ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Beyond the Bricks - A Podcast Hosted by President Connie BookWelcome to ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Beyond the Bricks, the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ to explore the stories, ideas and innovations shaping our community. ​
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Each episode, join President Connie Book as she talks to inspiring individuals making a difference in the world. We hope you’ll find stories that inspire and challenge you, and perhaps even spark new ideas of your own. Join us as we dive into conversations that go beyond the classroom and into the lives of our remarkable students, alumni, parents, faculty and staff.

FIND THE PODCAST

SEASON ONE

Dr. Corinne Auman ’97 P’29
Founder of Choice Care Navigators and award-winning author of Keenagers
“Dr. Corinne Auman ’97 P’29 on Redefining Aging and Embracing Growth”

 

Man sitting on bench Mike Mooney ’93
Leadership Consultant and Former Motorsports Executive
“Mike Mooney ’93 on Motorsports & Values-Based Leadership”

 

Profile photo of Stephanie Marken

Stephanie Marken ’08
Senior Partner, Gallup
“Stephanie Marken ’08 on Gallup and the Responsibility of Listening”

 

Profile photo - Sean Mikesh '25

Sean Mikesh ’25
Actor and performer
“Sean Mikesh ’25 on Stranger Things: The First Shadow and His Path to Broadway”

 

Profile photo of a women in an orange jacket in front of a brown back dropSimone Earle ’16
Global Brand Manager, Spotify
“Simone Earle ’16 on Creative Strategy and the Making of Spotify Wrapped”

 

Gary Grumbach '16 headshotGary Grumbach ’16
Legal Affairs Report, NBC News
“Gary Grumbach ’16 on Journalism and the Road to NBC News”

 

Joyel Crawford ’97
CEO/Founder, Crawford Leadership Strategies
“Joyel Crawford ’97 on Navigating Leadership and Career Confidence”

 

Wyn Ferrell ’09
Founder/owner, Mile High Spirits Distillery and Tasting Room (Denver, Colorado)
“Building Boldly: Wyn Ferrell ’09 on Risk, Creativity and Reinvention”

 

 

Natalie Lampert ’11
Journalist, author and Fulbright recipient
“From Fulbright to Front Page: Natalie Lampert ’11 on her Storytelling Journey”

 

 

Ryan Vet '13 headshotRyan Vet ’13
Entrepreneur, USA Today bestselling author, and international speaker
“Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Life”

 

Barrett Wilbert Weed ’11
Actor and performer
“Stages and Screens: Barrett Wilbert Weed ’11 on Broadway and Beyond”

 

Zora Stephenson ’15
NBC Sports Reporter
“Zora Stephenson ’15 on Breaking Barriers in Sports Media”

 

Alexis Franzese headshotDr. Alexis Franzese
ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Associate Professor of Sociology, Chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology
“The Science of Happiness and Lessons Learned from Disney”

 

jon seatonJon Seaton ’24 G’25
ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ football player and social media persona
“Student-Athletes and the Impact of NIL”

 

Dave Porter profile photoDave Porter P’11 P’19
Owner, Baystate Financial and ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Board of Trustees
“Leadership and Other Life Lessons”

 

ABOUT THE HOST

Dr. Connie Book photoºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Beyond the Bricks is hosted by President Connie Book. Dr. Book is a passionate advocate for the power of higher education to transform students’ lives. She spent 16 years as an ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ faculty member and administrative leader, helping to build the university’s reputation for excellence in engaged teaching and learning. In 2015 she accepted a groundbreaking role as the first female provost and chief academic officer at The Citadel in South Carolina. She returned to ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ as president in 2018, bringing a deep appreciation for the university’s unique history and its rapid rise to national prominence.

Have ideas, comments or questions for the podcast? We want to hear them! Contact: