Get in loser, we're going to business school. MBA and Chill is a podcast where business education meets your favorite TV shows. Join our host, a business owner, marketer, geriatric Millennial, current MBA student and mom, as she finds her way through business school by the comforting glow of the small screen. In each episode, we connect a favorite TV episode to a current business school concept. If you are here for timeless TV, today's concepts and theories in business, and super dumb jokes... then MBA and Chill is here for you.
In this lively episode of MBA and Chill, join your host Claire Spahr as she welcomes a fascinating guest, Ankush Arora.
A current student of the iMBA program at the University of Illinois, an IT Account Manager, and a cricket enthusiast, Ankush brings a rich array of life experiences and interests to our podcast. His unique journey of moving from India to the United States offers a thoughtful, personal perspective that extends beyond the common narratives.
Ankush opens up about his initial foray into the IT industry, his challenges associated with being on a U.S. visa, and the pivotal changes in his life brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift led him from a happy-go-lucky attitude to a more deliberate approach to life. Our conversation also highlights his ability to balance a diverse set of interests, including cricket, astrophysics, and beloved TV shows, amidst his professional commitments and ongoing iMBA studies.
This episode also taps into the intriguing parallels between the business world and two iconic television shows, 'The Office' and 'Breaking Bad.' Anchored by the characters of Michael Scott and Walter White, Claire and Ankush delve into an entertaining game, "Who Did It Better: Walter White or Michael Scott?" which showcases these characters' distinctive approaches to business scenarios.
As Ankush looks forward to his iMBA program, he shares his expectations and the business principles that pique his interest. This episode invites listeners into an engaging mix of personal experiences, popular television references, and business insights. Whether you are an MBA student, a TV enthusiast, or simply a lover of good stories, this episode has something for you. Get ready for an exploration of the unique intersection between popular television and business education on MBA and Chill.
6 Aug 2023
From Refugee to C-Suite: This is Kaz Rafia's Story
In the MBA and Chill podcast, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important conversation segments: the personal and professional stories of each business school affiliate and the business lessons hidden in their favorite TV shows.
This is Kaz Rafia (https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-spahr-01b91b138/overlay/create-post/#)'s story.
In this episode of the MBA and Chill podcast, Claire interviews Kaz about his journey and his experience with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign iMBA program. Kaz shares his story of coming to the U.S. as an immigrant refugee from Iran during the Iran-Iraq war and growing up in Youngstown, Ohio. He discusses how his MBA from the University of Illinois helped pivot his career from clinical dentistry to health equity work.
Claire and Kaz then explore business concepts in health equity through the lens of Kaz's favorite TV show, Law and Order. They play a fun game called "Policy Pitch" where Kaz comes up with policy solutions to health equity issues based on made up Law and Order scenarios. Kaz also discusses the importance of culturally responsive and humble care in healthcare and the need for a diverse workforce to effectively serve marginalized communities.
This episode provides insights into the career journey of a health equity leader while highlighting the value of an MBA and the power of storytelling through popular culture to explore complex issues. Subscribe to MBA and Chill on Youtube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.
Music: 'Rainbows' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
--- LINKS ---
Learn more about the iMBA program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: https://giesonline.illinois.edu/explore-programs/online-mba
Learn more about CareQuest Institute for Oral Health: https://www.carequest.org/
Connect with Kaz Rafia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kazrafia/
Connect with Claire Spahr on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-spahr-01b91b138/Be a guest on the show, email: mba.and.chill@gmail.com
21 Jul 2023
"Sweet Fancy Moses!" with Tim Graham
In this debut episode of MBA and Chill, host Claire Spahr (https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-spahr-01b91b138/) revisits classic 90s TV with her guest, Tim Graham (https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothygrahampfizer/). Tim and Claire discuss the notorious episode of Seinfeld, "The Little Kicks," best known for Elaine's notorious dance moves, which were, as George described, less like a dance and "more like a full body dry heave set to music." By exploring this episode, Tim and Claire touch on business themes such as perception, risk-taking, and the importance of communication and feedback.
Tim is an alumnus of the iMBA at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign program (https://giesonline.illinois.edu/explore-programs/online-mba). He is currently making waves as a Clinical Asset Project Manager at Pfizer as well as a member of the admissions committee at the iMBA program. Tim is also a passionate mentor, sharing his wisdom with both the Project Management Institute (www.pmi.org) and UCSD's undergrad and grad Physical Sciences programs. Off the clock, you'll find him catching up on Seinfeld reruns or enjoying a
session of Diablo 4.
Leveraging Tim's experience and insights, Tim and Claire tackle everything from the value of networking in a remote MBA program to managing the delicate balance between work, home, and social commitments.
And, of course, they chat about how a certain Seinfeld episode and its memorable dance scene might offer some unexpected lessons in business.
____________________________
corrections: Tim's current title at Pfizer is Associate Director, Portfolio and Project Management
____________________________
See Elaine's moves...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsl3IBAsEH4
Learn more about...
1. The iMBA program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: https://giesonline.illinois.edu/explore-programs/online-mba
2. The Project Management Institute: www.pmi.org
Connect on LinkedIn...
Tim Graham: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothygrahampfizer/
Claire Spahr: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-spahr-01b91b138/
Host of MBA and Chill?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
