In this episode of The People of Penn State , we talk with Dr. Jenni Hesterman ('86, EMS), a retired U.S. Air Force colonel with an incredible story of leadership, service, and exploration. Dr. Hesterman served in three Pentagon tours and held multiple field commands. Her final military assignment was as Vice Commander at Andrews Air Force Base, where she led installation security, including the protection of Air Force One. Since retiring from the Air Force, she’s become a leading expert in coun...
Jun 26, 2025•35 min•Season 5Ep. 88
In this episode of The People of Penn State , we welcome Tressa Glover ('97, A&A), actor, writer, and host of the Pittsburgh-based podcast Yinz Are Good . Yinz Are Good is dedicated to spotlighting the positive stories happening in our communities and the individuals making a difference. In addition to interviewing organizations, groups, and everyday heroes who are helping those in need, Tressa invites listeners to share personal experiences—acts of kindness, expressions of gratitude, and in...
Jun 12, 2025•47 min•Season 5Ep. 87
In this episode of The People of Penn State , we sit down with Tom Mosser ('82, A&A), founder of Tom Mosser Design and Lucas Paw, LLC. Tom shares the story behind his inventive artistic style, ranging from his unique loop and flow techniques to his signature Sports Ball Impressionism , where he transforms ordinary sports balls into striking works of art. He also reflects on the viral success of his Museum Series , which features dogs gazing thoughtfully at paintings of floating tennis balls,...
May 28, 2025•39 min•Season 5Ep. 86
In this episode of The People of Penn State , Katie sits down with Arianna Davis (’09 Com), the Digital Editorial Director at TODAY . Arianna leads the TODAY Show's digital strategy and frequently appears on air to highlight the top stories making waves online. She’s also the author of What Would Frida Do? A Guide to Living Boldly , a vibrant tribute to the life and legacy of artist Frida Kahlo. In this conversation, Arianna reflects on her time at Penn State and how it helped shape her path, sh...
May 15, 2025•29 min•Season 5Ep. 85
In this episode of The People of Penn State, we speak with Dr. Victoria Heasley (’14 Eng - Schreyer, ’18g Medicine) , assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati in the departments of Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Biomedical Engineering. Victoria shares how her multidisciplinary background drives her work in adaptive sports medicine—providing comprehensive clinical care, designing specialized equipment for athletes with disabilities, and adva...
Apr 24, 2025•33 min•Season 5Ep. 84
Ever think it’s too late to start something new? Think again! This week on The People of Penn State, we’re joined by Dave Blazek ('79) , an award-winning cartoonist behind the syndicated comic "Loose Parts." Dave has drawn a cartoon a day for more than 25 years — but here’s the twist: he didn’t even learn to draw until he was 42! "Loose Parts" is syndicated everywhere and appears daily in nearly 200 newspapers and websites in the United States and Canada. Dave also has produced nine books and hi...
Apr 10, 2025•50 min•Season 5Ep. 83
In this episode, we’re diving into the world of pastries, perseverance, and passion with Chef Danielle Sepsy ('12) , founder and creative genius behind The Hungry Gnome , the popular and innovative wholesale bakery and catering company based in New York City. Danielle’s love for baking began at just 13 when she launched a small business selling her now-famous scones to friends, neighbors, and local cafes. Fast forward to today, and her delicious creations are found in top coffee shops, restauran...
Mar 27, 2025•49 min•Season 5Ep. 82
In this episode of The People of Penn State, we're joined by Mikel Jones ('15) , Senior Vice President of Marketing and Content at Citi . Mikel explores the intersection of brand strategy, sponsorships, and social impact. From managing media coverage for Citi’s partnerships in sports, entertainment, and culture to leading PR campaigns that drive meaningful change, Mikel shares insights from his career shaping one of the world’s most recognizable financial brands. His work with Citi has taken him...
Mar 13, 2025•32 min•Season 5Ep. 81
In a world where true connection can feel harder than ever, how can we foster meaningful conversations that build trust and engagement? In this episode, we sit down with Chad Littlefield ('13, '15g) , co-founder and Chief Experience Officer of We and Me , TEDx speaker, and bestselling author, to explore the power of asking better questions and creating conversations that matter. Dubbed a “global expert on asking questions that build team trust and connection” by Forbes , Chad shares insights fro...
Feb 26, 2025•39 min•Season 5Ep. 80
Two episodes in one day? That's crazy talk! 🤯 We’re kicking off Season Five of The People of Penn State with another fantastic conversation—this time featuring former Penn State men’s lacrosse stars TJ Malone ('23, '23 MBAN, '24 MBA) and Jack Posey ('23, '24 MBA) ! 🥍 The former teammates and now lifelong friends take us through their journeys to Happy Valley, sharing memories from the recruiting process that brought them to Penn State and the bond they built along the way. They open up about o...
Feb 12, 2025•47 min•Season 5Ep. 79
What does it take to be part of one of the most dominant college athletics programs of all time? 🏆 On the Season Five premier of The People of Penn State Podcast, we step onto the mat with Nick Lee '21 —NCAA Champion, Penn State wrestling great, and now assistant coach for the Nittany Lions. Nick shares his journey from student-athlete to coach, the lessons he learned competing at the highest level for coach Cael Sanderson, and what makes the culture within the wrestling program so special. Con...
Feb 12, 2025•44 min•Season 5Ep. 78
Tim Buckley '09 is a television meteorologist covering all types of weather in North Carolina. Tim has covered snow, tornadoes, floods, and multiple hurricanes across the state, from Matthew to Florence to Sandy and Helene. He’s received awards and recognition for his coverage, which includes being nominated for 10 regional EMMY awards. Tim is a 2009 graduate of the Penn State Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science. While in school, he was a member of the Penn State Blue Band. His pas...
Jan 30, 2025•48 min•Season 4Ep. 77
Robert Hughes '95 has 30 years of experience in abandoned mine land reclamation, water pollution control technologies, environmental education, and capacity building in coalfield communities throughout Pennsylvania. As the Executive Director of the Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR), Robert is a coalition builder, grant writer and grant administrator, and coordinator of 26 Commonwealth-wide conferences on abandoned mine reclamation. The mission of EPCAMR is to encourage...
Jan 23, 2025•34 min•Season 4Ep. 76
Julia Schuller '17, Schuylkill is a seasoned marketing professional known for driving branding, product strategy and innovation at companies like Merck, The Hershey Company, and P&G. Julia is the co-founder of Bloom Health, a digital health company revolutionizing the standard for women’s health with a science-backed natural birth control app. A keynote speaker and viral content creator, Julia is dedicated to empowering others through community engagement and education. She is a proud alum o...
Jan 16, 2025•30 min•Season 4Ep. 75
As a certified energy leadership coach, Lillian Liang Emlet '95 helps healthcare professionals find their unique path to finding fulfillment at work, achieving their goals, and finding clarity on their journey in life. Coaches at Lillian's company, Transforming Healthcare Coaching, help frontline healthcare professionals and executive leaders find their own unique path less traveled. In addition to her founding of Transforming Healthcare Coaching, Lillian is also an adult intensivist, emergency ...
Jan 09, 2025•44 min•Season 4Ep. 74
We have a Penn State football legend on today's episode of The People of Penn State, just in time for the Nittany Lions' College Football Playoff matchup with SMU this weekend! Tom "Scrap" Bradley '78 played for Penn State as a standout defensive back from 1975-1978 before transitioning to coaching. Over the next thirty seven years, Tom dedicated himself to the program as a coach, including serving as defensive coordinator and interim head coach. Known for his recruiting prowess and his defensiv...
Dec 19, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 73
The College Football Playoff is here and so is another episode of The Football Letter Podcast! This week on the podcast, we're joined by Alumni Association CEO Paul Clifford '20g and Asheville (NC) Chapter President Mandi Duggan '99. Paul stopped by the show (0:51) to talk about his lifelong connection to Penn State, recap the Big Ten Championship experience, highlight how the Alumni Association and our chapters have united Penn Staters throughout the football season, and preview the Alumni Asso...
Dec 16, 2024•51 min
Caroline Fitzgerald '12 is a leading expert on the business side of women’s sports and a thought leader around gender equity in sports. In 2020, Caroline founded the women’s sports business media outlet & consultancy, GOALS, and created The Business Case for Women's Sports Podcast , which is presented by Ally and was named the 2024 Best Women’s Sports Podcast by Hashtag Sports. In addition to leading GOALS, Caroline is also a contributing writer for Forbes, covering the business of women's s...
Dec 12, 2024•51 min•Season 4Ep. 72
Gabrielle Chappel has risen to culinary fame as the Season 3 winner of FOX's hit TV show "Next Level Chef," earning a coveted mentorship with Chef Gordon Ramsay through 2025! Based in Los Angeles, Gabrielle graduated from Penn State in 2016 with degrees in Spanish and broadcast journalism. She is also graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education’s Health Supportive Culinary Arts program. In this episode, we explore how Gabrielle has turned her passion for seasonal cooking into a career as a c...
Nov 26, 2024•51 min
We're heading out west for this week's Football Letter Podcast as we talk with Oregon Chapter President, Zach Schroeder '04! Oregon is now Big Ten country and Zach joined the show to discuss how he played a part in reigniting the Oregon chapter in 2015, the atmosphere of the chapter's game day watch parties, and the value of staying connected to Penn State through an alumni group. He also talked about the deep family roots to Penn State as a third generation alumni and the multitude of memories ...
Nov 25, 2024•38 min
This week’s episode of The Football Letter Podcast features Michigan Chapter President, Brodie Schultz '15, '17g! Brodie joined the show to discuss a variety of topics, including staying engaged with Penn State as a volunteer leader, making the Michigan Chapter watch parties feel like a Beaver Stadium game day, how the Michigan Chapter is supporting NIL and Penn State student-athletes, and the chapter’s annual THON fundraiser golf outing. Learn more about the Michigan Chapter: Website Instagram ...
Nov 18, 2024•36 min
Emily Turner '17 is the co-founder and current board member of the Patrick’s Purpose Foundation, a southern California based nonprofit focused on improving mental health and wellness of teens and young adults. The organization is named in honor of Emily's youngest brother, Patrick, who died by suicide in 2018. Emily joined The People of Penn State to discuss the founding of Patrick's Purpose, its growing impact in the mental health field, the evolving conversation around mental health in young p...
Nov 14, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 70
This week's episode of The Football Letter Podcast features a great conversation with longtime volunteer leader, Chuck Wall. Chuck is the President of our Suncoast Chapter in Florida and much of his life has been connected to Penn State, from meeting his wife Cindy while a student at University Park to graduating in 1978 to his many years as a chapter volunteer leader. We talked with Chuck about why he's always felt a strong connection to Penn State, how the Suncoast Chapter unites Penn Staters ...
Nov 11, 2024•35 min
This week on The Football Letter Podcast we're talking about the Penn State Blue Band with Associate Director of Athletic Bands, Micki Potlunas Ferguson '07, '21g! In addition to her duties with the Blue Band, Micki is also a Penn State faculty member for the School of Music in the College of Arts & Architecture. If you love the Blue Band (who doesn't?!), this is the episode for you! Also, Football Letter Editor Emeritus John Black ’62 reads from The Letter he wrote following Penn State's 20...
Nov 04, 2024•40 min
It's Ohio State week for Penn State Football, so who better to have on the podcast than Nittany Lion letterman Grant Haley, whose iconic scoop and score on a blocked field goal helped the Nittany Lions capture their memorable upset win over the Buckeyes in 2016. Grant joined our Football Letter Podcast to talk about his memories of that iconic 2016 Big Ten Championship team, how Penn State prepared him for the NFL, his career outside of football after recently retiring from the game, life as a p...
Oct 28, 2024•40 min
We have liftoff on Season 4 of The People of Penn State 🛫 Erin Hogge ‘21 is a certified flight instructor at United Aviate Academy based in Phoenix, AZ. Erin started her pilot training in 2023, earning her commercial pilot and flight instructor certificates earlier this year. A former news editor of The Daily Collegian, she switched career paths after reading articles about the pilot shortage before her final semester at University Park. Erin joins the show to discuss: Her Penn State story, inc...
Oct 24, 2024•39 min•Season 4Ep. 69
This week's episode of The Football Letter podcast features two standout volunteer leaders. Alumni Council member and President of the African American Alumni Organization (AAAO) of Washington, D.C., Jeremy O'Mard '13 Behrend, talks about the mission our AAAOs, previews this weekend's Black Alumni Reunion, and discusses the importance of representation at Penn State. We also chat with Madison Chapter President, Phillip Bower '99, 01 M.S., about how the chapter plans to welcome Penn Staters to Ma...
Oct 21, 2024•49 min
This week's episode of The Football Letter Podcast features our Los Angeles Chapter President, Heather Maggi '13! Heather joined the podcast to talk about a variety of topics, including: Penn State's trip to USC this weekend; What Penn Staters can expect for their visit to LA; How she got involved with the Los Angeles Chapter and became the chapter's president; How the chapter brings the Penn State spirit to its game day watch parties; Her professional work as Assistant Editor at Netflix; Advice...
Oct 07, 2024•29 min
In this episode of The People of Penn State, we're joined by Dr. Lori Johnson-Vegas '83, '22 PhD. In 2023, Lori was awarded "National Mother of the Year" honors from American Mothers, Inc. She has also previously been recognized as the 2014 Armed Forces Insurance Tinker AFB Military Spouse of the Year. Having grown up, served, and married into the military, Lori has dedicated her life to bettering the lives of those around her. A Human Resources Consultant and Personal and Professional Life Coac...
Oct 03, 2024•40 min•Season 3Ep. 67
There's a young alumni theme to this week's episode of The Football Letter Podcast! We're joined by Immediate-Past President of the Central Texas Chapter, Derek Turner '17 and Communications Chair of the Greater Boston Chapter, Andrew Flatley '19. Both Derek and Andrew have made a tremendous impact as volunteers in such a short time since graduating from Penn State. We talked with Derek about his service in the Army ROTC and being stationed at Fort Cavazos after graduation, his involvement with ...
Oct 01, 2024•58 min
