PODCAST · education
The PeppTalk Podcast
by Pepperdine University
Welcome to Pepptalk - Pepperdine University’s podcast dedicated to sparking conversations of personal and global significance, featuring world-renowned professors, faculty, and students from across the University.
Episodes
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Can Beauty Save the World?
In this episode of PeppTalk, host Coby Dolloff sits down with Josh Nadeau, author, artist, and one of Substack's most compelling voices on faith and culture, for a conversation on beauty, embodiment, and what it takes to become whole. Josh is the creator of Sword and Pencil, a platform where he...
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The Only Way Out is Through ft. Daniel Voll
What does it take to find the story that only you can tell — and then muster the courage to go get it? In this episode of PeppTalk, Coby sits down with Daniel Voll — journalist, playwright, and screenwriter — for a wide-ranging conversation on curiosity, craft, community, and the future of...
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Truth Has Nothing to Fear ft. Jonathan Koch
What does it mean to pursue truth in a world that would rather keep ideas safe and untested? In this episode of PeppTalk, Alexa and Coby sit down with Professor Jonathan Koch — professor of English and Great Books at Seaver College — to explore what a genuine liberal arts education looks like…
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The Lab and the Great Books
What does studying both science and great books teach a person, and what kind of life does that integration prepare one for? In this episode of PeppTalk, hosts Alexa and Coby sit down with Vera Syers, a graduating senior of Pepperdine's Seaver College Class of 2026, in her final week as a...
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The Christian University and the Academic Establishment
In this episode of PeppTalk, Coby Dolloff sits down with Professor Ron Highfield — theologian, author, and 37-year member of the Pepperdine faculty — to explore the ideas behind his new book, The Christian University and the Academic Establishment.Professor Highfield has spent decades thinking...
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The Lab and the Great Books ft. Graduating Senior and Valedictorian Vera Syers ('26)
What does studying both science and great books teach a person, and what kind of life does that integration prepare one for? In this episode of PeppTalk, hosts Alexa and Coby sit down with Vera Syers, a graduating senior of Pepperdine's Seaver College Class of 2026, in her final week as a...
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A Conversation with Henning Strauss (‘01), CEO and Owner of STRAUSS
What does it take to grow a family business and remain true to the values that built it? In this episode of PeppTalk, host Alexa sits down with Henning Strauss — CEO and owner of STRAUSS, Europe’s leading workwear brand, and Seaver College’s 2026 Distinguished Alumnus — to explore how...
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The Faith & Business Initiative ft. Jooho Lee
What does it mean to do business on Monday the way you worship on Sunday? In this episode of PeppTalk, Alexa sits down with Professor Jooho Lee — business professor at Seaver College and lead investigator of Pepperdine's Faith and Business Initiative — to explore one of the most overlooked…
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Why the Great Books? ft. Jeremy Wayne Tate & Jessica Hooten Wilson
Why do people still read thousand-year-old books — and why does it matter more now than ever? In this episode of PeppTalk, host Coby Dolloff sits down with two of the foremost experts on the Great Books tradition to explore what these timeless texts have to teach us about how to live, how to…
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How to Make the Most of Lent with the Help of Dante
What does a 750-year-old poem have to say about practicing Lent today? In this episode of PeppTalk, hosts Coby and Alexa sit down with Professor Paul Contino—Pepperdine's Distinguished Professor of Great Books—to explore how Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy illuminates the Lenten season with…
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The Waves Innovation Summit with Anthony Kennada ('08) and Ulysse Saltiel ('25)
To kick off Season 2 of PeppTalk, host Alexa Borstad sits down with Anthony Kennada ('08) and Ulysse Saltiel ('25) to explore the heart and vision behind the inaugural Waves Innovation Summit. Held on Pepperdine's Malibu campus in partnership with the Graziadio Business School and Seaver College,...
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Pat Boone: Faith, Family, and a Lasting Legacy
In this episode of PeppTalk, the podcast welcomes one of the most legendary entertainers of all time: Pat Boone. Hosted by Alexa and Kelly Haer, executive director of Pepperdine’s Boone Center for the Family, the episode highlights Boone’s life, career, and faith. Tune in to hear how Boone rose…
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Navigating Family Relationships During the Holidays with Dr. Henry Cloud and the Boone Center for the Family
In this special episode of PeppTalk, presented by Pepperdine University and the Boone Center for the Family, we’re joined by Kelly Haer, Executive Director of the Boone Center for the Family, and Dr. Henry Cloud — acclaimed clinical psychologist, leadership expert, and New York Times bestselling...
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Understanding the Pain and Peace Cycle with the Boone Center for the Family
In this episode, we’re unpacking the Pain and Peace Cycle, which is a core piece of the Boone Center’s RelateStrong and RelateStrong Leadership Series Curriculum. When we’re triggered, we often fall into patterns that create hurt, but there is also a restorative path that leads to peace. Dee Dee...
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Navigating Political Differences with the Boone Center for the Family
In this episode of PeppTalk, Kelly Haer and Dee Dee Mayer from the Boone Center for the Family explore how followers of Christ can navigate political differences without letting them divide relationships. Just in time for the holiday season, they unpack why political conversations feel more...
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Founder’s Day with the Ghost of George Pepperdine
On this episode of PeppTalk, we welcome an unusual guest: the Ghost of George Pepperdine. What started as a witty X account poking fun at Pepperdine history has grown into a Substack filled with sharp, provocative reflections on the University’s past, present, and soul. In this episode, learn why...
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What is WAVES WORSHIP?
In this special episode of PeppTalk, we sit down with the WAVES WORSHIP team, a worship and songwriting movement at Pepperdine, to talk about the impact of worship at Pepperdine and their exciting upcoming projects. From leading chapels and creating spaces of authentic encounter with God to...
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What is Relationship with God?
As we close our PeppTalk series on relationships, we turn to the one relationship that shapes all the others—our relationship with God. In this powerful conversation, Dee Dee helps us unpack what it really means to walk with God. We explore timeless wisdom from figures like Augustine, Paul, and...
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Can Belief in God Strengthen Academic Freedom?
In this episode of PeppTalk, Coby and Alexa are joined by professor Jennifer Smith to discuss how Pepperdine University is cultivating academic freedom within a distinctly faith-based environment. We take you inside the 2025 Academic Freedom Colloquium: Faith and the Academy and the University’s...
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What do the Great Books Teach Us about Friendship?
What is true friendship—and why does it matter now more than ever? In this thought-provoking episode of PeppTalk, the Fletcher Jones Chair of Great Books Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson joins us for a conversation on the meaning of friendship in a fragmented, fast-paced world. Drawing from classical...
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A New Hope for Middle East Studies
In this special episode of PeppTalk, hosts Alexa and Coby speak with Pete Peterson, dean of the Pepperdine School of Public Policy, to discuss the launch of the Master of Middle East Policy Studies program—a first-of-its-kind graduate program in partnership with the Washington Institute for Near...
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How to Cultivate a Healthy Relationship To Self
Hosts Alexa and Coby sit down with Kelly Haer to unpack what it truly means to build and sustain a healthy relationship with oneself. In this episode, listeners will go far beyond self-care to explore how their thoughts, emotions, and beliefs shape every connection they have. Discover why knowing...
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The Season of Singleness
In this episode, hosts Alexa and Coby sit down with Kelly Haer to discuss the season of singleness. In a culture filled with dating apps, romantic comedies, and social timelines, the question looms: Will Prince Charming ever come? (Spoiler: it’s not that simple!) Whether you’re single by choice,...
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Why Should We Invest in Healthy Workplace Relationships?
In this episode, hosts Alexa and Coby sit down with Dee Dee Mayer to explore the vital role of relationships in the workplace. Drawing on insights from Gallup research, they unpack what truly drives job satisfaction and employee engagement. The conversation also delves into how pop culture…
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Making the Case for the Family in Today's World
In this episode, hosts Alexa and Coby sit down with Kelly Haer, executive director of the Boone Center for the Family, for a thoughtful and engaging conversation on parenting, family dynamics, and the biblical significance of the family. Together, they explore what it means to build strong,...
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Is the Modern Church Still Worth It?
In this episode of PeppTalk, hosts Coby and Alexa sit down with Dee Dee for a conversation on the current state of the Church. From shifting cultural attitudes to changing demographics, they explore how the Church is experiencing both significant challenges and significant opportunities in…
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Is Marriage Worth It?
In this episode, PeppTalk hosts Coby and Alexa sit down with Dee Dee Mayer, senior director of RelateStrong at the Boone Center for the Family and a trusted expert on relationships, to explore a big question: Is marriage still worth it in today’s world? As cultural norms shift and divorce rates...
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Is Dating Worth It?
In this episode, PeppTalk hosts Coby and Alexa chat with Kelly Haer, executive director of the Boone Center and expert on relationships, to discuss the challenges of modern dating. From the impact of dating apps to the rise of ambiguity and lack of clarity in relationships, Kelly shares insights…
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Why Are Relationships Hard?
In this premiere episode, “Relationships: A PeppLearn Podcast,” we dive into one of life’s most persistent questions: Why do relationships seem so difficult? From romantic partnerships and friendships to workplace dynamics and family ties, relationships are at the center of our lives—and yet…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to Pepptalk - Pepperdine University’s podcast dedicated to sparking conversations of personal and global significance, featuring world-renowned professors, faculty, and students from across the University.
HOSTED BY
Pepperdine University
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The PeppTalk Podcast have?
The PeppTalk Podcast currently has 29 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The PeppTalk Podcast about?
Welcome to Pepptalk - Pepperdine University’s podcast dedicated to sparking conversations of personal and global significance, featuring world-renowned professors, faculty, and students from across the University.
How often does The PeppTalk Podcast release new episodes?
The PeppTalk Podcast has 29 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The PeppTalk Podcast?
You can listen to The PeppTalk Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The PeppTalk Podcast?
The PeppTalk Podcast is created and hosted by Pepperdine University.
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