COM-Versations Podcast

Episode 1: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Dr. Lance Lippert & Julie Navickas 

Join us for our very first COM-versations podcast featuring Dr. Lance Lippert and Julie Navickas. Tune in as they break down the purpose of the podcast... with a bit of classic 'Lance from Kansas' humor thrown in! Access the transcript for Episode 1 here.

Episode 2: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Dr. Stephen Hunt

Join us for our second episode featuring Dr. Stephen Hunt, director of the School of Communication. Tune in as he shares his history with Fell Hall and what's next for the School of Communication. ***SPOILER ALERT: it's a bass fishing boat! Access the transcript for Episode 2 here.

Episode 3: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Dr. Aimee Miller-Ott

Join us for our third episode featuring Dr. Aimee Miller-Ott, director of the graduate program in the School of Communication. Tune in to hear Dr. Miller-Ott become the victim of phubbing by Dr. Lance Lippert. Are Reggie Redbird's spring break texts more important than our graduate program? Access the transcript for Episode 3 here.

Episode 4: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Dr. Byron Craig

Join us for our fourth episode featuring Dr. Byron Craig, assistant professor in the School of Communication. Tune in to hear about the incredible social justice initiatives Dr. Craig leads here at Illinois State University—and how to enroll in his YMCA cycling class! Access the transcript for Episode 4 here. 

Episode 5: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Elizabeth Chupp

Join us for our fifth episode featuring Elizabeth Chupp, director of academic advising in the School of Communication. Tune in to hear about Liz’s award-winning advising philosophy, her journey at Illinois State University… and why you cannot dance the polka in Kansas. Access the transcript for Episode 5 here.

Episode 6: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Jeff Conway

Join us for our sixth episode featuring 2008 alum Jeff Conway, Emmy-nominated TV host and Hollywood and Entertainment Senior Contributor at Forbes. Tune in to hear about Jeff’s success on the Hollywood red carpet, his interview tips and tricks, and his advice for current communication Redbirds. Know your skills. Hone your skills. And trust your skills with Jeff Conway. Access the transcript for Episode 6 here.

Episode 7: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Dr. Nathan Carpenter

Join us for our seventh episode featuring Dr. Nathan Carpenter, director of convergent media in the School of Communication. Tune in to learn about the history of the Social Media Analytics Command Center (SMACC), hear Lance compare Nate’s skillset to the ivory-billed woodpecker, and coin the term #YouTwitFace. Access the transcript for Episode 7 here.

Episode 8: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Dr. Pete Smudde

Join us for our eighth episode featuring Dr. Pete Smudde, associate director of the School of Communication and public relations program coordinator. Tune in to learn about “the head, the heart, and the hands” of the PR major and what WB cartoon character is Dr. Smudde’s favorite voice to impersonate. Access the transcript for Episode 8  here.

Episode 9: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Tom Lamonica

Join us for our ninth episode featuring Tom Lamonica, director of the internship program. Tune in to learn about Tom’s 44-year career with Illinois State University, his passion for helping students find professional experiences, and the proper way to throw a baseball. Access the transcript for Episode 9 here. 

Episode 10: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Dr. Brent Simonds

Join us for our tenth episode featuring Dr. Brent Simonds, mass media program coordinator and board chair of the Foxtail Film Festival. Tune in to learn about the evolution of media technology, Lance poke fun at the state of Oklahoma, and the creation of the Foxtail Film Festival. Access the transcript for Episode 10 here.

Episode 11: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Dr. Megan Hopper

Join us for our eleventh episode featuring Dr. Megan Hopper, journalism program coordinator. Tune in to hear Lance generate fake news, give Megan a new nickname (“Scoop”), and learn about the evolution of our convergent journalism program. Access the transcript for Episode 11 here.

Episode 12: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Dr. John Baldwin 

Join us for our twelfth episode featuring Dr. John Baldwin, professor of communication studies and chair of the school’s internationalization committee. Tune in to learn about the archaic process of percolating coffee, the study abroad opportunities available to COM majors, and the history of the Reggie Redbird mascot. Acces the transcript for Episode 12 here.

Episode 1: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Dr. Lance Lippert & Julie Navickas (again)

Join us for our first episode of season two because Dr. Lance Lippert and Julie Navickas are back for another semester. Tune in for some fun facts about Jesse Fell, the nuances of pro-wrestling, and a discussion of the best restaurants in Bloomington-Normal. Access the transcript for Episode 1 here.  

Episode 2: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Steve Suess

Join us for our second episode of season two featuring Steve Suess, director of our award-winning student run radio station, WZND. Tune in to hear about Steve’s journey becoming a COM major, the legacy of “Deb”, and a classic Lance story about honeybees. Access the transcript for Episode 2 here. 

Episode 3: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Kevin Capie 

Join us for our third episode of season two featuring Kevin Capie, general manager of our award-winning student run news organization, the Vidette. Tune in to hear about Kevin’s twenty-year long career as a sportswriter with the Journal Star and his introduction to the School of Communication while riding a golf cart with Lance at the wheel.

Episode 4: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Kenzie Reimers

Join us for our fourth episode of season two featuring Kenzie Reimers, president of the Association for Women in Communications RSO. Tune in to learn about what AWC offers our students, a discussion on the differences between female and male mentorships, and how the pay gap impacts the professional communication industry.

Episode 5: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Camron Terry

Join us for our fifth episode of season two featuring Camron Terry, senior public relations major on the COMSET intern team. Tune in to learn about the School of Communication’s new Career COM-petency professional development program, Camron’s journey at Illinois State University, and a classic hole-in-one joke from Lance.

Episode 6: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Doniven Hill-Bush

Join us for our sixth episode of season two featuring Doniven Hill-Bush, senior political communication major and founder of the Black Communication Association. Tune in to learn about the school’s newest RSO, Doniven’s journey as an award-winning Forensics competitor, and the upcoming discussion on #StopCopCity.

Episode 7: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Meghan Smith

Join us for our seventh episode of season two featuring Meghan Smith, junior public relations major and president of the Public Relations Student Society of America. Tune in to learn about how to get involved with PRSSA, hear about the School of Communication’s experience attending ICON 2023, and listen to Lance make a weird joke about glue.   

Episode 8: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Kate Boutilier 

Join us for our eighth episode of season two featuring Kate Boutilier, School of Communication academic advisor and administrative support staff for T.R.A.N.S.F.O.R.M.E.R.S. Tune in to learn about how to become a mentor, hear about Kate’s journey becoming a Redbird, and listen to the moment Lance realizes he’s a tenure track faculty member.

Episode 9: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Megan Koch

Join us for our ninth episode of season two featuring Megan Koch, director of Forensics. Tune in to learn about the transferable skills competitive speaking teaches, an idea for a new sitcom: Two Guys and a Goat, and a variety of fun facts about Abraham Lincoln.

Episode 10: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Kyah Joseph

Join us for our tenth episode of season two featuring Kyah Joseph, a ‘23 public relations graduate of our program. Tune in to hear Kyah’s advice regarding the student to career transition, learn about her 3-year undergraduate journey as a Redbird, and pick up a few networking tips from Lance.

Episode 11: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Bob Carroll

Join us for our eleventh episode of season two featuring Bob Carroll, interim director of TV-10 News. Tune in to hear about Bob’s journey with TV-10, discover who in Kansas still has access to Dorothy’s ruby slippers, and learn about TV-10’s upcoming 50th anniversary celebration.

Episode 12: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Reilly Card

Join us for our twelfth episode of season two featuring Reilly Card, treasurer of the graduate student association. Tune in to hear about Reilly’s research and scholarly interests in death and dying, Lance’s understanding of Greek Mythology, and how to get involved with GSA.  

Episode 1: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Dr. Lance Lippert & Julie Navickas (again)

Join us for our first episode of season three because Dr. Lance Lippert and Julie Navickas are back for another round. Tune in for some (always) fun facts about Jesse W. Fell and a preview of what’s to come. We’re welcoming back a variety of Communication alums for a special, ‘Where are they now?’ season.

Episode 2: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Dr. Curtis Nash

Join us for our second episode of season three featuring Dr. Curtis Nash, Associate Director of Housing and Residence Life at Furman University. Tune in to hear about Dr. Nash’s career highlights in higher education, his fond memory of Dr. Lippert at the 2009 NCA conference, and his take on the benefits of dorm life.  

Episode 3: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Paige Honegger

Join us for our third episode of season three featuring Paige Honegger, 2019 PR alum with a passion for design accessibility and creating strong user experiences. Tune in to hear about Paige’s unexpected career in technology, how to use Chat GPT to search for jobs, and how taking risks can pay off.

Episode 4: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Daniel Almanza

Join us for our fourth episode of season three featuring Daniel Almanza, Assistant Director of Career Services in the College of Media at the University of Illinois. Tune in to learn about Daniel’s career path from public relations to higher education and hear another classic Reggie Redbird joke from Lance involving “dairy-tales”.

Episode 5: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Mary Cullen

Join us for our fifth episode of season three featuring Mary Cullen, manager at NP Strategy. Tune in to learn about Mary’s journey from journalism to the “dark side”, hear how she would handle Reggie Redbird’s PR, and discover her preference: hot dog vs. burger.    

Episode 6: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Dr. Kenneth Harris Jr. 

Join us for our sixth episode of season three featuring Dr. Kenneth Harris Jr. Tune in to learn about Dr. Harris’ journey as a young Redbird in the 1980’s to becoming an award-winning radio host in Milwaukee, Wisconsin while simultaneous holding down a three-decade long career in law enforcement.  

Episode 7: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Tod Meisner

Join us for our seventh episode of season three featuring Tod Meisner from State Farm. Tune in to hear about Tod’s career journey from sports information to corporate communications, learn the history behind the Aflac duck, and get his advice on the three buckets of networking.

Episode 8: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Lindsey Krull

Join us for our eighth episode of season three featuring Lindsey Krull, director of customer solutions at Radancy. Tune in to hear about Lindsey’s career journey in strategic recruitment and marketing strategy, learn what her favorite place on Illinois State University’s campus is, and snag her top tips for successful networking.   

Episode 9: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Chris Saksa

Join us for our ninth episode of season three featuring Chris Saksa, global learning and development manager with Aon Service Corporation. Tune in to learn about Chris’ ten truths inspired by Matthew McConaughey and hear his advice on the importance of listening more and talking less.

Episode 10: COM-versations in Fell Hall with Caitlin Eichhorn

Join us for our tenth episode of season three featuring Caitlin Eichhorn, marketing and public relations coordinator for the New Lenox Community Park District. Tune in to hear about Caitlin’s experience as a Redbird, the skills she learned in the classroom and how they transferred to her current role, and gain a valuable piece of advice from her grandma “Nana”, Barb.