Cultivate Talk

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, Emily sits down with Dr. Josh Bentley to unpack the evolving role of public apologies in today’s media landscape.Drawing from his research in crisis communication and his book Devaluing Public Apologies in the Age of Social Media, Dr. Bentley explains what people actually expect from apologies — and why those expectations are often unmet. The conversation explores how apologies function as a social ritual meant to promote accountability and reconciliation, while also examining how polarization and social media have complicated that process.Together, they discuss why some apologies that seem insincere can still be strategically effective, how outrage is sometimes driven more by attention than repair, and when apologizing can actually make a situation worse. The episode also challenges listeners to think more critically about when to apologize, when to stand firm, and how communication shapes the way responsibility is understood in public life.

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, Emily sits down with Dr. Deondre Smiles to explore how Indigenous relationships to land, space, and death challenge dominant ways of thinking about ownership, history, and power.Drawing from his research in Indigenous geographies and political ecology, Dr. Smiles explains how burial grounds and ancestral lands are not just physical spaces, but deeply relational sites connected to identity, memory, and more-than-human kin. The conversation also examines the idea of the “political agency of Indigenous death” and how struggles over Indigenous remains reveal broader tensions between Indigenous communities and settler institutions.Together, they discuss how Western frameworks often separate culture, nature, and governance — and how Indigenous perspectives offer alternative ways of understanding care, responsibility, and survival, especially in the context of climate crisis.This episode invites listeners to think more critically about land, listen more carefully to marginalized perspectives, and reconsider how communication shapes what — and who — we value.

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, Emily sits down with Dr. Emma Bloomfield to explore the powerful intersection of storytelling and science communication.Focusing on controversial and often polarized topics like climate change, vaccination, and evolution, Dr. Bloomfield explains why facts alone are often not enough to change minds — and how storytelling plays a critical role in shaping how people understand and engage with scientific information.Together, they discuss how identity influences the way we interpret messages, the common pitfalls communicators face when addressing skeptical audiences, and the importance of empathy in navigating difficult conversations. The episode also offers practical insight into how anyone — not just scientists or professionals — can become a more effective communicator when discussing complex or sensitive topics.This conversation is a reminder that effective communication isn’t just about being right — it’s about being heard, understood, and willing to engage across difference.

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, Emily sits down with Dr. Jordan Soliz to explore how families navigate difference — and why communication is at the center of those experiences.Dr. Soliz’s research challenges the idea that families are homogenous, instead highlighting how multiple identities — including political, cultural, religious, and generational — coexist within family systems. Together, they discuss how these differences shape relationships, particularly in an era where political identity has become increasingly salient in family life.The conversation emphasizes a key insight: it’s not difference itself that harms relationships, but how we communicate about it. They also explore how family interactions influence the way we understand and engage with people outside the family, as well as practical strategies for navigating difficult conversations with more openness and intention.This episode offers both research-based insight and real-world guidance for anyone seeking to foster more understanding, compassion, and connection within their family relationships.

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, Emily sits down with Dr. Andrew Cole and Dr. Thomas Salek to explore the political rhetoric of Orson Welles and his 1940s radio program, The Orson Welles Commentaries. Together, they examine how Welles used the intimacy of radio to connect with audiences, the role of celebrity in shaping political influence, and how his experience compares to later figures like Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump. This episode highlights how media and communication continue to shape public discourse and democratic engagement.

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, Emily sits down with Dr. Larry Schooler to explore the role of dialogue in healing conflict and building stronger communities.Larry works with cities, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations to facilitate consensus around high-stakes and deeply contentious issues — from repairing relationships between law enforcement and communities of color to guiding communities through memorialization after tragedy. His work centers on creating spaces where those most affected by conflict are directly involved in shaping solutions.Together, they discuss what distinguishes genuine dialogue from performative conversation, how truth and reconciliation models have been used in cities and nations to promote healing, and why communication is essential not just for managing conflict, but for resolving it. The conversation also examines trust-building, conflict de-escalation, and what gives hope — and concern — about the current state of public discourse.Grounded in both research and practice, this episode invites listeners to rethink how communication can foster closure, accountability, and growth in moments of deep division.

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, Emily sits down with Dr. Lilly Feder to explore how communication shapes the experiences of athletes in public-facing and high-pressure environments.A former collegiate basketball player and now Assistant Professor of Sports Communication, Lilly studies the intersection of sport, public relations, and organizational behavior. Her research centers on athlete empowerment, identity, activism, crisis communication, and resilience-building within athletic organizations.Together, they discuss how intersectional identities shape the communication challenges athletes face, why underperformance should be understood as a form of crisis, and what organizations often fail to communicate when athletes become the “face” of controversy or scrutiny. The conversation also examines athlete activism, team resilience, and the difficult identity transitions athletes experience when leaving competitive sport.Grounded in both scholarship and lived experience, this episode offers insight into how communication can either reinforce pressure and silence — or create healthier, more supportive athletic environments.

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, Emily sits down with Dr. Josh Fitzgerald to explore the power of student–teacher rapport and its impact on learning in higher education.Drawing from his research in communication education, Josh explains what student–teacher rapport really means and why it matters — not just for classroom climate, but for student motivation, engagement, and long-term success. Together, they discuss how rapport can be intentionally cultivated in both face-to-face and online environments, including asynchronous and synchronous classrooms.The conversation also addresses the evolving challenges communication instructors face today, from navigating digital platforms creatively to helping students define “quality research” in an age shaped by AI and information overload.Grounded in both research and lived teaching experience, this episode offers practical strategies for educators while reminding us that meaningful relationships remain at the heart of effective communication and learning.

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, Emily sits down with Dr. Sara Potter to explore the intersections of communication, care, and crisis. Drawing from fieldwork in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria, Dr. Potter’s research examines culture-centered humanitarian aid, feminist organizing, and the often invisible labor women take on in the wake of disaster.Together, they discuss what it means to rebuild not just infrastructure, but systems of care — particularly maternal and infant healthcare — in communities navigating both environmental catastrophe and institutional loss. Dr. Potter explains Dutta’s Culture-Centered Healthcare Model, unpacks the concept of “motherwork,” and reflects on how women’s labor sustains families and communities long after media attention fades.The conversation also turns to her current community-engaged research responding to women’s healthcare deserts in the United States, highlighting how communication shapes partnerships, advocacy, and resilience.This episode invites listeners to rethink recovery, to center community voices, and to consider how culture, gender, and communication shape the possibilities for healing in an era of climate crisis.

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, Emily sits down with Ally Osborne — Oregon Ducks reporter for Sports Illustrated, broadcast journalist, and the creative force behind KOIN 6’s “Everyday Northwest” and “Tower Talk Live.” A born-and-raised Oregonian with a passion for storytelling, Ally shares how she built a career covering the teams and athletes she grew up watching.Together, they dive into the realities of sports journalism: navigating high-pressure live broadcasts, asking coaches and athletes questions that go deeper than clichés, and balancing the facts fans need with the emotion and connection they crave. Ally talks about her favorite moments on the job, the unforgettable fan interactions that come with covering the Ducks, and what she’s learned from coaches and athletes that translates far beyond sports.She also reflects on the evolving relationship between traditional journalism and platforms like TikTok and X, the most fascinating communication dynamics happening inside college sports, and why great reporting always comes back to human stories.Whether you’re a sports fan, a young journalist, or someone who loves great storytelling, this conversation offers a smart, grounded, and energizing look at the communication that brings sports to life.

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, Dr. Maura Snyder joins to discuss how parents and children navigate media in today’s digital world. Dr. Snyder’s research explores parental mediation—the ways parents can talk with their kids about what they watch, play, and scroll through to reduce harmful effects and boost positive ones.We dive into her studies on how mothers are using the Barbie movie to discuss gender with their daughters, what she discovered about parents’ media habits post-COVID, and her attempt to apply the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) to increase mediation -- and what that taught her about motivation and parenting.Whether you’re a parent, educator, or researcher, this conversation offers fresh insight into how thoughtful communication around media can shape the next generation of critical, compassionate consumers.

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, we sit down with researcher Jakki Padilla to explore the powerful intersection of sports, communication, and social change. Centering on the WNBA and the Atlanta Dream during the 2020–2021 season, Jakki unpacks how activism became woven into the fabric of the league — and how Black women athletes reshaped public discourse in the process. We talk intersectionality, power, and the cultural-economic model that connects activism and public relations, revealing how the WNBA’s story is, truly, more than a game.

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, Emily sits down with Dr. Amanda Cooper, an Assistant Professor of Interpersonal Communication at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Cooper’s research explores how families communicate and connect through some of life’s most difficult transitions — particularly when caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Together, they discuss what it means to maintain connection when words and roles change, how families can communicate with empathy and intention, and why presence itself can be a form of care.This episode offers both comfort and insight for anyone navigating caregiving, grief, or communication in the face of change.

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, I sit down with Macy Dunklin, a writing center professional and doctoral candidate in Communication at Texas A&M University, whose research explores stigma, education, and the power of supportive spaces. Together, they unpack how communication shapes two surprisingly connected areas—writing and sex education—and why both are often surrounded by shame, assumptions, and silence. Macy shares insights from their work on sex toy stores as informal learning spaces, the role of community literacy, and how we can build environments where asking for help feels empowering rather than stigmatizing. Whether you’re an educator, communicator, or lifelong learner, this conversation invites you to rethink how we talk about learning, confidence, and care.

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, Emily sits down with Aaron Burtch — a seasoned broadcaster, educator, and communication scholar whose career spans sports journalism, higher education, and research on the cultural side of athletics. From his time as a television sports anchor and producer for the Detroit Pistons to his academic work on baseball, rhetoric, and media, Aaron brings a unique perspective on how communication shapes the world of sports and beyond.We explore the rituals and traditions that connect fans and communities, the psychology behind "walk-up songs," and the evolving role of sports communication in higher education and everyday life. Aaron’s passion for both the field and the game shines through in the conversation.Whether you’re a sports fan, a communication scholar, or just curious about how media and culture intersect, this episode offers thoughtful insights with plenty of energy and heart.

In this episode of Cultivate Talk, we sit down with Dr. Emily Pfender, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania and a dedicated science communicator. Dr. Pfender’s research explores how misinformation and wellness trends about women’s health spread on social media, and how they shape health beliefs and behaviors.Together, we unpack the kinds of messages circulating online — from quick-fix wellness tips to misleading health claims — and discuss why these trends gain traction in today’s digital environment. They also explore what it means to navigate women’s health information critically, and how evidence-based communication can promote equity and improve care.This conversation highlights the vital role of communication in separating fact from fiction and offers listeners practical tools for engaging with women’s health content online.

In this episode, we interview Dr. Dan Hartman, and we delve into the critical role of communication in ensuring sports safety. Join us as we explore how effective dialogue among athletes, coaches, and parents can prevent injuries and promote well-being. Discover the challenges and breakthroughs in discussing concussions and other safety concerns, and learn how shifting the culture from silence to safety can make a significant impact. Tune in for insights that could change the way we approach sports safety at every level.Have questions or want to keep this conversation going? You can reach Dr. Dan Hartman at: [email protected]