Ever wonder how an English literature degree can somehow lead to a thriving career in finance and venture capital? Tune in as hosts Jared and Sophie, along with guest Tom Desmond, dive into embracing early-career uncertainty, building real self-confidence, and realizing you don't need to know all the corporate jargon on day one to succeed. It’s a candid, reassuring conversation about stepping out of your comfort zone, finding great mentors, and leaning on the network around you to chart your own path.

In this episode of You’re Probably Okay: A Beyond the Dome Podcast, hosts Jared and Sophie sit down with Notre Dame alumnus Andy Hilger ('91), who shares his journey from an English and Philosophy major and Scholastic Magazine Editor-in-Chief to President of Allegis Group. He reflects on navigating non-linear career paths through non-profit work, creative writing graduate studies, and executive leadership, emphasizing how humanities skills drive business success and why major life choices should be viewed as reversible "two-way doors."

How does having asthma lead to a 25+ year career in the airline industry? Eric Phillips will tell you. Eric is the Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer at Delta Air Lines, Inc. He has built a long and successful career at Delta, and throughout his entire life, he has made almost every key decision by trusting his gut instinct.

If it were easy, everybody would do it. Choosing to get involved in service to one’s community is a most admirable decision. Mayor Lauren McLean has done just that. How are local politics similar to the show “Parks and Rec?” The answer might surprise you. Listen as Lauren shares her story of how one simple trip to Boise, ID changed this PLS and French major’s life forever, and how she has devoted her life to creating a city for everyone.

Nobody plans for the disruption, and you don’t always realize that the hits you take are a part of the greater narrative of your life. Dave left Notre Dame’s campus bound for a career in publishing, only to find himself bartending in Australia a year after graduation. Listen to Dave's remarkable story of how faith, resilience, and passion led him to become the Sr. Vice President of Operations at the #1 children’s hospital in the country.

Emily Hikade spent the first part of her career with the CIA and is now the Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Petite Plume, a fast-growing luxury pajama company. What do the two wildly opposite career tracks have in common? Tune in as Emily shares her story about how having a high tolerance for risk and prioritizing relationships has helped her find career success at every stop in her journey.

Tim is the President of Bishop Feehan High School, and as you’ll hear in this episode, he has an incredible story about his life as an entrepreneur and his passion for education. Tim reminds students that life is a long time if you actually think about it, and the scoreboard isn’t final at 27.

This special episode of "You're Probably OK" is a poignant and bittersweet one. Our beloved co-host, Lucy Langholz, joins us for the final time as she prepares to embark on new adventures. Over the past two years, Lucy has been an integral part of our show, sharing her wisdom, wit, and warmth with all of us.

In this heartfelt episode, we dive into Lucy's unique Notre Dame journey, from her early days growing up abroad to becoming a key player in the Beyond the Dome program. We reminisce about the incredible moments we've shared, the impactful projects we've launched, and the friendships we've forged.

Lucy opens up about her experiences as a student leader, her passion for anthropology, and the lessons she's learned along the way. We also discuss the challenges and triumphs of public speaking, the importance of mentorship, and the value of pursuing what you love.

As we bid farewell to Lucy, we also discuss our new co-host, Izzy Mahoney, who will be taking over the reins. Lucy shares her advice for Izzy and reflects on what lies ahead for her own future.

Join us for an episode filled with laughter, memories, and a few tears as we celebrate Lucy's contributions and look forward to what the future holds. Don't miss this special farewell episode of "You're Probably OK."

Podcast Hosts

Jared Mrozinske

Lucy Langholz

Podcast Editor

Anjali Pellegrin