Conversations @ The Salt Line

Recent Vassar graduate Cole Smith '26 is quietly building one of the most unique corners of Instagram and TikTok, and he's got a plan for what comes next.   In this episode of Conversations @ The Salt Line, Cole, a Film major, English minor, and social media comedian, chats with host Wesley Dixon about how he crafts his skits and sketches, what the Vassar experience actually looks like for a creat...

In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon talks to Shirley Ecker Boskey, Professor of History at Vassar, Robert "Bob"  Brigham. Dixon and Brigham discuss Brigham's new book, This Is A True War Story , which details Brigham's complicated personal and professional relationship to the Vietnam War. Dixon and Brigham explore the intersection of feelings of belonging and "comp...

In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon sits down with three guests: actress and comedian Lisa Kudrow '85, actor Dan Bucatinsky '87, and writer and director Michael Patrick King, who all served as Executive Producers on the HBO Series The Comeback. During the conversation, Wesley asks these close friends and long-time collaborators to reflect on the nature of their fri...

In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon talks to writer and novelist Mike Gillis, one of the head writers for satirical newspaper The Onion. Gillis and Dixon discuss the role of satire and comedy in modern-day American society, and explore the far-reaching influence the newspaper has on pop culture and the law, including how The Onion encourages readers to engage in mo...

In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line , host Wesley Dixon sits down with Ethan Slater '14, the Tony-nominated star of Spongebob Squarepants: The Broadway Musical . In this conversation, Slater reminisces on his experience as a Vassar student and his path to Broadway, and more recently, starring as Boq Woodsman in Wicked and Wicked: For Good. Slater and Dixon also reflect on the interse...

In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon talks to Dr. Mildred Johnson '03. Dr. Johnson discusses her fascinating educational journey from seeking a nursing degree at community college to joining to participating in Vassar's Exploring Transfer Program, and ultimately enrolling at Vassar as a full-time student. Dr. Johnson reflects on her dynamic educational and interperso...

In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with Eddie Gamarra '94 and Damon Ross '94, who were the keynote speakers for the 2026 Sophomore Career Connections. Dixon engages Gamarra and Ross in a conversation about their careers as entertainment executives and producers of animated films, specifically highlighting projects such as The Bad Guys and Stargirl. Dixon also...

In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon sits down with Vassar alum Jonathan Karl '90, chief Washington correspondent for ABC News, co-anchor of This Week with George Stephanopoulos, and author. Dixon and Karl discuss "Retribution," Karl's latest book chronicling the 2024 Presidential campaign, which he calls the most consequential election of his lifetime, and the acces...

In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with Elisa Strauss '98, founder, CEO, and owner of Confetti Cakes. Wes and Elisa delve into her unconventional career path, tracing her journey from a liberal arts education in art history and studio art at Vassar to gaining professional experience in fashion at Ralph Lauren. Their conversation explores the complex relations...

In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with Vassar alum, author and nonprofit consultant Tom Pyun '99. Wes and Tom dive into his debut novel, "Something Close to Nothing," exploring the conflicts faced by two gay men of color navigating parenthood via surrogacy, career ambition, and American individualism. Their conversation touches on Tom's journey through profe...

In this episode of  Conversations @ the Salt Line , host Wesley Dixon chats with Leslie Jackson Chihuly '83—arts leader, philanthropist, and CEO of Chihuly Studios. Wes and Leslie explore how art can serve as both expression and healing, reflecting on the ways creativity, structure, and care sustain her work and life. Their conversation touches on the power of vulnerability, the importance of ment...

In this episode of  Conversations @ the Salt Line , host Wesley Dixon chats with journalist and creator of the  Serial  podcast, Sarah Koenig. Wes and Sarah reflect on the impact of  Serial on the media landscape, the responsibilities of storytelling, and how transparency and trust shape the relationship between journalists and their audiences.

In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with former BBC journalist Laura Trevelyan, who recently learned that her ancestors were absentee slave owners in Grenada. Wes and Laura engage in a conversation about her family's complicated history and what reparatory justice might look like in Grenada or other places with a history of enslavement.    Recorded on 2/20/25

In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with Vassar alum Kleaver Cruz '11 about their book, "The Black Joy Project." Wes and Kleaver engage in a dynamic conversation about the concept of joy and other emotions (or states of being) that paradoxically exist alongside joy. 

In this episode of Conversations @ The Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with Torrey Maldonado '96, an educator and author who served as Vassar's 2025 Commencement speaker. Dixon and Maldonado talked about his most recent novel "Hands" and how the themes of the novel are applicable to teenagers, college graduates, and older adults.

In this episode of  Conversations @ the Salt Line host Wesley Dixon chats with Naomi Seligman '55, Oracle board member and senior partner at Ostriker von Simson. Wes and Naomi talk about her time at Vassar, the legacy of her mentor, Vassar alum and professor, Grace Hopper '28, and Seligman's own career and experience as a successful entrepreneur in the technology sector.

In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line host Wesley Dixon chats with Lloyd Braun '80 who served as Chairman of ABC Entertainment Group among other roles. Wes and Lloyd talk about the evolution of the entertainment industry and the role of the internet in shaping the media landscape. 

In this episode of  Conversations @ the Salt Line host Wesley Dixon chats with Dr. Michelle Monje '98 who is a 2021 recipient of the MacArthur "Genius" award and the Milan Gambhir Professor of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at Stanford University School of Medicine. Wesley and Dr. Monje discuss the intersections of clinical care and research as it relates to pediatric oncology and explore the complex et...

In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line host Wesley Dixon chats with author Robert Jones Jr. about his debut novel "The Prophets," which served as the first-year common reading for the students in the Vassar Class of 2028. With "The Prophets" as the backdrop, Wesley and Robert discussed themes of humanizing complex individuals, navigating marginalized identities, and experiencing deep lov...

In this episode of  Conversations @ The Salt Line , host Wesley Dixon chats with Minerva Tantoco '86, who was the keynote speaker at Vassar's 2025 Sophomore Career Connections program. Minerva has served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for several finance and technology companies and also served as the first CTO for the City of New York. Wes and Minerva explored the intersections between tec...

In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon talks to independent television producer Jonathan Littman '85, about his extensive career in television; overseeing hit programs including The X-Files, CSI and The Amazing Race; the richness of television as a medium; and more.

On this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, Wesley Dixon chats with Rhiana Gunn-Wright, a Senior Fellow at the Roosevelt Institute and the policy architect of the Green New Deal. In this conversation, Wes and Rhiana explore the intersections of climate change, sustainability, and capitalism. 

In this special episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, which was recorded live at the launch of the Vassar Institute for the Liberal Arts on Friday, October 25, 2024, host Wesley Dixon talks to Dr. Jim Kim, Chancellor of the University of Global Health Equity, and the former President of Dartmouth College and the World Bank. Dr. Kim and Wes explore the intersections of Dr. Kim's life in the li...

In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon talks to Marie Solis '15, a Style Editor at New York Times. Marie and Wes explore the intersections of responsible journalism, culture, and style. 

In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with Vassar alum Leah Goodridge '04, a Commissioner on the New York City Planning Commission. Wes and Leah explore the nuances of housing policy in New York City and New York State and talk about the competing forces that shape the housing landscape.