Learning Vibes: Recent Episodes
Learning Vibes Podcast
Learning Vibes explores learning as a driver of human life, ambition, and leisure. The podcast tells the stories of those who see learning as a form of artistic expression and a medium for personal growth. Each episode will stretch the listener’s perspective on the importance of learning intellectually, emotionally, and aesthetically.
In this episode of The Learning Vibes Podcast, guest-host, Kimberly Douglas, and guest-editor, Brandy Englert, share some thoughts about questioning in the classroom and in lifelong learning efforts. Then, Kimberly talks with Sarah Westbrook from the Right Question Institute (rightquestion.org). Hear about the power of asking questions, cultural norms surrounding the value of questions, and the benefit of questions.
You met Michael Krueger in the August episode of The Learning Vibes Podcast. In both August and September, we heard about his composing process, and we listened to one of his compositions as he talked us through it. Professor Krueger, though, has a lot of lessons to offer us about leadership and promoting strong organizations. In this episode, he shares strategies and skills needed by all leaders. Whether you are an arts educator, leader of a non-profit, small business owner, or CEO, the lessons from Professor Krueger in this episode can help you be both more effective and efficient.
In this episode of The Learning Vibes Podcast, we continue our conversation with music composer, Michael Krueger. Hear how he got started as a composer at an early age. Hear, too, about some influences on his composing. In this episode, Michael also talks about his compositional process from idea generation through finished manuscript. The episode closes with thoughts on fulfillment and happiness in the life of an artist. Find Michael Krueger at michaelkruegermusik.com
Michael Krueger is “just a dude from Missouri who does music.” Professor Krueger is a fantastic and prolific music composer. In this episode of The Learning Vibes Podcast, Michael talks us through one of his most important compositions, For Patrick. Both the music itself and the motivation that inspired the piece provide beautiful insights into the work of artist composition. You will hear the piece as Michael discusses it. Learn about some of the compositional considerations in the piece and consider why the piece is composed the way that it is. Instinct, passion, and love for a friend drive the music.
Hear from author, actress, screenplay writer, and producer, Lindy Hudis. In this episode, Lindy and Da discuss the writing process, and Lindy shares a little bit about her background. Lindy also shares the process of bringing to life her film, The Lesson.
In this episode of The Learning Vibes Podcast, we continue our conversation with Dr. Candace Hall, a creative academic and filmmaker. Hear about Dr. Hall’s creative process in bringing her documentary—Clusterluck—to fruition. This episode can give you insights into the creative process, and those insights can help you in all of your artistic and lifelong-learning endeavors. Hear lessons of perseverance, collaboration, creative decision making, and seemingly unending revisions that accompany meaningful design and production processes.
As we start the sixth year of production of The Learning Vibes Podcast, Da revisits the podcast mission, and you get a listen to the introduction to episode #1 from August of 2019. The introduction includes an appearance by Dr. Anni Reinking.
In most of the episode, you will hear from three film makers. Dr. Todd Long is producer and director of Trusting Chloe, which can be found on Vimeo (https://vimeo.com/ondemand/trustingchloe). Lindy Hudis is writer and producer of The Lesson, which can be found on YouTube (https://youtu.be/-ftEZv3kOMU?si=2hqS9GjUoz1FBWFm). Dr. Candace Hall is producer of the documentary, Clusterluck, which has been screened nationally.
All three of these film makers discuss the early inklings as their film came into being. Hear about the impetus and inklings for creative ideas and their manifestation in movies.
In this episode of The Learning Vibes Podcast, Da continues his conversation with Dr. Jennifer Logue. Dr. Logue introduces us to Lacanian Analysis. Then, Dr. Logue shares insights into her development as a lifelong learner by discussing her family of origin and her reasons for continuing study at the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute. Among other great points, the discussion considers similarities between teaching and psychanalysis and distinctions between being a good student and a good learner. This episode can help you consider yourself more carefully as a lifelong learner.
Dr. Jennifer Logue is an interdisciplinary scholar. She is working on a book about ignorance and teaching about ignorance. In this episode of The Learning Vibes Podcast, Dr. Logue talks about knowledge and the cultural and political production of ignorance. Hear the story of the peacock flower. Consider nail biting. Think about introversion and extroversion, too. This episode will bring you into considerations of your own decision making and lifelong learning efforts.
In this episode of The Learning Vibes Podcast, we continue the discussion about friendship with Dr. Maggie Polk. You also will hear Da’s conversation about friendship with his close friend, Debbie Christian. In the second half of the episode, Da and Dr. David Sharp talk about their thirty-five year friendship—complete with a shoutout to The Belmont Grill in Memphis. The awkwardness, goofiness, laughter, and maladjustments of friendship are all considered. This episode will get you thinking more deeply about the substance of your own friendships and how they contribute to lifelong learning and to your artistry.
In this episode of The Learning Vibes Podcast, Dr. Maggie Polk talks about social media, a sense of belonging, and friendship. The discussion includes generational differences in experiencing social media friendships, the value of mutual best friends to ward of depression, and quality of friendships among peers. Get thinking about your “Ride or Die” friends through this episode. This episode also includes a brief cameo from two of Da’s closest friends, Debbie Christian and Dr. David Sharp.
In this episode, podcast host, Dr. Da Knowlton and his guest, Dr. David Sharp, talk more about the challenges of grading in a higher education setting. Among other anecdotes, Da shares how he has completely cast grades into irrelevance in his courses. David discusses his approach to accounting for unclear test questions. In the latter part of this episode, both Da and David share their approach to discussing grades with their children.
In this episode of The Learning Vibes Podcast, you’ll hear about the myth of learning styles from Dr. Stephen Hupp. You also will hear a conversation about teaching and grading with Professor Christina Chapman and Dr. David Sharp. This episode also includes some throw-back content, as you’ll hear Dr. Mary White, Dr. Kevin Hagopian, and Dr. Anni Reinking talk about grading and learning. We hope this episode gets you thinking more carefully about your own formal learning pursuits, as well as your efforts as a lifelong learner and artisan of learning.
In this episode of The Learning Vibes Podcast, hear more from Professor Christina Chapman on happiness. Discussion includes flow and happiness and the definition of happiness. Also in this episode—Dr. David Sharp. David and Da—best friends and fellow curmudgeons--discuss the societal pressure to find happiness, the difficulty of allowing happiness to ensue, and a rewriting of “the pursuit clause” in the American Constitution. Hear references to the framers of the Constitution, Viktor Frankl, and (most importantly) Chris Rock.
In this episode of the podcast learn about a community college course on “The Science of Happiness.” Professor Christina Chapman teaches at Lewis and Clark Community College in Alton, Illinois. She designed the course and teaches it regularly. She shares with us the content of the course and discusses some student projects. You’ll hear about gratitude, the genetics of happiness, loneliness, creativity, and other topics. The episode concludes with some advice from Professor Chapman on how we all can be happier.
Here are a few links to projects that Professor Chapman’s students have completed:
- Spoken Word Poetry and Sharing Kindness: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1120523831784857
- Sharing Happiness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUAgO0qdZWU
- Words Hurt: https://youtu.be/j5UFCAB4M_0
- Self Compassion: https://youtu.be/LI_iwltSez4
In this episode of The Learning Vibes Podcast, Da Knowlton talks with Dr. Stephen Hupp, co-Editor of Investigating Pop Psychology. Hear Dr. Hupp discuss a wide variety of topics that fall into the categories of pseudoscience and fringe science. Hear, too, Dr. Hupp's advice for considering truth as found in scientific lore and literature.
In this episode of The Learning Vibes Podcast, Dr. Todd Long discusses philosophy, faith, and learning. Join Da Knowlton and Dr. Long for a conversation that explores a consideration of faith within epistemology and practical day-to-day life.
For many, faith drives leisure, life-long learning, and artistic expression. In this episode of The Learning Vibes Podcast, hear from Keith Baker, John Hodges, and Dr. Jeremy Snipes on the integration of faith with learning.
In this episode of The Learning Vibes Podcast, Dr. Kevin Hagopian discusses one of the most famous scenes in cinematic history. Join Dr. Hagopian and Da for a consideration of the "family-heads meeting scene" from The Godfather.
We encourage you to watch the entire film; and, before you listen to this episode of the podcast, we ask you to watch on YouTube the scene that we discuss. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D_zITtVJGA&t=57s
In this episode, film studies professor, Kevin Hagopian provides you with thoughtful insights on considering the movies that you watch. Join him for a fun conversation about the serious matter of film studies.
In this episode of The Learning Vibes Podcast, you will hear Sarah Knowlton discuss the four parenting styles that have been well documented in research. You also will hear thoughts on parenting from our past guests, including Amy Camie, Martha Kelly, Rachel Lappin, Dr. Erika Michalski. (This episode is co-produced by Emma Knowlton)
Revisit a wonderful discussion with Dr. Jeremy Jewell and Dr. Stephen Hupp. This episode discusses myths of adolescence and childhood.
In this episode, David Knowlton and Lauren Warnecke continue their conversation about art, entertainment, and substance. Much of the conversation focuses on the artist and audience relationship.
Hear a great discussion between Dave and his guest, Lauren Warnecke, about the intersections and disconnects among entertainment, art, and substance.
Hear more from Dr. Ahriana Platten as she shares ideas on writing as a spiritual practice. Hear, too, from both David Knowlton and Heather Knowlton as they discuss writing as a way of discovering ideas.
Dr. Ahriana Platten is a Priestess, Pastor, and Peacemaker. In this episode, she talks about contemplative writing as a spiritual practice. You can find out more about Dr. Platten and her work at www.asoulfullworld.com.
In this episode, hear more from Dr. Erika Michalski about contemplative leadership. You also will hear from Rachel Lappin, Executive Director of The Jacoby Arts Center (Alton, Illinois). Learn how to be more reflective and self-aware as a leader.
More with Martha Kelly in this episode. Hear about her early realization that she should become a professional artist. In this episode, Martha urges us all to pick up our pens and contemplate while drawing and sketching. Also in this episode, Dave shares some thought on the nature and value of contemplative seeing.
In this episode, you'll hear from Christine Ilewski, founder of Faces Not Forgotten. You also will hear from Memphis artist, Martha Kelly. Martha discusses sketching, painting, and printmaking as contemplative practices.
What does it mean to contemplatively listen? Why should you do so? How can you do so? Join Dave and his guests, Donnie Christian and Peter Hussey, as they discuss contemplative listening.
(2022, February 1). Music as a Tool for Healing and Conscious Self-Care. (Episode 30; Track #40). Guest: Amy Camie
Join co-hosts, Anni (@AKReinking) and Dave (@KnowltonDS) in the first episode of 2022.
Happy New Year.
The Principles of Improvisation. (Episode 28; Track #38). Guests: Ed Reggi and DeAnna Massie (and a short soundbite from John Hodges).
email: learningvibespodcast@gmail.com
website: learningvibespodcast.weebly.com
Co-Hosts
Anni Reinking (@AKReinking)
Dave Knowlton (@KnowltonDS)