By Nora Huang
The Journey Begins
When I launched MPods during my senior year at the University of Michigan, my vision was clear: create a platform where stories of Michigan alumni in finance and entrepreneurship could be shared to inspire and educate. Starting the Michigan Venture Club was my first step toward demystifying the world of Venture Capital and Private Equity for students from non-traditional finance backgrounds. MPods was a natural extension of that passion.
The early days were filled with excitement and a steep learning curve. Each episode was a journey into the lives of notable alumni like Sonia Nagar from Pritzker Group and Samir Kaul from Khosla Ventures. Their stories not only brought invaluable insights into the finance world but also showcased the diversity of paths one can take after graduating from Michigan.
Challenges on the Road
However, with any project, challenges are inevitable. Balancing my academic commitments with scheduling interviews, editing episodes, and managing the podcast’s promotion tested my time management skills. Moreover, ensuring high-quality content while keeping the conversations engaging required continuous learning and adaptation.
From Michigan to the World: Embracing a Broader Perspective
As graduation neared, I decided to evolve the project to include influential figures from beyond the Michigan community. This not only diversified our content but also enriched our audience’s experience by bringing a variety of perspectives and stories to the fore.
Leadership Development and Team Dynamics
The growth of MPods also mirrored my personal growth and the development of my team. We embraced the Barger Leadership Institute’s Habits, such as Start Small, Think Big, and Engage Others. Starting small with Michigan alumni gave us the foundation to think bigger and engage a global audience.
Looking Ahead
The journey of MPods is far from over. We are planning to introduce live events to connect with our audience in real-time and add a new dimension to our interactions. The podcast is not just about sharing stories; it’s about creating a community of inspired listeners and storytellers.
Join Us on This Journey
Substack: https://mpods.substack.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mpods/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0DMHGpLm7rffJmDX3XlZyh?si=ecbcbd549b82406d
Website: mpods.show
