Passion and Practicality: A Liberal Arts Podcast
Passion and Practicality is a podcast series produced by Southern New Hampshire University‘s online Liberal Arts department, which includes academic programs and courses in Communication, Composition, Creative Writing, English, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, History, Literature, and Philosophy. In this podcast series, faculty, staff, and guests discuss the career paths open to graduates of those programs, the research and creative work of practitioners in the field, and other interesting stuff.
Episodes

Friday Jan 19, 2024
Wireside Chat: Thomas Deady
Friday Jan 19, 2024
Friday Jan 19, 2024
In which hosts Melissa Hart and Paul Witcover welcome SNHU instructor and Bram Stoker Award-winning writer Thomas Deady, author of, most recently, the novel Eternal Darkness. Join us as we talk about his writing journey and all things Horror.

Friday Jan 05, 2024
Friday Jan 05, 2024
Landis Tindell, Manager of Corporate Communications for the Oklahoma City Thunder joins us to give us an idea of what a typical workday looks like as a communications professional, as well as how to make yourself stand out in an interview. Landis’ extensive experience in the Liberal Arts and communications spaces paints a great picture for students of what a career journey can look like to help get you to where you want to go. Feel free to connect with Landis on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ltindell/

Friday Dec 22, 2023
Word for Word with Morgan Talty
Friday Dec 22, 2023
Friday Dec 22, 2023
Word for Word kicks off its 2023-24 season of literary events by welcoming bestselling and award-winning writer Morgan Talty, author of the acclaimed collection of linked stories Night of the Living Rez. Talty, a citizen of the Penobscot Indian Nation, reads from his work, discusses the craft of writing, and answers questions from moderators and attendees.

Friday Dec 08, 2023
Wireside Chat: Joseph Chianakas
Friday Dec 08, 2023
Friday Dec 08, 2023
In which hosts Melissa Hart and Paul Witcover are joined by SNHU instructor Joseph Chianakas, whose new YA novel, Singlets and Secrets, recently debuted as Amazon's #1 new release in teen and YA LGBTQ fiction. Listen in as we talk to Joe about his writing journey, why themes of diversity and inclusion are so central to his work, and how he is always thinking a few steps ahead in planning his career.

Friday Nov 24, 2023
Friday Nov 24, 2023
Trent Jones, Director of Communications with Springdale Public Schools joins us to discuss working in the field of communications. Trent explains the different avenues one can get into with a communications degree, his career journey and how it’s important to say “yes” to opportunities that may come your way.

Friday Nov 10, 2023
Friday Nov 10, 2023
Lisa Holder, Chief Communications Officer with the City of Sanford in Sanford, Florida gives a great overview of what it’s like to work in the communications field. With social media being a heavy presence now a days, we explore this area in depth with Lisa as well as others. Lisa also provides tips on other communications related roles in the public sector that may be of interest, and how to prepare for them.
You can find Lisa’s information at https://sanfordfl.gov/government/communications-office/

Friday Oct 27, 2023
Wireside Chat: Melissa Hart
Friday Oct 27, 2023
Friday Oct 27, 2023
In which MFA instructor Melissa Hart joins Dean Paul Witcover to share her methods for leveraging short fiction and nonfiction for magazines and newspapers to build a platform and audience for her novels! This behind-the-curtains peek into the working life of a successful professional writer is full of practical advice and hard-earned knowledge about the challenges every freelance writer faces . . . and how to meet them!

Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Lydia Kuekes, Director of Design with Vision Point Marketing joins SNHU’s Peter Bartell to speak about recommendations on getting into the graphic design field, the importance of networking, client communication and staying up-to-date on industry knowledge.

Friday Oct 13, 2023
Wireside Chat: Joann Stout
Friday Oct 13, 2023
Friday Oct 13, 2023
In which hosts Paul Witcover and Melissa Hart welcome MFA instructor Jo Stout, the author of more than twenty romance novels, including contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and erotic romance under the pen names Joelle Nichole and Rachell Nichole. Join us as we discuss Romance, erotica, pseudonyms, genre-blends . . . and more!

Friday Sep 29, 2023
Wireside Chat: Kelly Ann Jacobson
Friday Sep 29, 2023
Friday Sep 29, 2023
In which hosts Paul Witcover and Melissa Hart welcome instructor Kelly Ann Jacobson, whose new novel, Robin and Her Misfits, is a Queer retelling of Robin Hood. Join us as we discuss the enduring power of fairy tales and folk tales in fiction!