Long Life Learning

Yale SOM Executive Education talks with top scholars and experts about how to adapt and thrive throughout your career and life.

Long Life Learning is a business podcast hosted by Yale SOM Executive Education, with 26 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Yale SOM Executive Education hosts Long Life Learning, a business show with 26 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #9

  Eriona Gjinukaj on a Coachee's Testament to the Value of Professional Coaching

  Jun 8, 202638 minS3

  Our final guest for the main p ortion of season three brings a n indispensible perspective to conversations about the state of professional coaching today: what value does a c oachee get out of the experience ? Eriona Gjinukaj , longtime COO of Dompé during its growth from Milan-based pharmaceutical to global biotech firm , has plenty to share with Kavitha on the topic . Eriona e mphasi z es the ways in which her coach—Cameron Smoak, featured in episode 2—engaged in both team coaching and one-on-one sessions at a time when the company was rapidly expanding its markets, revenues, and team size . For company leadership, having a coach in the boardroom led to improved cooperation and innovation. For Eriona personally , it meant transitioning from a problem-solving s trategy consultant to a confident, effective manager of a 15-person team. She and Kavitha discuss the value of learning to prepare for difficult conversations with role-play, finding the right balance between listening and speaking, and why it i s so critical that coaches le a d with questions which allow their coachees to come to the realization that they already hold the answers they need within themselves. Transcript S3Ep 9 — Eriona Gjinukaj Transcript Links and Resources Information on YGELP and Yale SOM Executive Education: Yale SOM Executive Education Homepage Certificate in Professional Coaching Program Homepage Sign up for program updates Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode: Dompé Homepage Nexus : A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI by Yuval Noah Harari Harari on The Ezra Klein Show About Today's Guest Eriona Gjinukaj started her career as a consultant with Bain & Company in Rome, rising to the role of Principal Strategic Consultant over the course of ten years. Her areas of specialty included consumer goods, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. In 2018 she took on the role of Chief Operating Officer for what was at the time a small, Milan-based pharmaceutical company called Dompe Farmaceutici. Over the next eight years, she and her team succeeded in growing this regional primary care company into a global biotech firm. During Eriona's tenure as COO, she oversaw a sevenfold increase in revenues, grew the company to more than 1,000 employees, honed the company's focus on targeting rare diseases, and expanded into US markets.

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  Episode #8

  Neha Gupta on AI-Powered Coaching

  Jun 1, 202635 minS3

  This week, Kavitha is joined by Neha Gupta, CEO and founder of Breakthrough AI, which recently launched a practice-first coaching platform powered by role play scenarios with AI voice tools . Neha explains that part of her vision was to provide real-time quantitative and qualitative feedback on effective communication : particularly for individuals who may be highly technically s killed , but need targeted practice to improve the soft skills that win over clients. She and Kavitha discuss empathy as a cornerstone of client relations, the role of gamification for incentivizing user engagement and self-improvement, and why Neha feels it is imperative to "keep a human in the loop" when interacting with AI coaching tools . In particular, Neha emphasizes the importance of pushing back on the "quick fix" and "life hacks" culture that is rapidly developing around AI-human interac tions . Instead, she encourages Kavitha to see AI coaching tools as an opportunity for engaging in unique, targeted practice t o prepare employees to meet high-stakes scenarios with confidence and meaningful preparation. Transcript S3Ep 8 — Neha Gupta Transcript Links and Resources Information on YGELP and Yale SOM Executive Education: Yale SOM Executive Education Homepage Certificate in Professional Coaching Program Homepage Sign up for program updates Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode: Breakthrough AI Homepage The Way of Excellence by Brad Stulberg About Today's Guest Neha Gupta is the founder and CEO of Breakthrough AI, a practice-first AI coaching platform helping teams master the high-stakes conversations that shape performance, client relationships, and career growth. Combining AI role-play, behavioral science, and manager visibility, Breakthrough AI is reimagining professional development by turning communication skills from "soft skills" into measurable business capabilities. Her vision is to make personalized coaching and deliberate practice accessible at scale. Prior to founding Breakthrough AI, Neha built her career across startups, nonprofits, and global consumer brands, with experience spanning growth strategy, brand marketing, product marketing, and business development . She held leadership roles at SaverLife and previously worked at Clorox and Unilever, gaining experience in brand strategy and customer engagement at scale. She also founded BellyFire Branding, where she and her team advised mission-driven and early-stage organizations on growth strategy, positioning, and sustainable growth. Known for blending sharp strategic thinking with deep empathy for users, Neha has spent her career building brands and systems that create meaningful behavior change. The daughter of immigrants and a first-generation corporate leader, Neha's work is deeply informed by her own experience learning the unspoken rules of professional communication and leadership. That perspective fuels her belief that confidence, executive presence, and communication should not be advantages reserved for a select few. She holds an MBA from Yale School of Management and a BA from Stanford University.

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  Episode #7

  Featuring: Heidi Brooks and Zoe Chance on Learning Through Experience

  May 26, 202645 minS3

  This week, we're bringing you something new that we're excited to share: a recent episode of Heidi Brooks' podcast, Learning Through Experience , in which she and fellow Yale School of Management instructor Zoe Chance discuss the thrilling ideas and questions that led to the creation of the Certificate in Professional Coaching Program. Please enjoy this vibrant conversat ion between two outstanding researchers, educators, and coaches! We'll be back with a regular episode of Long Life Learning next week. For listeners who are ready to act on your interest in the forthcoming program, please visit the Certificate in Professional Coaching Program Homepage to learn more and subscribe to program updates. About Zoe Chance Zoe studies persuasion and decision making, working passionately to understand how people can lead happier, healthier, more fulfilling lives. At Yale, Zoe teaches Mastering Influence and Persuasion, advises Center for Customer Insights consulting and research teams, and collaborates with Google and Optum Health. Prior to her engagement at Yale, she marketed a $200 million segment of the Barbie brand at Mattel, developed an executive education leadership program at Harvard, acted on stage and film, and failed as an entrepreneur. She received her doctorate from Harvard, MBA from the University of Southern California, and bachelor's degree from Haverford College. Her research has been covered in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Economist, Scientific American, Psychology Today, Financial Times, and Discover.

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  Episode #6

  Howie Forman on Coaching Today's Medical Practitioners

  May 18, 202633 minS3

  This week, Kavitha is joined by Dr. Howie Forman (MD & MBA) of Yale University to discuss the unique role coaching plays in the world of medicine. Howie explains how coaching helped him navigate key turning points in his career, which has expanded from radiology in to the worlds of health policy, leadership, teaching, an d some coaching and mentoring of his own. He and Kavitha parse the difference between professional coaching and other key terms that have arisen this season, including psychiatry and psychotherapy . H owie identif ies a core un derl ying principle that unifies all of them : the practice of leading with questions so as to empower clients to come to their own conclusions for action. In addition, Howie and Kavitha discuss w here coaching can uniquely benefit medical practitioners , and Howie s hares his thoughts about the characteristics t hat make certain individuals as a natural fit for coaching . Finally, Howi e explains why it's not too late to change your workplace habits after age 45! Transcript S3Ep6—Howie Forman Transcript Links and Resources Information on YGELP and Yale SOM Executive Education: Yale SOM Executive Education Homepage Certificate in Professional Coaching Program Homepage Sign up for program updates Resources and Individuals Mentioned in Today's Episode: Health & Veritas podcast on Yale Insights MBA/MD with Yale School of Medicine Homepage Books by Victor Frankl , including Man's Search for Meaning "Your Local Epidemiologist," Katelyn Jetelina's Substack About Today's Guest Howie Forman Howie Forman is a Professor of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Public Health (Health Policy), Management, and Economics at Yale University. He came to Yale as a practicing diagnostic radiologist and remains an active clinician in the YNHH Emergency Room, where he also functions as the deputy operational chief for Radiology. Since 1998, he has taught undergraduate and graduate courses on healthcare policy, economics, finance, and leadership. He is the faculty director and founder of Yale's MD/MBA program and the Healthcare focus area of the Executive MBA program. Since 2011, he has been the director of the Health Care Management (HCM) Program at the YSPH. He is actively involved in patient care and issues related to financial administration, healthcare compliance, and quality improvement. He has worked in the US Senate, as a health policy fellow, on Medicare legislation. He is widely quoted in popular print and social media on Public Health, Health Policy, Healthcare Leadership/Management and Finance topics. Since September 2021, he has co-hosted the weekly Health And Veritas Podcast with Harlan Krumholz.

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  Episode #5

  Chip Conley on the Coaching Wisdom of the Modern Elder

  May 11, 202642 minS3

  For the midpoint of Season 3, Kavitha is joined by midlife expert Chip Conley, founder of the Modern Elder Academy . Chip's exceptional career led him from founding Joie de Vivre Hospitality to serving as Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy for Airbnb during the company' s crucial rise from startup to household name . Chip's leadership frequently placed him in the role of coach , mentor, and what his colleagues variously described as "confidante" and "modern elder." Join us to hear Chip's insight into how midlife mentors can embody both wisdom and curiosity, a s well as his perspective on what the historic five - generation span in the workplace means in the contexts of coaching and vocational purpose. In addition, Chip and Kavitha discuss the importance of joy in career and personal success, the contemporary landscape for approaches to leadership, and why Chip believes that life only gets better as we age . Transcript S3Ep5—Chip Conley Transcript (AI-generated, unedited) Links and Resources Information on YGELP and Yale SOM Executive Education: Yale SOM Executive Education Homepage Certificate in Professional Coaching Program Homepage Sign up for program updates Resources and Links Mentioned in Today's Episode: Modern Elder Academy Homepage Chip's Blog: Wisdom Well Chip's Podcast: Midlife Chrysalis Chip's TED Talks Mary Catherine Bateson , coiner of "the midlife atrium" Wisdom at Work: The Making of a Modern Elder by Chip Conley The Catcher in the Rye b y J. D. Salinger Appreciative Inquiry: A Positive Revolution in Change by David Cooperrider and Diana Whitney One Person/Multiple Careers: A New Model for Work/Life Success by Marci Alboher More about Dilip Jeste's Wisdom Scale Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better with Age by Chip Conley Dr. Becca Levy , Professor of Public Health with the Yale School of Public Health The Mature Mind: The Positive Power of the Aging Brain by Gene Cohen From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur Brooks Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents—and What They Mean for America's Future by Jean Twenge Peak: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo from Maslow by Chip Conley The Ezra Klein Show Interesting Times with Ross Douthat About Today's Guest Chip Conley is on a midlife mission. After disrupting the hospitality industry twice, first as the founder of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, the second-largest operator of boutique hotels in the U.S., and then as Airbnb's Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy, leading a worldwide revolution in travel, Conley co-founded MEA (Modern Elder Academy) in January 2018 in Baja California, Mexico. Inspired by his experience of intergenerational mentoring as a 'modern elder' at Airbnb, where his guidance was instrumental to the company's extraordinary transformation from fast-growing start-up to the world's most valuable hospitality brand, MEA is the world's first 'midlife wisdom school' and has a 2,600-acre regenerative horse ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico which opened in May 2024. Dedicated to reframing the concept of aging, MEA supports students to navigate midlife with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility. Conley has authored eight books, given three TED talks, has a daily Wisdom Well blog, and a weekly podcast The Midlife Chrysalis which has included a wide variety of guests from Maria Shriver to Arthur Brooks to Elizabeth Gilbert to Rich Roll.

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