Best Alumni Organization Podcasts (2025)

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Engage First, Then Inform: A Better Way to Start Any Communication 6:38

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4d ago6:38

6:38

On this episode I share a principle that shows up again and again in great communication but is often overlooked by professionals: you have to earn attention before you earn understanding. Too many presentations, meetings, and messages begin with dense context, background, or data. But audiences don't start in "information-processing mode." They st…

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Structure Matters: Why Good Ideas Need Great Organization 7:40

4d ago7:40

7:40

Structure isn't a formatting exercise. It's the foundation of every clear, persuasive communication. Whether you're giving a presentation, writing an email, or leading a meeting, structure is the difference between an idea that gets ignored and an idea that creates action. In the latest episode of Conversations on Careers and Professional Life, we …

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The ABCs of Professional Communication: Active Brief And Clear 8:06

4d ago8:06

8:06

On this episode, I cover the ABCs of professional communication, just as I teach them to my MBA students. One of the simplest ways to elevate your professional communication—whether you're writing an email, pitching a strategy, or presenting to senior leaders—is to filter your message through three words: Active, Brief, and Clear. They sound basic,…

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Creating the TXST Cold Case Team with Dr. Jaymi Elsass 26:11

5d ago26:11

26:11

In the 23rd episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks to Dr. Jaymi Elsass, associate professor of instruction in the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology. They discuss her academic journey leading up to joining TXST, her research on the moral panic surrounding mass shootings, and the creation of the TXST Cold Case Team with the Texas…

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Behind the Badge: A Conversation with Retired FBI Agent Utley Noble, LA’85, JD’88 1:12:49

17d ago1:12:49

1:12:49

Step inside the world of high-stakes investigations with Utley Noble, LA’85, JD’88, a retired FBI agent whose career spanned some of the nation’s most consequential cases. From leading a multi-state search in a nationally known student abduction to collecting evidence at Ground Zero after 9/11, Noble has seen it all. In this Everclass, he shares ho…

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Preparing the Next Generation of Teachers with Dr. Michael O’Malley 24:59

19d ago24:59

24:59

In the 22nd episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks to Dr. Michael O’Malley, dean of the College of Education and professor of Educational and Community Leadership. They discuss how he changed academic paths and landed on education, his journey of becoming a dean, and how the university is preparing the next generation of teachers in Tex…

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Navigating a Diagnosis for Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Dr. Kristen Howell 26:43

26d ago26:43

26:43

In the 21st episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks to his daughter, Dr. Kristen Howell, assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Texas A&M University. They discuss how she changed paths from medical school to epidemiology, the passion she’s had for cancer research throughout her life, and her journey of…

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Logos, Ethos, Pathos: The Ancient Keys to Modern Persuasion 8:00

26d ago8:00

8:00

Logos, Ethos, Pathos: The Ancient Keys to Modern Persuasion In this episode of Conversations on Communication, I explore three timeless principles that sit at the heart of all persuasive communication: Logos, Ethos, and Pathos. They come from Aristotle, but their power is as relevant today in an MBA classroom, a boardroom, or a client meeting as it…

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Start with the Answer: The Minto Pyramid Principle 7:33

28d ago7:33

7:33

In this episode of Conversations on Careers and Professional Life, I explire one of the most powerful frameworks for structuring clear, persuasive business communication: the Minto Pyramid Principle. The framework, created by Barbara Minto at McKinsey, is a simple but transformative way to organize ideas. Think of your communication as a pyramid: A…

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From ESPN to the Classroom: A Conversation with David Lubbers, JO'86 1:13:42

1M ago1:13:42

1:13:42

Join us for a fascinating discussion with David Lubbers, JO’86—former ESPN investigative producer and award-winning sports journalist—now Assistant Professor of Multimedia News Journalism at Drake. Over nearly two decades at ESPN, Lubbers produced stories for E:60, Outside the Lines, and SportsCenter, covering everything from Super Bowls to Michael…

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The Rich History of the Texas State Strutters with Selina Lloyd 23:05

1M ago23:05

23:05

In the 20th episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks to Selina Lloyd, director of the Texas State Strutters. They discuss how her dream of being a teacher morphed into a dance instructor and how they’re similar, the ins and outs of being a Strutter, and the rich history of the world-renowned dance team. Listen to new episodes of The Curre…

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The AIM Framework 7:40

1M ago7:40

7:40

The AIM Framework: The Compass for Every Communication" Welcome to Conversations on Careers and Professional Life, on this series, I'm going to turn lessons from my MBA course, Professional Communication into practical insights you can use every day. I'm Gregory Heller, and today we're diving into one of the simplest—but most powerful—tools in comm…

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Preparing Bobcats for their Career Paths with Ray Rogers 25:47

2M ago25:47

25:47

In the 19th episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks to Ray Rogers, director of TXST’s Career Services. They discuss how he found his way to the university after spending time at other institutions, how the Career Services staff helps students get their careers started while at TXST and after they graduate, and the importance of being par…

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Pints and Policy: Can Craft Brewing Unite Us 54:00

2M ago54:00

54:00

Craft beer is booming—but can it help reconnect our divided communities? Join Noreen Otto, LW’06, executive director of the Iowa Brewers Guild, for an engaging look at the economic and social impact of craft brewing. She’ll explore shifting consumer habits, emerging policy issues, and the creative evolution of the industry. You’ll also get expert t…

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Bats to Cats ACC to TXST Transfer Partnership with Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart 27:40

2M ago27:40

27:40

In the 18th episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks to Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, chancellor for Austin Community College District. They discuss his journey into a career in higher education, his love for working with community college students and advocating for them, and the Bats to Cats guaranteed transfer program between TXST and ACC. …

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Inside College Athletics with Brian Hardin: NIL, March Madness & the Making of a Golden Era 1:13:00

2M ago1:13:00

1:13:00

Join us for an insider Everclass with Brian Hardin, Des Moines native and Director of Athletics at Drake University. Since 2017, Hardin has led Drake through its “golden era,” marked by record academic, competitive, and fundraising achievements. In this session, Hardin shares candid insights on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and its impact on stud…

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Taking TXST Football to New Heights with Head Coach GJ Kinne 41:02

3M ago41:02

41:02

In this bonus episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks with GJ Kinne, head coach of the TXST Bobcats football team. They discuss his playing career from high school through the NFL, how his journey led him to wanting to be a head coach, hitting the ground running once he got to San Marcos, and his favorite moments from the recent success …

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Getting Involved with Student Organizations with Raven Griffin and Kaison Ward 24:02

3M ago24:02

24:02

In the 17th episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks with students Raven Griffin, president of the Bobcat Belles, and Kaison Ward, president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Black Presidents’ Council. They discuss the similarities and differences between student organizations and academic student organizations, how to get invo…

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Team USA, Bulldog Roots: A Conversation with Reed Fischer, AS'17, JO'17 1:09:37

3M ago1:09:37

1:09:37

Join us for an inspiring Everclass session featuring two Drake Bulldogs who are making big moves on the world stage. As Team USA gears up for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, two familiar names are heading overseas: Reed Fischer, a standout 2017 Drake grad and elite marathoner, and Blake Boldon, current Franklin P. Johnson Director …

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Umar Johnson In Retrospect His Downfall Scams Lies FDMG Will Be Auctioned 2:04:05

3M ago2:04:05

2:04:05

Umar Johnson’s legacy is under the microscope. In this episode, we take a deep dive into his rise and downfall, exploring the scams, lies, financial mismanagement, and the truth about FDMG Academy possibly being auctioned. From broken promises to unanswered questions, we unpack what really happened and what it means for the community that once beli…

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Serving up Culinary Experiences in San Marcos with Chase and Seth Katz 24:33

4M ago24:33

24:33

In the 16th episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks with alum Chase Katz and brother Seth Katz, the duo behind popular eateries in San Marcos, including Dos Gatos Kolache Bakery, Zelicks Icehouse, Pie Society, and North Street Curry Shop. President Damphousse and the Katz Brothers discuss why Chase decided to stay in San Marcos after gra…

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Think Like A Gardener 7:29

4M ago7:29

7:29

On this episode, I talk about something that comes up all the time in my coaching sessions with MBA students—and that's networking. I've talked about it before on the podcast on episode 1202 "Reframe the way you think about networking and asking for help" I'll drop a link in the show notes. I encourage you to go back and give that one a listen. As …

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Lorraine Rise on the Hidden Job Market, Networking, Values Based Careers, and Using AI in the Job Search 48:46

4M ago48:46

48:46

On this episode, I speak with Lorraine Rise, career coach, founder and CEO of Career UpRising and host of the Career UpRising podcast. With a background in federal recruiting, Lorraine has spent a decade empowering mid- and late-career professionals through career pivots and values-driven job searches. We explore: Redefining Networking Learn how sh…

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Waving the TXST Flag at ESPN’s College GameDay with Dr. Abel Guevara III 20:21

4M ago20:21

20:21

In the 15th episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks with alum Dr. Abel Guevara III, an accomplished healthcare executive and member of the Texas State University Alumni Association Board of Directors. They discuss why he applied to be on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, the Health Information Management Program at TXST, and his…

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The Importance of Public Art on Campus on College Campuses with Matthew Mazzotta & Nisa Barger 27:56

5M ago27:56

27:56

In the 14th episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks with artist and activist Matthew Mazzotta. They discuss how he became interested in the intersection of public art and activism, some of his most-known pieces, and how he created the recently installed public art piece at TXST, “Local Habitat” (also known as the Sleeping Bobcat). Presid…

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TXST Joins the Pac-12 Conference with Don Coryell & Brant Freeman 26:52

5M ago26:52

26:52

In this bonus episode of The Current, Athletics Announcer Brant Freeman talks with President Kelly Damphousse and Athletics Director Don Coryell about Texas State University joining the Pac-12 Conference. They discuss why the decision to change conferences was made, what joining the Pac-12 Conference means for the university, and how this milestone…

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From Seaworld to San Marcos CISD Superintendent with Dr. Michael Cardona 21:23

5M ago21:23

21:23

In the 13th episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks with Dr. Michael Cardona, San Marcos Consolidated ISD superintendent. They discuss his changing interests while in college, how he landed on pursuing education administration, the new dual credit program with TXST and San Marcos CISD, and the importance of mentorship. Listen to new epis…

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The New Workplace 57:55

5M ago57:55

57:55

The COVID pandemic reshaped how we work, shifting many from office desks to home setups. As organizations consider office-forward, remote-first, or hybrid strategies, employees have their own preferences. In their new book, The New Workplace: Employee Alignment in Remote-First, Office-Forward, and Hybrid Work Organizations, Drake professors Dr. Rad…

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From Politics to Supporting Student Leaders with Jack Martin 27:11

6M ago27:11

27:11

In the 12th episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks with Jack Martin, TXST Distinguished Alumnus and thought leader in communications, politics, and business. They discuss how he became interested in politics while running for Student Senate at TXST, meeting LBJ during his visits to campus, his time as a Regent, and his support of the Ja…

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Encouraging Dissent for Better Outcomes 35:58

6M ago35:58

35:58

In this episode of the Practitioner Scholar podcast, host Julio Zelaya sits down with Dr. Marikay Forst, a distinguished alumna of the Penn Chief Learning Officer program with over 25 years of experience in learning and development, human resources, and organizational behavior. Dr. Forst shares her academic journey, including her decision to join t…

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The Benefits of Outdoor Therapy and Supporting Foster Alumni w/ Dr. Christine Norton 28:00

6M ago28:00

28:00

In the 11th episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks with Dr. Christine Norton, professor in the School of Social Work. They discuss why she entered the field of social work, her path to becoming a professor at TXST, her work with outdoor behavioral therapy, and the creation of the Foster Alumni Creating Educational Success (FACES) progra…

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Job Search Advice From the Back Catalog For Graduation Season 2:30

6M ago2:30

2:30

It's May, and for many of you, that means graduation. Whether you're finishing your MBA or completing another academic journey, this is a moment filled with possibility—and uncertainty. Especially in today's job market, it's natural to feel some anxiety about what comes next. To support you in your job search, I want to point you to a few episodes …

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Living the American Dream and Giving Back with Richard Castro 27:03

7M ago27:03

27:03

In the 10th episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks with Richard Castro, Texas State Distinguished Alumnus, philanthropist, and civic leader. They discuss his family’s journey from Mexico to starting a neighborhood schoolhouse in Del Rio, why he chose to attend TXST, how he became a successful McDonalds franchisee, and why he continues t…

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David Gedge: The Wedding Present 23:52

7M ago23:52

23:52

In this episode we’re joined by David Gedge - songwriter, lead singer, and guitarist in one of the University’s best loved bands, The Wedding Present. In 1985, David Gedge (Mathematics 1981) formed the band The Wedding Present with his friends Shaun Charman (Economics & Sociology 1986), English student Keith Gregory and PGCE student Peter Solowka. …

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Grit and Growth: Keys to Success for Women Lawyers 43:26

7M ago43:26

43:26

In this episode of the Practitioner Scholar podcast, hosted by Julio Zelaya, we meet Dr. Milana Hogan, the Chief Talent Officer at Sullivan and Cromwell, LLP. Dr. Hogan is an alumna of the Penn Chief Learning Officer (CLO) program at the University of Pennsylvania and holds a doctorate in work-based learning and development. The episode focuses on …

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From Volunteer Assistant to Baseball Head Coach w/ Steven Trout 24:55

7M ago24:55

24:55

In the ninth episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks with Steven Trout, head coach of Bobcat Baseball. They discuss his unique story to becoming head coach of the baseball team, his days of playing ball after graduating from college, how his style of coaching differs from others, and upcoming improvements to Bobcat Ballpark. Listen to ne…

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Supporting Bobcat Football with Nathali Weisman 22:26

8M ago22:26

22:26

In the eighth episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks with Nathali Weisman, co-owner and CEO of KLP Construction Supply and TXST alum. They discuss her days as a student-athlete, the story behind changing the spelling of her first name, her interest in the construction supply industry, and supporting Bobcat football with the new Johnny a…

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The Impact of the McCoys with Brian McCoy 25:30

8M ago25:30

25:30

In the seventh episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks with Brian McCoy, chairman of the board of McCoy's Building Supply and chairman of the McCoy College of Business Development Foundation. They discuss his family’s journey from Galveston to San Marcos after Hurricane Carla in 1961, how he made his way up through the family business, a…

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Introducing our Phi Beta Kappa Chapter with Dr. Heather Galloway and Dr. Bryan Glass 23:30

8M ago23:30

23:30

In the sixth episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks with Honors College Dean Dr. Heather Galloway and Professor of Instruction Dr. Bryan Glass about their TXST journeys, the years-long process of becoming a Phi Beta Kappa university, and what it means for TXST to now have a chapter of the oldest academic honor society in the United Stat…

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The Journey of a First-Gen Student with Alexa Zavala and Sage Drinkard 20:55

9M ago20:55

20:55

In the fifth episode of The Current, President Damphousse talks with students Alexa Zavala, education major, and Sage Drinkard, digital media innovation major, about why they chose to attend TXST as first-generation students, the resources and programs TXST has for first-generation students, and how new students can set themselves up for success. L…

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Empathy at Work: Transforming Organizations from Within 25:21

9M ago25:21

25:21

In this episode of The Practitioner Scholar, host Jess Jones welcomes Dr. Carla Thomas, a former WNBA athlete turned leadership consultant and educator. Dr. Thomas shares her journey from professional sports to academia, exploring how empathy shapes workplace culture and enhances collaboration. She discusses the role of emotional intelligence in ef…

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Being a First-Gen Student with Alum Richard Garcia 20:39

9M ago20:39

20:39

In the fourth episode of The Current, Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse talks with Richard Garcia, Distinguished Alumnus (‘75) and former FBI agent, about his decision to go to TXST as a first-generation student, how his college journey differed from other students, and why he chose a career in law enforcement. Listen to new episode…

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Women’s Basketball with Head Coach Zenarae Antoine, Highlighting Children in Foster Care with KVUE Anchor, Alum Hannah Rucker 44:58

10M ago44:58

44:58

In the third episode of The Current, Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse talks with Zenarae Antoine, head coach of the women’s basketball team (Coach Z), about her days of being a student-athlete in the 90s and how that experience led her to coaching at TXST, the current state of women’s sports, and how coaching and parenting can ofte…

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Harnessing Film for Leadership Development 36:03

10M ago36:03

36:03

In this episode of The Practitioner Scholar, a Penn Chief Learning Officer podcast, hosts Maria Luisa Underwood and Lisa-Marie Aird interview Dr. Douglas Clayton, a visionary in corporate learning and culture transformation. Dr. Clayton, founder and CEO of Leadership Filmworks LLC, shares his journey through the Penn CLO program and how it shaped h…

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Overcome the Holiday Hustle: Simple strategies for an organized life 54:44

12M ago54:44

54:44

As the holiday season approaches, many struggle to balance work, family, and endless tasks, often feeling overwhelmed and disorganized. While responsibility and dependability are crucial skills, few of us have formal training in mastering them, leading to reliance on complex systems that add to the stress. This session will focus on simplifying lif…

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The Serious Research of Workplace Fun 44:14

12M ago44:14

44:14

In this episode of the Practitioner Scholar, host Julio Zelaya sits down with Dr. Janet Duliga, a distinguished executive and alumna of the Penn CLO Executive Program. Dr. Duliga, currently the Chief Corporate Officer at Prada Group, shares her extensive journey through law, psychology, and human resources, emphasizing her passion for organizationa…

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LBJ’s Legacy, TXST Mariachi with Mark Updegrove and Abby Garcia 35:13

1y ago35:13

35:13

In the second episode of The Current, Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse talks with Mark Updegrove, president and CEO of the LBJ Foundation and presidential historian for ABC News, about Lyndon Baines Johnson’s story, his ties to TXST, and his legacy as the 36th president of the United States. Updegrove’s upcoming book, Make Your Mar…

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Future-Proofed Marketing: You, Me, & Our Cyborg Audiences 58:07

1y ago58:07

58:07

Your brand’s audience is increasingly interconnected through technology, making them almost cyborg-like in their digital engagement. Join Drake alum Greg Swan for an insightful session on the latest trends in digital, social, A.I., and emerging technologies shaping marketing today. Discover future-proofed strategies to reach and engage these tech-f…

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Steven Greenhouse talks how Trump's Tariffs may appeal to working-class voters 18:59

1y ago18:59

18:59

In the latest Payday Report podcast, retired New York Times labor reporter Steven Greenhouse talks about how Clinton pushing NAFTA bred distrust of the Democratic Party in the Rust Belt. He also discussed how Trump's tariffs may appeal to some working-class

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Starting a Podcast, Athletics with Squarin’ Around Hosts 34:12

1y ago34:12

34:12

In the first episode of The Current, Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse talks with Squarin’ Around: A Texas State Sports Podcast hosts and alums Jakob Rodriguez (’20) and Andrew Zimmel (’20) about their college journey, starting a podcast, and TXST Athletics. Listen to new episodes of The Current every month on the TXST Podcast Netwo…