5: Sai Boddupalli (People Like You) & Scene Inclusivity

WELCOME TO THE EDUPUNX PODCAST!

This week, I chat with my first music guest, Sai Boddupalli, of the bands Animal Flag and People Like You. Sai is the child of Indian immigrants, and his experience of being raised in an Indian household contains a number of great stories that you get to hear on this episode!

Sai was raised by a very musical father, and that influence led to him becoming a musician as well. While completing his undergraduate studies at Berklee College of Music, Sai became a very active member of the Boston music scene - where he currently resides. In this chat, we cover his experience as a person of color in the DIY scene and in music spaces that are traditionally populated by white cishet dudes. We discuss the importance of representation and diversity in music, as well as the realities of touring and signing to record labels.

EPISODE NOTES:
- Sai just finished a six-week tour with his rock band, Animal Flag, of which was recently featured on Audiotree.
- The two earliest albums to influence Sai were "Kid A," from Radiohead and the self-titled Rage Against the Machine album. 
- Representation is important because if it weren't for "All Killer no Filler," by Sum 41 and Sai recognizing Dave Baksh of Sum 41 as a fellow Indian, we may not have the Sai we know now.
- If you haven't check out the diversity of sounds that Topshelf Records has to offer, you really need to get on that now!
- Animal Flag recently did a number of gigs alongside the magnanimously talented performer, Chad Matheny, otherwise known as, Emperor X. His new album, "Oversleepers International," is an eccentric collection of songs - out now on Tiny Engines. 

- You can see People Like You and meet up with Sai while on their east coast tour that starts this weekend! For tour dates, visit http://www.topshelfrecords.com/roster/people-like-you.
- Make sure to read this piece on the othering of people by Edward Said.
- We quickly plug two great Boston-area organizations, BARCC (Boston Area Rape Crisis Center), as well as the Democracy Center. Visit their sites for more information!
- Sai and I are both currently enjoying the new Big Thief album, "Capacity," so don't say we didn't warn you!
- Check out the "Short History of Nearly Everything," by Bill Bryson.
- Sai also suggests checking out the book from "A Breath of Fresh Air," by Amulya Malladi.

This is the album artwork for the new People Like You album, "Verse."

MUSIC NOTES:
- All of the music on this week's podcast is provided by People Like You - in which Sai plays the bass guitar. The band was recently signed to Topshelf Records, which will be releasing their new LP, "Verse," on July 28th. It is chock-full of tasty jazzy emo tunes.
- The intro, outro, and ad breaks feature parts of the song, "Variations on an Aria."
- Today's music break song is, "Thumbnail," which was recently premiered by the band.
- You can PREORDER the new People Like You album on vinyl, CD, cassette, and digital by visiting http://www.topshelfrecords.com/products/593720-people-like-you-verse! 
- As referenced in the podcast, a portion of the proceeds from the new People Like You album's pre-order sales will be divided equally and go directly to The Trevor Project, The NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Planned Parenthood. 

ADVERTISING NOTE:
- This week we were sponsored by our friends in Safer Scenes, who are currently on the road with War on Women during the Vans Warped Tour. Safer Scenes is dedicated to educating younger crowds at festivals and in typical concert venues on harmful and problematic issues that plague scenes - explicitly sexual assault, sexual violence, bullying, misogyny.
- You can donate to support the Safer Scenes folks by visiting their GoFundMe page! And if you donate at least $75, I will make you a piece of art - since my nonprofit, The Art of Survival, is sponsoring War on Women and Safer Scenes during their Warped Tour travels.

FOLLOW, RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!
- Any love on the iTunes app helps! CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE ITUNES STORE!
- Follow along on Instagram and Twitter @eduPUNXpod!

See you next week!
Let's get to work.

- Craig.

4: Brittany Williams & Black Women's Brilliance

WELCOME BACK TO THE EDUPUNX PODCAST!

Today's guest is the wonderful, Brittany Williams. Brittany is a PhD candidate at the University of Georgia, studying College Student Services. Brittany is a former Student Affairs Professional in Higher Education and shines a number of bright lights on some issues that are incredibly salient to her professional experiences as a black woman. Brittany brings up a number of topics during the next hour, including white privilege, social media activism, entering academia as a black woman, and the first generation struggle. We hope you enjoy this conversation - it took a number of rescheduling dates/technical difficulties, but we made it happen and we did the thing!

EPISODE NOTES:
- Brittany was a James Baldwin scholar at Hampshire College.
- A fascinating aspect of the GI Bill was brought up when Brittany explained that Blacks were often denied access to the Bill for their service.
- Celebrations are in order because Brittany had FIVE presentations proposals accepted to the 2017 ASHE conference in Houston, TX.
- We discussed the downfall of Yik Yak and it's impact on higher education student populations.
- Watch Brittany's 2016 Pecha Kucha talk at the ACPA Conference in Montreal - where she focuses on social media activism as a way to explore identity development.

- The video of Brittany's 2017 Pecha Kucha talk has yet to be uploaded, but it will be added here when it is online.
- Brittany and Dr. Joan Collier created Cite a Sista - check out CiteaSista.com for more information!
- Brittany brought up an impactful Inside Higher Ed article from Dr. DL Stewart about the language we use in Higher Education.
- Get your eyes on the new collection, "The Fire This Time," by Jesmyn Ward.
- Brittany shared her thoughts on how James Baldwin is the greatest American writer of all time, so make sure to check in on her favorite book, "The Fire Next Time."
- Reminder: Jay Z's "Black Album" is one of the best rap albums of all time.

If you wanna follow up with Brittany, check out her website at BrittanyMWilliams.com.
Or give her a follow on Twitter at @MS_BMWilliams and keep your eyes on the #CiteaSista tag.

The album artwork for the new I/O album, "Anyone, Anywhere," out THIS FRIDAY on Dollar Slice Records. Click the image to listen/preorder.

MUSIC NOTES:
- All music heard on today's podcast was provided by the Boston-based post rock instrumental band, I/O.
- The podcast intro and ad breaks features the song, "Allston," which was featured in this piece from Arctic Drones.
- The track played in full on the music break is the premiere of the track, "Alternates."
- The outro of the episode features the song, "To Everyone I Could Have Loved & All The Places We Could Have Called Home."
- You can listen to and preorder the new I/O album, "Anyone, Anywhere" at iomusicofficial.bandcamp.com.

ADVERTISING NOTES:
- This week we were sponsored by Brittany's organizations, Cite A Sista and Sister PhD.
- Both of these platforms are spaces for Black women academics and professionals to share their experiences, stories, and knowledge to motivate, inspire, and inform others. Visit CiteaSista.com and SisterPhD.com for more information!

FOLLOW, RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!
- Any love on the iTunes app helps! CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE ITUNES STORE!
- Follow along on Instagram and Twitter @eduPUNXpod!

See you next week!
Let's get to work.

- Craig.

CATCH UP ON PAST EPISODES!

• October 2020 2
• September 2020 1
• August 2020 3
• April 2020 2
• March 2020 1
• February 2020 2
• January 2020 3
• December 2019 1
• November 2019 2
• August 2019 3
• July 2019 2
• May 2019 2
• April 2019 2
• February 2019 2
• January 2019 3
• December 2018 1
• November 2018 2
• October 2018 2
• September 2018 4
• August 2018 4
• July 2018 3
• June 2018 4
• May 2018 6
• April 2018 5
• March 2018 6
• February 2018 5
• January 2018 4
• December 2017 3
• November 2017 3
• October 2017 7
• September 2017 4
• August 2017 4
• July 2017 4
• June 2017 4

3: Kameron Winters & The Trans Agenda

WELCOME BACK TO THE EDUPUNX PODCAST!

I hope every one is excited for a fantastic conversation with my good friend and colleague, Kameron Winters. Kameron is the Coordinator of LGBTQ & Diversity programs at American University in Washington DC. Kameron is also a Trans dude with a really great outlook on life and has a lot to share about Trans and queer activism in the wake of today's political climate.

I am excited to share this conversation at the tail-end of Pride Month, because Kameron and I initially met for the first time at DC Pride over three yeas ago! So it's a reunion of sorts on the eduPUNX Podcast. 

EPISODE NOTES:
- Kameron started his student affairs career at Berkeley, which has been the epicenter for political controversy lately.
- There is a reference to a racially motivated event on American University.
- Kameron references the frustratingly sad Gavin Grimm ruling from a few weeks ago.
- Student protesters burned American flags at American University after the election.
- Oh, I made it into Breitbart this year for hosting some therapy dogs on campus - coincidentally the day after the November election.
- If you'd like to follow an inspiring and vulnerable video blogger, Kameron suggests checking out somekindofqueer on YouTube!
- And if Instagram is more your speed, Kameron suggests following @TwoTransFriends!
- Kameron is a big fan of the book, "Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation" - check it out!
- But all-time, Kameron enjoys "Stone Butch Blues," a story of a transgender woman coming out in the 50s and 60s.
- Of course, Kameron is a huge "House of Cards" fan - the new season on Netflix is ridiculous! And being in DC clearly had an added bonus to the perspective.
- Currently, Kameron is rocking out the Baltimore-based band, Snail Mail, which was recently featured on Audio Tree Live, so check them out!
- But Kameron is an old school Matt and Kim diehard.

BONUS CONTENT: Check out the fantastic piece Kameron wrote for my nonprofit last fall!

ADVERTISING NOTES:
- Today's sponsor is the Transgressive Podcast hosted by Lindsay Legé, who is a licensed gender therapist that speaks with various Trans voices in the world in order to elevate the experiences of members of the Trans community. If you would like to specifically hear more about Kameron's experience as a Trans man, check out Episode 3 of this podcast!

- Our record label sponsor for the week is The Native Sound, which is a boutique label in New York City, that represents artists like Miserable, No Sun, Sheer, Funeral Advantage, Koji, Petite League, and a whole lot more! You can check out more of their bands and buy some CDs or vinyl by visiting TheNativeSound.com! Or by following them on Instagram and/or Twitter @TheNativeSound.

MUSIC NOTES:
- The intro piece is "Cement," by the band Citizen off of the album, "Everybody is Going to Heaven,' which was released in 2015 by Run for Cover Records.
- Today's music break was "CEOT7K," by the band Funeral Advantage off of the new EP, "Please Help Me," which was released in February on The Native Sound.

FOLLOW, RATE, REVIEW, SUBSCRIBE, AND SHARE!
- Any love on the iTunes app helps! CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE ITUNES STORE!
- Follow along on Instagram and Twitter @eduPUNXpod!

Thanks so much for tuning in and I'll see you next week!
Which, due to the 4th of July falling on a Tuesday, I will release next week's episode on Wednesday, July 5th! Be well and be safe!

Up the punx!
Let's get to work.

- Craig.

CATCH UP ON PAST EPISODES!

• October 2020 2
• September 2020 1
• August 2020 3
• April 2020 2
• March 2020 1
• February 2020 2
• January 2020 3
• December 2019 1
• November 2019 2
• August 2019 3
• July 2019 2
• May 2019 2
• April 2019 2
• February 2019 2
• January 2019 3
• December 2018 1
• November 2018 2
• October 2018 2
• September 2018 4
• August 2018 4
• July 2018 3
• June 2018 4
• May 2018 6
• April 2018 5
• March 2018 6
• February 2018 5
• January 2018 4
• December 2017 3
• November 2017 3
• October 2017 7
• September 2017 4
• August 2017 4
• July 2017 4
• June 2017 4

2: Alex McElroy & The Writing Life

WELCOME BACK TO THE EDUPUNX PODCAST!

This week, I am excited to present a conversation with one of my best friends, a former writing partner and roommate, and one of the most reflective human beings I know, Alex McElroy. Alex is currently a Doctoral student at the University of Houston, where he is pursuing his doctorate in English and Creative Writing. Alex and I catch up a bit - since I last visited him in Texas in November - and discuss a wide array of topics, from teaching reading and writing composition, to the future of education, as well as what it was like being abroad in Bulgaria and how that experience influenced his writing. I had a lot of fun with this conversation, and I'm so thankful that we were able to have it!

You can either listen on this page, or over on iTunes by CLICKING HERE!

EPISODE NOTES:
- Alex is the current fiction editor for Gulf Coast, and was previously the International editor for the Hayden's Ferry Review.
- Snag a copy of Allegra Hyde's debut collection, "Of This New World"
- Alex wrote this pretty brutal story about the time he and his wife spent in Bulgaria - it appear courtesy of the New England Review.
- Here's a wonderful piece about Margaret Atwood, the Handmaid's Tale, and the age of Trump
- Alex references this wonderful talk by Tristan Harris about social media, technology and distractions
- Alex's new chapbook, "Daddy Issues," will be released this fall through the Cupboard Pamphlet.
- Need a new author to check out? Alex cannot suggest the works of Robert Walser enough - especially the book, Jakob Von Gunten.
- Check out "Stephen Florida," by Gabe Habash
- Outside of Gulf Coast, Alex also suggests that people support the Black Warrior Review, as well as The Offing! Get your reading on, folks!
- Ever the existentialist, Alex is a big fan of "The Squid and the Whale," and the French psychological film, "Personal Shopper."
- And finally, if you need to get in touch with your softer side, check out Elliott Smith's brilliant album, “either/or”

YOU CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH ALEX ON TWITTER @ABMCELROY1
Or check out his online portfolio at alexmcelroy.org.

And I will update this page when his book is up for preorder!

ADVERTISING NOTES:
- This week's episode is sponsored by Plucking Yew Promotions and Matt Palmer Media. Are you an artist or musician? Do you need some quick design work done? Reach out to Matt Palmer! He's an incredibly talented based in the midwest and would love to help you out! Visit mattpalmermedia.com for more info on how to commission work from him!

- Once again, our music sponsor for the week is Sounds and Tones Records! You can check out more about the label at www.soundsandtonesrecords.com. And you listen to their bands and buy merch at www.soundsandtonesrecords.bandcamp.com! This week's song is "Take Care," by Heart of Gold, of the album a Profound Sense of Slipping.

AUDIO/MUSIC NOTES:
I make a brief comment at the beginning of the chat with Alex that the audio for our conversation was recorded before I had received my podcasting microphone/proper recording program, so bare with us for a couple moments on this recording and stay tuned for it to only get better from here!

- The intro song is an instrumental version of the Circa Survive song, "Wish Resign."

Thanks for listening again this week!
I'll be back next week with another chat for your ears!

In the meantime, SUBSCRIBE, RATE, and SHARE the podcast!

- Craig.

CATCH UP ON PAST EPISODES!

• October 2020 2
• September 2020 1
• August 2020 3
• April 2020 2
• March 2020 1
• February 2020 2
• January 2020 3
• December 2019 1
• November 2019 2
• August 2019 3
• July 2019 2
• May 2019 2
• April 2019 2
• February 2019 2
• January 2019 3
• December 2018 1
• November 2018 2
• October 2018 2
• September 2018 4
• August 2018 4
• July 2018 3
• June 2018 4
• May 2018 6
• April 2018 5
• March 2018 6
• February 2018 5
• January 2018 4
• December 2017 3
• November 2017 3
• October 2017 7
• September 2017 4
• August 2017 4
• July 2017 4
• June 2017 4

1: Kevin Forch & Community College Access

WELCOME TO EPISODE ONE OF THE EDUPUNX POD!

Today I chat with my friend, Kevin Forch, the Director for Student Success at Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Nebraska. Kevin agreed to be my guinea pig for this project, and for that, I am incredibly thankful. I am still figuring out the pace for the podcast, but I think this a great start! Kevin and I discuss a WIDE range of topics outside of the simple yet broad, "community college access." There was too much to include in a simple headline. But we definitely dig into some real-life topics like being non-traditional grad students, working with non-traditional students, being adults, millennial-shaming, and the reality of being a somewhat lone progressive in a very red state like Nebraska and the types of learning and unlearning of which that consists.

You can either listen on this page, or over on iTunes by CLICKING HERE!

EPISODE NOTES:
Throughout the episode, Kevin and I make references to a few things that we want to make you sure are familiar with, or have the chance to follow up one, so check these our below!

- Kevin references the book, "Unequal Childhoods: Class, Race, and Family Life, 2nd Edition with an Update a Decade Later," check it out!
- Kevin apparently bought a house thanks to a first-time Homebuyer credit, lucky guy.
- It's very cool that Kevin got to take students to the St. Louis Art Museum.
- MILLENNIALS ARE RUINING EVERYTHING! and avocado toast is a thing?
- We talk about the good things that have come from the #SAGrad chats - chats I started for grad students in the summer of 2014, and have continued since I passed them along!
- If you wanna follow the #SAGrad chat leaders that followed me, follow Ricky Meinke at @RickyTM7 on Twitter and Allie Trigs at @AllieTrigs on Twitter.
- Kevin has the cutest corgi pupper, name of Sasha! You can find more images of Sasha on Kevin's instagram - www.instagram.com/kevinforch
- In these challenging times, we could all benefit from "True North," by Bad Religion.
- As a comic nerd, Kevin hypes the new comic series, SLAM! 
- Kevin is currently reading “The Things You Can Only See When You Slow Down,” by Buddhist Monk, Haemin Sunim.
- The gracious gift-giver Kevin references at the end is the fantastic, Nathanial Garrod - give him a follow at @Nathanialjg on Twitter.

- Get in touch with Kevin on Twitter - @KevinForch (real original)

ADVERTISING NOTES:
- Today's episode is selfishly sponsored by my own nonprofit, The Art of Survival! You can check out more about what we do for survivors of trauma, by visiting www.artissurvival.com.

- Our music sponsor for the week is Sounds and Tones Records! You can check out more about the label at www.soundsandtonesrecords.com. And you listen to their bands and buy merch at www.soundsandtonesrecords.bandcamp.com!

AUDIO NOTE:
I make a brief comment at the beginning of the chat with Kevin that the audio for our conversation was recorded before I had received my podcasting microphone/proper recording program, so bare with us on this recording and stay tuned for it to only get better from here!

- Also, in this episode you get a tiny preview of the title track on my upcoming EP, "Farewell," this snippet appears in the intro, the first ad segment, and the outro!

You can preorder my new EP at anotherpoormusician.bandcamp.com!

I also feature a demo track from my friend, Nevan Doyle of Nevan Doyle Design in the second ad portion. It's trippy and I love it.

Thanks for hanging out!
See you next week.

Up the punx!

- Craig.

CATCH UP ON PAST EPISODES!

• October 2020 2
• September 2020 1
• August 2020 3
• April 2020 2
• March 2020 1
• February 2020 2
• January 2020 3
• December 2019 1
• November 2019 2
• August 2019 3
• July 2019 2
• May 2019 2
• April 2019 2
• February 2019 2
• January 2019 3
• December 2018 1
• November 2018 2
• October 2018 2
• September 2018 4
• August 2018 4
• July 2018 3
• June 2018 4
• May 2018 6
• April 2018 5
• March 2018 6
• February 2018 5
• January 2018 4
• December 2017 3
• November 2017 3
• October 2017 7
• September 2017 4
• August 2017 4
• July 2017 4
• June 2017 4

X: Intro & Manifesto

Welcome to the eduPUNX Podcast!

Craig Bidiman here! I'd love to welcome you to the introductory episode of the eduPUNX podcast! On this teaser, I share my vision for the future of this podcast.

I started this podcast with the sole purpose of sating my selfish desire to learn more about the educators in the world. By combining my love of education with my experience and understanding of punk culture, I am to create a community around challenging the present and future of education by discussing the work with today's every day educators, the every day disrupters.

I will be talking with people within and on the perimeter of education. I am using this phrase broadly because I will bring in voices from the world of elementary education, student affairs in higher education, musicians, sex educators - essentially anyone that I find interesting or finds me and wants to talk about how we educate and reach different populations with the purpose of creating good dialogue to inform the next generation of human beings.

I want this to be a community of learning, and a community of support. The conversations in this podcast will range from college access to mental health and wellness, from the experiences of educators of color to dismantling white privilege. I welcome any educators from any realm to chat!

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE on iTunes, and follow along on Twitter to keep updated on new episodes!

EPISODE NOTES:
- Background song is "Allston," by I/O
You can check out more tunes from I/O at iomusicofficial.bandcamp.com.

- In future episodes, there will be notes for each conversation based on specific references or plugs that may be made during the episode. So look forward to lots of good stuff being shared soon!

ADVERTISING:
I explain in the podcast that I will only bring in advertisements from other educators' side projects/side-hustles, who wish to hype up the extraneous work they do to keep themselves busy and to earn a little extra on the side. These spots will not be charged. They will be free. So if you have something you would like to hype, please let me know! If you would like to advertise on this podcast to reach out to me, so use this email to connect - edupunxpod@gmail.com!

- Please include the type of creative side-gig you have, how you can be reached, and some specific details you might want me to include when sharing information about your project!

Check back Tuesday for our FIRST EPISODE!
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE and follow along on Twitter @eduPUNXpod!

Be well. Up the punx!

- Craig