Cornell (thank) U

We kick off the episode with the upbeat song from Looking Up, because it’s exactly the Monday energy you need. Elena Neuman ’88 joins us to share how a 10-minute video unexpectedly became a full feature documentary—filmed on the face of El Capitan in Yosemite.Elena reflects on her Cornell experience, the professor who changed her path, and what it really takes to tell a powerful story—from creative pivots during COVID to finding the heart of a film in the edit.She also shares her work leading the effort to build Cornell’s first standalone Hillel, creating the kind of community she wishes had existed when she was a student. It’s a conversation about perseverance, curiosity, and forward momentum. And it's clear that Elena is a gifted storyteller, maybe especially when it comes to telling her own!Her documentary:https://www.neumanfilm.com/lookingupHillelhttps://www.cornellhillel.org/LinkedIn:Elena Neuman LefkowitzNot sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

This week we sit down with Dr. Shari Brasner, a (semi famous!) OB/Gyn, widely respected for her approach to patient care.Dr. Brasner reflects on how her time at Cornell shaped her path in medicine and shares why the relationship between doctor and patient matters so deeply. Through honest, funny, and sometimes emotional stories, she highlights the impact of trust, communication, and compassion in moments that truly count.This conversation goes beyond credentials. It’s about the importance of a great doctor, the human side of medicine, and why thoughtful, attentive care can make all the difference.You will rethink everything.Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Cornell-trained veterinary surgeon Dr. Jared Baum shares the unbelievable story of how he saved Steph’s dog Buddy from emergency surgery—using skill, compassion, and one very brave hand.We talk about his Cornell Vet residency, the compassion award created in his honor, the night he drove 90 minutes to save a senior Chihuahua named Mabel, and his exciting new surgical clinic, PEAK Veterinary Surgical Care in Delray Beach.We have been dying to speak to a Cornell veterinarian—Cornell vets really are special—and Jared was everything you’d imagine a Cornell-trained veterinarian to be.He and his wife are launching a brand-new surgical clinic in Florida. Learn more here:https://www.peak.vet/And you can watch the beautiful story behind the award created in his honor:https://www.vet.cornell.edu/about-us/news/20191125/college-clinicians-act-extraordinary-compassion-saves-imperiled-chihuahuaNot sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University.

Cornell Hotelie and former Big Red football player Jesse Baker ’09 joins us to share the path that took him from a blue-collar upbringing to founding JET Hospitality, a company transforming distressed RV parks and motels into boutique outdoor destinations.Jesse talks about discovering entrepreneurship early, finding his footing at Cornell, getting into real estate, and how flipping houses and experimenting with short-term rentals eventually shaped his approach to “lifestyle lodging.” He also explains what makes JET properties different, from tiny homes, to immersive outdoor experiences, to the secret behind his luxury bedding philosophy. The grit he built at Cornell still shows up in his work today.Plus, we pitch Jesse our “Next Big Things in Lifestyle Lodging” ideas, and he surprises us with which ones he’d actually consider. He's the best, and we had a lot of fun with him!Find Jesse here:JET Hospitality: jet hospitality.comFind Jesse on Instagram: @jethospitalityNot sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Celebrating four years of the Cornell (thank) U Podcast with a special anniversary episode full of gratitude, laughter, and reflection.We share what it’s really been like building the show, touch on a few behind-the-scenes moments, answer your most-asked questions, and look ahead to what’s coming (and who we’re dreaming of) in Season 5.Thank you to our families, listeners, friends, and the entire Cornell community for making the last four years so unforgettable. Year Five… here we come!Wishing you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University