Learning From Experience

Learning From Experience

Join alumni from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at ASU as they share their personal stories of successes and failures and tips for navigating the real world after graduation.

Episodes

July 2, 2025 17 mins

"Biomedical research goes into making all of the life saving medications that people take in order to keep themselves healthy. It goes into cancer treatment. It goes into infectious disease treatment, vaccines, all of the things that keep us healthy and safe."

Chloe Leff graduated from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University in 2024 with degrees in biochemistry and, molecular biosciences and biotechnolo...

Mark as Played

"Give yourself the allowance to know that there are no wrong choices in whichever move that you make."

Michael Houang graduated from Arizona State University in 2018 as a triple major in sociology, economics and business with an emphasis in global politics.

Houang's passion for international affairs and higher education took the Arizona native to China as an English education volunteer, Georgia as a political grassroots organizer a...

Mark as Played

"More likely than not, you’re going to have all these credentials, you’re going to have something about you that deserves a higher market value."

Lainey Waldman graduated from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University in 2023 with a degree in actuarial science. Now she works as a health care actuarial senior analyst with The Cigna Group.

Listen to Waldman’s guidance on how to negotiate your salary, as wel...

Mark as Played

"Don’t be afraid to figure out what works and doesn’t work for you — don’t be afraid of failure. You’re not going to know what works for you, your family and your obligations if it’s not trial and error."

Sally Velez graduated from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University in 2023 with degrees in English and history. Today she is working with Dog Tag, a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., as a developmen...

Mark as Played

"Take time to try everything and find out what you’re good at. Be like your mentors, be like your colleagues — absorb information and experiences from other people."

Kara Gasperone graduated from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in family and human development, followed by a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy in 2010. Today she has her own practice in ...

Mark as Played

"They really taught me the importance of finding a mission and networking in order to get that mission done. That helped me out a lot when it came to getting my venture off the ground at a young age."

Aimee Parker graduated from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in communication and a minor in African American studies. She has since launched her own advertising age...

Mark as Played
January 8, 2025 14 mins

"Things change, people change and so do our interests. It’s only human and natural for us to want to keep evolving, especially when it comes to career paths."

Lilliana Gonzalez graduated from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University in 2022 with bachelor’s degrees in history and justice studies. She now works in insurance authorizations and has written several plays after originally intending to attend l...

Mark as Played

“The most surprising thing that I’ve learned about myself and my career interests is the significance of flexibility and openness to new opportunities.”

Danielle Leonhardt graduated from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences (conservation biology and ecology) and a minor in sustainability. After originally pursuing a career in sustainability, she...

Mark as Played
November 6, 2024 12 mins

"(Having multiple skill sets) has helped me to not only advance in my career, but it gives me a seat at more tables because I bring more perspectives from different places."

Karen Gribosh graduated from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University in 2023 with a master’s degree in sociology. She currently works as a crisis intervention and IEP counselor at the Lincoln Center for Family and Youth.

Listen to G...

Mark as Played
October 2, 2024 14 mins

"It’s amazing how the community will come together for you and your mission.”

Sandra Stewart graduated from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University in 2023 with a degree in English and a minor in political science. After overcoming homelessness in her childhood, she is now in law school and founded a nonprofit for houseless youth called “Light the Way Birthdays.” 

Listen to Stewart talk about how she is...

Mark as Played
September 4, 2024 16 mins

"If you can find those things that drive you, that’s the key. Explore and try to find what sparks that passion and meaning in your life."

Aditya Khuller earned a master’s degree and PhD in geological sciences from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University after completing his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. He is currently working for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he studies planetar...

Mark as Played

"The first thing I did was take a step back. For me that was taking time to sit down and evaluate what am I doing right now with my life, what do I need to change and what can I do to do that."

In 2023, Esteban Espinoza earned a degree in global studies with a minor in Asian languages from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University. Now he’s pursuing his master’s degree in global security and is in Indones...

Mark as Played

"There is this saying that is the basis of Zen philosophy, which is life is one continuous mistake. It’s this circle of continuous learning through mistakes and through experiences. Don’t be afraid." After a life on the road as a touring musician, Peter Costa attended Arizona State University to pursue a degree in physics from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as well as a degree in music composition.

Listen to Costa discu...

Mark as Played

"'Perfect' is an allusion. Let yourself enjoy the experience and let yourself learn," said Courtney Barger.

Barger earned two degrees from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2020, one in economics and the other in justice studies. She then went on to complete law school. Listen to Barger discuss how her dual degrees helped her become an adaptable law student.

Mark as Played

"Trial and error is not the enemy. Even though it’s hard, [that] doesn’t mean it’s impossible. So, try to see what you can do... and try as many things as you possibly can," said Hannah Johnson.

Johnson graduated with two bachelor’s degrees from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2021, one in philosophy and the other in political science. Currently, she works as a policy advisor for the Office of the Arizona Governor. List...

Mark as Played
February 7, 2024 15 mins

“At the end of the day, the most important thing is pouring into your own cup.”

Elaissia Sears obtained her BA in global studies with a minor in German from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2017. In 2019, Sears became the youngest person, and the third African American woman in Arizona history, elected Justice of the Peace for the West Mesa Justice Court.

Hear her reflect on how she balances a fulfilling life of public s...

Mark as Played
January 3, 2024 19 mins

Rayne Simmonds earned a Bachelor of Arts in film and media studies from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2018. She reflected on her career as a junior creative producer and how a move to Los Angeles developed her artistic approach.

"I wanted to make the next step into full-time creative," noted Simmonds. "I’m able to learn, grow, fail... all of those things, but under the guidance of someone who’s a lot more experienced ...

Mark as Played

"Because of my life experiences, all the things I went through... the only thing I could do is to go to school and get a higher education, so that someday I would be able to advocate for the voiceless," said Murray.

Prince Murray fled conflict in Liberia and settled in the United States as a child. Despite num...

Mark as Played

Madison Billingsley earned a biochemistry degree from the School of Molecular Sciences and a global health degree from the School of Human Evolution and Social Change from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2020. Billingsley then went on to receive a master’s degree in international health from another prestigious university. Now, she’s on the path to her dream career by attending medical school.

“What I’m passionate about...

Mark as Played

Emma Lauer is on a mission to teach people how to make emotional sensitivity their super power.

After graduating from The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2014 with degrees in psychology and English literature, she went on to earn her master’s in social work.

Now, as a mental health therapist with a passion for literature, Lauer has published her first book, DBT Skills for Highly Sensitive People. Hear her discuss how her de...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.