Podcast: Dare to Disrupt

This podcast is about Penn State alumni who are innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders, and the stories behind their success.

Shaping Cultural Change with Jess Weiner



Dare to Disrupt
Shaping Cultural Change with Jess Weiner
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 Jess Weiner is a cultural expert and creative who has spent 26 years researching and educating on cultural trends in order to help people feel seen, heard + understood.  She is a bestselling author, podcast host and speaker who has connected with audiences from the White House to Wall Street.  

In this episode, Jess discusses how she has been a strategic partner in culture-changing moments such as Dove’s campaign for “Real Beauty” and the evolution of Barbie. She also talks about how Penn State helped her bring all of her interests together, giving her the skillsets she’d eventually use to start her brand consultancy Talk to Jess. 

At the end of the episode, Carley Furlow, a sophomore at Penn State studying business administration and founder of Sharps and Flats, a startup making assistive devices for people who have disabilities, injuries or limiting circumstances who play instruments, talks to Jess about networking and building a startup brand. 

About Jess Weiner 

Jess Weiner is a Culture Expert + the CEO of Talk to Jess, LLC. She graduated from Penn State in 1995 with degrees in theater, women’s studies and classics. 




A Pioneer in Tech: Building the Interviewing Cloud with Mo Bhende



Dare to Disrupt
A Pioneer in Tech: Building the Interviewing Cloud with Mo Bhende
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Inspired by his love of hiring, Mo Bhende built Karat to unlock opportunities and transform the interviewing process by conducting highly predictive technical interviews for clients. In this episode, Bhende talks about his international travels, how he took advantage of Penn State resources, lessons learned while working for Microsoft Xbox, and how all those experiences led him to creating a business that would turn the agonizing interview process into an enjoyable one. 

At the end of this episode, Bubune Owusu, a senior in the College of Engineering and founder of Be Your Best Clothing, a clothing brand made to inspire others to look within themselves and to make use of their maximum potential, joins us to talk to Bhende about how to lead with both courage and confidence while also managing your priorities as a founder. 

About Mo Bhende 

Mo Bhende graduated from Penn State with honors in 2001 with degrees in math and economics.




Riding the Founder’s Wave with Matt Brezina



Dare to Disrupt
Riding the Founder's Wave with Matt Brezina
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Matt Brezina, a 2003 Schreyer and College of Engineering grad, shares the stories behind starting software company Xobni and greeting card company Sincerely.