Podcast
Podcast EP. 47 – From Family Recipe to Thriving Business with Drew & Brighton Maughan
From Family Recipe to Thriving Business This episode of the CougsFirst! Podcast features a fascinating conversation with Drew and Brighton, a father-son duo who turned their unique ginger sauce into a thriving business. Starting from a family recipe developed 30 years ago by Drew, the sauce gained popularity among friends and family. Brighton, during his…
Read MorePodcast EP. 46 – Leadership, Sales, and the Power of People with Bill Gruber
Leadership, Sales, and the Power of People This latest episode of our Business & Startup Series features a conversation with Bill Gruber, a retired executive with extensive experience in the medical device industry. Bill shares his career journey, starting from his college days at WSU, through different management and leadership roles, including sales representative, fraternity…
Read MorePodcast EP. 45 – Exploring Business, Community, & Entrepreneurship with Lance Lijewski
Startup Series: Exploring Business, Community & Entrepreneurship In this episode of the CougsFirst! Podcast, Lance Lijewski, a digital marketer with hands-on experience in different business domains, discusses his path to entrepreneurship, starting from his days as a first-generation college student to his current role managing numerous businesses. Lance holds a dual degree in multimedia journalism…
Read MorePodcast EP. 44 – Sports, Studies, and Entrepreneurial Spirit with Dean Janikowski
Student Series: Sports, Studies, and Entrepreneurial Spirit In this episode, the podcast welcomes Dean Janikowski, a dedicated WSU football player. Dean not only discusses his passion for football, but also shares his experiences as a creator, fundraiser, student, and business enthusiast. He reveals how he uses unique methods, like working with a mental coach, to…
Read MorePodcast Ep. 43 with Edwin Gianini
How Networking Changed My Life In this episode of the podcast, we’re joined by Edwin Gianini, a dynamic individual and the current Executive Director of the Lauren McCluskey Foundation. Edwin shares more about his recent move back to Pullman and the hectic weekend that followed. He delves into the foundation’s origin, inspired by the tragic…
Read MorePodcast EP. 42 with Kaitlyn Thornton
Farmer and Influencer’s Cosmic Crisp Adventure Kait Thornton, an influencer and farmer, shares with us her journey into the apple industry, specifically focusing on the introduction of the Cosmic Crisp apple variety. In this podcast episode, Kait discusses the challenges and rewards of bringing a new apple to market, the reasons behind creating the Cosmic…
Read MoreWhy Long-Term Athletic Development Matters with Alex Brink
CougsFirst! Podcast EP. 39 – Alex Brink Have you ever wondered what professional athletes do after college? Some go pro, some moonlight as a radio analyst for college sports, and some start a business focusing on holistic, long-term athletic development for youth. Well, today’s guest has done ALL of that and more! And he’s here…
Read MoreBuilding The Culture of Giving Back with Matt Miera
CougsFirst! Podcast EP. 38 – Matt Miera We all know Coug Nation is one special community. Maybe we’re biased, but there truly is nothing else out there quite like WSU! Once you realize just how unique this community is and how many ways you can get involved, it’s easy to stay engaged, involved, and give…
Read MoreLeading The Way For More Transparency & Opportunity At Pullman Regional Hospital with Matt Forge
CougsFirst! Podcast EP. 37 – Matt Forge When moving to a new city or place, you’re probably researching the school districts, the different neighborhoods, the local amenities, and whether or not the local healthcare is average or excellent. Pullman might be considered rural to big city slickers, but when it comes to our hospitals and…
Read MoreHow Individual Giving & Donations Can Make a Positive Impact with Mike Connell
CougsFirst! Podcast EP. 36 – Mike Connell (WSU Foundation) Whether you graduated decades ago or last year, there are a lot of ways to give back and reconnect with your alma mater. Unfortunately, many people just don’t know what options exist or where to start. Or they don’t see how their gift will make an…
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