Behind the Bearcat

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Hannah Christian and Travis Kline reveal the stories behind the amazing people at Northwest Missouri State University.

Northwest MO State University Career Services


    • Apr 26, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 28m AVG DURATION
    • 154 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Behind the Bearcat

    Behind the Bearcat Season 6 Episode 15: Dr. Elise Hepworth

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2025 27:23


    It's the season 6 finale! This week Travis and Hannah talk with Dr. Elise Hepworth, Northwest Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences about her career journey, teaching novice learners of all ages, and her thoughts on leadership. Check out the video podcast on YouTube and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

    Season 6 Episode 14: Hayston Wilson

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2025 45:10


    This week Hannah and Travis talk with Hayston Wilson, a Northwest alumni and co-owner of Halelujah Counseling in Maryville, MO about his career journey, tips for maintaining mental health, and the power of the cold call. Check out the video podcast on YouTube and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

    Season 6 Episode 13: Dr. Jennifer Wall

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2025 31:31


    This week Travis and Hannah chat with Dr. Jennifer Wall, professor of Math and Statistics, about her journey as an educator, the beauty in math, and her advice for success. Check out the video podcast on YouTube and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

    Season 6 Episode 12: Kristen Neeley

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 38:55


    This week Hannah and Travis talk with Kristen Neeley, Director of the Career Development Center at Missouri Western State University, about her career and academic journey at Northwest and MoWest, what Career Development looks like on the MoWest campus, and her advice for career success. Check out the video podcast on YouTube and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

    Season 6 Episode 11: Dr. Brian Hesse

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025 28:41


    This week Travis and Hannah talk with Dr. Brian Hesse, Professor of Political Science at Northwest, about how international travel changed his life, how he found Northwest, and his advice for students and life. Check out the video podcast on YouTube and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

    Season 6 Episode 10: Mahammad "Mo" Hajiyev

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2025 23:42


    This week Hannah and Travis chat with International Student Success and Outreach Coordinator, Mahammad "Mo" Hajiyev, about the the work he does for international students at Northwest, the challenges international students face, and his advice to be successful. Check out the video podcast on YouTube and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

    Season 6 Episode 9: Hadley Douglas

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2025 29:17


    This week Travis and Hannah talk with Northwest Fraternity and Sorority Life Coordinator, Hadley Douglas, about the transition from student to employee, her role at Northwest, and her advice for students. Check out the video podcast on YouTube and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

    Season 6 Episode 8: Amanda Cullin

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024 43:50


    It's the mid-season finale! This week Hannah and Travis talk with University Police Chief Amanda Cullin about her unique career journey, being a woman in law enforcement, and her advice to be successful Check out the video podcast on YouTube and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

    Season 6 Episode 6: Christian Dixon

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2024 31:33


    This week Hannah and Travis talk with Christian Dixon, Annual Giving Specialist, about his many jobs at Northwest, his advice for students, and his academic journey. Check out the video podcast on YouTube and subscribe so you never miss a new episode!

    Season 6 Episode 7: Dr. Kori Hoffmann

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 26:39


    This week Travis and Hannah talk with AVP of Student Affairs, Dr. Kori Hoffmann, about his journey from teacher to Northwest, his advice for students, and his thoughts on leadership. Check out the video podcast on YouTube and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

    Season 6 Episode 5: Kaylin LaMaster

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2024 16:44


    This week Travis and Hannah talk with Kaylin LaMaster, Executive Assistant to the VP of Finance and Admin and Finance and Contract Systems Specialist, about her time as a PBL Intern, transitioning from a student worker to a full-time employee, and her advice to students. Check out the video podcast on YouTube and subscribe so you never miss a new episode!

    Season 6 Episode 4: Elizabeth Cline

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2024 24:40


    This week Hannah and Travis talk with Alumni Relations & Communications Specialist, Elizabeth Cline about her time as a Career Ambassador, her career journey, and her advice for students. Check out the video podcast on YouTube and subscribe so you never miss a new episode!

    Season 6 Episode 3: Britain Bray

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2024 37:29


    This week Travis and Hannah talk with new Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, Britain Bray, about graduating during the pandemic, becoming a professor, and her advice for job seekers and art students. Check out her work on her website https://www.britainbray.com/. Check out the video podcast on YouTube and subscribe so you never miss a new episode!

    Season 6 Episode 2: Dr. Stephanie Krauth

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2024 45:09


    This week Hannah and Travis talk with new Northwest Assistant Vice President of Title IX and Equity, Dr. Stephanie Krauth about her career journey in higher education and student affairs, what Title IX is, and her advice to students. Check out the video podcast on YouTube and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

    Season 6 Episode 1: Linda Standerford

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2024 32:59


    Behind the Bearcat is back for season 6! This week we talk with the newest member of the Career Services team, Linda Standerford, about her extensive career journey, how she came back to Northwest, and her advice for students. Check out the video podcast on YouTube and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

    Season 5 Episode 14: Dr. Lance Tatum

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2024 36:23


    This week Hannah and Travis wrap up season 5 with the 11th president of Northwest, Dr. Lance Tatum. Dr. Tatum talks about how he went from wanting to be a professional baseball player to university administrator, how he came to Northwest, and his vision for Northwest moving forward. Remember to like and subscribe to never miss an episode and catch up on past episodes on our website at https://www.nwmissouri.edu/career/podcast.htm

    Season 5 Episode 13: Monica McCollough

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2024 32:03


    This week Travis and Hannah talk with Monica McCollough, owner of Therapeutic Massage of Maryville and Adjunct professor in the School of Agricultural Sciences, about her career journey, tips for anyone wanting to start a business, and what she is observing working with college students at Northwest. Remember to like and subscribe to never miss an episode and catch up on past episodes on our website at https://www.nwmissouri.edu/career/podcast.htm

    Season 5 Episode 12: Dr. Jessica Gracey

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2024 23:22


    This week Hannah and Travis welcome Dr. Jessica Gracey, Chair of the Northwest Department of Humanities and Social Sciences and Associate Professor of Political Science, to the podcast to talk about she got involved in politics through a campus organization, waiting tables through grad school, and how she became chair of the department. Remember to like and subscribe to never miss an episode and catch up on past episodes on our website at https://www.nwmissouri.edu/career/podcast.htm

    Season 5 Episode 11: Kelli Wilmes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2024 15:33


    This week Travis and Hannah talk with Northwest Director of Didactic Program in Dietetics, Kelli Wilmes, about her journey to Northwest, what dietetians actually do, and some of the profession-based learning they are doing in the program. Remember to like and subscribe to never miss an episode and catch up on past episodes on our website at https://www.nwmissouri.edu/career/podcast.htm

    Season 5 Episode 10: Dr. Bronson Herrera

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2024 33:39


    This week Hannah and Travis welcome Dr. Bronson Herrera, Assistant Professor of Political Science, to the podcast to talk about what Political Science actually is, how his mentor changed his life, and how he came to Northwest Missouri State University. Remember to like and subscribe to never miss an episode and catch up on past episodes on our website at https://www.nwmissouri.edu/career/podcast.htm

    Season 5 Episode 9: Judy Frueh

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2024 20:51


    This week Travis and Hannah talk to Northwest Assistant Directior of Wellness Services, Judy Frueh, about her career journey to Northwest, going back to school as an adult learner, and her advice for students to stay healthy. Remember to like and subscribe to never miss an episode and catch up on past episodes on our website at https://www.nwmissouri.edu/career/podcast.htm

    Season 5 Episode 8: Jana DeVaul

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2024 34:13


    This week Hannah and Travis talk with new Career Ambassador, and former PBL Intern, Jana DeVaul, about her high school experience with Skills USA, her future plans as a teacher and educator, and her thoughts on the effects of COVID on her generation. Remember to like and subscribe to never miss an episode and catch up on past episodes on our website at https://www.nwmissouri.edu/career/podcast.htm

    Season 5 Episode 7: Dr. Shay Malone

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2023 32:47


    This week Travis and Hannah chat with Northwest Assistant Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, Dr. Shay Malone about her journey from dancer to higher education, what the Northwest Diversity and Inclusion office does for the Northwest community, and how we can all be more accepting and inclusive. Remember to like and subscribe to never miss an episode and catch up on past episodes on our website at https://www.nwmissouri.edu/career/podcast.htm

    Season 5 Episode 6: John Coffey

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2023 16:23


    This week Hannah and Travis talk with KXCV-KRNW Radio Station Manager and voice of the Bearcats, John Coffey about how he became station manager at KXCV-KRNW, tips for students who want to do sports broadcasting, and some of his favorite memories from covering Bearcat sports. Learn more about KXCV-KRNW on their website at kxcv.org. Remember to like and subscribe to never miss an episode and catch up on past episodes on our website at https://www.nwmissouri.edu/career/podcast.htm

    Season 5 Episode 5: Alexander Zimmerman

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2023 51:54


    This week Travis and Hannah chat with Alexander Zimmerman (AKA Zim), art lecturer in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts, about his artistic journey, his thoughts on the value of the arts in education, and his work and artistic process. Find Zim on TikTok at thezim, on Instagram at _thezim, on YouTube and Twitch at thezimvideo, and on his personal website at thezim.com. Remember to like and subscribe to never miss an episode and catch up on past episodes on our website at https://www.nwmissouri.edu/career/podcast.htm

    Season 5 Episode 4: Jackson Weddle

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2023 20:55


    This week Travis and Hannah chat with senior Accounting Major, Jackson Weddle about how he fell into hosting TV shows on KNWT, founding Cats in Blazers, and the importance of networking and putting yourself out there. Remember to like and subscribe to never miss an episode and catch up on past episodes on our website at https://www.nwmissouri.edu/career/podcast.htm

    Season 5 Episode 3: Adam Whiteside

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2023 33:11


    This week Hannah and Travis talk with new Northwest Assistant Professor of Communication, Adam Whiteside about discovering Advertising was not the path for him, his research in relationships, dating, and masculinity, and how attending a conference landed him a job at Northwest. Remember to like and subscribe to never miss an episode and catch up on past episodes on our website at https://www.nwmissouri.edu/career/podcast.htm

    Season 5 Episode 2: Dr. Jesse Lane

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2023 24:28


    This week Travis and Hannah chat with Northwest Assistant Professor of Geography, Dr. Jesse Lane, about teaching at both the high school and college level, how he became an academic, and his advice for college students and future educators. Remember to like and subscribe to never miss an episode and catch up on past episodes on our website at https://www.nwmissouri.edu/career/podcast.htm

    geography jesse lane
    Season 5 Episode 1: Lauren Adams

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2023 24:54


    Behind the Bearcat is back for season 5! This week Hannah and Travis talk with Northwest Multimedia Specialist, Lauren Adams, about her journey from Northwest student to staff member, her favorite events on campus, and her advice for media students. Remember to like and subscribe to never miss an episode and catch up on past episodes on our website at https://www.nwmissouri.edu/career/podcast.htm

    Season 4 Episode 31: Ryan Milke

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2023 18:54


    It's the season 4 finale! This week Hannah and Travis talk with Northwest Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Promotions, Ryan Milke, about his career journey from unpaid intern to AD, his advice for students, and some of the fun things they get to do to help market Northwest Athletics. Remember to subscribe for more episodes and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Season 4 Episode 30: Dr. Sue Myllykangas

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2023 44:52


    This week Travis and Hannah talk with Recreation Professor, Dr. Sue Myllykangas, about her professional journey, what Recreation majors actually are and do, and some of the amazing things her students are doing out in the world now. Remember to subscribe for more episodes and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Season 4 Episode 29: Edidiong (DeeDee) Idong-Bassey

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2023 27:41


    This week Hannah and Travis talk with new Career Ambassador and Senior Multimedia Journalism and Economics major, Edidiong Idong-Bassey (AKA Deedee) about the benefits of being a Career Services “frequent flyer”, her future plans and goals, and advice she has for other students. Remember to subscribe for more episodes and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Season 4 Episode 28: Elizabeth Motazedi

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2023 22:17


    This week Hannah and Travis chat with Northwest Junior Social Studies Education major and Student Senate Executive President, Elizabeth Motazedi, about coming to Northwest from Joplin, MO, how she got involved in Student Senate, and the evolution of her own leadership style. Remember to subscribe for more episodes and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Season 4 Episode 27: Dr. Luke Campbell

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2023 27:09


    This week Travis and Hannah chat with Northwest Associate Professor of Political Science, Dr. Luke Campbell, about his academic journey, why he loves the study of Political Science, and what he hopes students gain from higher education. Remember to subscribe for more videos and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Season 4 Episode 26: Brian Swink

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2023 53:17


    This week Hannah and Travis chat with Northwest University Seminar Director and Senior Instructor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Brian Swink, about his Northwest journey, how he transitioned from elementary school teacher to college instructor, and what he does as the Director of the Northwest University Seminar program. Check out the video podcast on YouTube at https://youtu.be/4GhXIgVACTs to see the pictures. Remember to subscribe for more videos and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Season 4 Episode 25: Gursheen Sood

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2023 15:37


    This week Travis and Hannah talk with Freshman Career Ambassador and Northwest Bio-Psych major, Gursheen Sood, about how she found Northwest, her future career goals, and her advice for incoming international students. Remember to subscribe for more videos and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Season 4 Episode 24: Olivia Parker

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2023 27:53


    This week Hannah and Travis talk with Northwest Freshman English Ed major and Career Ambassador, Olivia Parker about her first year in college (so far), how she became friends with students from all over the world, and what advice she has for incoming students. Remember to subscribe for more videos and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Season 4 Episode 23: Jeff Bradley

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2023 26:28


    This week Travis and Hannah chat with Jeff Bradley, Senior Instructor in the Northwest Department of Natural Sciences, about his 33 years as a professor at Northwest, some of the cool things they are doing in Natural Sciences, and his advice for students. Remember to subscribe for more videos and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Season 4 Episode 22: Dr. Shelley Riley

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2023 31:22


    This week Hannah and Travis talk with Northwest Assistant Professor of Natural Sciences, Dr. Shelley Riley, about her journey into Chemistry, moving from pharmaceuticals to teaching, and her plans after retirement. Plus, Hannah drops a shocking bit of information that rocks Travis to his core. Remember to subscribe for more videos and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Season 4 Episode 21: Dr. Caleb Pickering

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2023 27:46


    This week Travis and Hannah chat with Department of Fine and Performing Arts Assistant Professor of percussion and Music Theory, Dr. Caleb Pickering, about his musical education and journey to Northwest, how competitive music jobs are, and the importance of a music education in 2023. Learn more about Dr. Pickering at https://www.calebpickering.com/. Remember to subscribe for more videos and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Season 4 Episode 20: Dr. Robin Gallaher

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2023 41:47


    This week Travis and Hannah talk with the chair of the Northwest department of Language, Literature, and Writing and Associate Professor, Dr. Robin Gallaher, about her academic journey, the difference between being a member of the faculty and being a department chair, and her writing advice for students. Remember to subscribe for more videos and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Season 4 Episode 19: Rebecca Lobina

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2023 26:33


    This week Hannah and Travis chat with Northwest Kansas City Continuing Professional Education Director and Regional Director of the Missouri Small Business Development Center, Rebecca Lobina, about her position at Northwest, how the SBDC helps small businesses, and her own history of side hussles and entrepreneurship. Remember to subscribe for more videos and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Season 4 Episode 18: Will Murphy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2023 48:10


    This week Travis and Hannah FINALLY talk with the man, the myth, the legend, Wells Hall Television and Video Engineer, Will Murphy, the most name-dropped person in the history of the podcast. He tells us about how he found Northwest, his journey as a student and teacher, and how sometimes the best things start out as medium bad ideas. Remember to subscribe for more videos and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Season 4 Episode 17: Ivy Bailey

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2023 16:07


    This week Hannah and Travis talk with senior Ag Business and Animal Science major (and new Career Ambassador), Ivy Bailey, about how she found Northwest, getting an internship without even applying, and what she wants to do after graduation. Remember to subscribe for more videos and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Behind the Bearcat Season 4 Episode 16: Grace Stephens (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2023 20:26


    This week Travis and Hannah welcome our first return guest, Career Services Specialist Grace Stephens, who talks about the transition from student intern to full-time staff member, her future plans, and what it is like to supervise students who are about the same age as she is. Remember to subscribe for more videos and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Season 4 Episode 15: Dr. Elyssa Ford

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2022 36:25


    This week Travis and Hannah talk with Dr. Elyssa Ford, Director of the Northwest Honors Program and Associate Professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Science, about her academic journey to Northwest, the process to get a Masters and PhD in history, and how she got into teaching. Remember to subscribe for more videos and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Season 4 Episode 14: Dr. Matt Walker

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2022 34:00


    This week Hannah and Travis talk with Dr. Matt Walker, Director of the School of Communication and Mass Media at Northwest, about his academic journey, how he became the Director of the School, and how he became the name reader at the Northwest commencement ceremonies. Remember to subscribe for more videos and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Season 4 Episode 13: Chase Moyer

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2022 19:15


    The week Hannah and Travis talk with Chase Moyer, a Java Developer at Yellow and CSIS alum, about transferring into Northwest, adjusting to work from home during and post-COVID, and his advice for students. Remember to subscribe for more videos and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Season 4 Episode 12: Kristin Little

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2022 26:22


    This week Travis and Hannah talk with new Career Services Coordinator, Kristin Little, about growing up with a Northwest faculty member for a parent, her experiences in Admissions, and how she made her way into the Career Services office. Remember to subscribe for more videos and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Season 4 Episode 11: Tamera (Tammi) Grow

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2022 21:19


    This week Hannah and Travis talk with Tamera (Tammi) Grow, Director of Northwest Admissions-Operations, about how she got to Northwest, what they do on the processing side of Admissions, and what they look for in both student and full-time staff members. Remember to subscribe for more videos and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

    Season 4 Episode 10: Mark Hendrix

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2022 32:21


    This week Travis and Hannah chat with University Events Scheduling Coordinator, Mark Hendrix, about how he came to Northwest, what he looks for in student employees and his side hussle as a wedding officiant and party DJ. Remember to subscribe for more videos and learn more about the podcast at https://www.podpage.com/behind-the-bearcat/.

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