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Finding humor on the football field, chasing new dreams and building connections – these are just a few of the topics that President Connie Ledoux Book discusses as host of a new podcast, “���ϲ����� Beyond the Bricks,” which features thought-provoking conversations with a dynamic guest list of alumni, parents, faculty and staff.

Produced by the Office of University Advancement, the podcast provides a new format for anyone connected to ���ϲ����� to stay engaged with the university, no matter how far from campus they might be.

“���ϲ����� is proud to have an extraordinary community of individuals making meaningful contributions to their industries and the world around them. It has been both inspiring and rewarding to engage in conversations with our remarkable guests over these last few months and dive into such interesting topics with them,” said President Book. “I’m excited for the rest of our community to join the conversations and build deeper connections to ���ϲ����� through this podcast.”

New podcast episodes will premiere at the beginning of every month, beginning with the first episode starring Jon Seaton ’24 G’25, ���ϲ����� football player and internet personality, on the topic, “Student-athletes and the impact of NIL.” Watch the episode on the , or listen to it on or .

The following episodes will be released during spring/summer 2025:

Barrett Wilbert Weed ’11, Actor and singer
Topic: Stages and screens: Barrett Wilbert Weed ’11 on Broadway and beyond

Dave Porter P’11 P’19, Board of Trustees chair and owner/managing partner of Baystate Financial
Topic: Leadership and other life lessons

Alexis Franzese, associate professor of sociology and chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Topic: Disney and the science of happiness

Learn more on the podcast website.

���ϲ����� Beyond the Bricks is produced and edited by Megan McClure and Brandon Talton ’23. Garry Graham created the show art, and John Barnhill ’92 voiced the podcast intro and outro. Special thanks to a team of staff members in the Office of the President, the School of Communications and the Office of University Communications for their additional contributions.