Passion and Practicality: A Liberal Arts Podcast

Join Wireside Chat as we welcome Online MFA instructor Nathanael Green! Nate's short stories, essays and articles have appeared in dozens of publications, including most recently Broad River Review and McSweeney’s Internet Tendency. He’s the co-author of three novels (Language of the Bear, Through the Narrows, and Out of the Fire) and is currently writing a historical novel inspired by ventriloquism and the 17th-century German witch trials. Tune in as we chat with Nate about the challenges of writing historical fiction, his background as an advertising copywriter, and more!

In this episode of Field Notes, we talk with Dr. Priscilla Hobbs, a cultural mythologist, to explore how a passion for stories, culture, and meaning can lead to an unexpected and rewarding career. Drawing on her work in mythology, popular culture, media and culture studies, Dr. Hobbs discusses how studying topics like Disney, Avatar, and other modern myths helped her better understand the societal values that shape our world. She shares how the humanities helped her develop key skillsets, including systems thinking, that now support her work as an academic leader.

Word for Word is doing its part to prove love is real with special guest Chuck Tingle, the self-proclaimed world's greatest author! Chuck Tingle is a USA Today bestselling author, as well as a two time Hugo Award finalist, Bram Stoker Award nominee, Goodreads award nominee, Golden Poppy award finalist, Locus award winner, Dragon Award winner, Audie Award winner and the recipient of the 2025 Loud Hands Award for Autistic Storytellers. He is a mysterious force of energy behind sunglasses and a pink mask. He is also an anonymous author of romance, horror, and fantasy. Chuck was born in Home of Truth, Utah, and now lives in Los Angeles, California. He writes to prove love is real, because love is the most important tool we have when resisting the endless cosmic void. 

Graphic design alum Dawn Hall shares her career journey in user experience design. Dawn explains what UX designers do day to day and reflects on why UX has been such a strong fit for her as an artist. For those who love art, design, collaboration, and problem-solving but are still figuring out where those strengths can lead, this conversation offers an inspiring look at the growing world of UX design.

Wireside Chat is thrilled to welcome the Queen of Cosmic Horror, Mary SanGiovanni! Mary is an award-winning horror and thriller writer of over twenty cosmic horror and supernatural thriller books, as well as numerous short stories, comics (including a Wonder Woman story for DC), a media tie-in book in the Alien franchise, and several works of nonfiction. Her writing has been translated internationally. She has an MFA in writing popular fiction from Seton Hill University, Pennsylvania, and is currently a member of the Authors Guild, the International Thriller Writers and Penn Writers, as well as an instructor in the Online MFA. Join us as we talk about horror, tie-in writing, comics and more!

In this History Speaker Series event, we catch up with Dr. Matt Schandler to discuss advances in generative artificial intelligence in the year since his last appearance, and we talk about the historical skills that still matter in an AI world.

In this special edition of Wireside Chat, Jacob Powers, dean of SNHU's online Master's program in Creative Writing, and Paul Witcover, dean of SNHU's Online MFA, discuss the graduate study of Creative Writing and answer questions from the audience about SNHU's two online graduate programs in Creative Writing. If you are interested in studying Creative Writing at the graduate level but uncertain whether the MA or the MFA is the right choice for you, you will not want to miss this informative webinar!

In this episode, we talk with Tara Nugues, Community Engagement Manager at Reading Partners in New York, about her path from studying languages, history, and economics to building a career in nonprofit community engagement. Tara shares how working in hospitality, completing an AmeriCorps service year, and drawing on what she learned in college helped her grow as a communicator, problem solver, and relationship builder. This episode may be especially helpful for those interested in nonprofit work, education, community partnerships, public service, or people-centered roles that require adaptability and strong judgment. Listeners will come away with a clearer sense of how broad academic interests can connect to meaningful work and long-term professional growth.

Wireside Chat is excited to feature alum Amber-Nicole Stephens! Writing under the pen name of Savannah Stephens, Amber-Nicole sold her thesis novel, a dark paranormal fantasy titled Witch Queen Rising, in a two-book deal with Gollancz in the UK and Ace here in the US. Join us as Amber-Nicole reads from her novel, recounts her journey to publication, and shares what lies ahead!

In this History Speaker Event, Dr. Rob Clemm discusses A Violent Peace: A Global History of the Interwar Period, which he co-edited and contributed. Rob and Rob discuss the book development process, a bit about military historiography, his upcoming book on the history of cartography in Africa, and reminisce about the glory days of grad school.

Word for Word is proud to welcome award-winning author Courtney Milan. Ms. Milan began her career with a starred review in Publisher's Weekly and has never looked back. A self-publishing pioneer, she has gone on to become one of the top-selling and best-reviewed Romance authors writing today. Her bestselling historical romances are known for their wit, characterization, and plot. Ms. Milan's background in law—she clerked for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor—has made her a leading authority on copyright, contracts, and intellectual property. She has been a steadfast champion of author rights, as well as a staunch advocate for women and diversity in publishing.

For this year's Publishing Panel, Word for Word is proud to welcome two industry experts! Jane Friedman needs no introduction to aspiring writers. Her book "The Business of Becoming a Writer" is used as a class text in the Online MFA and in many other degree programs. Her long-running newsletter "The Bottom Line" provides nuanced market intelligence to thousands of authors and industry professionals. In 2023, she was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World. Laura Stanfill is an author, editor and the publisher of Forest Avenue Press. Her book "A Writer’s Guide to Unlocking Your Story, Choosing a Publishing Path and Honoring Your Creative Journey" appeared in 2025.

Arts administrator and SNHU alum Adriane Clarke shares how a communication degree, a creative writing program she discovered later in life, and a willingness to stay curious opened doors to career opportunities she never knew existed. She makes the case that, especially now, being a generalist who can connect across fields and adapt what you know to what a role needs is one of the most powerful things you can be.

Wireside Chat is thrilled to welcome back Online MFA instructor and bestselling author Melissa Marr! Melissa's most recent novel, Greta Gets the Girl, was published in January from Bramble, the romance imprint of TOR. Her novel A Treason of Magic, publishing in June, is a Regency-era fantasy and the first in a duology. Join us for a wide-ranging discussion about crossing genres, writing comic books, and what MFA students need to know about today's volatile publishing landscape.

In this History Speaker Series event, Dr. Elisabeth Davis discusses her book, Catholic Sisters, Narratives of Authority, and the Native American Boarding Schools, 1847-1918, and her upcoming book on Laura Ingalls Wilder, the community around Wilder and her family, and what that story says about the development of the American West.

Word for Word is proud to welcome New York Times bestselling author Malinda Lo. Malinda's novel Last Night at the Telegraph Club won the National Book Award, the Stonewall Book Award, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, a Printz Honor, and was an LA Times Book Prize finalist. Join us as she reads from Telegraph Club and answers questions about her writing journey!

Senior copywriter at Southwest Airlines, author, filmmaker, and self-described liberal arts poster child Lisa Johnson Mitchell shares how staying open, curious, and true to her own voice carried her from writing punny headlines in a college newspaper to a decades-long career on Madison Avenue and beyond. She makes a compelling case that liberal arts graduates are exactly what successful creative teams are looking for, due to their unique and timeless ability to think across disciplines, tell a story, and connect with an audience.

Wireside Chat proudly welcomes Online MFA alum Jessica L. Cozzi, whose YA Romance thesis novel, We've Hit Turbulence, was picked up by an agent after a SNHU Pitch Weekend and was published by Delacorte in January! Not content to rest on her laurels, Jess has already sold two more novels to Delacorte! Join us as she reads from her work and traces her path to literary success both as an author and as a publicist for William Morrow!

In this History Speaker Series event, Ryan Walker, an alumnus of Southern New Hampshire University undergraduate history program and a doctoral student at the University of Portsmouth, discusses the concept of microhistory and his recent book on Henry Breault, The Silent Service’s First Hero: The First Submariner to Receive the Medal of Honor.