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On this episode of the RAISE Podcast, Brent hosts Karl Miller Lugo, Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Engagement at The University of Texas at San Antonio.Karl shares his journey from Puerto Rico to rural Kentucky, where he was a Breckenridge County High School Tiger, class president, and deeply involved student who later followed a family path to Western Kentucky University. There, an eighth-grade camp visit, multiple family connections, and a powerful student ambassador experience as a “Spirit Master” opened his eyes to advancement and the power of donor relationships.He describes starting his career in admissions at Lindsay Wilson College, where the president reminded him that 75% of the institution's income came through his office. As a twenty-two-year-old “green as grass,” he learned relationship-based recruitment, drove hours to personally pick up prospective students for campus visits, and spent long evenings on the phone—lessons in resilience, fit, and mission that still shape his work.Karl then moves from admissions to development, back to his alma mater for major gifts, into a ten-year run at UT Austin, and later into consulting with BWF, which he calls his “PhD work in the field.” Today, at UTSA, he leads advancement and alumni engagement for a growing, research-intensive, Hispanic serving institution focused on access, success, and transformational impact in San Antonio and beyond.
The story of Saikat Chakrabarti begins in a time when his parents' and ancestors' country was being torn apart, almost literally. In this episode, meet and get to know Saikat. These days, he's busy knocking on doors and otherwise hitting the ground in a bid to represent San Francisco in the US Congress. As I write this, just last week, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi announced that she would not run for a 20th term. Timing! Let's go back to mid-Nineteenth Century India. Because his dad's family is Hindu, they were forced to relocate after Indian/Pakistani partition, fleeing their home country of Bangladesh for Kolkata (Calcutta) in India. Folks had warned Saikat's grandfather, a school teacher, to leave, and they did. Once in Kolkata, his grandfather opened a school largely for the kids of other refugees living in the area. Owing to the school's success, he was able to secure a one-bedroom apartment for his family of 12—he, his wife (Saikat's grandmother), and 10 kids, including Saikat's father. Saikat has been back to that apartment. He says that, walking around that neighborhood all these years later, folks still recognize his dad thanks to what his grandfather did for them and their family. His mom had it better than his dad. But still, she went to a school with dirt floors. Saikat looks to his ancestors' struggles—the communities they were part of, and how those communities came together to address issues the government neglected—for inspiration today. When his dad was young, a friend took him to an office where he was pitched to come to the United States. There was a whole set-up. The sell was simply the so-called American Dream. Saikat's parents met in India through an arrangement. Their respective parents knew someone who set it all up. They met and got married about a week later in a field. The visa his dad had applied for at that office came through after he'd been married, making it a bigger decision than it would've been if he were still single. He was also the primary earner in his own family, and they didn't want him to leave. He decided to take that leap regardless. His dad showed up in the US with $8 in his pocket and no job yet secured. He slept on a friends' couch in Manhattan and hit the pavement, résumé in hand. And it worked. He got a job. Saikat's dad had studied civil engineering in college. His first job in his new country was with a company that built skyscrapers … NYC skyscrapers. It was 1979. Saikat's mom came to join her husband soon after, and they had their first kid, Saikat's older sister, while living in Queens. His dad and his mom also experienced their first cold-weather winter that year. After a stint in New York, Samir moved his family to Pittsburgh. He had visited there in the summer, liked it, got a job offer, but relocated in the winter. Once again, the weather got the better of the young family. Seeking a warmer climate, they moved to Texas, first to Houston, and then to Fort Worth. At this point in the podcast, I decided to do something I've never done in the eight years since Storied: San Francisco began. And that's because I've never had any guests on the show who are from where I'm from. I chose to dork out with Saikat about my hometown. Thank you for indulging us (me, really). The first question I had for Saikat is: What hospital were you born in? Harris Methodist. Holy shit, same! He asked me my age (52), what schools I went to (Bruce Shulkey Elementary, Wedgwood Middle School [Saikat went there for one year], and Southwest High School). What a fun turn on this podcast, me rattling off the schools I went to like born-and-raised San Franciscans do. Heh. I digress into a sidebar about the race riot that happened at my high school during my junior year. You'll have to listen, or you can read a little more about it here. Then we get to hear about Saikat's experience growing up in the same city. His family lived in a suburb (apparently not far from where my parents still live), and he describes his early life as fairly standard—hanging out with friends, going to the mall (the same mall I was a regular at a decade or so before). But, being an Indian-American, Saikat experienced racism I was privileged enough to avoid. Saikat makes a distinction, though, between intentional, malicious racism and what I'd call accidental or unintentional racism. It's an important distinction, and he says most of what he experienced in Fort Worth was the less-harmful variety. He summarizes his childhood thusly—family, school, the Bengali-American community in Fort Worth. One member of that community, Saikat's best friend from childhood, lives downstairs from him in San Francisco today. His whole world in high school was, as Saikat puts it: hip-hop, basketball, and math. He got into Harvard, which he says he didn't expect. Many of his friends went to UT Austin (my alma mater), and he figured he'd go there, too. But he wasn't about to pass up the opportunity to attend one of the most highly regarded universities in the country. But Harvard was a culture shock for Saikat. The Fort Worth community he'd known all his life was working- and middle-class. The student body at Harvard was largely kids who came from money and had wildly different interests than he did. Saikat went into his shell his freshman year. As he emerged from that shell, he found his people at Harvard. In 2007, Saikat graduated from Harvard with a degree in computer science. He'd spent a summer in San Francisco between his junior and senior years, and loved it. All his life, The City had been presented as this place where "cool shit happened." Movies, music, TV shows, skateboarding, the LGBTQIA and civil rights movements … and of course, the fledgling internet. Tech and social justice—both existed in a cutting-edge environment here. He lived in New York City for one year immediately after he graduated. We riff on life in NYC vs. life here, agreeing on most aspects. When it was time for Saikat to find a new place to live, San Francisco was the obvious choice. The woman he was dating (his wife and mother of his child today) went to school at Cornell in Ithaca, New York, where he visited often. But even her friends told Saikat that he was much more a NorCal-type. Unable to find housing anywhere else in SF, Saikat first landed in Park Merced. He was happy to have a San Francisco address, but didn't feel like he was living in The City. A trip to The Mission changed that quickly. Check back Thursday for Part 2 with Saikat. We recorded this podcast at Duboce Park Cafe in October 2025. Photography by Jeff Hunt
The time has come for Vaden to defend his faith in the face of cold, hard scientific rationality. Will AI take over the world, automating away everything that makes humans distinct? Or can Vaden defend the church of just-ism, the radical belief that AI is simply "just a tool." Scott Aaronson, professor of computer science at UT Austin, goes to head to head against the zealotry. Check out Scott's website (https://www.scottaaronson.com/) and his blog, Shtetl Optimized (https://scottaaronson.blog/). We discuss Scott view's on education. Should we radically reform K-12? Is ChatGPT changing Scott's approach to teaching The religion of "justa-ism" Is AI just a tool? Is there any principle which lets us say that AI won't be as general as humans? Aaronson's thesis of Artificial Intelligence Computational universality vs explanatory universality The many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics Socials Follow us on Twitter at @IncrementsPod, @BennyChugg, @VadenMasrani Come join our discord server! DM us on twitter or send us an email to get a supersecret link Become a patreon subscriber here (https://www.patreon.com/Increments). Or give us one-time cash donations to help cover our lack of cash donations here (https://ko-fi.com/increments). Click dem like buttons on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_4wZzQyoW4s4ZuE4FY9DQQ) Have you been converted? Tell us at incrementspodcast@gmail.com Special Guest: Scott Aaronson.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Today marks one year to November 3, 2026 - the mid-term election. Mark YOUR commitment to the upcoming year by voting tomorrow: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/22/texas-statewide-propositions-november-ballot-election/...In particular, be sure to vote NO on Proposition 12, which would give Governor Abbott too much influence over judicial conduct decisions: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/11/03/texas-prop-12-judicial-conduct-greg-abbott/The Trump administration has been ordered to tap into available reserves and make full SNAP assistance payments by today: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-administration-must-pay-food-aid-benefits-within-days-judge-says-2025-11-02/...Even the uncertainty over SNAP has led to a Halloween weekend run on local food banks: https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-food-lines-snap-6b55e2c21c0198f3309f3a45a55f33b6Over a quarter of ICE arrests under Trump have been made in Texas, and under half of those have involved undocumented people with criminal charges or histories: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/11/03/texas-trump-immigration-crackdown-ice-arrests-deportation/UT Austin, now two weeks beyond a set deadline to respond, has still not said whether or not they'll sign that "compact" with Donald Trump: https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/students-organize-as-ut-continues-to-drag-its-feet-on-trumps-compact/In response to Governor Abbott's campaign to tear out rainbow crosswalks, Houston artists and residents have started painting rainbows all over the place: https://www.chron.com/culture/article/houston-texas-rainbow-crosswalk-murals-21122857.phpWe're excited to see YOU at one (or both!) of our 2025 Holiday Parties this December in Austin and Dallas - for the first time, featuring live podcast tapings! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/progress-texas-holiday-parties-2025Check out our 2025 Texas Statewide Voting Guide, including a link at the bottom for a printable version you CAN take with you to the polls: https://progresstexas.org/blog/2025-texas-statewide-ballot-guideThanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
"I decided early on, before I was 20, that this was all about reinvention. Technology is coming. I didn't have time to get used to that first thought before the Apple showed up." -Jeffrey Wiener Jeffrey Wiener is an artist, creative director, and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience at the intersection of art, design, and digital media. As the founder and creative director of Young Mind Interactive, he develops engaging educational content, animations, and games that blend creativity with learning. Jeffrey also leads Dangerous Media Productions, a marketing and social media consultancy specializing in building online visibility and driving measurable growth for brands. His artistic work, showcased through the Jeffrey Wiener Gallery, spans five decades of illustration, painting, and animation. A true digital pioneer, Jeffrey combines his background in fine art with a passion for interactive media to create meaningful experiences that educate, entertain, and inspire. Website: https://youngmindinteractive.com/ LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreywiener/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngmindinteractive/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youngmindinteractive/ Stewart Cohen is a Filmmaker/Photographer who frames life in its best light. Working your way through his portfolio of commercials and stills, you are as likely to see heartfelt testimonials as Game Day humor, real people as celebs, with campaigns spanning fashion, kids, sports, wildly diverse storytelling and portraiture... He's gone swimming with sharks in the Galapagos and come up for air to stage a tongue-in-cheek musical comedy starring the townspeople of Mansfield, TX. They sing about being too busy for tourism. The throughline is seizing the moment to celebrate the joy of life. Cohen's company, SC Pictures, serves major clients including American Airlines, AT&T, Coca-Cola, Four Seasons, and Frito-Lay, with each project hitting exactly the right note for its intended audience. Beyond his skillset, Cohen has earned a reputation as a safe bet willing to take risks. He has taken a similar approach to business. He acquired footage and imagery house SuperStock in 2019, and made two more substantial acquisitions in the Summer of 2025: View Pictures, a leading Architectural Photography archive in the UK; and the Seattle-based Danita Delimont Stock Photography, which provides travel and nature-oriented images to travel and publishing clients. Cohen attended UT Austin, studied Film postgrad at USC, and assisted legendary photographer Helmut Newton, whom he counts among his most impactful mentors. His books include a monograph titled Identity,while Seeing Red takes a fun jab at the urban myth of redheads becoming extinct. Website: https://www.stewartcohen.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewartcohen/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StewartCohenPictures Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scpictures/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stewartcohenpictures/ In this episode, we dive into the art of visual storytelling and creative entrepreneurship. Jeffrey and Stewart share how they've built lasting careers at the intersection of art, technology, and business—discussing everything from the evolution of digital media to the balance between commercial success and creative expression. Apply to join our marketing mastermind group: https://notypicalmoments.typeform.com/to/hWLDNgjz Follow No Typical Moments at: Website: https://notypicalmoments.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-typical-moments-llc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4G7csw9j7zpjdASvpMzqUA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notypicalmoments Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NTMoments
Jim Curry is the co-founder and CEO of BuildGroup, a venture firm based in Austin that has raised $330 million since its founding in 2015 and backed companies like Anaconda, Vidmob, DigniFi, and Benefitfocus. He brings more than two decades of experience in product, strategy, and corporate development from roles at Rackspace and Dell, and he co-founded OpenStack, one of the most widely used open source cloud computing platforms. Jim serves on the boards of Generation Serve and the University of Texas School of Undergraduate Studies. He holds degrees from UT Austin and Harvard Business School.In this conversation, we discuss:Jim's journey from Rackspace to launching BuildGroup and why he believes in “longer, slower capital” to support mission-driven foundersHow his experience co-founding OpenStack shaped his thinking on community-driven innovation and open-source softwareWhat AI startups can learn from the cloud era—and why infrastructure still matters in the age of foundation modelsWhy Jim believes VCs often push startups to scale too fast and what sustainable growth looks like in practiceThe impact of AI on venture capital and how BuildGroup thinks about investing in software companies that solve real problemsHow founders can balance product vision with pragmatism, especially when building in volatile marketsResources:Subscribe to the AI & The Future of Work NewsletterConnect with Jim on LinkedInAI fun fact articleOn How to Develop NLP and AI Data Harvesting Using Games and Blockchains To Earn NFTs
"I decided early on, before I was 20, that this was all about reinvention. Technology is coming. I didn't have time to get used to that first thought before the Apple showed up." -Jeffrey Wiener Jeffrey Wiener is an artist, creative director, and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience at the intersection of art, design, and digital media. As the founder and creative director of Young Mind Interactive, he develops engaging educational content, animations, and games that blend creativity with learning. Jeffrey also leads Dangerous Media Productions, a marketing and social media consultancy specializing in building online visibility and driving measurable growth for brands. His artistic work, showcased through the Jeffrey Wiener Gallery, spans five decades of illustration, painting, and animation. A true digital pioneer, Jeffrey combines his background in fine art with a passion for interactive media to create meaningful experiences that educate, entertain, and inspire. Website: https://youngmindinteractive.com/ LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreywiener/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngmindinteractive/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youngmindinteractive/ Stewart Cohen is a Filmmaker/Photographer who frames life in its best light. Working your way through his portfolio of commercials and stills, you are as likely to see heartfelt testimonials as Game Day humor, real people as celebs, with campaigns spanning fashion, kids, sports, wildly diverse storytelling and portraiture... He's gone swimming with sharks in the Galapagos and come up for air to stage a tongue-in-cheek musical comedy starring the townspeople of Mansfield, TX. They sing about being too busy for tourism. The throughline is seizing the moment to celebrate the joy of life. Cohen's company, SC Pictures, serves major clients including American Airlines, AT&T, Coca-Cola, Four Seasons, and Frito-Lay, with each project hitting exactly the right note for its intended audience. Beyond his skillset, Cohen has earned a reputation as a safe bet willing to take risks. He has taken a similar approach to business. He acquired footage and imagery house SuperStock in 2019, and made two more substantial acquisitions in the Summer of 2025: View Pictures, a leading Architectural Photography archive in the UK; and the Seattle-based Danita Delimont Stock Photography, which provides travel and nature-oriented images to travel and publishing clients. Cohen attended UT Austin, studied Film postgrad at USC, and assisted legendary photographer Helmut Newton, whom he counts among his most impactful mentors. His books include a monograph titled Identity,while Seeing Red takes a fun jab at the urban myth of redheads becoming extinct. Website: https://www.stewartcohen.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewartcohen/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StewartCohenPictures Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scpictures/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stewartcohenpictures/ In this episode, we dive into the art of visual storytelling and creative entrepreneurship. Jeffrey and Stewart share how they've built lasting careers at the intersection of art, technology, and business—discussing everything from the evolution of digital media to the balance between commercial success and creative expression. Apply to join our marketing mastermind group: https://notypicalmoments.typeform.com/to/hWLDNgjz Follow No Typical Moments at: Website: https://notypicalmoments.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-typical-moments-llc/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4G7csw9j7zpjdASvpMzqUA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notypicalmoments Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NTMoments
Welcome to Purple Political Breakdown, where we cut through the noise and dive deep into the stories shaping America today. Host Radell Lewis brings you nuanced political analysis that goes beyond partisan talking points.In this episode, we cover:International Crisis Points - The fragile Gaza ceasefire brokered by Trump envoys faces mounting challenges as violence continues despite the October 10th agreement. We examine the hostage crisis, ICJ rulings, and what this means for Middle East stability. Plus, major U.S. policy shifts on Ukraine including new sanctions on Russian oil companies and lifting restrictions on long-range missiles.Trump's Pardon Power - Breaking down Trump's controversial clemency grants to George Santos and Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao. What do these pardons reveal about executive power, accountability, and conflicts of interest in the current administration?Historic Resistance - Analysis of the massive "No Kings" protests that drew 7 million Americans to the streets on October 18th, making it the largest single-day demonstration in U.S. history. We explore Trump's inflammatory response, the government shutdown context, and what this movement means for American democracy.Education Under Siege - Trump's "college university compact" is threatening academic freedom at major institutions like MIT, UVA, and Dartmouth. We discuss the UT Austin professor dismissed for "ideological differences" and what federal funding threats mean for higher education independence.Sports Betting Scandal - Federal charges against NBA coach Chauncey Billups and player Terry Rozier expose a rigged poker network with Mafia ties and insider betting schemes. What does this say about gambling's growing influence in professional sports?Plus: The Good News You Haven't Heard - From sea turtle conservation victories to breakthrough mushroom-powered toilets, we highlight positive global developments the mainstream media isn't covering.Keywords: Trump administration, Gaza ceasefire, political analysis, executive pardons, George Santos, protest movement, No Kings, government shutdown, academic freedom, higher education policy, healthcare subsidies, Trump pardons, sports betting scandal, NBA investigation, Ukraine policy, Russia sanctions, nuanced news, political podcast, bipartisan discussion, democratic resistance, authoritarian trends, federal government, political commentary, current events, international relations, Middle East conflict, criminal justice, Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier, university politics, DEI programs, voting rightsSubscribe to Purple Political Breakdown for weekly deep dives into the political stories that matter.Available on all major podcast platformsStandard Resource Links & RecommendationsThe following organizations and platforms represent valuable resources for balanced political discourse and democratic participation: PODCAST NETWORKALIVE Podcast Network - Check out the ALIVE Network where you can catch a lot of great podcasts like my own, led by amazing Black voices. 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Link: https://www.equal.vote/starFuture is Now Coalition (FiNC) - A grassroots movement working to restore democracy through transparency, accountability, and innovative technology while empowering citizens and transforming American political discourse FutureisFutureis. Link: https://futureis.org/ POLITICAL ENGAGEMENTIndependent Center - Resources for independent political thinking and civic engagement. Link: https://www.independentcenter.org/ Get Daily News: Text 844-406-INFO (844-406-4636) with code "purple" to receive quick, unbiased, factual news delivered to your phone every morning via Informed ( https://informed.now) All Links: https://linktr.ee/purplepoliticalbreakdownThe Purple Political Breakdown is committed to fostering productive political dialogue that transcends partisan divides. We believe in the power of conversation, balanced information, and democratic participation to build a stronger society. Our mission: "Political solutions without political bias."Subscribe, rate, and share if you believe in purple politics - where we find common ground in the middle! Also if you want to be apart of the community and the conversation make sure to Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/ptPAsZtHC9
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Worry is spreading that the Trump administration is increasingly arming ICE with military-grade weaponry: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/10/23/2349922/-WTF-does-ICE-need-guided-missile-components-forTexas businesses across a wide range of sectors are being negatively impacted by Trump's immigration crackdown: https://english.elpais.com/economy-and-business/2025-10-23/the-texas-paradox-businesses-need-more-migrants-while-trump-wants-to-expel-them.htmlAmong the states, Texas would be most severely impacted by the expiration of ACA tax credits that congressional Democrats are holding out to defend: https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/10/23/aca-tax-credits-texas-government-shutdown-healthFood banks across the US and Texas are reeling from the unexpected mid-year slashing of food distribution by the Trump administration - 94 million pounds of expected food deliveries did not show up: https://projects.propublica.org/trump-food-cuts/UT Austin, alongside Vanderbilt, is one of only two universities among the nine approached by the Trump administration to sign a conservative ideological "compact" who have not yet rejected it: https://www.fox7austin.com/news/new-ut-austin-president-sworn-amid-trumps-higher-education-compact.amp...UT's chapter of the American Association of University Professors has called on their administration not to capitulate to Trump: https://www.expressnews.com/news/education/article/university-texas-austin-trump-funding-deal-compact-21110442.php...Amnesty International calls the "compact" a "surrender (of) their right to freedom of thought, expression and discourse": https://www.amnestyusa.org/press-releases/academic-freedom-cannot-exist-under-political-coercion-president-trumps-compact-threatens-higher-education/We're excited to see YOU at one (or both!) of our 2025 Holiday Parties this December in Austin and Dallas! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/progress-texas-holiday-parties-2025Check out our 2025 Texas Statewide Voting Guide, including a link at the bottom for a printable version you CAN take with you to the polls: https://progresstexas.org/blog/2025-texas-statewide-ballot-guideThanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Texas has flagged thousands of registered voters who officials say could be noncitizens. What we know about that claim right now.For years, Texas Standard has been following the legal battle over a beloved waterway in East Texas. Now, some powerful figures are getting involved in the fight over the Cutoff.Some leadership changes at UT Austin […] The post Legal fight over access to East Texas waterway continues appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.
Trust in modern AI systems hinges on understanding how they learn—and, increasingly, how they can forget. This talk develops a geometric view of trustworthiness that unifies structure-aware optimization, stability analysis, and the emerging science of unlearning. I will begin by revisiting the role of sharpness and flatness in shaping both generalization and sample sensitivity, showing how the geometry of the loss landscape governs what models remember. Building on these insights, I will present recent results on Sharpness-Aware Machine Unlearning, a framework that characterizes when and how learning algorithms can provably erase the influence of specific data points while preserving accuracy on the rest. The discussion connects theoretical guarantees with empirical findings on the role of data distribution and loss geometry in machine unlearning—ultimately suggesting that the shape of the optimization landscape is the shape of trust itself. About the speaker: Rajiv Khanna is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science. His research interests span various subfields of machine learning including optimization, theory and interpretability.Previously, he held positions of Visiting Faculty Researcher at Google, postdoctoral scholar at Foundations of Data Analystics Institute at University of California, Berkeley and a Research Fellow in the Foundations of Data Science program at the Simons Institute also at UC Berkeley. He graduated with his PhD from UT Austin.
Whether you bleed burnt orange or not, there's something for every Austinite around The University of Texas at Austin's campus. From long-standing restaurants to brand new ones, trusty dive bars to groundbreaking concepts, and sights and sounds you did not know existed — we've got your guide to the UT campus area. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by Debra Hallum, co-owner of The 1972 Pub, the first women's sports bar in Texas; and executive producer and fellow Longhorn Eva Ruth Moravec to talk about their favorite places to eat and drink, and what to see and do around UT Austin. Plus, they discuss good gathering spaces for groups, in case the Texas Campus Protection Act becomes effective again. Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter. And don't forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE Learn more about the sponsors of this October 21st episode: Adios - Use code CITYCAST for 50% off Cozy Earth - Use code COZYAUSTIN for 40% off best-selling sheets, towels, pajamas, and more.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Further rollbacks of the Voting Rights Act, under consideration now by the U.S. Supreme Court, could largely wipe out minority-majority congressional districts in Texas - potentially reducing the presence of Texas Democrats in the U.S. House to 3: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas-take/article/supreme-court-weighs-future-voting-rights-act-21102774.php...CD-18 candidate and Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee has sued the Trump administration, seeking restoration of $59 million in solar benefits for Houston area families: https://www.houstonpress.com/news/houston-news/harris-county-wants-7-billion-solar-program-restored/Applications for FEMA assistance from Kerr County - very much Trump country - have largely been denied or slow-walked, as the vast majority remain without help over 100 days past the July 4 flood: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/10/16/texas-floods-fema-aid-kerr-county-nonprofits/...Several of the summer camps in the area say that new safety requirements imposed after the deaths of dozens of children in that flood are too costly: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/politics/lone-star-politics/summer-camps-request-flood-safety-measures-delay/3932075/One of UT Austin's most famous professors - a co-host of NPR's "Two Guys On Your Head" show - has been fired over "ideological differences": https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2025/10/15/university-of-texas-mark-artman...Also at UT, massive opposition from alumni and faculty to the "compact" that has been offered to the university by Donald Trump: https://thedailytexan.com/2025/10/15/against-what-i-thought-ut-stood-for-alumni-faculty-express-opposition-to-trump-proposed-compact/No Kings events, happening nationally on Saturday, include at least 40 across Texas: https://www.nokings.org/#map...Republicans are hard at work smearing No Kings attendees in advance as ultra-radical, card-carrying Antifa members: https://www.reddit.com/r/democrats/comments/1o7tbo0/supercut_of_comments_from_republicans_today_alone/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_buttonIt's almost time to vote! Check out our 2025 Texas Statewide Voting Guide, including a link at the bottom for a printable version you CAN take with you to the polls: https://progresstexas.org/blog/2025-texas-statewide-ballot-guideHouston friends! Join Progress Texas in The Heights on Monday October 20 for our H-Town Hits Back live podcast taping event! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/houston2025eventThanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Rhett sits down with Philip Lupton and Truett Heintzelman, the two young Texans behind Briscoe, a harmony-rich Americana duo making waves with their sophomore album, Heat of July. Recorded in Nashville during AmericanaFest, the conversation covers the band's early days at UT Austin, their musical roots, and their thoughtful approach to songwriting and performance. Rhett and Briscoe discuss the realities of being a young band in a fast-moving industry—balancing ambition with patience, dealing with imposter syndrome, and staying true to their craft. Out now! Listen to Rhett's new album “A lifetime of riding by night” https://rhettmiller.com/ Wheels Off is hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Executive producer Kirsten Cluthe. Music by Old 97's. Episode artwork by Mark Dowd. Show logo by Tim Skirven. This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also ask Alexa to play it. Revisit previous episodes of Wheels Off with guests Rosanne Cash, Rob Thomas, Jeff Tweedy, The Milk Carton Kids, and more. If you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Ten Democratic U.S House members have demanded that Governor Greg Abbott withdraw Texas National Guard troops that he has sent to Illinois and Oregon on the orders of Donald Trump: https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/politics/2025/10/09/texas-lawmakers-oppose-guard-use-in-out-of-state-policing/86572196007/...Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker notes that Republican Governors Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma and Phil Scott of Vermont have both also expressed opposition to the Texas deployment to other states: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5551994-pritzker-gop-troop-deployment/...A federal appeals court has halted the deployment of Texas National Guard troops into Chicago, but has stopped short of ordering them back to Texas: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/appeals-court-rejects-trump-request-deploy-national-guard-chicago-area-2025-10-11/The hearing over the map resulting from the Trump-ordered redistricting of Texas in El Paso ended on Friday and is now under consideration by a panel of three judges: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2025/10/10/political-or-racial-three-takeaways-from-federal-hearing-on-new-tx-congressional-map/...The judges may be annoyed as their review of the case begins with the evasiveness of several defense witnesses: https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/new-details-emerge-in-federal-court-about-texas-secretive-redistricting-map/A 30-year veteran professor at UT Austin writes that with conservative attacks on academic freedom lately, she barely recognizes the place: https://www.statesman.com/opinion/columns/your-voice/article/opinion-35-years-ut-austin-hardly-recognize-21089836.phpHouston friends! Join Progress Texas in The Heights on Monday October 20 for our H-Town Hits Back live podcast taping event! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/houston2025eventThanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
When your guest shows up in a white top hat and jokingly calls himself “the fun appellate lawyer,” you know you're in for a great conversation.For our 40th episode, we're raising a mug to Chad Ruback — appellate attorney, on-air legal commentator, and all-around class act who somehow balances professionalism with a sharp sense of humor.Chad shares his path from his family's jewelry business in Kansas City to building a respected solo appellate practice in Texas. Along the way, he's learned that showing up — with curiosity, consistency, and the occasional top hat — can take you a long way in both law and life.He's thoughtful, funny, and the kind of person who remembers everyone's name and story — a rare gift in any profession.And we couldn't share this episode without a nod to Daisy Louise, Chad's beloved dog who made frequent cameos and left an even bigger mark. She's gone now, but her presence (and her timing) live on in our hearts — and this episode.
Welcome to Professors Talk Pedagogy, a podcast from the Academy for Teaching and Learning at Baylor University. I'm your host, Christopher Richmann. Professors Talk Pedagogy presents discussions with great professors about pedagogy, curriculum and learning in order to propel the virtuous cycle of teaching. As we frankly and critically investigate our teaching, we open new lines of inquiry. We engage in conversation with colleagues and we attune to students' experiences, all of which not only improves our teaching, but enriches and motivates ongoing investigation. And so the cycle continues. Today our guest is Dr. Jay Banner, the F. M. Bullard Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences in the Jackson School of Geosciences, and director of the Environmental Science Institute at the University of Texas at Austin. He researches climate and hydrologic processes, how they are preserved in the geologic record, and how human activities affect the sustainability of water resources. His K-12 and community engagement initiatives include Hot Science – Cool Talks, the Scientist in Residence program, which partners STEM graduate-student researchers with K-12 teachers, and a new project (CRESSLE) that partners researchers and community members to address resilience challenges in underserved communities. Jay is a member of UT Austin's Academy of Distinguished Teachers, a recipient of the Friar Centennial Teaching Fellowship Award and the UT System Regents Outstanding Teaching Award, and a Fellow of the Geological Society of America. Jay is also the 2024 recipient of the Cherry Award for Great Teaching, an international award housed at Baylor University, and which includes the recipient spending one semester in residence teaching Baylor undergraduate students. We are delighted to have Dr. Banner on the show to discuss the impact of having great teachers, learning from your colleagues, and teaching outside the classroom. CRESSLE Authority, Passion, and Subject-Centered Teaching
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:The new Texas congressional district map, ordered by Donald Trump to cut his expected U.S. House losses in next year's election, is set to be considered by federal judges in El Paso starting Wednesday: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/redistricting-fight-texas-congressional-maps-courtroom-determine-constitutional/Could there be a THIRD special legislative session in Texas? Property taxes could be the excuse this time for Texas Republicans to ramp up their culture war on Texas colleges: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-for-real/id1840051875?i=1000729093370...MAGA attacks on Texas higher education has been at a fever pitch in recent weeks, including new orders at the Texas Tech system against any mention at all in classes of gender identity: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/26/texas-tech-university-system-transgender-identity-restrictions/Agriculture Commissioner and outspoken DEI opponent Sid Miller wrote a letter to UT Austin on behalf of a Latina student they had denied admission, appealing to their DEI mission: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/29/sid-miller-dei-letter-university-of-texas/An Anson man has been jailed for threatening to shoot up a Pride parade in Abilene, out of revenge for the assassination of Charlie Kirk: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/video/texas-man-accused-of-threatening-to-shoot-at-local-pride-event-arrested-by-fbi/#xDid you notice ICE recruitment ads on ESPN while watching college football this weekend? All the more reason to cut ties with Disney, as they undercut local law enforcement agencies: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-09-06/ice-recruitment-law-enforcement-commercialHouston friends! Join Progress Texas in The Heights on Monday October 20 for our H-Town Hits Back live podcast taping event! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/houston2025eventThanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Interviewees: Dr. Zoie Sheets, Resident Physician in the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Chicago; and Dr. Nalinda Charnsangavej, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Residency Program Director at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin. Interviewer: Lisa Meeks, PhD, MA, Guest Editor, Academic Medicine Supplement on Disability Inclusion in UME. Description: Preparing to Thrive: Supporting Learners with Disabilities Through the Undergraduate-to-Graduate Medical Education Transition This episode of Stories Behind the Science brings you an intimate conversation with Dr. Zoie Sheets (University of Chicago) and Dr. Nalinda Charnsangavej (Dell Medical School, UT Austin), co-authors of Preparing to Thrive, part of the Academic Medicine supplement on Disability Inclusion in Undergraduate Medical Education. We go beyond the article to uncover the motivations, lived experiences, and research that shaped their scholarship. Together, we explore four critical decision points that can shape the trajectory of disabled medical students as they move from UME to GME: Disclosure decisions Specialty selection Program selection Requesting and utilizing accommodations in residency Zoie and Nalinda share how research, mentorship, and community informed their work, and why bridging this “black box” transition period is essential for cultivating a more inclusive profession. Whether you're a program director, DRP, advisor, or student, this episode offers insights and concrete strategies to ensure learners are not just surviving this pivotal transition—but thriving. Resources and links to the open-access article, Disability Resource Hub, and related tools are in the show notes. Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1h4bh81klK-mfP3grm5LNzmYp-czCEP_haP704aJBekk/edit?usp=sharing Bios: Nalinda Charnsangavej, MD is Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin where she serves as the pediatric residency program director. She serves as Co-Chair of the Disability in Graduate Medical Education group as part of the Docs with Disabilities Initiative and Co-Chair of the UME to GME Transitions Committee for the Disability Resource Hub -- the result of a collaboration between the ACGME and DWDI. As a program director, she is interested in fostering a healthy and supportive learning environment that promotes physician well-being and resilience. Her current work focuses on the transition from medical school to residency training and how to support learners with disabilities during this critical transition period. Outside of medical education, she enjoys spending time with her family, teaching her children how to cook, and attending Texas Longhorn sporting events. Zoie C. Sheets, MD, MPH is a resident physician in internal medicine and pediatrics (Med/Peds) at the University of Chicago. She is also a leader within the Docs with Disabilities Initiative, serving as Co-Chair of the Disability in Graduate Medical Education group and Co-Chair of the UME to GME Transitions Committee for the creation of a Disability Resource Hub — a collaboration between ACGME and DWDI. She believes deeply that increasing the number of disabled clinicians can transform medical education and practice, for providers and patients alike. Her current research focus centers on how graduate medical education can best support learners with disabilities, particularly during the challenging transition out of UME. In her free time, Zoie loves to read, re-watch too many medical dramas, and play with her two cats! Key Words: Disability inclusion Medical education Undergraduate medical education (UME) Graduate medical education (GME) UME–GME transition Disabled medical students Residency accommodations Program director support Disability Resource Professionals (DRPs) Academic Medicine Resources: Article from Today's Talk Sheets, Zoie C. MD, MPH; Fausone, Maureen MD, MA; Messman, Anne MD, MHPE; Ortega, Pilar MD, MGM; Ramsay, Jessica MD; Creasman, Megan MD, MA; Charnsangavej, Nalinda MD. Preparing to Thrive: Supporting Learners With Disabilities Through the Undergraduate-to-Graduate Medical Education Transition. Academic Medicine 100(10S):p S161-S165, October 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000006136 The Disability Resource Hub from ACGME and DocsWithDisabilities https://bit.ly/DisabilityResourceHUB_GME The Docs With Disabilities Podcast https://www.docswithdisabilities.org/docswithpodcast Docs With Disabilities You Tube, Disability in Graduate Medical Education Videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc4XEizXENYw58ptzAgfxBA4q3uLRcmx6 Docs With Disabilities Disability in Graduate Medical Education Working Group https://www.docswithdisabilities.org/digme
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Attorney General Ken Paxton's lawsuit against Beto O'Rourke and Powered By People, accusing them of bribery and other campaign finance violations, appears to be near defeat in court: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/17/ken-paxton-beto-orourke-texas-democrats-quorum-break-15th-court/?_bhlid=a0e58d7d33f7fdf5a4ed837802f072ff1560ec84Andrew White, son of former Democratic Texas Governor Mark White, is considering a second crack at the job: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/abbott-white-governor-race-21051521.phpHouston residents have been being buzzed by low-flying military helicopters this week in a joint exercise between the Houston Police Department and the Trump-rebranded "Department Of War": https://www.chron.com/news/article/military-helicopters-houston-21050797.phpA second Black Texas college student has been expelled from school for expressing a lack of support for Charlie Kirk on campus: https://www.kvue.com/video/news/state/texas-state-university-student-expelled-mocking-charlie-kirk-death/269-ff2b7021-ccd8-4518-823a-e377dae048ce...The American Freedmen Legal Fund notes that, just as the UT Austin crackdown on pro-Palestinian demonstrators last year did, this wave of Abbott-spurred college expulsions violates the governor's own Executive Order GA-42, which protects unpopular expression on Texas college campuses: https://x.com/realAFLF/status/1968089395074044401/photo/1An important factor to consider for upcoming elections: Texas has been found, for the second year in a row, to be the second-most-diverse state in the country: https://wallethub.com/edu/most-least-diverse-states-in-america/38262...While the new Trump-ordered congressional map appears to rely on low Latino turnout: https://www.ksat.com/news/texas/2025/09/17/texas-gop-may-be-banking-on-low-hispanic-turnout-in-new-map/Houston friends! Join Progress Texas in The Heights on Monday October 20 for our H-Town Hits Back live podcast taping event! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/houston2025eventThanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Poet Roger Reeves, author of King Me, Best Barbarian and Dark Days: Fugitive Essays, is a National Book Award finalist, Griffin Poetry Prize Winner, Whiting Award winner and professor at UT Austin. His frank and gracious discussion of poetry, growing up in the Pentecostal church, parenthood, and the importance of silence, carves a path encouraging us toward the revelation that the life we want is already here, reaching out for our hand.
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:Comments from Donald Trump on American political violence echo his "stand back and stand by" comments just prior to the January 6 insurrection: https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/trump-response-charlie-kirk-melissa-hortman-shootings-rcna230825...Trump also claims that investigations of key progressive figures are already underway: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-adopts-messenger-in-chief-role-after-charlie-kirks-death-2025-09-14/...The first suspect apprehended in the Kirk shooting, later cleared and released, is a North Texas high school graduate - and he and his family are being harassed by MAGA anyway: https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/texas-high-school-graduate-charlie-kirk-killing-21047625.php...The Texas Education Agency has announced a targeting of Texas teachers who failed to sufficiently grieve Charlie Kirk online, while free speech student advocates at UT Austin express fear of violence at future events: https://www.fox7austin.com/news/from-classrooms-campuses-how-kirks-death-is-affecting-texas-educationDetails about the divorce of Ken and Angela Paxton emerge - the AG is accused of having another extramarital affair, with a "Christian influencer" and mother of 7: https://www.sacurrent.com/news/news-report-accuses-texas-ag-ken-paxton-of-affair-with-married-christian-influencer/Austin friends: tickets are now FREE for our live podcast taping with legendary Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver on September 15 at Hopsquad Brewing in Austin! RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/allstaractivism_2025Thanks for listening! Our monthly donors form the backbone of our funding, and if you're a regular, we'd like to invite you to join the team! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Alan interviews Tushar Sharma. Tushar Sharma grew up in a small village in India - but he had big plans. He graduated from IIT in Madras with a biotechnology degree. He completed his masters and PhD at UT Austin in Biomedical Engineering. In 2019, he invented a non-invasive surgical procedure for prostate patients that has minimal side effects. Website: www.VivifiMedical.com
Want a quick estimate of how much your business is worth? With our free valuation calculator, answer a few questions about your business, and you'll get an immediate estimate of the value of your business. You might be surprised by how much you can get for it: https://flippa.com/exit -- In this episode of The Exit, Ingrid Vanderveldt, serial entrepreneur, investor, and founder of EBW Worldwide, shares how mentorship and a bold vision shaped her journey from the dotcom boom to building a platform to empower one billion women. Inspired by Michael Dell's rise, Ingrid built one of the first personalization algorithms for the web, exited multiple ventures, and became Dell's first Entrepreneur-in-Residence, where she helped create a $250M fund and drove nearly $1B in new business. Ingrid opens up about the confidence gap holding many women back from accessing capital, recounting how she launched a $100M fund for women and initially received no applicants — a turning point that fueled her mission to close systemic gaps. Her advice for founders preparing for an exit: define your ideal outcome early, build a “ride-or-die” support team (lawyers, accountants, mentors), and keep your paperwork tight to avoid last-minute deal risks. Today, Ingrid is focused on EBW-1, a patented tech platform using AI to deliver personalized education, access to capital, and community for entrepreneurs worldwide — helping them scale, negotiate, and exit with confidence. -- Ingrid Vanderveldt is a self-made tech entrepreneur, investor, and media personality who serves as Founder and CEO of Vanderveldt Global Investments, EBW (Empowering a Billion Women), EBW Cares Distributors, and Ingrid Vanderveldt LLC. A former Dell Entrepreneur-in-Residence who built a $250M business segment and launched the Dell Innovators Credit Fund, she now focuses on advancing women globally through access to mobile tools, mentoring, and capital. Recognized as Fast Company's #1 “Superconnector” and honored with the Forbes & Northwestern Mutual Entrepreneur in Excellence Award, Ingrid is a sought-after speaker and strategist for startups and global brands, bridging corporations, women, and entrepreneurs to drive ROI and impact. She has hosted CNBC's American Made, been featured in top media outlets worldwide, and holds a Master's in Architecture from SCAD and an MBA in Entrepreneurship from UT Austin. Websites: https://ebw.one/ - https://ingridvanderveldt.com/ -- The Exit—Presented By Flippa: A 30-minute podcast featuring expert entrepreneurs who have been there and done it. The Exit talks to operators who have bought and sold a business. You'll learn how they did it, why they did it, and get exposure to the world of exits, a world occupied by a small few, but accessible to many. To listen to the podcast or get daily listing updates, click on flippa.com/the-exit-podcast/
Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:The Texas Republican Party has filed a lawsuit seeking to close its primary election to registered Republicans - in a state that does not have a system for party registration: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/04/texas-gop-republican-party-closed-primary-elections/The appointment of State Senator Brandon Creighton as chancellor at Texas Tech represents a further consolidation of conservative control over our state's institutions of higher learning: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/05/texas-tech-university-brandon-creighton-chancellor/The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has joined several Texas college student groups to sue UT Austin over a new state law placing limits on campus activities at night - a law largely authored by Brandon Creighton: https://www.thefire.org/news/lawsuit-texas-bans-first-amendment-public-universities-after-darkAustin friends: tickets are now FREE for our live podcast taping with legendary Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver on September 15 at Hopsquad Brewing in Austin! RSVP here: https://act.progresstexas.org/a/allstaractivism_2025Help Progress Texas avoid going on a permanent vacation this summer by becoming a sustaining member: https://progresstexas.org/join-pt-summer-vacation-membership-driveThanks for listening! Find our web store and other ways to support our important work at https://progresstexas.org.
Timothy Cole's journey from Brenham, Texas, to becoming a standout student-athlete at UT Austin is a tale of resilience, ambition, and the transformative power of mentorship. As he recounts his story against the backdrop of the historic hiring of Charlie Strong, UT Austin's first Black head coach, Timothy reveals how his passion for football and support from his father shaped his early life. His insights shed light on the unique challenges faced by student-athletes both on and off the field, emphasizing the importance of community support and personal growth as he navigated through pivotal moments in his academic and athletic career.Transitioning from sports to academia, Timothy's path took an unexpected turn as he embraced entrepreneurship during his time at UT. With a keen interest in blending his experiences with innovation, he and his fellow former UT football players ventured into the creation of a protein donut company. This chapter of his journey highlights the power of seizing opportunities beyond the gridiron, leveraging skills learned both in the classroom and on the field to forge a new path in business. His story is a dynamic example of the potential for athletes to redefine their futures by embracing their diverse interests and talents.As Timothy offers a glimpse into the NIL era and its implications for current student-athletes, he underscores the importance of building a strong foundation for life beyond sports. From the creative inspiration found in literature to the significance of fostering a personal identity outside of athletics, he encourages others to capitalize on their unique opportunities. By sharing his personal superpower of resilience and determination, Timothy inspires listeners to harness their individuality to create meaningful and sustainable futures, proving that there's more to an athlete's journey than the game itself.Support the showhttps://www.patreon.com/c/EA_BookClub
Recorded August 29, 2025 Just in time for the big Texas at Ohio State game, it's a special episode of AVSF! When the calendar hands us a rare fifth Friday, the AV SuperFriends don't take the week off. We go live with a special bonus episode full of chaos, competition, and classroom technology trash talk. Chris, Jamie, Marc, and Justin are joined by two guests: Chris Harshfield from Ohio State and David Cannon from UT Austin. This week's Weekly Rivalry segment pits Buckeyes against Longhorns in a gameday-style showdown of AV & IT. Ohio State touts consistency, standardization, and reliability; Texas fires back with swagger, experimentation, and capital-project muscle. The panel keeps score with field goals, touchdowns, and questionable penalties, while the guests trade stories about tier-one support armies, bizarre teaching spaces (from daycares to pickle labs), and the occasional bucket of “dog heads.” From HDBaseT vs. AVoIP to the eternal Velcro vs. zip tie debate, nothing is off-limits in this spirited back-and-forth. And when the final whistle blows, it's not just about who wins on the scoreboard, but it's about what “championship-level” classroom technology really means. Connect with Chris Harshfield: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-harshfield-6aba67225/ harshfield.6@osu.edu Connect with David Cannon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-cannon-cts-d-cts-i-mta-silver-4b625831/ davidcannon@austin.utexas.edu We stream live every Friday at about 300p Eastern/1200p Pacific and you can listen to everything we record over at AVSuperFriends.com ▀▄▀▄▀ CONTACT LINKS ▀▄▀▄▀ ► Website: https://www.avsuperfriends.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/avsuperfriends ► LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsuperfriends ► YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@avsuperfriends ► Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/avsuperfriends.bsky.social ► Email: mailbag@avsuperfriends.com ► RSS: https://avsuperfriends.libsyn.com/rss Donate to AVSF: https://www.avsuperfriends.com/support
Your College Bound Kid | Scholarships, Admission, & Financial Aid Strategies
In this episode you will hear: (02:00) In the News Vince joins Mark to discuss a NYT Article entitled, “Columbia and Brown Share Race and Admissions Data in Trump Deal” Mark continues to share insights from an article that the Chronicle of Higher Education Ran Entitled, “The Money Problem No College Can Escape” (38:18) Peg Keogh Interview-Missed Opportunities for the FAFSA and CSS PROFILE Part 5 of 5 § More conversation about the CSS PROFILE (58:26) College Spotlight Interview Part 3 of 4-Preview Dr. Ramon Blakley is the Asst Vice Provost of Enrollment at UT-Austin and Ramon and Mark have a robust discussion about Apply Texas, about whether Texas is considering Early Decision and about how Senate Bill 175 which is the bill that created UT's auto admission plan, how does it actually work, and how can out of state students stand out in a competitive applicant pool, and we talk about the type of student that excels at UT- Recommended Resource-Guide to help first year students complete the Common Application- Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast. You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day. To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses. Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions: Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast: https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast 1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: Check out the college websites Mark recommends: If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/
FOOTBALL IS BACK and we're excited to talk about that, along with multiple other very exciting Houston Cougar sports topics in roughly this order: Soccer absolutely demolishes UT-Austin 4-1 in a match that was nothing short of a statement of intent by this team and 1st year HC Ben Williams Previewing the SFA Lumberjacks w/help from SFA alum/D1 FCS football Internetsman Dustin Helton and adding our own thoughts on the 'Jacks and Thursday's match-up DOWN WITH THE PICKNESS RETURNS FOR 2025 Volleyball kicks off its season on Friday, so we previewed what we think the 2025 team will look like
Your College Bound Kid | Scholarships, Admission, & Financial Aid Strategies
In this episode you will hear: (01:55) In the News Mark continues to share insights from an article that the Chronicle of Higher Education Ran Entitled, “The Money Problem No College Can Escape” (14:22) Question from a listener Lisa and Lynda answer a question from an applicant who wants to know what a stealth applicant is? (22:23) Peg Keogh Interview-Missed Opportunities for the FAFSA and CSS PROFILE Part 4 of 5 § More conversation about the CSS PROFILE (45:34) College Spotlight Interview Dr. Ramon Blakley is the Asst Vice Provost of Enrollment at UT-Austin and he will be helping us understand UT over the next four weeks Part 2 of 4-Preview ² More talk about internally transferring at UT ² UT's expanded resume ² Why UT releases its decisions in waves Recommended Resource-Guide to help first year students complete the Common Application- Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast. You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day. To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses. Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions: Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast: https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast 1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: Check out the college websites Mark recommends: If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/
Your College Bound Kid | Scholarships, Admission, & Financial Aid Strategies
In this episode you will hear: (04:08) In the News Vince and Mark discuss a August 6th article that ran in the Stanford Daily, Stanford's newspaper about how Stanford will continue supporting legacy admissions, despite the California law that passed to outlaw it. (33:00) Peg Keogh Interview-Missed Opportunities for the FAFSA and CSS PROFILE Part 3 of 5 o Peg talks about the changes from the old FAFSA to the new FAFSA o We transition to talk about some CSS PROFILE specific missed opportunities o Peg talks about questions that you do not have to answer on the Profile o Peg talks about the special circumstances' situation o Peg shares her three commandments when filling out these forms o I share a few stories from my life experience that relate to the point Peg is making o Peg explains how much flexibility colleges have when interpreting and applying the data from the Profile compared to the FAFSA o Peg talks about why there are more Pell grant recipients now o Peg talks about some Profile specific mistakes students make; we start with a conversation on home equity o Peg talks about not oversharing when you complete the Profile o Peg gives an example of a question that you don't need to answer o Peg talks about the flexibility and subjectivity colleges look at when they interpret a Profile o Peg talks about how she advises colleges students to handle the special circumstances section o Peg talks about the projected income question and she shares how she advises families to handle this question (01:04:35) College Spotlight Interview Dr. Ramon Blakley is the Asst Vice Provost of Enrollment at UT-Austin and he will be helping us understand UT over the next four weeks Part 1-Preview v In this segment we talk about which colleges UT competes with for students v We talk about how UT admits by major v We talk about the process of how trying to do an internal transfer from one major to another works at UT (02:50) Recommended Resource Guide to help first year students complete the Common Application- Speakpipe.com/YCBK is our method if you want to ask a question and we will be prioritizing all questions sent in via Speakpipe. Unfortunately, we will NOT answer questions on the podcast anymore that are emailed in. If you want us to answer a question on the podcast, please use speakpipe.com/YCBK. We feel hearing from our listeners in their own voices adds to the community feel of our podcast. You can also use this for many other purposes: 1) Send us constructive criticism about how we can improve our podcast 2) Share an encouraging word about something you like about an episode or the podcast in general 3) Share a topic or an article you would like us to address 4) Share a speaker you want us to interview 5) Leave positive feedback for one of our interviewees. We will send your verbal feedback directly to them and I can almost assure you, your positive feedback will make their day. To sign up to receive Your College-Bound Kid PLUS, our new monthly admissions newsletter, delivered directly to your email once a month, just go to yourcollegeboundkid.com, and you will see the sign-up popup. We will include many of the hot topics being discussed on college campuses. Check out our new blog. We write timely and insightful articles on college admissions: Follow Mark Stucker on Twitter to get breaking college admission news, and updates about the podcast before they go live. You can ask questions on Twitter that he will answer on the podcast. Mark will also share additional hot topics in the news and breaking news on this Twitter feed. Twitter message is also the preferred way to ask questions for our podcast: https://twitter.com/YCBKpodcast 1. To access our transcripts, click: https://yourcollegeboundkid.com/category/transcripts/ 2. Find the specific episode transcripts for the one you want to search and click the link 3. Find the magnifying glass icon in blue (search feature) and click it 4. Enter whatever word you want to search. I.e. Loans 5. Every word in that episode when the words loans are used, will be highlighted in yellow with a timestamps 6. Click the word highlighted in yellow and the player will play the episode from that starting point 7. You can also download the entire podcast as a transcript We would be honored if you will pass this podcast episode on to others who you feel will benefit from the content in YCBK. Please subscribe to our podcast. It really helps us move up in Apple's search feature so others can find our podcast. If you enjoy our podcast, would you please do us a favor and share our podcast both verbally and on social media? We would be most grateful! If you want to help more people find Your College-Bound Kid, please make sure you follow our podcast. You will also get instant notifications as soon as each episode goes live. Check out the college admissions books Mark recommends: Check out the college websites Mark recommends: If you want to have some input about what you like and what you recommend, we change about our podcast, please complete our Podcast survey; here is the link: If you want a college consultation with Mark or Lisa, just text Mark at 404-664-4340 or email Lisa at All we ask is that you review their services and pricing on their website before the complimentary session; here is link to their services with transparent pricing: https://schoolmatch4u.com/services/compare-packages/
Episode Topic: Roadmap for Sustainability (https://go.nd.edu/54b4f4)Michelle Addington, a leading voice in sustainability and architectural design, challenges traditional net-zero approaches and advocates for systemic change in the built environment. Drawing on her experience at NASA, E.I. DuPont, Yale, and UT Austin, she offers practical strategies for rethinking sustainability at human, regional, and societal scales.Featured Speakers:-Michelle Addington, dean emeritus, School of Architecture University of Texas at AustinRead this episode's recap over on the University of Notre Dame's open online learning community platform, ThinkND: https://think.nd.edu/roadmap-for-sustainability-in-architecture/.This podcast is a part of the ThinkND Series titled Restoring Reason, Beauty, and Trust in Architecture. (https://go.nd.edu/0133ae)Thanks for listening! The ThinkND Podcast is brought to you by ThinkND, the University of Notre Dame's online learning community. We connect you with videos, podcasts, articles, courses, and other resources to inspire minds and spark conversations on topics that matter to you — everything from faith and politics, to science, technology, and your career. Learn more about ThinkND and register for upcoming live events at think.nd.edu. Join our LinkedIn community for updates, episode clips, and more.
Alphabetical List of All Episodes with Links
In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, Cameron is joined by Shanaz Hemmati, co-founder and COO of ZenBusiness.In this insightful conversation, Shanaz shares the behind-the-scenes story of building a modern company with a focus on simplifying a traditionally complex process. With a passion for technology and customer experience, she walks through how the organization evolved from a simple idea to a multifaceted platform serving a diverse and rapidly growing user base. Along the way, she emphasizes the importance of research, automation, and customer feedback in shaping their product offerings and strategic decisions.You'll discover the delicate balance between scaling responsibly and maintaining a strong internal culture. Shanaz reveals how leadership plays a critical role in hiring decisions, avoiding unnecessary bloat, and ensuring every team member is aligned with long-term goals. She reflects on the art of learning on the job, the value of thoughtful delegation, and the discipline it takes to avoid being pulled into every meeting or task.This episode offers a glimpse into the mindset required to thrive in a leadership role, especially in fast-moving, high-growth environments.If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!Enjoy!In This Episode You'll Learn:ZenBusiness' decision to go remote, made during COVID to keep expenses low and improve communication.The research and iterations involved in deciding on core products like entity formation and registered agent services.The importance of addressing one-star reviews, while also working on automation and AI to improve customer support and reduce manual processes.The lessons learned from the early days of tech, as well as the importance of profitability and strategic growth.ZenBusiness's funding, having raised about $275 million, with their last round at a $1.7 billion valuation. And much more...Guest Bio:Shanaz Hemmati is the co-founder and COO of ZenBusiness, where she drives growth through data, systems, and inclusive leadership. Originally from Iran, Shanaz immigrated to the U.S. to pursue her education and earned a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from UT Austin. Her career includes leadership roles at Excite.com, HomeAway, and ZenBusiness, where she's known for scaling high-growth companies while maintaining a human-centered approach. A passionate advocate for diversity, she spearheaded ZenBusiness's DEI strategy, achieving nearly 50% female representation across the organization. Recognized with awards such as Inc.'s Female Founders List (2025) and the Silver Stevie® Award (2024), Shanaz also serves as a board advisor to early-stage startups, mentoring entrepreneurs with a fearless, ethical, and impact-driven philosophy.Resources:Connect with Shanaz: Website | LinkedInConnect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInGet Cameron's latest book – "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your...
President Trump fired the top Bureau of Labor Statistics official on Friday, after the agency issued a weak jobs report. The report also revised earlier estimates of job creation in May and June down by 258,000. The president claimed the numbers were being manipulated. Julia Coronado, founder and president of Macropolicy Perspectives and a professor at UT Austin, joins us to discuss. Also on the show: how Trump's tariffs could sink Lesotho's textile industry.
President Trump fired the top Bureau of Labor Statistics official on Friday, after the agency issued a weak jobs report. The report also revised earlier estimates of job creation in May and June down by 258,000. The president claimed the numbers were being manipulated. Julia Coronado, founder and president of Macropolicy Perspectives and a professor at UT Austin, joins us to discuss. Also on the show: how Trump's tariffs could sink Lesotho's textile industry.
Today, we share the heartbreaking news of Qusay Hussein's passing with heavy hearts and deep reverence for the extraordinary life he lived. Qusay was more than a guest on Stories of Vision Loss—he was a beacon of resilience, a storyteller whose wisdom transcended his blindness, and a man who carried himself with unwavering dignity. Qusay's legacy lives on in countless ways—through the Qusay Hussein Humanitarian Award at UT Austin's School of Social Work, honoring those who, like him, lead with compassion; through the colleagues who credit his spirit as their motivation in dark times; and through his own powerful words: “I believe in the power of stories… By sharing mine, I hope others can learn, grow, and find strength.”For those wishing to revisit his indelible voice and the lessons he shared, his interview remains a cherished space to remember him as an enduring tribute. The mark he has left on this world will not fade.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/stories-of-vision-loss--5626029/support.
Please welcome to our show, #MallaryTenoreTarpley, mom, journalism professor at UT Austin, and author of SLIP, Life in the Middle of Eating-Disorder Recovery. Mallary wrote this book to help others struggling with what she calls "the middle," a gray space between sickness and recovery. Her story is a raw one. Having lost her mother at age eleven, she went deep with an eating disorder, being treated for anorexia and spending years in and out of treatment at Boston Children's Hospital and other centers. She said in her book that she felt recovery was not within reach for her, but she works at it every day. There's hope. There's a way to heal, even if you relapse and find yourself in the middle. That's okay. Mallary says she discovered through therapy that she mentally wanted her body to stay at the age she was when she lost her mother. Her father tried everything, fearing he would lose his daughter and eventually had her treated in hospital. But it didn't end there. She talks about the disorder, triggers, treatment, relapse, and brings it to present day, being married with two children. Please join me in welcoming Mallary on all video and audio podcast platforms of #DeborahKobyltLIVE, and invite your friends and family to this important conversation. I'm your host, #DeborahZaraKobylt, and it's my pleasure to welcome you here.
The news of Texas covered today includes:Our Lone Star story of the day: News from the 1st Called Session of the 89th Texas Legislature: Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Announces Legislation for the First Called Special Session of the 89th Legislature THC poisoning calls in Texas tripled since hemp legalization Abbott says he supports THC ban on intoxicating hemp products How legislators can instantly save taxpayers about $100 million These Democrat-held Congressional districts could be the target of Texas GOP redistricting push House Dems say they won't work on other legislation until Hill Country floods are addressed Our Lone Star story of the day is sponsored by Allied Compliance Services providing the best service in DOT, business and personal drug and alcohol testing since 1995.NEW: Local government public debt sorted by state House district.New University of Texas system chancellor named and UT-Austin president named. From down the road in San Marcos: Texas State University Course Promoted LGBT Ideology.Harris County Taxpayers Foot $1.1 Million Bill for Illegal Alien Legal Defense; Fort Bliss Receives $1.26B Contract For Immigration Detention Center; Mexico Lying to Trump — Cartel Bosses Work Unimpeded in Michoacan.Listen on the radio, or station stream, at 5pm Central. Click for our radio and streaming affiliates.www.PrattonTexas.com
Today I'm speaking with Marcus Golding, historian and Director of Educational Operations at ClioVis. ClioVis is an incredible software and learning tool that allows educators and studies to create digital timelines, network visualizations, and interactive presentations. Founded by UT Austin history professor Erika Bsumek, ClioVis is made for professors and teachers by current professors and scholars. I'm thrilled to get the chance today to speak with Marcus about this software to share with our listeners how they can enhance their own work and teaching. Visit ClioVis' website to learn more: Click Here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Today I'm speaking with Marcus Golding, historian and Director of Educational Operations at ClioVis. ClioVis is an incredible software and learning tool that allows educators and studies to create digital timelines, network visualizations, and interactive presentations. Founded by UT Austin history professor Erika Bsumek, ClioVis is made for professors and teachers by current professors and scholars. I'm thrilled to get the chance today to speak with Marcus about this software to share with our listeners how they can enhance their own work and teaching. Visit ClioVis' website to learn more: Click Here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history
Today I'm speaking with Marcus Golding, historian and Director of Educational Operations at ClioVis. ClioVis is an incredible software and learning tool that allows educators and studies to create digital timelines, network visualizations, and interactive presentations. Founded by UT Austin history professor Erika Bsumek, ClioVis is made for professors and teachers by current professors and scholars. I'm thrilled to get the chance today to speak with Marcus about this software to share with our listeners how they can enhance their own work and teaching. Visit ClioVis' website to learn more: Click Here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/military-history
In this deeply profound panel hosted by the Thomistic Institute at UT Austin, two renowned philosophers — Dr. J. Budziszewski and Dr. Scott Roniger — dive into one of the most ancient and enduring questions in moral philosophy: Does vice carry its own punishment? With references ranging from Aristotle and Augustine to Dostoevsky and Shakespeare, the speakers explore conscience, natural law, self-knowledge, and the metaphysical consequences of wrongdoing. This lecture goes far beyond the legal and social implications of morality, offering a rich philosophical and theological account of how wrongdoing disorders the soul — and why this may be the clearest evidence of divine justice.
Today I'm speaking with Marcus Golding, historian and Director of Educational Operations at ClioVis. ClioVis is an incredible software and learning tool that allows educators and studies to create digital timelines, network visualizations, and interactive presentations. Founded by UT Austin history professor Erika Bsumek, ClioVis is made for professors and teachers by current professors and scholars. I'm thrilled to get the chance today to speak with Marcus about this software to share with our listeners how they can enhance their own work and teaching. Visit ClioVis' website to learn more: Click Here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history
Today I'm speaking with Marcus Golding, historian and Director of Educational Operations at ClioVis. ClioVis is an incredible software and learning tool that allows educators and studies to create digital timelines, network visualizations, and interactive presentations. Founded by UT Austin history professor Erika Bsumek, ClioVis is made for professors and teachers by current professors and scholars. I'm thrilled to get the chance today to speak with Marcus about this software to share with our listeners how they can enhance their own work and teaching. Visit ClioVis' website to learn more: Click Here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today on Speaking Out of Place we have a special episode on the war in Iran. Scholars and activists Persis Karim and Manijeh Moradian discuss both the Iranian national issues involved as well as the regional context, connecting this war with the genocide in Gaza and Israel's extensive wars elsewhere. At stake is both Iranian sovereignty and the calls for so-called “regime change.” We question the use of that term, delve into how the struggle for liberation in Iran rejects both the repressive Islamic state and the US/Israeli war machine. Our discussion draws the frightening parallels between Iran's stifling of dissent and imprisonment of political enemies and others with our own government's. Finally, we recall the Woman, Life, Freedom movement and build hope for international solidarity with groups working for liberation in Iran, Palestine, and elsewhere, and insist liberation will never be achieved by dropping bombs. Persis Karim teaches in the Department of Humanities and Comparative and World Literature at San Francisco State University. She was the creator and director of the Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies during its entire existence there. Since 1999, she has been actively working to expand the field of Iranian Diaspora Studies, beginning with the first anthology of Iranian writing she co-edited, A World Between: Poems, Short Stories and Essays by Iranian-Americans. She is the editor of two other anthologies of Iranian diaspora literature: Let Me Tell You Where I've Been: New Writing by Women of the Iranian Diaspora, and Tremors: New Fiction by Iranian-American Writers. Before coming to San Francisco State, she was a professor of English & Comparative Literature at San Jose State where she was the founder and director of the Persian Studies program, and coordinator of the Middle East Studies Minor. She has published numerous articles about Iranian diaspora literature and culture for academic publications including Iranian Studies, Comparative Studies of South Asian, African and Middle East Studies (CSSAMES), and MELUS: Multi-Ethnic Literatures of the United States. “The Dawn is Too Far: Stories of Iranian-American Life,” is her first film project (co-directed and co-produced with Soumyaa Behrens). She received her Master's in Middle East Studies and her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from UT Austin. She is also a poet.Manijeh Moradian is assistant professor of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Barnard College, Columbia University. Her book, This Flame Within: Iranian Revolutionaries in the United States, was published by Duke University Press in December 2022. She has published widely including in American Quarterly, Journal of Asian American Studies, Scholar & Feminist online, and Women's Studies Quarterly. She is a founding member of the Raha Iranian Feminist Collective and on the editorial board of the Jadaliyya.com Iran Page.
Global birth rates are collapsing—sometimes to half the level needed to keep populations stable. UT-Austin's Michael Geruso explains how that trend could shrink the world's population from eight billion to three billion in just three generations. He unpacks the silent drivers behind falling fertility, why cash incentives rarely work, and what disappearing people mean for innovation, cities, pensions, and geopolitical power. If you've never worried about a world that's too small, this conversation will change your mind.
PREVIEW: Professor John Yoo of Berkeley Law and UT Austin comments on the legal authority and the SCOTUS precedent for POTUS directing National Guard and US Marines to scenes of unrest. More later. JULY 1863 DRAFT RUIT NYC
In a world where remote work, Slack threads, and Zoom fatigue dominate, The Art of Charm welcomes Andrew Brodsky, management professor at UT Austin and author of Ping: The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication. This episode is a masterclass in how to reclaim productivity, enhance visibility, and communicate strategically in a virtual-first world. Andrew introduces the PING Framework — a practical toolkit for navigating digital communication with precision, warmth, and power. If you're feeling drained by back-to-back video calls, unclear on how to network virtually, or unsure how to make your contributions seen and respected — this episode offers the clarity you've been craving. What to Listen For [00:00:00] The one question almost no one asks that instantly improves meetings [00:04:39] Media richness, cue variety, and why Zoom still feels awkward [00:11:43] Introducing the PING Framework: Perspective, Initiative, Nonverbal, Goals [00:16:44] How to create communication boundaries and stop feeling “always on” [00:25:43] Generational differences and why Gen Z hates the thumbs-up emoji [00:29:05] The visibility trap of remote work and how to build presence [00:35:25] Cold messaging: why successful people are more likely to respond than you think [00:44:03] Why asking for advice increases perceived competence — not weakness [00:48:54] How to rekindle faded relationships without making it weird [00:53:47] Bringing back the “virtual water cooler” [00:57:53] Mimicry and digital nonverbal cues that build instant trust Episode Takeaways: Stop defaulting to email or video — ask how people prefer to communicate. It's a subtle power move that builds trust fast. Productivity ≠ Visibility. If no one knows what you're doing, it doesn't count. The people you look up to are getting fewer cold messages than you think. Stand out with brevity, specificity, and a simple ask. Remote communication is not inferior — it's different. Use the PING Framework (Perspective, Initiative, Nonverbal, Goals) to choose the best format for your message. Want better work-life balance? Define communication norms with your team. A thoughtful reconnection text can mean more than you think. A Word From Our Sponsors Tired of awkward handshakes and collecting business cards without building real connections? Dive into our Free Social Capital Networking Masterclass. Learn practical strategies to make your interactions meaningful and boost your confidence in any social situation. Sign up for free at theartofcharm.com/sc and elevate your networking from awkward to awesome. Don't miss out on a network of opportunities! Unleash the power of covert networking to infiltrate high-value circles and build a 7-figure network in just 90 days. Ready to start? Check out our CIA-proven guide to networking like a spy! Indulge in affordable luxury with Quince—where high-end essentials meet unbeatable prices. Upgrade your wardrobe today at quince.com/charm for free shipping and hassle-free returns. Ready to turn your business idea into reality? Shopify makes it easy to start, scale, and succeed—whether you're launching a side hustle or building the next big brand. Sign up for your $1/month trial at shopify.com/charm. Need to hire top talent—fast? Skip the waiting game and get more qualified applicants with Indeed. Claim your $75 Sponsored Job Credit now at Indeed.com/charm. Curious about your influence level? Get your Influence Index Score today! Take this 60-second quiz to find out how your influence stacks up against top performers at theartofcharm.com/influence. Resources from this Episode Ping: The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication Andrew Brodsky's website Ping Group's website Check in with AJ and Johnny! AJ on LinkedIn Johnny on LinkedIn AJ on Instagram Johnny on Instagram The Art of Charm on Instagram The Art of Charm on YouTube The Art of Charm on TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices