilient Climate Companies | In this episode, Max Du ('24 cohort) and Nikhil Gupta ('22 cohort) interview Madison Freeman ('22 cohort) who imagines a world where technological solutions drive a sustainable economy. Madison unpacks her passion for the venture capital climate technology space and what that work looks like day-to-day. She talks about how she became interested in climate issues and where her desire to do internationally impactful work comes from. Madison also shares how students, startups, and international climate initiatives fuel her optimism about solving climate challenges--even amid today's uncertain funding landscape.Highlights from the episode:(02:48) Her Austin upbringing, time studying in DC, and desire to do internationally impactful work(09:48) Becoming interested in climate matters(14:23) Understanding the increased interest in climate(16:01) Rapid fire questions about Madison and climate(20:17) Work before Stanford and breaking into the climate space(27:01) Elaborating more on her interest in the field of venture capital climate tech ecosystem(31:39) The day-to-day of someone in the venture capital climate tech space(35:22) Working in the State Department(41:22) Advice for those interested in working in policy(45:48) Advice for people interested in applying to Stanford and Knight-Hennessy Scholars(50:50) Breaking down why it is a strange time for climate right now and why Madison continues to be optimistic about eventually solving climate challenges | — | ||||||
| 4/18/25 | Designing a Healthier Future | In this episode, Anson Zhou ('24 cohort) and Ashley Yeh ('24 cohort) speak with David Jiang ('22 cohort) and Longsha Liu ('22 cohort) about their journeys to Stanford and the close friendship they've formed. David and Longsha share the accomplishments and vision behind their KHeystone Project: the Stanford Healthcare Design Challenge, which seeks to bridge the gap between healthcare innovation and implementation. Longsha discusses the motivation behind his interests in the intersections of healthcare with technology, research, and business. He also shares his elaborately planned and heartwarming proposal story (which David played a huge role in). David talks about the importance of community throughout his time as a Knight-Hennessy Scholar and what creating community during COVID times looked like.Highlights from the episode:(04:06) Longsha's journey from Hong Kong to California (and all the places between)(06:09) The motivation behind Longsha's interests in healthcare, technology, and entrepreneurship(11:20) David's journey from the Gobi Desert to Japan and then Minnesota(13:21) David's path to law school(18:02) Their Immersion Weekend experience, how they ended up becoming close friends, and finding community in Knight-Hennessy during COVID times(28:46) Longsha's upcoming wedding, David's role as the officiant and co-best man, and Longsha's proposal story(41:55) Their KHeystone Project: the Stanford Healthcare Design Challenge(51:35) How Longsha's startup influenced the development of the KHeystone Project(1:00:07) Improbable facts(1:01:37) Advice for those applying to Knight-Hennessy | — | ||||||
| 4/10/25 | Empowered to Empower | In this episode, Sydney Hunt ('23 cohort) and Ashley Yeh ('24 cohort) speak with Khushi Malde ('24 cohort) about her hopes for education to spark curiosity, build resilience, and empower students to innovate, create, and lead for global responsibility. Khushi shares how growing up and attending high school in Kenya and then pursuing an undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley made her realize the gap in opportunities that she had compared to her peers--and how doing work to bridge those gaps brings her joy. She talks about founding a nonprofit that brings entrepreneurship education to high school students across Sub-Saharan Africa and shares insights into her current work at Stanford, where she's building tools that help students explore potential career paths through hands-on, immersive learning.Highlights from the episode:(03:45) Khushi's journey from Kenya to UC Berkeley to Stanford and how it has influenced her work and academic path(07:18) The gaps that Khushi is working to bridge and the point when she realized the gap in opportunities that she had compared to her Berkeley peers(11:13) Why Khushi chose to pursue data science and business at Stanford(17:33) Elaborating more on her decision to pursue nonprofit work in Africa, the journey of starting and running her nonprofit, and the work that her nonprofit is doing(25:47) Khushi's plans and aspirations for the future as well as the project that she is currently working on at Stanford(33:09) What Knight-Hennessy Scholars has meant to her work and her experience at Stanford(37:43) Her experience at Immersion Weekend and why she considers it a highlight of her overall Knight-Hennessy Scholars experience(39:44) Advice for those applying to Knight-Hennessy Scholars(45:04) Improbable facts | — | ||||||
| 3/19/25 | Health Policy, Global Impact, and Community Roots | In this episode, Max Du ('24 cohort) and Anson Zhou ('24 cohort) speak with Eliza Ennis ('22 cohort) about her journey from a close-knit community in New Mexico to Stanford’s Health Policy PhD program and how her upbringing, family, and community have shaped her interests. Eliza discusses her academic journey from Harvard to Stanford, plans for her upcoming dissertation, and some of the research and social impact projects that she has worked on around the world. She discusses her passion for health policy, the challenges of translating research into real-world solutions, and her vision for a more equitable healthcare system worldwide.Highlights from the episode:(02:23) Growing up in New Mexico(12:42) The role of Eliza's family and community on her academic path(18:12) Eliza's journey to studying health policy at Stanford and her experiences within the PhD program(25:02) Work she will do in summer 2025 and her past research projects(30:18) How community stories have impacted how she thinks about and approaches global health(36:22) Eliza's work in San Francisco and plans for her dissertation(44:42) Reflecting on community(48:35) Improbable facts | — | ||||||
| 3/5/25 | Making Justice a Right, Not a Privilege | In this episode, Sydney Hunt ('23 cohort) and Will Dwyer ('23 cohort) speak with Gianmarco Coronado Graci ('23 cohort) about how his lived experiences have fueled his desire to work towards a world where access to justice is a right and not a privilege. Gianmarco also shares his experiences studying law in Mexico and then transitioning to Stanford after working as an adjunct professor of law at the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México and as a senior associate at a litigation law firm in Mexico City. Highlights from the episode:(04:12) Interviewing the Mexican Supreme Court Justice Hon. Margarita Ríos Farjat(08:21) The Neukom Center's Rule of Law Speaker Series(11:55) Gianmarco's journey from Mexico City to Stanford and decision to pursue law(19:01) Working as an adjunct professor of law at the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México(21:00) Lived experiences that led him to pursue studying law(32:43) Elaborating on the motivations behind his Imagine a World Statement(38:23) Pursuing a master of law and master of public policy at Stanford(46:32) Being a Knight-Hennessy scholar(59:37) Improbable facts | — | ||||||
| 2/19/25 | Finding Home in Poetry and Presence | In this episode, Ashley Yeh ('24 cohort) and Max Du ('24 cohort) speak with Quyên Nguyễn-Hoàng ('22 cohort) about movement, belonging, and the search for stillness in a fast-paced world. Drawing on Buddhist philosophy, Quyên embraces the idea of finding home in transition and uncertainty. Quyên also shares her experiences attending Stanford as an undergrad and grad student and what it was like to move to the United States from Vietnam.Highlights from the episode:(01:55) Quyên's journey from Vietnam to Stanford(06:11) Her interest in poetry and feelings about how poetry evokes a sense of home--poetry as rhythm, release, and home(13:10) Home as both a physical place and an internal state(33:55) Experiences attending Stanford as an undergrad and grad student(39:01) Moving from one culture to another(45:43) Becoming interested in Buddhist thought(47:43) Pursuing a PhD in Art History | — | ||||||
| 2/5/25 | Falling in Love with Humanity | In this episode, Willie Thompson ('22 cohort) and Max Du ('24 cohort) speak with Catharine Bowman ('22 cohort) about how her lived experiences have fueled her research focus on ensuring that patients living with lymphatic diseases are properly diagnosed and treated. Catharine also shares how her studies led to her falling in love with humanity, how she tries to keep a childlike sense of wonder and openness in her approach to research and life in general, and some of the people and research projects that give her hope.Highlights from the episode:(03:43) The motivation behind attending Stanford and her Imagine a World statement(14:49) Falling in love with humanity and maintaining a sense of wonder and openness everyday(19:26) Adding on a PhD in Epidemiology and Clinical Research(22:56) The challenges of diagnosing and treating people with lymphedema or lymphatic diseases(28:35) The people and research projects that give her hope(32:40) Participating in the International Science and Engineering Fair(43:37) Advice for those applying to Stanford and Knight-Hennessy(45:31) Improbable facts | — | ||||||
| 1/22/25 | Empowering and Serving a Community | In this episode, Sydney Hunt ('23 cohort) and Anson Zhou ('24 cohort) speak with Christian Tanja (Senior Assistant Director of Admission) and Jordyn Sanico (Admission Outreach Coordinator). Jordyn and Christian share their guiding values, experiences with mentorship, and interesting aspects of the work that they do at Knight-Hennessy Scholars. They also share their improbable facts--such as performing in the Carnegie Hall on two different occasions and being able to three prong spearfish!Highlights from the episode:(04:04) Home and their journeys to Stanford(13:40) Singing in the Carnegie Hall twice(15:07) Mentorship and the people who've supported them along their journeys(19:46) Handling negative inner voices and imposter syndrome(22:56) Interesting aspects about their work(27:17) The inspiration behind their Imagine a World statements(37:12) Improbable facts and rapid fire questions(44:20) What they wish scholars knew | — | ||||||
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Chart Positions
4 placements across 4 markets.
Chart Positions
4 placements across 4 markets.