The Commtastic Podcast

Student host Raegan Moore chats with Andrew Matuisk, Professional in Residence at Vanguard University , internationally published photographer, and creative director at his own company. From assisting world-renowned fashion photographers in New York to building production companies and studios in LA, Andrew shares how he turned his God-given passion for art into a thriving global career without co...

Student host Raegan Moore sits down with Vanguard University alumna Annabelle Reyes ('24), Marketing Assistant at the Rose Bowl Stadium . Annabelle shares her inspiring journey from being a student-athlete hopeful during COVID to discovering her passion for storytelling and digital marketing in the world of sports. She talks about the lessons she learned from a variety of communication classes...

In this episode, student host Reagan Moore sits down with Vanguard University alumna McKenzie Thompson (‘24), a creative entrepreneur, social media manager and photographer behind Kenzie Co. McKenzie shares how her passion for photography grew out of her love for digital media, how Vanguard’s hands-on classes and community shaped her creative voice, and what post-grad life looks like when you'...

Student host Raegan Moore interviews Roxi Fyad, Public Affairs Manager at the Costa Mesa Police Department and recipient of the 2023 Woman Making a Difference Award for Public Information . Roxi shares how her journey from Ecuador to ESL classrooms to a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Chapman shaped her passion for clear, purposeful communication, especially in high-stakes environments. R...

Student host Raegan Moore sits down with Vanguard University alumna Kaylee Frenchman (née Moses, '24) shares how her communication degree, and love for ministry, led her to her current role as Communications Manager at Vineyard Church in Los Angeles. From leading worship to running social media for her parents’ music school, Kaylee reflects on how VU's community and hands-on opportunities...

Student host Raegan Moore interviews Dr. Thomas Ropel, a former FBI Special Agent and now the lead assistant professor for Vanguard University’s new Criminal Justice program . With over two decades of service in the FBI, including global assignments in counterterrorism, behavioral analysis and high-stakes interrogations, Dr. Ropel shares how communication shaped every part of his work, from recrui...

Student host Reagan Moore hears how Vanguard University alumna ('23) Taylor Caruso turned her communication degree with an emphasis on tech and emerging media into a launchpad, pivoting from broadcast dreams to founding Caruso & Co Marketing . Taylor shares what it takes to build a modern digital marketing agency across social, content, photography, and wedding-day creation. She also share...

Student host Raegan Moore joins Dr. Bonni Stachowiak, Vanguard University’s Dean of Teaching and Learning and Professor of Business & Management for an inspiring conversation on why great teaching is rooted in communication. Drawing from her leadership experience and classroom expertise, Bonni unpacks how connection and curiosity shape transformational learning environments. In this episode, B...

Student host Raegan Moore connects with Vanguard University alumnus Jacob Duarte ('15), former culture and brand strategist for McDonald’s and Taco Bell, for a candid conversation on breaking into the world of public relations and brand storytelling. In this episode, Jacob reflects on his journey from VU to crafting campaigns for two of the biggest brands in the world. He shares how he got his...

Student host Raegan Moore chats with Vanguard University Alumna Jackie Gutierrez ('20), founder of Women Kick Balls —an independent soccer media and coffee brand dedicated to elevating how the women’s game is covered. With nearly a decade of experience covering the NWSL and USWNT, Jackie shares how she turned a passion for soccer into a purpose-driven platform offering accessible journalism, c...

Student host Raegan Moore sits down with Kent Ferrin, Director of Vanguard University's Campus Public Safety to hear about his 30-year career in law enforcement. Kent served as a Lieutenant with the Huntington Beach Police Department for 10 years. Before that, he worked as an EMT, police officer, training officer, detective, sergeant, and acting lieutenant in Los Angeles County for 20 years. H...

Student host Raegan Moore chats with former Commtastic Podcast host and senior Audrey Norton on how God led her to Vanguard University to study health communication with a minor in public relations. She discusses her journey from pursuing nursing to business to communication to get her to where she is today as a PR intern with Miller Geer & Associates , a health communication PR firm. She also...

Student host Raegan Moore sits down with Dr. Jeff Hittenberger, dean of the school of education and professor of education at Vanguard University . He is also host of the Education for Love and Wisdom podcast now in its third season. Dr. Hittenberger shares how he grew up in Haiti as a missionary kid and because of that experience, is passionate about encouraging, inspiring, and equipping educator...

Student host Raegan Moore chats with alumna Noni Chaves (24) who shares how she dove into entrepreneurship using her studies in tech and emerging media as a communication major and being on fire for God. Noni is now owner of Breaking Chains Co., a freelance photography business that specializes in sports media, family, and individual portraits. Through the medium of photography, Noni is on a missi...

Student host Raegan Moore learns how alumna Molly McDowell ('21) applies her studies in interpersonal and intercultural communication as a senior Jury Research Analyst at The Litigation Group . If you would've asked Molly where she envisioned herself some day while attending ⁠Vanguard University⁠ , she would've never guessed it would be solving complex jury communication challenges. Ye...

Student host Audrey Norton receives key insights from Associate Professor and Almuna Naomi Kasa ('03) at Vanguard University . Professor Kasa is currently the chair of the communication department at VU's newly minted Patty Arvielo School of Business and Management. She shares a snippet of her wealth of experiences as a producer, designer, freelance creative, and professor. She also attrib...

Student Host Audrey Norton chats with recent tech and emerging media communication grad Victoria Martin ('24) on how she stumbled upon Vanguard University , a school she hadn't thought about attending until she had goosebumps upon first stepping foot on campus. She explains how VU opened up opportunities and relationships with both professors and fellow students alike as well as a strong p...

Student Host Audrey Norton sits down with Dr. Megan McFarlane ('06) as she shares about the exciting field of Health Communication . Dr. McFarlane is a leading health communication scientist at MITRE and currently serves as an adjunct professor in the communication department at Vanguard University . Her recent independent research project investigates maternity and pregnancy experiences of ac...

Student host Audrey Norton unearths a few key takeaways from Dr. Ryan Hartwig , VPAA and Provost at Vanguard University on how communication plays a vital role in your ability to lead teams and in one-on-one relationships, both professionally and personally. Dr. Hartwig previously served as the dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Professor of Communication at Colorado Christia...

Student host Audrey Norton discovers the transformative power of storytelling in public relations with founder Ashley Graham of The Conscious Publicist. Ashley is also a strategic advisor, speaker, podcast host, editorial director, and mentor. She's been featured in Fast Company, USA Today, Entrepreneur, NASDAQ, among others, and has been on a mission to empower individuals and businesses to e...

Student host Audrey Norton learns about the history of Communication with Dr. Tom Carmody who has taught at Vanguard University for more than 34 years. He is also an ordained Anglican priest with the Anglican Church in North America and serves as a volunteer minister with his local congregation. His Media Criticism class is one of the most talked about courses among communication students due to t...

Student host Audrey Norton gets the lowdown from Carrie Braun, Director of Public Affairs and Community Engagement at the Orange County Sheriff's Department . She is also a former adjunct professor in the Communication department at ⁠Vanguard University⁠ . One of the most important aspects of Carrie's job is to engage in active listening especially in the field of policing and maintaining...

Student host Audrey Norton sits down with Vanguard University Alumnus Daniel Avila ('18) who is the Communications and Engagement Director at The Garden Church in Huntington Beach, CA. As an intercultural and interpersonal communication major, one of his favorite classes was Gender Communication with Dr. Derrick Rosenior. Still to this day, he refers back to the lessons he learned in that cour...

Student Host Audrey Norton discovers how tech and emerging media major and sophomore Tiffany Pope balances her studies, playing for Women's Softball , serving on the athletic leadership team at Vanguard University , and interning with Rogue Creatives . Listen as she shares how God's strength, along with waking up early, being disciplined, managing her time wisely, making sacrifices, and ta...

Student host Audrey Norton gets the scoop on how Vanguard University alumna and founder of Revolver PR , Amanda Samaan ('10), got her start into Sports Public Relations. Amanda has an impressive background working with high profile clientele such as MLB “super-agent” Scott Boras and singer Carrie Underwood while earning multiple awards including the PR Net Next Gen Awards 2024 Sports and Enter...