Tom

Prof Talk

Education EN ↓ 16 episodes

A chemist and a political scientist at Pomona College look to shed light on the inner workings of the Academy and engage with the broader societal conversations on higher education. Topics covered in the Podcast will be wide-ranging, including equity and access, navigating cultural and economic obstacles, faculty responsibilities, national political debates, and research.

Author

Tom

Category

Education

Podcast website

podcasters.spotify.com

Latest episode

Jul 7, 2026

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Episodes

Ask Us Anything Part II! Old Men Yell at Cloud 07.07.2026

In this last episode of Season Two, we answer student questions and reflect on two years of the pod. Mission accomplished, but more to come!

Do we Dare? Yes. Ask Us Anything! And in French too! 22.06.2026

Nick and Tom are joined by Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures Virginie Duzer for a discussion of language, AI, and the liberal arts. Stay for the second half where we do an Ask Me Anything with student questions.

Creative Writing and the Liberal Arts 01.06.2026

On this episode, we speak with Roy Edward Disney '51 Professor of Creative Writing and Professor of English Jonathan Lethem about creative writing, a liberal arts education, AI, graduation, and a host of other things. The end of the semester has us all in a reflecting mood!

Student Journalism: The Voice and Record of a College 22.05.2026

In this episode, Professor Le, Bianca, and Joelle talk about The Student Life and the role of student journalism in a college community.

The Inmates Have Taken Over the Asylum! 23.04.2026

A special student takeover of Prof Talk with Becca and Bianca, reflecting on the realities of student life at Pomona College. We discuss the challenges of balancing academic responsibilities with personal and creative commitments and consider how students navigate these demands within the broader context of a liberal arts education.

Music and the Liberal Arts 10.04.2026

A super special episode with Everett S. Olive Professor of Music Genevieve Lee. We discuss the place of music in a liberal arts education, the music industry and pre-professionalism, music in our broader society, and so much more. You will be inspired by this episode!

Events and Building Community on College Campuses 25.03.2026

Special guest episode with Emmy-nominated composer and musician, Chad Cannon. Chad joins Bianca and Tom to talk about an upcoming concert Music for the Ocean at Pomona College and discussing college events in general. Are students overprogrammed? What does a college community gain from guest speakers and special programming outside of the regular curriculum? Join us for answers, a conversation abo...

The Value of Conferences: Still Worth Your Time? 13.03.2026

Nick and Tom attend the Great Power Competition and the Survival of Small and Middle Powers: Perspectives from Eurasia and Beyond Conference hosted by the Slavic-Eurasian Research Center (SRC) in Hokkaido Japan! We look at Nick's first time at a political science conference and to Japan to break down biases in academia, the dominance of the English language in research, the value of attending...

Mentorship, What a Big Responsibility! 05.03.2026

On this week's episode, we look at mentorship, advising the Posse program, and how best to work with students. This episode may have been dropped late, but the content is timeless!

Goodbyes and New Beginnings 09.08.2025

Prof Ball and Prof Le reminisce about graduation with two graduating seniors, Emily and Alexandra. Goodbyes are always tough, but exciting for these new graduates everywhere around the world. An episode looking back at four years and looking forward to whatever comes next. Becca running the board this episode. Last episode of season 1! Look out for season 2 sometime in September.

The Art of Science and the Science of Art (with special guest, Professor of Art Mark Allen) 16.06.2025

Professor of Art Mark Allen joins Nick for an episode where they find connections between the disciplines. There are more connections, from career to practice, than you can imagine. Turtles all the way down. It's a big sandbox, so come and play

Are Academic Conferences Worth it Anymore? Yes...? Yes. 06.06.2025

On this episode of Prof Talk, we reflect on the value of attending conferences. Tom concludes after attending the annual American Chemical Society conference in San Diego that political science needs to up its swag game. Shoutout to Professor Molarity Mole.

Teaching and Personalities 14.04.2025

Join us for a conversation about teaching philosophy, course objectives, evaluations, and all the things that make a class work. And learn a little about bioorthogonal chemistry and the agent-structure problem. Also some secret career and life advice at the end of the episode.

Finding Your Joy in the Academy 28.03.2025

A special episode with a live audience where we discuss how we find our joy in higher education. Professor Nicholas Ball (chemistry) and Professor Tom Le (political science) learning from others, rocks, space, chanties, and so many things.

Seasons in the Academic Year 15.10.2024

In the second episode of Prof Talk, Professor Nicholas Ball (chemistry) and Professor Tom Le (political science) discuss summer research and transitioning into new academic years. Sophomore Becca shares her thoughts about why a liberal arts education is worth the costs (or not..). Also a little about deterrence in international relations and stoichiometry.

Surviving and Thriving in the Academy 09.08.2024

In the first episode of Prof Talk, Professor Nicholas Ball (chemistry) and Professor Tom Le (political science) discuss sabbaticals, soft power, nucleophilic substitution, surviving in the academy, and why come to Pomona College.

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