Brittany Berry '18 and Logan Bonney G'17 are the co-owners of Anything But Beer, a brewery and taproom in Syracuse. Specializing in gluten-free and grain-free foods and beverages, Anything But Beer was only open for one month before COVID-19 forced the restaurant and taproom to close its dining room. Berry and Bonney shifted their focus to helping the area’s health care workers, many of whom have the same dietary restrictions as the restaurant. Thanks to donations made online, Anything But Beer ...
Apr 28, 2020•40 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Bryan Semaan is an assistant professor in the School of Information Studies (iSchool) at Syracuse University. Semaan's research exploring how we develop resiliency in the face of a life-altering disruption such as COVID-19 is more pertinent and relevant than ever before. Semaan shares how social media can both connect us and lead to a sense of isolation and loneliness, and why, even when we're isolated in our homes, it's important to cultivate a sense of community. Semaan offers insights into ho...
Apr 22, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 27
As the world continues to deal with the fallout from COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, nurses like Katie McMurray '13 are doing their part to treat patients with the coronavirus. McMurray, a progressive care nurse at Danbury Hospital in Danbury, Conn., is a member of an Orange Legacy family who earned her biology degree from the College of Arts and Sciences before entering the health care field. Her hospital has seen its share of coronavirus patients, including treating the state’s first COVID-19...
Apr 14, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Much like the rest of the sports world, the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan have been affected by COVID-19, the novel coronavirus. For only the fourth time in the history of the Olympics, the games will not go off as scheduled, with the Summer Olympics postponed until July 23, 2021. Takaya and his colleagues spent seven years securing the Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games for Tokyo, only to have the Games be affected by this pandemic. Takaya, the communications direc...
Apr 08, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 25
We’ve all heard how our nation’s health care workers are putting their lives on the line each and every day in the fight against COVID-19, the novel coronavirus. Isaac Budmen '12 and Stephanie Keefe '12 are using their company, Budmen Industries, to produce 3D face shields to help keep our health care workers safe. In a span of two weeks, this grassroots movement has gone from a basement in Central New York to a global scale. Budmen Industries is providing digital instructions for printing up va...
Mar 31, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Van Dean '96 is an award-winning Broadway producer. His latest project, "Jagged Little Pill," inspired by Alanis Morissette’s Grammy Award-winning album, debuted on Broadway in December. But now, the musical, like all performances on Broadway, has been shut down by the coronavirus. On the latest episode, Dean shares how the Broadway community is coming together to take care of each other during these unprecedented times. While a student at Syracuse, Dean re-wrote "The Boys From Syracuse" to hono...
Mar 26, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 23
As Syracuse University marks its 150th anniversary on March 24, 2020, we talk to two men who have written the definitive book on the University’s history. Rick Burton ’80 and Scott Pitoniak ’77 are the authors of Forever Orange: The Story of Syracuse University , which shares the stories of the people, places and moments in time that capture the essence of what it means to be Orange.
Mar 23, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 22
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic expands around the globe and across the country, life has changed dramatically for everyone. For journalists, keeping up with constant developments can be a tremendous challenge in a 24-hour news cycle. Another challenge: staying well - both mentally and physically - as they, like all of us, try to balance the responsibilities of their jobs with the evolving responsibilities of their lives. In this 'Cuse Conversation, we'll hear from television reporters Li...
Mar 19, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 21
For many of us, sports is a welcome and enjoyable distraction. For many others, it’s a business, a job, a source of income. In this ’Cuse Conversation, we check in with ESPN play-by-play broadcasters Mike Couzens ’10, Kevin Fitzgerald ’14 and Jay Alter ’16 and WSYR-TV sportscaster Darius Joshua ’14. We talk about life without sports, the significance of sports in society and the importance of “coming together” in this time of social distancing to help one another.
Mar 17, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Tired of hearing the negative stories about Baltimore, Aaron Robinson '03 decided to do something to change the narrative about his beloved hometown: he started his own podcast, No Pix After Dark, to tell the positive stories from Baltimore. Robinson, who earned a retail degree from the College of Visual and Performing Arts, knew nothing about creating a podcast, but he was passionate about storytelling, and dedicated himself to this new venture. One year later, Robinson has used his podcast to ...
Mar 03, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 19
As Ed Levine '78 will tell you, he "talked his way" into the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications in the mid-1970s and, as those who know him will tell you, Levine hasn't stopped talking. But that makes perfect sense for a man who has built a long and successful career in the radio business. Levine, who got his start at WAER while he was a student, is president and CEO of Central New York-based Galaxy Media, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. In this 'Cuse Conversation, Levine d...
Feb 26, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Ever since he was a standout linebacker for the Syracuse University football team, Cam Lynch '14 envisioned a career in the media. A four-year varsity letter-winner, Lynch ventured into the world of sportscasting as a student-athlete, producing his own sports segment, "Cam's Cam," featuring interviews with teammates. Lynch has played five seasons in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, and while he still dreams of returning to the NFL, Lynch formed his own media ...
Jan 30, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Sherman Williams, a 25-year veteran of the United States Army, is an entrepreneur, a business owner and a proud graduate of Syracuse University's Institute for Veterans and Military Families' (IVMF) Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans. A mechanic in the Army, Williams saw how our troops were struggling to fuel their bodies with healthy beverages that could both survive the harsh conditions of Iraq and provide essential vitamins and minerals, so he created Body Aqua. Williams discusses how his...
Jan 09, 2020•19 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Director Leonard R. "Lenny" Garner came to Syracuse University hoping to become a professional actor, but thanks to the hands-on experiences and lessons learned from the College of Visual and Performing Arts, Garner instead developed into a respected television and motion picture director. After graduating, Garner moved out to Los Angeles where he received his big break: being accepted into an assistant director's training program designed to help women and minorities break into the business. Hi...
Dec 20, 2019•26 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Adam Fazackerley ’96 came to Syracuse University to study to become an engineer. He graduated with the education and motivation to become an entrepreneur. Adam and his wife Amy are co-founders of Lay-n-Go , an “activity mat, cleanup, storage and carryall solution in one.” Adam, who with his wife, serves on the Syracuse University Libraries Advisory Board talks about building a business, mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs and why he gets so much out of giving back to current students....
Dec 13, 2019•30 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Trailblazing sportscaster Beth Mowins G'90 made history as the first woman to handle play-by-play duties for a Monday Night Football game. Mowins, who joined ESPN in 1994, has called NCAA championships in basketball, softball, soccer and volleyball, and has served as the voice of the Women's College World Series for over 20 years. Mowins discusses growing up as a passionate Syracuse sports fan, why the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications was the perfect place to hone her craft, the pat...
Nov 14, 2019•21 min•Season 1Ep. 13
After about a decade as a sportswriter, Brian Moritz decided to go back to school. He chose Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of public communications, where he earned both a master's and a doctoral degree. Now, he's a communications professor at SUNY-Oswego, blogs about journalism and sports media and hosts a podcast about writing . Brian joined us to talk about why he values his connection to Syracuse Univerity, what he's learned, his philosophy on teaching the next generation of jour...
Oct 15, 2019•38 min•Season 1Ep. 12
We sit down with director Alexis Ostrander '07 to discuss her career in Hollywood and her penchant for telling compelling stories. Ostrander, who earned a musical theater degree from the College of Visual and Performing Arts, has directed television shows like FX's "American Horror Story: Roanoke," CW's "Riverdale," SyFy's "Deadly Class," and more. A member of the inaugural "Sorkin Week" immersion program as part of Syracuse University in Los Angeles, Ostrander has carved out an award-winning an...
Oct 09, 2019•29 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Just five years out of college, Jonalyn Saxer '14 is building an impressive Broadway resume. After being part of the original Broadway cast of Mean Girls, she's currently playing the role of Karen Smith in the touring production of the show. In this 'Cuse Conversation, Jonalyn tells us how her Syracuse University education prepared her to stand out in a competitive field, talks about sharing the Broadway stage with other Syracuse alumni and provides some valuable advice for young actors who'd li...
Sep 20, 2019•21 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Jeff Kurkjian ’15 stops by to discuss his successful career as a morning talk radio host. Kurkjian, whose career started in Cleveland right after graduating with a broadcast and digital journalism major, is currently a co-host on 102.7 the Coyote in Las Vegas. Kurkjian talks about his love of Syracuse University, the lessons he learned from his S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications faculty members and classmates, how WJPZ (Z89) prepared him for his career in radio, and what it was like b...
Sep 11, 2019•36 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Producer Monica Levinson '90 stops by to discuss her decorated career as a film producer, including her latest work on "Brian Banks," a tale of a football player whose dreams of playing in the NFL were derailed by accusations of rape and kidnapping. Banks, who was falsely incarcerated, was exonerated and now spends his time fighting for others who were falsely convicted of crimes. Levinson's career as a producer has included films like “Captain Fantastic,” “Zoolander,” "Private Parts," “Dodgebal...
Aug 21, 2019•35 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Ben Holtzman came to Syracuse University from New York City; Sammy Lopez arrived from Los Angeles. When they met on the first day of their first year on campus, the new roommates shared a similar dream -- both wanted to be Broadway performers. Now, more than a decade later, the two alumni of Syracuse University's College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) are making their marks on the theater world... in a way they hadn't initially imagined. They worked together on the team that brought one of ...
Aug 21, 2019•25 min•Season 1Ep. 7
2019 Generation Orange Alumni Award winner Kevin Belbey jokingly lives by a motto used by ESPNU - "never graduate." While he has, in fact, graduated (he has three degrees from Syracuse University!), Belbey remains passionate about and connected to his alma mater. He works alongside and represents many fellow alumni as director of sports broadcasting for the Montag Group. Belbey, who was a manager for the men's basketball team as a student, has brought Orange alumni together to compete in The Bas...
Jul 26, 2019•13 min•Season 1Ep. 6
On the latest episode of the 'Cuse Conversations Podcast, May and Smith, a pair of Generation Orange alumni (graduates of the last 10 years) stopped by to discuss some of the exciting programming available to our young alumni. May and Smith are leaders on the Generation Orange Leadership Council, a collection of young alumni responsible for organizing programs like the GO (Generation Orange) Pro Series and professional development and networking nights. They share their advice to fellow young al...
Jul 09, 2019•29 min•Season 1Ep. 5
For over 20 years, Gianesini has forged a successful career at ESPN, working on popular shows like "Mike and Mike," "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz," and more. Gianesini stopped by the 'Cuse Conversations Podcast to discuss his career in radio, the lessons he learned from his time studying broadcast journalism at Syracuse University, and his advice to aspiring journalists.
Jun 26, 2019•42 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Liddy recently retired as dean of the School of Information Studies (iSchool) at Syracuse University following an 11-year career as dean, and a 30-year career as a faculty member and researcher. On the latest 'Cuse Conversations Podcast, Liddy discusses her distinguished career, shares highlights from her time with the iSchool, and addresses the progress made in helping women and minorities discover careers in STEM.
Jun 18, 2019•25 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Daly went from a high school dropout to the president and C.E.O. of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. On the latest 'Cuse Conversations Podcast, learn how Daly became one of the world's most respected economists, and how her time spent studying economics and public policy in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs helped her devise fiscal policies geared at serving others.
Jun 13, 2019•18 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Co-hosts John Boccacino '03 and Chris Velardi '95 from Syracuse University's Office of Alumni Engagement introduce you to our new 'Cuse Conversations Podcast! Our first podcast sets the stage for what listeners can expect moving forward, while introducing you to our co-hosts, both proud graduates of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and longtime members of the media who know how to tell compelling stories.
May 29, 2019•8 min•Season 1Ep. 1
