Imagine A World

Join scholar Nadine Jawad on a reflective journey from growing up in Dearborn to her aspirations in public policy and healthcare. Hear about her activism, balancing cynicism with joy, and the importance of accessible healthcare. Discover Nadine's vision for impact through writing and her supportive Knight-Hennessy community.

In this episode, Courtney discusses barriers to healthy aging, her journey from Atlanta to healthcare consulting, and her passion for extending healthspans. She shares her vision for life at 67, upcoming trip to Costa Rica's blue zone, and insights on ageism and health literacy.

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.Highlights from the episode:(6:28) Johnny’s experience growing up in North Carolina; his decision to apply to an Ivy League school, taking a different path from his family, who attended HBCUs, and the culture shock and transformative experiences that Johnny had at Harvard(15:18) How Johnny first became interested in medicine, motivated by the experiences of his family members, and his path to eventually pursuing an MD through consulting and clinical research(19:12) Johnny’s experience running the Harvard Black Men’s Forum, as well as other advocacy and leadership positions, and how they inform his notion of good leadership(22:40) Johnny’s thoughts on his Imagine a World statement, about addressing all people’s health and social needs(26:25) Johnny’s approach to handling bad days maintaining a sense of optimism without sliding into toxic positivity, and balancing his practice of grit and grace(31:55) The role of the medical school community, Knight-Hennessy, and family in supporting Johnny during his time at Stanford, and the support he’s gotten from his mother throughout his life(35:22) How Johnny views his role in empowering future generations and his thoughts on the inaccessibility of med school application process(40:35) Johnny’s experience applying to the Knight-Hennessy and his improbable facts about his experience staying with a host family in Japan; his advice for applicants to the program

Vidal Arroyo, a PhD student in Biophysics, shares his journey as a first-gen college student at Stanford, blending his love for science, poetry, and music. He discusses mental health, faith, and the role of creativity in scientific discovery. From wrestling in Orange County to studying biochemistry, his path reflects a mix of personal and academic growth. Vidal's advice to Knight-Hennessy applicants emphasizes turning work into art and cultivating a well-rounded approach to pursuit.

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: (3:40) Ashwyn’s path to immigration to the United States from India, the advocacy of his parents in finding a scholarship to attend college, and how his experiences inform his Imagine a World statement(22:30) The origination of Ashwyn’s interest in physics in The Big Bang Theory, and the factors leading to his his switch to engineering in college(29:26) Aswhyn’s current research on the detection of small orbital debris (32:30) Ashwyn’s interest in teaching and storytelling, how Knight-Hennessy has allowed him to develop these skills, and the best story he’s heard recently(37:50) How Aswhyn’s faith influences his approach to life(41:26) Ashwyn’s improbable facts and advice for Knight-Hennessy applicants

Aditya Vishwanath, a PhD graduate in Learning Sciences, discusses education reform, technology integration, and the need to reimagine education. He shares his journey from exam memorization in India to founding organizations. Topics include the limits of technology in education, integrating technology with curricula, and advice for Knight-Hennessy applicants. Plus, a fun twist with Aditya's Pokémon knowledge.

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 Blue!) (12:56) Emily's personal and professional introduction to the idea of state violence and how she envisions a world with no state violence (23:08) Emily's experience building Playwriting for Peace, a project aimed at channeling empathy through expression in communities affected by conflict & state violence and her dissertation research (35:51) How KHS has affected Emily's experience, her improbable facts and advice for future KHS applicants

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 and public school (13:45) How Jaelynn sparked an interest in art and began to build a following through their YouTube Channel "Art in Color"(26:38) Why Jaelynn focuses on youth in their work, their experience writing a book "The Queer Girl is Going to Be Okay," and how they handle critique(46:22) Jaelynn's improbable facts and advice for future KHS applicants

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 from the episode:(5:10) Karishma’s upbringing in Kenya and childhood training in dancing(9:35) Karishma’s journey into acting and her degree at NYU; her experiences directing and producing, and how they relate to her interest in history(16:06) Karishma’s thoughts on decolonizing the theatre canon by expanding it and critiquing it through a decolonial lens(19:05) The role of mentoring from strong women and parental support in navigating a career in the arts (25:50) Karishma’s motivations for pursuing a PhD in theater and performance studies at Stanford, and closing the gap between academia and practice by using the university as a space for resistance(32:22) How the Knight-Hennessy community has shaped Karishma’s vision for the arts(34:54) Karishma’s experience directing and producing the play Haldi and Honey, written by the playwright Aleya Kassam, for her second-year candidacy exam(39:24) Karishma’s improbable facts and her polyglotism (41:24) Karishma’s advice to applicants for Knight-Hennessy

Guest Tomo Kumahira, pursuing an MBA and MS degree, talks about sustainability in agriculture and water, work in coastal Kenya, blogging, multicultural environments, Michelin restaurant experience. Topics include upbringing in Japan, finance in water and agriculture, work at Komaza in Kenya, Knight-Hennessy application, starting a blog, hopes for the future, udon-making, and advice for Stanford/Knight-Hennessy applicants.