Episodes

How do we prepare students to lead in an increasingly complex world? In this episode, John Sebesta and Melissa Akaka welcome Professor Graeme Roy from the University of Glasgow for a conversation about Adam Smith's enduring legacy, the evolving definition of wealth, and the critical role universities play in developing thoughtful, principled leaders equipped to navigate today's greatest challenges.

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship at DU Podcast, Director John Sebesta sits down with students and faculty to reflect on a recent global immersion course in Guatemala. Stepping beyond the classroom, participants worked directly with organizations creating real impact on the ground, including Friendship Bridge, local businesses, and community partners. The conversation explores what it means to see entrepreneurship, social impact, and business ethics in action, from navigating expectations ...

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship at DU podcast, Director John Sebesta sits down with DU alum and founder MK Barlow to trace her journey from student entrepreneur to launching her company, Flaunt Bra, on Kickstarter. Inspired by a deeply personal experience and validated through research with hundreds of women, MK shares how she’s tackling the overlooked issue of breast asymmetry with a customizable bra designed for real bodies. The conversation explores the power of experiential learning,...

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship@DU Podcast, host Joshua Ross sits down with members of the Pioneer Venture Group (PVG) - the University of Denver’s student-led venture investment fund - to explore how students gain hands-on experience investing real capital into early-stage startups. Joining the conversation are faculty advisor Dr. John Sebesta and managing partners Conner Sieck and Jack Ingalls, who share the origin story of PVG, its mission, and how the fund operates as an experiential...

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship@DU Podcast, host Joshua Ross sits down with Dean Naomi Boyd and Dr. Melissa Akaka from the Daniels College of Business to explore how research is evolving in higher education and the impact and opportunities of becoming an R1 institution. Together, they discuss the importance of curiosity, collaboration, and societal impact in expanding what “quality research” means in today’s world. The conversation highlights how Daniels faculty are bridging academic sch...

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship@DU Podcast, host Joshua Ross sits down with DU professors Michael Myers and Aaron Duncan to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping higher education. Together, they explore how AI is transforming the way students learn, faculty teach, and universities prepare graduates for an evolving workforce. The conversation dives into creating psychological safety in the classroom, integrating AI, and the importance of collaboration between students and educa...

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship@DU Podcast, host Joshua Ross sits down with DU alum Eric Schneider, founder of Futureproof Studios. Eric shares how his background in art and design fueled a career at the intersection of creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship, and why he believes curiosity and user-centered thinking are essential for innovation.

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship@DU Podcast, host Joshua Ross welcomes DU alum Ethan Whitson, founder of The Guide Network, a platform built to help outdoor guides streamline operations and grow their businesses. What started as a marketplace to connect customers with guides quickly evolved—through trial, error, and customer feedback—into a full-service software solution now used by guides from solo operators to high-end lodges.

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship@DU Podcast, host Joshua Ross sits down with DU alums Owen Locke and Rick Talley, co-founders of Lock & Co. Distilling. What started as a garage experiment between two lifelong friends has grown into a gold-medal-winning whiskey brand rooted in Colorado tradition.

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship@DU Podcast, host Joshua Ross sits down with University of Denver students Gina Parker and Charlie Peterson to talk about building community through entrepreneurship on campus. Gina and Charlie share their experiences leading and growing Pop-Up Palooza, a signature event that brings students, alumni, and the Denver community together to showcase student ventures. They discuss how the event has evolved and how it fosters creativity, connection, and an inclus...

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship@DU Podcast, host Joshua Ross sits down with Dr. Julia Roncoroni — psychologist, University of Denver professor, and co-founder of Cocina Libre Collective. What started as a cookbook highlighting immigrant chefs has blossomed into a movement: dinners, workshops, a documentary, and now a podcast — all rooted in storytelling, culture, and the universal language of food. Julia shares powerful stories of resilience, discusses the barriers immigrants face in the...

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship@DU Podcast, host Joshua Ross interviews Noah Hampton, a first-year student at the University of Denver, Marine Corps veteran, and co-founder of Pentilla Vodka. Noah shares his journey from growing up in Missouri to serving in the Marines, including his firsthand experience during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. He discusses how these life-changing experiences shaped both his perspective and the mission behind Pentilla. The episode dives into how Noah...

In this episode, our host sits down with Sean Kearns and Neil Pollard, to discuss Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA)—a growing approach to business ownership. Together, we explore why ETA has gained momentum, how it lowers risks compared to startups, and what makes it a compelling choice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Listeners will learn about key steps to identifying, financing, and scaling an acquired business, as well as the critical role universities like the University of Denver play ...

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship@DU Podcast, host Joshua Ross interviews Chris Jerard, serial entrepreneur and current VP of Marketing at Outside. They discuss Chris’ journey from an English and poetry major at the University of Colorado to becoming an influential entrepreneur in the outdoor industry. Chris shares how his early entrepreneurial experiences, from running a painting business in college to co-founding Free Skier Magazine, shaped his career. The episode concludes with insights...

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship@DU Podcast, host Joshua Ross interviews DU alumni Will Palmquist and University of Denver faculty member Ryan Elmore. Together, they discuss their journey as co-founders of First Team Analytics, a sports analytics company focused on collegiate soccer. The authors discuss their passion for helping entrepreneurs succeed through their framework of five essential pillars: strategy, structure, people, processes, and cash. Through their real-world experiences he...

In this episode of the Entrepreneurship at DU podcast, host Joshua Ross interviews DU alumni and entrepreneurs Stephen Adele and Zach Lewis about their book "Ready, Set Scale: Scaling Your Business Without Losing Your Soul." The authors discuss their passion for helping entrepreneurs succeed through their framework of five essential pillars: strategy, structure, people, processes, and cash. Through their real-world experiences helping businesses scale from $1M to $50M in revenue, they emphasize ...

This Entrepreneurship@DU episode features an insightful conversation with two recent graduates of the E@DU Basecamp Accelerator program: Leah Nieboer, a PhD candidate and podcast creator, and Sam Fordyce, an undergraduate student and dumpling entrepreneur. They discuss their experiences in the intense six-week program, highlighting the challenges they faced, the valuable mentorship they received, and the crucial skills they developed, such as market validation and rapid adaptation to feedback. T...

In this podcast episode of the Entrepreneurship at DU podcast Joshua Ross interviews Mohammad Mahoor, a professor at DU's Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science. Mahoor discusses his transition from academic research to entrepreneurship, particularly focusing on his work in artificial intelligence and robotics to create social robots. These robots, such as Ryan, are designed to assist older adults with dementia and children with special needs. He emphasizes the challenges and rewards...

Noah Ryan joins the Entrepreneurship@DU podcast to discuss his journey from college student at the University of Denver to successful content creator and entrepreneur. He shares insights on building an authentic online presence, the challenges and opportunities in the digital content space, and strategies for monetizing a social media following. Noah offers advice on career development, emphasizing the importance of acquiring diverse skills and adapting to new opportunities rather than solely pu...

Dive into the future of work with John Winsor, University of Denver alum and expert on Open Talent. In this episode of the Entrepreneurship@ DU podcast John shares his entrepreneurial journey from magazine publishing to disrupting the advertising industry, and offers invaluable insights on navigating the evolving landscape of work.

On this episode, host Joshua Ross sits down with Andre Janusz, a University of Denver alum whose unconventional path took him from corporate America to founding Logan House Coffee Company - a Denver-based coffee roaster with multiple local shops.

In this episode, host Joshua Ross sits down with Chennelle Diong, an entrepreneurial University of Denver alum and the founder of GoodLove Foods, a gluten-free consumer packaged goods company. Chennelle delves into her journey of starting a business in the gluten-free industry, explaining what gluten is and the rising demand for gluten-free products. She shares her motivation behind launching GoodLove Foods and the company's approach to positioning itself for long-term growth in the rapidly expa...

In this episode, host Joshua Ross sits down with Ashley Thomas and Art Saltarelli from the University of Denver's Office of Technology Transfer. They discuss the mission and work of this important office, which supports innovation and entrepreneurship across the university community.

In this episode, host Joshua Ross engages in a fascinating discussion with Ben Burgert, the entrepreneurial founder of Ben's Cycles and a University of Denver alum. Burgert shares his profound passion for bicycles and the inspiration behind establishing his business, which specializes in restoring and selling classic bikes, allowing cycling enthusiasts to experience the charm and nostalgia of vintage bicycles.