Episode 01: Tomas, Mandy, and Josh

Mandy and Willie welcome Tomas Fuentes Benitez and Josh Woodard to the Common Room to discuss their experiences working as foreigners in China. After some banter and introductions (0:00-13:20), Tomas shares what was on his mind as he weighed pursuing an MBA or applying to Schwarzman (14:03) while Mandy discusses her role as a Chief of Staff in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic (17:21). Tomas and Mandy then shift gears to discuss their journeys to China and experiences elevating their Mandarin proficiency (21:50-33:41). Next, Josh joins the Common Room (33:41) as Tomas reflects on his difficult moments in China and why/how he founded Stokes, a healthy snacks startup (49:45). Afterward, Josh introduces himself, shares why he attended MIT for undergrad, chose to stay in China after Schwarzman and shares his experience living in Shenzhen (49:45). Tomas follows up with his experiences living in Shanghai and Beijing (1:17:41). Finally, Mandy, Tomas, and Josh make their pitch on why you should consider living and working in China (1:24:31).