The Ampersand

Empathy is trending again—we are reminded in venues as wide as SNL sketches and self-improvement podcasts that growing our capacities to step into another’s point of view and feel their perspective brings boons to our interpersonal, professional and emotional lives. The practical work of looking for opportunities to empathize often goes unsaid or appears trickier to realize. Today’s guest, though, is a veritable maestro in building connection points with those fortunate enough to meet him. Charles Eagan in an award-winning academic advisor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience in the College of Arts and Sciences at CU Boulder. On today’s episode, he discusses some of the strategies he employs to create points of connection, even with the most withdrawn students, so that they feel seen, valued and willing to engage with their college experiences again. --- Learn more about Charles. Original music composed by Nelson Walker. Recorded at Interplay Recording and Multimedia. Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley. The Ampersand is a production of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Activists have expressed that the work of changing oppressive structures requires tirelessness and strength. When we consider how this looks lived out, striking photos and stories of campus protests, marches and sit-ins focused on a given issue come to mind, but how do communities come together to advocate for change? Today's guest, Eswari Duggarala (she, they), is the co-founder of Students Against Campus Sexual Assault at the University of Colorado Boulder, and they recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in ethnic studies. Eswari discusses how they sought to make Boulder's campus a safer, more just and equitable place for all students, and, in doing so, how they discovered a profound community of friends who lift each other to continue the work of change. --- Learn more about the organization Eswari helped found, Students Against Campus Sexual Assault and follow SACSA on Instagram. Original music composed by Nelson Walker. Recorded at Interplay Recording and Multimedia. Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley. The Ampersand is a production of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder.

After reading a poem out loud, we hope you've had the experience of inexplicably welling with emotion. Be it joy, grief, adoration for beauty or those emotions harder to describe, we've found these literary experiences can dramatically alter our points of view. But why? What in tightly written pieces of prose causes us to shiver with goosebumps, weep or smile ear-to-ear? Julie Carr is an award-winning poet and activist who has authored seventeen books of poetry, prose and translation, and on today's episode she delves into the way poetry and written words can transform their readers. Julie also explores the manner dance has influenced her writing, continues to show up in her art and influenced her most recent collection titled Underscore. --- Buy Julie's newest collection, Underscore. Learn more about Counterpath. Read more about Julie and her work. Original music composed by Nelson Walker. Recorded at Interplay Recording and Multimedia. Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley. The Ampersand is a production of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder.

The Ampersand is bringing ANDing to the Big Apple! Join Erika and Producer Tim for an evening of networking and nostalgia at the first roadtrip version of Arts & Sciences CU After Work. We're busy in our ANDer's Workshop whittling experiences and games to complement our keynote discussion (with mystery guests) about the essence of ANDing. Save your spot! Details: Oct. 22, 2024 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Peoplehood's Flagship 109 W. 17th St. New York NY, 10011 Cost is $35 per person. A portion of the registration fee supports A&S student scholarships. Light dinner, wine, beer and beverages will be served. *Space is limited. Thank you to our host, Elizabeth Cutler, for opening up the space in Peoplehood for the event!

Nostalgia can be tricky business. Love of the past can lead to a slowing stasis of the people we are/were or our refusal to let relationships evolve. But remembering places and experiences can fill us with warmth or teach us to live into our respective nexts. Today's guest beautifully threads that balance. Francois Baptiste is co-founder of the company 3DEEP Productions, and he has built a successful career in the music promotion industry. At the same time, he is keenly aware of his past experiences' effect on that path. Today's episode is filled with glorious recollections of Boulder in the early 1990s—the budding Hip Hop scene, shows at The Fox and after-parties with the University of Colorado as the nexus—but Francois notes the lessons he learned that spurred him to stretch beyond these city limits and stay at the forefront of innovation and creativity. --- Learn more about Francois' company, 3DEEP Productions. Original music composed by Nelson Walker. Recorded at Interplay Recording and Multimedia. Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley. The Ampersand is a production of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Today's guest owns that dance. Tin Tin Su is an intellectual force, whose research on tiny fruit flies led to fresh discoveries and innovative approaches to radiation therapy for those living with head and neck cancers. While she offers us a snippet of her work in the lab, Su spends today's episode discussing the childhood experiences in Burma and India that shaped her worldview, her interest in the U.S. and a leadership style that still finds space to dance. --- Learn more about Tin Tin Su's research and the Su Lab. Learn more about Tin Tin's company, Suvica. Tin Tin's latest NIH Biosketch. Tin Tin's publications on NCBI. Learn more about the Woodstock School. Original music composed by Nelson Walker. Recorded at Interplay Recording and Multimedia. Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley. The Ampersand is a production of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Over our years, we've collected quite the stories of A&S students at the University of Colorado Boulder living out the alchemy of ANDing. Their experiences perpetually nudge what we suppose our students can experience—opportunities that reach for the boundaries of the profound and even the obscure. Our guest today, Ava Altenbern (art history, biochemistry '24), puts the unexpected on full display. From an internship at a Colorado morgue to her bubbly optimism while navigating death to searching for her art style to an honors thesis on riboswitches, she delves into the manner these interests wove together and shaped how she views a world she is thrilled to step into. --- More about Ava's current work with NIAID and the Ivanovic Lab. Original music composed by Nelson Walker. Recorded at Interplay Recording and Multimedia. Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley. The Ampersand is a production of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Tenacity is often portrayed as acting with a confident, if insensible inevitability. Characters like Creed's Donnie Johnson, Selena and even Jack Sparrow of The Pirates of the Caribbean barrel into adventures filled with long odds and only slightly wavering determination. While their stories are wrapped within a film's tidy two-ish hours, how can we maintain the same level of drive when our plot lines extend out months, years and even decades? Today's guest, Aba Arthur, found that happy medium in her pursuit of a Hollywood career. While the list of roles in her film credit continues to grow—The Color Purple, Wakanda Forever and Respect to name a few since 2021—Arthur discusses on today's episode how she pursued and found a deep self-belief that this pathway she chose was right and worthwhile. --- Follow what's new with Aba on Instagram @abathegoddess. Original music composed by Nelson Walker. Recorded at Interplay Recording and Multimedia. Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley. The Ampersand is a production of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Coming as soon as that tantalizing ice cream truck jingle, we are deep in production of The Ampersand's third season. So that you need not waste time deciding between your favorite desserts, we've pulled together this season's novelties in a singular menu that offers a taste of each interview. We hope you'll love what you hear and come back for more when we debut season three later this summer. --- Original music composed by Nelson Walker. Recorded at Interplay Recording and Multimedia. Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley.

Yes, this trailer for season two of The Ampersand is nine months late. But, like the Scotch that inspired Erika and Producer Tim to match the guests to their ideal labels, this one is worth the wait. --- Original music composed by Nelson Walker. Recorded at Interplay Recording and Multimedia. Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley.

For The Ampersand’s final episode of season two, we have the joy of interviewing Dr. Reiland Rabaka, professor of ethnic studies at the University of Colorado Boulder and director of the Center for African and African American Studies. Dr. Rabaka is a creative and scholarly hurricane who has authored more than 17 books that span his wide interests. Like his research, today’s interview covers unbelievable and unexpected ground—from W.E.B. DuBois to the Women’s Movement, from jazz and the civil rights movement to soul sisters and funksters, from Rabaka’s upbringing in Texas to catalyzing change in Boulder, Colorado. Woven throughout is Rabaka’s deep desire to live with reciprocity and help all people discover a renewed humanity. As 2023 draws to a close, we hope you, dear listeners, breath in this gorgeous human’s words. --- Learn more about the Center for African and African American Studies. Discover Dr. Rabaka’s research and publications. Music by Nelson Walker. Episodes recorded at Interplay Recording in Boulder, CO. Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley, The Ampersand is a production of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Fear of failing stops many of us from tackling curiosities or opening doors on new adventures, but what if we could live without that anxiety of falling from heights? For today's guest, Rachel Suter, mitigating that fear comes down to confidence in her plans, counting from three and leaping from the (in this case literal) precipice. Suter, an undergraduate at the University of Colorado Boulder, is majoring in neuroscience and art practices, dives at Casa Bonita and for CU Boulder's club diving team, works in the College of Arts and Sciences' student government, professionally models and more. On today's episode, she discusses her desire to dabble and try interests, her "why not?" attitude and her strategies for staying calm before stepping out into the unknown. --- Check out Suter's artwork on Instagram, @rachelsuterart. Music by Nelson Walker. Episodes recorded at Interplay Recording in Boulder, CO. Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley.

The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows (a rabbit hole courtesy of today's guest Camden Sharkey) defines sonder as "the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own." While this may feel sad for some, Sharkey, who is an undergraduate at the University of Colorado Boulder majoring in political science and dance, finds the concept invigorating. Whether it means treating every individual coming to Dutch Bros coffee shop with care, arguing for social change at the State Capitol or crafting dance performances that bring voice to current issues, Sharkey navigates life with grace and humor that warms every passerby who comes into his orbit. --- To connect with Camden, see his TikTok page. Music by Nelson Walker. Episodes recorded at Interplay Recording in Boulder, CO. Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley.

On The Ampersand, we love to highlight stories of people who bring together their widest interests, research and making. In most cases, these disparate facets of being shine from our brightest sides—but how can we find compassion for our darker corners? Today’s guest, Lauren Lewis, walks listeners through her journey navigating an eating disorder while learning to cook from the heart as a nutritionist and chef, guiding others to healing as a yogi, feeling at home in her body through dance and wake surfing, and how she seeks out love and self-compassion. --- Lauren’s yoga website. Take Lauren’s online yoga classes. Lauren’s website dedicated to nutrition: The Pure Gourmet. Music by Nelson Walker. Episodes recorded at Interplay Recording in Boulder, CO. Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley.

How do you pass your values on to those you love? Or live out those same values in your workplace? On today's episode, Bernadette Stewart, assistant dean of people, engagement and culture at the University of Colorado Boulder, discusses the manner we not only articulate what we hold most dear, but live out our "North Stars" on a daily basis. From growing up in a military family to parenting to music/streaming lists to self-care and living larger, Stewart shares the experiences and lessons she gleaned over a lifetime helping people reflect on who they have become. --- Learn more about Bernadette Stewart by reading Bernadette's bio. Connect with Bernadette on LinkedIn. Music by Nelson Walker. Episodes recorded at Interplay Recording in Boulder, CO. Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley.

On The Ampersand, we take pride in the ground each episode covers. Today's guest, though, sets a high standard for the breadth through which we can meander in 30 minutes. Mathias Nordvig is a teaching professor in the University of Colorado Boulder's Department of German and Slavic Languages and Literatures. He specializes in pre-Christian Nordic mythologies, folklore and Neo-paganism. From the far right's co-opting of Norse iconography and mythology, to Danish summer camps, heavy metal, animistic philosophy, witch hunts, issues of separating wilderness from society and more, a conversation with Mathias is like a grand epic just starting out by the episode's end. --- For more on Mathias Nordvig, check out his podcast, the Sacred Flame. For more on his research and classes, see Mathias' faculty biography. Music by Nelson Walker. Episodes recorded at Interplay Recording in Boulder, CO. Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley.

Today's guest, Mikayla Huffman, is pursuing a PhD in astrophysical and planetary sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder. Huffman's research delves into numerical modeling of impacts onto icy bodies, crater mapping on rocky bodies and cometary spectroscopy. She is also an exceptional dungeon master (DM) who leads epic, year-plus campaigns through a variety of Dungeons and Dragons worlds. Tune in to hear more about astrophysics and the manner D&D creates space for people to discover how they want to show up in our modern world. --- For more about Mikayla's research and love of Dungeons and Dragons, visit Mikayla's website. Follow Mikayla on X. Mikayla's Youtube channel. Music by Nelson Walker. Episodes recorded at Interplay Recording in Boulder, CO.Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley.

What happens when you not only collaborate on a project, but you also meet your creative work and research bestie? The result, in the case of today's guests, is We Are Coming, a project by Yumi Janairo Roth and Emmanuel David about Filipino pasts and futures. In 1899, Buffalo Bill's Wild West hired three Filipinos to join the Congress of Rough Riders of the World. Although the Filipino Rough Riders were largely forgotten to history, Roth and David are working with historic theaters in towns and cities where the Wild West show traveled to install the trio’s names —Ysidora Alcantara, Felix Alcantara, and Geronimo Ynosincio – on vintage marquees. --- Learn more about the Denver Museum of Contemporary Art's show, Cowboy, which features We are coming. Bucking the myth of the American cowboy. The Museum of Contemporary Art Denver Questions the Cowboy. Learn more about the installation in Cody, WY. Learn more about Yumi Janairo Roth's work and the project We are coming. More about Emmanuel David's work. Music by Nelson Walker. Episodes recorded at Interplay Recording in Boulder, CO. Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley.

At what point does the drive for positivity become toxic? This week’s guest, June Gruber, studies moments that people deny themselves the full complexity of their emotions in order to try and stay happy, even when their experiences warrant feeling anything but joy. Gruber, an associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder, studies the dark side of happiness, but in today’s interview she also explains how complex emotions give her hope in humanity’s capacity for good. --- To support Gruber's efforts to help student mental health, check out the Emerge Project. To learn more about and support Gruber's work on happiness, emotions and well-being more generally, visit the Positive Emotion & Psychopathology (PEP) Lab's gift fund page. Music by Nelson Walker. Episodes recorded at Interplay Recording in Boulder, CO. Written and produced by Erika Randall and Tim Grassley.

We're back! Our lovely listening ANDers made season one such a huge success that we're spending this summer recording seasons two and three of The Ampersand! While we're hanging out at Interplay Recording in Boulder learning about toxic happiness, playing with gender in Dungeons and Dragons and the way music can mobilize people toward a just and equitable society, we wanted to offer listeners something to satiate their thirst for the alchemy of ANDing. I hope you'll enjoy this conversation between me, Erika Randall, and Producer Tim Grassley about The Ampersand's origins and the surprises along the way. --- Recorded at Interplay Recording. Theme music written and performed by Nelson Walker.