Midd Moment

Hi, this is Laurie Patton, President of Middlebury, Professor of Religion, and host of this podcast, MiddMoment. Though there is still about a foot of snow on the ground here in Vermont, my thoughts are on spring and the return of this podcast, my conversations with Middlebury folks that tackle ideas of the day. I'm so excited for this season, season 3.Among our guests will be an epidemiologist, colloquially known as a virus hunter, a critically acclaimed novelist, a filmmaker, a cultural geographer, and much more. I hope you'll join me for the upcoming season of MiddMoment. If you're not already a subscriber, you can subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Talk to you soon!"MiddMoment Podcast is a production of Middlebury College and is produced by University FM."

Dan O'Brien ’96, a playwright and poet, and Jessica St. Clair ’98, a comedian and writer join president Patton for our final check in with the community during COVID-19 self-isolation. Dan and Jessica are a true power couple in the arts that met in a Middlebury improv group. They discuss Dan's essay Life Shrinks: Lessons from Chemo Quarantine, how reopening the country feels a lot like remission, and how their art is evolving to reflect the pandemic. Note: This interview was recorded before the nationwide movement to end police brutality. We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter.

Dick Clay, a student at the Breadloaf School of English shares his story of recovering from COVID-19. Dick shares when the seriousness of the virus hit him, the "wilderness path to recovery," and how he will process this experience through writing.

Jodie Keith and Jacques Bergevin speak with President Patton about working with custodial services to keep our campus safe and clean, . Jodie and Jacques share what campus has been like since the students left: what it's like to schedule hourly sanitation of buildings, how every day feels like an empty Saturday morning, and that the infamous Middlebury squirrels have lost a bit of weight.

In this episode, we hear from the actor and comedian, Alyssa Limperis '12. Alyssa talks with President Patton about why her shtick has always been "pandemic humor," what it's like to make videos in quarantine, and how joining a Middlebury improv group was her turning point. We also hear from her favorite characters: Mom and an avid Patriots fan.

Emily Barnard, a senior economics major and captain of the Middlebury women's NCAA championship-winning lacrosse team speaks with President Patton. She shares how she's adjusting to her final season being canceled, how she's finding meaning through the alumni lacrosse community, and gratitude planks.

Alex Bishop, a cook at Ross Dining, has worked at the College for the last ten years. Alex shares how dining at Middlebury has evolved to respond to COVID-19, what it's like to be an essential worker on the Vermont campus, and how routine is keeping him grounded.

Jaewon Oh ’13 is a current senior and Student Council President at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. In this episode, she joins president Patton to share how she's leading MIIS student government remotely in the time of COVID-19, and how running has allowed her to turn off the excess background noise.

Sabine Poux ’20, Editor in Chief of The Campus, speaks with President Patton over Zoom. Sabine shares about how she's processing her senior year cut short and managing a vibrant student journalism project remotely.

Dr. Mark Peluso, Middlebury's director of health services, speaks with President Patton over Zoom. He shares the moment he first heard the word “COVID-19,” and when he realized the College would have to take big steps to help flatten the curve.

Roy Heffernan '78 is an Owner-Partner and former Chief Operating Optimist for the apparel and accessory company Life is Good. He joins Laurie Patton to discuss his philosophy as an executive and how that meshed with a company known for its culture of optimism.

A mini-episode featuring a collage of voices from Reunion Weekend.

Firas Nasr '15 founder of WERK for Peace, joins President Laurie Patton to discuss why they are not trying to change everyone’s mind and the importance of creating space for both anger and joy in activism.

Jill Seaman ’74, humanitarian doctor and recipient of the 2019 Alumni Achievement Award, joins President Laurie Patton to discuss her work in Bethel, Alaska, and South Sudan.

Cleveland Cavaliers General Manager Koby Altman '04 talks hoops, life, and the intersection of the two with Middlebury President Laurie Patton.

In 2018 Adul Samon and his boys’ soccer team were rescued from a flooded Thai cave. During the rescue effort, Adul took on an unexpected leadership role as an interpreter. Last spring Adul was the inaugural recipient of Middlebury's Global Citizen's Award, and he and his teacher at the Band Wiang Phan School joined Laurie Patton to discuss, among other things, the power of language.

Bianca Giaever ’12.5 is a storyteller. She has produced audio pieces for This American Life and Radiolab; video pieces that have gone viral and won Emmys; and magazine pieces for The Believer and this humble publication. And her conversation—recorded just after Bianca finished her first summer of study at the Bread Loaf School of English—is a story all its own.

Temie Giwa-Tubosun, MPA ’10, discusses her work as the founder of LifeBank, a social enterprise that saves lives across Nigeria by efficiently delivering blood to labs and hospitals across the country.

Professor Emerita and Writer in Residence Julia Alvarez '71 joins President Laurie Patton to speak about the chorus of gatekeepers who punctuated her life; the freedom of failure; and the work of writing, in particular how it is a labor, not an identity.

Author and environmental activist Bill McKibben talks about Middlebury’s Energy2028 initiative, the history of nonviolent protest, and how to live in the world we seek to change.

Midd Moment introduces independent thinkers who create community and inspire positive change. Hear their stories, ideas, and Middlebury connections in conversation with President Laurie Patton.