The People of Penn State
Welcome to the People of Penn State Podcast — the podcast from the Penn State Alumni Association that brings you the incredible stories of Nittany Lions making their mark on the world!
Each episode, a rotating cast of hosts sit down with Penn State alumni who are changing the game in business, science, sports, the arts, and beyond. You never know who you'll hear from next — but you do know it'll be a conversation worth tuning in for!
Episodes
109 episodes
Episode 83 — Drawing A Laugh A Day, With Award-Winning Cartoonist Dave Blazek
Ever think it’s too late to start something new? Think again!This week on The People of Penn State, we’re joined by Dave Blazek ('79), an award-winning cartoonist behind the syndicated comic "Loose Parts." Dave has drawn a cartoon...
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Season 5
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Episode 83
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49:54
Episode 82 — From Scones to Stardom, With Chef Danielle Sepsy
In this episode, we’re diving into the world of pastries, perseverance, and passion with Chef Danielle Sepsy ('12), founder and creative genius behind The Hungry Gnome, the popular and innovative wholesale bakery and catering co...
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Season 5
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Episode 82
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49:25
Episode 81 — Marketing with Impact: Citi's Mikel Jones On Brand Strategy, Sponsorships and Social Change
In this episode of The People of Penn State, we're joined by Mikel Jones ('15), Senior Vice President of Marketing and Content at Citi.Mikel explores the intersection of brand strategy, sponsorships, and social impact. From...
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Season 5
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Episode 81
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31:41
Episode 80 — Making Connection Easy: Alumnus Chad Littlefield’s Formula For Meaningful Conversations
In a world where true connection can feel harder than ever, how can we foster meaningful conversations that build trust and engagement? In this episode, we sit down with Chad Littlefield ('13, '15g) , co-founder and Chief Experience Offi...
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Season 5
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Episode 80
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38:46
Episode 79 — From Penn State To The Premier Lacrosse League, With TJ Malone and Jack Posey
Two episodes in one day? That's crazy talk! 🤯We’re kicking off Season Five of The People of Penn State with another fantastic conversation—this time featuring former Penn State men’s lacrosse stars TJ Malone ('23, '23 MBAN, '24 MBA)
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Season 5
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Episode 79
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47:29
Episode 78 — Being A Part Of The Penn State Wrestling Dynasty, With Nick Lee '21
What does it take to be part of one of the most dominant college athletics programs of all time? 🏆 On the Season Five premier of The People of Penn State Podcast, we step onto the mat with Nick Lee '21—NCAA Champion, Penn Sta...
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Season 5
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Episode 78
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43:53
Episode 77 — What It's Like Being A Television Meteorologist, With Tim Buckley '09
Tim Buckley '09 is a television meteorologist covering all types of weather in North Carolina. Tim has covered snow, tornadoes, floods, and multiple hurricanes across the state, from Matthew to Florence to Sandy and Helene. He’s receive...
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Season 4
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Episode 77
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48:06
Episode 76 — Abandoned Mine Reclamation And Environmental Education, With Robert Hughes '95
Robert Hughes '95 has 30 years of experience in abandoned mine land reclamation, water pollution control technologies, environmental education, and capacity building in coalfield communities throughout Pennsylvania. As the Executive Dir...
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Season 4
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Episode 76
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34:02
Episode 75 — Revolutionizing The Standard For Women’s Health, With Julia Schuller '17
Julia Schuller '17, Schuylkill is a seasoned marketing professional known for driving branding, product strategy and innovation at companies like Merck, The Hershey Company, and P&G. Julia is the co-founder of Bloom Health, ...
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Season 4
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Episode 75
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30:12
Episode 74 — Transforming Healthcare Coaching, With Lillian Liang Emlet '95
As a certified energy leadership coach, Lillian Liang Emlet '95 helps healthcare professionals find their unique path to finding fulfillment at work, achieving their goals, and finding clarity on their journey in life. Coaches at Lillia...
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Season 4
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Episode 74
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43:54
Episode 73 — Penn State Football Letterman And Longtime Coach, Tom Bradley '78
We have a Penn State football legend on today's episode of The People of Penn State, just in time for the Nittany Lions' College Football Playoff matchup with SMU this weekend!Tom "Scrap" Bradley '78 played for Penn State as a standout ...
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Season 4
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Episode 73
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33:59
Football Letter Podcast: Alumni Association CEO Paul Clifford '20g / Asheville (NC) Chapter President Mandi Duggan '99
The College Football Playoff is here and so is another episode of The Football Letter Podcast!This week on the podcast, we're joined by Alumni Association CEO Paul Clifford '20g and Asheville (NC) Chapter President Mandi Duggan '99.
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50:56
Episode 72 — The Business Of Women's Sports, With Caroline Fitzgerald '12
Caroline Fitzgerald '12 is a leading expert on the business side of women’s sports and a thought leader around gender equity in sports. In 2020, Caroline founded the women’s sports business media outlet & consultancy, GOALS, and cre...
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Season 4
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Episode 72
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51:26
Episode 71 — Next Level Chef Season 3 Champion, Gabrielle Chappel '16
Gabrielle Chappel has risen to culinary fame as the Season 3 winner of FOX's hit TV show "Next Level Chef," earning a coveted mentorship with Chef Gordon Ramsay through 2025!Based in Los Angeles, Gabrielle graduated from Penn State in 2...
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50:38
Football Letter Podcast: Oregon Chapter President, Zach Schroeder '04
We're heading out west for this week's Football Letter Podcast as we talk with Oregon Chapter President, Zach Schroeder '04!Oregon is now Big Ten country and Zach joined the show to discuss how he played a part in reigniting the Oregon ...
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38:16
Football Letter Podcast: Michigan Chapter President, Brodie Schultz '15, '17g
This week’s episode of The Football Letter Podcast features Michigan Chapter President, Brodie Schultz '15, '17g! Brodie joined the show to discuss a variety of topics, including staying engaged with Penn State as a volunteer leader, ma...
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35:38
Episode 70 — Mental Health Awareness In Young People, With Emily Turner ’17
Emily Turner '17 is the co-founder and current board member of the Patrick’s Purpose Foundation, a southern California based nonprofit focused on improving mental health and wellness of teens and young adults.The organization is named i...
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Season 4
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Episode 70
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37:27
Football Letter Podcast: Florida Suncoast Chapter
This week's episode of The Football Letter Podcast features a great conversation with longtime volunteer leader, Chuck Wall. Chuck is the President of our Suncoast Chapter in Florida and much of his life has been connected to Penn...
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35:02
Football Letter Podcast: Game Days At Beaver Stadium And Beyond With The Penn State Blue Band
This week on The Football Letter Podcast we're talking about the Penn State Blue Band with Associate Director of Athletic Bands, Micki Potlunas Ferguson '07, '21g! In addition to her duties with the Blue Band, Micki is also a Penn State faculty...
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40:26
Football Letter Podcast: Big Ten And Super Bowl Champion, Grant Haley
It's Ohio State week for Penn State Football, so who better to have on the podcast than Nittany Lion letterman Grant Haley, whose iconic scoop and score on a blocked field goal helped the Nittany Lions capture their memorable upset win over the...
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40:15
Episode 69 — Becoming A Certified Flight Instructor At The United Aviate Academy With Erin Hogge '21
We have liftoff on Season 4 of The People of Penn State 🛫Erin Hogge ‘21 is a certified flight instructor at United Aviate Academy based in Phoenix, AZ. Erin started her pilot training in 2023, earning her commercial pilot and flight ins...
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Season 4
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Episode 69
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38:38
Football Letter Podcast: Black Alumni Reunion / Madison Chapter
This week's episode of The Football Letter podcast features two standout volunteer leaders. Alumni Council member and President of the African American Alumni Organization (AAAO) of Washington, D.C., Jeremy O'Mard '13 Behrend, talks abo...
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48:58
Football Letter Podcast: Los Angeles Chapter President Heather Maggi '13
This week's episode of The Football Letter Podcast features our Los Angeles Chapter President, Heather Maggi '13!Heather joined the podcast to talk about a variety of topics, including:Penn State's trip to USC this weekend;<...
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29:22
Episode 68 — 2023 American Mothers, Inc. National Mother of the Year, Dr. Lori Johnson-Vegas
In this episode of The People of Penn State, we're joined by Dr. Lori Johnson-Vegas '83, '22 PhD. In 2023, Lori was awarded "National Mother of the Year" honors from American Mothers, Inc. She has also previously been recognized as...
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Season 3
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Episode 67
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40:24
Football Letter Podcast: Greater Boston Chapter / Central Texas Chapter
There's a young alumni theme to this week's episode of The Football Letter Podcast! We're joined by Immediate-Past President of the Central Texas Chapter, Derek Turner '17 and Communications Chair of the Greater Boston Chapter, Andrew F...
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57:31
