Formative, from New York Edge, is the podcast where the leaders of today are interviewed by leaders of tomorrow! Our intrepid co-hosts, all between the ages of eleven and fourteen, conduct long-form interviews with successful adults from the worlds of business, science, the arts, and beyond.
📻 Siste episoder av Formative
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David and Nicholas: Making the Choice and Jumping In (00:11:41)
David Fugate, entrepreneur and CEO of Akamai Construction in Hawaii and X-Golf in New York City, joins middle schooler Nicholas to talk about leadership, teamwork, and taking chances. He shares how he’s always envisioned being a leader, why building the right team is so important, and how moving around and taking risks has been one of the best gifts he’s given himself. Nicholas learns from David why keeping your word and following through on your promises matters just as much as taking bold steps.
Eliot and Dayvion: Creating to Connect (00:14:16)
Eliot Salome Diaz, graffiti and mural artist, joins middle schooler Dayvion to talk about life as a creative. Eliot shares how he navigates his interests in both art and business, what his work teaches about creating from the heart and with passion, and his love of hip hop. Dayvion learns from Eliot how making art from a generous, expansive place can open unexpected doors of opportunity.
Linda and Torlisa: We’re Still Learning and Teaching (00:13:55)
Linda Anstendig, former English professor at Pace University, joins middle schooler Torlisa to talk about the joys of learning and teaching. Torlisa comes into the conversation admitting that English has always been her least favorite subject, but Linda shows her how reaching out to a teacher for guidance can really change the way you learn. Linda also shares why pursuing an English major is a worthy choice, how she learned to become more assertive, and she tells the story of a powerful student experience that stuck with her.
Robert and Dayvion: Being the Messenger (00:14:09)
Robert Barletta, Executive Vice President at Marino Public Relations, joins middle schooler Dayvion to share what it’s like to work as a publicist. He tells stories from his early days in government and politics, explains how he helps clients handle emergency situations, and shows why entrepreneurs need a publicist to be the voice of their brand. Dayvion learns from Robert why even after years in the business, staying excited and passionate about your work can make all the difference.
Ellen and Aiden: The World Is Our Classroom (00:16:17)
Ellen Kackmann, Senior Vice President of Affordable Housing at the Albanese Organization, sits down with middle schooler Aiden for a thoughtful conversation about what it means to build a career with purpose. Ellen talks about what inspires her to help create affordable housing, and why this work means so much to her.She also shares how creative writing became one of her go-to outlets, and tells the story of how she finally stopped being scared of math by tackling it head-on. This episode is all about trying new things, facing fears, and finding the work that lights you up.
Clara and Nicholas: Telling Stories That Matter (00:19:10)
Award-winning journalist and author, Clara Bingham, joins us to kick off the season with a powerful conversation about truth-telling. Clara shares with us what first pulled her toward journalism, why the work can be both demanding and deeply rewarding, and how her focus on social justice and women’s issues has shaped her career. She also reflects on the difference between seeking fame and seeking purpose, and why she believes doing meaningful work matters most.
Grizel, Shania & Dayvion: Bright Lights, Big Breaks (00:18:28)
As we wrap up Season 10 of Formative, we hang out with Grizel Del Valle: a singer, actress, and all-around powerhouse with a knack for bold moves. Middle schoolers Shania and Dayvion jump into a heartfelt chat about spotting the perfect moments to take a leap and finding the guts to go for it. They also learn about the ways social media can open doors, what it’s really like being an independent artist, and the story behind being called La Chachi.
Kat and Briana: Getting Out of Our Own Way (00:20:59)
Kat Yeh has reinvented herself from sports marketer to beloved children’s author and poet, creating stories that inspire and delight. In this episode, middle schooler Briana talks with Kat about chasing sparks of inspiration, how she learned to overcome her own doubts, and which of her book characters she wishes she could be. Tune in for an introspective conversation about doubt, courage and chasing curiosities.
John and Jacob: Making Our Own Noise (00:20:26)
John Loeffler has spent nearly fifty years making music that moves the world, from crafting the unforgettable Pokémon sound to working with iconic bands like Cheap Trick and Earth, Wind & Fire. In this episode, Jacob chats with John about how a few chance encounters in New York set him on a unique path, the many surprising directions a career in music can take, and why following your passion means living beyond the ordinary. Join us for a story about creativity, persistence, and making your own kind of noise.
Marc and Nya: We’re Giving It Our All (00:17:09)
Marc Rosen, Senior Director of Corporate Sales & Concierge Services at FreshDirect, joins middle schooler Nya for a lively chat about what it takes to thrive in sales. Marc opens up about the skills that have shaped his career, what keeps his ambition burning, and the one thing he wishes he could do over. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about growth, goals, and getting better every day.
Laurence and Semaji: We’re Not Done Yet (00:21:33)
Dr. Laurence Aronstein, a lifelong educator and leadership coach, joins middle schooler Semaji to reflect on nearly five decades in public education. From his start as a teacher to his role as a superintendent and now a coach for school leaders, Dr. Aronstein shares what keeps him inspired to serve. They talk about the hardest moments in his career, what brought him out of retirement, and why the work of education is never really finished.
Bruce, Wendy, and Zariyah: Two Paths, One Passion for Real Estate (00:17:47)
In this episode of Formative, Bruce Mosler of Cushman & Wakefield and Wendy Mosler of Global Holdings Management Group sit down with middle schooler Zariyah for a candid conversation about careers in real estate. They share the moments that shaped their paths, the hard choices that built their confidence, and what keeps them motivated every day. This episode is about how every choice, big or small, can move you closer to the career (and life) you want.
Victoria and Shania: We’re Building Something New (00:17:49)
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez, mindset coach, business consultant, and host of the Banking on Cultura podcast, joins middle schooler Shania for a conversation about blazing your own trail. Victoria shares what it was like to be the first in her family to graduate college, the challenges of starting her own business, and how her identity has shaped her journey. This episode is all about bold beginnings, self-belief, and creating your own path forward.
Jo Ann and Dezyer: The Path Isn’t Always Straight (00:16:18)
Jo Ann Secor, Director of Interpretive Services at Skolnick Architecture, joins middle schooler Dezyer for a conversation about crafting powerful museum experiences, and how her own career has been anything but linear. Jo Ann opens up about the challenges, mistakes, and surprises that shaped her journey, and how sometimes the most fulfilling careers are the ones you never saw coming.
Asha and Jacob: Owning Your Skills and Your Story (00:17:52)
Author Asha Aravindakshan joins Jacob for a conversation about discovering what you’re good at, and knowing how to show it. We talk about the power of transferable skills, how to overcome imposter syndrome, and why being a student can be a superpower. Whether you're just starting out or already chasing your goals, this episode is packed with insight on how to step into your strengths.
Aisha and Jaylynn: Finding Your Light On and Off Stage (00:20:58)
Season 10 kicks off with Aisha Jackson, a Broadway actress who’s lit up the stage in shows like Waitress and Frozen, joining middle schooler Jaylynn for a conversation about life in the spotlight. Aisha shares what it really takes to be a theater performer, beyond just singing and acting, and reflects on the importance of representation on Broadway. She also lets us in on the best career advice she’s ever received. This is a conversation about talent, perseverance, and using your voice.
Keenan and Zayra: Hart in the Hustle (00:11:57)
In this season finale, we’ve got Keenan Hart with us! Keenan is the co-founder of Fransis, a company focused on integrating artificial intelligence technology within the healthcare sector. He’s joined by Zayra to talk about why AI should not scare us, the importance of owning our mistakes and why it’s the most fun being in business with family!
Stephen and Tabitha: Building Our Reinvention Toolkit (00:17:35)
In this episode, Tabitha gets a crash course on what it looks like to successfully reinvent yourself! Stephen Fascianella went from being an accountant to fostering community and engagement as the New York site engagement lead at Pfizer. Tabitha and Stephen also talk about what we get when we give and why it’s important to remain open to change.
Mikki and Emma: We’re More Than Enough (00:22:58)
On the show with us today is Mikki Hernandez. Mikki is an actress, voiceover artist and author of the book, Cake Mix: Learning to Love All Your Ingredients. Emma, middle schooler and co-host, joins Mikki to have a conversation about why you should pursue the career that you most feel called to and how to cultivate an abundance mindset in a creative field. Oh, and why hiphop dancing rules!
Lee and Olivia: We’re Still Teachable (00:12:14)
Lee Skolnick visits us today on Formative. Lee is an architect who’s worked on remarkable buildings across the world, including our very own New York Edge Headquarters! Middle schooler, Olivia, joins him to ask questions about the challenges that come with being the boss, why it’s important to remain teachable and what life would look like if we’d chosen a different path.
Carl and Sage: We’re Lucky and Prepared (00:17:51)
Today, we’re joined by Carl Nassib. Carl is a former NFL player and currently the founder and CEO of Rayze, a social media app that connects nonprofits with donors and volunteers. With his career transition, Carl has learned a thing or two about reinvention and the imposter syndrome that comes with it. He talks to middle schooler, Sage, about that, plus the misconceptions of being a professional athlete and why it’s never just luck that gets you far in your life and career.
Roger and Jacob: Rocking Relationships and Owning Your Skills (00:15:17)
In this episode of Formative, Roger Arrieux, New York Managing Partner at Deloitte, joins Jacob to talk about the power of building strong relationships in work and life. Roger shares how imposter syndrome fades when you find confidence in your skills and why success isn’t just about what you do—it’s about the people you meet along the way!
Deborah and Dezyer: We’re Receiving Help (00:16:51)
Dr. Deborah Heiser, developmental psychologist and founder of The Mentor Project, joins middle schooler Dezyer to talk about the power of mentorship. Dr. Heiser opens up about her most challenging moments as a CEO, how her mentors helped her along the way, and why it's crucial to have different mentors for different chapters of your life. Whether you’re the one giving advice or receiving it, this episode is about how we all need a little help to grow!
Monique and Mia: We’re Always Learning (00:14:58)
Dr. Monique Chism, the Smithsonian’s Under Secretary for Education, joins middle schooler Mia for a conversation about the power of learning. Dr. Chism reflects on the teachers who had a lasting impact on her, her love for dance and performance, and why she values being in rooms full of people who know more than she does. They also discuss how making tough decisions is a part of life and growth.
Marc and Kianni: Showing Up and Stepping Up (00:21:25)
Marc Thompson Jr., the proud owner-operator of a Chick-fil-A in Queens, joins us on this episode of Formative! Marc and middle schooler co-host Kianni dive into why giving your best at work matters, even if you’re just starting out. They chat about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, how to handle tough customers, and why learning how to learn is one of the best skills you can have.
