Cornell (thank) U

Hayley Paige created the kind of wedding dresses brides pin, save, and dream about. By her mid-20s, she was leading a global bridal brand with her name on every gown. And then, after signing a contract at 25, everything shifted.
In this episode, Hayley shares what it felt like to suddenly lose control of her own name and how she navigated a chapter that could have ended her career. We rewind to her Cornell days in Human Ecology, the senior collection that launched her into bridal, and the early hustle that built her brand from trunk shows to national attention.
AND THEN... one of her designs appeared during the Super Bowl halftime show as Bad Bunny performed — a moment that brides everywhere were texting about and Cornellians posted about all over social media.
If you’re planning a wedding, building a brand, or figuring out your next move, this conversation is about ambition, creativity, and what happens when you refuse to let one chapter define your whole story.
We are obsessed!!
Start YOUR obsession here:
https://hayleypaige.com/
Instagram:
@Hayleypaigebride
@misshayleypaige
@sheischeval

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Meet our new idol, Rebecca Rutstein ’93, an artist whose creative process takes her somewhere almost no one else has ever been: more than 2,000 meters beneath the ocean’s surface.
Rebecca collaborates closely with scientists, joins deep-sea research expeditions, and climbs into a six-foot submersible to explore the hidden landscapes of the ocean floor — from bioluminescent life in total darkness to a vast underwater world that feels completely otherworldly.
We talk about how a geology class at Cornell helped shape the direction of her work, what it’s actually like spending hours inside a tiny sphere with no bathroom, and how she transforms scientific discovery into breathtaking, immersive art.
Along the way, we uncover one of Rebecca's biggest fears.
It’s a funny, fascinating, and unforgettable conversation about curiosity, creativity, and seeing the world in a way most of us never will.
And wait till you see her art. Go NOW to her website: rebeccarutstein.com
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University.

Roy Danis ’78 never took Cornell’s famous wine tasting class — and yet he went on to build a 40-year career at the top of the wine and spirits world.
Roy takes us from Oceanside, Long Island to Cornell, where he captained the men’s gymnastics team, and into an extraordinary professional journey including Seagram, Campari, start-ups, and his newest venture, Revival Spirits — alongside business partner Edgar Bronfman Jr.
Roy shares what actually makes a brand succeed, why great leadership is about humility and credibility, and the “all in” mindset that’s guided him through every chapter.
We also explore Roy’s deep commitment to giving back through his work with the Viscardi Center and the UJA-Federation’s Wines & Spirits Division.
And of course, we end with our speed round — including the one cocktail even Roy had never heard of until today. Can you guess it?

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Dr. Nicole McNichols ’97 is a professor whose work explores sex, intimacy, and how people connect.
In this episode, Nicole breaks down what’s actually happening in modern dating and relationships — why so many people feel disconnected, how expectations around sex have shifted, and what the research really says about pleasure, desire, and communication. 
Drawing from both her classroom and her own work, she explains the myths we’ve absorbed, the pressure people feel to “get it right,” and what actually leads to more connected experiences.
Nicole also reflects on her journey from Cornell to leading the most popular undergraduate course in the history of the University of Washington, and shares key ideas from her book, You Could Be Having Better Sex, about what helps people feel more confident, connected, and fulfilled.
She's incredibly fun and she's gone viral on social media - here's where you can find her:
Instagram and TikTok: nicole_thesexprofessor
Sign up for her newsletter at: https://nicolethesexprofessor.com/
Her book is sold wherever you buy books starting February 3, 2026
And thank you to past guest and author Alli Frank for the introduction.

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Asian Americans make up a small percentage of artists on major stages — and Lily Tung Crystal is actively changing that.
Lily is the Artistic Director of East West Players, the nation’s largest and longest-running Asian American theater company. She shares her journey from Cornell to Shanghai to Minneapolis to Los Angeles, and how her work is reshaping who gets hired, who gets supported, and whose stories are told.
We talk about representation, leadership, and why lasting change in the arts takes systems — not just talent — along with the creativity and care that make live theater matter.
We had so much fun with Lily. Fun fact: she’s a sorority sister we hadn’t connected with since 1990!
Read about Lily here:
https://www.eastwestplayers.org/blog/ewp-announces-artistic-director-lily-tung-crystal
Find East West Players and their schedule here:
https://www.eastwestplayers.org/

And a special thank you to Beth Storz, a recent guest and sorority sister, for making the connection.
Not sponsored or affiliated with Cornell University