CMUnow Podcast

Essayist and poet John Nizalowski explains the common character archetypes found in pop culture today. This fascinating conversation covers everything from contemporary cinema and literature to music, and brings up an interesting question. If archetypal categories are being repeated, is it possible that there are no new stories? Jim Morrison, Carl Jung and George Lucas help answer the question.

The discussion around consent, hookup culture and how to prevent sexual assaults on college campuses has been at the forefront of many conversations held by the media, college administrations, academics and students, but few have been as raw and honest as this. CMU President-elect John Marshall and Associate Professor of Psychology Nikki Jones, PhD, have spent years studying, analyzing and speakin...

Imagine mechanics and electronics had a baby, mechatronics is what you’d get. The future of machining is in western Colorado and one mechatronics instructor is making it possible. In this podcast Josh Pertile talks about the arms race between performance and technology, and the unique mobile lab that tours rural communities to get kids interested in STEM.

Damion Gustafson is a welding instructor who teaches college courses to high school students in western Colorado. But he doesn’t just teach them the skills they need to become welders, he teaches them how to be communicators, businessmen and women— all in all well-rounded individuals who know their value. This Western Colorado Community College instructor gets open and honest in this week’s Facult...

The first segment of this half hour show features graduating senior Maddie Pressler. Pressler is an exercise science major, psychology minor who interned at the Monfort Human Performance Lab. In addition, she was also the varsity swim team captain, 3-time All-American, 4-time Academic All-American and 4-time RMAC champion. The Washington native, delves into her experiences at CMU throughout the pa...

Early childhood education expert and advocate Vail Shoultz-McCole discusses the need for green spaces, why universal preschool is a big step in the right direction for equal opportunity and the role nature plays in growth and development.

Chef and culinary instructor Wayne Smith explains why local produce tastes better and what the restaurant industry is doing to help make the world a better place.

This week co-hosts Kelsey Coleman and David Ludlam speak with Dr. Aparna Palmer about what it was like growing up in India and her journey immigrating to the United States at just eight years old. Aparna Palmer, PhD, is the assistant vice president for academic affairs for student and faculty success and a biology professor. On the podcast Palmer talks about how a friendship changed her life, a tu...

A Pedagogy of Kindness is about finding compassion in any given situation. Colorado Mesa University Professor of Sociology Brenda Wilhelm, PhD, applies this pedagogical practice is in her classroom every day. Listen in as Wilhelm delves into her class on gender, what constitutes a family and the powerful moment that changed her trajectory.

The first segment of this half hour show features Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs for Student and Faculty Success Aparna Palmer, PhD, and Physician Assistant Studies Program student Alisha Johansson. Palmer details an important upcoming event at CMU called Student Showcase, which celebrates the creativity, research, innovation, entrepreneurship and artistic performance of CMU and WCCC...

CMUnow Special Edition podcast hosts and Colorado Mesa University Assistant Professor of History Timothy Winegard, PhD, discuss everything from cancel culture to Star Wars. Originally from Canada, Winegard’s dream was to be a hockey star. Instead, he created the CMU hockey team and wrote the New York Times Best Seller The Mosquito: A Human History of Our Deadliest Predator.

CMUnow Podcast co-hosts Kelsey Coleman and David Ludlam talk human sexuality and feminism with Colorado Mesa University Associate Professor of Psychology Nikki Jones, PhD.

Colorado Mesa University Professor of Political Science Justin Gollob, PhD, and co-hosts Kelsey Coleman and David Ludlam, discuss if genetics play a role in ideology, Gollob's diverse media diet and how politics is made up of shades of grey. From Colorado's 3rd Congressional District to Lyndon Johnson, to The Beatles and Kid Rock— it’s a politics podcast like you've never heard before.

Plant pathologist and Colorado Mesa University Associate Professor of Biology Margot Becktell, PhD, discusses her research on the pathogen that caused the Irish potato famine, the hidden warrior traits of the petunia and, what Becktell calls, her "flesh eating fungi project".

Katlin Birdsall and David Ludlam delve deeper with Grand Junction Police Chief Doug Shoemaker. They discuss everything from policing in the Grand Junction community and challenges facing the policing profession to recruiting candidates including those from Western Colorado Community College’s POST Academy and the variety of opportunities available through GJPD. (Special edition podcast, recorded M...

Engineering assistant professor Michelle Mellenthin, PhD, and engineering student Evan Lavin are making a difference in the lives of people through their work with Engineers Without Borders. The second guest Montrose Campus Lecturer John Garner, PhD, was a police officer and investigator for nearly 30 years and has a unique role as a liaison between police and people with disabilities. (Episode 22...

Does having a big head make you smarter? What is blood doping and can it help combat altitude sickness? Colorado Mesa University Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences Megan Sherbenou, PhD, brings humor to the table when discussing human biology and our evolution in this CMUnow Special Edition podcast.

Professor of History Sarah Swedberg, PhD, reflects on her activism in the 1980s in San Francisco, her 20+ year tenure at CMU and shares one of her newest oral history projects focused on marginalized individuals here in Grand Junction. (Episode 21, aired Feb. 9, 2021)

Colorado Mesa University Assistant Professor of Biology Zeynep Ozsoy, PhD, talks about her love for molecular biology and her work on Tamarisk (also known as salt cedar), the invasive shrub or small tree that is found across the American West.

CMU theatre students learn more about today’s world in bold and risqué performance.

The largest gift in university history establishes the St. Mary’s SCL Health Medical Education Center at Colorado Mesa University. To announce the $3 million milestone investment St. Mary’s President Bryan Johnson, CMU President Tim Foster and CMU Physician Assistant Studies Program Director Amy Bronson, EdD join co-hosts Katlin Birdsall and David Ludlam on this CMUnow podcast special edition.

(Special Edition Episode 2, aired Jan. 11, 2021)

(Episode 20, aired Jan. 12, 2021)

First guest Assistant Professor of Biology Denita Weeks, PhD, discusses her research with amphibians, specifically boreal toads. She highlights the implications of her research on local recreation areas and the impact hands-on research has on CMU students. Second guest Collegiate Representative for CMU Fellowship of Christian Athletes Jamie Robertson speaks about her journey to CMU and her faith,...

The idea of the human shadow is seen within mythology, religion and pop culture. It’s a concept many are uncomfortable with, especially when it comes to disclosing the darkness within ourselves. Amanda Benzin, a professor of dance at Colorado Mesa University, is taking this topic head on as the director and choreographer of the Embracing the Shadow dance concert. In this episode she is joined by A...