Episodios

  • Update: Justin Neely Reflects On The Fire That Destroyed His Art Studio And The Path Forward

    Update: Justin Neely Reflects On The Fire That Destroyed His Art Studio And The Path Forward
    Oct 2 2025
    On September 17, a 19th century warehouse located in Red Hook, Brooklyn, went up in flames, resulting in a five-alarm response that was unable to spare Justin Neely's art studio home of over 12 years. He's facing the loss of every painting he has ever made, photographs that chronicle his life, computer equipment, and a treasured collection of sports jerseys. In this episode, Justin demonstrates remarkable generosity of spirit, acknowledging that others have it worse and that authorities who are trying (and sometimes failing) to help have the best of intentions. He has a tough road ahead, but he's showing the sort of resilience that I believe will get him through it. If you'd like to help support Justin, there are a couple of ways to do it. You can reach out to him directly (justin.neely@gmail.com, @jn33ly on Instagram). You also can contribute to a GoFundMe he has established to help him relaunch his art practice: https://www.gofundme.com/f/red-hook-fire-plea-and-protest-justin-neely Finally, at Justin's request he encourages listeners to enjoy his podcast at 2x speed. I don't think that's necessary, but I promised to mention it.
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    30 m
  • Jason Spero Is Learning From Both Endings and Beginnings

    Jason Spero Is Learning From Both Endings and Beginnings
    Oct 2 2025
    Jason Spero is going through a lot of change. His father recently passed away following a years-long battle with Alzheimer's. His youngest child is in the back half of her high school years, and after nearly two decades helping to build Google’s mobile advertising business, he is stepping away from a big job to chart a new path, one shaped by family, community, and the lessons of mortality and loss. In this candid conversation, Jason opens up about caring for his father during his battle with Alzheimer’s, preparing to send his daughters into adulthood, and the clarity he’s gained on how finite our time is. He reflects on the pride and worries that come from shaping the mobile and digital industry, and why he’s now turning his focus to entrepreneurship, technology for climate solutions, and reimagining community in an increasingly digital age. Jason also shares how Amherst set the foundation for his curiosity and critical thinking, what he hopes to impart to his own kids, and why liberal arts matter more than ever in an AI-driven world. And of course, he nominates the next classmates he hopes to hear on the show. You can email Jason at jason.spero@gmail.com.
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    44 m
  • Bonus Episode: Will Dix ’77 Helps Families Navigate The College Admissions Process

    Bonus Episode: Will Dix ’77 Helps Families Navigate The College Admissions Process
    Sep 25 2025
    I published this episode about getting into college with my friend Will Dix and former Amherst College Associate Dean of Admissions a few years ago, but it has aged well. As teens and their parents explore and apply to colleges, I wanted to share it once again. It covers most of the major considerations: how to select colleges for application, the importance and pitfalls of campus tours, what to do if a college has an optional step in its application, essay writing, financial aid, and much more. If we were to record it again today, I'm sure we'd talk about the impact of Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, as well as many colleges (including Amherst College) ending legacy admissions. Even without those elements, though, Will's advice is superb and timely. To learn more or contact Will, email him at collegeforall@gmail.com.
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    49 m
  • Evan Wollen on Finding Purpose in Military Service and Leadership

    Evan Wollen on Finding Purpose in Military Service and Leadership
    Sep 18 2025
    It's time to catch up with my Amherst College birthday twin, Evan Wollen. While many of us left Amherst still unsure of what was next, Evan’s path was shaped by a love of history and a calling to service. He went on to spend more than 22 years in the U.S. Army, leading combat units in Iraq, teaching history at West Point, and running the ROTC program at Claremont McKenna. One of the most powerful parts of our conversation comes when Evan describes his work as a casualty notification officer. It is the hardest duty imaginable, showing up at a family’s front door with the worst possible news. Evan talks about the solemnity of that responsibility. It was, without question, one of the most poignant moments I have had in any interview. (For a deeper telling of that story, click here to read Evan's account.) We also talked about the challenges of leadership in combat, where bad leaders put lives at risk and good leaders can turn a struggling unit around. Evan also shared how rugby continues to anchor him today, both as a personal passion and as a successful coach of the Claremont Colleges women’s team, which has won multiple championships under his leadership. Evan and I also covered how he thinks about the years ahead, the importance of hobbies that fill your tank, and why he’s not a fan of the phrase “thank you for your service.” Key Takeaways Evan gives a first-hand account of one of the hardest jobs anyone in military life can ever have: being a casualty notification officer. Leadership was the through line of Evan’s Army career. Good leaders build trust and purpose, while bad leaders can bring an entire unit down. Why he's not a fan of the phrase, "thank you for your service." The gifts he took from Amherst, including ROTC, rugby, and lifetime friendships. Whom from the Class of '94 he wants me to interview next. You can contact Evan via email at ehwollen@yahoo.com. Correction: I misidentified the rugby teams Evan coached to championships. They should be pronounced as plural "fifteens" and "sevens," not "fifteen-s" and "seven-s."
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    52 m
  • JC Leveque Makes The Case For Conversation As A Surgeon’s Best Tool

    JC Leveque Makes The Case For Conversation As A Surgeon’s Best Tool
    Sep 10 2025
    What do 1990s college radio, Richard Scarry's picture books, and complex spine surgery have in common? They’re all part of JC Leveque's journey. Today he’s the Section Head of Neurosurgery at Virginia Mason in Seattle, but his path included years on the road with his Amherst-born band Rosemary Caine, the decision to, as he put it, “step off the bus” before med school, and a career built around making some of the hardest conversations easier for his patients. In this episode, you’ll hear about: How JC knew it was time to walk away from his band Rosemary Caine to pursue medicine His take on spinal surgery as both engineering and art The Richard Scarry moment that made Seattle feel like home What he’s learned about patient communication from time on stage And, as always, JC names the classmates he'd like to hear on the podcast. You can email him at jcleveque@me.com.
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    55 m
  • Jordan Hayslip Lives At The Intersection Of Teaching, Coaching, And Making

    Jordan Hayslip Lives At The Intersection Of Teaching, Coaching, And Making
    Sep 4 2025
    When you think of Amherst football in the early ’90s, you probably remember linebacker Jordan Hayslip, a four-year starter and anchor of the defense. But Jordan was much more than a gifted athlete. An English and Fine Arts double major, today he describes himself as a teacher, coach, and maker. I call him a Renaissance man who has woven together art, athletics, and community in ways that feel deeply intentional. After years teaching in Watts, working as a coach and educator in Hawaii, and experimenting as a furniture builder in Los Angeles, Jordan returned to Amherst in 2018 with his wife Sarah (a Hampshire grad) and their two children. He now works in the Amherst College athletic department, supporting student athletes’ development with a focus on mental health. Outside of that role, you’ll find him in his woodshop turning local trees into furniture, painting landscapes of the Pioneer Valley, and hosting classmates when they come back to campus. Jordan opens up about his own mental health journey, the lessons he’s drawn from coaching and teaching, and why Amherst — the town and the college — continues to shape his life decades after graduation. Conversation highlights include: Jordan lives at the intersection of teaching, coaching, and making, three pursuits that form the through-line of his life. On becoming a mental health advocate: Jordan speaks openly about his own mental health struggles and how they shape the way he supports Amherst student athletes today. The meditative power of making: Whether painting on trails or building furniture from local trees, Jordan sees his creative practice as both expression and therapy. The Amherst classmates he wants to hear from next To contact Jordan, email him at jordanhayslip72@gmail.com or jchayslip94@amherst.edu, or visit his website, jordanhayslip.com, to see his handcrafted furniture.
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    43 m
  • Bonus Episode: Professor Emeritus Barry O’Connell

    Bonus Episode: Professor Emeritus Barry O’Connell
    Sep 1 2025
    My favorite podcast episodes of all-time tend to feature friends, family, teammates, classmates, and others who love each other. Their warmth comes through every time. Every episode I publish is precious to me, but I love this one in particular because of the deep affection and respect that emerges between a beloved teacher and one of his former students. Classmate Ben Batory sits down with Amherst College Professor Emeritus Barry O'Connell and explores Barry's origin story and journey into higher ed. Along the way, you'll come to see just how Barry came to possess not only a powerful voice, but also how for over 50 years he has helped his students find their own voices. Kudos to Ben for his persistence and determination in making this happen. I never took a class with Barry. More than ever, I wish I had.
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    1 h y 14 m
  • Alisa Pincus Finds Home Abroad

    Alisa Pincus Finds Home Abroad
    Aug 28 2025
    Alisa Pincus is in the 22nd year of a five-year plan to live in Sydney, Australia. After starting her legal career in New York, a blind date changed her trajectory, leading her to Australia, a global role with Nielsen, and extensive travel across the Asia Pacific region. In this episode, Alisa reflects on the ways being an expat has shaped her perspective on America, Australia, and herself. She also shares the highlights of her years in corporate law — and her decision to step back and focus on family and board work. Listeners will hear: What it was like to trade New York City law for Sydney — and how five years turned into 22 The challenges and rewards of working across vastly different Asia Pacific cultures Stories from a three-month family adventure around the world (including an Amherst reunion) How Amherst prepared her for a life of pivots and possibilities The classmates she’d like to hear from next To get in touch with Alisa, email her at  alisa.pincus@gmail.com and find her on Instagram: @alisapincus. Big thanks to Ed Castillo for nominating Alisa!
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    58 m