Running to the Noise

Oberlin College & Conservatory

When First Lady Michelle Obama spoke to the graduating class of Oberlin College and Conservatory in 2015, she encouraged students to embrace Oberlin’s history and run to the “noise”— those challenging, contentious situations that threaten to divide us.  As the first college in America to officially embrace the admission of black students, and the first co-ed school to grant bachelor’s degrees to women, Oberlin has been Running to the Noise almost since our inception. And that’s just what we’ll do in each episode of our podcast, hosted by College President Carmen Twillie Ambar. President Ambar will talk with all manner of interesting and influential people on and off our campus who are tackling some of the world’s toughest problems, working to spark positive change for everyone.

  1. 2d ago

    The Courage to Do the Hard Thing

    What does it take to step outside your comfort zone, embrace uncertainty, and find the courage to do what's difficult? In this special bonus episode of Running to the Noise, Oberlin College and Conservatory President Carmen Twillie Ambar revisits powerful moments from conversations with bestselling author Rumaan Alam, award-winning journalist Soledad O'Brien, public health expert Dr. Timothy Uyeki, professor La Tanya Hall, and Oberlin alumna Georgia Heers. Through stories of creative risk-taking, entrepreneurship, finding your voice, and confronting global health emergencies, these guests explore what it means to challenge expectations, overcome fear, and take meaningful action when the stakes are high. Together, their reflections reveal that courage isn't always about grand gestures. Sometimes it's about trying something new, speaking up when it matters, or simply answering the call when someone has to do the hard thing.

  2. Oct 23

    Student Takeover, Part 2 | Talking to Strangers, Loving Judi Dench, and the Comfort of the Worst Case Scenario

    What do great storytellers, journalists, artists, philanthropists, and changemakers have in common? In Part 2 of this special student-led Running to the Noise season finale, Oberlin College President Carmen Twillie Ambar rejoins student producers Travis O’Daniel and Eloise Rich as they share more of their conversations with Season 3 guests and reflect on what they learned from two seasons behind the microphone. The episode opens with Travis and Eloise looking back on the guests who stayed with them most. Their reflections lead into a conversation with Joe Richman, founder of Radio Diaries, about listening, interviewing strangers, journalism in a fractured information environment, and the power of personal stories to reveal larger truths. Richman also discusses the pressure facing independent journalism and why curiosity, openness, and intentional conversation matter more than ever.  Richman challenges a lesson many people learn as children: don’t talk to strangers. Instead, he encourages aspiring journalists to seek people out, ask questions, and treat interviewing as a creative practice that can lead to deeper human connection and unexpected understanding.  The conversation then turns back to Oberlin and the relationships that shape the student experience. Travis and Eloise reflect on faculty mentorship, alumni networks, the future of journalism, and the kinds of guests they hope Running to the Noise explores next. They also identify a recurring quality among so many Oberlin graduates: the “multi-hyphenate” instinct to move across disciplines, interests, and careers rather than being defined by a single path.  That idea comes alive in a conversation with Tamara Jade, EJ Marcus, and Seyquan Mack, who share favorite Oberlin memories, creative influences, and the experiences that helped shape their lives after college. Their stories illustrate the freedom Oberlin students have to experiment, create, lead, and pursue seemingly unrelated interests at the same time.  The episode also returns to Cecilia Conrad, founding CEO of Lever for Change, for advice about entering philanthropy and nonprofit work. Conrad talks about the value of communication, storytelling, technology, and interdisciplinary skills, while offering practical guidance for young people trying to make an impact without knowing exactly where their careers will lead.  Finally, Travis, Eloise, and President Ambar reflect on the thread that connects the entire season: the willingness to move toward difficult questions, complicated problems, and meaningful work. For Travis, the common denominator among the show’s guests is simple: they are people who identify something that matters and go directly toward it. In other words, they run to the noise.  What We Cover in This Episode Joe Richman on journalism, storytelling, and why people should talk to strangersHow personal stories can reveal larger truths in divided timesThe challenges facing independent journalism and public mediaWhat Travis and Eloise learned from interviewing Season 3 guestsFaculty mentorship and the relationships that make the Oberlin experience distinctiveThe “multi-hyphenate” quality shared by many Oberlin students and alumniTamara Jade, EJ Marcus, and Seyquan Mack on creativity and favorite Oberlin memoriesHow Oberlin students create ambitious projects and communities while still in collegeCecilia Conrad’s advice for graduates interested in philanthropy and nonprofit workWhy storytelling and communication are increasingly valuable professional skillsHow Oberlin teaches students to analyze complexity and combine disciplinesThe question at the heart of the podcast: How do you run to the noise? Episode Links Episode 19: Finding Her Voice: the Power of Artistic Mentorship with Georgia Heers and La Tanya Hall Episode 22—The Empathy Machine: Joe Richman ’87 on Radio Diaries, Audio Storytelling, and Emotional Truth Episode 25—Cutting Through The Noise: Tamara Jade ’12, EJ Marcus ’19, and Seyquan Mack ’21 on Creativity, Community, and Building a Career That Lasts Episode 28—Billion-Dollar Giving: Cecilia Conrad on Changing How Philanthropy Funds Big Ideas

    Student Takeover, Part 2 | Talking to Strangers, Loving Judi Dench, and the Comfort of the Worst Case Scenario

  3. Oct 8

    Student Takeover, Part 1 | Deepfakes, Trolling Russian Embassies, and the Power of the Youth Vote

    What happens when the students behind the questions finally get to take over the conversation? In this special, two-part episode of Running to the Noise, Oberlin College President Carmen Twillie Ambar turns over the microphone to student producers Travis O’Daniel and Eloise Rich. The newly minted Oberlin alumni return to share conversations of their own with some of Season 3’s most memorable guests including AI pioneer Tom Dietterich, Mamdani ally and civil rights attorney Ali Najmi, and Lawfare co-founder Benjamin Wittes. The episode begins with Travis and Eloise looking back on their Oberlin experience and the transition into life after graduation. They discuss job hunting, networking, journalism, storytelling, and the challenge of becoming a “mini expert” quickly enough to ask meaningful questions across subjects ranging from artificial intelligence to law and politics.  Then they take the lead. AI pioneer Tom Dietterich joins them for a candid conversation about privacy, deepfakes, artificial intelligence in hiring, and why human-to-human skills may become even more valuable as AI takes over routine work. Dietterich also offers a sobering look at how generative AI is already affecting the job application process.  Civil rights attorney and Mamdani ally Ali Najmi talks with the students about youth civic engagement, the role young voters can play in shaping communities, and, on a lighter note, the music behind his own career and his recommendations for young Obies making their way to New York City.  And Lawfare co-founder Benjamin Wittes reflects on the Supreme Court, civic responsibility beyond voting, and the many different ways people can contribute to public life. The conversation eventually takes an unexpected turn toward his famous dog shirts and his self-described “Eras Tour” (Eradicating Russian Ambassadorial Sleep), projecting pro-Ukrainian imagery onto Russian embassies across Europe.  Along the way, Travis, Eloise, and President Ambar also reflect on what podcasting taught them about journalism and storytelling, including one lesson that became central to their work together: sometimes the best story is not the one you planned to find. What We Cover in This Episode Travis O’Daniel and Eloise Rich’s transition from Oberlin students to alumniWhat two seasons of producing Running to the Noise taught them about journalism and storytellingWhy strong interviews begin with research, curiosity, and better follow-up questionsTom Dietterich on AI privacy, deepfakes, hiring algorithms, and the future of human-centered workHow young graduates can navigate an increasingly automated job marketAli Najmi on youth civic engagement and the power of young votersThe Oberlin network and the role relationships can play after graduationBenjamin Wittes on civic participation beyond the ballot boxWhy podcasts can create a different kind of connection than traditional print journalismThe unexpected stories, questions, and moments that made Season 3 memorable This is Part 1 of the student-led Season 3 wrap-up. Part 2 continues with more questions and conversations from Travis and Eloise before Running to the Noise returns for Season 4.

    Student Takeover, Part 1 | Deepfakes, Trolling Russian Embassies, and the Power of the Youth Vote

  4. Jun 30

    From Oberlin to The Voice: Tamara Jade on Creativity, Risk, and Building a Career on Your Own Terms

    What does it take to build a creative career when there’s no clear roadmap? In this special live episode of Running to the Noise, President Carmen Twillie Ambar welcomes singer, actor, comedian, and Oberlin alumna Tamara Jade ’12 back to campus for a candid conversation about ambition, resilience, and life as a working artist. Recorded before a live audience of Oberlin students just weeks before Commencement, the discussion becomes an extended mentoring session as Jade shares lessons on networking, social media, auditions, financial survival, creative risk-taking, and staying true to yourself in an industry that often asks artists to fit a mold. From teaching special education and sleeping on air mattresses to performing with Lizzo, appearing on HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show, competing on The Voice, and debuting a one-woman show at Lincoln Center, Jade offers an honest look at the realities behind a creative career—and answers students’ questions about navigating the entertainment industry and creating opportunities rather than waiting for permission. Topics include: • Life after Oberlin and building a creative career • Lessons from The Voice and working with John Legend • Social media, visibility, and audience building • Taking strategic risks and betting on yourself • Mentorship, networking, and community • Navigating the entertainment industry as a Black woman • Why creativity is a daily practice • Live audience questions from Oberlin students Recorded live at Oberlin College and Conservatory. Links: See this conversation on You Tube Tamara Jade Interview for The Voice Season 19 Tamara Jade - 'Cuz I Love You' | The Voice 2020 | Blind Audition Tamara Jade Music

    From Oberlin to The Voice: Tamara Jade on Creativity, Risk, and Building a Career on Your Own Terms

  5. May 22

    Billion-Dollar Giving: Cecilia Conrad on Changing How Philanthropy Funds Big Ideas

    People closest to the world’s biggest problems often have the best solutions. They just don’t always have access to the dollars needed to bring them to life. That belief is at the center of Cecilia Conrad’s work to rethink how philanthropists find and fund big ideas. In this episode of Running to the Noise, Oberlin College President Carmen Twillie Ambar speaks with Conrad, founding CEO of Lever for Change, the nonprofit that has helped direct more than $2.5 billion toward high-impact organizations around the world. Before entering philanthropy, Conrad spent years in academia as an economist and professor focused on equity, access, and opportunity. A Stanford-trained economist and former managing director at the MacArthur Foundation, she now helps donors identify and support innovative organizations whose ideas might otherwise go overlooked. Ambar and Conrad discuss how traditional philanthropy often relies on invitation-only networks that can miss promising ideas and organizations. The conversation centers on how efforts like Lever for Change and MacArthur’s 100&Change are opening those doors wider, helping philanthropists discover solutions they might never have otherwise encountered. The episode also explores Oberlin’s tradition of bold, unconventional thinking, including its distinction as the nation’s leading liberal arts college producer of MacArthur “genius grant” fellows. From there, the discussion turns to the evolving role of philanthropy, the responsibilities that come with concentrated wealth, and how major donors decide which ideas and organizations to support. Finally, the conversation closes with Cecilia’s thoughtful advice for Oberlin graduates and anyone stepping into the workforce who is interested in nonprofit work, philanthropy, and finding a meaningful way to leave their mark on their career and community. What We Cover in This EpisodeCecilia Conrad’s path from academia to philanthropyHow Lever for Change has helped move more than $2.5 billion to organizations around the worldWhy traditional philanthropy can overlook innovative organizations and ideasThe origins of MacArthur’s 100&Change competition and open-call philanthropyHow billionaires and major donors think about risk, trust, and impactWhat Conrad learned from leading the MacArthur Fellows ProgramWhy creativity and innovation often emerge from interdisciplinary thinkingThe importance of mentorship, friendship, and “diffusers” in sustaining leadershipOberlin’s culture of creativity, innovation, and public purposeWhat it means to “run to the noise” in philanthropy and leadershipEpisode LinksLearn more about Lever for ChangeLearn more about MacArthur FellowsMeet Oberlin’s 15th “Genius” Learn more about 100&ChangeRead more about Cecilia ConradLearn more about Oberlin College Commencement 2026Subscribe to Running to the NoiseFollow Oberlin College on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn

    Billion-Dollar Giving: Cecilia Conrad on Changing How Philanthropy Funds Big Ideas

  6. Mar 31

    The Power of an Oberlin Education

    In this special spring episode of Running to the Noise, President Carmen Twillie Ambar reflects on what makes Oberlin College and Conservatory a place where students don’t just imagine change—they step up and make it happen. From student-led initiatives to alumni shaping fields as diverse as the arts, artificial intelligence, public policy, and journalism, this episode brings together stories rooted in the Oberlin experience—time on an extraordinary campus where a top-tier college of arts and sciences and a world-class conservatory are seamlessly intertwined, and where a long tradition of educating leading scholars and musicians continues to evolve. Through excerpts from conversations with artists and innovators drawn from the past three seasons, we hear how Oberlin shaped their paths—from Broadway stages and opera houses to breakthroughs in machine learning, efforts to address climate and conservation challenges, bestselling novels, and national policy debates. These are not just careers—they are contributions that influence how we understand the world and how we live in it. At the heart of each story is a shared mindset: a willingness to take risks, embrace complexity, and, as Michelle Obama once said of Oberlin students, “run to the noise.”  Featured Guests LaTanya Hall – Associate Professor of Jazz Voice, Oberlin ConservatoryGeorgia Heers (Class of 2021) – Broadway performer (Good Night, and Good Luck)Thomas Dietterich (Class of 1977) – AI pioneer and professor emeritus, Oregon State UniversityRumaan Alam (Class of 1999) – Bestselling author (Leave the World Behind, Entitlement)Tamara Jade (Class of 2012) – Singer, actor, and performer (The Voice, HBO, Lincoln Center)Benjamin Wittes Part 1; Part 2 (Class of 1991) – Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution; Editor-in-Chief of LawfareLimmie Pulliam – Operatic tenor and Oberlin Conservatory alumnusEpisode HighlightsMentorship that transforms lives: LaTanya Hall and Georgia Heers discuss the power of trust, discipline, and artistic growth in the conservatory model.AI, ethics, and the liberal arts: Tom Dietterich explains how Oberlin shaped his approach to machine learning and complex global challenges.Writing without fear: Rumaan Alam reflects on how Oberlin fostered creative risk-taking and intellectual courage.Artistry without limits: Tamara Jade shares how Oberlin empowered her to embrace multiple creative identities—and disrupt expectations.Finding your path: Benjamin Wittes on pivoting from fiction to journalism—and why close reading, critical thinking, and civic engagement matter now more than ever.Resilience and return: Limmie Pulliam’s journey back to the stage shows why it’s never too late to pursue your dreams..What You’ll Take AwayWhy Oberlin students “err on the side of doing”How mentorship, community, and curiosity shape lifelong successThe importance of embracing complexity—and rejecting easy answersWhat it really means to “run to the noise” in your own life Listen now and discover how Oberlin students and alumni are changing the world—for good!

    The Power of an Oberlin Education

  7. Feb 28

    From Big Dreams to City Hall: Ali Najmi ’06 on Electing Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Reshaping New York’s Courts

    A decade ago, Ali Najmi ’06 ran for city council in Queens and lost. But that loss forged a partnership and a political foundation that would eventually help propel Zohran Mamdani to the mayor’s office in New York City. Today, Ali sits at the center of power in the nation’s largest city as Mayor Mamdani’s election lawyer, trusted advisor, and chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary. From organizing immigrant communities to reshaping New York’s criminal and family courts, Ali’s story is about representation, persistence, and what it takes to move from insurgent campaigns to the hard work of governing. In this episode of Running to the Noise, President Carmen Ambar speaks with Ali about identity, authenticity in politics, and the courage to dream big. They explore what it means to build coalitions across communities, to lose and learn, and to carry big ambitions into real institutional power. Ali reflects on belief as a political force. Belief in yourself. Belief in your community. Belief that what sounds unrealistic today can become institutional reality tomorrow. From a hookah bar conversation about running for mayor to reshaping the city’s judiciary, his journey is a reminder that dreaming big is only the beginning. The work that follows is what turns vision into change. What We Cover in This Episode: ● Growing up in Queens as the son of immigrants and becoming the first in his family to graduate from college and law school ● Leadership at Oberlin, including organizing for a permanent Muslim prayer space on campus ● What he learned from running for city council and losing ● The origins of his partnership with Mayor Zohran Mamdani ● Lessons from insurgent campaigns and multiracial coalitions ● How authenticity and affordability became winning political messages  ● The transition from campaigning to governing ● The work of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary and why criminal and family court judges shape daily life in New York City ● What it means to run to the noise in public service Episode Links Mayor Mamdani Appoints Ali Najmi as Chair of Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary Mayor Zohran Mamdani Appoints Christine Clarke to Lead the New York City Commission on Human Rights Who’s who in Zohran Mamdani’s administration?: Meet the folks who are running New York City Office of the Mayor of New York City Running to the Noise podcast archive Oberlin College and Conservatory

    From Big Dreams to City Hall: Ali Najmi ’06 on Electing Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Reshaping New York’s Courts

  8. Jan 29

    Cutting Through The Noise: Tamara Jade, EJ Marcus, and Seyquan Mack on Creativity, Community, and Building a Career That Lasts

    What does it take to get your talent noticed today? How do you sell your skills without selling out? In this wide-ranging and practical conversation on Running to the Noise, Oberlin President Carmen Twillie Ambar brings together three young multihyphenate alums navigating today’s volatile creative economy: Tamara Jade ’12 (The Voice, HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show), EJ Marcus ’19 (comic and staff writer on HBO’s I Love LA), and Seyquan Mack ’21 (model, vocalist, and teaching artist). They talk candidly about what it takes to build momentum in saturated industries where talent alone is no longer enough. From opera stages and writers’ rooms to TikTok feeds and global ad campaigns, each guest traces how discipline, adaptability, and self-belief shaped their paths, and why visibility now plays a role alongside craft. But this episode goes deeper than career advice. It’s also a conversation about survival, agency, and belonging. The guests reflect on money, burnout, rejection, and the pressure to attract online followers, while making a powerful case for community over hyper-individualism. They explore what it means to pivot without losing your center, to use social platforms without being consumed by them, and to create work that still feels honest in a metrics-driven world. At its heart, this is a conversation about running toward uncertainty instead of away from it, about turning discomfort into momentum, and noise into opportunity. What We Cover in this Episode Why multihyphenate careers are becoming the norm in creative industriesHow opera training builds transferable discipline for other art formsThe role of social media and visibility in getting hired, and how to stay authenticWhat “pivoting” really looks like when industries shift or work dries upWhy community matters more than resilience aloneHow to think about money, stability, and creative freedom at the same timeWhat it means to “run to the noise” as an artist in an uncertain world Episode Links Tamara Jade Seyquan Mack EJ Marcus Tamara Jade on The Voice (NBC) Season 19 Top 9 Tamara Jade on Freedom, Faith, and the Power of Using Every Part of Her Voice I Love LA (HBO) EJ’s episode on Hacks TV debut as Nico, the nervous PA on “Hacks”/ Real-time reaction  Seyquan Mack: State 10 Management Tony-Winning AIDS Epidemic Epic Remains Relevant

    Cutting Through The Noise: Tamara Jade, EJ Marcus, and Seyquan Mack on Creativity, Community, and Building a Career That Lasts
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About

When First Lady Michelle Obama spoke to the graduating class of Oberlin College and Conservatory in 2015, she encouraged students to embrace Oberlin’s history and run to the “noise”— those challenging, contentious situations that threaten to divide us.  As the first college in America to officially embrace the admission of black students, and the first co-ed school to grant bachelor’s degrees to women, Oberlin has been Running to the Noise almost since our inception. And that’s just what we’ll do in each episode of our podcast, hosted by College President Carmen Twillie Ambar. President Ambar will talk with all manner of interesting and influential people on and off our campus who are tackling some of the world’s toughest problems, working to spark positive change for everyone.

Information

  • Creator
    Oberlin College & Conservatory
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Running to the Noise

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