How Talk Radio Provides Writer Creative Inspiration - Cathy Erway

In Chapter 6 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with Erik Michielsen, author and food writer Cathy Erway shares how talk radio shows provide her creative inspiration. As a writer, Erway often works alone. By starting her own talk radio show, "Let's Eat In", hosted by Heritage Radio Networks, Erway gets exposure to a wide range of stories and personalities in an unscripted environment. She compares her experiences to NPR and the wide variation of guests interviewed on the show. Erway is the author of "The Art of Eating In: How I learned to Stop Spending and Love the Stove." She writes two blogs, "Not Eating Out in New York" (http://www.noteatingoutinny.com ) and "Lunch at Six Point" (http://www.lunchatsixpoint.com ). Erway earned her B.A. in Creative Writing from Emerson College.

How to Be a Better Writer - Cathy Erway

In Chapter 5 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with Erik Michielsen, author and food writer Cathy Erway shares her approaches to improving her writing skills. Erway is a big blogging advocate, and finds value learning from readers about what resonates most with her audience. Additionally, she practices writing by doing exercises and assignments, from doodling and poetry to journalism. Erway is the author of "The Art of Eating In: How I learned to Stop Spending and Love the Stove." She writes two blogs, "Not Eating Out in New York" (http://www.noteatingoutinny.com ) and "Lunch at Six Point" (http://www.lunchatsixpoint.com ). Erway earned her B.A. in Creative Writing from Emerson College.

How to Market and Promote Yourself on a Budget - Cathy Erway

In Chapter 4 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with Erik Michielsen, author and food writer Cathy Erway shares what she learned about marketing and promoting herself and her first book, "The Art of Eating In." She learns to couple continuous blogging with participating in events around New York City, including cookoffs and supper clubs. Erway is the author of "The Art of Eating In: How I learned to Stop Spending and Love the Stove." She writes two blogs, "Not Eating Out in New York" (http://www.noteatingoutinny.com ) and "Lunch at Six Point" (http://www.lunchatsixpoint.com ). Erway earned her B.A. in Creative Writing from Emerson College.

How to Pitch a Book and Become an Author - Cathy Erway

In Chapter 3 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with Erik Michielsen, author and food writer Cathy Erway shares advice on pitching a book. She notes alternative publishing platforms, from blogging and self-publishing, are great ways to build momentum and sharpen focus. She shares how her book pitch evolved over the course of one year and how this was received by both her literary agent and publisher. Erway is the author of "The Art of Eating In: How I learned to Stop Spending and Love the Stove." She writes two blogs, "Not Eating Out in New York" (http://www.noteatingoutinny.com ) and "Lunch at Six Point" (http://www.lunchatsixpoint.com ). Erway earned her B.A. in Creative Writing from Emerson College.

How to Choose a Storytelling Medium Right For You - Cathy Erway

In Chapter 2 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with Erik Michielsen, author and food writer Cathy Erway shares her approach to selecting the best medium to tell a story. She sticks to her passion, which happens to be writing, and advises other writers to also stick with their passions. Erway experiments with different mediums, including radio and video, but finds her passion, writing, prevails in how she communicates and shares. Erway is the author of "The Art of Eating In: How I learned to Stop Spending and Love the Stove." She writes two blogs, "Not Eating Out in New York" (http://www.noteatingoutinny.com ) and "Lunch at Six Point" (http://www.lunchatsixpoint.com ). Erway earned her B.A. in Creative Writing from Emerson College.

How Learning by Doing Shapes Creative Career - Cathy Erway

In Chapter 1 of 19 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with Erik Michielsen, author and food writer Cathy Erway shares how experiential learning, or learning by doing, has impacted her career development. Childhood experiences putting on shows, rather than watching them, shape Erway's storytelling interest. After college, Erway chooses trial and error over instructional writing to learn to cook. Erway is the author of "The Art of Eating In: How I learned to Stop Spending and Love the Stove." She writes two blogs, "Not Eating Out in New York" (http://www.noteatingoutinny.com ) and "Lunch at Six Point" (http://www.lunchatsixpoint.com ). Erway earned her B.A. in Creative Writing from Emerson College.

What is the Best Way to Help a Friend With Cancer - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 19 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares advice on how to help a friend with cancer. When someone is sick, Andy makes sure to call or visit friends often. He underscores the importance of reaching out regularly through difficult times. Epstein learns this supporting his father-in-law through an extended illness. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How to Support Your Spouse During Period of Extended Family Illness - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 18 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, husband and charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares advice on how to best support a spouse during a period of extended family illness. Presence matters most, so he begins by prioritizing family first. He finds combining strength with an occasional joke to keep people laughing to be a good mix through the experience. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How to Hand Off Responsibility as Business Grows - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 17 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares what management skills are helping him transition from overseeing finance for one school to several. He highlights implementing systems that are easily replicable. This allows him to then train others to do the work effectively so the business, in this case a public charter school, may scale. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How to More Effectively Manage and Lead Teams - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 16 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares how he has learned to build more effective teams. Before his current charter school role, Epstein worked at Island Def Jam records where he learned how structure and communication style impact team building. He applies lessons learned there, including top-down and lateral communication as well as meeting facilitation to improve collaboration at Democracy Prep Charter School. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How to Plan Strategy Using Short and Long Term Thinking - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 15 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares how short and long term thinking shape an organizational strategic plan. Short term goals, including the annual budget, are very precise, whereas longer term goals require more variables and are more of a thought exercise. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How to Use a Finance MBA in an Education Career - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 14 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares how he uses his finance education, including his Columbia MBA, is relevant in his work. He discusses how profit and loss - or P&L - and financial statement analysis. Over time, Epstein finds himself using progressively advanced corporate finance skills to plan strategy and position the charter schools for sustainability. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

What Nonprofit Charter Schools Teach About Fiduciary Duty - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 13 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares what defines fiduciary responsibility working in nonprofit, specifically in a New York City public charter school. He contrasts this experience and responsibility with for-profit responsibility, referencing his work at Island Def Jam records. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

When to Interview for Potential and Not Past Experience - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 12 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein learns to take a leap of faith choosing a job outside his existing skill set. Careful consideration gives Epstein confidence that comes through interviewing for the more senior role, in this case a CFO-level position managing multiple charter schools. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How Finance Executive Develops into a CFO - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 11 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares what defines different stages of a finance career. As finance director at record label Island Def Jam, Epstein holds department-level management responsibilities. In his new role at Democracy Prep Charter Schools, Epstein holds organizational finance management responsibilities. He finds outside support to navigate both the change in job requirements as well as industry change. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How to Apply Business Finance Skills Managing Charter Schools - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 10 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares how he applies his business finance skills in a charter school environment. He notes the importance of identifying, refining, and implementing systems and processes to improve operations efficiency. This includes the accounting system, managing the P&L, expense tracking and the associated backoffice processes and checks and balances. He enjoys the creative license the flexible charter school model provides him and his team for designing solutions. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

What Do Charter Schools and Small Businesses Have in Common - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 9 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein compares running a charter school to managing a small business. Epstein notes schools have customers, the families and students, employees, the staff, revenues and expenses. Like small businesses, sustainability is key to charter school finance and operations. Epstein notes the importance of monitoring per pupil financial allocations and optimizing the education experience delivered from that investment. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How Teach for America Alumni Become Future Education Leaders - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 8 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein highlights what it means to be a Teach for America alum and how the experience and relationships have and continue to affect his career. He identifies with Teach for America program experiences attending Summer Institute, being a First Day Teacher, and working in under-resourced classrooms. These connections help him relate to and recruit Teach for America alums seeking to continue education careers in the charter school system. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.