The Sarah Lawrence College Podcast

In this season finale episode we are joined by SLC professor and author Bob Desjarlais to discuss his new book The Visual Afterlife of Abdelkader Bennahar. Bob sheds light on a mostly forgotten night of political unrest in France, zeroing in on a handful of photographs that capture his imagination. Follow the podcast on Instagram @slcpodcast.

Sarah Lawrence College Podcast host Tim Kail announces that the Spring '26 season finale will publish Friday, June 26th!

This week on the Sarah Lawrence College Podcast we're joined by philosophy faculty Brom Anderson to discuss his latest book The Skeptical Roots of Critique: Hume's Attack on Theology and the Origin of Kant's Antinomy . Whether you're a Kant scholar or just someone who enjoys asking big questions this episode is for you. Host Tim Kail asks Brom about rationalism, empiricism, and space-time. Follow...

This week we're joined by SLC Faculty and author Brian Morton to discuss his new book Writing as a Way of Life . Host Tim Kail asks Brian about his process, writing 500 words a day, setting "wimpy" goals, feeling like a story wants to exist, being a medium for the narrative, and what he's learned from SLC Students. This episode was recorded in front an audience for one of our monthly Faculty Spotl...

In this episode Library Director Mustafa Sakarya attends the SLC annual event A Night Of Philosophy. We hear abridged versions of student papers as well as insights from the attending crowd. It's a lively episode that epitomizes SLC's interdisciplinary approach to education. Follow Sarah Lawrence on social media @SarahLawrenceCollege and follow this podcast on Instagram @SLCPodcast. Music...

This week we're joined by history professor Mary Dillard to discuss African History, segregation in America, the slave trade, the enduring importance of Public History, the cultural significance of Roots, and the beauty of Bryant Park in Manhattan. Mary also discusses her career at SLC and shares some advice for graduating students. Follow Sarah Lawrence on social media @SarahLawrenceCollege a...

Enjoy an all new episode of The Sarah Lawrence College Podcast! This week we're joined by professor and author Victoria Redel to discuss her new novel, I Am You . Victoria describes how she conceived of the story, which is a "mesmerizing historical novel...a meditation on gender, an ode to artistic creation, and an unforgettable love story that reimagines the life of renowned still life p...

For this season premiere episode of The Sarah Lawrence College Podcast we are joined by SLC President Cristle Collins Judd to discuss the SLC Centennial. Topics include: the centennial theme of "timely and timeless" "adaptive reuse" and The Remy Theatre as a metaphor for the SLC community's progression into our second century reshaping the podcast to be in keeping with this year-long theme "Lifelo...

This week Tim is joined by professor Jamee Moudud for a Faculty Spotlight to discuss Jamee's book: Legal and Political Foundations of Capitalism: The End of Laissez Faire? Tim and Jamee discuss how society has gotten to where it is, writing readable academic text, and what people should do to be "good citizens". This is the season finale of the Fall 2025. The podcast will be going on...

This week we are joined by professor and author Joseph Earl Thomas to discuss Joseph's memoir Sink . Tim and Joseph discuss the importance of passions as a child, the narrative power of video games, inhabiting the perspective of a child, dedicating one's life to art, and the value of forming friendships and social groups. Follow Sarah Lawrence on social media @sarahlawrencecollege. And fol...

This week we're joined by Christyn Refuerzo, editor in chief of the SLC people of color literary magazine, Dark Phrases. Christyn discusses what it takes to be an editor, putting the magazine together, studying abroad, and the value of showcasing under-represented voices. Follow Sarah Lawrence on social media @sarahlawrencecollege. And follow the podcast on Instagram @slcpodcast!

If you want a college that encourages you to explore your interests, there’s no place better than Sarah Lawrence. In this episode, learn how a class with Jerri Dodds transformed Tyler Holm into an art history student, and how Tyler’s conference projects have shaped Jerri’s teaching. Just two amazing people, talking about the things they love. Enjoy! You can watch this episode on sarahlawrence.edu/...

This week Tim is joined by writing professor and author Carolyn Ferrell to discuss Carolyn's award-winning novel, Dear Miss Metropolitan. Tim and Carolyn discuss creating the world of Dear Miss Metropolitan, her writing practice, coping with setbacks, and teaching at Sarah Lawrence. Follow Sarah Lawrence on social media @sarahlawrencecollege. And follow the podcast on Instagram @slcpodcast!

When Lauryn Dunn first came to Sarah Lawrence, she planned to focus on history, but a lecture course with Drew Cressman revealed in her a surprisingly deep interest in biology. In this episode of SLC Transcript Review , Lauryn and Drew discuss pop quizzes, building confidence, conference projects, and summer research opportunities. Lauryn is the 2025 recipient of the Ian Lipkin ’74 Science Prize a...

This week Tim is joined by two guests, history professors Matthew Ellis and David Gutman. Matt and David have created a new blog, The Historicizer on substack, where they intend to write accessible pieces that analyze current events through a historical lens. You can subscribe to their substack for free at thehistoricizer.substack.com. Follow Sarah Lawrence on social media @sarahlawrencecollege. A...

Leaving a small town for college can feel overwhelming, but for Emma McKibben, the Sarah Lawrence community — and her don , Parthiban Muniandy — made all the difference in introducing her to a truly global education. Together, they talk migration studies, study abroad, community engagement, and how taking charge in the classroom builds confidence. You can watch this episode on sarahlawrence.edu/sl...

This week we're joined by Mary Hartnett, former Director Of Medical Services. Tim and Mary discuss Mary's career at SLC, and why she decided to retire. If you have any questions, thoughts, or guest suggestions email fkail@sarahlawrence.edu. Follow Sarah Lawrence on social media @sarahlawrencecollege. And follow the podcast on Instagram @slcpodcast!

Signed up for a random class just to fill credits ➝ accidentally found your passion? David Hollander ’s fiction workshop flipped the script just like that for Allie Zapson. All the while, Allie’s courage to ask the tough questions— “Why are we reading this?” — lit a spark for David as an educator. From group conferences to wild reading lists, this is what happens when you stay curious. You can wat...

This week we're joined by Mikayla Frain. Mikayla works in the Library as the Evening Access Services Coordinator. Tim and Mikayla discuss their love of library science, being a recent graduate, taking ownership of one's choices, and growing into a self-assured adult. If you have any questions, thoughts, or guest suggestions email fkail@sarahlawrence.edu. Follow Sarah Lawrence on social media @sara...

Deadlines got you down? Overwhelmed by your commitments? Struggling to balance your studies with your social life? We've got you covered! In this episode, we're joined by Senior Associate Dean of Studies & Director of the Learning Commons, Rachelle Rumph to discuss "burnout". After defining what burnout is, Tim and Rachelle share a variety of strategies for preemptively addressing circumstance...

This week we're joined by SLC professor and author, David Hollander. Host Tim Kail and David discuss David's second novel, Anthropica, in great detail - how he developed his prose style, his love of simulating the chaotic nature of human consciousness, and his affinity for long sentences. David also shares his insights on getting published, working with an agent, and the evolving nature of the pub...

This week host Tim Kail is joined by Jenn Melendez, Director of Campus Operations & Auxiliary Services. Jenn discusses managing SLC's fleet of vehicles, her various jobs before SLC, meeting Beyoncé, becoming confident in her job, and what she loves most about working at SLC. If you have any questions, thoughts, or guest suggestions email fkail@sarahlawrence.edu. And follow Sarah Lawrence on so...

This week host Tim Kail is joined by volleyball coach John Carroll for another in-depth look at the women's volleyball team. John discusses the positions and rules of the game, learning from losses, the demanding schedule of SLC's student athletes, being a student first and an athlete second, the best sports movie, and the recruiting process. If you have any questions, thoughts, or guest suggestio...

This week we are joined by Christina Fernandes, SLC's Director of Special Events. Tim and Christina talk commencement, organizing events of all sizes, her hobbies, and their shared love of reality television. If you have any questions, thoughts, or guest suggestions email fkail@sarahlawrence.edu. And follow Sarah Lawrence on social media @sarahlawrencecollege.

This week we're joined by Tristana Rorendelli, the Italian professor here at SLC. Host Tim Kail and Tristana discuss learning a second language, the nuances of translation, language as culture, and more. If you have any questions, thoughts, or guest suggestions email fkail@sarahlawrence.edu. And follow Sarah Lawrence on social media @sarahlawrencecollege.