Episodes
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129: What I Learned After 6 Years of Podcasting: A Talk at the 2026 Undergraduate Writer’s Conference at USC
At the Undergraduate Writer’s Conference at USC, Daniel gave a talk about what he learned from his experiences being a podcaster for the last six years. He shared the stories of both Writing Remix and The Nostalgia Test’s humble beginnings, how COVID impacted the recording process, seeing…
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128. Excavating Our Ancestral Sites w/ Poet Jennifer Barone
On this episode, Daniel Dissinger speaks with Italian-American Bay Area poet and artist Jennifer Barone. Jennifer’s newest book of poems, Sirenland, is the result of a ten year period of traveling to Italy, researching and visiting the sacred and familial sites of Naples, Vesuvius, and Pompeii…
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127. Holding Histories in Poetry w/ Glendale Poet Laureate & Educator Raffi Wartanian
On this episode, Daniel Dissinger talks with Glendale’s first Poet Laureate and UCLA Writing Program professor Raffi Wartanian. This Writing Remix starts out with Raffi reading and sharing (check out the video episode on Substack) three poems as his bio. In the six years of Writing Remix, this is…
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126. Birthing Language w/ Aimee Suzara
On this episode of Writing Remix, Dan talks with Oakland-based Poet, Playwright, & Educator Aimee Suzara. The beauty of this episodes wildness is raw and poetic, because their conversation goes into the power of multi-hyphenate creative being, how Aimee is fueled by her Filipino-American identity...
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125. Inspired Belonging: Being Unashamed During Mental Health Awareness Month w/ Angela Franklin
Content WarningThis episode deals with discussions of Domestic Violence, PTSD, Depression, Schizophrenia & Suicide Ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling: On this special Mental Health Awareness episode of Inspired Belonging on Writing Remix, Daniel & Stephanie Renee Payne talk to the...
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124. LIVE! From The LA Kerouac Festival at Typewriters Anonymous: The Kerouac We Ignore w/ Daniel Dissinger
Daniel Dissinger recorded live from Typewriters Anonymous to give the keynote talk at the LA Kerouac Festival on April 18th, 2026. His talk, “The Kerouac We Ignore,” opens a much-needed conversation into Kerouac’s pre-On the Road work and introduces a nuanced analysis of father-son relationships,...
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123. A Joyful Poetry Resistance w/ Alexis Jaimes
Writing Remix is kicking off National Poetry Month with poet & educator from Orange County Alexis Jaimes. This episode explores the connection and close affection Alexis has for Santa Ana. He discusses the misrepresentation of Santa Ana and sets the record straight by celebrating and highlighting...
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122. The Harold & Maude Phenomenon at The Westgate Theater w/ Author John Gaspard
On this episode of Writing Remix, Dan talks to John Gaspard, the author of Held Over: Harold and Maude at the Westgate Theater. During a time when large movie theaters are trying to figure out how to bring in the crowds and rival streaming services, John and Dan discuss how the movie Harold and...
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121. Navigating AI & Surveillance in the Classroom w/ Ryan Leack
As higher education continues to navigate attacks from the Trump administration, it are also trying to figure out how to negotiate the increased use of AI in the classroom, by teachers and students. On this special episode of Writing Re:mix, Daniel Dissinger invites his USC Writing Program...
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120. Finding the Light w/ Caroline Reddy
Daniel Dissinger dives deep into a conversation on finding the light with poetry in all of the darkness in the world, in ourselves, and from traumas in our pasts with Reiki Master, Librarian, and Poet Caroline Reddy. This is an episode that celebrates the power of poetry and language and how…
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119. The Poet’s Role w/ Anaheim Poet Laureate Camille Hernandez
Daniel Dissinger welcomes the Poet Laureate of Anaheim, Camille Hernandez, to talk about her new book Motherlands, what it means to be Poet Laureate in Anaheim, the impact of poetry and poets, her mission to make poetry accessible to as many people as possible, and how poetry informs, reports…
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118. Crafting Cowboy Boots w/ Lisa Sorrell
Daniel Dissinger welcomes renowned cowboy boot maker and artisan Lisa Sorrell to talk all about the history of boot making in America, her personal journey from apprentice to having her own boot making business, and her goal to preserve the history of boot making. There’s also a really great...
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117. Inspired Belonging w/ Dr. M. Shadee Malaklou
On this episode of “Inspired Belonging” on Writing Re:mix, hosts Dan Dissinger and Stephanie Renée Payne talk with Dr. M. Shadee Malaklou, the Founder and Director of the bell hooks Center at Berea College. Back in the summer of 2023, Dan & Stephanie had the honor of bringing their “Inspired...
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116. Walking with Dan: Podcasting, Creativity, & AI
In this solo episode of Writing Remix, Dan brings the audience along for a reflective stream-of-consciousness evening walk. This is a raw and unedited episode to capture the essence of the environment, his thoughts, and humanity of conversation. Dan reflects on the changing landscape of…
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115. Inspired Belonging: Diving into the Work of bell hooks
The second episode of “Inspired Belonging” on Writing Remix, hosts Dan Dissinger and Stephanie Renée Payne reflect on their personal and pedagogical relationships with the work of the late scholar, poet, speaker, & teacher bell hooks. This is a deeply vulnerable conversation on hooks’ impactful...
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114. Spring 2025 Semester Reflection: Meaningful Teaching, Student Engagement, & Well-being
In this solo episode of Writing Remix, Dan Dissinger reflects on the end of the 2025 Spring semester at USC. He shares what he changed and what worked in his classroom, the impact of creating meaningful and accessible assignments, student reactions to and experiences reading Exile & Pride by Eli...
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113. Creating Joy and Community Through Poetry w/ West Hollywood Poet Laureate Jen Cheng
Dan Dissinger celebrates National Poetry Month with the West Hollywood Poet Laureate, Jen Cheng. They talk about Jen’s multi-hyphenate creative journey, her dedication to blending East-West influences in her writing and workshops, her role as the creator of the Palabras Literary Salon, and the...
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112. Sailing Without Ahab w/ Dr. Steve Mentz
Dan Dissinger welcomes back his former professor Dr. Steve Mentz, chair of the Saint John’s University English Department, to discuss his latest book of poems Sailing Without Ahab and the Blue Humanities. They dive into (no pun intended) Dr. Mentz’s writing journey in and out of the poems in...
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111. Embracing Authentic Writing w/ Medium’s CEO Tony Stubblebine
Dan Dissinger welcomes Tony Stubblebine, CEO of Medium.com, to talk about the power of authenticity in writing online and how Medium’s platform helps to create a space where authors of all levels can find and cultivate an audience. Tony dives into how he went from software engineer to the CEO of...
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110. Introducing Inspired Belonging
Dan & Stephanie Renée Payne start a series of podcast episodes called “Inspired Belonging” on Writing Remix. On this inaugural episode, Dan & Stephanie explore their thoughts and understandings of belonging, it’s connection to writing, and how the late great bell hooks plays such a deep role in...
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109. Reimagining Assessments: Exploring the Untapped Benefits of Contract Grading w/ Dr. Leah Pate, Dr. Tamara Black, & Dr. Rory Lukins
Dan welcomed his colleagues in the USC Writing Program Dr. Leah Pate, Dr. Tamara Black, & Dr. Rory Lukins to do a deep dive into their project “Reimagining Assessments: Contract Grading’s Untapped Benefits for Learning, Teaching, and Well-Being.” This conversation covers the results of their...
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108. Exploring Civility, Discourse, & Hope w/ Dr. Danielle Lee
Dan welcomed back Dr. Danielle Lee to Writing Remix last year for the fifth annual Big Rhetorical Podcast Carnival, which was focused on ‘Politics and Rhetorics, Navigating Civility, Culture, and Crisis.’ Their conversation went deep into the need for a civility in the current political…
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107. Preparing for Spring 2025 w/ Dr. Meghan P. Nolan
Dan welcomes Dr. Meghan P. Nolan back to Writing Remix to discuss preparing for the Spring 2025 semester and some of the ways she’s looking to expand, shift, and reimagine approaches to writing instruction. Meghan also talks about the balance between her duties as a writing professor and the…
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106. How I Leverage My Podcast at Academic Conferences
In this solo episode of Writing Remix, Dan discusses how to effectively convert academic conference presentations into engaging podcast episodes. He shares personal experiences and lessons learned from shifting his traditional conference approach to a more interactive and participatory format…
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105. Talking Wine & Rhetoric w/ Dr. Bailey McAlister
Dan invites Dr. Bailey McAlister, sommelier, Rhetoric & Communications professor, & pop-culture critic to talk all about how she merges her love of wine and the wine community with her PhD research, the impact that 2020 had on the wine & beverage industry, how sommeliers are using personal...
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104. LIVE! from The Southwest Popular/American Culture Association Conference w/ The Long Take Review Podcast
Dan recorded LIVE from the Southwest Popular/American Culture Association Conference in Albuquerque, NM w/ USC colleagues Jen Sopchockchai Bankard & P.T. McNiff of the Long Take Review podcast. Shoutout to SWPACA, the tech guy who helped make this happen, and everyone that came out to support!...
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103. Being an Artist w/ Dr. Ally Zlatar
Content Warning: This episode has discussions about mental health issues, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, & suicidal ideation. Dan invites artist Dr. Ally Zlatar to talk about the imperative role artists & art play in the world to communicate empathy, create community, & as a tool for...
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102. Digital Social Learning Solutions w/ Dr. Nicole Papaioannou Lugara
Dan invites Saint John’s University alum and the Founder & CEO of Your Instructional Designer Dr. Nicole Papaioannou Lugara. On this episode, Nicole reflects on her journey from PhD to CEO. She talks about creating and launching an instructional design company, what she believes the role of...
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101. Growing Flash Fiction w/ Nancy Stohlman
Dan invites Nancy Stohlman back on Writing Remix to discuss recording the audiobook for her award-winning book Going Short: An Invitation to Flash Fiction, the growing genre of Flash Fiction, the importance of building a creative community to recover from burnout, doing promotion for her book...
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100. What I Learned After 100 Episodes w/ Daniel Dissinger
On this special episode of Writing Remix, Dan celebrates the 100th episode talking about some of the lessons he’s learned about himself as a writer, teacher, and podcaster. He reflects on the decision to pivot the focus of Writing Remix during the COVID-19 pandemic, how major news events impacted...
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99. Bringing the Grad Student Perspective w/ Leah Rubinsky
Dan welcomes Leah Rubinsky, PhD candidate at the University of Washington and podcaster, to dive deeply into the grad student experience, confronting academic writing genres and styles, writing workshops and feedback, and the challenges of subverting the dissertation style to fit one’s research....
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98. Writing Remix at SWPACA 2023 in Albuquerque, NM
On this special episode, Dan speaks to participants at the 2023 SWPACA (Southwest Popular/American Culture Association Conference) in Albuquerque, NM. In just twenty-three and a half minutes you’ll hear about the Roswell event, making art on scratchboard, the interesting cultural history of the...
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97. What the High School Teachers Teach w/ Julia Reade
Dan welcomes Julia Reade from Nova High School in Seattle, WA to discuss the need for collaboration and communication between college professors and K-12 instructors, her experience teaching at Nova and applying an inquiry model of education, her amazing project “What Would the Mushrooms Say?”…
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96. Writing Remix at CCCC 2023 in Chicago, IL
On this special episode, Dan talks with participants at the 2023 CCCC (Conference on College Composition and Communication) in Chicago, IL. Special thanks to everyone that took the time to talk, and thank you to the conference organizers. You’re going to hear about Awe Walks from Professor…
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95. Digging into Hip-Hop Scholarship w/ Professor Lavar Pope
Dan welcomes Dr. Lavar Pope from Arrupe College of Loyola University Chicago to discuss the communicative power of Hip Hop music, the multilayered lineage of Hip Hop music, the role of migration and diaspora, regional Hip Hop artists and their influences, and so much more. With longtime friend of...
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94. Preserving Oral Histories w/ Professor Lilit Keshishyan
Dan welcomes USC Writing Program instructor Professor Lilit Keshishyan to discuss the power of oral histories, her work with My Armenian Story at The Institute of Armenian Studies. She speaks about the impact of The Armenian Genocide & Diaspora, sheds light on what happened to Armenians during...
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93. Unpacking the Power of Rhetoric w/ Roseann Corey
Dan welcomes Roseann Corey from Rosemont College to discuss how rhetoric can bring communities closer, navigating the competitive academic market, breaking the unwritten rules of academic writing with creativity, communicating across multiple generational gaps peacefully, multimodality, and so…
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92. Remixing & Meshing English(es) w/ Riti Sharma
Dan welcomes Riti Sharma on the podcast to discuss the many facets of the English language. Riti unpacks the complex linguistic landscape of India (where she lives & teaches), how examining the history of English exposes its complicated past, present, & future, essay writing as a genre, and the...
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91. Solo Remix: Becoming an English Professor w/ Dan Dissinger
Dan reflects on his journey from photography to English Professor using Gary Snyder’s essay “Etiquette of Freedom” to understand the empowering forces of wildness, wilderness, and being wild. He talks about his relationship with photography, how flash photography is like open class discussions,...
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90. Reacting to Roe v Wade Overturn w/ Stephanie Renée Payne, Danielle Lee, Leah Rubinsky, & Julia Reade
CONTENT WARNING: Please be advised that this episode does contain conversations on abortion, sexual violence, assault and rape, mental health issues, racial violence, and torture. Listener discretion is advised Dan invites Stephanie Renée Payne, Danielle Lee, Leah Rubinsky, & Julia Reade to…
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89. Building The Institute for Critical Race & Ethnic Studies w/ Dr. Natalie Byfield, Dr. Raj Chetty, & Dr. LaToya Sawyer
Dan invites Dr. Natalie Byfield, Dr. Raj Chetty, & Dr. LaToya Sawyer to talk about the creation of The Institute for Critical Race & Ethnic Studies (CRES) at Saint John’s University in Queens, NY. To best set the tone for this episode, here’s a quote from Dr. Natalie Byfield, the Founding…
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88. Crossing the Bridge Between Social Justice & Sci-Fi w/ Dr. Ashley King
This is a celebratory episode to close out PRIDE Month 2022. Dr. Ashley King is an inspiration. Her work empowers students, invites them to thrive and cultivate not just meaningful projects, they cultivate meaningful experiences that show them what they can accomplish. I want to acknowledge all…
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87. Disarming the 2nd Amendment w/ Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
Content warning for discussion of guns, genocide, violence, and mass shootings. Dan is joined by guest host Stephanie Renée Payne to talk to the author of Loaded: A Disarming History of the Second Amendment Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz about the constitutional history of the Second Amendment, the rise of...
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86. Embodying Vulnerability w/ Nat Garcia
Dan invites Nat Garcia-Hammon (pronouns: they/them), a faculty member at Nova Southeastern University to discuss the challenges of teaching in Florida, practicing & embodying vulnerability in the classroom and beyond, the relationship between learning/knowledge creation and full-embodiment, Nat’s...
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85. Being Drawn to Teaching w/ Cristina Migliaccio
Dan invites fellow Saint John’s University alum, Dr. Cristina Migliaccio, from CUNY Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, NY to discuss culturally & linguistically inclusive digital pedagogy, the professional depth & dedication of the Medgar Evers College Adjunct Faculty, loving the craft of…
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84. Embodying Your Digital Self w/ Dr. Regina Duthely
Dan invites fellow Saint John’s University alum Dr. Regina Duthely from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA to talk about the possibilities of digital teaching & digital rhetorics away from current Zoom-emergency pedagogy, the digital space being a place to fully embody the self, the…
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83. Writing From the Velvet Ditch w/ Up and Coming Writer Elz
To celebrate National Poetry Month, Dan invites Elz on to discuss the release of their debut book did I tell You What Happened? a fragmented memoir, living & writing in Oxford, MS, the role writing plays to communicate and navigate Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, why we still have...
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82. Scratching Beyond Kerouac’s Surface w/ Saloni Srivastava & David O’Connor
In the final special episode celebrating American author Jack Kerouac’s centennial birthday, Dan invites Advanced PhD scholar of American Literature Saloni Srivastava & Poet David O’Connor to talk about the all-consuming meditative power of driving on the road, living at The Kerouac house in...
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81. Honoring Jack Kerouac’s Impact on American Poetry w/ S.A. Griffin & Richard Modiano
In the second of three special episodes celebrating Kerouac’s 100th birthday, Dan invited S.A. Griffin & Richard Modiano to talk about Kerouac’s contribution to American poetry, his haiku mastery, spiritual questing, the challenge of adapting Kerouac’s novels on film, and so much more. Listen to...
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80. Celebrating Jack Kerouac’s 100th Birthday w/ Tim Hernandez & Nate Jordan
In honor of Jack Kerouac’s 100th birthday, Dan invited writers and fellow Naropa alumni Tim Hernandez & Nate Jordan to talk about how Kerouac influenced their writing & personal journeys. They discuss Tim’s 2013 novel about Bea Franco (Terry/”The Mexican Girl” from On the Road) Mañana Means…
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