On this episode of the Stang Stories podcast, Molly O'Brien '26 interviews Mike Connolly '96, about his journey from South Boston to Milton Academy—earning a full scholarship, repeating seventh grade, bonding over sports and homeroom, and finding inspiration in an astronomy class and senior projects in photography and essays.

Mike recounts his college years at Tufts, a shift from engineering into sales, the mentors who guided him, and how a personal loss led him to found Pay Forward Coaching in 2022, a nonprofit offering thousands of free career coaching sessions.

He closes with practical advice for current Milton students: do more extracurriculars and keep relationships alive.

Welcome to Stang Stories with Oliver Sin '25 featuring Tonantzin Carmona '08. In this episode she recounts her transition from Chicago’s Little Village to Milton, the mentors and traditions that shaped her, and how listening to diverse perspectives led her into a career in public policy. Tonantzin discusses building Chicago’s municipal ID, work at Brookings, Treasury and the White House NEC, lessons on leadership and public speaking, and her measured view on crypto and equitable economic policy. She closes with practical advice for students: take risks, be kind, and know your why.

Welcome to this episode of the Stang Stories podcast, where Jason Yu '25 interviews Mark Denneen '84, Milton Academy alumnus and CEO of Denneen & Company. Mark shares his journey from being a student at Milton to leading a successful growth strategy consulting firm. He discusses the profound impact Milton had on his intellectual and professional development, highlighting the significance of lifelong friendships and the foundation of essential skills such as critical thinking and public speaking.

Mark also reflects on his pioneering efforts as the founder of the Milton Paper, emphasizing the importance of independent student voices. He talks about his career trajectory, the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, and the role of history and leadership in shaping his path. Tune in to explore Mark's experiences and gain insights into the world of consulting, innovation, and the power of education.