Conversations at The Salt Line: Recent Episodes
Vassar College
Welcome to the Conversations @ The Salt Line, a Vassar College podcast.
Hosted by Wesley Dixon, this podcast will explore subjects that stimulate, reflect on the world’s grand challenges, and find common ground while embracing diverging perspectives because we understand that pursuing honest dialogue and debate nurtures an intellectual curiosity that leads to understanding and connection.
Recent Vassar graduate Cole Smith '26 is quietly building one of the most unique corners of Instagram and TikTok, and he's got a plan for what comes next. In this episode of Conversations @ The Salt Line, Cole, a Film major, English minor, and social media comedian, chats with host Wesley Dixon about how he crafts his skits and sketches, what the Vassar experience actually looks like for a creator, and where his filmmaking ambitions are taking him after graduation. Whether you're into comedy, film, or just figuring out your own creative path, this one's worth a watch (or listen)!
In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon talks to Shirley Ecker Boskey, Professor of History at Vassar, Robert "Bob" Brigham. Dixon and Brigham discuss Brigham's new book, This Is A True War Story, which details Brigham's complicated personal and professional relationship to the Vietnam War. Dixon and Brigham explore the intersection of feelings of belonging and "completeness," especially among adopted children.
In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon sits down with three guests: actress and comedian Lisa Kudrow '85, actor Dan Bucatinsky '87, and writer and director Michael Patrick King, who all served as Executive Producers on the HBO Series The Comeback. During the conversation, Wesley asks these close friends and long-time collaborators to reflect on the nature of their friendship and creative collaborations in a way that sheds light on how Hollywood productions really emerge and evolve.
In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon talks to writer and novelist Mike Gillis, one of the head writers for satirical newspaper The Onion. Gillis and Dixon discuss the role of satire and comedy in modern-day American society, and explore the far-reaching influence the newspaper has on pop culture and the law, including how The Onion encourages readers to engage in more honest conversations about the world around them.
In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon sits down with Ethan Slater '14, the Tony-nominated star of Spongebob Squarepants: The Broadway Musical. In this conversation, Slater reminisces on his experience as a Vassar student and his path to Broadway, and more recently, starring as Boq Woodsman in Wicked and Wicked: For Good. Slater and Dixon also reflect on the intersection of personal identity and performance in the current media and entertainment ecosystem.
In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon talks to Dr. Mildred Johnson '03. Dr. Johnson discusses her fascinating educational journey from seeking a nursing degree at community college to joining to participating in Vassar's Exploring Transfer Program, and ultimately enrolling at Vassar as a full-time student. Dr. Johnson reflects on her dynamic educational and interpersonal experience at Vassar and emphasizes the importance of a liberal arts education in her life.
In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with Eddie Gamarra '94 and Damon Ross '94, who were the keynote speakers for the 2026 Sophomore Career Connections. Dixon engages Gamarra and Ross in a conversation about their careers as entertainment executives and producers of animated films, specifically highlighting projects such as The Bad Guys and Stargirl. Dixon also delves into a conversation about friendship as creative technology, exploring how Gamarra and Ross's deep personal friendship animated their creative pursuits.
In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon sits down with Vassar alum Jonathan Karl '90, chief Washington correspondent for ABC News, co-anchor of This Week with George Stephanopoulos, and author. Dixon and Karl discuss "Retribution," Karl's latest book chronicling the 2024 Presidential campaign, which he calls the most consequential election of his lifetime, and the access he gained to an extraordinary cast of current political figures while reporting on a moment that could reshape American democracy. Karl also reflects on his time at Vassar and the values that shaped his career in political journalism, before diving into the challenges of covering politics in an era defined by polarization, misinformation, and mounting pressure on the press.
In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with Elisa Strauss '98, founder, CEO, and owner of Confetti Cakes. Wes and Elisa delve into her unconventional career path, tracing her journey from a liberal arts education in art history and studio art at Vassar to gaining professional experience in fashion at Ralph Lauren. Their conversation explores the complex relationship between artistic passion and the practical realities of running a business, examining how she defined her work as "practical art." Elisa also shares her five crucial lessons for entrepreneurs, emphasizing themes like finding a mentor, lowering overhead costs, and harnessing adaptability.
Recorded on May 8, 2025
In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with Vassar alum, author and nonprofit consultant Tom Pyun '99. Wes and Tom dive into his debut novel, "Something Close to Nothing," exploring the conflicts faced by two gay men of color navigating parenthood via surrogacy, career ambition, and American individualism. Their conversation touches on Tom's journey through professional burnout, the healing power of creativity, and the deep influence of his Vassar liberal arts education on the book's nuanced themes of race, class, and gender.
In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with Leslie Jackson Chihuly '83—arts leader, philanthropist, and CEO of Chihuly Studios. Wes and Leslie explore how art can serve as both expression and healing, reflecting on the ways creativity, structure, and care sustain her work and life. Their conversation touches on the power of vulnerability, the importance of mental health advocacy, and the enduring relationship between art, leadership, and personal transformation.
In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with journalist and creator of the Serial podcast, Sarah Koenig. Wes and Sarah reflect on the impact of Serial on the media landscape, the responsibilities of storytelling, and how transparency and trust shape the relationship between journalists and their audiences.
In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with former BBC journalist Laura Trevelyan, who recently learned that her ancestors were absentee slave owners in Grenada. Wes and Laura engage in a conversation about her family's complicated history and what reparatory justice might look like in Grenada or other places with a history of enslavement.
Recorded on 2/20/25
In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with Vassar alum Kleaver Cruz '11 about their book, "The Black Joy Project." Wes and Kleaver engage in a dynamic conversation about the concept of joy and other emotions (or states of being) that paradoxically exist alongside joy.
In this episode of Conversations @ The Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with Torrey Maldonado '96, an educator and author who served as Vassar's 2025 Commencement speaker. Dixon and Maldonado talked about his most recent novel "Hands" and how the themes of the novel are applicable to teenagers, college graduates, and older adults.
In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line host Wesley Dixon chats with Naomi Seligman '55, Oracle board member and senior partner at Ostriker von Simson. Wes and Naomi talk about her time at Vassar, the legacy of her mentor, Vassar alum and professor, Grace Hopper '28, and Seligman's own career and experience as a successful entrepreneur in the technology sector.
In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line host Wesley Dixon chats with Lloyd Braun '80 who served as Chairman of ABC Entertainment Group among other roles. Wes and Lloyd talk about the evolution of the entertainment industry and the role of the internet in shaping the media landscape.
In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line host Wesley Dixon chats with Dr. Michelle Monje '98 who is a 2021 recipient of the MacArthur “Genius” award and the Milan Gambhir Professor of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at Stanford University School of Medicine. Wesley and Dr. Monje discuss the intersections of clinical care and research as it relates to pediatric oncology and explore the complex ethical questions associated with Dr. Monje's groundbreaking research.
In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line host Wesley Dixon chats with author Robert Jones Jr. about his debut novel "The Prophets," which served as the first-year common reading for the students in the Vassar Class of 2028. With "The Prophets" as the backdrop, Wesley and Robert discussed themes of humanizing complex individuals, navigating marginalized identities, and experiencing deep love. Tune in for a dynamic conversation about an award-winning novel.
In this episode of Conversations @ The Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with Minerva Tantoco ’86, who was the keynote speaker at Vassar’s 2025 Sophomore Career Connections program. Minerva has served as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for several finance and technology companies and also served as the first CTO for the City of New York. Wes and Minerva explored the intersections between technology, innovation, and equity, and discussed the role of a liberal arts education in an increasingly AI-oriented world.
In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon talks to independent television producer Jonathan Littman '85, about his extensive career in television; overseeing hit programs including The X-Files, CSI and The Amazing Race; the richness of television as a medium; and more.
On this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, Wesley Dixon chats with Rhiana Gunn-Wright, a Senior Fellow at the Roosevelt Institute and the policy architect of the Green New Deal. In this conversation, Wes and Rhiana explore the intersections of climate change, sustainability, and capitalism.
In this special episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, which was recorded live at the launch of the Vassar Institute for the Liberal Arts on Friday, October 25, 2024, host Wesley Dixon talks to Dr. Jim Kim, Chancellor of the University of Global Health Equity, and the former President of Dartmouth College and the World Bank. Dr. Kim and Wes explore the intersections of Dr. Kim's life in the liberal arts.
In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon talks to Marie Solis '15, a Style Editor at New York Times. Marie and Wes explore the intersections of responsible journalism, culture, and style.
In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon chats with Vassar alum Leah Goodridge '04, a Commissioner on the New York City Planning Commission. Wes and Leah explore the nuances of housing policy in New York City and New York State and talk about the competing forces that shape the housing landscape.
In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon recaps and reviews the episodes from last year and gives some quick reflections and behind the scenes insights from each conversation.
In this episode of "Conversations at the Salt Line," Wesley chats with Yale University Professor of History Beverly Gage about her Pulitzer Prize winning biography "G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century." Wes and Professor Gage engaged in an exciting conversation about the history of political movements and the complexities of one of America's most well-known government officials.
In this episode of "Conversations at the Salt Line," host Wesley Dixon speaks with Allison Abner '87 about her career as an author and television writer on shows such as "The West Wing." During their conversation, Wes and Allison explored the intersections of entertainment and politics, and Allison reflected on her experience as an "outsider" in Washington. Listen in for some interesting insider stories from Hollywood and Washington DC.
In this episode of "Conversations at the Salt Line," host Wesley Dixon chats with John Wordock '91 who serves as Executive Editor at Cumulus Media and Westwood One. During their conversation Wes and John chat about the history of podcasts and explore the intersections of media, storytelling, and cultural and political pluralism. As a guest speaker for Vassar's Sophomore Career Connections program, John also reflected on how his experiences as a student at Vassar prepared him for a trailblazing career in journalism.
In this episode of "Conversations at the Salt Line," host Wesley Dixon chats with Ilyse Hogue '91, former president of NARAL Pro-Choice America and author of "The Lie that Binds." Wes and Ilyse discuss the history of the campaign against women's reproductive rights and explore the lessons that history provides as we seek to understand the current political environment in the United States.
In this episode of Conversations @ the Salt Line, Wesley Dixon talks with Dr. Michael Gomez (Silver Professor of History and Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at NYU) about two of his works: "Reversing Sail: A History of the African Diaspora" and "African Dominion: A New History of Empire in Early and Medieval West Africa." Dr. Gomez and Wesley chat about the role of history in a pluralistic society and reflect on how we may rethink the histories of people in the African diaspora.
In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, Wesley Dixon chats with New Yorker cartoonist Liza Donnelly about her career as a cartoonist and the history of women cartoonists at the New Yorker. Wesley and Liza explore the intersections of art and politics, and chat about the importance of observation.
In this episode of "Conversations at the Salt Line," Wes speaks to Dr. Liz Andrews who serves as the Executive Director of the Spelman College Museum of Fine Art. Dr. Andrews and Wes discuss the Silver Linings: Celebrating the Spelman Art Collection exhibition at the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar. As Dr. Andrews and Wes discuss this historic collaboration, they explore some fundamental themes of the exhibition (like collage and storytelling) and their broader social implications.
In this episode of "Conversations at the Salt Line," Wesley Dixon chats with Vassar alum Chip Reid '77 about his time as a White House Correspondent and his new book "Battle Scars," which details his time embedded with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines in Iraq.
In this episode, host Wesley Dixon recaps the episodes that aired during the 2022-2023 Academic Year and reflects on some of the highlights of the conversations with the guests. Dixon also reveals some funny (or chaotic) behind-the-scenes moments and previews the upcoming "season" of the podcast.
On this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, host Wesley Dixon sits down with former Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Margaret "Peggy" Hamburg and discusses the intersections of public health and public safety, leadership during moments of crisis, and reconciling with uncomfortable histories.
In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, Wesley Dixon talks to Vassar alum Sasha Velour, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Season 9, about her new memoir, The Big Reveal: An Illustrated Manifesto of Drag. Wesley and Sasha delve into themes of history and healing as they relate to drag as an art form. They also explore how drag artists and supporters can embrace the art form as a tool for advocacy during politically divisive moments in history—past, present, and future.
In this episode of Conversations at the Salt Line, Wesley Dixon of Vassar College interviews the former chair of the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC)-- Susanne Lyons. Today, they discuss the historic role of the Olympics as an internationally neutral and “non-political” environment, the current rhetoric and debates about inclusion of trans athletes in the games, as well as the advantages and disadvantages which accompany hosting the Olympics.
In this episode of "Conversations at the Salt Line," Wesley Dixon talks to Vassar alumna, Stacy London '91, former Co-Host of "What Not to Wear" and former CEO of State of Menopause about the fashion industry, how social media has democratized style, and the beauty of aging.
In this newest podcast episode Wesley Dixon of Vassar College talks with David Ambroz, an alumnus of Vassar and a best-selling author. In this episode, they discuss Mr. Ambroz’s new memoir A Place Called Home. Additionally, they explore topics such as poverty and issues within foster care in the US as well as the importance of individual responsibility of citizens to combat these issues.
In this newest podcast episode Wesley Dixon of Vassar College talks with Jeh Johnson, the former Secretary of Homeland Security. In this discussion, the two dive into issues of racism, restorative justice, and immigration. Former Secretary Johnson also allows us a peak behind the curtain of US policy decisions as he recounts several notable experiences in his role with the Department of Homeland Security.
In this episode of "Conversations @ the Salt Line," Wesley has a discussion with CEO and Founder of Blumhouse Productions, and Vassar Alumnus, Jason Blum '91. They discuss the future of the movie and television industries and how the rise of streaming services has disrupted the traditional business model.
In this episode, Wesley Dixon of Vassar College has a discussion with Chef Judy Joo about her experience with fusing American and Korean meals to create a collection of intercultural recipes. Together, they explore the intersections of fusing food with merging cultures, and they discuss the roots of colonialism inherent in this innovative practice.
In this new episode of Vassar’s Conversations at the Salt Line, Wesley Dixon has a conversation with Chef Judy Joo about her experience creating fusion food as well as the cultural trend it has become. Judy is a renowned chef who has explored ways in which to intersect Korean and American food in order to create new, innovative recipes. She has even appeared on Iron Chef as a judge and relates some of her most memorable dishes from the show.
In addition to sharing their passion for fusion food, Wesley and Judy also discuss the colonialist roots and potential implications of cultural erasure which accompany the movement (17:20). Joo contemplates this concern but expresses her view that food is representative of both culture and history, and it is meant to be altered and enhanced in order to make a dish more “signaturely ours.” Chef Joo goes on to explain the deep emotion which meals can carry by referencing the Disney film Ratatouille (44:50). Throughout this conversation, Judy makes clear her passion for incorporating her two cultures–American and Korean–into a collection of thought-provoking and emotionally evocative recipes.
In this episode, Wesley Dixon of Vassar College speaks to Dr. Eddie Glaude Jr. about his book 'Begin Again' which draws lessons from writer James Baldwin about how to understand and transcend moments of stark political divisiveness. Throughout their conversation Dixon and Glaude discuss themes of race, democracy, and hope.