Harvard Student Athlete Nick McCullough: "Similarities and differences can connect you when networking. And you get rewarded for being yourself." Artwork

The Sage Sayers

A weekly podcast on ways to stay calm and compel others as you communicate. Along with executive communications tips and strategies, we interview intriguing individuals who've found the "Sage approach" by finding gifts, opportunities, and knowledge within trying situations. New Zealander show host, Debbi Gardiner McCullough, has written on social and business trends and struggles for the Economist, the Guardian, and Financial Times of London. She's a self-retired college professor of writing, an executive communications and narrative coach. Visit her at: www.hangingrockcoaching.com

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The Sage Sayers

Harvard Student Athlete Nick McCullough: "Similarities and differences can connect you when networking. And you get rewarded for being yourself."

January 30, 2026 • Nicholas McCullough and Debbi Gardiner McCullough • Season 5 • Episode 2

We're welcoming back to the show Harvard student athlete, Nick McCullough, now on his second semester at Harvard as an Econ student and defensive tackle player for the Harvard Crimson football team. [Listener note: Nick is also my oldest son.]

We hear from an 18-year-old first-year student and footballer all about networking and what that means at Harvard: Getting in with people you like and want to grow with for your "block" (the dormitory wing for your second year). Making connections for internships and your hopeful work, after the studies are done.

And building trust, and camaraderie, important especially for student athletes at Harvard who can pull 60-70-hour weeks when the sport season is underway. The friendships formed help support and pull you through.

Follow our first Sage Sayers interview on Nick's communications strategy (from age 15) which helped him find his way to Harvard. And you can follow or support Nick on LinkedIn here.

D G McCullough has written for the Economist, FT, and Guardian and taught business communications and journalism at UNC Chapel Hill. She runs Hanging Rock Coaching and serves as a communications coach to leaders at Fortune 500s/100s, including Google. Find her on LinkedIn. Or book her for a consult on your communications challenges bothering you the most.