MBA Golden Buzzer Podcast

About MBA Golden Buzzer Podcast

Welcome to the MBA Golden Buzzer Podcast — your ticket to the admit list and beyond. Hosted by MBA admissions expert Ellin Lolis, this podcast delivers expert insights, career guidance, and real stories from successful applicants, admissions insiders, and industry leaders. Whether you're working toward your dream MBA or building a career that stands out, each episode offers practical strategies and behind-the-scenes access to what truly drives success — in business school and beyond. 🎧 Actionable advice. Inspiring journeys. Unfiltered insight — all in one place.

Publisher

Ellin Lolis Consulting

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Apr 2025

Latest episode

21 Jan 2026

Latest episodes

29 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Jan 2026

   What Makes Chicago Booth the Right MBA for Non-Traditional Candidates

   Not every strong MBA profile looks the same. In this episode of the MBA Golden Buzzer Podcast, I’m joined by Nina Berenger, a Chicago Booth MBA, to unpack what actually defines a strong Booth candidate, beyond test scores, titles, and traditional paths. We talk about Nina’s background before the MBA, why Chicago Booth stood out in her decision process, and how non-traditional profiles can become a real advantage when positioned with clarity and intention. Nina also shares what it’s like to experience Booth as both a student and a partner, how recruiting works outside the “typical” MBA lanes, and how Booth’s flexible curriculum shapes very different outcomes for different students.

2. 

   7 Jan 2026

   Haas MBA Reality Check: Culture, Burnout & International Student Life

   What is it really like to experience the Berkeley Haas MBA? In this episode of the MBA Golden Buzzer Podcast, I’m joined by Rebeca Sousa, a former client and Berkeley Haas MBA graduate, for an honest conversation about choosing Haas, navigating its values-driven culture, and facing the pressure that many students aren’t prepared for. Rebeca shares why Haas stood out during her application journey, how the school’s defining leadership principles show up in daily life, and what it feels like to truly belong in a values-aligned MBA community. We also dive into a topic rarely discussed openly: burnout in business school. From anxiety and overcommitment to the moment she realized something wasn’t right, Rebeca walks us through her experience with clarity and vulnerability.

3. 

   17 Dec 2025

   From Surgery to Startup: Building a Mission-Driven Company After a Stanford MBA

   What does it take to walk away from a successful medical career and build a mission-driven startup instead? In this episode of the MBA Golden Buzzer Podcast, Rene Caissie shares his journey from practicing surgeon to entrepreneur and founder, and the pivotal moments that pushed him to rethink what impact, fulfillment, and leadership really mean. René opens up about leaving clinical practice, choosing to pursue an MBA, and how his personal experiences shaped the company he later built. We talk about the hidden challenges of career pivots, what most students misunderstand about building meaningful careers, and how to use an MBA not just as a credential but as a platform for long-term impact.

Who has been a guest on MBA Golden Buzzer Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Renata De Marsillac
• Kate Rogers Mery de Bellegarde
• Beatriz Campos
• Lysa Wang
• Rafaella Mazza

Podcast Authority Score: 31 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

63

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

Contact MBA Golden Buzzer Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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