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
137 episodes
Episode 99–Pop, Passion & Penn State with Nancy Rosenberg
On this episode of The People of Penn State podcast, we chat with Nancy Rosenberg ('19, Com), Senior Director of Marketing & Creative Services at Crowd Surf. Nancy reflects on her time in the Bellisario College of Communications, what it wa...
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Season 5
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Episode 99
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22:20
Football Letter Podcast: Theresa Colligon ’93
In serving as president of our Southern New Jersey Chapter, Theresa Colligon ’93 is continuing her lifelong connection to Penn State. She took classes for two years at Penn State Abington (formerly Penn State Ogontz) and finished her degree at ...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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26:53
Football Letter Podcast: John Colwell ’16
This week's episode features John Colwell ’16, social media chair for the New York City Chapter. John received the 2025 Joan M. McLane Recent Alumnus/Alumna Award for “revolutionizing” the chapter’s ability to engage with local alumni through s...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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20:32
Episode 98–Planting the Seeds of Passion and Purpose with Audrey Subers
On this episode of The People of Penn State podcast, we talk with Audrey Subers (’23 Eng), an entrepreneur inspiring environmental education through event planning.Audrey earned her degree in biological engineering and was heavily invol...
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Season 5
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Episode 98
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42:13
Football Letter Podcast: Isaac Smolko ’06
This week's episode features letterman tight end Isaac Smolko, a key contributor to the 2005 team that finished 11-1 and No. 3 in the country while winning the Big Ten and besting Florida State in a three-overtime epic clash in the Orange Bowl....
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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25:02
Football Letter Podcast: Sam Cipar ’16
This week's episode features Sam Cipar ’16, president of our Greater Chicago Chapter. Sam discusses how he first started volunteering with the chapter, how fellow Penn Staters can get involved with their local chapter, and much more...
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26:42
Episode 97–Mentorship, Media, and Making It Happen with Adriana Lacy
In this episode of The People of Penn State podcast, we chat with Adriana Lacy (’18 Com), an award-winning journalist, entrepreneur, and digital media strategist.As Founder and CEO of Adriana Lacy Consulting, she helps pu...
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Season 5
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Episode 97
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18:51
Football Letter Podcast: Michael Kozar ’11, ’11g
This week's episode features Michael Kozar ’11, ’11g, a two-time Penn State grad and co-president of our Tallahassee Chapter. An expert meteorologist who earned his Ph.D. from Florida State, learn how Michael's time at Penn State molded ...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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21:12
Live from the Sidelines with Lisa Salters
In this episode of The People of Penn State podcast, we sit down with Lisa Salters (’88 Com), an Emmy-winning sports reporter with more than 30 years of experience. As the longest-tenured sideline reporter in Monday Night Fo...
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Season 5
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Episode 96
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29:01
Football Letter Podcast: Brian Shaunessy ’86
Brian Shaunessy knows the Penn State experience well, having attended Penn State Brandywine and University Park. A 1986 graduate of the Smeal College of Business, Shaunessy danced in THON as a student and has stayed involved with local chapters...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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26:53
Episode 95–Storytelling on a Global Stage with Brett King
On this episode of The People of Penn State podcast, we sit down with Brett King (’81 Lib), producer, creative consultant, and longtime media executive.As the founder of NON LP B-SIDE, Brett partners with legacy media, em...
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Season 5
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Episode 95
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40:12
Football Letter Podcast: Dominic DeFreece ’01
Dominic DeFreece ’01 has always been driven to give back and serve his community. The former sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves, DeFreece continues to make an impact as president of our Berks County Chapter. It's a family effort, as Dominic's w...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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38:39
Football Letter Podcast: Steven Williams ’14g
A highly accomplished player and coach, Steven Williams ’14g spent several seasons in Happy Valley (2012-15), serving as an offensive and defensive assistant and assistant strength and conditioning coach. With the Nittany Lions, he created week...
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23:31
Football Letter Podcast: Lehigh Valley Chapter
Volunteer leaders Joe Huxta ’71 and Michael Turk ’87 have deep ties to Penn State and possess a strong sense of volunteerism, especially with wanting to give back to the University and our alumni. In overseeing our Lehigh Valley Cha...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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40:59
Episode 94–Turning Concepts into Connections with Laura McKinney
On this episode of The People of Penn State podcast, we chat with Laura McKinney (’20 Com), founder of StrataBrand.After graduating amid a global pandemic, Laura took the skills she developed at Penn State to New York City, wher...
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Season 5
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Episode 94
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22:58
Football Letter Podcast: Janelle Rushton ’15
This week's episode features Janelle Rushton ’15, longtime volunteer leader for our Philadelphia Chapter and current president-elect of our H&HD Alumni Society. Janelle discussed her path to becoming a Penn Stater, the mission o...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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30:05
Episode 93–Riding for a Cure with Joe Apgar
In this episode of The People of Penn State podcast, we talk with Joe Apgar (’08 Bus), CEO of Pelotonia.During his senior year at Penn State, Joe was diagnosed with testicular cancer. After his recovery, he began riding and fund...
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Season 5
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Episode 93
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37:29
Football Letter Podcast: Jim Keib ’11g
This week's episode features Jim Keib ’11g, president of our Greater Syracuse Chapter. Jim discussed following in his son's footsteps when he earned his graduate degree from World Campus in 2011, memories of spending time with his family on the...
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38:38
Football Letter Podcast: Bethany Pace ’95, ’98g
The season premiere features volunteer leader Bethany Pace ’95, ’98g, vice president of our Upper Chesapeake Chapter. The two-time Penn State grad shared wonderful stories of her time at Penn State, why she’s kept the sweatshirt she bought down...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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32:39
Episode 92–Hitting the Right Notes with John Maurer
In this episode of The People of Penn State, we chat with John Maurer ('15g A&A), a trumpet and flugelhorn artist, educator, and recording musician who has performed across North America. He teaches trumpet at Marywood U...
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Season 5
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Episode 92
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44:55
Episode 91–The Road to Music Industry Success with Drew Magid
In this episode of The People of Penn State podcast, we spotlight Drew Magid ('11 Com), a music industry leader and founding member of Track Management.Drew has toured the globe with superstar acts including Imagine Dragons, Cha...
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Season 5
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Episode 91
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26:58
Episode 90–Where Pitch Meets Publish with Kylee McGuigan
On this episode of The People of Penn State, we chat with Kylee McGuigan (’20 Com), Associate Production Manager for Vogue.com. Kylee always dreamed of living in New York City and working in fashion. But ...
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Season 5
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Episode 90
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27:35
Episode 89–From Theater to Psychology with Aaron Brinen, PsyD
On this episode of The People of Penn State podcast, we talk with Aaron P. Brinen, PsyD (‘97, A&A).Dr. Brinen is a co-developer of recovery-oriented cognitive therapy (CT-R), co-author of the original CT-R manual, and...
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Season 5
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Episode 89
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39:16
Episode 88–Life in the Air Force with Dr. Jenni Hesterman
In this episode of The People of Penn State, we talk with Dr. Jenni Hesterman ('86, EMS), a retired U.S. Air Force colonel with an incredible story of leadership, service, and exploration.Dr. Hesterman served in three Pentagon t...
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Season 5
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Episode 88
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35:28