Roads Taken

Hosted by Dartmouth Class of 1996, Leslie Jennings Rowley

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197

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Mar 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Roads Taken, the show that reminds us that you don’t have to know exactly where you’re going, you just need to be open to the adventure that awaits. In each episode, Leslie Jennings Rowley talks to her guests—all a quarter-century-plus after college—about who they were as they graduated, who they thought they’d be, and how they’ve traveled down various roads to get where they are today. Mid-life crises? Maybe. Exactly where they thought they'd be? Rarely. In the end, each of their stories shows us what Robert Frost was trying to tell us: It doesn’t really matter which way we turn….a full life awaits, regardless of the ROADS TAKEN.

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60 recent

March 16, 202634 min

The Science, Art and Gift of Teaching: Anna Kontos on listening to your heart and passing it on

From very early on, Anna Kontos knew to listen to her heart and intuition to lead her. When her heart told her education was her path, she leaned in. She supplemented part-time leave term consulting gig with substitute teaching, which she enjoyed way more. She was part of the cohort of students who took the education program and stayed a semester after graduation to student teach and gather more in-class tools. She particularly loved how her creative side was grounded by her understanding of cognitive science. But she also knew that intuition—or the art of teaching— can take you only so far and that being the best resource to kids would require more science. She pursued that science and then found many ways to apply it, teach it, and center it at the core of her own practice.In this episode, find out how from Anna how mixing science, art, and a very special sauce can create the alchemy needed to excel. About This Episode’s Guest Anna Kontos is a Learning Specialist, Private Tutor, and an educator of educators. She recently co-founded Canvas & Cortex, an integrated consultancy in the Boston area that provides family and school consulting, executive-functioning and ADHD coaching, and workshops that blend creativity with research-backed strategies for student success. She lives with her husband and two sons in the Boston area, close to her large extended Greek family. Find more episodes at https://roadstakenshow.com Executive Producer/Host: Leslie Jennings RowleyMusic: Brian BurrowsEmail the show at RoadsTakenShow@gmail.com 

March 9, 202622 min

The meaning of home: Matthew Wiltshire (redux)

Last we spoke with Matthew Wiltshire, he had returned to his beloved Nashville with an eye toward serving the people there. He was doing that in economic development and housing and then a bigger opportunity appeared. He took a shot at running for Mayor of the City of Nashville and learned through the process that there are many ways to serve. He also found that the health of a city and a family has a lot to do with home.//In this episode, find out from Matt how sticking with what seems most pressing can provide some of the best payoffs…on Roads Taken Revisited with Leslie Jennings Rowley. About This Episode’s Guest Matthew Wiltshire is a native of Nashville, Tennesse. After a valiant run in the Nashville mayoral race in 2023, he is currently the President of the Pathway Housing Fund, which utilizes low-cost capital to acquire naturally-occurring affordable housing properties in Tennessee that are at risk of becoming unaffordable and provides quality housing for residents. Prior to joining Pathway, Matt worked at MDHA, Nashville's public housing authority, and served as the Director of Economic and Community Development for the city. And somehow along the way, in addition to the properties, he has acquired six kids who keep him busy, and worried, and deeply in love. For Matt’s first appearance on Roads Taken, listen to The Home Stretch. Find more episodes at https://roadstakenshow.com Executive Producer/Host: Leslie Jennings RowleyMusic: Brian BurrowsEmail the show at RoadsTakenShow@gmail.com 

March 2, 202620 min

A Suitcase Full: Maryam Kia-Keating (redux)

Last we spoke with Maryam Kia-Keating, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and a mom of two, she was already a full professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in its school of Education’s Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology. Nearly four years later, she still has all her skills and expertise and desire to empower individuals, families, schools and communities. She’s just taken the time to discern where she could make the most impact, which has led her to walk through some unexpected doors. In this episode, find out from Maryam out how making decisions based around potential impact can open up all sorts of potential…on Roads Taken Revisited with Leslie Jennings Rowley. About This Episode’s Guest Maryam Kia-Keating is an author, psychologist, educator, and lifelong storyteller. After serving on the active faculty at the University of California, Santa Barbara for 18 years, she is now Professor Emerita there. Currently she serves as the director of counseling at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano, California, and continues to serve as a consultant for children’s media. A producer of children’s media herself, she is the author of the forthcoming A Suitcase Full, a picture book inspired by her own journey across the world as a child. Find out more about the book (and how to pre-order it) at maryamkia.com. For Maryam’s first appearance on Roads Taken, listen to Research in Action. Find more episodes at https://roadstakenshow.com Executive Producer/Host: Leslie Jennings RowleyMusic: Brian BurrowsEmail the show at RoadsTakenShow@gmail.com 

February 23, 202638 min

The Quest for Freedom: Kelii Opulauoho on going home and finding freedom

In college, Keli‘i Opulauoho would have defined himself by the types of activities in which he participated – musical pursuits, student government, student affairs, his policy interests, particularly those related to China and international peace. But many of his classmates also associated him with his homeland of Hawai‘i. And after decades of being away, he has recently moved back home. But, despite some of the family reasons that made him originally consider the move back, it wasn't what he missed that drew home; rather what of his experiences from away that he could bring back to the islands. In this episode, find out from Keli‘i how sometimes repairing things comes from being your whole self where once you weren't. About This Episode’s Guest Keli‘i Opulauoho has had a career in corporate organizational development and learning, currently practicing his expertise at Hawaiian Electric, in Honolulu. In addition to supporting a number of LGBTQ+ organizations in Hawai‘i, he serves on the board of directors of many Dartmouth groups, including DGALA, NAAAD – the Native American Alumni Association of Dartmouth – and the Dartmouth Club of Hawai‘i. He is a proud Dartmouth ’26 parent and is a formidable karaoke performer wherever he might find himself. And despite what he might think, he’s a great hugger. Find more episodes at https://roadstakenshow.com Executive Producer/Host: Leslie Jennings RowleyMusic: Brian BurrowsEmail the show at RoadsTakenShow@gmail.com 

February 16, 202624 min

Green Grass of Home: Burns McKinney on looking at what else is out there and coming home

As many of us do, Burns McKinney had a high school teacher who made things come alive, even in the dismal science of economics. With that fire, Burns knew what he wanted to study in college and sought out professors who had that same desire to go beyond theory to application and real-world significance. Starting in the investment banking world in New York City, this Texan learned the fundamentals and how to work hard, but found he would take a role and keep an eye out for what the other guys were doing. Not necessarily feeling their grass was greener, he was just open to the next thing that might be a better fit. When he found the fit in buy-side investment management and refined skills and connections in business school, he also wanted to grow a family. But he knew he wanted to do that closer to his roots.In this episode, find out from Burns how sometimes looking over the fence makes you realize the grass can be pretty green at home.About This Episode's GuestBurns McKinney is currently Senior Portfolio Manager at NFJ Investment Group, a global value equity manager in Dallas, where he's been for the last two decades. His two children are nearly grown, so you will probably find him in Dallas or traveling with his wife Barb to see live music or sporting events. Find more episodes at https://roadstakenshow.com Executive Producer/Host: Leslie Jennings RowleyMusic: Brian BurrowsEmail the show at RoadsTakenShow@gmail.com 

February 9, 202648 min

Educational Imagination: Ryan Carey on thinking like a historian and teaching uncertainty

With romantic visions of the life of an academic historian, Ryan Carey embarked on the journey he thought would lead him there. But reality was harder to replicate than the models in his mind's eye. After landing an initial position in a claustrophobic environment and putting more energy into his classroom teaching than publishing, his bid for tenure was unsuccessful and he moved away from the academy. He found a public history position in the museum world but found himself missing teaching. When a friend suggested he try teaching at a private high school, he resisted, blind to all the ways it was a perfect match.In this episode, find out from Ryan how sometimes taking a leap and going beyond the expected can bring you back to where you belong.About This Episode’s GuestRyan Carey currently serves as Director of Experiential Education and Extension Programs at St. Margaret's Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano, California. He holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of Texas at Austin, where he specialized in environmental history and the history of the American West, and is happy to be living, surfing, and soaking up the vistas back on that coast. Find more episodes at https://roadstakenshow.com Executive Producer/Host: Leslie Jennings RowleyMusic: Brian BurrowsEmail the show at RoadsTakenShow@gmail.com 

February 2, 202648 min

Differential Diagnosis: Thomas Fisher on focusing on community wellness and widening the lens

After two decades in the ER, Thomas Fisher encountered a true emergency that seemed all-encompassing but was just the tip of the iceberg. Reflecting on his experiences on the front lines of one of America's busiest urban hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, he realized that his community's literal and metaphorical ills--and those of much of America--are unlikely to heal themselves.In this episode, find out from Thomas getting to exhaustion and witnessing everyone else's can sometimes provide the energy necessary to take on new challenges.About This Episode’s GuestThomas Fisher is an emergency medicine physician from the south Side of Chicago whose first book The Emergency: A Year of Healing and Heartbreak in a Chicago ER was named one of Time Magazine's "100 Must-Read Books" of the year. He is currently running for election to serve the people of Illinois' 7th Congressional District. You can find more about his campaign at thomasfisherforcongress.com. Find more episodes at https://roadstakenshow.com Executive Producer/Host: Leslie Jennings RowleyMusic: Brian BurrowsEmail the show at RoadsTakenShow@gmail.com 

January 26, 20261 min

Season Eleven: Hey Roads Taken Listeners

Hey Roads Taken Listeners. It's been a minute. But we’re back. On the run up to the 30th Reunion of Dartmouth's Class of 1996, host Leslie Jennings Rowley will be talking to more classmates about who they were as they graduated, who they thought they’d become, and how they’ve traveled down various roads to get where they are today. They’ve have had nearly three decades of post-college life and all the highs, lows, bruises, and accolades to prove it.The new season will begin on February 2, 2026. And just like Groundhog Day, all the pageantry and questions will feel familiar but you won’t quite be sure what the guest of honor will tell us. Will it be a medical doctor running for Congress? A non-profit director fighting to make sure people get what they need? An educator with lots of life lessons to impart?If you're hearing this, there's a good chance you're already subscribed or are following the show in your favorite podcast app. But if not, please do that now and make sure your auto download feature is turned on so you don't miss any new episodes when they start dropping soon with on Roads Taken. Find more episodes at https://roadstakenshow.com Executive Producer/Host: Leslie Jennings RowleyMusic: Brian BurrowsEmail the show at RoadsTakenShow@gmail.com 

October 28, 202426 min

Finding the Right Match: Adam Medros (redux)

Last we spoke with Adam Medros, he had moved through a string of ever-more-interesting C-Suite roles. Not long after, he realized he needed to hit the pause button and embarked on a sabbatical of sorts. He filled the time with a number of pursuits, but none as sweet as his serious study of pastries—and not just as being a consumer of them but rather becoming quite the accomplished baker. (Amazingly, his telling of it made this our second episode featuring the word kouign-amann.) After a bit of time without a focus on anything more external to his home kitchen, however, he started getting the itch to hop back on the C-Suite track.In this episode, find out from Adam taking time to do nothing and some new somethings can help hit the reset…on Roads Taken Revisited with Leslie Jennings Rowley. About This Episode’s GuestAdam Medros, an experienced C-level technology executive, is currently CEO of Spark Networks, the parent company of some of the most recognizable online dating brands in the world, particularly for singles over 40 and those with strong faith traditions. Among others, the portfolio includes Jdate, Elite Singles, ChristianMingle, and SilverSingles. And, of course, he is quite the accomplished pastry chef. Here are pictures of Adam with some of his pastry creations and Adam filling donuts.For Adam’s first appearance on Roads Taken, listen to Disruptive Mindset.And for the first appearance of the word kouign-amann on our podcast, listen to Risk and Reward with Jamie Hansen. Find more episodes at https://roadstakenshow.com Executive Producer/Host: Leslie Jennings RowleyMusic: Brian BurrowsEmail the show at RoadsTakenShow@gmail.com 

October 21, 202423 min

Head of the Class: Jeneen DiBenedetto Graham (redux)

Last we spoke with Jeneen DiBenedetto Graham, it was summer 2020 and as the head of the upper school at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in Southern California, she was still in the thick of the complexities of covid and retooling just about everything in anticipation of bringing students back in the fall. In the more than four years since, her ability to handle the unexpected has continued to be tested as she has faced fears, uncertainty, and a changing future.In this episode, find out from Jeneen how keeping service and growth at the center can keep things on track…on Roads Taken Revisited with Leslie Jennings Rowley. About This Episode’s GuestThat was Jeneen DiBenedetto Graham who is currently head of school at St. Margaret's Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano, California. She previously was Upper School Principal from 2018 to 2023 and Academic Dean, 2012 to 2018, in addition to teaching AP psychology and serving on the Board of Trustees as a parent of two graduates of the school.For Jeneen’s first appearance on Roads Taken, listen to Independent Education and her special bonus episode about closing her school for covid lockdown and moving to online learning. Find more episodes at https://roadstakenshow.com Executive Producer/Host: Leslie Jennings RowleyMusic: Brian BurrowsEmail the show at RoadsTakenShow@gmail.com 