Iowa SJMC Podcasts

Six years after the university cut for teams, athletes, parents, and alumni are still living with the aftermath. Some have found closure. Others are still trying to understand what was lost.  This episode looks at where those affected are now, and how the decisions made in 2020 continue to shape their sense of belonging, their connection to Iowa, and what the future of college athletics might hold...

As the impact of the cuts deepens, some athletes refuse to accept the decision quietly.  This episode follows swimmer Sage Ohlensehlen and the attorneys behind the Title IX lawsuit that challenged Iowa’s decision, while also tracing Kareem Allaf’s role in the effort to save men’s tennis. As the fight unfolds — in courtrooms and beyond — athletes begin to push back against an institution that has a...

As the season unfolds, athletes are left to compete in an atmosphere of empty stands and the knowledge that it will be their last as Hawkeyes. This episode explores the emotional toll following the university's decision to eliminate four athletic programs, tracing the shift from the initial shock of the announcement to the resilience of athletes competing through the final weeks of their caree...

When athletes and coaches from four University of Iowa programs are called into a meeting at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, they expect a routine update. What unfolds leaves some angry, others disillusioned.  This episode reconstructs that moment — from the financial pressures behind the decision to the shock and uncertainty that follow. As the reality sets in, athletes are forced to confront what it means...

From the Vietnam War protests to today, the University of Iowa has served as a space for civic engagement and freedom of expression. The children of former UI president Sandy Boyd reflect on the legacy of the Vietnam protests, while current graduate student Clara Reynen shares her experiences with student activism. The final episode of “A Campus in Conflict” explores the nuanced parallels between...

With student resistance rising, University President William “Sandy” Boyd faces difficult decisions about how to conclude the school year safely. Meanwhile, ROTC student Richard Tyner grapples with how to handle the upcoming Governor’s Day celebration and the potential threat of clashes between students and military troops on campus, and former members of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS...

In May 1970, as protests erupted across the University of Iowa in response to the Vietnam War and the Kent State shootings, a team of student journalists found themselves on the front lines. Not as activists, but as documentarians. In this episode, we hear from students who covered those tense days with a pen, not a picket sign. What happens when a student journalist is forced to choose between ob...

As the Vietnam War escalated, tension built on the University of Iowa campus. College students were reaching the age where, if the war didn’t end soon, even a draft deferment might not save them from the horrors of Vietnam. In this episode, historians and former students reflect on the early sparks of protest and how fear, frustration, and hope ignited a fire that would challenge the status quo. P...

Spoilers ahead. Josephine Geiger-Lee and Marshawn Gunn take on Scott Beck and Bryan Woods in an interview about their most recent film HERETIC. The directors reminisce about their process of making the film, their relationship with control, and their use of it to instill discomfort in viewers. Producer: Ben Brown Editor: Cassidy Safris Creative: Chloe O'Shea

Spoilers ahead. SJMC Films hosts Emily Delgado and Carson Hartzog are joined by Beck and Woods (A QUIET PLACE) for a chat on their 2024 horror-thriller HERETIC. The directors touched on their upbringings in Iowa and such influences on their filmmaking and its themes. Producer: Colin Votzmeyer Editor: Brady Behrend Creative: Delanie Jensen

This episode of the SJMC Films podcast features Kate Perez and Abby Wedemyer talking in-depth with filmmakers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, University of Iowa alumni best known for A QUIET PLACE. The duo delves into the inspiration and religious themes behind their 2024 horror film HERETIC, exploring complex questions of religion, power, and personal belief. They also share insights into their creat...

From being childhood friends to Hollywood creatives, Scott Beck and Bryan Woods have truly developed a creative identity that speaks for them as a unit yet still honors their individual experiences. Casey Angstman and Charice Salazar discuss the nature of inspiration and navigating difficult conversations through the language of film from the lens of the duo’s new movie HERETIC. Producer: Maura De...

Women and other marginalized groups at the University of Iowa face the reality of state legislation and the Board of Regents putting pressure on universities to cut DEI funding. Students, faculty, and state representatives explain how Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives help cultivate a strong academic community. New legislation may force some of these initiatives to dissolve–changing the...

On this episode of "Title IX to Today," a look at how Iowa’s politics are impacting the institution at large. Then, female UI students share their experiences and discuss what organizations are available at the university to support women. “A Legacy in Doubt” explores what is at stake for women at the University of Iowa.

From Dr. Christine Grant to basketball star Caitlin Clark, the University of Iowa has played an important role in the history of women’s athletics. Dr. Grant paved the way fighting for the implementation of Title IX legislation. Still, there have been setbacks, including a recent lawsuit against the university from the Women's Swim & Dive teams.

Kathy Wachel calls herself a troublemaker. In 1970, she was a professional librarian required to wear a skirt to her job at the University of Iowa Library. Wachel wrote a petition with 80 signatures protesting the unfair standards placed on women. The next year, the administration got rid of the dress code. Wachel and artist Elizabeth Catlett are two of many women trailblazers at Iowa who paved th...

Current and former University of Iowa athletes discuss how they individually deal with maintaining their mental health.

Providing resources and creating a culture of care for student-athletes on campus is important when thinking about keeping athletes safe, both mentally and physically. In this episode, psychologists, coaches, mental health advocates, as well as student-athletes, talk about ways student-athletes can get the help they need.  

Former athletes turned advocates share their work in the mental health field. A dedicated psychologist with over 30 years of experience, Andrea Wieland is the Director of Mental Performance at PROSPER and a University of Iowa alumna who played field hockey for Team U.S.A. at the 1996 Olympics. Maddie Salamone is a Duke University Lacrosse alumna who is now a sports attorney advocating for athlete...

Uncover the unique mental health challenges faced by former and current University of Iowa student-athletes. Armando Bryson, Sean Welsh, and Bailey Ortega provide a compelling, personal look into the intense demands and often-overlooked emotional struggles inherent in collegiate sports.