Podcast
Stanford MSx Insider
Hosted by Alessandro Balzi & Miki Watanabe · EN
Real stories, honest reflections, and personal journeys from Stanford GSB’s MSx program. Hosted by Alessandro Balzi and Miki Watanabe (Class of 2026), this podcast explores life inside one of the world’s top business schools through candid conversations with students, alumni, and beyond. Originally launched by Jateen Kooverjee and Sasha Gidwani (Class of 2024) and carried forward by Béa Asavajaru and Vinicius Quintanilha (Class of 2025), the podcast continues as a student-led tradition.
The views expressed in this podcast are our own and do not represent those of the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
MSx Insider 2026 - Life After the MSx
1w ago00:39:51Tap to summarizeBéa Asavajaru and Vinicius Quintanilha (MSx '25) join us to kick off Season 3. As the hosts who handed us the mic, they sit down with us to reflect on life after the MSx: the transitions, the takeaways, and what they wish they'd known. Béa is now based in Paris after a 17+ year career in global luxury beauty, and Vini has gone from investment banking to founding Rentax.ai. Two very different paths, one honest conversation. The perfect way to start a new chapter.
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MSx Insider - Diwas Neupane (MSx '25)
Feb 1200:31:49Tap to summarizeDiwas Neupane (MSx ’25), a third-generation family business leader from Kathmandu, Nepal, shares his journey from scaling and taking his family company public to joining Stanford’s one-year MSx program. He reflects on the unique realities of building a career inside a family enterprise, including blurred boundaries between work and home and the emotional highs and lows of shared ownership. Diwas explains how the MSx experience has sharpened his leadership and storytelling skills, strengthened his self-awareness, and created a powerful sense of community for both him and his wife, as they prepare for the next chapter back home.
Transcribe →MSx Insider - Felipe Lourenço (MSx '25)
Jan 1500:36:09Tap to summarizeFelipe Lourenco (MSx ’25), a three-time entrepreneur, discusses his journey from founding startups in Brazil to joining Stanford’s one-year MSX program. He highlights the program’s global network, its tailored leadership and entrepreneurship curriculum, and the uniquely supportive ecosystem in Silicon Valley. Felipe shares lessons learned from successes, failures, and the fast-evolving VC landscape, underscoring the value of resilience, the importance of mentorship, and the transformative impact on both his and his wife’s professional ambitions.
Transcribe →MSx Insider - Ann Songphatanayothin (MSx '25)
Oct 300:26:10Tap to summarizeAnn Songphatanayothin (MSx ’25) shares her transition from consulting to entrepreneurship through Stanford’s one-year MSx program. She highlights the cohort’s global diversity, details her early-parenthood care startup, and underscores how resources such as Venture Studio and founder networks helped move her from idea to execution. She also offers practical tactics for balance, prioritizing close friendships and quality time in a two-founder household.
Transcribe →MSx Insider - Caleb Huber (MSx '25)
May 28, 202500:26:16Tap to summarizeCaleb Huber (MSx '25), a former US Army Special Forces officer and Green Beret, shares his transformative experience at Stanford GSB. Diving deep into his pivot towards defense technology product management, Caleb reveals how the MSx program has equipped him with skills to bridge technology and military strategy. With candid insights on veteran resources, startup courses, and balancing family life with academic pursuits, he offers an inspiring narrative of career reinvention and the unique value of the one-year MSx experience.
Transcribe →MSx Insider - Jing Lin (MSx '25)
May 17, 202500:29:13Tap to summarizeJing Lin (MSx '25) shares her transformative journey from healthcare investor to Stanford GSB student, discussing family support, academic challenges, and her passion for women's health innovation. She explores how the MSx program empowers professionals to take risks, expand their knowledge, and pursue ambitious career goals while integrating personal and professional growth.
Transcribe →MSx Insider - Antoine Gamberini (MSx '25)
May 4, 202500:34:30Tap to summarizeAntoine Gamberini (MSx '25) reveals his dynamic Stanford GSB experience, transforming from a European telecom executive to a multifaceted student. He emphasizes the importance of reflection, community engagement, and seizing diverse opportunities. His journey demonstrates how the MSx program enables professionals to explore personal passions, develop leadership skills, and create meaningful impact across diverse domains.
Transcribe →MSx Insider - Jateen Kooverjee (MSx '24)
Mar 12, 202500:27:14Tap to summarizeJateen Kooverjee (MSx '24) discusses his MSx journey and how the program's flexibility and resources, including an independent study, enabled him to explore entrepreneurship. He highlights the support from his wife, who also engaged in Stanford's academic and entrepreneurial opportunities, and emphasizes the value of challenging conventional career paths, developing leadership skills, and forming lasting relationships.
Transcribe →MSx Insider - Sasha Gidwani (MSx '24)
Mar 3, 202500:23:21Tap to summarizeSasha Gidwani (MSx '24) shares her journey from a long-standing career in finance to exploring new opportunities through the Stanford MSx program. She discusses how the program's flexibility allowed her to challenge conventional career paths. Sasha emphasizes the value of leadership development, diverse experiences, and lasting relationships formed during the program. Her story highlights the transformative nature of the MSx experience and encourages current and prospective students to approach the program with an open mind, ready to explore various industries and roles.
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MSx Insider - Scott Brady
Jun 27, 202400:33:06Tap to summarizeOn the season finale, we are joined by Scott Brady, Sloan Fellow and Lecturer at the GSB. Scott served as the chair of the MSx Advisory Board and has overseen the program's transformation into one of the world's premier programs for experienced leaders. Scott shares his journey from being a student to becoming a lecturer at the GSB.
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