Global Tides

Episode with former U.S. diplomat Sonnet Frisbie.

Episode with Brian Swarts, Pepperdine University's director of the Washington, D.C. International Program.

Episode 5 with Jessica Locke, the 2024-2025 Model United Nations President at Pepperdine University.

Episode with Stephanie Chan, a Pepperdine alumn who discusses her journey after graduation.

Episode with Maria, an international student at Pepperdine University.

Episode 2 with Dr. David Dowling.

Episode 1 with Dr. Allen Pietrobon.

Welcome to Season 6 of the Global Tides podcast! Our two hosts this season are Basia Olewska and Nikolus Gashi, two seniors at Pepperdine University. In this season, they will interview individuals on several international issues while tying them into the overall theme of "Advice for Young Adults".

How is it possible for one state to practice both authoritarian politics, and democratic/pluralist politics at the same time? In our final episode of the season, we talk to Dr. Rizkallah about this question. She discusses her recent research about Lebanon, and how the end of their civil war affected various groups in the country differently, producing these results. 

Climate change is a hot topic in the 21st century, and the international community is increasing its efforts to find collective solutions. Three talented Pepperdine students had the opportunity to attend the recent COP28 conference which discusses this very issue. We sit down with one of these students, Londyn Johnson, to discuss her experiences at COP along with the most valuable lessons she learned moving forward. 

Most of the Pepperdine community has experience studying abroad, but not many of us actually move abroad for our whole college experience. In today's episode, we sit down with William, Sophie, and Fabian, some of Pepperdine's very own international students from China, Germany, and Bolivia. They discuss their cultures, their motivations for coming to the U.S. to study, and their experience at Pepperdine!

Pepperdine is well-known for our abroad programs, and especially how transformative they can be in our students' lives. This has really been true for RJ Wicks, who has participated in 4 international programs during his time at Pepperdine! We sat down to talk about what made each program special, the different cultures within the various countries, and some of his advice to future travelers. 

We hear so often about countries joining international organizations, but we never really hear about the flip side of this: what happens when countries leave these organizations? In this episode, we hear from Dr. Vabulas about her new research titled, Exit from International Organizations. She discusses why countries are suspended, or why they withdraw from important institutions, and the implications of these exits. 

This season of Global Tides is hosted by Sydney Nystrom and Lindsay Hall, two students in the International Studies division at Pepperdine. This season will highlight the new research of several professors, and a variety of student experiences from COP28 to their journeys abroad. We can't wait to bring you Global Tides, Unfiltered. Enjoy!

Now more than ever, the importance of critical, analytical thinking is a crucial asset to tackling today's biggest global challenges. Philosophical thinking offers us a direct avenue to in-depth analysis. For our final episode, we sit down with Senior Philosophy and Sustainability double major Lauren Chivers to discuss her experience in Pepperdine's philosophy division and how philosophical ideas have helped her understand her approach to climate change and sustainability.  "Pleasant Porridge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ "Ancient Mystery Waltz (Presto)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Having an experienced, knowledgeable research mentor is an invaluable asset to writing a senior honors thesis - especially when your passions align. In today's episode, we sit down with professor of Political Science here at Pepperdine Dr. Karie Riddle, and senior Political Science major Jessica Odishoo to discuss their respective research. Through their research and this discussion, Dr. Riddle and Jessica emphasize the often-overlooked lived experiences of marginalized groups and encourage an intersectional perspective when tackling global issues. "Pleasant Porridge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ "Ancient Mystery Waltz (Presto)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Outside of the classroom at Pepperdine, many faculty members encourage academic and personal development through unique experiences such as external conferences. Today, we sit down with senior International Studies major Charlotte Davis, along with senior Economics, Hispanic Studies, and International Studies triple major Carter Lentz to discuss their unique experiences attending international-relations focused military conferences. In today's episode, Charlotte and Carter share their experiences drafting policy memos, discussing nuclear deterrents, and living in the military dorms with current cadets at the Air Force Academy and West Point respectively. "Pleasant Porridge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ "Ancient Mystery Waltz (Presto)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Four years as an undergraduate student at Pepperdine University fly by, and the question of what comes next can seem very daunting. But, the future is bright and good things are right around the corner. To highlight this, we speak with 3 outstanding Pepperdine alumni who have gone on to become very successful in their careers. First, we have Kylie Jones, a 2022 graduate from Pepperdine and now works in nuclear policy in DC. Second, we have Joey Gasperi, a 2021 graduate who is finishing up his graduate degree at Duke University in Tech Ethics and Policy. Finally, we have Reagan Shane, also a 2021 graduate from Pepperdine and now works in her home state of Colorado as a Legislative and Policy Advocate responsible for advocating county interests before the state legislature. With these three impressive alumni, we hear about their recent accomplishments and any advice they have for those entering the world as a Pepperdine graduate. "Pleasant Porridge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ "Ancient Mystery Waltz (Presto)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In today's world, social media can heavily manipulate the way we perceive the world around us, especially our perception of ourselves. Many people today struggle with what we see on social media and how it makes us feel about ourselves. Today, we talk with Emma Sullivan, a senior psychology major at Pepperdine University, who believes that we can change the future generation to have a truly good relationship with their bodies. Her impressive research examines body positivity versus self-compassion content, which she will continue to examine this fall as she works towards her PhD at the University of Notre Dame. "Pleasant Porridge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ "Ancient Mystery Waltz (Presto)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Lea Martinson and Katy Kulseth are back with the fourth annual iteration of Global Tides, a podcast by Pepperdine University Seaver College that highlights research across liberal arts and social science disciplines. This season we are so excited to expand the scope of this podcast to highlight 3 Pepperdine alumni who are doing exceptional work in their careers, as well as two students chosen to attend US military conferences. We feature topics from the international studies, psychology, political science, and philosophy divisions. This project is funded and supported by Pepperdine University. "Pleasant Porridge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ "Ancient Mystery Waltz (Presto)" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Many countries around the world, including South Sudan, Afghanistan, and Rwanda, are attempting to rebuild their societies after decades of conflict. That begs the question: how do we achieve peace in post-conflict societies? What is the role of religion in rebuilding society after a conflict? What is the impact of oversimplifying or overgeneralizing groups in a conflict, and how can a true understanding of the parties to a conflict ensure appropriate policy decisions? In the final episode of this season of global tides, I chat with three senior international studies majors, Jessie B Bolton, Clara Keuss, and Elizabeth Ford as they grapple with these tough questions about peace.

Migration. Democratic backsliding. Environmental degradation. These are all contemporary issues plaguing communities of Latin America and the Caribbean. So, why do individuals choose to migrate to or from the region? How has populism contributed to democratic recession? How do the decisions of policymakers directly impact Latin communities? Today, I talk to senior Political Science and Sociology double major, Madalen Carrera; senior Business Administration and Hispanic Studies double major, Abraham Kakish; and senior International Studies major, Savannah Potter, as they discuss these questions through their research.

Today, ethnic conflict remains a major challenge to international peace and security. Many regions of the world, from South Asia to sub Saharan Africa to Eastern Europe, are grappling with ethnic conflict. Thus, studies on both ethnic conflict and ethnic peace building have received particular attention by scholars. So, what is ethnic conflict? Why has ethnic conflict persisted? How can an intersectional approach to peacebuilding contribute to sustainable peace in these areas? In this episode, I speak with Dr. Karie Riddle, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Pepperdine University, and William Bacon, a senior Political Science honors student, as they explore the themes of ethnic conflict and ethnic peacebuilding in their research projects.

Anime has grown in popularity around the world in the late 1990s but has seen a particular boom in recent years in the United States. With this growth in popularity, many have begun to examine the types of images being portrayed in these shows. Hypersexualization and extreme beauty standards (among many other themes) are pervasive themes in many anime series and beg the question of the impact that these portrayals of women have on consumers. In this episode, I speak with senior Psychology major, Lydia Cho, about the impact of harmful messaging found in anime.

China's rise on the international stage has captivated the international relations field for decades. One interesting way this rise has manifested is in its changing role in international organizations, or IOs. It has pushed for higher voting quotas, started its own IOs, and most significantly has sought leadership in a variety of specialized IO agencies. Is China opting for a unique strategy in this regard? Has China been able to use IO leadership to exert state power and influence on the international stage? More broadly, Does leadership in international organizations matter? Today, I sit down with Dr. Felicity Vanulas, Associate Professor of International Studies at Pepperdine University, and Josh Sullivan, junior International Studies and Economics double major, as they seek to understand the impact of China's increasing leadership of international organizations.

Vietnam. Japan. South Korea. These three countries each have an intricate history in East Asia that has contributed to the formulation of distinct national identities impacting their citizens today. In this episode I'm joined by Dr. Tuan Hoang, Associate Professor of Great Books at Pepperdine University, and two senior International Studies majors, Tyler Kim and Daniel Jung. Together, these three tackle important questions about nationalism, identity, and how their own backgrounds as asian Americans impact their respective interactions with the world through their research.

Welcome to Season Three of the Global Tides podcast. In this episode, your host, Kylie Jones, senior International Studies major at Pepperdine University, introduces herself.

There has been a lot of heated discourse surrounding the merits of multilateralism over the past few years. Scholars regularly discuss the benefits of international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization, but there is a dearth of literature on how and why states withdraw from similar institutions. What motivates a state to disengage from multilateralism? In this episode, I chat with Dr. Felicity Vabulas about factors that contribute to treaty withdrawal.

The music industry has historically been dominated by male artists who are given full artistic license to explore various musical themes, including explicitly sexual ones. However, as women have gained influence in the music industry, their use of these themes has been widely criticized and condemned. In this episode, I chat with Cameron Davis about how the technical process of sound design intersects with gender equality.

The LGBTQ community has faced a long history of discrimination from religious institutions. However, some churches have sought to defy this norm and offer a community of love and support for the LGBTQ+ community. In this episode, I chat with Juan Carlos Hugues about the potential for intentionally LGBTQ+ affirming church websites to increase acceptance and inclusion.

During the past year of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone has had to make significant life changes that include a heavy reliance on smartphones and technology. Researchers are still working to figure out just how much this smartphone usage is really affecting us. Are some online activities worse for our mental health than others? In this episode, I chat with Christina Stratton about how problematic smartphone usage intersects with mindfulness.

In a polarized political climate, the idea of how much a government should be involved in regulating the economy is a highly partisan issue. However, research shows that by understanding a vulnerable country's needs and controlling capital accordingly, appropriate government intervention can make a lasting difference in the overall health of an economy. In this episode, I chat with Reagan Shane about differing approaches to capital controls in Argentina and Chile.

Hi! My name is Millie Vieira. We're back with our second season of Global Tides, a podcast by Pepperdine University that highlights research across liberal arts and social science disciplines. This year's five-episode series will feature four students and one professor about topics ranging from capital controls in Argentina and Chile to feminist sound design. Thank you for listening and we hope you enjoy!

Terrorism is something society as a whole fears because it appears as though it can affect anyone. However, a closer look at the victims of terrorism reveals that attacks can be both gendered and racialized. In this episode, I talk to Dr. Candice Ortbals, a professor of Political Science, and Charlotte Lang, a student of Political Science, about their research on the victims of terrorism.

Countries throughout the world are scrambling to devise plans that will enable them to escape the climate disaster caused, partly, by the use of fossil fuels. A possible way to quickly enact climate-conscious policy in the energy sector is through State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). In this episode, I talk to Filippo Margheritini, an International Studies student, about SOEs, climate action, and energetic independence.

Although economic development in India has been outstanding for several decades, the country's social inequality still remains prevalent. Could social entrepreneurship be a way to eradicate these social hierarchies? In this episode, I talk to Heet Ghodasara about the prospects of bringing social and gender equality to India through social entrepreneurship.

A project developed by Pepperdine Law is trying to introduce plea bargaining, an arrangement whereby the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for concessions from the prosecutor, in Uganda. In theory, this practice could decrease case backlog and increase trust in institutions, but is that happening in practice? In this episode, I talk to Dr. Julia Norgaard, a Professor of Economics who is evaluating the progress of this project.

As the world becomes less hospitable to humans due to anthropogenic changes to the environment, more and more people will become displaced. The legal status of these displaced persons, commonly known as climate refugees, is still to be discussed by the international community. In this episode, I talk to Caroline Sisson, a Political Science Honors student who has written her senior thesis on the international law of climate refugees.

Hi! My name is Daniel Iturri and welcome to Global Tides, a new podcast by Pepperdine University that highlights exciting Social Science research done by students and faculty. In this 5-episode series, I will have conversations with 4 students and 2 professors about topics ranging from the victims of terrorism to climate refugees. Thank you for listening and we hope you enjoy!