College students like free food and interesting thoughts.
Free Food for Thought provides a platform for exclusive, accomplished experts to reach a wider audience beyond the attendees of their live speeches. By offering downloadable podcasts through Spotify, Soundcloud, and iTunes, Free Food for Thought ensures that engaging content is accessible to all. The unique podcast format allows speakers to delve into their areas of expertise, experiences, and stories in a down-to-earth, organic, and engaging flow that transcends prepared remarks. By delving more into each speaker's background, personality, and dynamic perspectives, Free Food for Thought fosters a meaningful and personal connection between students and the speakers. These are the messages of experts on the go, available anytime, to feed your curiosity.
Shivani Pandya
Founder, Director Emeritus
Shivani CM ‘18 is from Sugar Land, Texas. Her interest in people and podcasts led her to start Free Food for Thought in early 2016. On campus, Shivani was also Technology/Data Manager of the Rose Institute of State and Local Government. In her free time, Shivani enjoys watching her beloved Packers win, reading books about World War II, and watching anything created by Joss Whedon and Aaron Sorkin.
Leadership
Natalie Chen
DIRECTOR
Natalie is a Junior at CMC from Orange County, studying Philosophy and Public Affairs. She enjoys all things outdoors, tennis, and reading about topics ranging from the roots of the coffee industry, to the makeup of the human soul, to podcasts on international and government relations.
Tudor Galan
Associate DIRECTOR
Tudor is a CMC ‘27 student from Romania, with a major in Science Management. With over two years of experience as a Podcast Host, he is equally excited by both recording and listening to impactful episodes. In his free time, he enjoys swimming and DJing.
Emma Pan
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Emma Pan is a senior at CMC studying Psychology and History. Her favorite podcast is the Jordan B. Peterson podcast. On campus, she is also involved in the Mgrublian Human Rights Center conducting a research on “Human Trafficking in Asia.”
Ellie Lerner
Social Media Director
Ellie is from San Francisco, California, and is a senior at CMC studying Government. Her favorite podcasts include Planet Money, Throughline, and Serial, and she is also an avid audiobook listener. On campus, she is an Open Academy Fellow, and In her free time, she enjoys running, backpacking, and hiking the trails around the Claremont campuses.
Members
Ryan Lenney
Ryan is from Mission Viejo, California, and is a junior at CMC studying International Relations and Public Policy. His favorite podcast is This American Life, but he enjoys listening to a variety of shows - from Car Talk to Pod Save the World. In his free time, Ryan enjoys surfing, rock climbing, and innertube water polo.
Caren Ensing
Caren is a sophomore studying international relations and environmental science. Her expertise is in government and American history, and she has served a research assistant on faculty research projects and at the Salvatori Research Institute. She also has a passion for the outdoors as a collegiate national freestyle skiing champion, ski instructor, state triathlon medalist, and avid club athlete. She is interested intravel, reading, and all things outdoors.
Daniella Reyes
Daniella is from Elizabeth, New Jersey, and is a sophomore at CMC studying Government. Two of her favorite podcasts are Consider This and Casefile, which she often listens to while painting. Daniella also loves singing two-act musicals and writing in her free time.
Nathan Verba
Nathan is a Cognitive Science major from the Bay Area. He loves playing basketball, teaching yoga, and thinking about the brain. His favorite Ath speaker so far has been Daniel Kelly - a neuroscientist who discussed the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.
Luke Carfaro
Luke Carfaro is a junior at CMC, studying International Relations with a focus on Human Rights, Genocide, and Holocaust Studies. He is passionate about political philosophy, international conflicts, and religious studies. Outside of academics, he enjoys backpacking, writing, reading, and working out.
Kimmy Doan
Kimmy Doan is an Economics and International Relations major with an interest in classical literature and storytelling through film and language. She is learning Mandarin and ballroom dance and loves to embroider. Through compelling discussions at FF4T, Kimmy is excited to help share ideas and stories that inspire!
Lucy Goldberg
Lucy Goldberg is a CMC '25 student majoring in Media Studies and Classical Studies. Her favorite podcasts besides Free Food for Thought are This American Life and Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend. She enjoys film production and is the leader of CMCTV, and in her free time likes to play basketball and spend time outdoors.
Grace Zhao
Grace is a freshman at CMC from Sacramento, California. She’s exploring studying public policy and her favorite podcast is The Ezra Klein Show. In her free time, she enjoys reading The New Yorker, swimming recreationally, and journaling.
Avi Rangarajan
Avi is a sophomore at CMC studying Science Management from the Bay Area. His favorite podcast is the Huberman Lab podcast, and learning about anything science-related. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and photography.
Daniel Bazmi
Daniel Bazmi is a Science Management Major with a Biotech track at Claremont McKenna College. He is a part of CMC's Model United Nations team, is a research assistant at Valley Fever Institute of Kern Medical, and has participated in various other activities on campus. He has a strong foundation in leadership and a passion for the intersection of science and business. Additionally, he is interested in film, sports, and politics.
Rohan Mathew
Rohan Mathew is a sophomore studying history and economics and is excited to work with the FF4T Podcast to bring exciting conversations to CMC’s campus. He is interested in fiction writing and is looking forward to interviewing authors and poets at the Athenaeum. He is also interested in international affairs and has worked with the Keck and Mgrublian centers, researching nuclear weapon programs and linguistic nationalism. Rohan loves board games, reading novels, and hopes to be a historical fiction author someday.