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
129 episodes
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 Football<...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 96
•
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...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 6
•
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...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 95
•
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...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 5
•
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...
•
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...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 4
•
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...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 94
•
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...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 3
•
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...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 93
•
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...
•
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...
•
Season 3
•
Episode 1
•
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...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 92
•
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...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 91
•
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 ...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 90
•
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...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 89
•
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...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 88
•
35:28
Episode 87 – Finding the Good News with Tressa Glover
In this episode of The People of Penn State, we welcome Tressa Glover ('97, A&A), actor, writer, and host of the Pittsburgh-based podcast Yinz Are Good.Yinz Are Good is dedicated to spotlighting the ...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 87
•
47:16
Episode 86 – Paint, Paws, and Pucks with Tom Mosser, owner of Tom Mosser Design
In this episode of The People of Penn State, we sit down with Tom Mosser ('82, A&A), founder of Tom Mosser Design and Lucas Paw, LLC.Tom shares the story behind his inventive artistic style, ranging from his uniq...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 86
•
39:11
Episode 85 – Living Life Boldly, With Arianna Davis from TODAY
In this episode of The People of Penn State, Katie sits down with Arianna Davis (’09 Com), the Digital Editorial Director at TODAY.Arianna leads the TODAY Show's digital strategy and freque...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 85
•
29:16
Episode 84 — Adaptive Sports Medicine, With Victoria Heasley, MD
In this episode of The People of Penn State, we speak with Dr. Victoria Heasley (’14 Eng - Schreyer, ’18g Medicine), assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati in the departments of Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics, Physical Med...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 84
•
33:14
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...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 83
•
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...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 82
•
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...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 81
•
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...
•
Season 5
•
Episode 80
•
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)
•
Season 5
•
Episode 79
•
47:29
