Elon Beyond the Bricks: A Podcast Hosted by President Connie Book

In this episode of “Elon Beyond the Bricks”, President Connie Ledoux Book sits down with Jana Lynn Patterson, Associate Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Student Health & Well-Being, as she reflects on nearly four decades of leadership at Elon University. Known to generations of students as “Dean P,” Patterson shares insights on mentorship, servant leadership, and the evolution of student life, while discussing the relationships and values that have defined her career as she prepares for retirement.    

In this episode of Elon Beyond the Bricks, President Connie Ledoux Book talks with Dr. Corinne Auman ’97 P'29, the founder of Choice Care Navigators and award-winning author of Keenagers. Corinne shares insights on redefining aging, navigating senior care, and inspiring others to see later life as a season of growth, opportunity, and purpose.

In this episode of Elon Beyond the Bricks, President Connie Ledoux Book sits down with Mike Mooney ’93, a veteran motorsports executive and leadership consultant, to reflect on the unexpected moments that shaped his career. Mooney discusses how an early injury redirected his path at Elon, the lessons learned from more than two decades working across NASCAR, IndyCar, and Formula One, and how those experiences led him to focus on values-based leadership and purposeful reinvention.

In this episode of Elon Beyond the Bricks, President Connie Ledoux Book speaks with Stephanie Marken ’08, a senior partner at Gallup, about the evolving landscape of public opinion research and higher education. Marken discusses the discipline and responsibility behind national polling efforts, the insights drawn from long term data, and how her experiences at Elon influenced her path into public opinion research.

In this episode of Elon Beyond the Bricks, President Connie Ledoux Book sits down with Sean Mikesh ’25, an ensemble member and understudy in Broadway’s Stranger Things: The First Shadow, to discuss his rapid transition from Elon student to professional actor.   Sean shares the unexpected series of events that took him from his senior year to a Broadway rehearsal room, offering insight into the preparation, adaptability, and discipline required to step into a major production so early in his career. He reflects on the training, mentorship, and community at Elon that helped equip him for the opportunity and continue to support him as he builds his life and career in New York City.

In this episode of Elon Beyond the Bricks, President Connie Book sits down with Simone Earle, a 2016 alumna and Global Brand Manager at Spotify, to discuss the evolution of Spotify Wrapped, the creative discipline behind the campaign, and the impact of strategic storytelling on global audiences.

In this episode of Elon Beyond the Bricks, President Connie Book sits down with Gary Grumbach ’16, Legal Affairs Reporter at NBC News, to talk about his career in journalism, the power of storytelling, and the lessons he learned along the way. Gary shares his path from student reporter to national news correspondent, offering insight into how his time at Elon University’s School of Communications prepared him for the fast-paced world of broadcast journalism.

Join Elon University President Connie Book as she sits down with leadership expert and author Joyel Crawford ’97 for a conversation packed with wisdom, humor and inspiration. From navigating careers with confidence to finding purpose in leadership, this episode of Elon Beyond the Bricks is one you won’t want to miss.

Join President Connie Book as she chats with Wyn Ferrel ’09, the entrepreneur, distiller, and creative force behind Mile High Spirits. From a finance career in New York to launching one of Denver’s most recognizable craft distilleries, Wyn shares how he’s built a business rooted in community, creativity, and bold reinvention.

In this episode, journalist, author and former Fulbright recipient Natalie Lampert '11 joins Elon University President Connie Book for an inspiring conversation about carving your own career path and saying yes to your dreams when the opportunity arises.

Join us for an engaging discussion with Ryan Vet '13, an entrepreneur, USA Today bestselling author, and international speaker. He has advised Fortune 500 companies and mentored entrepreneurs on leadership, generational dynamics and personal branding. Hear what Ryan has to say about these topics and more! 

Join President Connie Book and Professor Alexis Franzese as they discuss the science of happiness, authenticity, and how to build a life of meaning and purpose - including lessons learned from Disney!  Dr. Alexis Franzese serves as associate professor of sociology and chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Elon University. Her most recent publication is a volume she co-edited with Dr. Jill Peterfeso of Guilford College called, "Why the Magic Matters: Discovering Disney as a Laboratory for Learning." It is set for release in August 2025.   

Join President Connie Book as she sits down with the incredible Zora Stephenson '15—trailblazing sports broadcaster and storyteller. From the NBA sidelines to the Olympics and beyond, Zora shares her journey, her passions, and what it means to lead with purpose in today's media landscape.

Join the conversation as Barrett Wilbert Weed '11 and Elon University President Connie Book discuss Barrett's journey from Elon to starring in Heathers and Mean Girls on Broadway, how she’s grown personally and professionally in the spotlight, and a sneak peek into her very own solo show.  Note: This episode discusses topics related to mental health, including anxiety and depression. Please listen at your own discretion and seek support if needed.     

Join host President Connie Book as she discusses leadership, emotional reciprocity and other life lessons with Dave Porter P'11 P'19, chair of Elon University's Board of Trustees.

Join us as President Connie Book interviews Jon Seaton, a member of Elon University's Class of 2023 and former member of the football team, as he discusses his journey as a social media persona in the age of Name, Image and Likeness.