YDN Podcast Desk

Steven Rourick '27, a sophomore in Silliman, is best known as the "Taylor Swift guy" for singing Taylor Swift songs as he walks around campus. Join us as host Xavier Guaracha '25 talks with Steven about the origins of his music walks, his relationship with Taylor Swift's music, and the current musical landscape. Producers: Xavier Guaracha '25 and Joanne Lee '26Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Ivana Ramirez '25 is a member of Whim and Rhythm and the group's rush manager. Join us for an episode where host Xavier Guaracha '25 speaks with Ivana about her a capella career, the history of Whim and Rhythm, and her most significant memories as a member of Yale's acapella community. Producers: Xavier Guaracha '25 and Joanne Lee '26Music: Blue Dot Sessions

In this episode, Andre Fa'aoso '27 and Gemard Guery '28 speak to Tina Li '27, who wrote an article about anxiety amongst First Generation Low-Income students at Yale who have to interact with the Yale Financial Aid Office for hardship and emergency grants. It is a difficult process that has issues, and we want this episode to elaborate on those hardships and the wider difficulties that students who receive financial aid face when interacting with the office. Guests: Tina Li '27, Gia Cook '26 Producers: Andre Fa'aoso '27, Gemard Guery '28, Joanne Lee '26, Camila Perez '26 Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at Woolsey Hall in 1959. At a time when Yale was highly segregated, King challenged students to resist complacency and protest the unjust conditions of segregation. How did Yale answer his call? This episode examines how Yale students, administration, and alumni engaged with King and the civil rights movement. Written and produced by Jonas Losel '27, with production help and editing from Grace Ellis '25, Joanne Lee '26, and Camila Perez '26. Music is by Blue Dot Sessions.

In 1969, Yale planned to demolish the Hill neighborhood to build a parking lot. Residents stepped in and protested the proposal. This Footnotes episode examines two urban renewal plans and asks: How did Yale shape the landscape of New Haven in the 1950s and '60s? And who did these changes serve?  Written and produced by Hannah Mark '25, with production help and editing from Grace Ellis '25 and Suraj Singareddy '25. Special thanks to Simone Felton, whose exhibition “City Rewritten” inspired this episode, and to Sean Davis, who voiced Fred Harris. Music is by Blue Dot Sessions.

Will Walker '26, a sophomore in Ezra Stiles, is best known around campus as the “Bubble Guy” for his regular bubbling sessions on Cross Campus. Join us for a special on-site episode where host Joanne Lee '26 and Will discuss the behind-the-scenes process behind making bubbles, his potential plans for expanding his bubbling endeavors, and what inspires Will to bubble so frequently. Producers: Joanne Lee '26 and Xavier Guaracha '25 Music: Blue Dot Sessions

In this episode, Andre Fa'aoso ‘27 is joined by Yale College Council (YCC) President Julian Suh-Toma ‘25 to discuss the role of students in the search for Yale's next University President, as incumbent Peter Salovey intends to step down at the end of the 2023-24 academic year. Also, Diego Alderete ‘25 joins Fa'aoso for an exclusive on-the-street interview segment where Yale students share their perspectives on the presidential search and how it affects campus life. Guests: Julian Suh-Toma ‘25 Producers: Andre Fa'aoso ‘27, Diego Alderete ‘25, Alyssa Michel ‘24 Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Note for listeners: this episode contains discussion of eating disorders. Susan Burton '95 is the writer, reporter, and co-producer of The Retrievals, a podcast exploring the shocking case of the Yale Health fertility center, where a nurse repeatedly stole Fentanyl from patients undergoing egg retrievals. She's a longtime reporter at This American Life and the author of the memoir Empty, about a lifelong eating disorder. Join Lily Isaacs as she talks with Susan about her relationship with New Haven, how she became interested in radio, and the advice she has for her younger self and for young journalists. Produced by Lily Isaacs, Joanne Lee '26, Xavier Guaracha '25, and Suraj Singareddy '25. Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Jodi Kantor is a Pulitzer Prize winning investigative reporter at the New York Times. She's also the co-author of the bestselling book She Said, which goes behind the scenes on her and Megan Twohey's investigation into Harvey Weinstein. Join Lily Isaacs as she talks with Jodi about the writing that inspired her, finding a career you love, and the importance of seeking the truth. Produced by Lily Isaacs and Xavier Guaracha '25. Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Ngozi Ukazu '13 is the Harvey-award winning cartoonist behind Check, Please! and the upcoming graphic novel Bunt! Join host Suraj Singareddy as he talks with Ngozi about how she got into comics, almost got her Yale admissions rescinded because of an obsession with Star Trek, and about how we interact with the institutions we're part of. Produced by Suraj Singareddy '25 and Xavier Guaracha '25. Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

In this episode of Footnotes, we explore the controversial career and personal life of Yale graduate Lee de Forest, who is best known for inventing the part that made early radio and television possible. Was he really the “father of radio” or was he just a great storyteller? Hosted by Hannah Mark '25. Produced by Hannah Mark '25 and Grace Ellis '25. Music:Delicates by Blue Dot SessionsTall Harvey by Blue Dot SessionsEtude 9 Stefan by Blue Dot SessionsCoulis Coulis by Blue Dot Sessions

In this episode, Xavier Guaracha '25 sits down with Evan Gorelick '25 to discuss a recent faculty report revealing the average Yale College GPA and grade distributions by subject. Join us as we discuss the key takeaways from Gorelick's article, and what comes next.Guest: Evan Gorelick '25Producers: Xavier Guaracha '25, Alyssa Michel '24Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Ryann Schaffer ‘27 is the first female member of the Alley Cats – a traditionally male acapella group on campus. Join us for an episode where host Joanne Lee ‘26 and Ryann discuss the highs and lows of college acapella, directed studies, and high school merchandise.Producers: Xavier Guaracha '25 and Joanne Lee '26Sound Engineer: Devin Grooms-Lee '27Music: Blue Dot Sessions

In this episode, Andre Fa'aoso '27 sits down with Erin Hu '27 to discuss a recent study which researched the gender pay gap among physicians. Join us as we discuss why the physician pay gap exists and how it can be remedied.  Guest: Erin Hu '27 Producers: Andre Fa'aoso '27, Alyssa Michel '24 Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Each Sunday at 9:00PM, the candles at Christ Church are lit, the incense is released, and the choir begins to sing. People come in and sit in near-darkness — listening to music and looking at the tiny flames. This is Compline. It's a weekly church service that attracts both Christian and non-Christian attendees. How did it begin? And what makes it so special? Reported and Produced by Suraj Singareddy '25. This essay is part of the Yale Daily News Magazine's Divine Issue. Read more at https://yaledailynews.com/blog/category/mag/ .

Footnotes is a new history podcast from the Yale Daily News. In this episode, Rishika Veeramachaneni '25 and Zawadi Kigamwa '25 cover the history of affirmative action. Rishika then speaks with the Asian American Student Association's Naina Agrawal-Hardin '25 and Tony Ruan '25 about protest and cross-cultural solidarity. This episode was recorded in May of 2023, prior to the Supreme Court's ruling on Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. Produced by Grace Ellis '25, Zawadi Kigamwa '25, and Rishika Veeramachaneni '25. Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Carter King '24 talks with Suraj Singareddy '25 about how he began designing costumes, working as an indigenous dress consultant on a TV series, and doing research in museum archives. Plus, tips for dressing well from one of the most stylish people on campus! Produced by Suraj Singareddy '25. Music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

Two students discuss how their distinct high school experiences prepared them for the academic and social extremes at Yale. Producers: Ashley Choi, Caleb Dunson, Nick Vilay Guests: Kalvin Verner Jr. Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Sanjena Sathian '13, author of Gold Diggers, talks with Serena Puang '23 and Suraj Singareddy '25 about being a debate kid in high school, writing about Atlanta from memory, working with Mindy Kaling, and the Asian-American films and books she loves right now. This is part 2 of a 2-part interview. Produced by Suraj Singareddy '25 and Serena Puang '23. Music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

Sanjena Sathian '13 — author of Gold Diggers — talks with Serena Puang '23 and Suraj Singareddy '25 about growing up Indian-American in Atlanta's suburbs, her undergraduate experience, and working in Mumbai as a foreign correspondent. This is part 1 of a 2-part interview. Produced by Suraj Singareddy '25 and Serena Puang '23. Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

In this episode, Nick Vilay '25 sits down with guests Natasha Weiss ‘25 and Andrew Cramer ‘25, representatives of The Yale Record, and Yale Daily News staff columnist Ariane de Gennaro ‘25. They discuss Yale's use of the word “equity” in recent storage announcements as well as the implications of devaluing inclusive spaces on campus. Producers: Sophie Molden '26, Nick Vilay '25 Music from Blue Dot Sessions

Natalie Brown ‘25, a sophomore in TD and the composer of "For Colored Girls,"  talks with Suraj Singareddy '25 about how she began writing songs, the process of creating a musical and the pressures that come with adapting Ntozake Shange's seminal play.  Produced by Joanne Lee '26 and Suraj Singareddy '25 Music by Blue Dot Sessions

In this episode, Sophie Molden '26 sits down with Zahra Yarali '24, the president of the Muslim Students Association, to discuss the progress, success and future of the student-led movement for religious housing accommodations in light of the new housing system implemented by Yale this year. Guest: Zahra Yarali '24 Producers: Sophie Molden '26, Diego Alderete Sanchez '25, Nick Vilay '25 Music from Blue Dot Sessions

In this episode, host Xavier Guaracha '25 sits down with Shervin Dehmoubed '25, recent Forbes 30-under-30 honoree. Shervin discusses a typical day balancing being student athlete and CEO of EcoPackables, his previous endeavors in business and what's to come in the future. Guests: Shervin Dehmoubed '25 Producers: Xavier Guaracha '25, Suraj Singareddy '25 Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Manasi Subramaniam, the Editor-in-Chief of Penguin Random House India and a 2022 World Fellow, talks with Suraj Singareddy '25 and Eli Tsung '25 about translated literature in South Asia, her personal and professional journey and what being a publisher means to her. Produced by Joanne Lee '26, Suraj Singareddy '25 and Eli Tsung '25. Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Manasi Subramaniam, the Editor-in-Chief of Penguin Random House India and a 2022 World Fellow, talks with Suraj Singareddy '25 and Eli Tsung '25 about translated literature in South Asia, her personal and professional journey and what being a publisher means to her. Produced by Joanne Lee '26, Suraj Singareddy '25 and Eli Tsung '25. Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Are you a gatekeeper? Why does representation matter? Alyssa Michel ‘24 sits down with Abiba Biao, Rebekah Moore and Markeshia Ricks in order to understand how identity impacts journalism. Join us for the first segment of a two-part podcast series about the importance of Black journalism. Here we explore the duties of being a gatekeeper and the importance of community. Guests: Abiba Biao, Markeshia Ricks, Rebekah Moore Producer: Alyssa Michel ‘24 Music: Blue Dot Sessions Cover Art: Angelique de Rouen ‘24

What does it mean to farm while Black? Alyssa Michel ‘24 discusses urban agriculture with Dishaun Harris, New Haven urban farmer and owner of Root Life. The duo discuss how community gardens combat food apartheid and generate belonging in New Haven communities. This podcast was produced in conjunction with an article titled “'We grow community:' how urban agriculture has sprouted in New Haven.” Guests: Dishaun Harris Producer: Alyssa Michel ‘24 Music: Blue Dot Sessions Cover Art: Jessai Flores ‘23

Speaking up is hard, but PodIn New Haven makes it easy. Alyssa Michel ‘24 sits down with Janae Branham and Rebekah Moore, two seasoned podcasters paving the way for the voices of New Haven teens to be heard with PodIn New Haven, a free program in which teens learn the ins and outs of podcasting. Join us for a podcast about podcasts, discussing the importance of self expression and community building. Guests: Rebekah Moore, Janae Branham Producer: Alyssa Michel ‘24 Music: Blue Dot Sessions Cover Art: Angelique de Rouen '24

This is a Valentine's Day Special with your (one-time) V-day host, Tiffani Baik '26. In this episode, we discuss dating in college—more specifically, dating at Yale. Whether you're single or complicated, you'll want to get in on this issue where we answer your most burning questions, including: can you find the love of your life at Yale? Do long distance relationships really work? Guests: First-Year Student, Senior Student Producers: Tiffani Baik '26 Music: Blue Dot Sessions Cover Art: Jessai Flores

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Modern Love @ Yale, a podcast that explores all the different ways that love manifests itself on Yale's campus. What was the song that taught you about love? What was the song that was the backdrop to your first love? Our hosts, Anouk Yeh '26 and Pranet Sharma '26, work to unpack what love means to Yalies as they respond to listener submissions from Ashley Choi '26, Samantha Liu '26, Meera Mishra '26 and others. Guests: Ashley Choi, Samantha Liu, Meera Mishra and others Producers: Anouk Yeh '26 and Pranet Sharma '26 Music: Blue Dot Sessions Cover Art: Jessai Flores

Grace and Owen from the Rundown desk discuss Netflix's Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, the controversy surrounding the series and how it fits into the wider weird vibes of true crime media. Producers: Grace Ellis (‘25) & Owen Curtin (‘26) Music: Palms Down

Naho Abe rose to Fizz fame when a picture of her cooking was posted to the app. She started cooking at Yale as a way to keep in touch with her roots, as she missed the Japanese food she used to eat back at home. While the Yale Daily News has published an article about Naho's rise to prominence and her cooking, this episode would focus more on Naho's background, her cooking journey, and her experience so far as an international student at Yale. Producers: Eli Tsung ('25) and Joanne Lee ('26)

In this episode, Anouk Yeh '26 and Pranet Sharma '26 interview Jessica Kasamoto GRD '28 and Alexandra Martinez-Garcia '26 about why Yalies should get influenza vaccinations and booster shots, and where the University has made them available. Produced by Pranet Sharma, Anouk Yeh, Alyssa Michel Music from Blue Dot Sessions.

In this episode, Ashley Choi '26 and Anouk Yeh '26 interview Gia-Bao Dam '26 and Alexandra Martinez-Garcia '26 about how Yale students can defend themselves against seasonal viruses and seasonal affective disorder. Produced by Ashley Choi, Anouk Yeh, Alyssa Michel Music from Blue Dot Sessions.

In this episode, Collyn Robinson '25 interviews Pranava Dhar '25 and Alex Ye '25 about the goal of Yale's distributional requirements, the feasibility of the science credit for non-STEM majors, and how professors venture to make classes accessible. Produced by Collyn Robinson, Alyssa Michel Music from Blue Dot Sessions.

Logan George ‘25 talks with Suraj Singareddy ‘25 and Joanne Lee ‘26 about growing up in Montrose, Houston's Gay Neighborhood, seeing Pride change over the years, and how that impacted her own relationship with queer identity. Guest: Logan George Producers: Joanne Lee, Suraj Singareddy Music: Blue Dot Sessions

In this episode, Alejandro Rojas interviews Resty Fufunan about how Yale student groups are rallying in support of affirmative action, and Layan Nazzal takes cross campus to see what other Yalies think about the topic. Produced by Alejandro Rojas, Layan Nazzal, and Nick Vilay. Music from Blue Dot Sessions.

Chris Gumina '26 and Owen Curtin '26 introduce themselves and discuss the value of art. Listen for a scintillating conversation about Taylor Swift, throwing soup at the Mona Lisa, and everything in between. Guests: Chris Gumina '26 and Owen Curtin '26 Producers: Chris Gumina '26 Music: Palms Down

Julia Ilias '25 sits down with Anabel Moore '25 as they discuss youth sports, bad coaches and her future in medicine. This is the first installation of a two-part special, chronicling Moore's journey from youth success all the way to her participation in the Jamaica's national soccer team. Guest: Anabel Moore Producers: Xavier Guaracha, Ruth Lee, Julia Ilias Music: Blue Dot Sessions

In this episode, Nick Vilay sits down with Ariane De Gennaro while she reflects on her time in Yale's Directed Studies program. Carter Dewees interviews students for the new “Cross Campus” segment to gain new perspectives about DS. Produced by Carter Dewees and Nick Vilay. Music from Blue Dot Sessions.

Georgiana Grinstaff sits down with Ariel Kim and Audrey Kim, founders of the Yale Visual Artist Collective (YVAC). Listen to find out more about their work and creative process as well as how to get involved in YVAC! Guests: Ariel Kim & Audrey Kim Producers: Georgiana Grinstaff Music: Blue Dot Sessions

This episode of Attune features two short stories and one audio drama. The first short story is titled “Half Remembered Dream,” written by Derek Chen, voiced by Se Ri Lee, with original music by Atticus Margulis-Ohnuma. The second short story is titled “Galatea,” written by Julia Wojtkowski, voiced by Chris Song, with original music by Amelia Lake. The audio drama is titled “Reincarnate Me—Or Else”, written by Judith Sanders, voiced by Chris Song and Elaine Cheng, with original music composed by Michael Gancz. You can read transcripts of these works at this link: (linktr.ee/FollowAlongwithAttune). This episode was produced by Sophia Lee, Laura Palacio Londono, Mitchell Davis, Elena Unger, and Liana Schmitter-Emerson, and it was sound engineered by Sophia Lee, Elena Unger, and Liana Schmitter-Emerson. Our intro and outro themes were written by Sharon Ahn. Episode cover by Cecilia Lee. Attune is an audio narrative anthology producing student written short stories, plays, and poetry, as well as voice talent and original soundtracks by both Yale students and alumni.

This episode of Attune features two short stories and two poems. The first short story is titled “A Dirtbag Cleans House”; it was written and voiced by John Brockmeier, and directed by Laura Palacio Londono. The second short story is titled “For a Friend Who is at a Distance,” written and voiced by Isabelle Thomas, and also directed by Laura Palacio Londono. The two poems are titled: “Autumn Walk at Beechwood Farms” and “Snow Storm Drag Ball.” Both were written by Judith Sanders, the first voiced by Molly Hill and the second voiced by Noah Parnes, original music for the two poems were composed by Antonis Christou and Amelia Lake, respectively, and they were directed by Laura Palacio Londono, Elena Unger, and Liana Schmitter-Emerson. You can read transcripts of these works at this link: (linktr.ee/FollowAlongwithAttune). This episode was produced by Sophia Lee, Laura Palacio Londono, Mitchell Davis, Elena Unger, and Liana Schmitter-Emerson, and it was sound engineered by Sophia Lee, Laura Palacio Londono, Elena Unger, and Liana Schmitter-Emerson. Our intro and outro themes were written by Sharon Ahn. Episode cover by Cecilia Lee. Attune is an audio narrative anthology producing student written short stories, plays, and poetry, as well as voice talent and original soundtracks by both Yale students and alumni.

Georgiana Grinstaff sits down with members of Yale's very own Strictly Platonic. Since forming in 2021, the indie band has performed concerts across campus, including Spring Fling 2022, and released two demos on Spotify. Guests: Keith Bruce, Declan Finn, Audrey Hempel, William Min Producers: Georgiana Grinstaff Music: Can You by Strictly Platonic

This episode of Attune features three poems and a short story. The first poem is titled “Bunny Burrow.” It was written by Du Nghiem and voiced by Audrey Yeung. The second and third poems are titled “Lessons” and “My Student Asks Me" and were both written by Jennifer L Freed and voiced by Julia Sulkowski. The last piece is a short story titled “Forever In-Between.” It was written by Hannah Han and voiced by Sunni Parisien. Original music for this piece was composed by Michael Gancz. You can read transcripts of these works at this link: (linktr.ee/FollowAlongwithAttune). This episode was produced by Sophia Lee, Laura Palacio Londono, Mitchell Davis, Elena Unger, and Liana Schmitter-Emerson, and it was sound engineered by Sophia Lee, Mitchell Davis, Elena Unger, and Liana Schmitter-Emerson. Our intro and outro themes were written by Sharon Ahn. Episode cover by Jessai Flores. Attune is an audio narrative anthology producing student-written short stories, plays, and poetry, as well as voice talent and original soundtracks by both Yale students and alumni.

In this episode of the Yalie recorded on May 8th, 2022, Nick Vilay and Carter Dewees sit down with newly elected YCC President Leleda Beraki to discuss challenges, opportunities, and plans for the future of Yale students. Produced by Nick Vilay, Carter Dewees, and Jerry Feng. Music from Blue Dot Sessions.

Silhouette is a new podcast sharing the stories that make up the Yale community. In this episode, join Ris Igrec '23 as they discuss growing up in Louisiana, independent filmmaking, and authenticity on YouTube. Host: Suraj Singareddy Guest: Ris Igrec Producers: Suraj Singareddy, Eli Tsung, Nawal Naz Tareque, Bea Portela, Kalkidan Kebede and Ife Adeogun Music: Blue Dot Sessions Cover Art: Elizabeth Watson

In this episode of the Yalie, Georgiana Grinstaff and Nick Vilay sit down with YDN Guest Columnist Oleksii Antoniuk and discuss his experience as a Ukrainian international student at Yale and what his takes are on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict. Produced by Georgiana Grinstaff, Nick Vilay, and Carter Dewees. Music from Blue Dot Sessions. To read Oleksii's article, see here: https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2022/03/11/antoniuk-yale-should-admit-more-students-from-war-torn-countries/

Silhouette is a new podcast sharing the stories that make up the Yale community. Join Arden Yum ‘25 as she discusses the journey of producing the Peahce Project, discovering her Asian-American identity, growing up in New York, and expressing her creativity through spaces at Yale. This episode was produced by Ruth Lee and Xavier Guaracha, with research done by Julia Ilias, sound-engineering by Bea Soto, and music by Blue Dot Sessions. Host: Ruth Lee Guest: Arden Yum Producers: Ruth Lee, Xavier Guaracha, Bea Soto, Julia Illias, Isabel Kalb Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Seven students discuss how their experiences at Yale have been different from what they'd predicted. Learn more about impostor syndrome, choosing classes, and which residential college has the best amenities. Producers: Sadie Bograd, Sasha Jones, Grace Ellis, Collyn Robinson, Mia Osuna Guests: Bella Osgood, Ruth Lee, Rishika Veer, Court Johnson, Edwin Ruiz Fuentes Music: Blue Dot Sessions