Anand Pandian Asks What Stands Between Us — And What Could Bring Us Together

Apr 7, 2026

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Extraordinary People

Ana-Claire Meyer Finds Meaning in Medicine By Going Where The Problems Are

Early on in this project, a close friend told me that he hoped I’d interview Ana-Claire Meyer. Now I know why. Take a listen, and you will, too. AC’s professional and personal journeys are marked by curiosity, humility, and an eagerness to tackle big problems. After graduating from Amherst College,… Listen ⇢
Maki Uchiyama Realized Everything Would Be Okay

Maki Uchiyama grew up as an only child in upstate New York, where her family’s Japanese restaurant functioned as both a business and a fourth member of the household. The experience left her with a certain set of skills—versatility, the ability to multitask, customer diplomacy, and, of course, how to… Listen ⇢
Sean Gibbon Is A Storytelling Talking Ball Machine

Sean Gibbon lives a dual life. He has one foot planted firmly on the squash court, where he teaches the game, and the other in the imaginative realm of fiction writing. In this episode, we explore Sean’s journey from Amherst to professional squash coach, or what he playfully refers to… Listen ⇢
Bob “Buck” Tashjian Makes His Mark In Medicine, Mentorship, And Art

It’s time to catch up with Dr. Bob “Buck” Tashjian, a leading orthopedic surgeon and researcher specializing in shoulder and elbow surgery at the University of Utah. Buck’s journey to medicine was anything but linear. Despite achieving academic and athletic excellence at Amherst College, he faced a major setback when… Listen ⇢
Ed Castillo Is Not Your Average Strategist-Philosopher-Foreign Agent

Ed Castillo’s post-Amherst path might be one of the most uniquely purposeful stories you’ll hear from our classmates. In this episode, we follow his journey from a philosophy major at Amherst to advertising Chief Strategy Officer – and registering and acting as a foreign agent. He may not drive an… Listen ⇢
Nate Smith Missed His Exit But Found His Way

Nate Smith’s post-Amherst journey literally reads like an epic. At the age of 26, he got in his car after work one day at the school where he had been teaching and kept on driving, never to return to the job. Instead, he embarked on a life-changing, sometimes harrowing road… Listen ⇢
Brian Shactman Finds His Voice – And Amplifies Voices All Over Connecticut And Beyond

Brian Schactman in many ways has become the voice of Connecticut. As a co-host of a morning radio talk show, he travels the state to meet residents of interest and explore the topics that animate the 169 towns and cities that call Connecticut home. Having listened to his stuff, I… Listen ⇢
Luke Ryan Comforts The Afflicted – And Sometimes Afflicts The Comfortable

Luke Ryan is a fifth-generation Northampton resident and defense attorney. In his line of work, he often finds himself shepherding clients through their lowest moments. But it also has required that he pursue people in positions of authority who have committed wrongs and attempted to cover them up. Nowhere is… Listen ⇢
Andy Ward Shows How He Edits Some Of The Most Beloved Books Of Our Time

Josh Hamermesh asked, and boy, did Andy Ward deliver. In this episode, Andy, the Executive Vice President and Publisher of Random House, takes us deep into how he edits books written by some of our finest authors. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Andy’s father shaped his writing and editing… Listen ⇢