W&L After Class, the Lifelong Learning Podcast

Washington and Lee University
W&L After Class, the Lifelong Learning Podcast

Your curiosity doesn’t end when you receive your diploma. Washington and Lee’s Office of Lifelong Learning is here to help you explore the many questions that a good education stirs. In every episode, we’ll invite you to join conversations with our expert faculty, giving you another walk down the Colonnade even if you’re hundreds of miles away. You’ll hear from favorite faculty members about topics they know and love and meet new professors who can introduce you to new worlds; it all happens here on W&L After Class, where we invite you to join the kinds of discussions that happen after class every day at W&L. Indeed, curiosity remains not unmindful of the future.

  1. 5D AGO

    A Life Under Construction: Rethinking Identity, Technology, and Personal Evoluation with Stu Gray

    In this episode, we talk with Stu Gray, associate professor of politics at Washington and Lee University, whose winding journey from West Point to political theory is a story of risk, reflection and relentless curiosity. Gray shares how his fascination with both Western and Eastern traditions reshaped his understanding of identity, meaning and what it truly means to live a good life. We explore the philosophy behind his popular courses, including one inspired by “Black Mirror,” and how he invites students to unplug, look inward and critically examine the role technology plays in shaping modern identity. From the allure of “becoming” over “being” to the quiet power of awe, this conversation delves into questions that linger long after the classroom. Whether you're interested in politics, philosophy or simply navigating a digital world more mindfully, this episode will leave you thinking deeply and seeing differently.

    38 min

  2. JUN 10

    Cultivating an Interesting Mind for a Lifetime: A Conversation with President Will Dudley

    In this episode, Will Dudley, Washington and Lee University president and philosophy professor, shares how a lifelong love of asking questions shaped his path from an aspiring mathematician to a college president. As an educator at heart, President Dudley elects to teach one philosophy course a year, which explores the university’s mission statement. He talks of how remaining in the classroom grounds him and positively influences his role as president as he invites discussions on honor, integrity and civil discourse. From the value of freedom of expression to the joy of fly-fishing with students, our conversation invites you to reflect on the enduring impact of a liberal arts education and how to keep your mind an interesting place to live.

    26 min

  3. MAY 15

    The Risk is Worth it: Unlearning, Uncertainty, and the Real Lessons of Entrepreneurship with Jay Margalus

    In this episode, we talk with Jay Margalus, Johnson Professor of Entrepreneurship and Leadership and Director of the Connolly Center for Entrepreneurship at W&L. Margalus shares his unconventional path from law to software to academia, and why he believes embracing risk is essential, not just for entrepreneurs, but for anyone seeking a meaningful life. We explore how he's helping students unlearn rigid, test-driven thinking and rediscover creativity through play, uncertainty, and real-world experimentation. From the philosophy behind W&L’s entrepreneurship programs to the hands-on work happening at the Connolly Center, this episode is packed with insight into what it means to take smart risks, build boldly, and avoid the quiet danger of regret. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, educator, or just rethinking your next move, this conversation will inspire you to take the leap.

    45 min

  4. APR 7

    Inviting the Imagination: Writing, Editing and the Shenandoah Magazine with Beth Staples

    In this episode, we talk with Beth Staples, editor of Shenandoah Literary magazine and assistant professor of English. Staples discusses storytelling, the legacy of Shenandoah, the exciting changes she's bringing to the magazine and what it means for W&L students. We dive into the magazine's history, its editorial process and how Staples is shaping the future with programs including the innovative Fellowship Program and the for-credit internship experience. Whether you're a Shenandoah fan or new to literary magazines, this episode is packed with insight into the art of storytelling and the future of publishing.

    36 min

  5. FEB 11

    Learning What You Love: Mentoring Students through the Fellowship Application Process with Matthew Loar

    In this episode, Matthew Loar, Director of Fellowships and Student Research at Washington and Lee University, shares his path from studying abroad in Rome to shaping the futures of current W&L students. He talks about how fellowships are transforming undergraduate experiences and why he is so passionate about the application process itself. We discuss Matthew’s work with programs such as Summer Research Scholars and Science, Society, and the Arts, and discuss how we at Lifelong Learning plan to introduce elements of these initiatives to our Lifelong Learning audience.

    37 min

  6. JAN 13

    Weathering the Storm of a Changing World: The Lasting Value of the Humanities and Shakespeare with Holly Pickett

    In this episode, Holly Pickett, professor of English at Washington and Lee University, shares her experience with Shakespeare, from an unconvinced high school student to an early modern drama scholar, and discusses the transformative power of teaching on the playwright. She encourages her students to not just read the text, but to experience it – and talks of ways to bring Shakespeare “to its feet.” With her own research extending beyond the English department and into subjects of history and modern TV, she delves into the enduring value of humanities in an ever-changing world and reflects on how studying Shakespeare can offer insights into the core questions of what makes all of us human.

    26 min

  7. 11/11/2024

    Kindling Moments of Pure Joy: Gene McCabe’s Philosophy to Coaching and Mentoring Student Athletes in a Changing World

    In this episode, Gene McCabe, head men’s lacrosse coach and assistant director of athletics for compliance, details how sports and childhood mentors launched his trajectory as an educator in athletics. He played both lacrosse and football at Bates College before a neck injury sidelined his football career but ultimately gave him his first taste to coaching at the collegiate level. As he heads into his 19th season as head coach, McCabe reflects on his most treasured memories with the lacrosse program, the challenges he witnesses student-athletes facing, the overall changing landscape of collegiate sports and the culture and values he works to cultivate on Wilson Field. We also discuss his efforts to marry sustainability with the athletic department, the pride he feels as a W&L alumna parent and the importance of holding onto those passions that feed the soul.

    36 min

  8. 10/08/2024

    Shaking Up The Consciousness: The Ethics of Cultural Heritage and How We Live and Die with Melissa Kerin

    In this episode, Melissa Kerin, Professor of Art History at Washington and Lee University and Director of the Roger Mudd Center for Ethics, discusses this year’s theme for the Mudd Center: “How We Live and Die.” As a Buddhist art historian, she presents a unique perspective on the meaning of life and death and the moral questions that shape the human condition.  We discuss the history of the Mudd Center, the importance of storytelling for all of us as we process the reality of death and the way in which Buddhism addresses finality, particularly through its sacred artistic tradition. We also talk about Professor Kerin’s own journey from appreciating the social power of the arts through theater to beholding the shrines that influence the cultural world of small villages in the Himalayas.

    41 min
See All (47)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

Your curiosity doesn’t end when you receive your diploma. Washington and Lee’s Office of Lifelong Learning is here to help you explore the many questions that a good education stirs. In every episode, we’ll invite you to join conversations with our expert faculty, giving you another walk down the Colonnade even if you’re hundreds of miles away. You’ll hear from favorite faculty members about topics they know and love and meet new professors who can introduce you to new worlds; it all happens here on W&L After Class, where we invite you to join the kinds of discussions that happen after class every day at W&L. Indeed, curiosity remains not unmindful of the future.

Information

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada