Clark University Screen Studies major and Entrepreneurship and Innovation minor, Alec Tarnowski ’23, an aspiring filmmaker, online wrestling show color commentator, Clark Athletics announcer, and video editor for Career Connections Center, thought he had a bit of extra time in his schedule to add podcast host.
Alec answered the call of Teresa Quinn, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program Manager, in the spring of 2022, to test out a podcast for the E&I program after Quinn noticed Alec’s speaking gift while acting as master of ceremony for the annual E&I Program event, Clark Tank. The podcast, E&I for You & I , named by Alec, debuted on March 24, 2022, with season one, episode one called Housewarming and Getting Started with Entrepreneurship. Never one to miss out on accessing Clark student talent, Alec partnered with Max Sormanti-Bloom ’25 founder of Maxsbmusic, to write and record the opening music for the show.
The podcast’s first season, with seven episodes, focused on the E&I happenings around Clark’s campus with interviews from students, faculty, and alumni. Alec ramped up season two for the fall 2022 semester and laid out a roadmap of episodes to help up-and-coming entrepreneurs address some universal questions about entrepreneurship. Each week a unique guest, often alumni/faculty of Clark, is eager to help with the trials and tribulations of starting a business by sharing their experience. Additionally, Alec updates the listeners on E&I events and activities across campus, while throwing in his own spice and take on entrepreneurship.
Season two’s first guest, Johnny Bui ’18, kicked off the new format with Managing Your Risk and Finding Your “IT”. Additional guests for season two have been, Tim Hally ’19, ’20, co-founder of Munq Creative, LLC and E&I adjunct professor; Dr. Ryan Van Zee, Leadership Academy Accounting and Business Management instructor and co-author of A Starter’s Guide to Small Business Ownership and Exercises in Active Innovation; Trevor Tarnowski ’20, ’21 owner of Shunu and project manager at Cybex; Amy Mosher Berry ’04 founder and CEO of Visions Internships; and Crysta Spitzfaden ’19 founder at Fresh and Senior Innovation Analyst at the Hanover Insurance Group, shared insight on topics from business ownership – day one, to marketing and beyond.
Upcoming season two guests include – Lawrence Norman ’94, ’95 CEO at Cybex and E&I adjunct professor; Brad McNamara ’13 CEO and founder of Morrissey Market and Freight Farms; Dr. David Jordan president of Severn Hills Foundation and E&I adjunct professor; and Emilee Cocuzzo ’18, ’19 Senior Consultant of Booz Hamilton and E&I adjunct professor. These interesting guests will cover topics from burnout to networking.
“In terms of where I want it to go, I think the sky’s the limit regarding the caliber of guests we bring on. Next season I want to include top of companies to be interviewed, as I think that would establish the podcast as a premiere source for picking the brains of some of the most successful entrepreneurs on the scene”.
Alec Tarnowski ’23, E&I for You & I Podcast host
Alec is finishing up his degree through the SCRN department and prepping for his future with his honor’s thesis feature-length film that will be screened in May of 2023. The film is a sports mockumentary centering around a former local croquet player named Tony Wicket. Wicket, after being banned from the sport over cheating allegations, looks to remedy his relationship with the town and relive the good ole days of his prime by training a new protege. Alec’s other project is an action-adventure comic series centered on a trio of boys who, after being trapped in purgatory, need to bring lost souls, that have escaped from the afterlife, back to their proper places in order for the three to get their own lives back. Alec doesn’t want to spoil any surprises, but guarantees twists and turns abound!
Join Alec and E&I for You & I podcast every Saturday at 3pm on Spotify when his weekly show drops. He promises it is worth the listen.
To find out more about the School of Management’s E&I program events, activities, and student-run initiatives, visit the student website www.clarkstudentventures.com or follow the program’s several social media sites: E&I Instagram, E&I TikTok, Clark Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program LinkedIn, or contact Teresa Quinn at tquinn@clarku.edu.