Business Beyond Usual

Hosted by Michigan Ross

Business EducationExplicit

Website RSS feed

Episodes

174

Latest episode

Apr 2026

Language

About the show

Business Beyond Usual is a podcast from MBA students at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. In each episode, classmates tackle a burning issue in the business world or business education. There are no rules, no moderators, and no boundaries. This isn’t your typical b-school podcast. We’re taking business beyond usual. Subscribe for new episodes throughout the fall and winter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

April 24, 202647 min

Clubs and Community at Ross - S10 E04

There are around 60+ student organizations at Ross, spanning professional clubs, affinity groups, and social and sports clubs. On this episode of Business Beyond Usual, hosts Aishwarya Raja and Sylvia Percovich sit down with 4 deeply involved Ross students to discuss finding community outside of the classroom.  Topics covered include navigating the club fair as first years, deepening impact and involvement as second years, and, through it all, making it to Skeeps on Thursdays. Our guests take us inside the affinity groups, covering the Black Business Student Association (BBSA), Africa Business Club (ABC), Consortium, Latin American Business Students Association (LABSA), Brazilian Business Student Association (BRASA), Indian Subcontinent Business Association (ISBA), Michigan Business Women (MBW), MoMBAs, and more. The panel then looks forward to some favorite Ross events on the horizon, from Latin Vibes to the Follies Roast/Toast. Our guests leave listeners with valuable advice: be open, show up, and get involved! A list of all Michigan Ross clubs and organizations can be found here.  Hosts: Aishwarya Raja and Sylvia PercovichGuests: Colleen Heaney, Elie Mutomb, Marina Balassanian, and Alyssa DaumExecutive Producer: Aishwarya Raja Studio Producers: Jonah Brockman and Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 4, 202640 min

Living in Ann Arbor - S10 E03

On this episode of Business Beyond Usual, hosts Oghoghosa Igbineweka and Jasmin Lopez sit down with three full-time Michigan Ross students to talk about what it’s like to call Ann Arbor home while pursuing an MBA. Our guests talk about living in a walkable community where the student body informs the whole town’s culture. They share their day-to-day routines, tips for setting boundaries so as to make the most of their time, and some of their favorite Ann Arbor spots like Dozer Coffee, Slurping Turtle, and York. Our guests leave listeners with their invaluable advice: come to Ross with an open mind; do what scares you; and lean into the community.Mentioned in Episode:Africa Business ClubBlack Business Student AssociationMichigan Marketing ClubPeridotSanger Leadership Crisis ChallengeHosts: Oghoghosa Igbineweka and Jasmin LopezGuests: Amidat Sonekan, Kameron Akbarzadeh, and Eva OguduExecutive Producers: Oghoghosa Igbineweka and Jasmin LopezStudio Producers: Jonah Brockman and Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

December 12, 20251 hr 0 min

Recruiting by Industry: What Matters - S10 E02

On this episode of Business Beyond Usual, our Full-Time MBA students demystify recruiting by industry. The guests do individual deep dives into recruiting in the CPG, retail, healthcare, energy, tech, corporate finance, investment banking, and consulting fields, highlighting methods for navigating unstructured recruiting processes. Topics covered include differing timelines, intentional networking, various interview styles, staying on top of industry trends, as well as how to make a career pivot and land on your feet. Our guests leave us with their key pieces of advice: to set priorities, lean on community, and stay open to confusion and uncertainty. Hosts: Aishwarya Raja and Jasmin LopezGuests: Mayank Goel, Sammy Srinivasan, Ross McQuate, Rahul Narain, Serena Ahuja Executive Producers: Oghoghosa Igbineweka, and Jasmin LopezStudio Producers: Jonah Brockman and Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

October 17, 202544 min

International Experiences - S10 E01

At Michigan Ross, international programs allow students the opportunity to immerse themselves in new cultures, tackle business challenges from a global perspective, and have once-in-a-lifetime experiences with their classmates while building lifelong connections around the world. On the 10th season premiere of Business Beyond Usual, our full time MBA students speak to why they went global. They discuss various programs: student-led treks through MTREK, international Multidisciplinary Action Projects (MAP), and study abroad through the MBA Global Semester Exchange Program. They dive into the day-to-day life of time abroad, talking about the challenges — from language barriers to unfamiliar corporate culture — and reminiscing on the highlights of their travels.The students come away from their experiences with more empathy, compassion, and confidence, not to mention new friends and a deeper understanding of global business. Subscribe to Breezy’s substack! @breezydoesitHosts: Aishwarya Raja and Oghoghosa IgbinewekaGuests: Diane Jen, Abha Bhanu, Breezy Adams, Dominique Gill, and Janel WeatherlyExecutive Producers: Sylvia Percovich, Aishwarya Raja, Oghoghosa Igbineweka, and Jasmin LopezStudio Producers: Jonah Brockman and Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

June 13, 202542 min

Episode 909 — Graduation

On the Season 9 finale of the Business Beyond Usual podcast, next year’s BBU hosts, Jasmin Lopez, Aishwarya Raja, Oghoghosa Igbineweka, and Sylvia Percovich, join this season’s hosts, Vashisht Sai, Aishwarya Dhume, and Mark O’Connell, to pass the torch and prepare for graduation. In the first part of the episode, our graduating hosts share their excitement for post-grad life and reflect on their time at Michigan Ross, discussing their favorite moments and biggest challenges.In the second part of the episode, our incoming hosts gear up to become MBA 2s. They express their enthusiasm for settling in at Ross, strengthening friendships, being more present, and contributing to the Ross community.Thank you, Vashisht, Aishwarya, and Mark, for an incredible ninth season of BBU! Go Blue!Hosts: Jasmin Lopez, Aishwarya Raja, Oghoghosa Igbineweka, Sylvia PercovichGuests: Vashisht Sai, Aishwarya Dhume, Mark O’ConnellExecutive Producers: Mark O'Connell, Aishwarya Dhume, Vashisht Sai, and JT GodfreyAudio Engineer: Jonah BrockmanEditorial Production: Mads Henke  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 8, 202557 min

Episode 908 — Building a Career in Business Leadership with Dave Brandon

On this episode of the Business Beyond Usual podcast, hosts Aishwarya Dhume and Vashisht Sai sit down with Dave Brandon, former CEO and current Executive Chairman of Domino’s. Dave takes us through his long and varied career, from attending U-M as a student athlete and aspiring teacher to working in executive leadership roles across industries. He discusses his approach to taking two different companies public, as well as the challenges he faced throughout his career. The conversation is a masterclass in creative problem-solving and how leaders persevere.Hosts: Aishwarya Dhume and Vashisht SaiGuest: Dave BrandonExecutive Producers: Mark O'Connell, Aishwarya Dhume, Vashisht Sai, and JT GodfreyAudio Engineer: Jonah BrockmanEditorial Production: Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 18, 20251 hr 9 min

Episode 907 — Financing the MBA

On this episode of the Business Beyond Usual podcast, hosts Aishwarya Dhume and Jasmin Lopez sit down with Ross Full-Time MBA students Vashisht Sai, Yashvi Patel, and Vraj Mehta to discuss how they financed their MBAs. The guests shed light on their individual journeys and share tips on de-mystifying student loans, campus jobs, internships, and scholarships. They touch on the role that expenses play in the recruitment process and their experiences in budgeting. One important tip? Buy the Michigan football pass!Hosts: Aishwarya Dhume and Jasmin LopezGuests: Vashisht Sai, Yashvi Patel, Vraj MehtaExecutive Producers: Mark O'Connell, Aishwarya Dhume, Vashisht Sai, and JT GodfreyAudio Engineer: Jonah BrockmanEditorial Production: Mads Henke  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 20, 202543 min

Episode 906 — History of MAP

On this episode of the Business Beyond Usual podcast, hosts Aishwarya Dhume and Vashishta Sai sit down with Megan Anda, Managing Director of the Office of Action Based Learning, Professor M.S. Krishnan, and Will Pan, MBA ’25, to discuss the Multi-disciplinary Action Project, or MAP, at Ross. Topics covered include MAP’s history, how it has changed over the past 30 years, how the 100+ projects are sourced each year, the role of MAP faculty, and the student experience. We learn how this foundational part of the Michigan Ross education serves as a window to the ever-evolving business world and how it prepares students for their internships while imparting skills that will be used for their whole careers. Host: Aishwarya Dhume and Vashishta SaiGuests: Megan Anda, M.S. Krishnan, and Will Pan Executive Producers: Mark O'Connell, Aishwarya Dhume, Vashishta Sai, and JT GodfreyAudio Engineer: Jonah BrockmanEditorial Production: Mads Henke  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

February 14, 202547 min

Episode 905 — Partners at Ross

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, host Aishwarya Raja sits down with guests Andrew Johnson, JT Godfrey, Chiara Lucchesi, and Javier Balam to discuss the experience of being a partner at Ross.With full calendars and a welcoming environment, partners of Ross MBAs aren’t just plus ones; they become members of the community themselves with a myriad of involvement opportunities. In this episode, the four partners discuss making the move to Ann Arbor and all of the opportunities and hidden gems the city has to offer, from proximity to the arts and sports teams to the best spots for sushi and burgers. The guests also share how they’ve gotten involved at Ross, including events through the Partners Club, becoming members of student clubs and affiliate groups, and employment opportunities with U-M. They conclude the conversation by discussing the challenges of supporting a partner through MBA recruitment and leave listeners with a few pieces of advice. Host and Episode Producer: Aishwarya Raja Guests: Andrew Johnson, JT Godfrey, Chiara Lucchesi, Javier BalamExecutive Producers: Mark O'Connell, Aishwarya Dhume, Vashishta Sai, and JT GodfreyAudio Engineer: Jonah BrockmanEditorial Production: Mads Henke Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

December 12, 202452 min

Episode 904 — Culture & Fun at Ross

On this episode of the Business Beyond Usual podcast, hosts Aishwarya Dhume and Mark O’Connell sit down with Grant Potts, Macey Guthery, and Rachel Schulingkamp from The Bus – the unofficial business school tailgate committee dedicated to stirring up school spirit, Brian Vu from Risky Business – Michigan Ross’s MBA student led band, and Tyler Ringler from Michigan Business Social Association (MBSA) – the organization behind Winter Formal, Disorientation, and Thursdays at Skeeps, to discuss each of the uniquely Ross groups with which they are involved.The panel focuses on how these groups form community and deep friendships while marveling at the fun they bring to the Michigan Ross experience. They touch on balancing extracurriculars with the workload of an MBA and the qualities they each look for in selecting new members. They promise you don’t have to be an extrovert to enjoy the countless events each group offers.  Hosts: Aishwarya Dhume and Mark O’ConnellGuests: Grant Potts, Macey Guthery, Brian Vu, Rachel Schulingkamp, Tyler RinglerExecutive Producers: Mark O'Connell, Aishwarya Dhume, Vashishta Sai, and JT GodfreyAudio Engineer: Jonah BrockmanEditorial Production: Mads Henke  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.