Curiosity

Host Logan Lombard sits down with MSU Manakto's Director of Content Marketing, Joe Tougas. Joe and Logan explore topics ranging from the struggles of writing to the importance of storytelling. Dave Engen sits in as a co-host.  Items mentioned in the episode include Today Magazine P.J. O'Rourke Hunter S. Thompson Visions of Johanna

Summer intern Logan Lombard and Communication and Media faculty member Dave Engen visit with Patrick Anderson, owner of Pulp Comics and Games in downtown Mankato. Pulp is a unique third place where friendships are built and community is created, making the store a perfect subject for a podcast from the Department of Communication and Media. We hope you enjoy. 

Katie Danhof, Jada Eckley, Collin Goldberg, and Clara Kniefel bring their careers as college podcasters to a close. It's time to graduate! Here they reflect on topics ranging from favorite classes to how they changed in college. It's a fun and meaningful episode from four smart and kind soon to be graduates of the Department of Communication and Media. Enjoy.  

Jada and Collin sit down with junior Zoe Olson. Topics range from e-sports to overcoming shyness through audio storytelling. Enjoy.

Jada and Katie talk with Ben Gosswiller about his first full year in college and about getting started in the Department of Communication and Media. Enjoy.

Jada and Collin sit down with Taylor Burkle, a key member of the Department of Communication and Media's Student Engagement team. Taylor runs the department's Instagram page, which you can find here: https://www.instagram.com/mnsu_comm.media/

Katie and Clara sit down with sophomore student Elise Miller. Topics discussed range from her just getting started with Mav FM to thinking through what it means to major in Communication and Media. 

Hosts Jada and Collin talk with Elana, a graduating senior in the department. It's a wide-ranging conversation about everything from studying abroad to finding yourself and your interests in college. Enjoy. 

Hosts Clara and Katie sit down with Nico Cavazos, a junior in the Department of Communication and Media. The conversation touches on topics ranging from leaving behind high school sports to specific advice to younger students in the Department of Communication and Media. It’s a fun and meaningful conversation. 

Some of you know Davis from his outstanding performances in plays like Rent and Oklahoma--and many others. He's a talented actor and has done excellent work in the Department of Communication and Media as well. Hosts Jada and Collin talk with Davis about everything from how he found his way into theatre to his favorite communication classes. Enjoy.

Clara and Katie sit down with our department's outstanding Office Manager, Kaori. Whether students know it or not, Kaori has a huge impact on your lives--from scheduling classes and finding rooms to helping answer difficult questions. In this fun conversation, we learn more about a very important person in the Department of Communication and Media. Enjoy!

Jada and brand new host Collin sit down with senior Communication and Media Student Aaron B. Topics covered range from Aaron's work as a voice over artist to his involvement with Mav FM. The group also explores why they were drawn to the major in Communication and Media. 

In the Season Six opener, Jada and Katie sit down with 2025 graduate Soren Schaus t, currently serving as an Admissions Counselor here at Minnesota State, Mankato. Join them for a fun conversation exploring topics ranging from lessons learned in the major to what it's like being young professional. 

Hosts Katie and Clara reflect back on the fall 2025 semester--Topics range from favorite classes to the most meaningful outside the classroom experiences. 

Katie and Jada sit down with Anahi Zuniga, Editor-in-Chief of the campus newspaper at Minnesota State University, Mankato-- The Reporter .

On this special episode of Curiosity, Communication and Media faculty member Justin Rudnick sits down with Michelle and De Anne Sherman, a mother-daughter team working to help families grapple with mental illness.  Michelle and De Anne were guests at Minnesota State in early October 2025, talking about their books, their outreach, and the overall complexities of mental illness in families.  Resour...

Aaron, Jada, and Zoe sit down and reflect some on their audio storytelling class in the fall of 2025. This class will likely be offered again next year, taught by either Dr. Engen or Dr. Tiernen. The name of the class will change, however. Look for a class called podcasting down the road. 

Katie and Clara sit down with two members of the communication team at MSU's Centennial Student Union. Anton Domeier (Student Graphic Designer) and Milly Geske-Gould (Student Writer). Listen and learn about who they are, what they do, and how you might be able to get involved in this kind of work. 

This episode is a bit different than usual. First-time Curiosity host Jada Eckley takes us back to 2019 to hear an episode of the Finding Your Place College Podcast . Created by students at MSU, Mankato and Century College, the Finding Your Place Podcast focused on getting started in college. The episode Jada features here explores the joys and challenges of getting involved beyond the classroom.

Katie and Clara sit down with Kalissa Wille from Alpha Chi Omega. They explore how a student can get involved with Greek life here on campus and some of the benefits that can come from doing so. 

The season five opener features Katie, Jason, and new Curiosity member Clara talking about getting involved on campus. All of season five will explore this topic. In this opening episode the hosts reflect on some of their own experiences beyond the classroom. 

Hosts Carson Pike and Katie Danhof sit down with two fairly new majors, Allisa Dahlquist and Jada Eckley for a discussion of the 2024-25 year in the Department of Communication and Media. They explore everything from classes they liked to risks they took to plans for next year. The conversation just might help you reflect on your own year and maybe find an idea or two for next year. Enjoy. *Congra...

Guest hosts Amaun, Autumn, and Clara from COMM 335 (Communication and Community) sit down for an engaging and informative interview with Mr. Abdurrahman Guantai , MSU's Director of Student Access.  *Special thanks to Samera for setting up the interview and helping create the questions. 

Guest hosts Chris, Joey, Sam, and Tom talk about their experiences in a class called Communication and Community in the Department of Communication and Media at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Much of the conversation deals with an assignment in the class called the "Community Exploration Project" where students attend and reflect upon three off-campus community events. The guys do an excelle...

Four students from COMM 335 (Communication and Community) create their first ever podcast episode. Join Clara, Autumn, Amaun, and Samera as they discuss topics ranging from what's in their backpacks to being an older student on campus. **We had a small problem with Amaun's microphone so he will fade in and out every so often. But enjoy the conversation. And thanks for listening.