In every episode of Life After Caltech, hosts Claire Ellison (Ricketts House, 2027) and Mason Smith (Page House, 2009) interview alumni who graduated from the California Institute of Technology and took a nontraditional path to achieve their dreams. The podcast is an effort to show current students that no matter the ups and downs of your journey, there is, in fact, a Life After Caltech.
"Back in the real world, oh, I'm good at these things again"
Jeremy Leibowitz (Page House ’10, Applied and Computational Math and Business, Economics, and Management) built a career in finance after a difficult and humbling experience at Caltech. Claire and Mason talk with him about injuries, memorable interview mistakes, and using business school to reset a career that no longer felt on track. Along the way, Jeremy shares practical advice about interviewing, reaching out to alumni, and relying on the people around you.
4 Mar 2026
"Caltech was definitely more difficult than law school"
Christine Woodin (Page House ’10, Applied and Computational Math) discovered her path to law late in her time at Caltech. Claire and Mason talk with her about how the problem-solving skills she developed there translate to patent and commercial litigation, and why she says Caltech was definitely more difficult than law school. Along the way, Christine shares what patent lawyers actually do, what surprised her about law school, and her advice for students curious about legal careers.
6 Oct 2025
"Put your oxygen mask on"
Pallavi Gunalan (Venerable House ’11, Bioengineering and English) left a PhD program to pursue stand-up comedy and writing. In this raw and funny conversation, Claire and Mason talk with her about mental health, leadership during crisis, and what it means to find your voice—on stage and beyond Caltech.
Content note: some discussion of suicide and mental health.
6 Oct 2025
"Recharging before med school"
Yang Yang (Ricketts and Page Houses ’09, Biology) took time after graduation to recover from burnout and figure out what came next. Claire and Mason talk with him about choosing medicine, finding his specialty in cardiac electrophysiology, and learning that success doesn’t always mean following the straightest path.
10 Aug 2025
"I HOPE that was rock bottom!"
At one point, Nick Goeden (Page House ’09, Biology) couldn’t see a positive future after Caltech. Claire and Mason talk with him about how he worked through that low point, built resilience, and eventually co-founded biotherapeutics companies leading cutting-edge research.
26 Jul 2025
What IS Life After Caltech?
In the very first episode of Life After Caltech, hosts Claire and Mason introduce the origin and goals of the pod, with help from producer Riley Kwong. Then, listen as Claire and Mason get to know each other better and describe their journeys to and through Caltech. A warm and comforting episode for all current students who want to feel connected to their community beyond graduation.
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Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
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