Behrend Talks: A Penn State Podcast

Follow Behrend Talks: A Penn State Podcast
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Join Dr. Ralph Ford, Chancellor of Penn State Behrend, and guests for conversations about interesting things happening in the Erie community.

Penn State Behrend


    • May 9, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 32m AVG DURATION
    • 74 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Behrend Talks: A Penn State Podcast with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Behrend Talks: A Penn State Podcast

    The 'Vision & Resilience' of Behrend's early leaders, with Dr. Joseph Beilein Jr.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2025 36:04 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. Joseph Beilein Jr., professor of history, about his new book about Behrend in the years 1980-2010. Originally recorded on May 1, 2025.

    Embracing an ‘accidental' career, with Connor Sattely

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 35:11 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Connor Sattely, a 2025 recipient of the Penn State Alumni Achievement Award, about his work in venture capital in the Netherlands. Originally recorded on March 27, 2025.

    Investing with Intent, with Vincent Intrieri

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2024 39:53 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Vincent Intrieri, founder and CEO of VDA Capital Management and an Alumni Fellow, about the Intrieri Family Student-Managed Fund. Originally recorded on November 7, 2024.

    Pennsylvania's role in the presidential election, with Dr. Robert Speel

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2024 30:35 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. Robert Speel, associate professor of political science, about Pennsylvania's significance as a swing state in the 2024 presidential election. Originally recorded on October 14, 2024.

    The Healthy Campus Initiative, with Melissa Sulkowski

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2024 27:37 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Melissa Sulkowski, director of Student Wellness Services, about the Healthy Campus Initiative, which includes new programming at the Counseling Center and Health Center. Originally recorded on September 12, 2024.

    A $4.4 million investment in metal casting, with Dr. Paul Lynch

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2024 37:35 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. Paul C. Lynch, associate professor of industrial engineering, about a three-year, $4.4 million partnership with the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation. Originally recorded on July 26, 2024.

    Managing inflation, with Dr. Ken Louie

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2024 34:38 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. Ken Louie, associate professor of economics and director of the Economic Research Institute of Erie, about inflation, interest rates and economic growth. 

    The April 8 total solar eclipse, with Dr. Darren Williams and Dr. Mike Rutter

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2024 32:45 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. Darren Williams, professor of astronomy and astrophysics, and Dr. Mike Rutter, associate professor of statistics, about the April 8 total solar eclipse, which will be visible in totality in Erie. 

    How to navigate the college enrollment process, with Andrea Konkol

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2024 32:10 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Andrea Konkol, director of enrollment management, about the FAFSA and other steps in the college admissions process. 

    Building a better Wesleyville, with Borough Manager Marcus Jacobs

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2023 32:45 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with alumnus Marcus Jacobs about his work as the borough manager of Wesleyville. 

    Artificial intelligence and its impact on cybersecurity, with Jeremy O'Mard

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2023 32:56 Transcription Available


     | Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with alumnus Jeremy O'Mard, senior managing consultant at IBM, about how artificial intelligence is changing the cybersecurity landscape. 

    A silver STARS rating for sustainability, with Dr. Sherri “Sam” Mason

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2023 34:56 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. Sherri “Sam” Mason, director of sustainability at Behrend, about the college's new STARS rating for sustainability. 

    The digital humanities and the Frankenstein Variorum, with Dr. Elisa Beshero-Bondar

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2023 41:23 Transcription Available


     Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. Elisa Beshero-Bondar, professor of digital humanities, about the Frankenstein Variorum and the Mary Russell Mitford Archive. 

    A new threat to chestnut trees, with graduate researcher Emily Dobry

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2023 29:33 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Emily Dobry, a graduate student who discovered a tree fungus that had not previously been seen in North America. 

    The international-student experience, with Hetzel Award-winner Yingxin “Cindy” Wu

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2023 33:43 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Yingxin “Cindy” Wu, winner of the 2023 Ralph Dorn Hetzel Memorial Award, about her experience as an international student at Behrend. 

    Opportunities for alumni engagement, with Dr. Priscilla Hamilton

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2023 27:09 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. Priscilla Hamilton, a retired U.S. Army colonel and former commander of the U.S. Army Dental Command, about her work with the Council of Fellows and the Women's Engagement Council. 

    Partnering with the Eagle's Nest Leadership Corporation, with Bishop Dwane Brock

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2023 48:24 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Bishop Dwane Brock, the founder and chief executive of the Word of Faith Development Corporation, about the college's new partnership with the Eagle's Nest Leadership Corporation. 

    ROI and the College Search Process with Andrea Konkol

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2023 31:48 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Andrea Konkol, director of enrollment management, about the importance of return on investment when considering a college or university. Originally recorded February 7, 2023.

    Project RESOLVE and the expansion of the Open Lab, with Dr. Amy Bridger

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2023 46:00 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. Amy Bridger, senior director of corporate strategy and external engagement, about Project RESOLVE, a regional strategy for reimagining the manufacturing industries. Originally recorded Jan. 13, 2023.

    Improving Students' Mental Health, with Sue Daley

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2022 32:00 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Sue Daley, director of personal counseling, about improving mental health services for college students. 

    The New Erie Hall, with Ken Miller and Brian Streeter

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2022 32:47 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. Ken Miller, senior director of administration and student affairs, and Brian Streeter, senior director of athletics, about the new Erie Hall, a $28.2 million fitness, recreation, and wellness center that will open in January. Originally recorded Oct. 25, 2022.

    Promoting Student Engagement, with Kris Motta Torok and Clark Tieman

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2022 43:09 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Kris Motta Torok and Clark Tieman, of the office of Student Leadership and Involvement, about the importance of student engagement and the extracurricular experience. Originally recorded Oct. 4, 2022.

    Corporate Partnerships in Knowledge Park, with Brian Kupchella

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2022 31:01 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Brian Kupchella, CEO of Clarience Technologies, about Truck-Lite's move to Knowledge Park. Originally recorded Sept. 16, 2022.

    Nurturing Campus Diversity, with Sam Epps

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2022 40:38 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Sam Epps, a 1995 Behrend alumnus, about campus diversity, alumni engagement and the future of labor unions. Originally recorded Aug. 23, 2022.

    How to See Through "Post-Truth" Communications, with Dr. David Kahl Jr.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2022 40:40 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. David Kahl, Jr., professor of communication, about the language and strategy that advances neoliberalism and “post-truth” communications. Originally recorded July 26, 2022.

    Scholarships and Other Philanthropic Support, with Kevin Moore

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2022 32:05 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Kevin Moore, director of development and alumni relations, about Penn State's six-year capital campaign, “A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence.” Originally recorded June 22, 2022.

    Restoring and Repurposing the Federal House, with Tom Hagen

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2022 33:35 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Tom Hagen, chairman of the board of Erie Indemnity Company, about the restoration and expansion of the Federal House, the new home for Susan Hirt Hagen CORE. Originally recorded June 1, 2022.

    Teaching Online and In Person, with Eric Robbins

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2022 39:02 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Eric Robbins, associate director of corporate outreach and research in the Black School of Business, about being selected for the George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching. Originally recorded May 6, 2022.

    The Role of Student Government, with Claire Perritano

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2022 27:55 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Claire Perritano, a Behrend senior, about her experience in student government and as a resident assistant. Originally recorded April 4, 2022.

    The Enduring Value of the Humanities, with Dr. Eric Corty

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2022 34:48 Transcription Available


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. Eric Corty, director of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, about his 29 years as a Behrend faculty member and administrator. Originally recorded February 28, 2022. 

    The Russian Invasion of Ukraine, with Dr. Lena Surzhko Harned

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2022 44:08


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. Lena Surzhko Harned, assistant teaching professor of political science, about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Originally recorded February 28, 2022. For a captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    Making the Most of College, with JP Goodsel, '21

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2022 22:20


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with James “JP” Goodsel, a graduate student at the college, about how student-athletes balance their obligations in the classroom and on the court. Originally recorded February 2, 2022. For a captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    New Options for Engineering Students, with Dr. Tim Kurzweg

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2022 26:37


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, discusses sensor-embedded fibers, polymer engineering and robotics with Dr. Tim Kurzweg, director of the School of Engineering. Originally recorded January 7, 2022. For a captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    The Circular Economy of Plastics, with Dr. Alicyn Rhoades

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2022 32:32


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, discusses the life cycle of plastics and the new Advanced Resource Efficiency Center with Dr. Alicyn Rhoades, associate professor of engineering and interim associate dean for research and graduate studies. Originally recorded December 16, 2021. For a captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    COVID's Impact on Supply Chains, with Dr. Varun Gupta

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2021 26:39


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, discusses the disruption to global supply chains caused by COVID-19 with Dr. Varun Gupta, associate professor of supply chain management and analytics. Originally recorded November 23, 2021. For a captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    Supporting Family Business, with Dr. Christopher Harben and Doug Neckers

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2021 31:03


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, discusses the new Center for Family Business with Dr. Christopher Harben, Toudy Chair of Entrepreneurship and Family Business, and Doug Neckers, president and CEO of Maplevale Farms. Originally recorded October 26, 2021. For a captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    Encouraging Entrepreneurship, with Laura Guncheon

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2021 38:54


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Laura Guncheon, vice president of the project management office at Erie Management Group, about EMG's efforts to spur entrepreneurial growth in the Erie region. Originally recorded September 22, 2021. For a captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    Virtual and Augmented Reality, with Dr. Christopher Shelton

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2021 29:13


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. Christopher Shelton, assistant professor of clinical psychology and director of the Virtual/Augmented Reality Lab, about the use of immersive technology in psychology. Originally recorded August 25, 2021. For a captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    Plastics Innovation, with Kelly Goodsel and Shawn Gross

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2021 34:04


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Kelly Goodsel, president and CEO of Viking Plastics, and Shawn Gross, the company's vice president of culture and business development, about lean manufacturing and the plastics industry in northwest Pennsylvania. Originally recorded August 4, 2021. For a captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    Economic Growth and Equality in Erie, with Mayor Joe Schember

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2021 35:09


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Erie Mayor Joe Schember about economic growth, Opportunity Zones and diversity-and-inclusion efforts in Erie. Originally recorded June 23, 2021. For a captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    Diversity and corporate responsibility, with Tesha Nesbit

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2021 35:15


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Tesha Nesbit, director of diversity, equity and inclusion, and corporate social responsibility at North American Partners in Anesthesia, about the need for diversity and inclusion in the workforce. Originally recorded May 20, 2021. For a captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    The Next Step in Space Exploration, with Dr. Darren Williams

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2021 31:07


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. Darren Williams, professor of astronomy and astrophysics, about the search for habitable planets and extraterrestrial life. Originally recorded May 11, 2021. For captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    34 Years of Enrollment Management, with Dr. Mary-Ellen Madigan

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2021 30:55


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. Mary-Ellen Madigan, former director of enrollment management, about her 34-year career at Behrend. Originally recorded March 26, 2021. For captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    Teaching Through the Pandemic, with Dr. Pam Silver

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2021 33:21


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. Pam Silver, associate dean of academic affairs, about the college's transition to remote and mixed-mode learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Originally recorded March 5, 2021. For captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    Evolving a Business, with Ashleigh Walters

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2021 25:32


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Ashleigh Walters, president of Onex Inc., about her new book, “Leading with Grit and Grace: A Journey in Organizational Culture Change.” Originally recorded February 3, 2021. For captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    Research and MWRI-Erie, with Dr. Ivor Knight

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2021 29:06


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. Ivor Knight, associate dean of research and graduate studies, about the importance of research and the partnership with the Magee-Womens Research Institute of Erie. Originally recorded January 6, 2021. For captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    Financial Literacy with Dr. Greg Filbeck

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2020 29:50


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. Greg Filbeck, director of Behrend's Black School of Business, about the school’s role in a financial literacy initiative at more than 400 high schools. Originally recorded December 9, 2020. For captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    The 2020 election with Dr. Robert Speel

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2020 29:50


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. Robert Speel, associate professor of political science, about the 2020 election and the transition ahead. Originally recorded November 12, 2020. For captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    Corporate and Community Stewardship with Tim NeCastro

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2020 31:45


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Tim NeCastro, president and CEO of Erie Insurance, about the company's commitment to community engagement and corporate stewardship. Erie Insurance was named Penn State University's 2020 Corporate Partner of the Year. Originally recorded October 12, 2020. For captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    Civility in Politics with Former Gov. Tom Ridge

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2020 41:13


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with former Gov. Tom Ridge, the first secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, about civility in politics, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the 2020 presidential election. Originally recorded September 16, 2020. For captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    Mental Health during COVID-19 with Dr. Melanie Hetzel-Riggin

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2020 30:22


    Dr. Ralph Ford, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, talks with Dr. Melanie Hetzel-Riggin, professor of psychology, about the mental-health challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally recorded August 24, 2020. For captioned version, visit behrend.psu.edu/behrendtalks.

    Claim Behrend Talks: A Penn State Podcast

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel