'Wildcats Beyond the Classroom' Podcast Earns Recognition From Kansas Association of Broadcasters

Wildcats Beyond the Classroom, a K-State Applied Learning Experiences (ALE) podcast, earned first place in the Public Affairs/Talk Show Program category from the Kansas Association of Broadcasters this academic year. The students accepted the award on Thursday, April 9, at the Student Broadcast and Sports Seminar at Arrowhead Stadium.

Adolfo Blanco and Delaney Murphy accepted the award on behalf of the podcast team. They were among dozens of K-State students receiving awards for their excellence in broadcasting. 19 of the 31 first-place awards given on Thursday were to K-State students.

"I knew that we had a solid chance of being recognized and that we worked hard over the semester. It is an honor to receive this with my friends," said Blanco.

"I am so grateful to have won this award alongside my team. The team (Vardiman, Murphy, and Neal) is all so hard-working, and for just starting this podcast this semester, winning this award has been a huge encouragement for all of our team's work," said Murphy.

Blanco, Murphy, Madison Neal, and Hailey Vardiman created the podcast to promote Applied Learning Experiences at K-State. They interview students, faculty, and staff who support the imperative or have participated in an applied learning experience. The four students began producing the podcast in November, and they developed and launched their first episode in early January.

The podcast helps promote ALE's mission at K-State and allows students to complete an applied learning experience themselves. They handle pre-production, recording, editing, and podcast promotion.

"My experience with the podcast has been very enlightening. I have had classes where I created a podcast episode, but I wanted to try creating podcasts outside the classroom. That's why I applied for this internship, and it's been so much fun. I have loved working with Hailey, Delaney, and Adolfo and meeting new people through our guests," said Neal.

Throughout the semester, the four students engaged with a mentor, logged their activities, and reflected as a team and individually on their work. These actions fulfill the ALE framework requirements.

"The experience has been an absolute blessing. I've learned more about how to host a good quality conversation as well as creating a space that allows people to feel heard," said Vardiman. They produced seven episodes and plan to release additional episodes this summer to complete the first season.

You can listen to the podcast now on Spotify and Apple. The team plans to add a video component later this year and will publish video episodes on the Staley School of Leadership Studies YouTube channel.

To learn more about Applied Learning Experiences at K-State, visit the ALE home page.