98 episodes

What does it mean to lead in the digital space with heart and grace?

On my podcast, Josie and the Podcast, I spend time with role models of digital leadership in higher education to answer this question. Whether we’re deconstructing trends on TikTok, sharing best practices for maintaining a digital community, or building up communications professionals by addressing mental health and burnout, my goal is to share conversations that encourage you, empower you, and entertain you to rethink digital strategy - for yourself and the organizations you support.

Josie and the Podcast Dr. Josie Ahlquist

    • Education
    • 5.0 • 17 Ratings

What does it mean to lead in the digital space with heart and grace?

On my podcast, Josie and the Podcast, I spend time with role models of digital leadership in higher education to answer this question. Whether we’re deconstructing trends on TikTok, sharing best practices for maintaining a digital community, or building up communications professionals by addressing mental health and burnout, my goal is to share conversations that encourage you, empower you, and entertain you to rethink digital strategy - for yourself and the organizations you support.

    Being a Traveler Not a Tourist with Jill Creighton

    Being a Traveler Not a Tourist with Jill Creighton

    If you ask Dr. Jill Creighton where her favorite place in the world is, she’ll tell you it’s the place she hasn’t been to yet. As a world traveler, Jill leads organizations in global engagement, social impact, and crisis management in the higher education sector.
    Before starting in her current role as the Associate Vice President for Global Operations at the Institute for Study Abroad, Jill spent years working in student affairs – a passion that stretches back to her dissertation on American college students’ study abroad behavior. Jill also hosts SA: Voices from the Field, a podcast with NASPA. 
    In this episode, Jill discusses her philosophy of navigating the world as a traveler and not a tourist, her observations of study abroad programs across the globe, and how the podcast SA: Voices from the Field is sharing the stories of the people who make student affairs come to life. 
    Josie and the Podcast is a production of Dr. Josie Ahlquist and is produced by University FM.
    For all resources mentioned in this episode, head to: https://www.josieahlquist.com/podcast/being-a-traveler-not-a-tourist-with-jill-creighton/
    Connect with Jill:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjillcreighton/ 
    SA Voices email: savoices@naspa.org 
     
    Connect with Josie:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josieahlquist/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josieahlquist
    Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josieandthepodcast
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/josieahlquist
    Podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/JosieATPodcast
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJosieAhlquist/
    Website: www.josieahlquist.com
    Email: info@josieahlquist.com
     
    Mentioned in the episode:
    Dr. Kelly Alvarado-Young on LinkedIn 
    Dr. Peter Hansen on LinkedIn
    SA: Voices from the Field podcast
    Colorado Symphony 
    Chris Lombardi Acapella on YouTube
    Chris Lombardi Acapella on TikTok 
    Hunt the Wumpus computer game
    Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange
    From Qatar to Consultancy: Transitions in Dr. Denny Roberts' Career 
    Dr. Chris Lewis on LinkedIn 
    NASPA official site 
     

    • 51 min
    Protecting Your Light with Dr. Mike Muñoz

    Protecting Your Light with Dr. Mike Muñoz

    Step aside Gen Z, because Generation Alpha is here and making its identity known. Born between 2010 and 2025, Alpha’s are highly digitally-integrated and are set to become the most educated generation. 
    For insight on Gen Alpha, I brought in a diverse group of guests to speak to what’s ahead. You’ll hear from AJ Lopez, social media & media relations manager at Texas Woman’s University (and parent of two Gen Alphas); Dr. Meghan Grace, researcher, consultant, generational expert; Dr. Amber Williams, Vice Provost for Student Success at the University of Tennessee - Knoxville (also a parent of a Gen Alpha); and Ava Christopher, a Gen Alpha herself, and the cousin of my marketing manager, Kati Hartwig. 
    As we gear up for this new generation of diverse, intelligent, and independent people, it’s clear that higher ed is going to have to evolve to fit their needs. So what’s the first step? 
    Josie and the Podcast is a production of Dr. Josie Ahlquist and is produced by University FM. The show is also sponsored by Element451.

    For all resources mentioned in this episode, head to
    https://www.josieahlquist.com/podcast/little-giants-big-world-of-gen-alpha/

     
    Connect with Josie:
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josieahlquist/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josieahlquist
    Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josieandthepodcast
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/josieahlquist
    Podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/JosieATPodcast
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJosieAhlquist/
    Website: www.josieahlquist.com
    Email: info@josieahlquist.com



    Mentioned in the episode:
    Element 451 Engage Summit
    *Remember to use code JOSIE50 for an exclusive discount through March 31st!*
    NASPA session with Tim Alexander: Is Student Affairs Ready for Influencer Marketing? 
    Influencer Marketing and Its Place in Higher Education | Josie and the Podcast
    ACPA Annual Convention
    NASPA Virtual Conference
    AMA Virtual Conference: Marketing in Higher Education
    Student Social Media Academy
    Engaging the Digital Generation
    AJ Lopez | Texas Women’s University
    Dr. Meghan Grace | researcher, consultant, generational expert
    Dr. Amber Williams | University of Tennessee
    Gen Alpha Primer from Ologie
    McCrindle
    Ashley Fell
    Gen Alpha will be more diverse than the rest of the US population (Insider Intelligence)
    Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
    Inside the Tween Obsession With Drunk Elephant Skin Care (Glamour Magazine)
    Skincare Smoothies
    James Charles
    Preparing for Gen Alpha Students: Everything Will Be Different (Volt)
    6 Tips for Marketing Higher Ed to Generation Alpha
    Students Like You | Seton Hall University
    The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach
    Faith Hitch on TikTok
    Generation research from Dr. Meghan Grace and Dr. Corey Semiller

    • 1 hr 2 min
    Protecting Your Light with Dr. Mike Muñoz

    Protecting Your Light with Dr. Mike Muñoz

    A common theme I noticed throughout today's conversation with Mike Muñoz was a focus on breathing. Whether it was metaphorically taking a breather from doom scrolling, or literally stopping yourself for a quiet moment to feel your chest move up and down. Mike’s commitment to self-preservation, his warm persona and dedication to his campus are a driving force behind his work. 
    Dr. Mike Muñoz, Superintendent and President of Long Beach City College (LBCC), is a nationally recognized leader, passionate about closing the equity gap, creating inclusive environments, and driving innovation.
    He joined me this episode to chat about the innovative strategies he is implementing at LBCC to foster a sense of belonging and support for students, and the role of social media in enhancing accessibility and engagement. Mike discusses on campus initiatives like 'Paletas with the President,' designed to connect with students while honoring his ethnicity, and his approach to addressing challenges faced by specific groups, such as students with dependents and those experiencing homelessness. 
    He also emphasizes the importance of empathy, authenticity, and self-care in leadership, and highlights how sharing these values through social media can serve as a powerful platform for uplifting and connecting communities. 
     
    Josie and the Podcast is a production of Dr. Josie Ahlquist and is produced by University FM. The show is also sponsored by Element451.
     
    For all resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.josieahlquist.com/podcast/protecting-your-light-with-dr-mike-munoz/

     
    Mentioned in the episode:
    Element 451 Engage Summit 
    *Remember to use code JOSIE50 for an exclusive discount through March 31st!*
    Teddy Ruxpin
    Long Beach City College (@lbcitycollege) • Instagram 
    Long Beach City College
    Long Beach City College | LinkedIn

    Paletas With The President
    LBCC - President's Circle Funds
    Students with Dependents - Long Beach City College
    Want to Become a Peer Advisor? - Long Beach City College
    LBCC and Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach Launch New Service to Help Student Parents
    LBCC Launches Pilot Program for Student Overnight Parking 
    Long Beach City College - YouTube
    Long Beach City College - Facebook
    LB City College (@LBCityCollege) / X



    Connect with Mike:
    LinkedIn
    Instagram
     
    Connect with Josie:
    LinkedIn
    InstagramThreads
    Twitter/X
    Facebook
    Website
    Email
     
    Josie and the Podcast is on social too!
    Podcast Instagram
    Podcast Twitter/X
    Podcast Threads

    • 47 min
    In My AI Era

    In My AI Era

    Diving into the world of Artificial intelligence (AI) can be intimidating. Or maybe you’re unsure about using it at all. No one is an expert in these tools right now (unless, maybe, you happen to be one of the tool creators), meaning there is so much room for playfulness and exploration open to those willing to try.  
     
    In this episode, I’ll cover the importance of staying updated with changing AI trends, discuss possible concerns and benefits of integrating AI in higher ed, provide practical and effective steps for experimenting with AI, and recommend several (several) resources for learning more.
     
    I am also in the early stages of exploring, so I wanted to seek some advice from my colleagues and hear all about how they're using different tools. Throughout the episode, you’ll hear from me; Carrie Phillips, Chief Communications Officer at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock; Claire Brady, President of Glass Half Full Consulting (and a former Vice President for Student Affairs); and Joel Villarani, Director of Social Media at Florida International University.
     
    AI doesn’t have to be scary, and it can be incredibly helpful! The potential benefits are limitless if we can maintain a humanized approach to AI implementation in higher education. 
     
    Josie and the Podcast is a production of Dr. Josie Ahlquist and is produced by University FM. The show is also sponsored by Element451.
     
    For all resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.josieahlquist.com/podcast/in-my-ai-era/ 



    Connect with Josie:
    LinkedIn
    Instagram
    Threads
    Twitter/X
    Facebook
    Website
    Email
     
    Josie and the Podcast is on social too!
    Podcast Instagram
    Podcast Twitter/X
    Podcast Threads
     
    Mentioned in the episode:
     
    Student Social Media Academy
    2024 NASPA Annual Conference, Seattle
    ACPA24 // Chicago, IL | ACPA
    Josie Episode: Building Community vs. Facilitating Community
    Chat GPT
    Gemini
    Grammarly
    Perplexity
    HubSpot: AI Trends for Marketers 2023 Report
    Claude AI
    Consensus
    Carrie Phillips - Communications and Marketing
    Carrie Phillips, Ed.D. - University of Arkansas at Little Rock | LinkedIn
    Claire Brady, Ed.D | LinkedIn
    Claire Brady, Ed.D - Glass Half Full Consulting
    Joel Villarini Falbe - Florida International University | LinkedIn
    Social Media | Strategic Communications, Government and External Affairs | Florida International University
    Josie's LinkedIn: Grounding Student Affairs Work in Technology: ACPA/NASPA Approves Updated Competencies
    Inside Higher Education 2023 - Benefits and Challenges of AI Report
    The New Academic Arms Race - The Chronicle
    Higher Ed Pulse Podcast: Beyond Bricks and Clicks: Shaping the Future of Higher Ed Marketing
    Study: AI Adoption and Higher Ed Leadership
    Risks and rewards higher ed should know when investing in AI
    AI Plus | University at Albany
    $60M gift to establish major initiative in artificial intelligence at IU
    AI Center Opening at MDC
    A new collaboration with OpenAI charts the future of AI in higher education | ASU News
    DALL·E 3
    The Element451 AI Learning Center
    Bart Caylor - Caylor Solutions | LinkedIn
    Caylor Solutions
    Evertrue
    Mallory Willsea - Enrollify | LinkedIn
    Digital Leadership in Higher Education - Josie Ahlquist
    Element 451 Engage Summit 
    *Remember to use code JOSIE50 for an exclusive discount through April 14th!*
    Element451
    University FM
     

    • 57 min
    Leading With Hard Work and Heart Work with Shea Kidd Brown

    Leading With Hard Work and Heart Work with Shea Kidd Brown

    It is so difficult to be mindful online these days. The apps and algorithms are just not designed to keep us in the present. And with so much curation necessary to creative our idea of a “perfect profile,”  how can we make sure we are showing up in our digital accounts and profiles in a heartful way?
    Well, my guest today has mastered the art and science of being her whole self online. Whether she is weaving the values her grandmother taught her into presentations, or sharing the intimacies of her adoption journey on social media, Dr. Shea Kidd Brown consistently stays true to her commitment to sharing both her personal and professional journeys openly and genuinely.
    Shea has enjoyed a long career in college administration at a number of institutions of higher education in the southeastern region and now serves as the Vice President for Campus Life at Wake Forest University. 
    In this episode, Shea discusses her perspective on storytelling, congruency and the importance of bringing humanity into digital spaces. We’ll also dive into how balancing personal and professional narratives is essential for creating an impactful online presence and how Shea uses these platforms to create active, mindful connections for her campus community. 
    Josie and the Podcast is a production of Dr. Josie Ahlquist and is produced by University FM. The show is also sponsored by Element451.
     
    For all resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.josieahlquist.com/podcast/shea-kidd-brown/
     
    Mentioned in the episode:
    Element 451 Engage Summit 
    *Remember to use code JOSIE50 for an exclusive discount!*
    Wake Forest News during Black History Month
    Wake Forest Campus Fellow Gretchen Castelloe
    Milkshake Monday
    Wake Up Wednesday
    Kidd You Not Podcast
    Kidd You Not Episode 10: Coach Steve Forbes
     
    Connect with Shea:
    LinkedIn
    Instagram
    Twitter/X
    Facebook
    Who We Are - Division of Campus Life
    Wake Forest University
    Kidd You Not Podcast
     
    Connect with Josie:
    LinkedIn
    Instagram
    Threads
    Twitter/X
    Facebook
    Website
    Email
     
    Josie and the Podcast is on social too!
    Podcast Instagram
    Podcast Twitter/X
    Podcast Threads
     

    • 1 hr 3 min
    Talking Human-Centered Tactics with Dayana Kibilds

    Talking Human-Centered Tactics with Dayana Kibilds

    Dayana Kibilds sees content as a tool for equity, and strives to help students access the educational institutions they deserve to be a part of. She is also living for unapologetic joy and keeping her work in marketing and communications human-centered.

    Dayana, or Day, is strategy director at Ologie, an employee-owned marketing and branding strategy built for education. Prior to Ologie, Day led enrollment and digital innovation work at Penn State, Cornell and Western University in Ontario, Canada. Day is also the host of Enrollify's Talking Tactics podcast, and is co-authoring a book about email to be released in spring 2024. 
    From Mexico to Germany, Day’s career and homes have spanned the globe. And in this episode, we chat about them all. We’ll talk about making deliberate career choices and how she once left her job without a plan, how email is the ugly duckling of any communications or marketing mix, how her podcast Talking Tactics fills the gap she saw in higher ed, and a bit about how she is utilizing LinkedIn these days.
    Josie and the Podcast is a production of Dr. Josie Ahlquist and is produced by University FM. The show is also sponsored by Element451.
     
    For all resources mentioned in this episode, head to https://www.josieahlquist.com/podcast/talking-human-centered-tactics-with-dayana-kibilds/




    Mentioned in the episode:
    Element 451 Engage Summit 
    *Remember to use code JOSIE50 for an exclusive discount!*
    Ashley Budd
    Talking Tactics on Apple Podcasts
    Higher Ed Social Facebook group
    Dayana’s LinkedIn post - Her First Marketing Emails 
    Day’s 10 Days of Email on LinkedIn
     
    Connect with Day:
    Dayana Kibilds - Ologie | LinkedIn
    Day (@kibilds) on Threads 
    Dayana Kibilds
    Ologie
     
    Connect with Josie:
    LinkedIn
    Instagram
    Threads
    Twitter/X
    Facebook
    Website
    Email
     
    Josie and the Podcast is on social too!
    Podcast Instagram
    Podcast Twitter/X
    Podcast Threads
     

    • 1 hr

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
17 Ratings

17 Ratings

Jazoni ,

Such refreshing vulnerability

I’ve become a fan of Josie since I had her on my podcast and have come to really appreciate how she steers conversations in an appropriately vulnerable, human direction. She asks meaningful questions and breathes a lot of much needed life into the higher ed space with her energy and authenticity. Not only will you learn tactics and strategies for higher ed social media marketing and more but you’ll be reminded of what it means to be human, to get the most out of life and at times not have it all together. Highly recommend!

~Dr. Pat~ ,

Authentic

Josie is one of those women I can listen to and find honesty. I work in higher education and produce a podcast myself on women of color in the academy. I know the journey and what it takes to do all of what she is doing. I appreciate her saying she had to take a break. I also appreciate the content she provides us with. It is truthful and informative keep up the great work. Take your time, sis. Dr. Pat

jj_magoo ,

If you are interested in digital leadership, listen to this.

Josie is a natural, exudes positivity, and is often one of the highlights of my day. Listening to her is like listening to your super supportive big sister. If you are a higher education leader looking to get better in the digital space, this is the podcast for you.

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