Imagine A World
The Imagine A World podcast provides a glimpse into the Knight-Hennessy scholar community of graduate students spanning all seven Stanford schools. In each episode, scholars talk with scholars about the world they imagine and what they are doing to bring it to life. Learn more about the origins of Imagine A World.
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Season 2 hosts
Season 2 of Imagine A World is hosted by Sydney Hunt (2023 cohort), left, and Willie Thompson (2022 cohort), right.
Sydney Hunt, from Cornwall, New York, is pursuing a PhD in electrical engineering with a focus on brain-computer interfaces (BCI) at Stanford School of Engineering. She graduated from Duke University with bachelor’s degrees in electrical/computer engineering and computer science (concentration in artificial intelligence and machine learning), and a minor in gender, sexuality, and feminist studies.
Willie Thompson, from Griffin, Georgia, is pursuing a master's degree in business administration at Stanford Graduate School of Business and a master's degree in policy, organization, and leadership studies at Stanford Graduate School of Education. He graduated summa cum laude from Morehouse College with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a minor in Chinese Studies.
Season 1 hosts
Season 1 of Imagine A World was hosted by Willie Thompson (2022 cohort), left, and Taylor Goss (2021 cohort), right. Photo credit: Micaela Go
Taylor Goss (2021 cohort), from Lacassine, Louisiana, is pursuing an MA in music, science, and technology and an MPP in public policy at Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences. He graduated with college honors from Louisiana State University with bachelor's degrees in music and entrepreneurship. Taylor aspires to connect musicians and policymakers, using the arts to communicate societal needs and provoke policy change.
Willie Thompson, from Griffin, Georgia, is pursuing a master's degree in business administration at Stanford Graduate School of Business and a master's degree in policy, organization, and leadership studies at Stanford Graduate School of Education. He graduated summa cum laude from Morehouse College with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a minor in Chinese Studies. Willie intends to create and contribute to organizations using the arts as a conduit for community building and intercultural education.
Imagine A World's theme music was composed and recorded by Taylor Goss. The podcast was originally conceived and led by Briana Mullen (2020 cohort), Taylor Goss, and Willie Thompson, along with Daniel Gajardo (2020 cohort) and Jordan Conger (2020 cohort).
All episodes
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The art of cultivating a community
Marcus Forst (2019 cohort) shares his memories of home; transition to Stanford; navigating cancer, chemotherapy, and recovery; and more. -
Traveling in Turkey with scholars
Pierce Garver and Jocelyn Ricard, both from the 2023 cohort, dive into Turkey’s rich history, culture, and contemporary challenges. -
Traveling Turkey with Ayça Alemdaroğlu
Ayça Alemdaroğlu, associate director of Stanford's Program on Turkey, explores how national identities are created and how people voice dissent. -
Tackling concussions and Alzheimer's disease through bioengineering
Douglas Henze (2023 cohort), a former Harvard defensive lineman-turned-Bioengineering PhD candidate, shares why he's passionate about the study of aging. -
The political power of music
Taylor Goss (2021 cohort) imagines a world where music and art are recognized and funded, as a means of emotional expression and driver of social change. -
Reimagining possibilities through representation
Sydney Hunt (2023 cohort) shares how she’s building environments that allow historically underrepresented groups to reimagine life’s possibilities. -
Meeting basic needs through deliberative democracy
Thay Graciano (2023 cohort) imagines a world where people feel they are enough, because their basic needs are met and they can do things that make them feel happy and accomplished. -
Advocating for inclusivity in STEM education
Aya Mouallem (2020 cohort) imagines a world where STEM education is not only accessible and equitable, but also inclusive. -
Uniting Americans through public service
Joe Nail (2023 cohort) imagines a world where faith, family, and courage are our guiding values, and where all Americans are bound together through service. -
Finding inspiration in the natural world
Will Dwyer (2023 cohort) imagines a world where future generations can look towards the natural world for joy and inspiration. -
Community engagement in global health
Zahra Fazal (2022 cohort) imagines a world where communities across Africa have an equal stake in setting the global health agenda. -
Democratizing and diversifying school boards
Briana Mullen (2020 cohort) discusses her work to empower underrepresented communities to create change in their school district, being a marching band kid, and more. -
A vision for dignity through healthcare
Nadine Jawad (2020 cohort) shares how she tempers cynicism, embraces joy and grief simultaneously, and works to make healthcare accessible for all. -
Social determinants of healthy aging
Courtney Burton (2022 cohort) discusses barriers to accessing resources for healthy aging, her passion for extending health spans, and more. -
Representation and resilience in medicine
Johnny Powell (2023 cohort), a first-year medical student, discusses being the first in his family to attend an Ivy League school, and his journey to medicine. -
How art drives scientific discovery
Vidal Arroyo (2022 cohort), a PhD student in biophysics, shares his journey to Stanford as a first-generation college student and his passion for biophysics, poetry, and music. -
The powerful force of compassion
Ashwyn Sam (2020 cohort), a PhD student in aeronautics and astronautics, reflects on the impact of a strong support system and the compassion of others on his professional journey. -
Creating ideal education systems
Aditya Vishwanath (2018 cohort), a graduate of the PhD program in Learning Sciences and Technology Design, shares his experiences with education and vision for its future. -
Dismantling systems of state violence
Emily Russell (2020 cohort) discusses combining theatrical performance with political science, how she uses both fields to understand state violence, and much more. -
Breaking barriers between people and art
Jaelynn Walls (2021 cohort) opens up about their cautious optimism for the future of art education, turning passion to action, and more. -
Encouraging empathy through art
Karishma Bhagani explores the power of art to unite people and encourage empathy, her journey from Kenya to New York, and more. -
Sustainability in agriculture and water
Tomo Kumahira discusses long-term sustainability solutions in agriculture and water in the midst of climate change, insights from his work in private equity in Japan, and more. -
Economics of equitable medicine
Maya Durvasula takes us through her journey of self-discovery, explores the questions that drive her curiosity at the intersection of economics, medicine, and policy, and more. -
Identity representation in literature
Lydia Burleson and Kay Barrett, both PhD candidates in the English department at Stanford, talk about their respective journeys to Stanford and KHS, the life and challenges of bein
Knight-Hennessy scholars represent a vast array of cultures, perspectives, and experiences. While we as an organization are committed to elevating their voices, the views expressed are those of the scholars, and not necessarily those of KHS.