Professional Perspectives

Professional Perspectives

Hosted by high school students Aarav Akella and Praneeth Vemuri, Professional Perspectives is a podcast built on curiosity, connection, and the belief that stories have the power to inspire change. Each episode features a conversation with professionals, innovators, and leaders from diverse industries: from finance, law, and entrepreneurship to sports, entertainment, and technology. What started as a simple idea between two friends, to learn directly from people making an impact, has grown into a platform that bridges the gap between students and the professional world. Through thoughtful questions and genuine dialogue, Aarav and Praneeth uncover the personal journeys behind each guest’s success: the challenges they faced, the decisions that defined them, and the lessons they wish they’d known earlier. Whether it’s a startup founder sharing how they built something from scratch, a coach discussing leadership and resilience, or an executive revealing what drives their success, Professional Perspectives offers a rare, human look into what it takes to thrive in any field. Aimed at high school and college students, and anyone eager to learn from experience rather than just textbooks, the podcast blends insight with authenticity. Every episode leaves listeners not just inspired, but equipped with practical takeaways they can apply to their own ambitions. If you’re curious about the world, passionate about growth, and ready to hear stories that make you think, Professional Perspectives is your front-row seat to conversations that matter.

Episodes

July 22, 2026 • 33 mins
Every day, billions of people enter homes, schools, hospitals, and workplaces without thinking about the building codes that keep them safe.In this episode, we welcome John Belcik, Chief Executive Officer of the International Code Council, to discuss leadership, public service, and the global impact of building safety. John shares lessons from his decades of executive leadership, the importance of mentorship, and how the Internatio...
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Fintech and blockchain are transforming the way the world thinks about money, investing, and innovation.In this episode, we sit down with Darius Kraucionis, CEO of Fintexus and an experienced fintech and blockchain advisor, to explore the rapidly evolving world of digital finance. Darius shares insights from advising more than 200 fintech and Web3 companies, discussing entrepreneurship, fundraising, cryptocurrency, regulation, and ...
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What does it take to become a published researcher while still in high school? In this episode, we sit down with Ishan Jain, Founder of YRI, Regeneron ISEF Finalist, angel investor, and published researcher, to discuss how students can break into scientific research, publish papers, and compete at the highest levels.Ishan shares his journey from student researcher to entrepreneur, the system behind successful science fair projects,...
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After losing her eye in a life-changing accident, Shelby Perry searched for a community that understood what she was going through. When she couldn't find one, she built it herself.In this episode, Shelby shares the story behind EYEHESIVE, the emotional journey of rebuilding confidence, and how she transformed one of the most difficult moments of her life into a global movement supporting people with eye loss. We also discuss entre...
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Healthcare is about much more than medicine. Behind every successful practice is strong leadership, strategic planning, and operational excellence. In this episode, we speak with René Hermes, Chief Operating Officer of Hermes Health, about his journey from finance to healthcare leadership. René discusses business strategy, healthcare innovation, patient-centered care, leadership, and how organizations can improve both efficiency an...
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Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) has changed the landscape of high school and college athletics, but many families still don't fully understand the opportunities and risks involved.In this episode, former professional football player, educator, and author Dr. John DeWitt explains what athletes and parents need to know about NIL, recruiting, the transfer portal, eligibility, and long-term decision-making. We discuss common misconcept...
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What does it take to coach basketball across multiple countries and cultures?In this episode, internationally recognized basketball coach Scott Flemming shares lessons from leading teams around the world, developing players at every level, and adapting to different cultures. We discuss leadership, communication, resilience, and what students can learn from sports that extends far beyond the game itself.
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In today's fast-moving media landscape, journalism plays a critical role in helping people understand the world around them.In this episode, political reporter Jack McKissen discusses his career in journalism, covering major stories, building trust with audiences, and navigating the challenges facing modern news organizations. We also explore the future of media, misinformation, and advice for aspiring journalists.
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Strong teams aren't built by avoiding difficult conversations, they're built by learning how to have them. In this episode, conflict literacy expert, sports geographer, and entrepreneur Dr. Jen Fry discusses leadership, communication, diversity, inclusion, and how healthy conflict can strengthen teams both on and off the field. We also explore entrepreneurship, education, and practical lessons that every student, athlete, and futur...
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January 24, 2026 • 1 min
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January 23, 2026 • 3 mins
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In this episode of Professional Perspectives, we are joined by Dan DeFrancesco, Deputy Executive Editor and anchor of Business Insider Today, Business Insider’s flagship daily newsletter. Based in New York, Dan has built a career covering financial markets, fintech, and major business stories that shape the global economy. Dan shares what it’s like writing and curating a daily newsletter read by millions, how he decides...
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In this episode of Professional Perspectives, we sit down with Andrew Yu, a sports business professional working as a Sales Development Representative for the Arizona Cardinals. After graduating from UNLV with a degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Andrew turned his passion for sports into a career focused on ticket sales, fan engagement, and business development. Andrew walks us through his journey from college to working in ...
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In this episode of Professional Perspectives, we are joined by Alex Cohen, a play-by-play broadcaster with over 15 years of experience across professional, collegiate, and international sports. Alex is entering his second full season with Marquee Sports Network, the television home of the Chicago Cubs, where he calls select regular season and spring training games and contributes to digital content. Before joining Marquee, Alex spe...
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In this episode of Professional Perspectives, we sit down with Brady Jones IV, a two-time Emmy Award–winning EVS replay operator, educator, and LSM-VIA ambassador who has spent over a decade working behind the scenes of the biggest moments in sports. Based in Atlanta, Brady has worked on major championships across the NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA Men’s Basketball, and more. Recording during Super Bowl weekend, Brady takes us ins...
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Season 4 of Professional Perspectives opens with a powerful and inspiring conversation featuring Mr. Jonathon Clark, a consultant at Microsoft whose career spans business, finance, healthcare, sports, and public service. His journey is one of adaptability, versatility, and intentional growth, and it set the tone for the entire season. Mr. Clark has held roles across a wide range of industries, including consulting, financial servic...
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November 29, 2025 • 1 min
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Part 3 of our series with Varun Prashant Gangal is a fast-paced quickfire session covering career advice, research habits, productivity tips, and his personal take on the future of AI
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In Part 2 of our conversation with Varun Prashant Gangal, we go deeper into the technical and practical challenges behind modern AI systems. Varun explains how large language models work, the obstacles researchers face when scaling them, and what trends are shaping the next wave of AI development. He shares insights from his experiences across leading AI organizations and gives students a clear sense of how research teams think, ex...
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In this first part of our conversation with Varun Prashant Gangal, we explore the foundations of his journey into AI and natural language processing. Varun is a researcher with experience at Patronus AI, Amazon AGI, ASAPP, and multiple high-impact NLP projects. He walks us through how he became interested in machine learning, what early experiences shaped his research mindset, and how students can begin understanding the world of L...
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