Curiosity

Katie Danhof, Jada Eckley, Collin Goldberg, and Clara Kniefel bring their careers as college podcasters to a close. It's time to graduate! Here they reflect on topics ranging from favorite classes to how they changed in college. It's a fun and meaningful episode from four smart and kind soon to be graduates of the Department of Communication and Media. Enjoy.  

Jada and Collin sit down with junior Zoe Olson. Topics range from e-sports to overcoming shyness through audio storytelling. Enjoy.

Jada and Katie talk with Ben Gosswiller about his first full year in college and about getting started in the Department of Communication and Media. Enjoy.

Jada and Collin sit down with Taylor Burkle, a key member of the Department of Communication and Media's Student Engagement team. Taylor runs the department's Instagram page, which you can find here: https://www.instagram.com/mnsu_comm.media/

Katie and Clara sit down with sophomore student Elise Miller. Topics discussed range from her just getting started with Mav FM to thinking through what it means to major in Communication and Media. 

Hosts Jada and Collin talk with Elana, a graduating senior in the department. It's a wide-ranging conversation about everything from studying abroad to finding yourself and your interests in college. Enjoy. 

Hosts Clara and Katie sit down with Nico Cavazos, a junior in the Department of Communication and Media. The conversation touches on topics ranging from leaving behind high school sports to specific advice to younger students in the Department of Communication and Media. It’s a fun and meaningful conversation. 

Some of you know Davis from his outstanding performances in plays like Rent and Oklahoma--and many others. He's a talented actor and has done excellent work in the Department of Communication and Media as well. Hosts Jada and Collin talk with Davis about everything from how he found his way into theatre to his favorite communication classes. Enjoy.

Clara and Katie sit down with our department's outstanding Office Manager, Kaori. Whether students know it or not, Kaori has a huge impact on your lives--from scheduling classes and finding rooms to helping answer difficult questions. In this fun conversation, we learn more about a very important person in the Department of Communication and Media. Enjoy!

Jada and brand new host Collin sit down with senior Communication and Media Student Aaron B. Topics covered range from Aaron's work as a voice over artist to his involvement with Mav FM. The group also explores why they were drawn to the major in Communication and Media. 

In the Season Six opener, Jada and Katie sit down with 2025 graduate Soren Schaust, currently serving as an Admissions Counselor here at Minnesota State, Mankato. Join them for a fun conversation exploring topics ranging from lessons learned in the major to what it's like being young professional. 

Hosts Katie and Clara reflect back on the fall 2025 semester--Topics range from favorite classes to the most meaningful outside the classroom experiences. 

Katie and Jada sit down with Anahi Zuniga, Editor-in-Chief of the campus newspaper at Minnesota State University, Mankato--The Reporter.

On this special episode of Curiosity, Communication and Media faculty member Justin Rudnick sits down with Michelle and De Anne Sherman, a mother-daughter team working to help families grapple with mental illness.  Michelle and De Anne were guests at Minnesota State in early October 2025, talking about their books, their outreach, and the overall complexities of mental illness in families. Resource list for families and individuals dealing with mental illness: http://link.mnsu.edu/bp4

Aaron, Jada, and Zoe sit down and reflect some on their audio storytelling class in the fall of 2025. This class will likely be offered again next year, taught by either Dr. Engen or Dr. Tiernen. The name of the class will change, however. Look for a class called podcasting down the road. 

Katie and Clara sit down with two members of the communication team at MSU's Centennial Student Union. Anton Domeier (Student Graphic Designer) and Milly Geske-Gould (Student Writer). Listen and learn about who they are, what they do, and how you might be able to get involved in this kind of work. 

This episode is a bit different than usual. First-time Curiosity host Jada Eckley takes us back to 2019 to hear an episode of the Finding Your Place College Podcast. Created by students at MSU, Mankato and Century College, the Finding Your Place Podcast focused on getting started in college. The episode Jada features here explores the joys and challenges of getting involved beyond the classroom.

Katie and Clara sit down with Kalissa Wille from Alpha Chi Omega. They explore how a student can get involved with Greek life here on campus and some of the benefits that can come from doing so. 

The season five opener features Katie, Jason, and new Curiosity member Clara talking about getting involved on campus. All of season five will explore this topic. In this opening episode the hosts reflect on some of their own experiences beyond the classroom. 

Hosts Carson Pike and Katie Danhof sit down with two fairly new majors, Allisa Dahlquist and Jada Eckley for a discussion of the 2024-25 year in the Department of Communication and Media. They explore everything from classes they liked to risks they took to plans for next year. The conversation just might help you reflect on your own year and maybe find an idea or two for next year. Enjoy.*Congratulations to Carson Pike who is graduating this year. And thanks Carson for all you've done for the Curiosity Podcast. You will be missed. 

Guest hosts Amaun, Autumn, and Clara from COMM 335 (Communication and Community) sit down for an engaging and informative interview with Mr. Abdurrahman Guantai, MSU's Director of Student Access. *Special thanks to Samera for setting up the interview and helping create the questions. 

Guest hosts Chris, Joey, Sam, and Tom talk about their experiences in a class called Communication and Community in the Department of Communication and Media at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Much of the conversation deals with an assignment in the class called the "Community Exploration Project" where students attend and reflect upon three off-campus community events. The guys do an excellent job reflecting on the class and, in many ways, on college in general. 

Four students from COMM 335 (Communication and Community) create their first ever podcast episode. Join Clara, Autumn, Amaun, and Samera as they discuss topics ranging from what's in their backpacks to being an older student on campus.**We had a small problem with Amaun's microphone so he will fade in and out every so often. But enjoy the conversation. And thanks for listening. 

Carson Pike sits down with Bradon Gerberding. The conversation begins with Bradon's work on the Department of Communication and Media's new Instagram page and goes from there. Bradon discusses his social media work with other brands and Bradon and Carson reflect back on their time at MSU given both are set to graduate in a few weeks.

In March of 2025, an entire class visited the MSU podcast studio. Everyone said hello and a couple of things about themselves. It was fun and meaningful 20 minutes. Special thanks to hosts Myzel, Tony, Autumn, and Jocelyn.  Enjoy.

Katie and Carson sit down for a chat right before Spring Break 2025. Their fun and educational conversation covers a lot topics of interest to all students majoring in Communication and Media--being a Student Ambassador, selecting minors, and jobs off and on campus to name a few. We hope you enjoy the episode and learn a few things from two thoughtful students in the Department of Communication and Media. 

Season Four begins! Carson and Katie sit down with two members of MSU's brand new student-run radio station, Mav FM. Aaron (co-host of Nippon Now) and Anika (host of Cat Atomic) talk about how and why they started radio, what they like about it, and how other students can get involved.To listen to Mav FM, download the KMSU app or tune to 107.9 FM around town. If you're interested in getting involved, email Mav FM at [email protected]

Curiosity guest host Sheridan Follis sits down with MSU sideline reporter Angelina Ventimiglia for a wide-ranging conversation about everything from how Angelina got into sports broadcasting to advice for those who might want to do the same. Angelina is double majoring in Sports Management and Communication and Media here at MSU. Both she and Sheridan are graduating in December of 2024. 

Ryuto, Katie, and Carson have a delightful conversation with Maarten, an exchange student here at MSU in the fall of 2024. They explore everything from cultural differences to making friends in a new country. It's a fun and educational conversation. We hope you enjoy. 

Ryuto, Carson, and Katie spend a little time reflecting on Artificial Intelligence. Benefits, concerns, and their own use of it as students here at Minnesota State, Mankato. 

This week on Curiosity, Jason, Katie, and Jessica listen and respond to several vox pop stories created in Dr. Engen's audio storytelling class. A vox pop story is made by student producers recording approximately 20 individuals answering the same question. The producers then edit these answers into short and engaging audio pieces, three of which are presented here. The COMM 340 students who recorded and edited these pieces include: Sheridan, Ryan, Nick, Joe, and Jason.

Join Carson, Katie, Ryuto, and Dave as they chat a bit about Halloween. 

Host Sheridan Follis interviews Communication Arts and Literature Education major Lillian Schmidt on the second episode of the Mav FM* show, Meeting With the Majors. *Mav FM is a new radio station featuring content created by students for students. The station is scheduled to go live right around November 1st, 2024. Curiosity will air some of the impressive student work already being created for the station. Students from all majors are welcome to join Mav FM. No experience is necessary. There are about 20 fun and creative students involved so far. Some are making music shows, some are making talk shows, some are creating radio stories. There are lots of possibilities (we can only air talk shows on Curiosity because of copyright laws.)Contact Dr. David Engen at [email protected] to learn more about Mav FM. We'd love to have you involved!

Sheridan Follis interviews Geography major Neil Hurner on the very first episode of her Mav FM* show, Meeting With the Majors. *Mav FM is a new radio station featuring content created by students for students. The station is scheduled to go live right around November 1st, 2024. Curiosity will air some of the impressive student work already being created for the station. Students from all majors are welcome to join Mav FM. No experience is necessary. There are about 20 fun and creative students involved so far. Some are making music shows, some are making talk shows, some are creating radio stories. There are lots of possibilities (we can only air talk shows on Curiosity because of copyright laws.)Contact Dr. David Engen at [email protected] to learn more about Mav FM. We'd love to have you involved!

Season three beings with five members of the Curiosity crew offering personal insights on college. Tips you might call them. But more than tips, too--Stories. Carson, Jason, Jessica, Katie and Ryuto all have unique approaches to college and important insights that can help any student but especially those of you just getting started in college or those of you feeling a little stuck. 

Katie Danhof sits down with Aryee McCabe just a couple days before he graduates from MSU with a degree in Biochemistry. He explores everything from why he loves plants to the joys of tutoring. It's a fun conversation, and we hope you enjoy it. Congratulations Aryee!Here a few links to things mentioned in the episode.The Honors Program @ MSU, MankatoMavPass Tutoring ProgramBiochemistry @ MSU, Mankato

Curiosity is back partnering with Maverick Firsts on an episode of particular interest to first-generation college students. This week Maverick Firsts Peer Coordinator Prisca Payanzo Maba interviews MSU first-generation student, Alaysia Randolph. Alaysia is finishing up her sophomore year and majoring in Aviation. 

Michael Groth and Derick Franklin from COMM 335 (Communication and Community) talk with their classmate and MSU Community Advisor, Soren Schaust. They talk about everything from the communication skills learned being a CA to writer Kurt Vonnegut. If you track them down in person, they might even tell you a story or two that their boring professor edited out of this recording.A couple things mentioned in the episode...How to become a Community Advisor (An excellent job for Communication majors)Kurt Vonnegut Drawing

Kat and Khy from COMM 335 (Communication and Community) sit down with Shelley Pierce, co-host of the Shuffle Function morning show on KMSU Radio. It's a fun and even inspirational conversation about the joys of community radio. Below are links to some of the topics explored. KMSU RadioThe Shuffle Function Morning Show (6-9 am M-F on KMSU)Shelley's Shuffle Function Co-Host, Tim LindThe Fountaineers, KMSU's Radio Drama Group The War of the Worlds Radio DramaRadiolab episode about War of the WorldsKMSU's new Minnesota Music ChannelKMSU Streaming APP

Curiosity is back partnering with Maverick Firsts on an episode of particular interest to first-generation college students. This week Maverick Firsts Peer Coordinator Prisca Payanzo Maba interviews Ryuto Hashimoto. Ryuto is currently a graduate student in Sociology at MSU and also a member of the Curiosity Podcast team. He did his undergraduate degree here at MSU and Century College in the Twin Cities. 

Curiosity is partnering with Maverick Firsts to produce occasional episodes exploring topics of special interest to first-generation college students (those who are the first in their families to attend college). In the first episode of this series, Maverick Firsts Peer Coordinator Prisca Payanzo Maba interviews MSU sophomore and first-generation student Akenyi Agid. Hope you enjoy.

The group gets together and talks about a few things they're doing right now to have some fun and manage a little stress. Participants include Katie Danhof and Ryuto Hashimoto as well as two students new to the Curiosity team, Prisca Maba Payanzo and Jason Thao.

This episode features students enrolled in COMM 335 (Communication and Community) during the Spring of 2024. Several hosts from the class do brief interviews with their classmates. This was a class exercise, but in these nearly 30 minutes listeners will hear meaningful reflection on college and some good advice for being a student in the Department of Communication and Media. Plus the students sound great. Enjoy. 

Graduate student producer Ryuto Hashimoto and Curiosity faculty advisor Dave Engen sit down for a 10-minute give-and-take conversation about education--what it is, what it feels like, how it works and why it sometimes doesn't.

MSU's Student Ambassador program is a great way for students to gain speaking and professional experience. Hosts Katie Danhof and Jessica Pastrana sit down with Sam Hodgson who directs the program and current Student Ambassador Nomin Senadheera. We hope you enjoy the episode and we hope you consider becoming a Student Ambassador!

Our second episode of season two features This I Believe essays presented first in COMM 335--Communication and Community. You'll hear essays from Masako Saito, Michael Martin, and Peyton Tietz. The episode is hosted by Carson Pike, Jacob Sparrow, and newcomer to the team, Katie Danhof. 

Curiosity student producer Carson Pike sits down with Emily Albright, Assistant Director of Admissions Recruitment at MSU, Mankato. An alum of MSU's Department of Communication Studies, Emily talks about everything from the role her degree plays in her work to how a person can prepare for a job in higher education. It's a wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation of value to all but especially to those listeners considering a career in higher education. Late in the interview Emily references a podcast episode she created back in 2019 while an undergraduate on campus. The episode focuses on the challenges she experienced trying to get involved outside the classroom during her first year in college. You can find it here: https://soundcloud.com/dreamingbydegrees/finding-your-place-episode-9

We end our first season of Curiosity with a wide-ranging discussion featuring the first four individuals to participate in the Curiosity Podcast--Ryuto Hashimoto, Kathryn Petzel, Mallory Schafer, and Jacob Sparrow. They talk about everything from how they got started in podcasting to what they learned, to how they feel about hearing their voice on the air. We hope you enjoy--and to any students listening out there, if you want to take part in season two email [email protected]. We'd love to have you.Congratulations to Jacob and Kathryn who are graduating here in the fall of 2023! We will miss you. 

This is the second episode of a new series on Curiosity called "10-Minute Conversations." Every so often you'll hear us come together to just talk about important stuff--from our favorite classes to our favorite movies. In this episode the topic is inspiration. What it is. Who inspires us. And how we find it. Adam Hampton hosts. Participants include Deqo Ali and Caron PikeClosing Music: Explore by Madoka Ogitani 

Grace Anderson from MSU, Mankato's River Whale Review joins hosts Jacob Sparrow and Ella Miller along with hidden host Adam Hampton (quietly learning about podcasting). Grace talks about everything from why a student-run literary magazine matters to how MSU students can have their work reviewed. It's a fun and important conversation that closes with Grace reading some of her own powerful fiction. We hope you enjoy.To learn more about The River Whale Review visit: https://riverwhalereview.com/Opening and Closing Music: Explore by Madoka Ogitani