AI Jen and Neil preview Higher Ed PodCon, where campus podcasters unite to explore the future of educational audio.

Neil and Jennifer-Lee hand the mic to their AI counterparts to preview the very first Higher Ed PodCon—a brand-new conference built specifically for podcasters and digital media creators in higher education. AI Jen and AI Neil walk through what to expect: standout sessions on strategic communication, multimedia content strategies, and budget-friendly podcast production, with insights from leaders at Stanford, Purdue, and more. With over 40 speakers and representation from 25+ institutions, PodCon marks a major milestone for the campus podcasting community. After the AI segment, the real hosts return to share thoughts on the role of AI in podcasting, why human connection still matters, and how events like this help podcasters learn, grow, and feel a little less alone.

Episode Links:

• Higher Ed PodCon

Connect with Us

• Share Feedback & Ask Questions: hello@continuingstudiespodcast.com
• Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast
• Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page
• Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network
• Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or jpodcreations@gmail.com
• Connect w/ Neil: LinkedIn or neil@podiumpodcastco.com
• Twitter: @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco
• Youtube
• HigherEdPods

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction: Real Neil & Real Jen
• (04:45) - Higher Ed PodCon: AI Neil & AI Jen
• (09:51) - Conclusion: Real Neil & Real Jen

How two science-savvy professors turned stats and storytelling into a compelling educational podcast.

Kristin Sainani and Regina Nuzzo—co-hosts of Normal Curves: Sexy Science, Serious Statistics—join Neil McPhedran and Jennifer-Lee to celebrate the 50th episode of Continuing Studies. Kristin and Regina share the story behind launching their podcast, which blends scientific rigor with lighthearted storytelling to make complex topics like epidemiology and statistics approachable and fun. They reflect on how their long friendship, backgrounds in journalism, and love of teaching shaped the show’s voice and format. From managing remote production across time zones to navigating multiple takes and narrative arcs, they reveal the thoughtful work behind each episode. Whether you're a podcaster or just science-curious, this candid conversation offers practical insights on what it takes to produce a compelling, educational show for anyone and is passionate about podcasting in higher education.

Episode Links:

• Normal Curves
• Regina Nuzzo | LinkedIn
• Regina Nuzzo
• Kristin Sainani | LinkedIn
• Kristin Sainani (n e Cobb)'s Stanford Profile

Connect with Us

• Share Feedback & Ask Questions: hello@continuingstudiespodcast.com
• Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast
• Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page
• Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network
• Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or jpodcreations@gmail.com
• Connect w/ Neil: LinkedIn or neil@podiumpodcastco.com
• Twitter: @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco
• Youtube
• HigherEdPods

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (03:57) - From Teaching to Podcasting
• (05:36) - Purpose & Audience
• (07:10) - Making Science Approachable
• (09:20) - Being an Independent Podcast
• (12:11) - Pre-Launch Journey
• (14:25) - The Research Process
• (16:32) - Recording Across Time Zones
• (17:26) - Dual Roles & Production Flow
• (21:02) - Topic Inspiration
• (23:01) - Launch Strategy & Title Origins
• (25:30) - Advice for New Podcasters
• (28:25) - Storytelling vs. Lecturing
• (30:56) - Conclusion

How Purdue’s podcast expanded its reach with strategic use of video, SEO, and timely content planning.

Kate Young returns to Continuing Studies to share how Purdue’s This Is Purdue podcast has grown from an alumni-focused show into a wide-reaching content hub. She breaks down the strategic shift toward video, the role of short-form clips across platforms like YouTube and Instagram, and how her team uses SEO and timely relevance to plan episodes. Kate also reveals how AI supports their prep process, and previews her upcoming talk at Higher Ed PodCon, offering practical insights for podcast teams of any size looking to elevate their content and audience engagement.

Episode Links:

• Kate Young | LinkedIn
• “This Is Purdue” Podcast - The Persistent Pursuit

Connect with Us

• Share Feedback & Ask Questions: hello@continuingstudiespodcast.com
• Learn More: Continuing Studies Podcast
• Follow: Continuing Studies LinkedIn Page
• Join LinkedIn Group: University Podcasters Network
• Connect w/ Jen: LinkedIn or jpodcreations@gmail.com
• Connect w/ Neil: LinkedIn or neil@podiumpodcastco.com
• Twitter: @namcphedran / @podiumpodcastco
• Youtube
• HigherEdPods

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (03:54) - Lessons From Podcast Movement Evolutions
• (07:57) - Evolving a Video Strategy at Purdue
• (10:31) - Full Time Podcasting at Purdue
• (11:52) - Expanding Beyond Alumni: New Audience Strategy
• (15:52) - Leveraging SEO from Planning to Publishing
• (18:21) - Shorts, Reels, and Spotify Clips
• (21:31) - Why the Podcast Has Both Audio and Video Feeds
• (24:09) - Using AI for Content Calendar and Brainstorming
• (26:11) - What to Expect at Higher Ed PodCon
• (29:00) - LinkedIn Strategy Tip
• (31:34) - Conclusion