Get to B-School

Ep 20. Connor Crandall - Wharton: Pivot, Prep, and Powder

Today’s episode is a mix of intense fun and intense hustle. Our guest, Connor Crandall, just graduated from Wharton, and his story is a masterclass in perseverance, focus, and chasing adventure along the way.
Connor spent nearly five years preparing for the MBA journey—starting back in undergrad and grinding through multiple admissions tests (he switched from the GMAT to the GRE midstream). And once he got to Wharton, he didn’t slow down.
In this episode, we dive into:🔹 His 14-week sprint to pivot from megafund to mid-market private equity—there was no shortage of weekend work🔹 How he balanced hardcore career goals with epic travel, including snowboarding in Japan, surfing in El Salvador, and biking in Spain🔹 The mindset it took to stay locked in for years while still keeping life joyful and full of movement
Connor’s journey is a perfect example of what it looks like to work hard, play hard, and live intentionally.

Ep 19. William Adams - Kellogg: Accomplishing Your Goals and Being Grateful

Today’s episode is filled with intention, insight, and a whole lot of gratitude.
From teaching high school math in Boston to pivoting into consulting at Bain in Chicago, William Adams' path was guided by purpose—and supported by a strong circle of family, friends, and mentors.
In this episode, we talk about:🔹 Applying to six different MBA programs, each for a specific, intentional reason🔹 Making the leap from education to consulting, and what that transition looked like🔹 The life-shaping power of great professors—and why Kellogg exceeded his expectations🔹 What it feels like to say: “I accomplished exactly what I set out to do.”
This conversation is grounded, honest, and filled with the kind of perspective that reminds you what the MBA journey is really all about.
Let’s get into it! 🙏🎓

Ep 18. Matthew Dumas - UCLA Anderson: Full-Time Job, Full-Time School, and a Startup

Today’s guest, Matthew Dumas, has worn a lot of hats—Marine, auditor, consultant, director of finance—and now, he’s at UCLA Anderson taking his next big step.
In this episode, we talk about:🔹 His journey from the military to finance and analytics (including our time together at Deloitte’s M&A analytics team)🔹 How he’s balancing a full-time role as a Director of Finance while in a full-time MBA program🔹 Teaching himself to code and building a product for a startup from scratch🔹 What he's gaining from diving into the MBA experience headfirst
Matthew’s story is one of grit, reinvention, and serious initiative. Whether you're coming from a nontraditional background or just trying to make the most of the MBA path, this episode is full of real talk and great insight.
Let’s get into it! 🚀

Ep 17. John Koelliker - Leland CEO and Co-Founder: Launching a Business at Stanford GSB

Today's guest is John Koelliker, CEO and Co-Founder of Leland—the go-to platform for the B-school community.
In this conversation, John shares the story behind founding Leland, and how it wasn’t just a business idea—it was a lightning bolt, a “I HAVE to do this” moment. He also opens up about the most powerful lessons from his time at Stanford GSB, and why the MBA journey should be about more than just getting in.
We dive into:🔹 The origin story of Leland and the mission behind it🔹 What John took away from his own B-school experience🔹 How to broaden your scope and think bigger than just B-school
If you’re in the middle of applications, weighing your options, or just feeling stuck in the “what’s next” phase, this one’s full of perspective, purpose, and inspiration.
Let’s get into it! 🚀

Ep 16. Jake Greenberg - JD-MBA @ Northwestern: Startups, Lawyers, and Ice Cream

Ep 16's guest, Jake Greenberg, brings some of the most unique perspectives we’ve had on the pod. (Btw, there are ice cream analogies, and yes, they work.)
Jake’s journey is driven by curiosity, humility, and a deep desire to make a difference. In this episode, we dig into:
📚 A technical step-by-step breakdown of how he transitioned from a JD program into a JD-MBA🍨 Why he wants to be the dumbest person in the room—and how that mindset has fueled his growth🧠 His passion for working on problems so complex, only a handful of people in the world are tackling them💼 How a hyper-growth startup taught him that lawyers often hold the ultimate seat at the table🌍 His post-MBA plan to help marginalized individuals launch their own businesses—and why he feels a duty to give back
Jake’s story is thoughtful, ambitious, and full of heart. You're going to love this one.
Jake's LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobkgreenberg/

Ep 15. Saleh Dadkhahipour - GSB: Finding Your North Star

Today’s guest, Saleh Dadkhahipour, knows firsthand that getting into a top MBA program isn’t just about telling your story—it’s about making sure the admissions committee understands it.
In this episode, Saleh shares:🔹 How he had to educate schools on the prestige of studying at Iran’s top university and working at a leading consulting firm abroad🔹 Why your MBA application is like a limited piece of real estate—and how to use every inch wisely🔹 How to translate your experiences into relatable stories (think: "I worked at the Uber of Iran" or "the SpaceX of my region")🔹 The energy and drive he feels being surrounded by an accomplished, inspiring MBA class
Saleh’s journey is a masterclass in strategic storytelling, resilience, and making your unique background impossible to ignore.
And if you want even more great insights into the MBA journey, be sure to check out Saleh’s content at MBA.Odyssey on YouTube and Instagram!

Ep 14. Misha Putnam - Wharton: Traversing Glaciers in Antarctica and Hiking Mountains in Patagonia

Today’s guest, Misha Putnam, is currently pursuing her MBA at Wharton, but don’t let the classroom setting fool you—her business school journey has taken her to some of the most remote places on Earth.
In this episode, Misha shares:🔹 How she led a 48-person expedition in Antarctica as part of Wharton’s leadership venture program (yes, glaciers, camping, the works)🔹 The emotional complexity of sharing this once-in-a-lifetime experience with a partner who’s grinding away at a full-time job🔹 Why “touching grass” is essential—and how escaping the MBA bubble helps her stay grounded in life beyond school
Misha brings honesty, adventure, and insight into what it means to build a full, dynamic MBA experience—while also acknowledging the tradeoffs that come with it.
Let’s dive in! ❄️🎒

Ep 13. Kip Winterton - Booth: Being Led by Curiosity

🎙️ Welcome to Get to B-School!
Today’s guest is someone who’s charting his path by one principle: being led by curiosity. Kip Winterton, a first-year MBA at Chicago Booth, has a background that’s as well-rounded as it is unexpected—he studied finance, sang opera, and played rugby in undergrad. Now, he’s focused on real estate and exploring opportunities that combine scale, strategy, and creativity.
In this episode, Kip shares:🔹 His pivot from a deeply personal dream of HBS—and how getting to Booth on scholarship helped restore his confidence🔹 Why he’s looking toward big project private equity—and how he might create his own real estate ETA opportunity🔹 How curiosity—not prestige—has guided his biggest academic, career, and life decisions
If you're navigating disappointment, career pivots, or figuring out how to chase big ambitions while staying true to yourself, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration.
Let’s get to it! 🚀

Ep 12. Get to Know the Host?!

The podcast gurus have spoken: It is apparently UNWISE to release episodes on Fridays (who knew?! I LOVE podcasts on Fridays. I mean what about The All In podcast? Can't I be cool like them?)
We have a great episode ready to push on Monday, so for now, please accept this tiny, fun, glimpse into the life of yours truly. For today, Sarah comes on and runs the show and shares some of her own experience being part of an MBA family.

Ep 11. Zach Harris - Kellogg: Making the Pivot

🎙️ Welcome to Get to B-School!
This week, Zach Harris (my dear friend and amazing next-door neighbor) talks us through his experience at Kellogg. Through our chat, Zach shares about:
🔹 How he converted two waitlist spots into offers... and ended up at a third school instead.🔹 How he's approaching his pivot away from consulting into big tech. Does he go big tech or startup?🔹 How he's ensuring that he's not getting caught in any waves that he isn't intentionally selecting
Zach shows us how simple the choice can be to go to b-school. He encourages all of us to ask what we want to do, instead of solely focusing on what we should do.
Let’s get into it! 🚀