Decoding Conflict and Media with May Birch, Caroline Pope, and Dr. Arman Mahmoudian

Understanding the complexities of foreign relations can feel overwhelming, but Honors affiliate faculty member Arman Mahmoudian helps make global politics approachable and relevant. From learning how to separate fact from fiction to researching current conflicts, students leave his courses with the confidence to stay informed. This week, Dr. Mahmoudian joins the show along with Honors students May Birch and Caroline Pope to reflect on how studying world affairs changes perspectives. Together, they unpack why global events should matter to every college student, how to engage with media responsibly, and what it really means to develop a perspective that reaches beyond our own borders. This episode was originally recorded on October 24, 2025. Guests: Arman Mahmoudian, May Birch, Caroline Pope Hosts: Fabiana Requena and Reva Gandhi Audio Production: Sandra Napolitano, Vama Shah, Nicholas Henry, and Maya Nikolski Additional Resources: Explore more Honors Courses Learn more about Dr. Arman Mahmoudian