Here in the School of Communication, we know how to make Fell Hall fun. At least, that’s the promise that starts every episode of COM-versations, the new podcast documenting the personality and culture of the school.
Hosted by Julie Navickas, director of student success and recruitment, and Dr. Lance Lippert, professor of communication studies, the duo invites faculty, staff, and students into the studio to share a “com-versation” about their experience as a Redbird.
“It’s been fun,” said Lippert. “The podcast is a great tool to tell stories. The School of Communication has such a rich history at Illinois State University, and this is just one way we’re able to showcase how we fit into the larger mechanism.”
Season one recorded in the spring 2023 semester. In a makeshift podcast studio located on the second floor of Fell Hall, several of the School of Communication’s best took turns in the hot seat and shared their journeys becoming Redbirds.
“I had so much fun being a guest on the COM-versations podcast,” said Elizabeth Chupp, director of academic advisement and featured guest on episode five. “Julie and Lance created a fun and relaxed environment, and our conversation flowed seamlessly. The COM-versations podcast is an incredible platform for current and prospective students to get a feel for the type of culture we create in the School of Communication and learn fun facts and insights about our faculty and staff. Plus, Lance’s jokes about Reggie Redbird are the best!”
Her sentiments are shared.
“It was an absolute blast being on the podcast,” said Dr. Aimee Miller-Ott, professor of communication studies and featured guest on episode three. “I love talking about my research and teaching, and Lance and Julie create a very relaxed, fun environment to have the conversation.”
The COM-versations podcast aims to not only shine a spotlight on our incredible faculty, staff, and students, but also helps future Redbirds find their fit within the school.
“We are very excited about the new COM-versations podcast,” said Dr. Steve Hunt, director of the School of Communication and featured guest on episode two. “This platform will bolster our recruiting efforts by providing a platform to introduce future Redbirds to our faculty and staff before they even step foot on campus. The interviews are a great way to get a sense of the very positive and supportive culture in the School of Communication.”
While each episode does introduce a guest and highlight their roles and responsibilities in the School of Communication, there’s also a space to let individual personalities shine through—and genuinely have fun.
From Reggie Redbird puns to the lurking ghost of Jesse Fell, Navickas and Lippert keep listeners interested and engaged in every 15-20-minute-long episode.
“I never know what Lance is going to say next,” said Navickas. “He’s always got something in the hopper, and it’s a guaranteed laugh every time he opens his mouth. I love our dynamic and shared co-hosting responsibilities. Season two is going to be so much fun to record!”
The new initiative has been a true team effort. Public relations major Kyah Joseph ’23 designed the podcast logo. And communication studies major David Allen ’23 sang and recorded the intro and outro music with the help of WZND. Both students have since graduated, but their legacy will live on with each new episode recorded.
“I hope that communication students listen to the podcast because not only can they learn about everything we are doing in COM, but the COM-versations provide a nice insight into how accessible and interesting our faculty and staff are,” added Dr. Miller-Ott.
COM-versations is hosted on Spotify, but each episode can also be found on the School of Communication’s webpage. Stay tuned for season two and all the fun we’ll have recording this fall. After all, we’re the #BestintheMidwest for a reason.
