According to Forbes magazine, legal sales of cannabis in the U.S. hit a record $17.5 billion in 2020. With job growth projected to increase 161 percent by 2029, there’s a clear need for educated employees to work in a variety of cannabis-related fields. That’s why Edinboro University professor Dr. Sam Claster, from Sociology, has worked tirelessly over the past few years to develop a new certificate program in Cannabis Science. In today’s episode, we talk about some of the truths and myths behin...
Mar 31, 2022•46 min
Recent government data show that nearly three out of every four children under the age of 18 participate in some sort of youth sport. With those numbers remaining steady through 2021, some professionals are taking a closer look at youth sport safety. As professional leagues such as the NFL and NBA become more physical and oftentimes aggressive, some parents have noticed youth athletes adapting to more advanced playing style. And that concerns athletic training professionals like Dr. Amy Eperthen...
Nov 15, 2021•45 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In one year, Dr. Jim Roberts ran 7 marathons. He once completed marathons on 3 consecutive days. He has run a marathon in all 50 states – 49 of which he finished in less than 4 hours. Only one question comes to mind when chatting with a seasoned marathon runner like Dr. Roberts: Why? Whether it’s a test of personal perseverance or a hobby with friends, Dr. Roberts has found several reasons to complete the 26.2 mile race over and over again. On today’s episode, we discuss the reason he started ru...
Oct 26, 2021•33 min•Season 3Ep. 4
If you’re an artist, sometimes looking back on your earliest work can be – well – somewhat embarrassing. But as Edinboro University professor Karabo Legwaila explains in today’s episode of “Tartan Talks,” that’s one of the best ways to improve as an artist. Karabo Legwaila joined the Art Department in the fall of 2016 as a professor of Computer Animation. Prior to that, he spent 10 years as a lead technical animator and dynamics specialist. Originally from Botswana, Karabo received his Master of...
Oct 11, 2021•38 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Information is out there. Look no further than the mobile device in your hands. In an instant, you have access to news stories and scientific research about topics from climate change to virus pandemics. But what happens when we encounter science and research that doesn’t fit with our own beliefs or preconceptions? Are we rigid to change? What will it take to reconsider our own opinions when presented with new information? Dr. Peter McLaughlin, from Edinboro’s Psychology Department, teaches crit...
Sep 27, 2021•48 min•Season 3Ep. 2
We all have our hobbies. Some of us enjoy music and writing, others partake in woodworking or fashion. A growing percentage of Americans spend their downtime playing games on video gaming systems, computers and mobile phones. For nearly 10% of these gamers, the hobby has become more than recreation – it’s become an addiction. Dr. Stephanie Diez-Morel, from Edinboro’s Social Work Department, joins us to discuss how we can identify and assess gaming disorders and how we can maintain healthy screen...
Sep 14, 2021•49 min•Season 3Ep. 1
For the last 20 years, we have been warned not to believer everything we see or read on the internet. Today’s “Tartan Talks” guests explores that concept in today’s deep dive. Dr. Larry Downey has taught mathematics at Edinboro University since 2012. But in his research, he developed a software program that can detect false or doctored images that appear on the internet and in academic research. Dr. Downey joins us to discuss the field of image forensics and provides some examples of viral image...
Apr 13, 2021•43 min
Although you can't tell because of the snow squalls and sub-freezing temperatures, we are quickly approaching spring in Northwestern Pennsylvania. And with the anticipation of warmer weather, birds chirping and leaves returning to trees, many of us hit the books to recall the words of our favorite nature poets. Dr. Bob Hass, from Edinboro University's English & Philosophy Department, joins us today to discuss his lifelong quest to understand Robert Frost, his penchant for living outdoors and...
Feb 22, 2021•48 min
It's Black History Month, and we're delivering you a special episode from Edinboro University's Black History Month programming. Although the Civil Rights Movement resulted in monumental legal changes for a country just 100 years removed from slavery, African Americans continue to experience bias, discrimination and prejudice at all levels of society. LGBTQ African Americans often live at the intersection of racism. In 2020, there was an unprecedented number of murders of trans or gender non-con...
Feb 09, 2021•59 min
It's a new year and a new opportunity to reach our goals and meet our personal expectations. However, in 2021, we are still in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and the number of individuals impacted by this virus are still climbing. Not only that, but people around the globe are facing increasing mental health issues like stress, anxiety and depression. Dr. Julaine Field, from Edinboro's Counseling, School Psychology and Special Education – and a licensed professional counselor, joined us for...
Jan 19, 2021•39 min
Erie is much more than the fourth largest city in Pennsylvania. From the food to the entertainment to the small businesses, Erie possesses a certain charm that ignites the spirit of locals and piques the nostalgia of those who have moved away. Dena Rupp and Corrine Kraus, two Edinboro University graphic design graduates, started a business to capture this spirit – Flagship City Press. The pair of entrepreneurs joined us on "Tartan Talks" to discuss their stationary and gift business and what it ...
Dec 15, 2020•38 min
Attention: Gear heads, military service members, public servants and curious entrepreneurs. We have an episode of "Tartan Talks" for you. Angela Ambrose, 2002 graduate of Edinboro University and VP of Government Relations and Communications for GM Defense joins us to chat about the new Infantry Squad Vehicle – which is set to roll out soon. GM Defense LLC, a subsidiary of General Motors, is celebrating the first delivery of the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) – a light and agile all-terrain troop c...
Nov 24, 2020•39 min
Tyler Waltenbaugh and Hunter Klobucar understand the issues in the outdoors. Plastic and garbage pollution. Waterways willed with discarded materials from anglers and outdoors visitors. Instead of ignoring the issues, these two Edinboro University students (Tyler graduated in May 2020, and Hunter will graduate in May 2021) decided to do something about it. And start a business in the process. The pair founded Fish Gods, LLC and are launching the Clean Earth Bag, a reusable bag made specifically ...
Nov 10, 2020•33 min
Sherry Kuiper is a storyteller. Ever since her graduation from Edinboro University, she has changed careers and found new hobbies. But the one constant in her life is connecting a genuine story to a curious audience. And that's what she does for a living now as a communications specialist at Fort Meade – one of the largest military communities by population. She hosts "Fort Meade Declassified," which tells stories of servicemembers and gives updates on the community. She joined "Tartan Talks" fo...
Oct 26, 2020•42 min
“It’s less about the drug of choice now and more about drug abuse. It’s more of a drug epidemic than it is an opioid epidemic right now. They’ll take anything they can get.” Alan McGill is a Senior Supervisory Special Agent – who has previously worked as an undercover narcotics agent – within Pennsylvania’s Office of the Attorney General. Agent McGill has been a professional investigator for over 30 years with 23 years in law enforcement. Today he joins “Tartan Talks” to discuss his experience a...
Oct 13, 2020•59 min
If you're listening to this podcast right now, chances are you're quite familiar with technology. Maybe you're streaming on your smart phone, or you're listening to it with headphones on your computer. Whether you've expected it or not (and if you like it or not), technology has changed our lives permanently. And with the COVID-19 pandemic impacting our methods of communication, one area of our lives might never be the same: Education. Dr. Camille Dempsey, from Edinboro University's School of Ed...
Sep 22, 2020•42 min
As the world addressed the global COVID-19 pandemic, the United States endured one of the most contentious summers since 1968. On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old black American man, was killed in Minneapolis, Minn., during an arrest for allegedly using a counterfeit bill. From there, the #BlackLivesMatter movement activated with protests occurring across the country. Edinboro University's Rhonda Matthews, Ph.D. (History, Politics, Languages and Cultures Department) and Professor Julie ...
Sep 08, 2020•1 hr 5 min
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Edinboro University's campus visits have shifted to virtual experiences. This tracks will help guide you on your driving tour of campus. To review these locations, visit www.edinboro.edu/tour.
Aug 11, 2020•13 min
As the Secretary of Health for Pennsylvania, Dr. Rachel Levine has the been the face of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Each day, she addresses thousands of Pennsylvanians with advice and news related to the virus. In 2017, Dr. Levine received an honorary doctorate from Edinboro and delivered the commencement address. She discussed how to be fearless when making big life decisions. She also advised the Class of 2017 to dedicate their life to service of others. As we celebrate the Class of 2020 and...
May 05, 2020•21 min
How can you possibly put into words the impact of a lifetime of service to the United States Armed Forces. That's what we're going to try and do today, with interviews of two Edinboro University administrators with nearly 30 years of military experience between them. Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Kavanagh and Major Andrew Matt join "Tartan Talks" today to talk about their "A-ha" moment in the military, what it was like during boot camp and how to maintain lifelong relationships. Military personnel...
Apr 21, 2020•54 min
Dr. Baher Ghosheh is Edinboro University's resident expert on the Middle East. Born and raised in Jerusalem and educated in the economic development and international relations on the Middle East, Dr. Ghosheh has taught geography and Middle Eastern studies at Edinboro since 1989. In a change to our normal "Tartan Talks" format, Dr. Ghosheh joins us via Zoom to discuss the history of the region and how the United States became involved in the 20th Century. He also discusses how the Arab Spring pr...
Apr 07, 2020•44 min
Actor James Earl Jones. Actress Emily Blunt. NBA all-star Bill Walton. Singer Ed Sheeran. Former vice president Joe Biden. What do all of these individuals have in common? They have a stutter. Stuttering impacts 5% of all children in the United States, and the condition stays through adulthood for 1% of the population. Often misunderstood by the public, stuttering is a disability that affects communication pathways in the brain. More significantly are the social impacts that those who stutter fa...
Mar 17, 2020•32 min
When Dr. Korey Kilburn prepares to take flight in his two-seat Cessna, he goes over his flight plan, reviews the maintenance of his plane and checks the weather one last time. Many thoughts run through his head before takeoff. But is he worried? Not necessarily. Dr. Kilburn is a math and computer science professor at Edinboro, and he also has his pilot's license. He joins "Tartan" Talks today to chat about his path to aviation and how he grew up in a family of pilots. Although some might fear fl...
Mar 03, 2020•36 min
What does it mean to fully embrace Black History Month? What would you say if someone claims we don't need a month for Black History? This week's episode of "Tartan Talks" features a live chat with LaTessa McClendon, George Morgan III and Pertrina Marrero, from Edinboro University, who share their stories of Black History Month and what it's like sharing a cultural identity with peers and the next generation. This is the first episode with an accompanying video of the interview. Head over to You...
Feb 18, 2020•54 min
Wherever you are sitting right now – whether it’s at your bedroom desk or on the couches in the Pogue Student Center – ask yourself why you chose that particular spot. Your physical place in the world is a mixture of conscious and subconscious choices, whether you know it or not. Your location can affect your mood, your personality, your grades and your actions. So what does this mean for a college campus? Dr. Jim Wertz, associate dean of Edinboro University’s College of Arts, Humanities and Soc...
Feb 04, 2020•50 min
"The United States gave me a chance to believe in myself, because we value the ideals of who you are as an individual." Alex Ho graduated in December 2019 from Edinboro University. In the years before earning his diploma, Alex immigrated to the United States with is family, joined the military to serve his country, earned multiple awards and honors for his video/photography work, and landed his first professional gig at National Geographic. Today on Tartan Talks, Alex discusses what it's like le...
Jan 14, 2020•39 min
The winter sky is one of the most majestic sights for astronomers and curious onlookers. In fact, many of our holidays that we celebrate in the United States and across the globe were scheduled around the stars and planets. Today, Tartan Talks presents a special holiday episode with Dr. David Hurd and Jacob Salis, from Edinboro University's Planetarium – who discuss why the winter sky is absolutely breathtaking. They will also discuss the winter solstice, why millions celebrate Christmas in Dece...
Dec 10, 2019•34 min
Dr. Kiran Misra joins us on Tartan Talks to describe her experience as a female scientist from northern India. Born into a culture that hadn’t fully accepted women in academics, this professor in Edinboro University’s Biology and Health Services Department decided she would shatter all cultural norms to pursue higher education and make a difference. The result? Almost all sweet corn grown and raised in the United States features a gene that was identified and developed by Dr. Misra. From her gra...
Nov 26, 2019•26 min
Mr. Rogers visited the living rooms of children across the United States, wearing his trademark red cardigan sweater and casual – yet loving – smile. Before sharing his gift of storytelling and puppetry, this kind-hearted television host would change into his basic canvas shoes while singing about being a happy neighbor. The beloved TV icon is celebrated across the United States for his calm but authoritative look at racism, divorce, sibling rivalries and death. This month, Sony Pictures is laun...
Nov 12, 2019•22 min
It was a frightening time in 1690s Colonial Massachusetts – especially in Salem Town and Salem Village. In addition to frequent attacks from Native Americans, smallpox epidemics and religious intolerance, Salem was afflicted by one of the most legendary tragedies in American history: witchcraft. The Salem Witch Trials led to the execution of nearly 20 individuals living in Salem, and the arrests of more than 150. How did this happen so quickly? Was there evidence of witchcraft, or is this all ju...
Oct 22, 2019•52 min
