Spool - Unwinding With Dr. Nils Roemer

What happens when a University Dean talks to his own AI twin? In this special episode of Spool, Dean Nils Roemer reflects on his journey from Hamburg to higher education leadership, the power of curiosity and storytelling, and why humanities matter in a tech-driven world. 🎙️ Topics include:• Growing up in a global port city and embracing curiosity • Being a first-generation college student and bre...

Join Dean Roemer and Scott Farber as they reflect on Season 1 with laughter, insight, and a look back at the most memorable moments. Highlights include reflections on AI with David Hanson, gaming’s social evolution, influencer culture, and stories from guests like Anthony Dorsett, Jinny Cho, and Usman Riaz.

In this episode, dive into the fast-growing world of college esports and career opportunities with Brooke Hudy, a creative force behind the UT Dallas esports program. Brooke shares how the university’s state-of-the-art esports facility and vibrant gaming community are transforming campus culture and opening new pathways for students passionate about gaming, content creation, and digital media.🎙️ T...

The latest episode of the Spool podcast turns the spotlight on some delicious carbs! Dr. Nils Roemer sits with Jinny Cho, founder of Detour Doughnuts, which recently placed among the top 25 in Yelp's Elite top 50 list of the best doughnuts shops in the country. Their conversation explores Cho's journey from biomedical engineering major to doughnut innovator. Cho, a UT Dallas alumna, shares...

In this episode of The Spool Podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer and Scott Farber, founder of Generations Broadcasting, explore how cities, wars, and culture have shaped the modern world. From the explosive growth of urban centers in the 1800s to the technological and societal impacts of World War I and II, this conversation dives into the forces that transformed human identity and daily life. 🧠 Discover ho...

In this episode of the Spool podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer and Scott Farber, founder of Generations Broadcasting, explore the profound societal shifts brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly its impact on education. The conversation covers generational differences in freedom and risk, and Dean Roemer’s youthful adventures hitchhiking across Europe. The episode also touches on the evolving rel...

Join Dr. Nils Roemer and W.J.T. Mitchell, a renowned scholar, art historian and longtime faculty member at the University of Chicago, as they explore the cultural power of games, the immersive nature of images, and AI as a human creation we can shape for good. From sandcastles to Minecraft, this episode of the Spool podcast dives into how play, perception, and technology shape who we are – and who...

In this episode of the Spool podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer sits down with author, educator, and writer Tim Cloward to discuss his book, The City That Killed the President , which explores the cultural history of Dallas and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, in November 1963. The conversation delves into the ways the assassination has left a lasting impact on the city, creating a complex le...

In this episode of the Spool podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer welcomes Gram Tinashe Makwarimba, the visionary behind the African Vibration Music Festival, which will be hosted May 2–3 at the Bass School at UT Dallas. Joining them is Torry Abra, the festival’s Public Speaking Official. Together, they dive into the origin story of the festival, Gram's bold vision, and what attendees can look forward to...

In this episode of the Spool podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer sits down with Bob Pearson, Senior Counselor of the Next Solutions Group, author, teacher, and advisor. Together, they explore the essentials of crafting a brand, sharing the do’s and don’ts of brand-building. Looking toward the future, Pearson discusses the evolving role of AI and its massive potential in the coming years. He dives into the cr...

In this episode of the Spool podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer talks with Laura Kim, assistant professor of visual and performing arts at the Bass School, about identity, its fluidity, and how it is shaped by our environment. They explore the building and deconstructing of identity as an ongoing process of learning. The conversation dives into the impact of technology on our relationships and self-percepti...

In this episode of The Spool podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer and Scott Farber, founder of Generations Broadcasting, discuss the liberating musical landscape of the 1970s, examining how it fostered new social spaces where people could gather and express themselves. The conversation covers the transformative role of the 1950s in shaping modern music, linking it to broader trends in the arts, humanities, an...

In this episode of The Spool Podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer sits down with Dr. David Hanson, a UTD alum, visionary innovator, and creator of robots. Dr. Hanson shares the journey of how he began developing lifelike skin for robots in his own home, before founding his company and having labs. He discusses his vision for AI that not only mimics life but appreciates it, enabling machines to grow smarter, f...

In this episode of The Spool podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer sits down with Dr. Aaron Dotson BS’15, a UT Dallas neuroscience graduate who minored in music at the Bass School at the University, to discuss how music and science shaped his journey to becoming a skilled eye surgeon. Dr. Dotson shares how both disciplines contributed to enhancing his hand-eye coordination and surgical precision. He also refle...

In this episode of The Spool podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer sits down with Dr. Stephanie Elizalde, Superintendent of Dallas Independent School District (DISD), to discuss her journey to leadership and vision for education. Dr. Elizalde discusses the importance of recognizing and nurturing the untapped potential in students, while addressing the barriers that sometimes prevent them from reaching their fu...

In this episode of The Spool Podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer is joined by Jin-Ya Huang, founder of Break Bread, Break Borders, a culinary initiative dedicated to empowering refugee women through the food service industry. Dr. Roemer and Jin-Ya Huang discuss the idea of re imagining the future as a break from the continuity of the past, emphasizing that progress requires disruption. For the women involved...

In this episode of The Spool Podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer is joined by Scott Farber. Dr. Roemer discusses the growth of the University of Texas at Dallas from a research center to a full university offering both graduate and undergraduate programs. He shares the Bass School’s unique approach, emphasizing creativity, innovation, and the importance of research in art and technology. For more information...

In this episode of the Spool Podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer welcomes veteran and photojournalist, Jeremy Lock. Lock shares his journey from military photographer to award-winning photojournalist. A seven-time Military Photographer of the Year award winner, Lock's photographs are strikingly beautiful portrayals of the many aspects of war. Lock downplays his accolades and expresses gratitude for the mento...

In this episode of Spool: Unwinding with Dr. Nils Roemer, Usman Riaz, artist, composer, and film director. Riaz is the creator of 'The Glassworker', Pakistan’s first fully hand-drawn animated feature. Riaz shares the decade-long journey of directing the film despite having no prior experience in animation on this scale. A trained classical musician, Riaz discusses the way he integrates melody into...

In this episode of  Spool: Unwinding with Dr. Nils Roemer , Anthony Dorsett, former NFL player and son of football Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett, discusses his lifelong passion for professional football. He reflects on the profound influence of his mother, who raised him as a single parent for part of his childhood, and on his father's legacy not only as a figure in his personal life, but also as a l...

In this episode of the Spool podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer is joined by pianist, composer, and educator Victor Rosenbaum. Together, they reflect on Rosenbaum's lifelong journey through the world of music and discuss the skill of improvisation among classical musicians, how our relationship with music has evolved with modern technology, and the broader physical, emotional, and intellectual benefits of s...

In this episode of the Spool Podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer welcomes Arne Emerson, architect and design partner at Morphosis Architects, which developed the master plan for the O’Donnell Athenaeum at The University of Texas at Dallas. Arne discusses his journey from a small town in Wyoming, where he first discovered his passion for architecture, to becoming a lead architect who emphasizes the importance...

Welcome back to the Spool podcast. Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Nils Roemer, a German historian and expert in Jewish cultural history. In this episode, Dr. Roemer reflects on his upbringing in Hamburg, Germany—a vibrant city shaped by its harbor, which fueled his curiosity about the world beyond. He shares his experiences traveling to England and France, where he navigated the...

Dr. Nils Roemer, dean of the Bass School at UT Dallas, covers a wide range of topics in relaxed conversations on creativity, innovation and fascinating possibilities at the intersection of arts, humanities and technology. Tune in to “Spool: Unwinding with Dr. Nils Roemer” for ideas to shape your life and be inspired by a historian’s modern, refreshing take on the ever-evolving human story.