Shows
Get to B-SchoolEp 27. Karan Buch - London Business School: Masters in Management versus MBAToday’s guest, Karan Buch, took a different path to graduate business education—one that many people overlook. Instead of pursuing a traditional MBA, Karan enrolled in the Masters in Management program at London Business School.
Fresh off an engineering degree and eager to pivot, Karan didn’t want to wait the typical two or more years required for an MBA. In this episode, he shares why the MiM, often called a “mini-MBA,” was the right move for him.
We talk about:
🔹 Why he chose the MiM route over a traditional MBA
🔹 The pros and cons of...2025-07-2817 minGet to B-SchoolEp 26. Rakhi Jain - INSEAD: Getting an MBA in Three ContinentsToday’s guest, Rakhi Jain, just graduated from INSEAD, and her story is full of bold pivots, global experiences, and meaningful trade-offs.
Rakhi began her career in engineering, but her MBA journey took her across three continents, through a transfer program at Kellogg, and ultimately into a new role in management consulting at BCG.
In this episode, Rakhi shares:
🔹 How she transitioned from engineering into consulting
🔹 What it was like to study across Europe, Asia, and North America
🔹 Why she chose to skip the traditional internship to support her family during a health emer...2025-07-2117 minGet to B-SchoolEp 25. Cameron Greenwalt - Kellogg: Embracing Risk and Betting on YourselfCameron Greenwalt is headed to the 2-year MBA program at Kellogg, and his story blends technical depth, focused intention, and just a touch of vanilla. (Literally)
Cameron applied to seven schools before landing on Kellogg, and in this episode, he shares how he approached the application process with the same mindset he brings to the rest of his life: true authenticity beats performative imitation.
We talk about:
🔹 Why he believes juggling too much at once leads to mediocrity
🔹 Why being true to himself was essential during applications
🔹 How he’s preparing to make the mos...2025-07-1418 minGet to B-SchoolEp 24. Andrew Katz - Darden: Staying Focused on the Big Picture, from Mount Everest to Business SchoolToday’s episode is about keeping your eyes on the big picture—whether that means summiting Mount Everest or making it to business school.
Our guest, Andrew Katz, recently stood on top of the world—literally. After years of working toward his MBA, he took time away from work to pursue a personal dream: climbing Everest. And in two months in the mountains, he gained more perspective, growth, and clarity than any project at work could have offered.
In this episode, we talk about:
🔹 What it was like to summit Everest—and how the view shifts...2025-07-0719 minGet to B-SchoolEp 23. Simon Wild - INSEAD: AI, Apprenticeships, and Consulting via European AdventureToday’s guest, Simon Wild, just graduated from INSEAD (studying mostly in the France campus) after 10 all-too-short months.
After years of building a career in advanced analytics and AI at a Big Four firm, Simon began exploring a pivot into consulting. When the traditional route didn’t open up, he set his sights on business school—but not without hesitation. He wondered: Am I too late? Am I too old to go back to school?
Spoiler: He wasn’t.
In this episode, Simon shares:
🔹 How an engineering apprenticeship led to advanced work in analytic...2025-06-3022 minGet to B-SchoolEp 22. Magdala Díaz de Rávago - Tuck: Entrepreneur Baker to Bain ConsultingToday’s guest, Magdala Díaz de Rávago, just graduated from Tuck, and her story is full of grit, creativity, and heart.
Originally from Peru, Magdala built a custom cake business—and while she still bakes on the side for friends, she’s now heading into consulting at Bain. Her road to B-school wasn’t easy: 8 GMAT attempts, a pivot to the GRE, and even delaying her application by a year. But it all worked out—she found her people, and she brought her now-husband along for the ride (he’s graduating too!).
We talk about:2025-06-1619 minGet to B-SchoolEp 21. Kevin Colton - Stanford GSB: Exploring in Business School after MilitaryToday’s guest, Kevin Colton, is currently at Stanford GSB—but the path he took to get there is anything but typical.
After spending much of his twenties abroad in Japan, China, and Germany, Kevin faced a challenging transition out of military life. The shift wasn’t easy, but through consistent effort, self-awareness, and a strong community, he’s found his footing—and says he’s now “the happiest he’s ever been.”
In this episode, Kevin shares:
🔹 The emotional challenges of transitioning out of the military
🔹 How he makes decisions by watching the people he respects m...2025-06-0916 minGet to B-SchoolEp 20. Connor Crandall - Wharton: Pivot, Prep, and PowderToday’s episode is a mix of intense fun and intense hustle. Our guest, Connor Crandall, just graduated from Wharton, and his story is a masterclass in perseverance, focus, and chasing adventure along the way.
Connor spent nearly five years preparing for the MBA journey—starting back in undergrad and grinding through multiple admissions tests (he switched from the GMAT to the GRE midstream). And once he got to Wharton, he didn’t slow down.
In this episode, we dive into:
🔹 His 14-week sprint to pivot from megafund to mid-market private equity—there was no shortage...2025-06-0220 minGet to B-SchoolEp 19. William Adams - Kellogg: Accomplishing Your Goals and Being GratefulToday’s episode is filled with intention, insight, and a whole lot of gratitude.
From teaching high school math in Boston to pivoting into consulting at Bain in Chicago, William Adams' path was guided by purpose—and supported by a strong circle of family, friends, and mentors.
In this episode, we talk about:
🔹 Applying to six different MBA programs, each for a specific, intentional reason
🔹 Making the leap from education to consulting, and what that transition looked like
🔹 The life-shaping power of great professors—and why Kellogg exceeded his expectations
🔹 What it feels like to sa...2025-05-2621 minGet to B-SchoolEp 18. Matthew Dumas - UCLA Anderson: Full-Time Job, Full-Time School, and a StartupToday’s guest, Matthew Dumas, has worn a lot of hats—Marine, auditor, consultant, director of finance—and now, he’s at UCLA Anderson taking his next big step.
In this episode, we talk about:
🔹 His journey from the military to finance and analytics (including our time together at Deloitte’s M&A analytics team)
🔹 How he’s balancing a full-time role as a Director of Finance while in a full-time MBA program
🔹 Teaching himself to code and building a product for a startup from scratch
🔹 What he's gaining from diving into the MBA experience headfirst2025-05-1919 minGet to B-SchoolEp 17. John Koelliker - Leland CEO and Co-Founder: Launching a Business at Stanford GSBToday's guest is John Koelliker, CEO and Co-Founder of Leland—the go-to platform for the B-school community.
In this conversation, John shares the story behind founding Leland, and how it wasn’t just a business idea—it was a lightning bolt, a “I HAVE to do this” moment. He also opens up about the most powerful lessons from his time at Stanford GSB, and why the MBA journey should be about more than just getting in.
We dive into:
🔹 The origin story of Leland and the mission behind it
🔹 What John took away from his own B-s...2025-05-1219 minGet to B-SchoolEp 16. Jake Greenberg - JD-MBA @ Northwestern: Startups, Lawyers, and Ice CreamEp 16's guest, Jake Greenberg, brings some of the most unique perspectives we’ve had on the pod. (Btw, there are ice cream analogies, and yes, they work.)
Jake’s journey is driven by curiosity, humility, and a deep desire to make a difference. In this episode, we dig into:
📚 A technical step-by-step breakdown of how he transitioned from a JD program into a JD-MBA
🍨 Why he wants to be the dumbest person in the room—and how that mindset has fueled his growth
🧠 His passion for working on problems so complex, only a handful of pe...2025-05-0525 minGet to B-SchoolEp 15. Saleh Dadkhahipour - GSB: Finding Your North StarToday’s guest, Saleh Dadkhahipour, knows firsthand that getting into a top MBA program isn’t just about telling your story—it’s about making sure the admissions committee understands it.
In this episode, Saleh shares:
🔹 How he had to educate schools on the prestige of studying at Iran’s top university and working at a leading consulting firm abroad
🔹 Why your MBA application is like a limited piece of real estate—and how to use every inch wisely
🔹 How to translate your experiences into relatable stories (think: "I worked at the Uber of Iran" or "the SpaceX...2025-04-2827 minGet to B-SchoolEp 14. Misha Putnam - Wharton: Traversing Glaciers in Antarctica and Hiking Mountains in PatagoniaToday’s guest, Misha Putnam, is currently pursuing her MBA at Wharton, but don’t let the classroom setting fool you—her business school journey has taken her to some of the most remote places on Earth.
In this episode, Misha shares:
🔹 How she led a 48-person expedition in Antarctica as part of Wharton’s leadership venture program (yes, glaciers, camping, the works)
🔹 The emotional complexity of sharing this once-in-a-lifetime experience with a partner who’s grinding away at a full-time job
🔹 Why “touching grass” is essential—and how escaping the MBA bubble helps her stay grounded in life...2025-04-2125 minGet to B-SchoolEp 13. Kip Winterton - Booth: Being Led by Curiosity🎙️ Welcome to Get to B-School!
Today’s guest is someone who’s charting his path by one principle: being led by curiosity. Kip Winterton, a first-year MBA at Chicago Booth, has a background that’s as well-rounded as it is unexpected—he studied finance, sang opera, and played rugby in undergrad. Now, he’s focused on real estate and exploring opportunities that combine scale, strategy, and creativity.
In this episode, Kip shares:
🔹 His pivot from a deeply personal dream of HBS—and how getting to Booth on scholarship helped restore his confidence
🔹 Why he’s looking toward big...2025-04-1426 minGet to B-SchoolEp 12. Get to Know the Host?!The podcast gurus have spoken: It is apparently UNWISE to release episodes on Fridays (who knew?! I LOVE podcasts on Fridays. I mean what about The All In podcast? Can't I be cool like them?)
We have a great episode ready to push on Monday, so for now, please accept this tiny, fun, glimpse into the life of yours truly. For today, Sarah comes on and runs the show and shares some of her own experience being part of an MBA family.
2025-04-1113 minGet to B-SchoolEp 11. Zach Harris - Kellogg: Making the Pivot🎙️ Welcome to Get to B-School!
This week, Zach Harris (my dear friend and amazing next-door neighbor) talks us through his experience at Kellogg. Through our chat, Zach shares about:
🔹 How he converted two waitlist spots into offers... and ended up at a third school instead.
🔹 How he's approaching his pivot away from consulting into big tech. Does he go big tech or startup?
🔹 How he's ensuring that he's not getting caught in any waves that he isn't intentionally selecting
Zach shows us how simple the choice can be to go to b-school. He en...2025-04-0418 minGet to B-SchoolEp 10. Coleman Clyde - Columbia: Finding Energy-Giving OpportunitiesHow do you build a career that actually gives you energy? Coleman Clyde made that his top priority—and it meant turning down multiple high-paying offers in pursuit of something he truly loves.
In this episode, Coleman dives into:
🔹 Why he targeted Columbia and the benefits of a New York City MBA
🔹The importance of following what excites you—because if you’re faking passion, it’ll drain you
🔹 Why being authentic isn’t just good for your well-being, but also the key to long-term success
Coleman’s story is a reminder that chasin...2025-03-2823 minGet to B-SchoolEp 9. Spencer Holmgren - Darden: Decision Complexities Removed🎙️ Welcome to Get to B-School!
Some people spend years planning their MBA. Spencer Holmgren? Not so much. One day, business school wasn’t even on his radar—then his wife challenged him to think bigger, and just like that, he was all in. Now, as he wraps up his time at Darden, Spencer reflects on the whirlwind decision that changed his career path for the better.
In this episode, we dive into:
🔹 How he went from “not applying” to business school to fully committed—practically overnight
🔹 Realizing his career wasn’t as fulfilling as he thought and what...2025-03-2121 minGet to B-SchoolEp 8. John Kreider - Stanford GSB: How to Roll SixesToday’s guest, John Kreider, took the long road to business school—three application cycles, five GMAT attempts (and two GRE), and countless hours of self-reflection. But it wasn’t until he stopped trying to be the "perfect applicant" and started being his true self that Stanford GSB finally said yes.
John’s story is one of resilience, authenticity, and trusting the process. In this episode, we dive into:
🔹 Applying three times—what changed between attempts and what finally worked
🔹 Taking the admit tests 7 times—and surviving the grind
🔹 How growing up in the backwoods of Alaska s...2025-03-1426 minGet to B-SchoolEp 7. Matthew Spurrier - Kellogg: Search Funds and ETAToday’s guest, Matthew Spurrier, took an unconventional road to business school—starting as a premed student, pivoting into consulting at Bain, and eventually deciding that an MBA was the next step. But beyond just the academics, Matt came to Kellogg with a clear goal: to dive deep into search funds and entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA).
In this episode, we cover:
🔹 How Matt went from premed to business school—and why he never took an econ class
🔹 His journey into consulting and what made him decide to pursue an MBA
🔹 Why he’s so passionate about...2025-03-0719 minGet to B-SchoolEp 6. Landon Eyre - Duke Fuqua: Life Enrichment Now🎙️ Welcome to Get to B-School!
Today’s episode is all about fighting for your spot, staying focused, and making an MBA about more than just career growth. Our guest, Landon Eyre, didn’t just get into business school—he fought his way in, turning a waitlist spot at Duke Fuqua into an acceptance through sheer persistence, strategic networking, and a deep understanding of what schools really look for.
But for Landon, getting in was just the beginning. In this episode, we dive into:
🔹 How he turned a waitlist into an acceptance (and what most applicants get...2025-02-2826 minGet to B-SchoolEp 5. Jake Perry - Kellogg: Sports, Sports, and SportsToday, we’re talking MBA journeys, sports careers, and... overrated barbecue? Yep, our guest, Jake Perry, has some hot takes—including why Texas brisket isn’t all that. But beyond his food opinions, Jake’s story is all about determination, strategy, and carving out a unique career path.
In this episode, we cover:
🏀 Applying twice to B-school and why he kept pushing forward
🎯 His plan to break into sports business (and why there’s no clear roadmap)
📊 How consulting, statistics, and a lifelong love of sports shaped his career ambitions
🔥 Why he’s cold-emailing his way in...2025-02-2123 minGet to B-SchoolEp 4. Jackson Steele - Kellogg: Entrepreneurship, GSB Heartbreak, and StargazingToday’s guest has a name straight out of an action movie—Jackson Steele—and a background just as cool. Jackson went from studying astronomy and physics to working as a software engineer at Amazon, where he helped automate drone operations. Now, he’s at Kellogg, navigating business school with a unique perspective on career pivots, entrepreneurship, and making tough decisions when things don’t go as planned.
In this episode, we dive into:
🚀 His unexpected path from astrophysics to tech
📉 The heartbreak of not getting into his dream school (and how he bounced back)
🎯 What reall...2025-02-1420 minGet to B-SchoolEp 3. Alex & Tyler Muir - Kellogg: How to do B-School as a CoupleWhat’s it like going through business school as a married couple? Tyler and Alex Muir join Get to B-School to share their experience of applying together, navigating Kellogg as individuals, and balancing careers, recruiting, and social life—all while keeping things fun.
Alex and Tyler break down why they chose the MBA, how they made their applications stand out, and why sometimes, a business degree is less about the numbers and more about the intangibles. They also share pivot plans: Tyler from private equity to healthcare tech and Alex from startup exec to venture capital.
A...2025-02-0524 minGet to B-SchoolEp 2. Jeff Barney - Kellogg: AI, Discomfort, Family, and Not Enough GolfIn this episode of Get to B-School, Jeff Barney shares his journey from software engineering at Lucid to pursuing an MBA at Kellogg with a focus on artificial intelligence. Jeff opens up about why he chose a tech-driven business program, how AI is reshaping industries, and the challenges of stepping out of his comfort zone. He also discusses recruiting, balancing business and technical skills, and how B-school has impacted his family life. If you're a tech professional considering an MBA or just curious about the intersection of AI and business, this episode is a must-listen!
2025-01-3120 minGet to B-SchoolEp 1. Ian Belloli - Kellogg: Middle School Teacher turned MBA Admissions CoachIn our very first episode of Get to B-School, Ian shares his unique path from teaching STEM to middle schoolers in Hawaii to pursuing an MBA at Kellogg. He even divulges a few secrets he's picked up since becoming an admissions coach. Whether you’re considering an MBA, navigating career pivots, or looking for inspiration, Ian’s story is packed with practical advice and motivation.
Book Ian as your coach here: https://www.joinleland.com/coach/ian-b-1/mba
2025-01-2819 min