Cornell (thank) U

Why are New Yorkers lining up for gelato in SoHo?
In this episode, we talk with the entrepreneur behind RivaReno Gelato about the moment in Italy that sparked an obsession—and ultimately led him to bring authentic Italian gelato to New York City.
From discovering what real gelato tastes like, to opening a shop in one of the toughest restaurant markets in the world, he shares the story behind the scoop everyone is talking about.
Along the way we dive into the craft of gelato, the realities of building a food business, and why sometimes one unforgettable experience can change everything.
Mathew was a GREAT guest. See you at RivaReno!

Find everything about RivaReno here: https://www.rivareno.com/us/

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

We had the joy of sitting down with Bill Nye the Science Guy to hear the story behind how he became the person who made Science feel fun, approachable, and even a little bit cool. 
Long before the bow tie and the TV shows, Bill was a Cornell student taking a transformative class with Carl Sagan, playing Ultimate Frisbee, and discovering how humor and critical thinking could live in the same space. 
He shares the unexpected turns that led him from Ithaca to becoming a voice that inspired generations, and reflects on what it meant to later receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 
Huge thanks to Scarlett Fu of Bloomberg TV for helping make this dream conversation happen. 
It’s a reminder that the moments that shape your future often start as ordinary chapters you don’t yet realize will matter most.

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

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