Robert Horry, 7-Time NBA Champion – TSC016

January 12, 2021Uncategorizedsupporting-cast

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During his 16-year NBA career, Robert Horry won a startling 7 NBA championships, more than any other player outside of the 1960s Celtics. In this episode, Robert speaks about the three coaches (Rudy Tomjanovich, Phil Jackson, and Gregg Popovich) who led these championship teams, in addition to the big games and critical plays that earned him the moniker “Big Shot Bob.” Robert also speaks about growing up in rural Alabama, discussing some of the racial tensions and segregation around youth sports in Alabama, before playing for the University of Alabama. Now a Harvard-Westlake parent, Robert cites Wimp Sanderson of the University of Alabama, in addition to Tree Rollins and Otis Thorpe of the Houston Rockets, as profound teachers and mentors.

Natasha Case ’01, Coolhaus Ice Cream Co-Founder and CEO – TSC015

January 12, 2021Uncategorizedsupporting-cast

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Natasha Case ’01 is Co-Founder and CEO of Coolhaus Ice Cream, which you may have noticed lining the frozen food section of your local Whole Foods. In this episode, Natasha speaks about being raised by an animator and architect, the multifaceted nature of her Harvard-Westlake experience, building a business at the cross-section of food and architecture, and how unveiling Coolhaus at Coachella in 2009 changed the brand forever. Natasha also speaks about the importance of setting an example as a female and gay entrepreneur, and how opening doors for others like her is central to Coolhaus’s mission. Natasha cites Harvard-Westlake teachers Katherine Holmes-Chuba and Jerry Margolis as profound educational influences.

Spencer Rascoff ’93, Zillow Co-Founder and CEO (2010-2019) – TSC014

January 5, 2021Uncategorizeddotla, hotwire, pacaso, rascoff, spencer, zillowsupporting-cast

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Spencer Rascoff ’93 is a serial entrepreneur, from founding Hotwire and Zillow in this 20s and 30s, to his two current ventures, Pacaso Homes and dot.LA. In addition to describing the details of each, Spencer traces many of his entrepreneurial qualities back to Harvard-Westlake, both in the form of a spectacular teacher (HW Chronicle advisor Kathy Neumeyer) and an unimaginable tragedy (the sudden death of brother Justin Rascoff ’91). In this episode, Spencer speaks about the community that rallied around him during this difficult time, in addition to the influence of his father’s innovative spirit and why he believes the notion of mentorship can be “hacked.” Spencer credits Kathy Neumeyer, in addition to numerous other Harvard-Westlake writing teachers, as profound influences on his life and career.

Dr. Phoebe Stubblefield ’86, Excavating the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre – TSC013

January 5, 2021Uncategorizedmassacre, phoebe stubblefield, race, tulsasupporting-cast

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As 2021 marks the 100-year anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, The Supporting Cast welcomes Dr. Phoebe Stubblefield ’86, forensic anthropologist at the University of Florida, who is leading the massacre’s forensic excavation. In the Season 2 opener, Dr. Stubblefield discusses the complicated efforts to uncover and identify hundreds of Black victims buried in unmarked graves beneath Tulsa, in addition to how the work became personal to her and how it connects to modern-day movements for racial justice. In addition to crediting her parents, who enrolled Phoebe and her sister at Westlake School through the “A Better Chance” (ABC) program, Dr. Stubblefield cites Joannie Parker of Westlake and Phil Walker of UC Santa Barbara as profound influences on her unusual career journey.

Roy Choi, Chef and Restaurateur – TSC012

March 23, 2020Uncategorizedchef, choi, kogi, roysupporting-cast

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In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, chef and restaurateur Roy Choi joins The Supporting Cast to discuss its impact on his restaurants, as well as the broader food and beverage industry. Roy also discusses growing up in Los Angeles as a Korean-American immigrant, how watching Emiril Lagasse on television inspired him to pursue cooking, rising the ranks as a “hotel chef” within Hilton Hotels, and partnering with director Jon Favreau on the movie “Chef” and Netflix’s “The Chef Show.” Now a Harvard-Westlake parent, Roy also shares the origin story of Kogi, and how losing his job in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis prompted him to create what Newsweek called “America’s first viral eatery.” Roy references Lou Jones of The Culinary Institute of America as a profound influence on his life and career.

Sharon Cuseo on College Admission – TSC011

March 17, 2020Uncategorizedsupporting-cast

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Upper School Dean Sharon Cuseo is amid her 26th year at Harvard-Westlake, where she counsels students on the college admission process. In this episode, Sharon speaks about her reactions to the Varsity Blues scandal, the “myth of meritocracy” in college admission, and why there is far more “art” than “science” employed in college application evaluation. Sharon also talks about her upbringing in San Diego, meeting Ed Hu as young admission officers at Occidental College, and how a chance work-study job in the Stanford admission office sparked an interest in the profession. Sharon references Bob Litchfield of Patrick Henry High School, Bill Tingley of Stanford University, and Howard Gardner of Harvard Graduate School of Education as profound educational influences.

Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 – TSC010

March 10, 2020Uncategorizedblink-182, hoppus, marksupporting-cast

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Mark Hoppus is the singer, bassist, and founding member of the band Blink-182. In this episode, Mark speaks about Blink-182’s meteoric rise from the San Diego punk scene to hitting #1 on MTV and watching his dreams come true. Mark also speaks about the thrills and anxieties of touring, approaching one’s creativity with humor and heart, co-hosting a television show with Amy Schumer, and why he still loves playing “All The Small Things.” Now a Harvard-Westlake parent, Mark credits his enormously supportive family, drummer Travis Barker, and producer Jerry Finn as profound influences on his life and career.

Jason Collins ’97, First Openly Gay NBA Player – TSC009

March 5, 2020Uncategorizedjason collinssupporting-cast

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In 2014, Jason Collins ’97 became the first openly gay active athlete in any of the four major team sports. In this episode, Jason talks about why the NBA is ahead of other leagues in terms of advocacy and activism, how the language we use around LGBTQ+ issues has far-ranging impact, and about the courage he summoned in 2013 to come out publicly in a Sports Illustrated cover story. Jason also discusses his years at Harvard-Westlake and Stanford, guarding Shaquille O’Neal, the leadership of Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett, and why he idolizes Martina Navratilova. In addition to crediting his family for their unwavering support, Jason references Westlake and Harvard-Westlake teacher Joannie Parker as a profound educational influence.

Grace Brown on Learning Differences and “Neurodiversity” – TSC008

March 2, 2020Uncategorizedsupporting-cast

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Grace Brown believes that learning differences, and the broader notion of “neurodiversity,” should be integral to all teaching and learning at Harvard-Westlake. As the school’s first Learning Resource Specialist, Grace has spent the last three years building a Center for Learning at Harvard-Westlake that empowers students to discover their own cognitive differences and chart a new course for academic achievement. In this episode, Grace also describes growing up biracial in Ohio and Michigan, attending Harvard and Columbia, teaching in inner city Chicago, and how Harvard-Westlake became the fifth independent school at which she’s created a learning center. Grace references educators Mary Haab of Portage Central High School, David Mitten of Harvard University, and Kim Reid of Teachers College at Columbia University as inspiring influences on her life and career.

Dee Dee Myers, First Female White House Press Secretary – TSC007

February 24, 2020Uncategorizedsupporting-cast

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At age 31, Dee Dee Myers became the first female White House Press Secretary of the United States. In this episode, Dee Dee explores notions of truth vs. advocacy, gender and authority, and shares firsthand insights into the unique talent, perseverance, and personal failings of President Bill Clinton. Now a Harvard-Westlake parent, Dee Dee describes her own journey from Valencia, CA to the White House Press Room, in addition to her time consulting on NBC’s “The West Wing” and as a Warner Bros. executive. Among the inspirational teachers Dee Dee references are Laurie Huenick of Hart High School and Diane Dreher and Eric Hanson of Santa Clara University.