YDN Podcast Desk

In 1969, Yale planned to demolish the Hill neighborhood to build a parking lot. Residents stepped in and protested the proposal. This Footnotes episode examines two urban renewal plans and asks: How did Yale shape the landscape of New Haven in the 1950s and '60s? And who did these changes serve? Written and produced by Hannah Mark ’25, with production help and editing from Grace Ellis ’25 and Suraj Singareddy ’25. Special thanks to Simone Felton, whose exhibition “City Rewritten” inspired this episode, and to Sean Davis, who voiced Fred Harris. Music is by Blue Dot Sessions.

Will Walker ’26, a sophomore in Ezra Stiles, is best known around campus as the “Bubble Guy” for his regular bubbling sessions on Cross Campus. Join us for a special on-site episode where host Joanne Lee ’26 and Will discuss the behind-the-scenes process behind making bubbles, his potential plans for expanding his bubbling endeavors, and what inspires Will to bubble so frequently. Producers: Joanne Lee '26 and Xavier Guaracha '25 Music: Blue Dot Sessions

In this episode, Andre Fa’aoso ‘27 is joined by Yale College Council (YCC) President Julian Suh-Toma ‘25 to discuss the role of students in the search for Yale’s next University President, as incumbent Peter Salovey intends to step down at the end of the 2023-24 academic year. Also, Diego Alderete ‘25 joins Fa’aoso for an exclusive on-the-street interview segment where Yale students share their perspectives on the presidential search and how it affects campus life. Guests: Julian Suh-Toma ‘25 Producers: Andre Fa’aoso ‘27, Diego Alderete ‘25, Alyssa Michel ‘24 Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Note for listeners: this episode contains discussion of eating disorders. Susan Burton '95 is the writer, reporter, and co-producer of The Retrievals, a podcast exploring the shocking case of the Yale Health fertility center, where a nurse repeatedly stole Fentanyl from patients undergoing egg retrievals. She's a longtime reporter at This American Life and the author of the memoir Empty, about a lifelong eating disorder. Join Lily Isaacs as she talks with Susan about her relationship with New Haven, how she became interested in radio, and the advice she has for her younger self and for young journalists. Produced by Lily Isaacs, Joanne Lee '26, Xavier Guaracha '25, and Suraj Singareddy '25. Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Jodi Kantor is a Pulitzer Prize winning investigative reporter at the New York Times. She's also the co-author of the bestselling book She Said, which goes behind the scenes on her and Megan Twohey's investigation into Harvey Weinstein. Join Lily Isaacs as she talks with Jodi about the writing that inspired her, finding a career you love, and the importance of seeking the truth. Produced by Lily Isaacs and Xavier Guaracha '25. Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Ngozi Ukazu '13 is the Harvey-award winning cartoonist behind Check, Please! and the upcoming graphic novel Bunt! Join host Suraj Singareddy as he talks with Ngozi about how she got into comics, almost got her Yale admissions rescinded because of an obsession with Star Trek, and about how we interact with the institutions we're part of. Produced by Suraj Singareddy '25 and Xavier Guaracha '25. Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

In this episode of Footnotes, we explore the controversial career and personal life of Yale graduate Lee de Forest, who is best known for inventing the part that made early radio and television possible. Was he really the “father of radio” or was he just a great storyteller? Hosted by Hannah Mark '25. Produced by Hannah Mark '25 and Grace Ellis '25. Music: Delicates by Blue Dot Sessions Tall Harvey by Blue Dot Sessions Etude 9 Stefan by Blue Dot Sessions Coulis Coulis by Blue Dot Sessions

In this episode, Xavier Guaracha '25 sits down with Evan Gorelick '25 to discuss a recent faculty report revealing the average Yale College GPA and grade distributions by subject. Join us as we discuss the key takeaways from Gorelick's article, and what comes next. Guest: Evan Gorelick '25 Producers: Xavier Guaracha '25, Alyssa Michel '24 Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Ryann Schaffer ‘27 is the first female member of the Alley Cats – a traditionally male acapella group on campus. Join us for an episode where host Joanne Lee ‘26 and Ryann discuss the highs and lows of college acapella, directed studies, and high school merchandise. Producers: Xavier Guaracha '25 and Joanne Lee '26 Sound Engineer: Devin Grooms-Lee '27 Music: Blue Dot Sessions

In this episode, Andre Fa'aoso '27 sits down with Erin Hu '27 to discuss a recent study which researched the gender pay gap among physicians. Join us as we discuss why the physician pay gap exists and how it can be remedied. Guest: Erin Hu '27 Producers: Andre Fa'aoso '27, Alyssa Michel '24 Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Each Sunday at 9:00PM, the candles at Christ Church are lit, the incense is released, and the choir begins to sing. People come in and sit in near-darkness — listening to music and looking at the tiny flames. This is Compline. It's a weekly church service that attracts both Christian and non-Christian attendees. How did it begin? And what makes it so special? Reported and Produced by Suraj Singareddy '25. This essay is part of the Yale Daily News Magazine's Divine Issue. Read more at https://yaledailynews.com/blog/category/mag/ .

Footnotes is a new history podcast from the Yale Daily News. In this episode, Rishika Veeramachaneni '25 and Zawadi Kigamwa '25 cover the history of affirmative action. Rishika then speaks with the Asian American Student Association's Naina Agrawal-Hardin '25 and Tony Ruan '25 about protest and cross-cultural solidarity. This episode was recorded in May of 2023, prior to the Supreme Court's ruling on Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. Produced by Grace Ellis '25, Zawadi Kigamwa '25, and Rishika Veeramachaneni '25. Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Carter King '24 talks with Suraj Singareddy '25 about how he began designing costumes, working as an indigenous dress consultant on a TV series, and doing research in museum archives. Plus, tips for dressing well from one of the most stylish people on campus! Produced by Suraj Singareddy '25. Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Two students discuss how their distinct high school experiences prepared them for the academic and social extremes at Yale. Producers: Ashley Choi, Caleb Dunson, Nick Vilay Guests: Kalvin Verner Jr. Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Sanjena Sathian '13, author of Gold Diggers, talks with Serena Puang '23 and Suraj Singareddy '25 about being a debate kid in high school, writing about Atlanta from memory, working with Mindy Kaling, and the Asian-American films and books she loves right now. This is part 2 of a 2-part interview. Produced by Suraj Singareddy '25 and Serena Puang '23. Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

Sanjena Sathian '13 — author of Gold Diggers — talks with Serena Puang '23 and Suraj Singareddy '25 about growing up Indian-American in Atlanta's suburbs, her undergraduate experience, and working in Mumbai as a foreign correspondent. This is part 1 of a 2-part interview. Produced by Suraj Singareddy '25 and Serena Puang '23. Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

In this episode, Nick Vilay '25 sits down with guests Natasha Weiss ‘25 and Andrew Cramer ‘25, representatives of The Yale Record, and Yale Daily News staff columnist Ariane de Gennaro ‘25. They discuss Yale’s use of the word “equity” in recent storage announcements as well as the implications of devaluing inclusive spaces on campus. Producers: Sophie Molden '26, Nick Vilay '25 Music from Blue Dot Sessions

Natalie Brown ‘25, a sophomore in TD and the composer of "For Colored Girls," talks with Suraj Singareddy '25 about how she began writing songs, the process of creating a musical and the pressures that come with adapting Ntozake Shange's seminal play. Produced by Joanne Lee '26 and Suraj Singareddy '25 Music by Blue Dot Sessions

In this episode, Sophie Molden '26 sits down with Zahra Yarali '24, the president of the Muslim Students Association, to discuss the progress, success and future of the student-led movement for religious housing accommodations in light of the new housing system implemented by Yale this year. Guest: Zahra Yarali '24 Producers: Sophie Molden '26, Diego Alderete Sanchez '25, Nick Vilay '25 Music from Blue Dot Sessions

In this episode, host Xavier Guaracha '25 sits down with Shervin Dehmoubed '25, recent Forbes 30-under-30 honoree. Shervin discusses a typical day balancing being student athlete and CEO of EcoPackables, his previous endeavors in business and what’s to come in the future. Guests: Shervin Dehmoubed '25 Producers: Xavier Guaracha '25, Suraj Singareddy '25 Music: Blue Dot Sessions