On this episode of the Stang Stories podcast, Molly O'Brien '26 interviews Mike Connolly '96, about his journey from South Boston to Milton Academy—earning a full scholarship, repeating seventh grade, bonding over sports and homeroom, and finding inspiration in an astronomy class and senior projects in photography and essays.

Mike recounts his college years at Tufts, a shift from engineering into sales, the mentors who guided him, and how a personal loss led him to found Pay Forward Coaching in 2022, a nonprofit offering thousands of free career coaching sessions.

He closes with practical advice for current Milton students: do more extracurriculars and keep relationships alive.

Welcome to Stang Stories with Oliver Sin '25 featuring Tonantzin Carmona '08. In this episode she recounts her transition from Chicago’s Little Village to Milton, the mentors and traditions that shaped her, and how listening to diverse perspectives led her into a career in public policy. Tonantzin discusses building Chicago’s municipal ID, work at Brookings, Treasury and the White House NEC, lessons on leadership and public speaking, and her measured view on crypto and equitable economic policy. She closes with practical advice for students: take risks, be kind, and know your why.

Welcome to this episode of the Stang Stories podcast, where Jason Yu '25 interviews Mark Denneen '84, Milton Academy alumnus and CEO of Denneen & Company. Mark shares his journey from being a student at Milton to leading a successful growth strategy consulting firm. He discusses the profound impact Milton had on his intellectual and professional development, highlighting the significance of lifelong friendships and the foundation of essential skills such as critical thinking and public speaking.

Mark also reflects on his pioneering efforts as the founder of the Milton Paper, emphasizing the importance of independent student voices. He talks about his career trajectory, the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, and the role of history and leadership in shaping his path. Tune in to explore Mark's experiences and gain insights into the world of consulting, innovation, and the power of education.

In this episode of the Stang Stories podcast, Milton Academy senior Jason Yu '25 interviews Kabeer Parwani '07. Kabeer shares his journey from being an improv enthusiast and theater lover at Milton to serving as a Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal. He reflects on the significant impact his school years had on his interest in international diplomacy and how these experiences shaped his career trajectory.

The conversation delves into Kabeer's day-to-day responsibilities as a political officer, the cultural challenges he navigates, and the diplomatic skills he employs to foster strong U.S.-Portugal relations. Kabeer also shares anecdotes from his global postings and provides valuable advice for current students aspiring to a career in international affairs. This episode offers a unique blend of personal history and professional insights, illustrating how leadership, adaptability, and communication are key to success in the world of diplomacy.

Join us on this episode of the Stang Stories podcast as Gustavo dos Reis sits down with Mr. Lamont Gordon '87, a proud Milton Academy alumnus and the executive director of College Visions. Reflecting on his years at Milton and beyond, Mr. Gordon shares the transformative experiences and leadership roles that shaped his path in education. From advocating for minority students to founding impactful programs at Brown University, his journey is a testament to the power of education and community.

Discover how the values of confidence, diversity, and authenticity learned at Milton Academy guided him through his career and informed his work with organizations like the Posse Foundation. Mr. Gordon’s story is a compelling narrative of dedication to making education accessible and equitable for all students. Gain insights into how Milton prepared him for success and the crucial mission he continues to pursue in the nonprofit sector.

Welcome to this inspiring episode of the Stang Stories podcast! Ladia Khaing sits down with Jamie Mittelman, a Milton alumna and CEO of Flamebearers, a platform dedicated to uplifting the stories of female Olympians and Paralympians. Jamie shares insights from her time at Milton, her eclectic educational and professional journey, and her ardent passion for advocating women's stories in sports media.

Discover how Jamie went from participating in a multitude of extracurricular activities at Milton, to earning advanced degrees from prestigious institutions, and eventually finding her calling in supporting women athletes globally. She discusses the challenges and adversities faced in promoting women's sports and the transformative power of storytelling in making real-world impacts.

Join us for a conversation that celebrates resilience, inspiration, and the drive to make a positive change in the world through the power of storytelling and advocacy.

In this episode of the Stang Stories podcast, host Jazlyn Fuentes '25 converses with Dr. Alexandra Rodman, a distinguished alumna from Milton's class of '06 and a psychology professor at Northeastern University. Dr. Rodman shares insights about her transformative experiences at Milton, including her involvement in boarding life and the Octet music group, which paved her path toward acapella in college.

Dr. Rodman discusses her academic journey from Tufts University to obtaining a PhD at Harvard, emphasizing the importance of balancing academics with extracurricular activities. She highlights her passion for clinical psychology and developmental cognitive neuroscience, exploring the intersection of social experiences and brain development during adolescence in her present research.

Through anecdotal experiences and advice, Dr. Rodman reflects on key learnings throughout her career, providing valuable insights for aspiring students and professionals in psychology and neuroscience. The conversation also delves into developmental phases, the importance of resilience, and emerging research on adolescent smartphone use.

In this episode of the Stang Stories podcast, Jason Yu '25 chats with Dr. Annie LaVigne '07, a current instructor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. There, LaVigne focuses on intersecting the health humanities with radiation oncology, bringing humanism to the center of the medical field. Learn about LaVigne's daring cross-country biking treks, swims with sharks in South Africa, and current research on radiotherapy deserts. (And of course, her art!)