Crossing The Alameda - featuring Amy Baird Depner and Michelle Qualls Radley

In this episode of Crossing the Alameda, hosts A.J. Riebli and Kari Morin reconnect with alumni Amy Baird Depner and Michelle Qualls Radley from the class of 1991. They reminisce about their time at Santa Clara University, discussing how they chose the school, their friendship origins, memorable college stories, and the challenges of maintaining connections post-graduation. The conversation also delves into Amy's experience as a member of the women's soccer team during its formative years, highlighting the evolution of the sport and the camaraderie built among teammates. In this engaging conversation, the speakers reflect on their experiences balancing sports and academics during college, the impact of memorable professors, and the life lessons learned along the way. They share humorous anecdotes from their time on the Team USA road trip, highlighting the importance of friendship and adventure. The discussion also delves into their career paths in education and physical therapy, emphasizing the fulfillment and challenges of working in helping professions. In this engaging conversation, the speakers discuss their experiences in leadership roles within healthcare and education, emphasizing the importance of supporting clinicians and teachers. They reflect on the balance between professional responsibilities and personal life, highlighting the significance of family and community connections. The discussion also touches on career aspirations, the value of mentorship, and the wisdom gained over the years, culminating in heartfelt advice to their younger selves.CHAPTERS 0:00 Welcome to Crossing the Alameda03:31 Getting to Santa Clara: First Impressions06:47 Friendship Origins: Meeting in the Dorms09:06 Memorable College Stories: The Sloshball Incident13:05 Life as an RA: Maintaining Connections17:37 Athletic Journey: Women's Soccer at Santa Clara21:05 Balancing Sports and Academics25:03 Memorable Professors and Academic Journeys29:00 College Experiences and Life Lessons34:02 Team USA Road Trip Adventures41:29 Career Paths and Personal Growth46:36 Navigating Leadership in Healthcare and Education49:24 Balancing Professional and Personal Life52:26 The Importance of Family and Community56:40 Reflections on Career Paths and Aspirations01:02:55 Advice to Our Younger Selves