Galaxy Forum with Melissa Kaplan

Melissa Kaplan and Ami Ewald, LCC’s Information Literacy Librarian, co-host Topsy Turvy, a Galaxy Forum series about conspiracy theories, misinformation, and how to navigate it all. David Siwik joins to talk about conspiracy theories and how they take hold with particular focus on Pres. John F Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, over 60 years ago. Email: Melissa Kaplan Email: Ami Ewald Email: David S...

Melissa Kaplan and Ami Ewald, LCC’s Information Literacy Librarian, co-host Topsy Turvy, a Galaxy Forum series about conspiracy theories, misinformation, and how to navigate it all. In part 2 of our conversation with Michael Kohon, LCC Journalism and English professor, we talk about how news organizations decide what to headline, the difference between pundits and journalists, and helpful tips for...

Melissa Kaplan and Ami Ewald, LCC’s Information Literacy Librarian, co-host Topsy Turvy, a Galaxy Forum series about conspiracy theories, misinformation, and how to navigate it all. With guest Michael Kohon, LCC Journalism and English professor, this episode explores journalistic standards and who sets them, fake news outlets and pink slime journalism, and how to separate fact from fake. Email: Me...

This episode delves into the intricate world of polling, exploring how surveys are conducted and their significance in shaping public understanding and decision-making. Co-hosts Melissa Kaplan and Ami Ewald are joined by Bernie Porn, founding principal of EPIC-MRA, who shares insights from his extensive experience in survey research, particularly in Michigan. Email: Melissa Kaplan Email: Ami Ewald...

Co-host Ami Ewald joins Melissa Kaplan for Topsy Turvy, a new GXF series about conspiracy theories, misinformation, and how to navigate it all. With guest Michael Stratton, psychotherapist, this episode explores some of the psychology that can lead to conspiracy thinking.

The Eli and Edythe Broad Museum’s interim director and senior curator Steven L. Bridges and LCC alum Charles Moore, an art curator, collector, author and world marathon runner are guests. The Broad’s current exhibit, Resistance Training: Arts, Sports and Civil Rights , and Moore’s latest book, Apropos of Running , converge at the intersection of art, athletics and social justice. Email: Charles Mo...

Chad Swan-Badgero and Barb Whitney, arts education leaders in Michigan, discuss the state of the arts and education in K12 schools, higher education, and the larger community throughout the state. Swan-Badgero, a former LCC Theatre adjunct, is Arts Education Program Manager with the Michigan Arts and Culture Council. Whitney, an artist and educator, is the Engagement and Funds Strategist with the...

LCC performing arts instructor Lauren Mudry and Everett High School dance director Clara Martinez discuss their passion for teaching, how they as leaders hope to advance the arts in Michigan, and the Michigan Arts and Culture Council’s Rising Leaders and other programs that provide leadership education to aspiring arts professionals. Email: Lauren Mudry Website: Lauren Mudry Email: Clara Martinez...

Musician/community leader Mikeyy Austin has been creating inclusive spaces to build community and celebrate diverse cultures since he was an LCC business student. We talk about his latest efforts with Dr. Toni Glasscoe, LCC’s Associate Vice President for External Affairs, Development and K-12 Operations. Email: Dr. Toni Glasscoe Website: LCC Community Engagement Website: LCC External Affairs Email...

Emmy-winning filmmaker Rudy Valdez started his creative studies in the LCC Theatre Program, not knowing it’d form a foundation for his eventual work in documentaries. After a visit to LCC’s Acting for the Camera class, Rudy joined me and LCC Theatre Prof. Andy Callis to talk about filmmaking, story-telling and finding one’s creative path in the world. Rudy Valdez is a Michigan-raised, New York Cit...

Why do we see increasing rates of mental distress, depression and suicide among teens and young adults? LCC counselor Louise Rabidoux and PAR Rehab therapist Charla Yingling discuss what they observe on campus and in our community, and talk about the therapy experience, different types of therapy, and how to access resources. Charla Yingling , LCSW, received her Master’s degree in Clinical Social...

LCC’s Aviation Maintenance Technology program trains the high-demand workers who keep planes operating safely and earn starting salaries averaging $60,000/year. Learn how the program works and its community impact from Mark Bathurst, program director, LCC aviation student Leah Dack, and Nichole Noll-Williams, CEO and President of the Capital Regional Airport Authority. Leah Dack is a student as we...

Every year, Nov. 20th marks Transgender Remembrance Day, a time to honor trans people who’ve been lost and to advocate for a world where they aren’t targets for hate. Trans advocate Layne Ingram and therapist Jess Stevens discuss the importance of this day and Transgender Awareness Week, the mental health care needs of trans people, and the challenges and power that come with pursuing one’s true b...

Media literacy is essential to really understand the information that comes our way, both as consumers and producers. Lansing City Pulse Publisher Berl Schwartz, LCC Information Literacy Lead Librarian Ami Ewald, LCC Journalism student Jayden Hewitt and I have a lively discussion about news and sources, truth and trust, and how to dig in to a story to determine what and who may be behind it. Jayde...

The demand for qualified insurance professionals has skyrocketed in the past decade. Enter LCC, launching the first – and still, only – community college Insurance and Risk Management program of study. Mary Stucko, LCC’s Insurance program faculty chair, and Mike Mauer, a divisional director at Accident Fund Insurance Company, discuss exciting opportunities for students in mid-Michigan and across t...

Imagine the impact of over 50,000 volunteer hours on Lansing area community agencies.. That’s the amount of time to date contributed by LCC’s Human Services practicum students to agencies serving a wide variety of community needs. In this two-part podcast, Program Director Janet Marion, LCC student Sawide Constance Yeah, and Joan Nelson and Denise Paquette from Allen Neighborhood Center, discuss t...

Imagine the impact of over 50,000 volunteer hours on Lansing area community agencies.. That’s the amount of time to date contributed by LCC’s Human Services practicum students to agencies serving a wide variety of community needs. In this two-part podcast, Program Director Janet Marion, LCC student Sawide Constance Yeah, and Joan Nelson and Denise Paquette from Allen Neighborhood Center, discuss t...

Community Reads, often called One Book One Community programs, bring people together around a book (or two) and build community by sharing the exploration of different stories and perspectives. The power of these reads can have unexpected ripple effects as is the case with art at the new McLaren complex inspired by a 2014 LCC One Book selection. Mx. Laura Orta, LCC’s Centre for Engaged Inclusion d...

Some theatre directors are adapting and revising plays to reflect a wide rainbow of gender identities. At the same time, some legislative efforts are successfully narrowing LGBTQIA+ rights. Kevin O’Callaghan, LCC Theatre adjunct and director of LCC’s Summer 2022 production of Romeo and Juliet , and Layne Ingram, host of The Reconstructed Man podcast and an LGBTQIA+ advocate, discuss the clarity an...

Bruce Mackley, who leads LCC’s marketing, and Camron Gnass, founder/principal of Traction agency, discuss branding – what it is, what it isn’t and why it matters. Bruce Mackley is the Director of Communications and Marketing at LCC where he’s worked for 25 years, starting as lead graphic designer. He began his career as a newspaper editorial artist and subsequently spent several years as an art di...

Anyone who’s been to the dentist has likely experienced some dental anxiety at some point. For many it can be debilitating. Two LCC programs are partnering to alleviate that anxiety by incorporating massage into dental appointments. Guests Jodi Wiley with Massage Therapy and Jenny Sims with Dental Hygiene discuss this innovative collaboration to create waves of wellness. After a career in another...

The Lansing area is rich with cultural conferences, festivals and events, and this episode focuses on two that happen every April with guests Brad Hicks who helped start and guide LCC’s two-day Take A Stand! Sit In! social justice symposium and Dominic Cochran with the now 10-year-old Capital City Film Festival. Brad Hicks is a professor of humanities and religion at LCC who also co-leads the Inte...

U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) and LCC Dean Cathy Wilhm discuss the powerful impact of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with $10 billion allocated for Michigan, and the innovations in LCC’s Technical Careers programs to support and advance infrastructure work. Cathy Wilhm , Dean of the Technical Careers Division, has worked with Lansing Community College for over 20 years. She began he...

Inspired by her state capitol internship, Michigan State Rep. Sarah Anthony’s path led from college activism and a political science degree to elected office as she discovered her ability to impact and be part of the process. She and LCC political science prof. Randy Watkins talk about the study and the art of political science, career opportunities, and what it means to serve in office. Randy Wat...

Emmy-winning filmmaker Rudy Valdez credits his LCC Theatre experience with teaching him to make bold choices, and he uses that power in the social impact stories he tells on film and television. Rudy and his LCC Theatre professor, Andy Callis, talk about Rudy’s work, the Theatre program at LCC, and all that Theatre brings to the world. Rudy Valdez is a Michigan-raised, New York City-based filmmake...