IU Media School

In this episode, we talk to Media School assistant professor Laura Marciano and Media School advertising senior Kenzie Wolkoff about the effects media has on people of all ages. Wolkoff shares how Marciano’s research and classes - Digital Media and Mental Health and Children and Media - have made an impact on how she produces content for advertising projects and how she’ll implement changes into her own life. Special thanks to host Jordan Shane and producer Betsy Leija. Original music was created by Avi Forrest and Natalie Ingalls.

In this episode, we sit down with (at the time of this recording) Media School doctoral candidates Jimmy Ochieng and Kevin Mudavadi to talk about media, politics, and democracy in Kenya. They break down how social media has completely changed political engagement, creating new opportunities for grassroots activism and accountability, while also opening the door to misinformation and digital manipulation. The conversation dives into why media literacy is one of the most powerful tools we have in today’s information landscape, and why helping people think critically online may be more effective than relying only on government regulation or platform controls. Beyond their research, Jimmy and Kevin also share their passion for global advocacy, peacebuilding, and mentoring students navigating international education. Special thanks to host Lydia Norton, producer Betsy Leija, and intern Alice Racek. Original music was created by Avi Forrest and Natalie Ingalls.

Associate professor Nicky Lewis talks all things sports communication, media psychology, and the stories that bring fans together. She shares her career journey and reflects on how sports media has evolved from radio broadcasts to today’s fast-moving digital landscape, while reminding us that the human need for connection and storytelling hasn’t changed. Lewis also discusses her work on the latest edition of "Communication and Sport: Surveying the Field," which explores digital convergence and the unmatched power of live sports in today’s attention economy. Throughout the episode, she offers advice for aspiring media professionals, encouraging students to focus on storytelling skills, stay adaptable, and be ready to balance creative passions with the realities of the industry demands. Special thanks to host Jordan Shane and producer Betsy Leija. Original music was created by Avi Forrest and Natalie Ingalls.

Professor and Director of Cinema and Media Studies Raiford Guins discusses game culture as a global phenomenon. Guins is interested in uncovering games that have been physically abandoned to further discover how they gain and lose value over time. The Atari game material was disposed of once it declined in popularity among gamers, but Guins and his colleagues traveled to Alamogordo, New Mexico, to revive its potential. Eventually auctioned on Ebay and presented in museums, Atari's preservation and social impact is one of several games Guins has explored. Special thanks to host Jordan Shane and producer Betsy Leija. Original music was created by Avi Forrest and Natalie Ingalls.

To debut the new season of "I'm No Expert," professor Akinwumi Adesokan discusses African literature and cinema, and global media. Adesokan shares his experience as an anti-military journalist in Nigeria during the military regime, while also writing his first novel, "Roots in the Sky (Festac Books)." Through his passion for uncovering hidden media, such as archives or films made before digital technology, Adesokan shares his goals as the new editor-in-chief for Black Camera, an international film journal. Special thanks to host Jordan Shane and producer Betsy Leija. Original music was created by Avi Forrest and Natalie Ingalls.

What is public relations? How does it interact with journalism? Media School senior lecturer Dave Groobert joins us this episode to explain the core values of PR and its fluctuating relationship with journalism. Whereas PR used to be a very distinct field, the advertising, marketing, and PR fields are working hand-in-hand today and will likely continue to strengthen that connection. Special thanks to host Lydia Norton, producer Betsy Leija, and intern Alice Racek. Original music was created by Avi Forrest and Natalie Ingalls.

What do the Target Circle Card community giving initiative and Patagonia's involvement in environmental issues have in common? Both are examples of corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts aimed at promoting societal good. In comparison, social advocacy theoretically benefits a portion of a company's stakeholders, but often involves navigating controversial, typically political, issues. Media School associate professor Nicholas Browning discusses how corporate organizations determine which initiatives align with their mission and enhance their reputation with their target audience. Special thanks to host Lydia Norton, producer Betsy Leija, and intern Alice Racek. Original music was created by Avi Forrest and Natalie Ingalls.

VCRs and projectors and Walkmans, oh my! Indiana Broadcast History Archive Director and Media School professor Mike Conway shares how he is working to save, preserve, and present information about the history of Indiana's radio and television. Due to obsolete technology, some of that information is lost forever. But Conway and the IBHA team is working hard to archive as much of the Hoosier history as possible.

Why does environmental journalism matter? Why don't news organizations support environmental journalism more considering every community is impacted by environmental issues? How do environmental journalists get in the field? Associate professor and environmental journalism expert Suzannah Evans Comfort joins us this episode to explore these questions and look into the roots of the journalism coverage that addresses human-caused degradation of our environment. Special thanks to host Lydia Norton, producer Betsy Leija, and intern Alice Racek. Original music was created by Avi Forrest and Natalie Ingalls.

Media School professor of practice Patricia Pizer shares how she's developing a new way of gaming for girls. She has spent over 30 years working with games of all kinds – from puzzles to board games, to video games, and even mobile games for parrots! Special thanks to host Lydia Norton, producer Betsy Leija, and intern Alice Racek. Original music was created by Avi Forrest and Natalie Ingalls.

Who’s that at the door? Could it be … our next guest? Listen to us chat with the new Dean of The Media School, David Tolchinsky. Hear about his love of scary movies and how he manages to make art and serve as an IU dean. Special thanks to host Avi Forrest and producer Karl Templeton. Original music was created by Avi Forrest and Natalie Ingalls.

Ugh, what a week. You know what sounds perfect? Staying in and watching a bunch of movies. Avi and Karl take a break from their usual adventures to hang out with Novotny Lawrence, director of the Black Film Center & Archive and Media School associate professor, and watch some important pieces of Black film history. Special thanks to host Avi Forrest and producer Karl Templeton. Original music was created by Avi Forrest and Natalie Ingalls.

Podcasting has its perks. Including time travel. This time on I’m No Expert, we chat with the real expert, assistant professor Lisa Lenoir. Lenoir and our host will travel back in time to explore the intersection of the Make America Great Again movement and Mattie Smith Colin, a longtime Chicago Defender reporter from 1950-2002 who covered the return of Emmett Till's body to Chicago. Special thanks to host Avi Forrest and producer Karl Templeton. Original music was created by Avi Forrest and Natalie Ingalls.

We’ve been framed! Or you’ve been framed? Well, all of us have been framed, really. This week on I’m No Expert, we sit down with associate professor Lesa Major to talk about the mechanics of framing in media. How does a reader connect with a story? How do we understand how important a given issue is? How do we make sure stories are never framed in order to hurt people? Listen in and find out! Special thanks to host Avi Forrest and producer Karl Templeton. Original music was created by Avi Forrest and Natalie Ingalls.

I’m no expert on satirical news, but our guest Jason Peifer is. Jason is an associate professor at The Media School and has conducted extensive research on satirical news and how it impacts our daily lives. Peifer explains satire has "a little more bite than your everyday humor" and is more than just a political cartoon. Listen in as we explore forms satirical news can take and if it's a trustworthy news source. Special thanks to host Avi Forrest and producer Natalie Ingalls. Original music was created by Avi Forrest and Natalie Ingalls.

I’m no expert on dirty media, but thank goodness our guest Rachel Plotnick is. Ever notice how dirty your devices get? Ever find spots on your laptop or smears on your smartphone? Well, according to Plotnick, an assistant professor at IU's Media School, that grime means a lot more than you might think. Listen in on what dirty devices tell us about our lives, expenses, and future. Special thanks to host Avi Forrest and producer Natalie Ingalls. Original music was created by Avi Forrest and Natalie Ingalls.