Let's Talk Social Innovation

This is the season finale of the Let's Talk Social Innovation Podcast. In this episode, we talk with Nicola Foote, the Dean of the Frederick Honors College at the University of Pittsburgh. We talk about her British upbringing, her journey to America, and how we can level the playing field for all college students at universities. HAVEN artist spotlight: https://havenvenue.com/Kwarter Zip insta...

In this special recording of the Let's Talk Social Innovation Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Clyde Wilson Pickett, the chief diversity officer at the University of Pittsburgh, in front of a live studio audience. We talk about his Kentucky upbringing, his work in the university, and discuss several topics in the world of Black Fatherhood.https://www.diversity.pitt.edu/All our links: https://link...

Welcome to Season 4, Episode 8 of the Let's Talk Social Innovation Podcast. In this episode, we talk with Robert Scherrer, Executive Director of the AIU, and Nicholas Haberman, founder of the LIGHT initiative. We discuss their backgrounds in teaching, what an intermediate unit is, and how to make the world a better place through spreading empathy. HAVEN artist spotlight: https://havenvenue.com...

Welcome to Season 4, Episode 7 of the Let's Talk Social Innovation Podcast. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. John Brigham, professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Brigham talks about his upbringing in Vermont and shifting to a more diverse culture with age, and how that shaped his career. In the second half, we talk about the importance of travel and how it can impact your worldvie...

Happy Women's History Month! Welcome to Season 4, Episode 6 of the Let's Talk Social Innovation Podcast. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Leah Fabiano, professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Fabiano talks about growing up in a homogenous community and shifting to a more diverse culture with age, and how that shaped her career and worldviews. In the second half, we discuss how...

Happy Women's History Month! Welcome to Season 4, Episode 5 of the Let's Talk Social Innovation Podcast. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Audra Lewis-Hoesch, founder of Period Zero. Dr. Audra touches on her journey from her homeless upbringing, to founding nonprofits and owning 2 homes. In the second part of the episode, we dive into the topics of motivation, imposter syndrome, and overac...

Happy Black History Month! Welcome to Season 4, Episode 4 of the Let's Talk Social Innovation Podcast. In this episode, we interview Kyle Wyche, Chief Operating Officer of Ecotone Renewables. Kyle shares his unique journey from growing up in Wynmore, PA, to pursuing a double major at the University of Pittsburgh and ultimately finding his passion in sustainable food systems. We explore his ent...

Happy Black History Month! Welcome to Season 4, Episode 3 of the Let's Talk Social Innovation Podcast. In this episode, we interview Alivia Pierce, double major at the University of Pittsburgh and author of "Can I Kick It?". Alivia talks about their experience growing up in Erie PA, and reveals hidden secrets about the research process. In the second portion of the episode, we discus...

Happy Black History Month! Welcome to Season 4, Episode 2 of the Let's Talk Social Innovation Podcast. In this episode, we sit down with Jarrod Lovelace, the manager of Recruitment at the Office of Admissions and FHC. Jarrod gives insight on his experiences growing up as a mixed child in his community and takes us through the cultivation of his relationship with food. In the second portion of...

Happy Black History Month! Kick off Season 4 of Let's Talk Social Innovation with a powerful conversation with Roger Briscoe II, Executive Director of Student Inclusion at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In episode 1, Roger shares his experiences growing up as one of the few Black children in his community, offering a unique perspective on diversity, equity, and inclusion. We delve into th...

In season 3, episode 9 of Let's Talk Social Innovation, we sit down with Rory Monaghan, founder of the unplugged project and double major at the University of Pittsburgh. We'll talk about what it was like skipping high school for college, founding the unplugged project, and how to pursue things you are passionate about. Unplugged Project: https://www.unpluggedpgh.org/ Rory's Instagram: https://www...

In season 3, episode 8 of Let's Talk Social Innovation, we chat with Laura Stewart, local Pittsburgh artist and director at Studio Forget Me Not. We'll touch on the power of art as a medium of expression, and discuss the role that accessibility plays in changing society for the better. Studio Forget Me Not: https://www.studioforgetmenot.org/ Not Forgotten Home and Community Services: https://www.n...

In season 3, episode 7 of Let's Talk Social Innovation, we sit down with Dr. Caitlin Forbes Spear of the Office of Child Development. Dr. Spear talks about her current work with the Literacy and Learning Division under the Office of Child Development and put a spotlight on the importance of children's books. Dr. Spear's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlin-spear-2b8435270/ Pitt's Office o...

In season 3, episode 6 of Let's Talk Social Innovation, we chat with Sami Rizk, creative entrepreneur and student at the University of Pittsburgh. We'll touch on his adoption journey, his creative process with music, and we'll discuss work life balance in the second half of the episode. Sami's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samihrizk/ Rizkfit: https://www.instagram.com/rizkfit/ All our links...

In season 3, episode 5 of Let's Talk Social Innovation, we chat with Vidya Surti, recent graduate of the Frederick Honors College at the University of Pittsburgh. We'll talk about her indo-fijan culture, her focus on disability rights, and the role of Youth Empowerment in a social innovation context. Vidya's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vidya-surti/ Queen's Gambit: https://www.qgchess.org...

In season 3, episode 4 of Let's Talk Social Innovation, we talk with Dr. Ian Nettleship, associate engineering professor at the University of Pittsburgh and President of Ceramic Water Filter Solutions. We'll detail his upbringing in the UK, his humanitarian work as president of Ceramic Water Filter Solutions, and discuss the intersections of chance, equity, and engineering. Dr. Nettleship's Linked...

In season 3, episode 3 of Let's Talk Social Innovation, we sit down with Jamie Christian, founding member of Lettuce Turnip The Beet Sustainability Collective. Throughout the episode we go through her backstory, her relationship with food and how it connects with sustainability, and the creation of "food apartheid." Jamie Christian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-ch...

In season 3, episode 2 of Let's Talk Social Innovation, we talk theBrent Rondon of the University of Pittsburgh Innovation Institute. We discuss his family upbringing, life in Peru, and lastly, we talk about how to fight homesickness (especially from an immigrant perspective). Brent Rondon's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-rondon-b82b613/ Innovation Institute at Pitt: https://w...

In the season 3 debut of Let's Talk Social Innovation, we interview the incredible Dr. Toya Jones of the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work. We talk through her colorful upbringing, what made her choose social work, and lastly, we touch on education for mental wellbeing of disadvantaged communities. Dr. Toy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-toya-jones-edd-lcsw-67b19162...

In the season finale of Season 2 of Let's Talk Social Innovation, we sit down with Mary Angbanzan, the brains behind all things Social Innovation at the University of Pittsburgh. We'll cover her journey to Pitt, the projects that she heads at Pitt, and lastly we will have a conversation about the reality of maternal healthcare in America. Mary's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ma...

In the second to last episode of Season 2 of Let's Talk Social Innovation, we interview the Southsiders, one of the best up and coming bands in the Pittsburgh area. We'll on touch the origins of the band, how playing in a band teaches you valuable life lessons, and lastly how you can learn from people who differ from you. The Southsiders' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southsider...

In this week's episode of Let's Talk Social Innovation, we talk with Dr. Shallegra Moye of the University of Pittsburgh's School of Education. We cover Dr. Moye's non traditional path to receiving her doctorate, the role that faith plays throughout her life, and lastly, we touch on the topic of financial wellness. Dr. Moye's links: https://www.education.pitt.edu/ https://www.li...

In this week's episode of Let's Talk Social Innovation, we'll sit down with Meghana Dodda from the University of Pittsburgh's Social Change Research Hub. We'll talk about Meghana's unique upbringing, her current work and research, and finish with her personal experience with advocating for queer rights in an immigrant household. Meghana's links: https://www.crsp.pitt.ed...

In this week's episode of Let's Talk Social Innovation, we'll sit down with Connor Diaz, outreach and engagement manager for the app CivWiz. We'll talk about Connor's journey to Pitt, what he plans on doing with his major, the app CivWiz and why its so great, and lastly we'll talk about segregation in schooling: both in terms of area and intra-school segregation. CivWiz lin...

In this week's episode of Let's Talk Social Innovation, we'll chop it up with Neha Devineni, the business manager for Food Recovery Heroes. We'll have a laid back discussion about Neha's upbringing, talk about her current work with Food Recovery Heroes, and finish off with a discussion about the pressures of being an academic weapon as a child of an immigrant. Artist Spotlight:...