The SOTA Pop Podcast

Kiya is joined by River, an aspiring author and a freshman here at UNA! Why did they decide to major in theater? What are their books about? And what is it like doing commissions as a writer? Find out all of this and more in this creative episode!   To watch this episode with a video component, go to:   https://youtu.be/sxtFFdYrlqU

Grayson is joined by acting major and CAT Guild Vice President, Matt Jones! How did Matt get into acting? How did Matt become the “puppet guy”? And how long would he wait for a turkey leg? Find out all of this and more in this week’s crafty episode!   To watch this episode with a video component, go to:   https://youtu.be/RyEek1HPS6A

This week Kiya is joined by Janna Malone, the Chair of UNA’s Entertainment Industry department. What is Janna’s history with FAME Studios? How did she end up at UNA? And what exactly goes on in the Entertainment Industry department? Find out all of this and more in this week’s entertaining episode!   To watch this episode with a video component, go to:   https://youtu.be/rTbWMI6nCeI

Kiya is joined by Erin Simpson, President of the UNA Fashion Association! How did she go from cowgirl to marine biologist to fashion expert? What is the Fashion Association up to? And can you wear white after Labor Day? Find out all of this and more in this week’s trendy episode!   To watch this episode with a video component, go to:   https://youtu.be/Ns0u3cbBr7A

Kiya is joined by vocal music education student Laci New and director of choral activities Dr. Ian Loeppky. What got them into the world of choir? What are all the choirs we have here at UNA? And what does everyone think about a cappella? Find out all of this and more in this week’s harmonious episode!   To watch this episode with a video component, go to:   https://youtu.be/4fKbuOlkVks

Grayson is joined by Colby Green, a UNA student, filmmaker, and musician under the name of Lame Lake! What’s it like staying up all night to make a movie? How does Colby navigate different musical styles? And what can you expect from his new EP? Find out all of this (plus a NAME REVEAL for Colby’s upcoming EP) in this week’s exclusive episode!   To watch this episode with a video component, go to:...

Kiya is joined by Suzanne Reese-Mills, a wonderful music teacher here at UNA who recently joined the CAT department. What is Suzanne’s connection to Florence? What makes musical theatre so special? And why does she love tangents? Find out all of this and more in this week’s all-encompassing episode! To watch this episode with a video component, go to:   https://youtu.be/JBF5gTgCgKw

In this week’s episode dedicated to the upcoming show “Concord Floral”, join Kiya as she chats with director Abigail Dillard as well as cast members Tori, Taz, and Mark. What do they think of being a teenager in the modern age? What will they miss most about this show? And what is J Cubed? Find out all this and more in this very flowery episode!   To watch this episode with a video component, go t...

In this week’s long-awaited (filmed near the beginning of 2023) episode, Kiya, Cat, and Jenny talk all about cosplay! What were their cosplay journeys like? What cosplay trend gets on their nerves? And what exactly is “con funk”? Find out all this and more in this week’s playful episode! To watch this episode with a video component, go to: https://youtu.be/vq-k8EeGflg

Welcome back! In this season premiere, Kiya chats with Jim Harris, the creator and playwright of We’ll Meet Again: A New American Musical, which is coming to UNA on September 8. What is We’ll Meet Again about? How did Jim’s mom influence his love of musicals? And how did Jim find his musical collaborator? Find out all this and more in this week’s rhythmic episode!   To watch this episode with a vi...

Join Kiya as she interviews the director and cast of last week’s performance of “Defying Gravity”. How do they differentiate their monologues? What is it like performing on platforms? Is Pluto a planet? Find out all this and more in this out-of-this-world episode! To watch this episode with a video component, go to: https://youtu.be/uhUXgB8YMGE

AHHHHH!!! You can't tell through text, but that was singing! This week, Kiya is joined by members of UNA's Opera/Musical Theatre department to talk about last week's performance of "A Grand Night For Singing". What differentiates forms of theatre and opera? What should you do to prevent vocal strain? And who is sympathetic to the stalking, kidnapping, and murdering Phantom from Phantom of the Oper...

In this incredibly different, once-in-a-lifetime episode, Kiya, Cat, and Grayson team up to drink incredibly odd sodas in the spirit of April Fools' Day.   This episode may be enjoyed more on our YouTube channel, University of North Alabama School of the Arts, where you can see our grossed out reactions. The video can be found at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRgWak2IwV0

This week Grayson is joined by two fellow filmmakers, Nick and Cole, to discuss their films that screened at the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival. What was it like making their movies? What films stood out at the festival? And why should you finish your film before your honeymoon? Find out all this and more in this Goober-esque episode!

Kiya and Cat are joined by their friend Willie to discuss their mutual love of Pokémon. What are their favorite Pokémon? What annoys them about the franchise? And what would they make if they could create a Pokémon? Find out all this and more in this collectible episode!

Kiya is joined by Dr. Martha Summa-Chadwick, a musician and educator who will be speaking about music therapy for The Sunseri Speaker Series at UNA. How do science and music intersect? How does one get started in advocacy? And what is it like giving a TED Talk? Find out all this and more in this therapeutic episode!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and this episode has at least that many! Kiya is joined by Anna Carden to talk about the Photography Club. How does one join the Photography Club? Does Anna prefer film or digital? And what does the Photography Club's magazine look like? Find out all this and more in this picture-perfect episode!

Due to a sick editor last week, it's late Valentine's Day! Kiya and her cohosts Grayson and Cat talk all things Valentine's. How much have we followed through on our New Year's resolutions? What do we think of the day's tragic origins? And what fast food place will host your wedding? Find out all this and more in this lovely episode!

On this super special jam-packed episode, Kiya Williams is joined by the director of UNA's upcoming production of Boeing Boeing, Ariel Lauryn, as well as by fellow cast members Grayson Waggoner, Trevor Peck, and Anna Armstrong! Why did Ariel choose Boeing Boeing? Why is Boeing Boeing rehearsal so fun and positive? And what new holiday is sweeping the nation? Find out all this and more in this week...

Kiya is joined by Mallory Campbell from UNA's University Program Council, or UPC. She talks about her experiences with UPC as well as what to expect from the highly-anticipated Step-Sing event. Who is allowed to perform in Step-Sing? How can one join UPC? And what seemingly innocent game do college students go feral for? Find out all this and more in this eventful episode!

Join Kiya as she talks to the distinguished winners of UNA's 2022 Chopped challenge! What was it like participating in such a high-stakes event? What incredibly obscure moment in Eternals caused food-related stress for one of our guests? And where does everyone stand in the great ketchup on hash browns debate? Find out all this and more in this delicious new episode!

New year, new episode (that definitely wasn't recorded minutes after the last episode)! Kiya, Cat, and Grayson ring in the new year by discussing their last semester and looking to their next. What episodes were never released? What are our resolutions? And how absurdly long will our playlist become? Find out all this and more in this celebrated episode!

You may not believe your ears, but yes, there is a new SOTA Pop over the winter break! In this very special, very long holiday episode, Kiya, Grayson, and Cat are joined by UNA's resident Christmas enthusiast, Davis Farlow. They discuss traditions, holiday favorites, and play a game involving strange Hallmark movie titles. Where does everyone stand in the great eggnog debate? Whose family had an e...

This week Grayson is honored to be joined by two incredibly special guests! Michael Johnson is the chair of the UNA Cinematic Arts and Theatre department and an assistant professor in film production, and Ethan Eng is the co-writer, actor, and director of the award-winning coming-of-age film (and one of Grayson's all-time favorites) Therapy Dogs. They discuss the long-running George Lindsey UNA Fi...

Join Kiya and Cooper as they talk about fast fashion with their friend and small business owner Yasmina Assajeri! What inspired Yasmina to make mushroom hats? Who can you trust when buying clothes online? And what is the best way to shop with a positive impact? Find out all this in more in this fashionable episode!