Gardner-Webb University: Podcast Network

Gardner-Webb University

This is the official podcast channel for Gardner-Webb University. Here, you will find shows exploring the many aspects of Bulldog Nation. GW students, faculty, staff, alumni and community are thinkers, doers, and world-changers, seeking to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspired to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of those around us. Our guests offer a landscape of diverse thought and engaging discussions covering a wide-range of topics impacting our world at home and around the globe.

  1. Jul 14

    A Lifetime of Music, Mentorship & Legacy | GWU Alumnus Peter Strickland Reflects on 30 Years of Teaching

    What does it mean to dedicate a lifetime to helping others find their voice? In this episode of WebbChat, Noel T. Manning II sits down with Gardner-Webb alumnus Peter Strickland ('97), whose three decades of teaching at Crest High School have inspired generations of young musicians, educators, and community leaders. Throughout his career, Peter has done far more than teach students how to play music. He has challenged them to work hard, believe in themselves, embrace creativity, and discover that music is not simply an art—it is a way of life. Their conversation explores: • Peter's journey from Gardner-Webb student to award-winning music educator • Discovering that teaching—not the music industry—was his true calling • The lifelong partnership between Crest High School and Gardner-Webb University • Mentoring students who have gone on to become performers, composers, educators, and music therapists • Why music education builds confidence, discipline, and resilience • The lasting lessons students carry long after graduation • Faith, service, and the responsibility of investing in the next generation Peter also reflects on unforgettable collaborations with renowned musicians, the evolution of Crest's orchestra program, and the joy of seeing former students return—not just as musicians, but as adults whose lives were shaped by music. Whether you're an educator, musician, student, alumnus, or simply someone who appreciates the power of mentorship, this conversation is a heartfelt reminder that the greatest legacy is often found in the lives we help shape. Learn more about Gardner-Webb University, the News Center, and the University's podcast network at gardner-webb.edu/news and gardner-webb.edu/podcast. Music for this episode: Analog Zoo - Spin the Wheel. #WebbChat #GardnerWebb #PeterStrickland #MusicEducation #MusicTeacher #MusicMatters #ArtsEducation #Mentorship #Teaching #Leadership #Orchestra #ClevelandCounty #GardnerWebbAlumni #MusicInEducation #Legacy #EducationPodcast #CommunityLeadership #MusicPerformance #HigherEducation

    A Lifetime of Music, Mentorship & Legacy | GWU Alumnus Peter Strickland Reflects on 30 Years of Teaching
  2. Jul 13

    Finding Your Calling: Faith, Wisdom & God's Direction with Dr. Ronnie Parrott/The Parrott’s Perch

    How do you discover God's calling for your life? In this episode of Parrott's Perch, host Dr. Josh Parrott welcomes Dr. Ronnie Parrott, Senior Pastor of Christ Community Church in Huntersville, N.C, for an encouraging conversation about faith, calling, leadership, and trusting God's direction. Dr. Ronnie Parrott shares his personal journey from growing up in Tennessee to sensing God's call to ministry, pursuing theological education, and leading one of the region's thriving churches. Along the way, he offers practical wisdom on discerning God's will, seeking wise counsel, developing spiritual gifts, building healthy accountability, and faithfully following God's leading through every season of life. Whether you're a college student exploring your future, a ministry leader seeking encouragement, or someone simply asking what's next, this conversation offers biblical insight and practical guidance for walking confidently in God's calling. Parrott's Perch is hosted by Dr. Josh Parrott, vice president for Christian Life and Service and university chaplain at Gardner-Webb University. Through thoughtful conversations with pastors, ministry leaders, educators, authors, and other Christian voices, Josh Parrott explores faith, leadership, calling, and the ways God shapes lives for Kingdom impact. Recorded in the historic Elliott House on Gardner-Webb's campus, Parrott's Perch invites listeners to grow deeper in their faith while engaging with practical wisdom for everyday life. Discover Parrott's Perch and the full lineup of Gardner-Webb podcasts featuring conversations on faith, leadership, academics, athletics, student life, and more at gardner-webb.edu/podcast. 🎵 Theme Music: "You Can Tell" by Max Hixon. #ParrottsPerch #GardnerWebb #GardnerWebbUniversity #ChristianLifeAndService #Faith #ChristianFaith #ChristianLiving #FaithJourney #WalkByFaith #BiblicalWisdom #ChristianLeadership #Calling #Purpose #GodsWill #PurposeDriven #SpiritualGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #Discernment #Ministry #PastoralLeadership #ChurchLeadership #Seminary #Discipleship #ChurchLife #Gospel #CollegeStudents #YoungAdults #ChristianCollege #FutureLeaders #FaithAndLearning #NextGeneration

    Finding Your Calling: Faith, Wisdom & God's Direction with Dr. Ronnie Parrott/The Parrott’s Perch
  3. Jul 7

    Student Success Starts Here: Advising, Tutoring & Academic Support at Gardner-Webb | Inside the Webb

    College is full of new opportunities—and new challenges. The right support can make all the difference. In this episode of Inside the Webb: Student Life Unpacked, hosts Lesley Villarose and Brian Arnold welcome Dr. Kenneth Johnson, executive director for Student Success at Gardner-Webb University. Johnson shares how Student Success helps students navigate every stage of their college journey through academic advising, tutoring, the Writing Center, first-year experiences, disability resources, and proactive support services designed to help students overcome challenges before they become barriers. He also discusses the importance of resilience, personal responsibility, and developing multiple pathways toward future success. Whether you're a prospective student, current student, or parent, this conversation provides valuable insight into the many resources Gardner-Webb offers to help students stay on track, graduate with confidence, and prepare for life beyond college. Inside the Webb: Student Life Unpacked is sponsored by Gardner-Webb University's Division of Student Development. 🎵 Theme Music: "Running Under the Sun" by Alex MakeMusic. #InsideTheWebb #StudentLifeUnpacked #GardnerWebb #GardnerWebbUniversity #OneWebb #GWU #StudentSuccess #AcademicSuccess #CollegeSuccess #AcademicAdvising #Tutoring #WritingCenter #DisabilityServices #FirstYearExperience #CollegeSupport #CollegeLife #HigherEducation #StudentResources #StudentSupport #CollegeJourney #Resilience #Grit #FutureBulldogs #CollegeBound #ChooseGardnerWebb #ProspectiveStudents #CollegePlanning

    Student Success Starts Here: Advising, Tutoring & Academic Support at Gardner-Webb | Inside the Webb
  4. Jul 7

    Getting Involved: Clubs, Campus Life & Student Engagement at Gardner-Webb | Inside the Webb

    College is about more than classes—it's about discovering your community, building friendships, and making memories that last a lifetime. In this episode of Inside the Webb: Student Life Unpacked, host Lesley Villarose welcomes Brian Arnold, assistant dean of students and director of Student Engagement, along with Whitley Weddington, assistant director of Student Engagement, to explore the many ways students can get involved at Gardner-Webb University. From clubs and organizations to campus traditions, weekend activities, athletic events, concerts, leadership opportunities, and student trips, discover how Gardner-Webb creates experiences that help students connect, grow, and make the most of their college journey. Learn about New Student Orientation, the Connect Fair, the Involve app, and the many opportunities available to help every student find their place on campus. Whether you're a prospective student, current student, or parent, this conversation highlights why involvement outside the classroom is one of the keys to a successful and meaningful college experience. Inside the Webb: Student Life Unpacked is sponsored by Gardner-Webb University's Division of Student Development. 🎵 Theme Music: "Running Under the Sun" by Alex MakeMusic. #InsideTheWebb #StudentLifeUnpacked #GardnerWebb #GardnerWebbUniversity #OneWebb #GWU #StudentEngagement #CampusLife #CollegeLife #CollegeExperience #StudentSuccess #CampusCommunity #StudentActivities #CollegeMemories #StudentOrganizations #CollegeClubs #Leadership #GetInvolved #CampusEvents #StudentLeadership #FutureBulldogs #CollegeBound #CollegeSearch #ChooseGardnerWebb #ProspectiveStudents #CollegeJourney

    Getting Involved: Clubs, Campus Life & Student Engagement at Gardner-Webb | Inside the Webb
  5. Jun 30

    Building a Championship Culture: New Gardner-Webb Men's Soccer Coach Jonathan Lagos | Dawg Tracks S4E7

    A new chapter begins for Gardner-Webb men's soccer. In this episode of Dawg Tracks, host Noel T. Manning II welcomes new Gardner-Webb head men's soccer coach Jonathan Lagos for a conversation about leadership, relationships, recruiting, and the vision he's bringing to Bulldog Nation. After helping build nationally ranked programs at UNC Greensboro and Wake Forest, Coach Lagos arrives in Boiling Springs with an impressive résumé that includes NCAA Tournament success, championship experience, and developing student-athletes who have gone on to professional careers. Now, his focus turns to building something special at Gardner-Webb. Coach Lagos shares the early experiences that sparked his love for soccer, the mentors who shaped his coaching philosophy, and why relationships remain at the center of everything he does. He discusses his approach to recruiting student-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom, the growing popularity of soccer in the United States, and his vision for a program built on character, discipline, technical excellence, and community engagement. Whether you're a longtime supporter of the Runnin' Bulldogs, a soccer fan, or simply enjoy conversations about leadership and team culture, this episode offers an exciting introduction to the coach leading Gardner-Webb men's soccer into its next era. Listen now and discover how Coach Jonathan Lagos plans to build a championship culture—one relationship, one player, and one match at a time. Dawg Tracks – Season 4, Episode 7 #DawgTracks #GardnerWebb #GardnerWebbSoccer #JonathanLagos #BulldogNation #CollegeSoccer #NCAASoccer #MensSoccer #CollegeAthletics #Leadership #StudentAthletes #PlayerDevelopment #Recruiting #TeamCulture #BigSouth #SoccerPodcast #FootballCulture #CoachLife #SoccerLeadership #FutureBulldogs #NCAAAthletics #SoccerCommunity #GoDawgs

    Building a Championship Culture: New Gardner-Webb Men's Soccer Coach Jonathan Lagos | Dawg Tracks S4E7
  6. Jun 29

    More Than the Game: The Gardner-Webb Student-Athlete Experience | Inside the Webb

    What makes the student-athlete experience at Gardner-Webb different? In this episode of Inside the Webb: Student Life Unpacked, hosts Lesley Villarose and Brian Arnold welcome Brendan Fahey, Vice President for Athletics, for a conversation about Division I athletics, student success, and the Running Bulldog experience. Brendan shares how Gardner-Webb Athletics is committed to developing students both on and off the field through academic support, leadership development, community engagement, and a culture that values the student-athlete experience. He also discusses game-day traditions, opportunities for students to get involved, the importance of fan support, and how athletics contributes to the One Webb community. Whether you're a prospective student-athlete, current student, parent, alumnus, or Bulldog fan, discover how Gardner-Webb Athletics helps students compete, grow, graduate, and prepare for life beyond college. Inside the Webb: Student Life Unpacked is sponsored by Gardner-Webb University's Division of Student Development. 🎵 Theme Music: "Running Under the Sun" by Alex MakeMusic. #InsideTheWebb #StudentLifeUnpacked #GardnerWebb #GardnerWebbUniversity #OneWebb #GWU #RunningBulldogs #DivisionIAthletics #CollegeAthletics #NCAA #BigSouth #StudentAthlete #CollegeSports #BulldogPride #StudentSuccess #LeadershipDevelopment #CollegeLife #CampusCommunity #CollegeExperience #StudentDevelopment #FutureBulldogs #CollegeRecruiting #ProspectiveStudents #StudentAthleteLife #CollegeBound #ChooseGardnerWebb

    More Than the Game: The Gardner-Webb Student-Athlete Experience | Inside the Webb
  7. Jun 25

    Career Ready: Internships, Networking & Career Success at Gardner-Webb | Inside the Webb

    Landing your first job starts long before graduation. In this episode of Inside the Webb: Student Life Unpacked, hosts Lesley Villarose and Brian Arnold welcome Micah Martin, Director of the Career Center at Gardner-Webb University. Micah shares how the Career Center equips students for life after college through internships, professional readiness experiences, résumé development, interview preparation, networking opportunities, career coaching, and employer connections. He also discusses how today's students are using AI in the career search process, why career planning should begin during a student's first year, and how meaningful conversations—not just assessments—can help students discover careers that align with their strengths and interests. Whether you're a prospective student, current student, parent, or employer, this conversation offers practical insight into how Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to thrive in today's workforce. Inside the Webb: Student Life Unpacked is sponsored by Gardner-Webb University's Division of Student Development. 🎵 Theme Music: "Running Under the Sun" by Alex MakeMusic. #InsideTheWebb #StudentLifeUnpacked #GardnerWebb #GardnerWebbUniversity #OneWebb #GWU #CareerCenter #CareerReadiness #CareerPlanning #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerSuccess #FutureReady #WorkforceDevelopment #CareerCoaching #StudentSuccess #CollegeLife #HigherEducation #Internships #ProfessionalReadiness #Networking #ResumeTips #InterviewSkills #CollegeToCareer #EmployerPartnerships #HireAGrad #FutureWorkforce #LeadershipDevelopment #CareerOpportunities #CollegeBound #FutureBulldogs #CollegeJourney #ChooseGardnerWebb #CollegeExperience

    Career Ready: Internships, Networking & Career Success at Gardner-Webb | Inside the Webb

About

This is the official podcast channel for Gardner-Webb University. Here, you will find shows exploring the many aspects of Bulldog Nation. GW students, faculty, staff, alumni and community are thinkers, doers, and world-changers, seeking to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspired to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of those around us. Our guests offer a landscape of diverse thought and engaging discussions covering a wide-range of topics impacting our world at home and around the globe.