RAY FOUCHÉ: I mean, we have a lot of privilege to be in the University and think deeply about society, culture and identity, race. But if we just let it exist in the University, it’s a very small community.
NAMARA LWANSA: That was Communication Prof. Ray Fouché, who plans to release his podcast this summer. Fouché said he uses podcasts to translate his research on Black athletes and political involvement into something people can engage with during everyday life.
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NAMARA LWANSA: From The Daily Northwestern, I’m Namara Lwansa. This is What’s New at NU, a podcast about everything from mainstream Northwestern issues and events to those hidden in the nooks and crannies of campus.
At NU, professors, advisers and students are using podcasts and audio storytelling to make conversations more accessible, bringing ideas beyond classrooms, office walls and academic journals.
While journal articles often require specialized language and strict formatting, podcasting creates room for longer, more conversational storytelling. Fouché said one of his projects grew out of the limitations of academic writing.
RAY FOUCHÉ: The paper had to be 8,000 words. And we actually had more to talk about it than 8,000 words. So part of it was trying to spin out a whole series of questions about what it means to be Black athletes, Black politics, Black radicals or traditions. How can we get this conversation to move from the late ’60s to this current moment?
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NAMARA LWANSA: Some University staff members are also using audio platforms to support students. Allen Green, assistant director for career advancement at Northwestern Career Advancement, has a podcast called Career Tea in 10, where he offers academic advising and career advice outside of scheduled appointments.
ALLEN GREEN: I wanted to create a resource that can be helpful; it can be on demand, it can be things that you all could use very easily. I know students are fans of trying to multitask and maximize their time as much as they can. So, I was just thinking if I could create a cool career resource that students can, you know, listen to.
NAMARA LWANSA: For many creators, starting a podcast can still feel intimidating. Questions about equipment, editing and publishing often stop people before they even begin, but not for Green.
ALLEN GREEN: Once I was able to leverage technology and do some research to figure out like, you don’t need to be an expert to do this, it gave me confidence to be able to move forward with it.
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NAMARA LWANSA: Students on campus have also been involved in podcasting through the Waldron Student Association, which gives students the opportunity to contribute to the Weinberg in the World podcast.
Weinberg first-year Zifan Wang, became a first-time podcaster. She said the experience was especially enjoyable because it gave her the chance to talk with professionals and receive valuable advice.
ZIFAN WANG: It’s really interesting to talk to a person like one-on-one, and you get to have a prolonged time to have a discussion with them, and you get to ask questions that you care about.
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NAMARA LWANSA: From The Daily Northwestern, I’m Namara Lwansa. Thanks for listening to another episode of What’s New at NU. This episode was reported and produced by Namara Lwansa.
The audio editor is Wallis Rogin. The multimedia managing editors are Ruby Dowling, Isabella Jacob and Matt Wasilewski. The editor-in-chief is Anavi Prakash.
Follow us on X and Instagram @thedailynu.
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