Imagine A World
Inspiring stories of the Knight-Hennessy Scholar community, discussing their visions for a better world and their impactful work to bring it to life. From representation in the media to access to medicine, climate change, and more, we delve into meaningful conversations that will leave you feeling inspired.
Episodes
Developing Leaders: The Skills and Vision Needed to Change the World
In this special episode, Eli Cahan (2019 cohort) and Willie Thompson (2022 cohort) speak with John Hennessy, co-founder and inaugural director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS). John imagines a world where the next generation will 
Embracing Luck, Opportunity, and Serendipity: A Conversation with Tina Seelig
In this episode, Sydney Hunt (2023 cohort) and Anson Zhou (2024 cohort) sit down with Tina Seelig, Executive Director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars and renowned author, who imagines a world where everyone feels empowered to bring their ideas to life. Tina reflects on her journey from a childhood spent on both coasts of the U.S., to earning a PhD in neuroscience and exploring careers in academia, ent
The Quest for a Problem Worth Solving
In this episode, Eli Cahan (2019 cohort) sits down with Ileana Pirozzi (2018 cohort), who imagines a world where the quality of surgery can be democratized everywhere.Ileana traces her journey from growing up in a family of tobacco farmers in southern Italy to attending a United World College in the Netherlands, and then Brown University in the United States. She reflects on how a tumor diagnosis
The Path to Sustainable Innovation Through Collaboration and Community
In this episode, Max Du (2024 cohort) talks with Sreya Vangara (2023 cohort), a third-year PhD student in mechanical engineering. Sreya shares her journey from empowering young women in STEM in Maryland to providing educational opportunities and sustainable solutions around the globe, including work in Madagascar, the Navajo Nation, and Guyana. As she pivots from high-tech environments, like nucle
Remain Open to Learning: The Foundation for Real-World Impact
In this episode, Eli Cahan (2019 cohort) talks with Abuzar Royesh (2018 cohort), who imagines a world where there is no inequality between developing and developed worlds. Abuzar reflects on how his childhood spent between Afghanistan and Pakistan shaped his worldview, and how his time in the United States as an exchange student sharpened his awareness of global inequality. He recounts how he deci
Human Connection Over Loneliness and Division
In this episode, Anson Zhou (2024 cohort) interviews Amanda Morrison (2024 cohort), a JD student at Stanford Law School, about the through line connecting her upbringing in Montana, her longtime relationship to dance, her work in documentary filmmaking, and her decision to pursue law. Amanda imagines a world where human connection prevails over loneliness and division. She reflects on how the outd
Building Pathways to Higher Education that Everyone Can Access
In this episode, Eli Cahan (’19 cohort) speaks with Sarahi Espinoza Salamanca (’24 cohort) who imagines a world where every child has access to quality education that can get them to a college experience as they wish, where they wish, regardless of where they were born.Sarahi reflects on her journey from being told she was not meant for college to becoming a Knight-Hennessy scholar. She shares how
Where Linguistics Meets the Law
In this episode, Ashley Yeh (’24 cohort) and Tanajia Moye-Green (’24 cohort) speak with Tilly Brooks (’24 cohort) about her interdisciplinary work at the intersection of linguistics, law, and justice. Tilly shares her path from studying ancient languages to examining how meaning is constructed in legal texts, why ambiguity and “ordinary meaning” shape legal outcomes, and how linguistic expertise c
Venture Capital through an Anthropological Lens
In this episode, Eli Cahan (’19 cohort) speaks with Rex Woodbury (’19 cohort) who imagines a world where technology and startups are a force for good.Rex reflects on his decision to leave the world of investment to attend business school and on how he began sharing his ideas on social media. He discusses how writing on Substack helped him pivot from private equity to venture capital, where he now
Unrelenting Curiosity: On Knowing Ourselves and the Universe
In this episode, Max Du (’24 cohort) speaks with Barkotel Zememu (’24 cohort) who imagines a world where the mysteries of the physical universe are mysteries not just to those who are detectives but also to those who are not. Barkotel, who is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is pursuing a PhD in physics at Stanford. In this episode, Barkotel shares his journey from Addis Ababa to Stanford, discussing h
Deconstructing Cultural Barriers to Girls’ Education
In this episode, Eli Cahan (’19 cohort) speaks with Ayo Dada (’19 cohort) who imagines a world where education is accessible to everyone regardless of any aspect of their identity. Ayo shares his journey from Nigeria to Stanford—an unexpected path set in motion by a single email—and reflects on how discovering Carol Dweck’s research on growth mindset shaped his academic trajectory. He discusses hi
Translating Discovery into Care
In this episode, Sydney Hunt (’23 cohort) interviews fellow host Anson Zhou (’24 cohort) alongside special guest host Katherine Hu (’22 cohort). Anson imagines a world where all medical discoveries successfully translate into patient care. He discusses how his experiences in research, consulting, and clinical rotations deepened his commitment to addressing the “translation gap” in medicine — ensur
Dancing Between Worlds: IAW Alumni Edition
This is the inaugural episode of the Imagine A World podcast, Alumni Edition, where host Eli Cahan (’19 cohort) sits down with alumni to explore their journeys since graduating from Stanford and how they are making an impact in their personal and professional lives. In this episode, Eli speaks with Bingyi Wang (’18 cohort), who imagines a world where technology and science transcend borders to bri
Caring for Earth While Reaching for the Stars
In this episode, Sydney Hunt ('23 cohort) and Ashley Yeh ('24 cohort) speak with Alina Santander Vinokurova ('24 cohort) who imagines a world where the aerospace industry serves both humanity and Earth equally. Alina shares about her journey from growing up in Bolivia to pursuing a master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford. She also reflects on how climate crises like the Amazon
Humbitious: The Many Lives of Willie Thompson
In this episode, Sydney Hunt ('23 cohort) interviews Willie Thompson ('22 cohort), one of the original creators of Imagine a World, and a person whose presence will be deeply missed within the Knight-Hennessy Scholars community. Throughout the episode, he reflects on what it means to be in community with others and how that has looked for him from where he grew up to his time as a husband and fath
Trust, Transparency, and Transformation
In this episode, Willie Thompson ('22 cohort) interviews Rachel Desch ('23 cohort) who imagines a world where trusted institutions and leaders are able to mitigate violent conflict and inspire innovative policymaking. Rachel is a second-year master’s student in international policy. Before coming to Stanford, she spent nearly a decade working in the federal government. In this episode, Rachel desc
Highlights from Imagine A World, Season Two
In this special episode, Sydney Hunt (‘23 cohort), Anson Zhou ('24 cohort), and Max Du ('24 cohort) curate some of the most memorable moments of Season 2 through the lens of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars leadership model. Across four segments—curiosity, inspiration, open-mindedness, and visionary thinking—they revisit several standout clips from scholars who pushed boundaries in science fairs, forg
Building Resilient Climate Companies
In this episode, Max Du ('24 cohort) and Nikhil Gupta ('22 cohort) interview Madison Freeman ('22 cohort) who imagines a world where technological solutions drive a sustainable economy. Madison unpacks her passion for the venture capital climate technology space and what that work looks like day-to-day. She talks about how she became interested in climate issues and where her desire to do internat
Designing a Healthier Future
In this episode, Anson Zhou ('24 cohort) and Ashley Yeh ('24 cohort) speak with David Jiang ('22 cohort) and Longsha Liu ('22 cohort) about their journeys to Stanford and the close friendship they've formed. David and Longsha share the accomplishments and vision behind their KHeystone Project: the Stanford Healthcare Design Challenge, which seeks to bridge the gap between healthcare innovation and
Empowered to Empower
In this episode, Sydney Hunt ('23 cohort) and Ashley Yeh ('24 cohort) speak with Khushi Malde ('24 cohort) about her hopes for education to spark curiosity, build resilience, and empower students to innovate, create, and lead for global responsibility. Khushi shares how growing up and attending high school in Kenya and then pursuing an undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley made her realize the gap i
Health Policy, Global Impact, and Community Roots
In this episode, Max Du ('24 cohort) and Anson Zhou ('24 cohort) speak with Eliza Ennis ('22 cohort) about her journey from a close-knit community in New Mexico to Stanford’s Health Policy PhD program and how her upbringing, family, and community have shaped her interests. Eliza discusses her academic journey from Harvard to Stanford, plans for her upcoming dissertation, and some of the research a
Making Justice a Right, Not a Privilege
In this episode, Sydney Hunt ('23 cohort) and Will Dwyer ('23 cohort) speak with Gianmarco Coronado Graci ('23 cohort) about how his lived experiences have fueled his desire to work towards a world where access to justice is a right and not a privilege. Gianmarco also shares his experiences studying law in Mexico and then transitioning to Stanford after working as an adjunct professor of law at th
Finding Home in Poetry and Presence
In this episode, Ashley Yeh ('24 cohort) and Max Du ('24 cohort) speak with Quyên Nguyễn-Hoàng ('22 cohort) about movement, belonging, and the search for stillness in a fast-paced world. Drawing on Buddhist philosophy, Quyên embraces the idea of finding home in transition and uncertainty. Quyên also shares her experiences attending Stanford as an undergrad and grad student and what it was like to
Falling in Love with Humanity
In this episode, Willie Thompson ('22 cohort) and Max Du ('24 cohort) speak with Catharine Bowman ('22 cohort) about how her lived experiences have fueled her research focus on ensuring that patients living with lymphatic diseases are properly diagnosed and treated. Catharine also shares how her studies led to her falling in love with humanity, how she tries to keep a
Empowering and Serving a Community
In this episode, Sydney Hunt ('23 cohort) and Anson Zhou ('24 cohort) speak with Christian Tanja (Senior Assistant Director of Admission) and Jordyn Sanico (Admission Outreach Coordinator). Jordyn and Christian share their guiding values, experiences with mentorship, and interesting aspects of the work that they do at Knight-Hennessy Scholars. They also share their improbable facts--such as perfor
Transforming Lives through Basic Science Research
In this episode, Willie Thompson ('22 cohort) and Sydney Hunt ('23 cohort) speak with Yousuf Khan ('19 cohort) about how basic science research can directly improve the lives of everyone, the role that tennis has played in his life, and his experience traveling to New Mexico for a game show.Highlights from the episode:(04:34) The story behind Yousuf's name(06:11) Growing up in the Distri
Friendship and Belonging as Knight-Hennessy Scholars
In this episode, Willie Thompson ('22 cohort) and Ashley Yeh ('24 cohort) speak with a group of scholars and friends about how their Knight-Hennessy Scholars friend group came to be. Sanaa Alam ('23 cohort), Hannah Melville-Rea ('23 cohort), Leona Neftaliem ('23 cohort), Jocelyn Ricard ('23 cohort), and Takondwa Semphere ('23 cohort) give us an insider's look at some of the beautiful moments withi
The Art of Cultivating a Community
In this episode, Willie Thompson ('22 cohort) and Sydney Hunt ('23 cohort) speak with Marcus Frost ('19 cohort) about his memories of home, transition to Stanford, experiences navigating cancer, chemotherapy, and recovery, and ideas for how to check in on your friends. Highlights from the episode:(04:34) Delicious go-to dishes when cooking(07:07) Reminiscing on home and journey to Stanford(19:50)
Traveling in Turkey with Scholars
Join us for Part 2 of a Knight-Hennessy Scholars Global Travel/Study trip to Turkey! In this episode, Willie Thompson (2022 cohort) speaks with Jocelyn Ricard and Pierce Garver (both from the 2023 cohort) as they recap their memories from their 10-day trek in Turkey.Highlights from the episode:(2:24) First impressions of Turkey and go-to Turkish treats.(13:33) Lessons learned from site visits.(19:
Traveling Turkey with Ayça Alemdaroğlu
Join us on a Knight-Hennessy Global Study Trip (GST) to Turkey! In this episode, Willie Thompson ('22 Cohort) speaks with Ayça Alemdaroğlu, the Associate Director of the program on Turkey and a research scholar at the Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law at Stanford University, who also served as the Faculty Leader for the Turkey GST.Highlights from the episode:(3:04) Ayça's upbrin
Tackling Concussions and Alzheimer's through Bioengineering
We're back for Season 2 of IAW! Kick back, relax, and listen to Sydney and Willie's conversation with Douglas Henze (2023 Cohort).Highlights from the episode:(7:04) Douglas's journey from playing football in Birmingham, Alabama, to focusing on engineering at Stanford.(19:43) Douglas reflects on his struggles with concussions and how his experience shaped his research focus on aging and Alzheimer’s
IAW Season 2 Begins Next Week!
Tune into our first episode of season 2 next week! We've got new hosts and new perspectives, but the same authenticity from our KHommunity.
Introducing Leading Matters, a new podcast from Knight-Hennessy Scholars
While we've been hard at work on the next season of Imagine A World, so have the Executive Director, Tina Seelig, and Founder of Knight-Hennessy Scholars, John Hennessy, on a new podcast called "Leading Matters." We encourage you to listen anywhere you go for podcasts! IAW will return for Season 2 next month.
The Political Power of Music
The Imagine A World season finale is here, and it’s a bittersweet goodbye to Taylor Goss, a KH scholar you’ve come to know and love as our podcast co-host. As Taylor completes his time with the Knight-Hennessy community and moves on from Stanford, he shares about the world he imagines—where music and art are recognized and funded, not only as means of emotional expression, but also as drivers of s
Reimagining Possibilities through Representation
The latest episode of Imagine a World features a familiar face… frequent co-host Sydney Hunt from the 2023 cohort joins the podcast, this time as the guest! Sydney, a first-year PhD student in electrical engineering, imagines a world where people see someone that looks like them doing what they would love to do. She shares her experience growing up in upstate New York, building environments that a
Meeting Basic Needs through Deliberative Democracy
Highlights from the episode:(7:23) Thay's childhood growing up in Brazil and London, and her reflections on being a non-traditional undergraduate student at Stanford(14:34) How Thay's interest in politics was fostered by discussions with her uncle(18:55) Thay's reflections on her Imagine a World Statement about meeting people's basic needs and providing them a foundation to thrive, and how it info
Advocating for Inclusivity in STEM Education
Named one of 10 women changing the landscape of leadership by The New York Times, scholar Aya Mouallem is an advocate for diversity in STEM and cofounder of the award-winning initiative All Girls Code. She imagines a world where STEM education is not only accessible and equitable, but also inclusive to learners of all backgrounds and abilities. Hear her reflections on her upbringing in Lebanon and
Uniting Americans through Public Service
Joe Nail (2023 cohort), joint MBA/Master in International Policy student, imagines a world where faith, family, and courage are our guiding values, and where all Americans are bound together through service. He joins hosts Willie Thompson, Taylor Goss, and guest host Sydney Hunt to chat about emulating service exhibited by his parents, leading as an introvert, discovering his entrepreneurial spiri
Finding Inspiration in the Natural World
Will Dwyer (2023 cohort) imagines a world where future generations can look towards the natural world for joy and inspiration. He joins hosts Willie Thompson, Taylor Goss, and guest host Sydney Hunt to discuss his experience immigrating to the US from France, his love for plants and their otherworldly biochemistry, being captain of an ultimate frisbee league, and expressing himself through writing
Community Engagement in Global Health
Zahra Fazal (2022 cohort) imagines a world where communities across Africa have an equal stake in setting the global health agenda. She joins hosts Willie Thompson, Taylor Goss, and guest host Takondwa Semphere to chat about her experience growing up in a scenic town in Tanzania, leaving home at 13 years old, addressing global health issues through a social epidemiology lens, and the danger of a s
Democratizing and Diversifying School Boards
In this week’s episode of Imagine A World, KHS alum Briana Mullen (2020 cohort) discusses what led her to pursue master’s degrees in policy, organization, and leadership studies and in public policy at Stanford. She shares her experience of being a lifetime Californian, reflects on the joys of being a marching band kid, discusses building an organization that empowers underrepresented communities
A Vision for Dignity through Healthcare
In her final year at Stanford Medical School, scholar Nadine Jawad joins the Imagine A World podcast to reflect on her upbringing, sharing how she tempers cynicism, embraces joy and grief simultaneously, and is working relentlessly to make healthcare accessible to all. Highlights from the episode:(6:21) Nadine’s experience growing up in Dearborn and how it contrasted with her college experien
Social Determinants of Healthy Aging
In this episode of “Imagine a World,” Courtney Burton, a second year scholar pursuing a joint MBA/MS in Environment and Resources, discusses growing up in Atlanta, working in health care consulting, and her passion for extending healthspans. She sheds light on barriers to accessing resources for healthy aging, from health literacy to ageism, talks about embracing her inner clown, and reveals her v
Representation and Resilience in Medicine
In Episode 10 of Imagine a World, Johnny Powell, first-year medical student and first 2023 scholar featured on the podcast, talks about being the first in his family to attend an Ivy League school and his journey to medicine. He shares how he balances grit with grace, where he gets his motivation to work out at 6AM every morning, and why he hopes to empower young people that look like him.Highligh
How Art Drives Scientific Discovery
In this week’s episode, Vidal Arroyo (2022 cohort), 2nd year PhD student in Biophysics, takes us through his journey to Stanford as a first-generation college student and his passion for biophysics, poetry, and music. He opens up about mental health, his relationship with faith, and the importance of creativity and joy in science.Highlights from the episode:(07:04) Vidal's path into science, from
The Powerful Force of Compassion
In this week’s episode, Ashwyn Sam (2020 cohort), 4th year PhD student in Aeronautics and Astronautics, reflects on the profound impact that a strong support system and the compassion of others have had on his professional journey. He also explains the beauty of theoretical physics, shares his passion for cinema, and reveals the reason he was fed goat brains as a child.Highlights from the episode:
Creating Ideal Education Systems
In this episode, Aditya Vishwanath (2018 cohort), a graduate of the PhD program in Learning Sciences and Technology Design, shares his experiences with education and his vision for its future. Tune in to hear about his journey from memorizing his way through school exams in India to founding education reform organizations, all while finding the time to catch some Pokémon along the way. Highlights
Dismantling Systems of State Violence
In this episode, Emily Russell (2020 cohort), a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science discusses her upbringing in a large family, combining theatrical performance with political science, how she uses both to understand state violence, her sweet tooth and so much more.Highlights from the episode:(3:06) Emily's winter break dreams of launching a microgreens garden and her upbringing in Michigan (Go B
Breaking Barriers between People and Art
In this episode, Jaelynn Walls (2021 cohort), a Ph.D. candidate in Art History discusses, their introduction to artistic expression through creative writing, their journey to pursuing opportunities in curation, creating space to discuss contemporary artists of color, and so much more.Highlights from the episode:(4:40) Jaelynn's love for Pixar, growing up in Houston and experiencing both homeschool
Encouraging Empathy Through Art
In this episode, Karishma Bhagani (2021 cohort), a Ph.D. candidate in Theatre & Performance Studies (TAPS), sheds light on the power of art to unite people and encourage empathy, her journey of growing up in Kenya as a fifth-generation East African to moving to New York to pursue a degree in theater and history, leveraging the arts to drive conversations of change, and so much more.Highlights
Sustainability in Agriculture and Water
In this episode, Tomo Kumahira (2022 cohort), who is pursuing a joint MBA and MS degree in environment and resources (EIPR), talks about thinking creatively about agriculture and water use in response to climate change, working at a startup in coastal Kenya, inspiring communities through blogging, and dishwashing at a Michelin restaurant. He also discusses learning in multicultural environments, t
Economics of Equitable Medicine
In this episode of the Imagine A World podcast from Knight-Hennessy Scholars, we explore the potential of improving access to high-quality medical and scientific technologies. Our guest, Maya Durvasula shares her personal journey from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Duke University. In addition to sharing her experience at Duke, which was precluded by a gap year in local New Mexico politics , Maya shar
Identity Representation in Literature
In this episode of the Imagine A World podcast from Knight-Hennessy Scholars, we explore the power of words and the impact they can have. Our guests, Kay Barrett and Lydia Burleson share their personal journeys from Tennessee and rural Texas to the University of Virginia and Yale respectively. In addition to sharing their journeys to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program, Kay and Lydia both expound
Imagine A World Trailer
Welcome to the Imagine A World podcast. Join us as we explore the inspiring stories of the Knight-Hennessy Scholar community, discussing their visions for a better world and the impactful work they're doing to bring it to life. From representation in the media to access to medicine, climate change, and more, we delve into meaningful conversations that will leave you feeling inspired. Follow us on
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