Princeton Alumni Weekly Podcasts

On this episode of the Princeton Alumni Weekly’s Book Club podcast, author Michael Kardos ’92 answers our questions about his latest comedic crime novel, Fun City Heist. It’s set in his old stomping grounds, the New Jersey shore, and he made the protagonist a drummer, like himself. As the story unfolds, readers watch beach bum Mo Melnick connect for the first time with his teenage daughter, get back together with his band, Sunshine Apocalypse, and eventually get roped into a bandmate’s plan to rob a beachfront amusement park. Find the transcript at paw.princeton.edu.

PAW Memorials editor Nicholas DeVito sat down with Lanny Springs ’67 to discuss his brother William Springs III ’64. Dick played football at Princeton and was a cattle rancher.

This is the Princeton Alumni Weekly’s PAWcast, where we talk with Princetonians about what’s happening on campus and beyond. At the end of July, a pretty big story appeared on The Daily Princetonian’s website, one that took Raphaela Gold ’26 about a year and a half to report. It was a deep dive into mental health care on Princeton’s campus, and in particular into what happens to students who experience the most severe crises, the kind that might require hospitalization or a leave of absence. On the PAWcast she discussed how she reported the story — and what she found.

How is the news media covering the MAGA movement? Four journalists and a Princeton historian during the Princeton Alumni Weekly’s 2025 Reunions panel delved into questions about reporting on Trump voters, whether the press should use the word “lie,” today’s fragmented media landscape, and how even the most explosive investigations don’t spur change the way they used to. Said Kathy Kiely ’77, of the Missouri School of Journalism: “The press is doing its job, but Congress, there’s no sign of vertebrate life up there. If Congress and the other institutions in our democracy aren’t responding to those stories, then it is like the tree falling in the forest.” For this episode of the PAWcast, we’re pleased to share a recording of the session. Find the transcript at paw.princeton.edu/pawcasts.

PAW Memorials editor Nicholas DeVito sat down with Steve McNamara ’55 to discuss Bill Miller ’55. Bill was a geologist and landman, but he was well known more for his vintage car racing.

On this episode of the PAW Book Club podcast, we speak with Sash Bischoff from Princeton’s Class of 2009 about her debut novel and our latest book club read, “Sweet Fury.” From the very first page, “Sweet Fury” takes the work of F. Scott Fitzgerald, famously of Princeton’s Class of 1917, and begins to play. A famous actress and film director, characters named Lila and Kurt, are collaborating on a feminist adaptation of “Tender is The Night.” Then into the mix strides a psychotherapist named Jonah, a character awfully similar to Jay Gatsby. The story unfolds in some surprisingly dark directions, including one disturbing scene set at a Princeton eating club, and prospective readers should note that this podcast will contain spoilers as we probe the ideas and intentions that ran through Sash’s head as she wove this story, building up her characters — and destroying some in the end.

On this episode, PAW Memorials editor Nicholas DeVito sat down with Elyse Graham ’07 to discuss Professor Victor Brombert, who died Nov. 26, 2024.

As a volunteer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Stephen Lamberton ’99 is sharing the story of his father’s death in 1985 in hopes of destigmatizing suicide and helping others struggling with the loss of a loved one. On this episode of the PAWcast, Lamberton describes his journey toward processing his father’s death and discussing it with his own children, as well as the meaningful experience of attending his 25th Princeton reunion — an experience that his father, who also attended Princeton, didn’t live to see. Note: Listeners of this podcast will be hearing about some difficult topics. If you or anyone else you know needs help, you can reach the Suicide and Crisis Hotline by dialing 988, and you can text the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.