COM-Versations Podcast

Welcome to the COM-versations podcast! 

Here in the School of Communication at Illinois State University, we know how to make Fell Hall fun! In spring 2023, we started the COM-versations podcast with a goal to share as many 'com-versations' among faculty, staff and students. Special thanks to the team that makes it happen: 

To learn more about the COM-versations podcast, listen to season 1 below or contact Julie Navickas at janavic@ilstu.edu. 

Season 1

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. 

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.  

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.

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.

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.