
W&L After Class, the Lifelong Learning Podcast
by Washington and Lee University
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Recent episodes
What Is, Is Beautiful: Poetry and Attention with Leah Naomi Green
Feb 23, 2026
35m 44s
What Is Beauty?: Aesthetics, Attention, and Shared Humanity with Angela Sun
Jan 15, 2026
39m 55s
The Serendipity of Learning: Openness, Opportunity, and the Liberal Arts with Provost Lena Hill
Sep 9, 2025
30m 56s
Cultivating a Life of Beauty: Fulfilling W&L’s Mission of Lifelong Learning with James Lambert
Aug 12, 2025
35m 35s
A Life Under Construction: Rethinking Identity, Technology, and Personal Evoluation with Stu Gray
Jul 9, 2025
38m 18s
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/23/26 | ![]() What Is, Is Beautiful: Poetry and Attention with Leah Naomi Green✨ | beautypoetry+4 | Leah Naomi Green | Gregory OrrGalway Kinnell | — | beautypoetry+5 | — | 35m 44s | |
| 1/15/26 | ![]() What Is Beauty?: Aesthetics, Attention, and Shared Humanity with Angela Sun | In this episode, we sit down with Assistant Professor of Philosophy Angela Sun to explore the question at the heart of this season: “What is beauty?” Through reflections on philosophy, music, art and everyday life, Sun challenges the idea that beauty is merely subjective, inviting us instead to see it as a shared human practice shaped by attention, openness and community. She discusses how aesthetic commitments — from punk music and Taylor Swift to knitting and film — help shape our identities over time, and why education and curiosity are essential to recognizing beauty in unexpected places. This conversation offers a thoughtful reminder that beauty is not only something we admire but something we learn to see together. | 39m 55s | ||||||
| 9/9/25 | ![]() The Serendipity of Learning: Openness, Opportunity, and the Liberal Arts with Provost Lena Hill | In this episode, we sit down with Provost Lena Hill, whose vision and leadership maintain the best of the liberal arts education at Washington and Lee. For Hill, education is not only about mastery of a discipline but also about discovery, openness, and the courage to embrace the unexpected. She reflects on her own journey, from studying Renaissance art in Florence to becoming an internationally recognized scholar of Ralph Ellison, and how those formative experiences shape the way she thinks about curriculum, faculty, and students today. From the evolving role of general education to the transformative impact of study abroad, research, and mentoring, Hill shares how W&L empowers students to unlock their potential and pursue lives of meaning. Whether you’re an alum curious about the university’s future, a student navigating your own path, or a lifelong learner seeking inspiration, this conversation offers a thoughtful reminder that education is both an opportunity and a gift. | 30m 56s | ||||||
| 8/12/25 | ![]() Cultivating a Life of Beauty: Fulfilling W&L’s Mission of Lifelong Learning with James Lambert | In this episode, we sit down with James Lambert, whose career and curiosity embody Washington and Lee’s mission of lifelong learning. For Lambert, the pursuit of knowledge is inseparable from the pursuit of beauty, a source of joy, wisdom, and renewal that transcends the daily grind. He reflects on how learning opens us to wonder, sustains our sense of purpose, and helps us see the extraordinary in the ordinary. From moments of quiet discovery to the transformative power of art, ideas, and conversation, Lambert shares how cultivating beauty has shaped his life and work. Whether you’re navigating a busy career, searching for inspiration, or simply curious about how to live more fully, this conversation offers a reminder that learning is not just a skill, it’s a lifelong art. | 35m 35s | ||||||
| 7/9/25 | ![]() A Life Under Construction: Rethinking Identity, Technology, and Personal Evoluation with Stu Gray | In this episode, we talk with Stu Gray, associate professor of politics at Washington and Lee University, whose winding journey from West Point to political theory is a story of risk, reflection and relentless curiosity. Gray shares how his fascination with both Western and Eastern traditions reshaped his understanding of identity, meaning and what it truly means to live a good life. We explore the philosophy behind his popular courses, including one inspired by “Black Mirror,” and how he invites students to unplug, look inward and critically examine the role technology plays in shaping modern identity. From the allure of “becoming” over “being” to the quiet power of awe, this conversation delves into questions that linger long after the classroom. Whether you're interested in politics, philosophy or simply navigating a digital world more mindfully, this episode will leave you thinking deeply and seeing differently. | 38m 18s | ||||||
| 6/10/25 | ![]() Cultivating an Interesting Mind for a Lifetime: A Conversation with President Will Dudley | In this episode, Will Dudley, Washington and Lee University president and philosophy professor, shares how a lifelong love of asking questions shaped his path from an aspiring mathematician to a college president. As an educator at heart, President Dudley elects to teach one philosophy course a year, which explores the university’s mission statement. He talks of how remaining in the classroom grounds him and positively influences his role as president as he invites discussions on honor, integrity and civil discourse. From the value of freedom of expression to the joy of fly-fishing with students, our conversation invites you to reflect on the enduring impact of a liberal arts education and how to keep your mind an interesting place to live. | 26m 02s | ||||||
| 5/15/25 | ![]() The Risk is Worth it: Unlearning, Uncertainty, and the Real Lessons of Entrepreneurship with Jay Margalus | In this episode, we talk with Jay Margalus, Johnson Professor of Entrepreneurship and Leadership and Director of the Connolly Center for Entrepreneurship at W&L. Margalus shares his unconventional path from law to software to academia, and why he believes embracing risk is essential, not just for entrepreneurs, but for anyone seeking a meaningful life. We explore how he's helping students unlearn rigid, test-driven thinking and rediscover creativity through play, uncertainty, and real-world experimentation. From the philosophy behind W&L’s entrepreneurship programs to the hands-on work happening at the Connolly Center, this episode is packed with insight into what it means to take smart risks, build boldly, and avoid the quiet danger of regret. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, educator, or just rethinking your next move, this conversation will inspire you to take the leap. | 45m 20s | ||||||
| 4/7/25 | ![]() Inviting the Imagination: Writing, Editing and the Shenandoah Magazine with Beth Staples | In this episode, we talk with Beth Staples, editor of Shenandoah Literary magazine and assistant professor of English. Staples discusses storytelling, the legacy of Shenandoah, the exciting changes she's bringing to the magazine and what it means for W&L students. We dive into the magazine's history, its editorial process and how Staples is shaping the future with programs including the innovative Fellowship Program and the for-credit internship experience. Whether you're a Shenandoah fan or new to literary magazines, this episode is packed with insight into the art of storytelling and the future of publishing. | 36m 19s | ||||||
| 2/11/25 | ![]() Learning What You Love: Mentoring Students through the Fellowship Application Process with Matthew Loar | In this episode, Matthew Loar, Director of Fellowships and Student Research at Washington and Lee University, shares his path from studying abroad in Rome to shaping the futures of current W&L students. He talks about how fellowships are transforming undergraduate experiences and why he is so passionate about the application process itself. We discuss Matthew’s work with programs such as Summer Research Scholars and Science, Society, and the Arts, and discuss how we at Lifelong Learning plan to introduce elements of these initiatives to our Lifelong Learning audience. | 36m 51s | ||||||
| 1/13/25 | ![]() Weathering the Storm of a Changing World: The Lasting Value of the Humanities and Shakespeare with Holly Pickett | In this episode, Holly Pickett, professor of English at Washington and Lee University, shares her experience with Shakespeare, from an unconvinced high school student to an early modern drama scholar, and discusses the transformative power of teaching on the playwright. She encourages her students to not just read the text, but to experience it – and talks of ways to bring Shakespeare “to its feet.” With her own research extending beyond the English department and into subjects of history and modern TV, she delves into the enduring value of humanities in an ever-changing world and reflects on how studying Shakespeare can offer insights into the core questions of what makes all of us human. | 26m 13s | ||||||
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| 11/11/24 | ![]() Kindling Moments of Pure Joy: Gene McCabe’s Philosophy to Coaching and Mentoring Student Athletes in a Changing World | In this episode, Gene McCabe, head men’s lacrosse coach and assistant director of athletics for compliance, details how sports and childhood mentors launched his trajectory as an educator in athletics. He played both lacrosse and football at Bates College before a neck injury sidelined his football career but ultimately gave him his first taste to coaching at the collegiate level. As he heads into his 19th season as head coach, McCabe reflects on his most treasured memories with the lacrosse program, the challenges he witnesses student-athletes facing, the overall changing landscape of collegiate sports and the culture and values he works to cultivate on Wilson Field. We also discuss his efforts to marry sustainability with the athletic department, the pride he feels as a W&L alumna parent and the importance of holding onto those passions that feed the soul. | 35m 52s | ||||||
| 10/8/24 | ![]() Shaking Up The Consciousness: The Ethics of Cultural Heritage and How We Live and Die with Melissa Kerin | In this episode, Melissa Kerin, Professor of Art History at Washington and Lee University and Director of the Roger Mudd Center for Ethics, discusses this year’s theme for the Mudd Center: “How We Live and Die.” As a Buddhist art historian, she presents a unique perspective on the meaning of life and death and the moral questions that shape the human condition. We discuss the history of the Mudd Center, the importance of storytelling for all of us as we process the reality of death and the way in which Buddhism addresses finality, particularly through its sacred artistic tradition. We also talk about Professor Kerin’s own journey from appreciating the social power of the arts through theater to beholding the shrines that influence the cultural world of small villages in the Himalayas. | 40m 58s | ||||||
| 8/8/24 | ![]() Lessons in Chemistry: Shaping Minds, Shaping Futures with Lisa Alty | In this episode of W&L After Class, we sit down with Lisa Alty, the John T. Herwick, M.D. Professor of Chemistry at Washington and Lee. With a career spanning over three decades, Professor Alty shares her inspiring journey from a poor high school experience to becoming a dedicated educator and mentor. She reflects on the significant changes she's witnessed at W&L, particularly the introduction of coeducation, and how these experiences have shaped her approach to teaching and guiding students towards careers in health sciences. From her passion for incorporating medical ethics into the pre-health curriculum to her work with Remote Area Medical, Professor Alty offers valuable insights and advice for young women in male-dominated fields, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the world of chemistry education and beyond. | 39m 14s | ||||||
| 7/9/24 | ![]() Leaps and bounds: The Sky is the Limit with W&L Dance and Jenefer Davies | Jenefer Davies, Professor of Dance and Chair of the Department of Theater, Dance, and Film Studies at Washington and Lee University shares her early beginnings at age three to her current role shaping W&L's dance program. We explore Jenefer's innovative approach to dance education in a liberal arts setting, including her groundbreaking work in aerial dance. Our conversation covers diverse dance genres and techniques, as well as the unexpected benefits students gain from dance classes. Jenefer shares insights on how dance challenges and empowers W&L students, pushing them out of their academic comfort zones and fostering personal growth. We'll also discuss the exciting annual tradition of the alumni and student dance performance in New York City, which has become a cherished part of the W&L dance community. | 34m 51s | ||||||
| 5/31/24 | ![]() Facing The Gray: Mass Genocide, Child Soldiering and the Flicker of Goodness Through the Lens of Law with Mark Drumbl | Through a serendipitous happenstance, Mark Drumbl, Class of 1975 Alumni Professor of Law and director of the Transnational Law Institute, has dedicated his career to practicing, teaching and questioning international law. In this episode, we examine the function — and limitations — of law as Drumbl details his experiences as a defender for those accused of mass atrocities in Rwanda, his study into the marginalization of people and collective violence and his beliefs on how we need to reconceptualize evil. | 54m 33s | ||||||
| 5/14/24 | ![]() W&L Through and Through: Paul Youngman: From W&L Undergrad to Professor and Department Chair to Associate Provost and W&L Parent | Paul Youngman, W&L class of 1987, associate provost and the the Harry E. and Mary Jayne W. Redenbaugh Professor of German, details his very full days as a W&L undergrad, his return to his alma mater as a German professor, his journey as W&L’s Associate Provost, and also what it feels like to walk in the shoes as a W&L parent. He also shares his time in the military when he was stationed in the US, Europe and the Middle East. | 37m 31s | ||||||
| 3/12/24 | ![]() Mindful Technology: Unraveling the Impact of Modern Technologies on Our Well-Being with Wythe Whiting | Wythe Whiting, professor of cognitive and behavioral science, helps us explore the complex connections between mental health, sleep, physical activity and cognitive functioning. In this episode, we’ll discuss how modern technologies impact our ability to focus during daily tasks and potential harmful effects. And we’ll also navigate the vast social media landscape, examining its powerful influence on mental health, and shed light on the hidden dynamics that shape our online experiences. | 40m 21s | ||||||
| 2/13/24 | ![]() The Williams School: Not Just a Business School with Rob Straughan | Rob Straughan, the Crawford family dean of the Williams school and Professor of Business Administration brings a wealth of knowledge and insights about the unique interdisciplinary approach of the Williams School. In this episode, we'll delve into Rob's journey at W&L, the evolution of the William schools' distinctive approach within a liberal arts curriculum, and the exciting initiatives on the horizon, including the plans for the new Williams school building. | 42m 51s | ||||||
| 10/11/23 | ![]() Real World Solutions: Connecting conversations in the classroom to real-world issues in human rights and corporate accountability with Kish Parella | In this episode, we chat with Kish Parella, Class of 1960 Professor of Ethics and Law, about her academic research in business and human rights, how her students influence her scholarship, and why working outside the classroom strengthens her role as a professor. We also explore the importance of corporate accountability and consumer education, including how contract clauses can have a major impact on an individual’s day-to-day life. | 33m 10s | ||||||
| 8/8/23 | ![]() Into the Vault: Exploring Washington and Lee’s Special Collections and Archives with Tom Camden | Tom Camden, Washington and Lee’s outgoing head of Special Collections and Archives, tells us how W&L ignited his career as a historian, then takes us on a tour of what has come to be known as “the vault” to showcase some of the university’s extensive collection. | 50m 38s | ||||||
| 6/30/23 | ![]() A Good Education is a Habit of Mind: W&L’s Dedication to Lifelong Learning with Rob Fure | In this episode, we have a conversation with Rob Fure on his last day in the office as director of W&L’s Office of Lifelong Learning. We learn how Rob came to W&L in 1977 as an English professor and created programs that evolved into what is now the Office of Lifelong Learning. We’ll also hear from Rob about the experiences that have meant the most to him and what the one area of the world he recommends everyone visit. | 40m 27s | ||||||
| 5/9/23 | ![]() The AI Revolution: Understanding the Past, Present, and Future of Artificial Intelligence with Jeff Schatten | Jeff Schatten, associate professor of business administration, helps us to better understand the ever-changing world of artificial intelligence (AI). In our conversation, we discuss the challenges and benefits of using AI in the classroom, and how we can implement it to help students think critically, freely, and humanely. | 48m 08s | ||||||
| 4/11/23 | ![]() Paying It Forward: Exploring Black Identity, Family, and Southern-ness in the 21st Century with Michael Hill | In this episode, we’ll talk with Michael Hill, professor and chair of Washington and Lee’s Africana Studies program and also the inaugural director of W&L’s new DeLaney Center. We’ll explore how Michael’s background, family, and formative experiences not only shaped his path as a scholar, but how many of his experiences have prepared him for his work with the DeLaney Center. | 1h 08m 18s | ||||||
| 2/14/23 | ![]() The Case for Getting Outside A Holistic W&L Experience Extends Beyond the Walls of a Classroom with James Dick | In this episode, we spend time with James Dick, W&L’s director of outdoor education and recreation. We learn how James found his way to W&L and why he loves his job, the ways in which recreation intersects with W&L students’ experiences in the classroom and life, and how the outdoors can be a lifelong classroom. | 54m 35s | ||||||
| 12/13/22 | ![]() Making the Strange Familiar and the Familiar Strange: Examining Life through an Ethnographic Lens with Sascha Goluboff | “Sascha Goluboff, Washington and Lee’s director of community-based learning and professor of cultural anthropology, recounts her experiences of stepping into the unknown through ethnography research, working in local prisons and even improv.” | 43m 15s | ||||||
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