Fitchburg State University Podcast Network

Fitchburg State University

The Fitchburg State Podcast Network features sounds and stories of the Fitchburg State community in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Visit us at www.fitchburgstate.edu/podcasts for more information. 

  1. 4d ago

    REBUILDING LOCAL NEWS: The Citizen Perspective (Ep 2)

    In this episode of Rebuilding Local News, "The Citizen Perspective," Zoe Chrisostomides (HON '26) speaks with Fitchburg resident and Fitchburg State University librarian Lori Steckervetz about the challenges of finding reliable local news in a community with limited coverage. They discuss relying on social media and word of mouth, the importance of independent reporting, and how the lack of local news can affect civic engagement, community involvement, and the way residents understand their city.   This is the second episode in a six part podcast series exploring the challenges facing local journalism and the possible paths forward.  (The third episode ("Broadcast and the Digital Transition") will drop on Friday Oct 16.) *** Rebuilding Local News was written, produced, and edited by Zoe Chrisostomides, a 2026 graduate of Fitchburg State University.  The project was created as part of her Honors Program Thesis, during which she worked closely with her thesis advisor professor of journalism, Dr. Wafa Unus.  In addition to being a Commonwealth Honors Scholar, she majored in Business Administration and Interdisciplinary Studies, with a minor in Political Journalism.   While at Fitchburg State, Zoe was the co-creator of North Central News, an award-winning local news program produced in collaboration with Fitchburg Access Television (FATV).  Zoe is passionate about community-focused storytelling and local journalism and looks forward to a career in broadcast television. *** Episode transcript can be found here. Click here to learn more about Perseverantia.  Join us for programming updates on Instagram.  Or reach out with ideas or suggestions at podcasts@fitchburgstate.edu.

    REBUILDING LOCAL NEWS: The Citizen Perspective (Ep 2)

  2. Oct 6

    REBUILDING LOCAL NEWS: Impacts and Challenges in Local Journalism Today (Ep 1)

    In this episode of Rebuilding Local News, Zoe Chrisostomides (HON '26) speaks with John Osborn, editor of The Harvard Press, about the challenges facing local journalism today. They discuss the financial pressures on small newsrooms, shrinking staffs, community trust, the role of social media, and what communities lose when local newspapers disappear. Osborn also explains how The Harvard Press relies on community members to help keep local news alive. *** This is the first episode in a six part podcast series exploring the challenges facing local journalism and the possible paths forward.   Rebuilding Local News was written, produced, and edited by Zoe Chrisostomides, a 2026 graduate of Fitchburg State University.  The project was created as part of her Honors Program Thesis, during which she worked closely with her thesis advisor professor of journalism, Dr. Wafa Unus.  In addition to being a Commonwealth Honors Scholar, she majored in Business Administration and Interdisciplinary Studies, with a minor in Political Journalism.   While at Fitchburg State was the co-creator of North Central News, an award-winning local news program produced in collaboration with Fitchburg Access Television (FATV).  Zoe is passionate about community-focused storytelling and local journalism and looks forward to a career in broadcast television. *** Episode transcript can be found here. Click here to learn more about Perseverantia.  Join us for programming updates on Instagram.  Or reach out with ideas or suggestions at podcasts@fitchburgstate.edu.

    REBUILDING LOCAL NEWS: Impacts and Challenges in Local Journalism Today (Ep 1)

  3. Season 5, Episode 38 Trailer

    COMING SOON ... REBUILDING LOCAL NEWS: A New 6-Part Podcast Series with Zoe Christomides (HON '26)

    Local journalism is disappearing across the country, leaving many communities without reliable local news. At the same time, more people are getting information from social media and national headlines instead of stories happening in their own neighborhoods. So what happens when communities lose local news? And can forms of community media help rebuild trust and engagement?  Rebuilding Local News is a new podcast series exploring the challenges facing local journalism and the possible paths forward.   Episodes were written, produced, and edited by Zoe Chrisostomides, a 2026 graduate of Fitchburg State University.  The project was created as part of her Honors Program Thesis, during which she worked closely with her thesis advisor professor of journalism, Dr. Wafa Unus.  In addition to being a Commonwealth Honors Scholar, she majored in Business Administration and Interdisciplinary Studies, with a minor in Political Journalism.  While at Fitchburg State Zoe was the co-creator of North Central News, an award-winning local news program produced in collaboration with Fitchburg Access Television (FATV).  Zoe is passionate about community-focused storytelling and local journalism and looks forward to a career in broadcast television. *** Rebuilding Local News release schedule: Tues Oct 6 - Ep. 1: "Impacts and Challenges in Local Journalism Today" Friday Oct 9th - Ep. 2: "The Citizen Perspective"Friday Oct 16th - Ep. 3: "Broadcast and the Digital Transition" Friday Oct 23rd - Ep. 4: "Community Media and Engagement"Friday Oct 30th - Ep. 5: "Politics and Local News"Friday Nov 6th - Ep. 6 "Looking Ahead: Rebuilding Trust and Solutions"*** Trailer transcript can be found here. *** #NewsEngagementDay is October 6th.  Read a local paper today and everyday. Click here to learn more about Perseverantia.  Join us for programming updates on Instagram.  Or reach out with ideas or suggestions at podcasts@fitchburgstate.edu.

    COMING SOON ... REBUILDING LOCAL NEWS: A New 6-Part Podcast Series with Zoe Christomides (HON '26)

  4. Sep 29

    FALCON HOUR ON WXPL: Prof. Kate Jewell Sits Down with Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge

    Welcome to Falcon Hour on WXPL.  This is a co-production between the Fitchburg State Podcast Network and the Fitchburg State Radio Station, WXPL (91.3 FM). Episodes air live on WXPL during the semester, on Mondays at 11am, hosted by Dr. Katherine Jewell, a historian in the Economics, History, and Political Science (EHPS) department and author of the book Live from the Underground: A History of College Radio.  In today's inaugural episode, Prof. Jewell sits down with Dr. Donna Hodge, the President of Fitchburg State University, to discuss the opening of the university and what she's excited about for the coming academic year. *** Show transcript here. *** This episode was produced by WXPL and the Fitchburg State Podcast Network. Click here to learn more about Perseverantia.  Join us for programming updates on Instagram.  Or reach out with ideas or suggestions at podcasts@fitchburgstate.edu.

    FALCON HOUR ON WXPL: Prof. Kate Jewell Sits Down with Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge

  5. Sep 18

    AROUND THE BURG: Transfer Talk with Jacob Tawa (COMM '28), Tom Gosson (DMI '29) and Jalen Jackson (BSAD '27)

    Welcome to AROUND THE BURG where -- whether it's FSU, me or you, or the places too -- we talk about all things Fitchburg.   Transferring to a new school can be one of the most challenging experiences in a college student's life -- acclimating to new studies, a new social scene, and a new campus map.  Today, we join host Jacob Tawa (COMM '28) and his guests Thomas Gosson (DMI '28) and Jalen Jackson (BSAD '27) as they talk about what it is like being a transfer student at Fitchburg State -- and the welcome surprises and shifts in perspective that come along with joining a new community mid-stream. This episode was produced by Jacob Tawa and Tom Gosson, edited and sound mixed by Darrian Fearon (COMM '28).   *** Episode transcript here. *** This series and episode was developed & produced by the students in COMM 2015 Podcasting during Spring 2026.  This episode was recorded in May 2026. Click here to learn more about Perseverantia.  Join us for programming updates on Instagram.  Or reach out with ideas or suggestions at podcasts@fitchburgstate.edu.

    AROUND THE BURG: Transfer Talk with Jacob Tawa (COMM '28), Tom Gosson (DMI '29) and Jalen Jackson (BSAD '27)

  6. Sep 11

    AROUND THE BURG: A Look Into Student Government with Mike Lovoi (COMM '26) and Lily Hallahan (COMM '28)

    Welcome to AROUND THE BURG where -- whether it's FSU, me or you, or the places too -- we talk about all things Fitchburg.   Today we are talking about the student government with newly elected Student Government Association (SGA) Treasurer Lily Hallahan (COMM '28).   Lily joins host Mike Lovoi (COMM '26) to discuss her role as an advocate for the Fitchburg State student body. Lily explains how she manages student activity fees, advocates for new programs and initiatives, oversees club budgets to ensure responsible spending, while providing platforms for the voices of students.  Curious about joining SGA?  Their weekly meetings are Tuesdays at 6:30pm in G19 located in the Hammond Campus Center.  Their office is located in Hammond G21.  This episode was produced and edited by Michael Lovoi with Gwen Connors and Felipe Agostinho.   *** Episode transcript here. *** This series and episode was developed & produced by the students in COMM 2015 Podcasting during Spring 2026.  This episode was recorded in May 2026. Click here to learn more about Perseverantia.  Join us for programming updates on Instagram.  Or reach out with ideas or suggestions at podcasts@fitchburgstate.edu.

    AROUND THE BURG: A Look Into Student Government with Mike Lovoi (COMM '26) and Lily Hallahan (COMM '28)

  7. May 18

    FIVE WITH A FALCON: Darrian Fearon (COMM '28) and Jacob Stevens (GAME '28) Talk Shop

    Want a chance to listen in on the next future millionaire game designer?   In this episode of Five With A Falcon, Darrian Fearon (COMM '28) is joined by student and aspiring game designer, Jacob Stevens (GAME '28), to talk about his future goals in the game industry and what’s led him to where he is today. This episode was produced, hosted, and edited by Darrian Fearon.  Darrian is a Communications Media major with a concentration in film/video production and a particular career interest in post-production editing. *** Episode transcript here. *** This episode was produced in COMM 2015 Podcasting during Spring 2026. Click here to learn more about Perseverantia.  Join us for programming updates on Instagram.  Or reach out with ideas or suggestions at podcasts@fitchburgstate.edu.

    FIVE WITH A FALCON: Darrian Fearon (COMM '28) and Jacob Stevens (GAME '28) Talk Shop

  8. May 1

    FIVE WITH A FALCON: Philosophy Prof. Brad Bannon from Athens to Assassin's Creed

    Dr. Brad Bannon has been inspiring Fitchburg State students to join them on a Philosophical Quest year after year since 2015.  In this episode of Five With a Falcon, one of their philosophy students, Jacob Tawa (COMM '28), talks to Prof. Bannon about how they connect with Fitchburg State students from all disciplines in the study of the human person and the world around us, as well as their journey as an adjunct faculty member teaching courses in the Humanities, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Sustainability Studies.   This episode was produced, hosted, and edited by Jacob Tawa.  Jacob is a Communications Media major with a concentration in film/video production; he is also a member of the improv club. *** Episode transcript here. *** This episode was produced in COMM 2015 Podcasting during Spring 2026. Click here to learn more about Perseverantia.  Join us for programming updates on Instagram.  Or reach out with ideas or suggestions at podcasts@fitchburgstate.edu.

    FIVE WITH A FALCON: Philosophy Prof. Brad Bannon from Athens to Assassin's Creed
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The Fitchburg State Podcast Network features sounds and stories of the Fitchburg State community in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Visit us at www.fitchburgstate.edu/podcasts for more information. 

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