WPSU

COVID-19 and Non-Profit Organizations

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the challenges and difficulties facing non-profit organizations during COVID-19, and why their work is more important now than ever.

Ask a Veterinarian

Do you have questions about your pet? Or maybe you’re thinking of adopting one. On our next episode of Conversations Live, we’ll talk about all things pets with veterinarians Fred Metzger from Metzger Animal Hospital, and Debra Smart from Centre Animal Hospital. We’ll cover topics such as proper diet and exercise for your pet, and keeping pets safe from COVID-19.

Guests

College Athletics During COVID-19

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the challenges of conducting college athletics during COVID-19.

The Online Classroom

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the classroom and the rise of the online classroom.

Children’s Grief

How do children grieve? Is it different from the way adults grieve? And how does grieving change as children grow? On our next episode of Conversations Live, we’ll answer these questions and more when we speak with Vicki Jay from the National Alliance for Grieving Children, Kevin Carter from Uplift Center for Grieving Children, and Melody Ray from Healing Patch.

Guests

Vicki Jay
Chief Executive Officer
National Alliance for Grieving Children

Kevin Carter, MSW, LCSW
Clinical Director
Uplift Center for Grieving Children

Melody Ray
Volunteer Coordinator/Grief Specialist
Healing Patch

The 2020 Election

We’ll talk with the Director of the Franklin and Marshall College Poll, Terry Madonna, and Penn State Political Scientist Candis Watts Smith about the 2020 election. How will the use of mail-in voting and drop boxes affect the election? How are opinions being influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic? And, what issues are important to Pennsylvania voters?  We’ll answer those questions and take YOUR calls.

Host

Anne Danahy
WPSU Reporter

Guests

G. Terry Madonna
Director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs
Director of the Franklin and Marshall College Poll
Professor of Public Affairs

Candis Smith
Associate Professor of Political Science and African American Studies

Black Lives Matter

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about how the Black Lives Matter movement is manifesting on college campuses and what work needs to be done in higher education to address systemic racism.

The 2020 Election

This November, America will elect a president. Many people are calling this election historic and there have even been claims that our democracy may hang in the balance. But exactly how do the circumstances of this election fit into the long history of elections in this country and what issues might be central to this election as it progresses?

On this episode, Penn State President Eric Barron talks to Danielle Conway, Dean and Donald J. Farage Professor of Law at Dickinson Law, and Michael Berkman, Director of the McCourtney Institute for Democracy, about the upcoming election.

COVID-19

We answer your questions on the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ll cover topics such as as how much longer the pandemic will last, when we will get a vaccine, how havepeople of color been disproportionately impacted, and more.

Guests

• Chris DeFlitch, Penn State Health Vice President and Chief Medical Information Officer
• Niki vonLockette, Associate Professor of Public Policy and African American Studies
• Beth McGraw, Professor and Huck Scholar in Entomology

Who Counts: The Complexities of Democracy in America

Penn State humanities scholars explore the ongoing quest to achieve the promise of American democracy despite the many past, present and future obstacles to equality and social justice.

Making Home: Migration, Mobility, Hospitality

These days, everyone is talking about immigration and how to manage it. As it has many times in the past, immigration has become a political issue. But is migration, moving in search of a better life, a normal part of the human condition or a human right? As a settler nation which was built both on the forced removal of native peoples and on subsequent waves of immigrants, do people in the U.S. have special obligations regarding immigrants and refugees? In this episode, humanities scholars at Penn State reflect on migration, mobility and the ethics of hospitality so as to better understand the context of the debate on immigration and refugees in the US and around the world.

The Investment 2020

Penn State student entrepreneurs will pitch to a panel of judges and compete for part of a $30,000 prize pool to try to earn funds for their startup companies.

Student Debt

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about rising student debt and how institutions of higher education remain relevant in the face of increasing costs.

Speaking Grief

Is there any right way to grieve? What kinds of loss do we experience, especially during this time of self-isolation? On this episode of Conversations Live, Speaking Grief producer Lindsey Fenton, and guests, will answer these questions, and more.

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Get Your Garden On! (Spring 2020)

It’s growing season, and ​during this time many of you are turning to gardening as a hobby to enjoy at home and as a way to stock your kitchens. We have tips on growing ​fruits and vegetables, canning for winter, making the most of small spaces, and more! 

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Guests

Climate Change

Climate change continues to be a major concern as extreme weather events like the Australian wildfires, and activists such as Greta Thunberg take center stage. What are the latest forecasts for our changing climate? Are there solutions that can reverse current trends? Our panel answers these questions and more.

Guests

Branding and Brand Identity in Higher Education

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about how universities advertise and the challenges of building a brand for an institute of higher education.

Automation, A.I., and the Economy

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the rise of automation and A.I., and the disruptive effect it could have on certain industries and the economy as a whole.

Vaping and the Opioids Crisis

News on vaping is increasingly making the headlines as new studies are showing adverse health effects related to the habit. But what is vaping exactly? Can it be safer than smoking cigarettes? And how is it regulated? Also, is there any connection between vaping and the opioid crisis?

Guests

Energy 2100

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the Energy 2100 initiative and Penn State’s commitment to renewable energy.

Sports Gambling

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the rising prominence of sports gambling and what has caused its recent popularity.

Ask a Veterinarian

Local veterinarians answer questions about your pets, from proper diet and exercise to the physical and mental benefits of adding a pet to your family.

Guests

Andrea Loar, DVM
Medical Director, CPVETS

Fred Metzger, DVM, MRCVS, DABVP
Medical Director, Metzger Animal Hospital

Collegiate Esports

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the rising popularity of Esports and how universities will get involved in the trend.

Census

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the upcoming census and the importance of the information collected.

Get Your Garden On! (Fall 2019)

What worked in your garden this season? Where could you have used a little expert advice? Our guest experts discuss these questions and help viewers make a to-do list for winter.

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Guests

Bonus Judges Critique

See bonus, behind the scenes footage of the judges deliberations.

Ask a Veterinarian

Experts discuss your pet-related questions, including proper diet and exercise, to the physical and mental benefits of adding a pet to your family.

You can join the conversation. Call 1-800-543-8242 during the show, or email connect@wpsu.org. You can also join the discussion on twitter. Find us under the address @WPSU and use #WPSUConversations. Watch online at wpsu.org/live.

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Guests

Living Your Best Life

We talk about the organizing craze inspired by Marie Kondo, but also look at other aspects of organizing such as nutrition, health, and finance.

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Guests

Shaver’s Creek

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, what’s new and what people can expect this summer.

The Investment 2019

Penn State student entrepreneurs will pitch to a panel of judges and compete for part of a $30,000 prize pool to try and earn funds for their startup companies.

Get Your Garden On! (Spring 2019)

Waking up the garden to a new growing season is about more than soil and seedlings. Spring is a pick-me-up for the home gardener as well. On this Spring 2019 edition of Get Your Garden On!, we discuss preparing your garden for the summer with Penn State Extension educators Tom Ford and John Esslinger.

You can join the conversation. Call 1-800-543-8242 during the show, or email connect@wpsu.org. You can also join the discussion on twitter. Find us under the address @WPSU and use #WPSUConversations.

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Guests

Opioid Crisis

The opioid crisis has affected every state in some way, but Pennsylvania has been one of the hardest hit. In 2017 alone, overdose death reached almost 5600 people.  Unlike previous drug epidemics, the opioid crisis has affected rural and urban areas alike and may parts of the state are unprepared to deal with these issues.

On this episode of Digging Deeper, Penn State President Eric Barron talks with Stephanie Lanza, director of The Edna Benett Pierce Prevention Research Center and Glenn Sterner, assistant professor of criminal justice, about the opioid crisis and what Penn State is doing to help.

World in Conversation

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the World in Conversation project, their Martin Luther King Day event, and the importance of facilitated dialogue.

Invasive Species

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about some of the new invasive species that have recently been introduced to Pennsylvania, what impact the they might have and what residents need to know.

Fake News

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about the emergence of fake news, it’s impact on American culture and what it means for the legitimate news media.

Big Data

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests talk about big data; what it is, how it is collected, and how it is used.

Boalsburg

The 99th production in the Our Town series shares the rich history of Boalsburg, from the Pennsylvania Military Museum to the Boal Mansion, the Heritage Museum, the Blacksmith Shop, and many more.

Greek Life Reform, Part 2

Penn State President Eric Barron talks with current Penn State students about the changes to Greek Life on campus since the tragic death of Tim Piazza.

13th District Candidate Interview

Republican John Joyce and Democrat Brent Ottaway will be on the ballot for the U.S. House 13th Congressional district in November. WPSU’s Anne Danahy talks with Brent Ottaway about why he’s running for the open seat.

1855 Fund

Penn State President Eric Barron and guests discuss the INVENT Penn State initiative and the impact it is having in communities across Pennsylvania.

12th District Candidate Interviews

Republican incumbent Tom Marino and Democratic challenger Marc Friedenberg talk with WPSU’s Anne Danahy about why they are running and why they believe voters should choose them in the U.S. House 12th Congressional district election on November 6.

15th District Candidate Interviews

U.S. House candidates speak with WPSU’s Anne Danahy in a series of interviews. Find out why Susan Boser is running for the U.S. House, 15th district. She is followed by Republican incumbent Glenn Thompson.

Greek Life Reform

Penn State President Eric Barron talks with Jim and Evelyn Piazza, the parents of Tim Piazza, about the steps being taken to implement Greek life reform.

Coudersport

Vote ’18

U.S. House candidates speak with WPSU’s Anne Danahy in a series of interviews.

Bonus Judges Critique

See bonus, behind the scenes footage of the judges deliberations.

Reynoldsville

Volunteer storytellers from Reynoldsville, PA share stories about the future downtown renovations, Carriage House Creations, the community pool, a giant concrete arrow, a local ghost, and so much more. Find out what makes Reynoldsville a GREAT hometown!

Get Your Garden On! (Spring 2018)

Host Bill Hallman leads a discussion on gardening with Penn State gardening experts Tom Butzler, John Esslinger, and Justin Wheeler.

Lock Haven

Storytellers from the Lock Haven area came together to capture stories of their community with video, photos, and memories for the 96th production in the Our Town series. Click to watch stories on the historic piper cub factory and the origin of “Mat-town USA.” Visit local attractions like Hyner View State Park and the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, and hear the stories that capture the heart of the community like those of the library, churches, cystic fibrosis walk, and much more!

Aging in Place

There are roughly 46 million adults age 65 and older in the U.S. Yet while life expectancy has increased and the aging population has grown, nursing home use has been on the decline. What does it mean to age in place? What care options are available? How do you make a home elder-friendly? Our guests will provide answers to these questions and more.

Guests

Andrea Sillner, Ph.D.
Assistant Research Professor, College of Nursing

Alyssa Gamaldo, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Human Development and Family Studies

Mallika Bose, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture, Stuckeman School of Architecture & Landscape Architecture