New year, new hosts.
A fresh new school year is upon us, which means a fresh new lineup of “One Thousand Ways to Lead” podcast hosts. In this case, it’s Nick Cavin (MBA ’27), Jessica Ding (MBA ’27), and Rowan Baird (MBA ’27) who’ll take the reins to talk all things leadership, alumni, and Owen. This episode also serves as a chance for the outgoing hosts — Maree Smith (MBA ’26), Taiwo Olawehinmi (MBA ’26), and Melissa Ortiz Bortkiewicz (MBA ’26) — to offer a few tips, tricks, and pearls of wisdom to the incoming “OTWTL” crew.
In this season’s first episode of the pod, the outgoing hosts discuss their favorite guests and moments from the previous season, and also field questions from the incoming crew. Topics include the things they wish they had known on their first day and what the incoming hosts should expect from their experience. Across the board, the three outgoing hosts said their biggest takeaway is to always be an active listener and to be prepared but to also be flexible.
The second half of the episode serves as a chance for Nick, Jessica, and Rowan to introduce themselves. Each of the three opens up about their favorite places to eat in Nashville, what it is that drew them to hosting duties, and who their number one choice for a coffee chat would be.
Plus, there’s an engaging debate over whether Jack Brown’s really is the best burger in Nashville.
Listen to the podcast: