Speaking of Simpson

Brian Steffen
  • 4.6 (7)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Speaking of Simpson

A podcast of the people and events that make Simpson College one of the top liberal arts colleges in the nation.

  1. MAY 11

    178: Remembering Jay Byers

    Speaking of Simpson devotes this week's episode to a remembrance of Jay Byers, who died on April 17. Acting President Terry Handley, who helped engineer the hiring of Jay as president just two years ago, and longtime Professor Mark Green share their stories of Jay that date to his days as a student at Simpson in the 1990s. Also, host Brian Steffen wraps up this episode with an important announcement.

    40 min

  2. MAY 5

    177: Jack Simons on Screen Time for Undergrads

    Jack Simons is an academic counselor in Simpson's TRIO program, and he's been a leader in the conversations on campus about healthy mobile phone usage by undergraduate students. It's a continuation of his previous work on helping Des Moines high school students find a better balance of using mobile tech in their lives. Jack's on the podcast this week to talk about how he hopes Simpson can help students better manage their screen time.

    52 min

  3. MAR 31

    176: Emily Burns & Olivia Erickson on Fighting Sexual Assault

    One in four college undergraduate women report being victims of sexual assault during their time in higher education, and most experts believe the numbers of full reports are much lower than what's happening on campus. Emily Burns and Olivia Erickson, two members of Simpson's Sexual Assault Response Advocates (SARA) program, come on the podcast this week to discuss how this student-led program provides help and support for students who've had unwelcome sexual experiences. This episode helps kick off April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month at Simpson and around the nation.

    31 min

  4. MAR 23

    175: Mark Freyberg on Teaching in a DEI World

    Simpson has long been dedicated to teaching its students the value of a diverse, equitable and inclusive world. Still, that orientation has been attacked both in Washington, D.C. and at the Statehouse in Des Moines. Indeed, Iowa now says it will withhold Iowa Tuition Grant funding from any private college with a DEI office. (Simpson no longer has such an office.) This week on the podcast, Professor Mark Freyberg in sociology and criminal justice talks about why Simpson teaches DEI and why our students will be ill-equipped to work in a diverse world without that education. Please note that this episode expresses the views only of the host and guest, and it does not necessarily reflect that of Simpson College.

    38 min

  5. FEB 24

    174: Matt Garrett on 'Living in the Middle'

    Simpson faculty member Matt Garrett has a new book out, Living in the Middle: Reflection Thinking in Sport, about the challenges likely to be faced by students pursuing careers in sport management, marketing and media. Matt stops by the podcast this week to talk about why he wrote the book and the lessons he hopes his students and readers take from it.

    30 min

  6. FEB 16

    173: Dani Kahut Lynch & Ike Papes on Simpson's New-Look Volleyball Programs

    Volleyball is one of America's fastest-growing sports, and Simpson's taking advantage of that fact in building its long-standing women's program and the new men's program. This week on the podcast, new Volleyball Director Dani Kohut Lynch, who also is head coach of the women, and new men's Coach Ike Papes talk about joining the Storm and looking for ways to help the programs stand out in the American Rivers Conference.

    37 min

  7. FEB 10

    172: Spencer Waugh on Simpson Online

    Spencer Waugh has led some of Simpson's most high-profile programs, including Speech & Debate and Exploratory Studies. Now he's tasked with taking over Simpson Online, the undergraduate, graduate, and certificate program aimed at non-traditional learners. Spencer stops by the podcast this week to talk about the program and his ideas for growing it in the years to come.

    32 min

  8. FEB 3

    171: Mike Espy & The Revival of the Carver Medal Ceremony

    Mike Espy, former congressman from Mississippi and secretary of agriculture during the 1990s in the Clinton administration, came to Simpson last week to accept the Carver Medal, named for Simpson College's most famous alumnus. George Washington Carver attended Simpson in 1890 and went on to become one of the world's foremost agricultural scientists. The Carver Medal recognizes a Black American who has made a significant contribution to public service in the United States. Espy is the first Black American to serve as secretary of agriculture.

    40 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

A podcast of the people and events that make Simpson College one of the top liberal arts colleges in the nation.

Information

  • Creator
    Brian Steffen
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Speaking of Simpson

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