Student Life Newspaper Podcasts

In many ways, food is more than just sustenance. It inspires conversations, holds cultural importance, and tells the chef's story. Student Life Producer Emily Talkow presents Eat STL, a series that profiles chefs in the St. Louis community. In this episode, Talkow talks with Chris Meyer, owner of Songbird.

In many ways, food is more than just sustenance. It inspires conversations, holds cultural importance, and tells the chef's story. Student Life Producer Emily Talkow presents Eat STL, a series that profiles chefs in the St. Louis community. In this episode, Talkow talks with Lily Clark of Bo.Co to explore how two sisters started a boba company. 

In many ways, food is more than just sustenance. It inspires conversations, holds cultural importance, and tells the chef's story. Student Life Producer Emily Talkow presents Eat STL, a series that profiles chefs in the St. Louis community. In this episode, Talkow visits Sugarwitch in St. Louis, MO to explore everything from ice cream sandwiches to sustainability. 

In many ways, food is more than just sustenance. It inspires conversations, holds cultural importance, and tells the chef's story. Student Life Producer Emily Talkow presents Eat STL, a new series that profiles chefs in the St. Louis community. In this episode, Talkow stops by The Fountain on Locust to talk with owner Danni Eickernhorst about her journey from the mortgage industry to being a restauranteur. 

In many ways, food is more than just sustenance. It inspires conversations, holds cultural importance, and tells the chef's story. Student Life Producer Emily Talkow presents Eat STL, a new series that profiles chefs in the St. Louis community. In this episode, Talkow visits J. Devoti Trattoria located on The Hill, St. Louis' historic Italian neighborhood. 

In many ways, food is more than just sustenance. It inspires conversations, holds cultural importance, and tells the chef's story. Student Life Staff Writer Emily Talkow presents Eat STL, a new series that profiles chefs in the St. Louis community. In this episode, Talkow visits Nathaniel Reid Bakery in Kirkwood, MO to explore everything from croissants to communication. 

Senior Multimedia Editor Jared Adelman follows four freshmen from their first day on campus until their first week of classes, tracking their thoughts and feelings during Bear Beginnings. From feelings of homesickness to imposter syndrome, And We're Back captures all of the emotions associated with college orientation. And We're Back is a two-part series, with this second episode containing conversations one week into classes. 

Senior Multimedia Editor Jared Adelman follows four freshmen from their first day on campus until their first week of classes, tracking their thoughts and feelings during Bear Beginnings. From feelings of homesickness to imposter syndrome, And We're Back captures all of the emotions associated with college orientation. And We're Back is a two-part series, with this episode containing interviews just after move-in day. 

Valentine's Day is coming up, and Student Life's annual Sex Issue is out. As part of the sex survey, students submitted stories of the embarrassing and funny sexual experiences they've had. Senior Scene Editor sophomore Olivia Poolos and Managing Editor senior Isabella Neubauer brought our best stories to the next level by dramatically reading them. Join us as we delve into WashU students' most embarrassing, most interesting, and funniest sexual stories. Theme music by Copy Chief JJ Coley.

Spring rush is starting up this week, and the place of Greek Life on campus is the center of conversations once again. While leaders of Greek Life organizations have had to modify the rush process because of the omicron variant, criticisms of structural inequities within the Greek Life system have also led to reforms in this year's spring rush. Listen to Senior Multimedia Editor Kamala Madireddi speak with Managing Editor senior Ted Moskal and Staff Reporter freshman Cynthia Chong about what spring rush will look like this year. Theme music by Jordan Coley.

Over winter break, the Washington University administration announced their plan for the spring semester. The plan included the shift to online classes for the first two weeks of the semester due to the spread of the omicron variant. Students have expressed concerns about other aspects of the administration's plan, such as the lack of mandates for COVID booster shots and surveillance testing. Senior Multimedia Editor Kamala Madireddi spoke with Managing Editor senior Ted Moskal and Senior Scene Editor sophomore Julia Robbins about the spring plan and student's reactions to it. Theme music by Copy Chief JJ Coley.

This year's fall Student Union Election generated a lot of talk around campus, with a 34% voter turnout. This is a stark contrast to recent fall's voter turnouts, which were between 15% and 25%. The jump in voter turnout came as a result of new measures implemented by SU, an unusually high number of candidates and a focus on the issue of Greek Life abolition. Staff Reporter Victoria Hirsh spoke with Managing Editor senior Ted Moskal about the elections. Theme music by Copy Chief JJ Coley.

Just in the past week, the Scene section of Student Life, which explores the people, places and things that make up the Washington University community, featured stories about Sakeenah, a living learning community for Muslim-American students, WashU students who got married in college and a faculty fellow. Senior Multimedia Editor Kamala Madireddi spoke with Senior Scene Editors sophomore Olivia Poolos and sophomore Julia Robbins about how they've been leading the section this semester. Theme music by Copy Chief JJ Coley.

Back in March, the University's Public Safety Committee called for licensed mental health professionals to respond to mental health crises instead of WUPD officers. And, while the University announced in May that they'd implement this recommendation, a recent Student Life investigation found that the future of this initiative is uncertain. Senior Multimedia Editor Kamala Madireddi spoke with news editor sophomore Syndey Crump about the investigation. Script by Senior Multimedia Editor Jaden Satenstein. Theme music by Copy Chief JJ Coley.

With student dance groups performing in person, they also have begun to rehearse in person again. However, they are facing obstacles as they try to find and reserve spaces to rehearse. Staff reporter freshman Victoria Hirsch spoke with Staff Reporter freshman Amanda Young about the struggles dance groups are going through in order to get around this issue. Theme music by Copy Chief JJ Coley.

Students are back on campus, and the University's arts and entertainment groups are in full swing. The stark contrast of last year's all virtual performances to this year's in-person shows is being reported by the Student Life arts and entertainment section, Cadenza. Staff reporter junior Leah Ford spoke with Senior Cadenza Editor senior Jordan Coley and Managing Editor senior Isabella Neubauer, about their experiences covering the return of live performances and the exciting productions premiering on campus. 

Senior Scene Editor sophomore Olivia Poolos speaks with Managing Editor senior Ted Moskal and Senior News Editor senior Grace Kennard about these new mental health resources on campus. Theme music by Copy Chief JJ Coley. Warning: This episode contains mention of suicide and suicidal ideation. Resources for anyone affected by these topics are listed below:Behavioral Health Response (BHR) is a Missouri organization that provides crisis support, telephone counseling and mental health resources. They can be reached 24/7 at 1-800-811-4760.The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential support 24/7. They can be reached at 1-800-273-8255 or online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/.The Steve Fund, an organization dedicated to the mental health and emotional well-being of students of color, has a 24/7 crisis text line that can be reached by texting STEVE to 741741.The Trevor Project, a suicide preventation organization for LGBTQIA+ individuals, can be reached by calling 1-866-488-7386, texting START to 678-678 or online at thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/.Uncle Joe's is a confidential resource with student counselors trained to provide support for a variety of issues. Counselors are available by phone 24/7 at 314-935-5099 and in person during walk-in hours from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Last Monday, the University announced they would be adopting a need-blind policy during admissions, starting with the upcoming application pool. This decision follows the recent announcement of the 65% increase in endowment, but students have been advocating for this policy as early as 2004. In this week's episode Senior Multimedia Editor sophomore Kamala Madireddi talks with Managing Editor senior Ted Moskal, Senior News Editor senior Grace Kennard, and  Managing Editor senior Em McPhie about the journey to need-blind admissions. Theme music by Copy Chief JJ Coley.

In a statement last week, Chancellor Andrew Martin announced a 65% increase in the Washington University managed endowment pool. This unprecedented increase in funds has led to questions about where the money should be spent. These questions follow the lack of specific information about how the decision-making process or the decision itself will work. In this week's episode Senior Multimedia Editor sophomore Kamala Madireddi talks with Staff Reporter freshman Meheer Commuri about what the increase of endowment funds means to the University and its students. Theme music by Copy Chief JJ Coley.

There has been a noticeable change in dining options since the pandemic has started. However, with students back on campus, these changes, along with the nationwide supply shortages, have caused students, especially those with allergies and dietary restrictions, to worry about getting food before dining halls run out. In this week's episode, Senior Multimedia Editor senior Jaden Satenstein talks with Staff Reporter sophomore Kasey Noss and freshman Amanda Young about these challenges that arise due to the changes in food availability. Theme music by Copy Chief JJ Coley.

The academic year has begun with the return of a new normal, which was made possible largely by vaccines. However, some international students have found it difficult to get vaccines that are compliant with the University's mandate. In this week's episode, Senior Multimedia Editor sophomore Kamala Madireddi discusses these obstacles international students needed to overcome with staff reporter sophomore Olivia Danner. Theme music by Copy Chief & Senior Cadenza Editor JJ Coley.

Over the final weeks of the spring semester, Olivia Poolos and Jared Adelman spoke to Washington University students, administrators and doctors as they recalled what it was like to make friends six feet away, test positive for COVID, make school-wide decisions and muddle through new and unexpected obstacles. This first episode of Looking Back: A three-part audio series features Wash. U. students reflecting on a difficult year. Music by Kevin McLeod.

Over the final weeks of the spring semester, Olivia Poolos and Jared Adelman spoke to Washington University students, administrators and doctors as they recalled what it was like to make friends six feet away, test positive for COVID, make school-wide decisions and muddle through new and unexpected obstacles. This second episode of Looking Back: A three-part audio series features Wash. U. students and administrators discussing  the University's safety procedures over the last year. Music by Kevin McLeod.

Over the final weeks of the spring semester, Olivia Poolos and Jared Adelman spoke to Washington University students, administrators and doctors as they recalled what it was like to make friends six feet away, test positive for COVID, make school-wide decisions and muddle through new and unexpected obstacles. This final episode of Looking Back: A three-part audio series features Wash. U. students and administrators discussing how they made friends and found connection during an isolating year. Music by Kevin McLeod.

As the vaccine rollout continues in Missouri, Senior Scene Editor freshman Via Poolos breaks down how the Johnson & Johnson pause is affecting Washington University's vaccination efforts as well as the likelihood of a vaccine mandate come fall.  Audio edited by Senior Multimedia Editor freshman Kamala Madireddi. Music by Copy Chief junior JJ Coley.

From 4 a.m. classes to social isolation, international students have been through a lot this year. In this special edition of Editor's Note, Senior Multimedia Editor Jaden Satenstein speaks with Washington University students about their experiences studying from outside of the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. This episode is part of WU in Focus, a special issue taking a closer look at the issues that matter to the University community. The full issue is available at www.studlife.com/wu-in-focus-2021. Theme music by Copy Chief JJ Coley.

Missouri legislators are currently considering Senate Bill 66, an initiative that would penalize protesters for blocking roads and effectively make any efforts to defund the police across the state impossible. Freshman Charlotte Kramon spoke with Senior News Editor freshman Orli Sheffey about how the bill would affect Washington University students. Audio edited by Senior Multimedia Editor freshman Kamala Madireddi. Music by Copy Chief junior JJ Coley.

With vaccine rollout underway in Missouri, freshman Olivia Poolos talks to Senior News Editor junior Em McPhie and freshman Charlotte Kramon about Wash. U. students who've taken long road trips to secure extra doses or nabbed their shots before becoming eligible. Freshman Kamala Madireddi edited the audio. Copy Chief JJ Coley wrote the theme music. 

In response to recent increases of student cases, Washington University made walk-in COVID-19 testing available at the Mudd Field testing tent for all undergraduate and graduate students on Monday, March 22.  In this week's episode, freshman Kamala Madireddi discusses the current state of COVID cases and testing with Senior News Editor junior Ted Moskal and Associate Editor junior Matthew Friedman. Theme music by Copy Chief JJ Coley.

This year, the Edison Theater was empty on the weekend of Washington University's annual Black Anthology production, and audiences all over the world watched BA from their laptops.  Freshman Charlotte Kramon talked to two members of the Student Life staff who contributed to BA in major ways: Forum Editor sophomore Jamila Dawkins, who wrote the play, and Senior Cadenza Editor and Social Media Director junior Sabrina Spence, who served as the production's stage manager. Freshman Kamala Madireddi edited this episode's audio. Copy Chief JJ Coley wrote our theme music.

Since the start of the spring semester, the University has reported three large clusters of COVID-19 cases and adjudicated at least 117 student conduct cases relating to COVID-19 violations.  Listen to freshman Kamala Madireddi discuss the state of COVID on campus with Staff Reporter freshman Orli Sheffey and Senior News Editor junior Ted Moskal. Copy Chief junior JJ Coley wrote our theme music.

More than eight months after Chancellor Andrew Martin announced that Washington University would reimagine public safety both on and off campus,  the University Public Safety Committee has released its final report last. Associate Editor Matthew Friedman breaks down the report with our news team.

With the majority of Washington University's in-person performances, concerts and exhibitions canceled since early last March, the Student Life arts and entertainment section, Cadenza, has had to reckon with a drastic shift in artistic production and consumption. Listen to our Cadenza editors discuss the current state of arts on campus. This episode was hosted by Olivia Poolos. Kamala Madireddi edited the audio. JJ Coley wrote the theme music.

If you missed Chancellor Martin's State of the University address this week, listen to our reporters break down the main takeaways. This episode was edited by Kamala Madireddi and hosted by Charlotte Kramon. Music by Copy Chief JJ Coley.

It's that time of the year, again––Valentine's Day. After the release of Student Life's annual Sex Issue, Multimedia Editor Jaden Satenstein talked to Editor-in-Chief Emma Baker and Managing Editor Kya Vaughn to break down the results of our infamous sex survey. This episode's audio was edited by Kamala Madireddi.

As recruitment season begins, Kamala Madireddi talks to our news team about the progress of the  Greek Life abolition movement and reforms chapters have made since the movement began.

With finals taking place in the middle of winter break, Washington University students struggled to stay on top of their studies and enjoy at least some of their usual rest period. This episode was written and hosted by Jaden Satenstein. Kamala Madireddi and Charlotte Kramon contributed reporting. Madireddi edited the audio. JJ Coley wrote our theme music.

From COVID to calls for Greek Life abolition to campus protests, it's been a historic semester. In this last episode of 2020, Multimedia Editor Jaden Satenstein talks to Student Life Editor-in-Chief Emma Baker to discuss the moments that mattered to the Wash. U. community.

After receiving the dreaded contact tracing call, staff reporters and suitemates freshmen Julia Robbins and Olivia Poolos were sent into quarantine housing for 10 days. In this episode of our Editor's Note podcast, Multimedia Editor junior Jaden Satenstein explores what it's like to quarantine on Washington University's campus. Music by Copy Chief JJ Coley.

From Greek Life to campus policing, this semester we've seen students grapple with the ways systemic racism permeates Washington University. In this episode, we focus on how Black student athletes are pushing for change. Multimedia Editor Jaden Satenstein talks to Associate Editor Matthew Friedman and Senior News Editor Dorian DeBose about WU BLAC, a new organization fostering community within and advocating for the needs of Black student athletes. Music by Copy Chief JJ Coley.

Two months into this hybrid semester, there's a big question on Washington University students' minds––what's going to happen in the spring? Multimedia Editor Jaden Satenstein talks to news reporter Clara Richards and Senior News Editor Ted Moskal about what we know so far. Music by Copy Chief JJ Coley.

Even with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, members of WashU Votes set an ambitious goal to reach 62.5% student voter turnout this year. While we don't know the final number yet, Student Life Multimedia Editor talked to Associate Editor junior Matthew Friedman and Managing Editor senior Kya Vaughn to further break down voter engagement at Wash. U. Music by Copy Chief JJ Coley.

As people across the country take to the streets to protest the police forces in their cities, Washington University students are doing the same right here on campus––calling on the University to abolish the Washington University Police Department. Hear from WashU Students for Abolition organizers and the reporters who covered the group's recent protest in this week's episode of Editor's Note. Music by Copy Chief JJ Coley.

As protests against police brutality and racial injustice continue across the country, many people are taking stock of the ways they perpetuate systemic issues. For some Washington University students, that includes involvement in Greek Life. In this episode, Multimedia Editor Jaden Satenstein talks to Managing Editor Jayla Butler about her recent coverage of the Greek Life abolition movement. Music by Copy Chief JJ Coley.

Multimedia Editor Jaden Satenstein breaks down our coverage of the Washington University Undergraduate and Graduate and Workers Union (WUGWU)'s recent Workers for Black Lives march in conversations with Student Life staffers and WUGWU members.  Music by Copy Chief JJ Coley.

As college campuses grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, student journalists are facing the story of a lifetime. In this new weekly podcast, Multimedia Editor Jaden Satenstein breaks down Student Life's biggest stories with the reporters and editors who produced them. Today, we hear from the editors of all five sections to get a bit more insight into what they'll be covering this semester. Music by Copy Chief JJ Coley. 

With a hybrid semester, faculty members had a decision to make: To teach in-person or stay fully remote. With course quality, safety and other personal considerations to take into account, Multimedia Editor Jaden Satenstein explores how professors made that choice. Music: "Melancholic Electronic Music Intro" by quetzalcontla; License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

When Washington University transitioned to online instruction in March, international students scrambled to figure out their next move. Some successfully petitioned to stay on campus. Some flew straight home. Some stayed with friends. But all that Multimedia Editor Jaden Satenstein spoke with said they feared how their international status would affect them come fall.  Music: "Melancholic Electronic Music Intro" by quetzalcontla; License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Multimedia Editor Jaden Satenstein asks incoming first-year students: What's it like to start college in the midst of a global pandemic? Music: "Melancholic Electronic Music Intro" by quetzalcontla; License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Student Life Multimedia Editor Jaden Satenstein explores the experiences of Washington University community members as the school prepares to open for a fall semester like no other. This three-part series focuses on first-years, international students and faculty members as we lead up to the start of classes. Tune in to our first segment on Thursday, September 10 and visit Studlife.com for more information. Music: "Melancholic Electronic Music Intro" by quetzalcontla; License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/