Cornell (thank) U

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

Meet Dr. Eric Kusseluk ’97, a board-certified dermatologist, former Cornell soccer player, and a true example of persistence.
"Dr. K" (to us) shares the remarkable story of how sheer tenacity got him into Cornell off the waitlist, onto the soccer field as a walk-on, and eventually helped transform the program into an Ivy League championship team. That same determination followed him through Wall Street, medical school (another waitlist work of magic), and into building a successful dermatology practice in Manhattan.
We also get Dr. K’s no-nonsense take on current skincare trends, answering the questions everyone is asking in our game “Dr. K Yay or Dr. K Nay.” He breaks down what’s worth your time, what’s mostly hype, and how to keep skincare simple, healthy, and realistic.
You will love this conversation about showing up and proving what’s possible when you don’t quit.
Dr K's website:
https://www.kusselukmd.com/
Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Some people build careers.
Others build trust (and an incredible career).
Beloved return guest Dave Price joins us for a deeper conversation about what it means to show up — not just on television, but for people who need connection most.
From decades as a trusted television weather forecaster to traveling overseas to entertain U.S. troops, Dave reflects on service, consistency, and why presence matters more than recognition. We talk about how those trips began, what stays with him long after he returns home, and why this work continues to matter so deeply to him.
An absolute gift on a Monday morning — we even tested a few ideas we’re thinking about for 2026.

Not sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University