The ShermCast

Hosted by Sherman Center

Business Education

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Latest episode

Nov 2025

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EN-US

About the show

The Sherman Center for Engineering Entrepreneurship Education proudly presents The ShermCast, a podcast dedicated to uncovering the meaning of entrepreneurship in the Northeastern community and the Greater Boston Area. Brought to you by your hosts, Vaughn Williams and Sage Antonio.

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60 recent

November 21, 2025Episode 544 min

Founders & Innovators: Building the Future of Wellness

Welcome to the fifth and final episode of Season 12 of the ShermCast! In this episode, co-hosts Alice Wang and Kaylyn Kim explore the world of innovation and product development in the health and fitness space. They sit down with Nathan Cunningham, a graduate and current Venture Co-op at the Sherman Center, and Narayan Sharma, a recent Northeastern graduate and former Generate member who now works as a Software Engineer at WHOOP. Together, they discuss the rise of health-tech innovation, the challenges of designing for real users, and the ways Northeastern’s entrepreneurial ecosystem shaped their personal and professional growth. To learn more, check out the following links:Nathan Cunningham:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-cunningham-143441122/Narayan Sharma:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ns324/Learn more about the Generate Showcase and RSVP:https://luma.com/qifqqalsCheck out more of the Sherman Center here: Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn @nushermancenter | https://www.linkedin.com/company/shermancenter/Head to our website for all episodes and transcripts: https://sherman.center.northeastern.edu/podcasts/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://northeastern.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b68280c2338757ed7ae96dd7f&id=8d1b04b5ee

November 7, 2025Episode 439 min

11Sight’s Roots: Entrepreneurship Without Boundaries

Welcome to the fourth episode of Season 12 of the ShermCast! In this episode, co-hosts Alice Wang and Kaylyn Kim spotlight immigrant entrepreneurship. Featuring Dr. Aleks Gollu, a serial entrepreneur, innovator, and Associate Teaching Professor at Northeastern University, join us as we explore how global perspective, problem-first thinking, and team culture shape startup success. Dr. Gollu shares lessons from co-founding 11Sight, from identifying real customer needs to building trust inside diverse teams, and reflects on how the immigrant experience informs resilience, leadership, and opportunity. To learn more, check out the links below.Dr. Aleks GolluLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleksgollu/See more about the Forge Showcase and RSVP:https://luma.com/fop3mshrCheck out more of the Sherman Center here: Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn @nushermancenter | https://www.linkedin.com/company/shermancenter/Head to our website for all episodes and transcripts: https://sherman.center.northeastern.edu/podcasts/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://northeastern.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b68280c2338757ed7ae96dd7f&id=8d1b04b5ee

October 27, 2025Episode 330 min

The Design of Hockey Skates: Inside the MS in Product Development Program

Welcome to the third episode of Season 12 of the ShermCast! In this episode, co-hosts Alice Wang and Kaylyn Kim learn about the Masters of Science in Product Development program. Featuring Ryan Potechin, a recent graduate of the MS program, join us as we dive into what makes this unique degree such a powerful launchpad for future innovators. Ryan shares his firsthand experience navigating the program — from developing technical and entrepreneurial skills to collaborating across disciplines — and how it’s shaped his career path after graduation. To learn more, check out the following links:Connect with our Guest!Ryan PotechinLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-potechin/ See more about the Masters of Science in Product Development:https://coe.northeastern.edu/academic-programs/ms-prod/ Check out more of the Sherman Center here: Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn @nushermancenter | https://www.linkedin.com/company/shermancenter/Head to our website for all episodes and transcripts: https://sherman.center.northeastern.edu/podcasts/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://northeastern.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b68280c2338757ed7ae96dd7f&id=8d1b04b5ee

October 10, 2025Episode 245 min

Build, Create, Lead: Sherman Leaders in Focus

Welcome to the second episode of Season 12 of the ShermCast! In this episode, co-hosts Alice Wang and Kaylyn Kim explore leadership within the Sherman Center by highlighting two of its programs: Forge and Generate. They sit down with current undergraduate Matt Marsicano, Generate Tech Lead and Makerspace Team Lead, and 2023 alum Kyle Janko, former Forge Executive Director and Generate Chief Designer, Community Director, and Operational Director. Together, they discuss what leadership means within these student-led programs, the challenges and rewards of leading teams, and how the Sherman Center community continues to shape their growth as innovators and mentors. To learn more, check out the following links:Connect with our amazing guests!Matthew Marsicano:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewmarsicano/Kyle Janko:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylejanko/Follow and check out our InstagramsForge: @forge.nuGenerate: @generatenuCheck out more of the Sherman Center here: Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn @nushermancenter | https://www.linkedin.com/company/shermancenter/Head to our website for all episodes and transcripts: https://sherman.center.northeastern.edu/podcasts/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://northeastern.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b68280c2338757ed7ae96dd7f&id=8d1b04b5ee

September 26, 2025Episode 145 min

Voices of Women: Being a Female Entrepreneur

Welcome to the first episode of Season 12 of the ShermCast! In this episode, co-hosts Alice Wang and Kaylyn Kim celebrate American Business Women’s Day by speaking with two inspiring Northeastern alumnae: Ananya Shah, founder of FindHer, and Sari Finn, founder of JOYVINE. They reflect on their entrepreneurial journeys through the Sherman Center’s Venture Co-op program, the resources and community that supported them along the way, and what lessons continue to guide their work today. Together, they share their perspectives on the opportunities, challenges, and realities of being a woman in business. To learn more, check out the following links:Ananya Shah: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anyushah/Sari Finn:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finnsari/Forge Workshop Information: Follow and check out Forge Instagram@forge.nuCheck out more of the Sherman Center here: Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn @nushermancenterHead to our website for all episodes and transcripts: https://sherman.center.northeastern.edu/podcasts/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://northeastern.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b68280c2338757ed7ae96dd7f&id=8d1b04b5ee

April 10, 2025Episode 541 min

Two Makerspaces, One Community - The Ins and Outs of Building"

Welcome back to the ShermCast! In this episode, co-hosts Vaughn Williams and Sage Antonio interview Venture Co-op Tejaswini "TJ" Kambaiahgari, Co-founder of Baseline Tech, and Aya Aragon, EXP Makerspace trainer, former chief of staff at the Sherman Center, Generate Community Director, and Shermcomms alumni. Listen to learn more about Northeastern Makerspaces and what kinds of cool projects are created in them. To learn more about our guests, check out the following links:Tejaswini "TJ" Kambaiahgari:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejaswinineu/ Baseline Tech: https://blinetech.co/ Aya Aragon:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleyah-aya-aragon/Exp Makerspace: https://makerspaces.northeastern.edu/spaces/exp-makerspace/ Check out more of the Sherman Center here:Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn @nushermancenterHead to our website for all episodes and transcripts: https://sherman.center.northeastern.edu/podcasts/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://northeastern.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b68280c2338757ed7ae96dd7f&id=8d1b04b5ee

March 14, 2025Episode 441 min

Behind the Scenes of our Masters in Product Development Program

In today’s episode, co-hosts Vaughn Williams and Sage Antonio interview Mark Sivak, The Head of Academics for the Sherman Center, and Rachel Lee, a grad student studying for a Master of Science (MS) in Product Development. Listen to learn more about what Northeastern’s Masters in Product development has to offer. To learn more, check out the following links:Mark Sivak:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksivak/ Email: m.sivak@northeastern.edu Rachel Lee:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-y-lee/ Check out more of the Sherman Center here:Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn @nushermancenterHead to our website for all episodes and transcripts: https://sherman.center.northeastern.edu/podcasts/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://northeastern.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b68280c2338757ed7ae96dd7f&id=8d1b04b5ee

February 28, 2025Episode 340 min

Ethics in Building and Product Development

In this episode, co-hosts Vaughn Williams and Sage Antonio interview Forge Product Lab Lead Druhi Bhargava, and Generate Project Lead, Urvi Bhojani. Find out about the product development that Northeastern clubs Forge and Generate are working on. To learn more, check out the following links:Druhi Bhargava:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/druhi-bhargava/ Forge Website: https://www.forgenu.com/home Urvi Bhojani:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/urvi-bhojani/ Generate Website: https://generatenu.com/ Check out more of the Sherman Center here:Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn @nushermancenterHead to our website for all episodes and transcripts: https://sherman.center.northeastern.edu/podcasts/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://northeastern.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b68280c2338757ed7ae96dd7f&id=8d1b04b5ee

February 14, 2025Episode 245 min

Ketchup Please: Crafting the Future of Flavor and Business.

This week on the Shermcast co-hosts Sage Antonio and Vaughn Williams interview former Venture Co-op and Chief Operating Officer of Ketchup Please Jack Burns. Tune in to learn about the ins and outs of being an entrepreneur in the food industry and how Jack has managed Ketchup Please while being a full-time student.To learn more check out the following links:Jack BurnsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackbladenburns/Ketchup Please: https://www.kpketchup.com/Check out more of the Sherman Center here:Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn @nushermancenterHead to our website for all episodes and transcripts: https://sherman.center.northeastern.edu/podcasts/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://northeastern.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b68280c2338757ed7ae96dd7f&id=8d1b04b5ee

January 24, 2025Episode 146 min

Health Ventures: Pioneering the Future of Healthcare Entrepreneurship

Welcome to the first episode of Season 11 of the ShermCast! In this episode, co-hosts Vaughn Williams and Sage Antonio interview Venture Co-ops Mukki Gill, founder of Zor!, and Naomi Rajput, founder of Eden. Listen to learn more about what goes into being an innovator in the healthcare industry while also being a full-time student, as well as what challenges Mukki and Naomi faces in the field. To learn more, check out the following links:Mukki Gill:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mukki-g-49820a188/Naomi Rajput:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomirajput/Check out more of the Sherman Center here:Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn @nushermancenterHead to our website for all episodes and transcripts: https://sherman.center.northeastern.edu/podcasts/Subscribe to our newsletter: https://northeastern.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=b68280c2338757ed7ae96dd7f&id=8d1b04b5ee