Drake University's Everclass Podcast

Local media continues to evolve rapidly, reshaped by shifting audiences, new technologies, and the power of data. In this Everclass session, Paul LeFort, JO’91, Managing Director of Local Media Client Solutions at Nielsen, offers an insider’s view of how local TV, cable, and sports organizations are adapting. Drawing on years of guiding media clients through transformation, he shares how data-driv...

Discover the real story behind a rising literary career with bestselling author and Drake graduate Ellen Won Steil, JO’07. In this Everclass session, Ellen reflects on her path from Iowa to the bookshelves, sharing the quiet persistence, reinventions, and even failures that fueled The Lives of Others , Becoming Marlow Fin , and Fortune . She will also discuss what it is like to have one of her boo...

Step inside the world of high-stakes investigations with Utley Noble, LA’85, JD’88, a retired FBI agent whose career spanned some of the nation’s most consequential cases. From leading a multi-state search in a nationally known student abduction to collecting evidence at Ground Zero after 9/11, Noble has seen it all. In this Everclass, he shares how investigators uncover truth amid chaos—revealing...

Join us for a fascinating discussion with David Lubbers, JO’86—former ESPN investigative producer and award-winning sports journalist—now Assistant Professor of Multimedia News Journalism at Drake. Over nearly two decades at ESPN, Lubbers produced stories for E:60, Outside the Lines, and SportsCenter, covering everything from Super Bowls to Michael Jordan. A career highlight: interviewing legendar...

Craft beer is booming—but can it help reconnect our divided communities? Join Noreen Otto, LW’06, executive director of the Iowa Brewers Guild, for an engaging look at the economic and social impact of craft brewing. She’ll explore shifting consumer habits, emerging policy issues, and the creative evolution of the industry. You’ll also get expert tips for discovering your next favorite beer—even i...

Join us for an insider Everclass with Brian Hardin, Des Moines native and Director of Athletics at Drake University. Since 2017, Hardin has led Drake through its “golden era,” marked by record academic, competitive, and fundraising achievements. In this session, Hardin shares candid insights on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and its impact on student-athletes, the evolving responsibilities of a D...

Join us for an inspiring Everclass session featuring two Drake Bulldogs who are making big moves on the world stage. As Team USA gears up for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, two familiar names are heading overseas: Reed Fischer, a standout 2017 Drake grad and elite marathoner, and Blake Boldon, current Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays, who will serve as the Men’s H...

The COVID pandemic reshaped how we work, shifting many from office desks to home setups. As organizations consider office-forward, remote-first, or hybrid strategies, employees have their own preferences. In their new book, The New Workplace: Employee Alignment in Remote-First, Office-Forward, and Hybrid Work Organizations , Drake professors Dr. Radostina (Ina) Purvanova, Professor of Organization...

As the holiday season approaches, many struggle to balance work, family, and endless tasks, often feeling overwhelmed and disorganized. While responsibility and dependability are crucial skills, few of us have formal training in mastering them, leading to reliance on complex systems that add to the stress. This session will focus on simplifying life during the holiday rush by creating easy routine...

Your brand’s audience is increasingly interconnected through technology, making them almost cyborg-like in their digital engagement. Join Drake alum Greg Swan for an insightful session on the latest trends in digital, social, A.I., and emerging technologies shaping marketing today. Discover future-proofed strategies to reach and engage these tech-fueled audiences effectively. Come ready with quest...

Join us for a conversation with Carrie Muskat, JO'78, a veteran sportswriter with over three decades of experience, including 18 years as the MLB.com beat writer for the Chicago Cubs. From covering the Cubs’ historic 2016 World Series victory to witnessing two no-hitters, Carrie brings a wealth of knowledge and firsthand stories from the world of baseball. Her career highlights include writin...

How often do you finish the workday wondering “Really? Is this all there is?” Too many days are spent grinding through the to-do list. And even when it all gets done, those days feel more like a slog than a win. Something is missing.   Maybe you feel change isn’t possible. Or worse yet, that it doesn’t matter much anymore. (Ouch.) But if you’re ready to finally do something different—to BE somethi...

Join us as we will explore the complexities of covering elections, polling, and the challenges facing political reporters today. The discussion will feature panelists Linley Sanders, AS'16, JO'16, and Matt Vasilogambros, AS'11, JO'11. Linley is a polls and surveys reporter for The Associated Press. She develops and writes about polls conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Cente...

Join us for a conversation with Yiech Pur Biel, AS'23, a refugee from South Sudan who found refuge in Kenya’s Kakuma camp and discovered a passion for running. He competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics as part of the Refugee Olympic Team. A 2023 Drake graduate, Pur now serves as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and IOC member, advocating for displaced athletes. He aims to provide access to sport for on...

Join us for an exclusive Everclass session featuring Brendan Daly, AS'97, a seasoned NFL coach with six Super Bowl rings and nearly two decades of experience. As a Drake University alum and current linebackers coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, Daly has been a key figure behind the Chiefs’ back-to-back Super Bowl victories in 2023 and 2024. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insider knowledge...

Experience a one-of-a-kind conversation with legendary Phoenix Suns broadcaster, Al McCoy, FA’54. Recently retired after an incredible 51 seasons as "The Voice of the Suns," Al McCoy is a true NBA icon. Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at his remarkable journey from the small town of Williams, Iowa to Drake and the NBA.

Hear from Sandy Bretzlauf Young, JO'02, regarding her career path from Drake to an executive role with the Denver Broncos in the NFL.

Hear from John Meise August, JO’92 during a Q&A facilitated by Associate Professor of Practice in Marketing, Mary Edrington. John discussed his career path, including how curiosity has been a driving force leading him from Drake to Hollywood. John is a screenwriter whose credits include Aladdin, Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride, Frankenweenie and the first two Charlie’...