'Cuse Conversations

About 'Cuse Conversations

Hosted by Syracuse University’s Internal Communications team, the ’Cuse Conversations podcast allows listeners to hear directly from Syracuse University's talented current students, decorated faculty members, dedicated staff members and accomplished alumni.

Publisher

Syracuse University

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

29 May 2019

Latest episode

4 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

187 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   4 Sept 2026

   Bryan Blair Vows to Build on What Makes Syracuse Athletics Special: Here’s How

   Before Bryan Blair (https://cuse.com/staff-directory/bryan-blair/3285) became Syracuse University’s 12th athletics director (https://cuse.com/), he was a walk-on, an undersized nose tackle for the Wofford College football team who, through hard work and determination, became a starter heading into his junior year. Blair lost his job because he didn’t perform up to the coach’s expectations, but displaying a tenacity that would foreshadow his rise to prominence as one of college athletics’ most innovative leaders, Blair wound up reclaiming that starting role and was named a team captain for his senior season. “I’m really proud of that journey. So much of what I went through as a student-athlete is emblematic of where we're at today in college athletics, where you've got to find a way to yes,” says Blair, who started his new role (https://news.syr.edu/2026/03/20/bryan-blair-has-a-bold-mission-to-wake-this-sleeping-beast/) on July 1. “You've gotto find a way to push through adversity and rally your teammates to do something nobody else thinks is possible. That’s very much our plight today.” Blair understands what it takes to position student-athletes, coaches and support staff for success. With a strong background in student-athlete development and revenue generation, Blair came to Syracuse University with a reputation as a builder of championship programs, a generator of innovative revenue strategies and a believer in the transformative power of higher education. As the Orange’s fall sports teams ramp up play, Blair wants members of the campus, alumni and Central New York communities to know that, since arriving on campus, he has been working tirelessly to help Syracuse Athletics “get ourswagger back.” “This block S means something across this country. We are a big deal. We've got to embrace being a big deal and performlike the big deal that we are,” Blair says. “Among our student-athletes, coaches and support staff there is a shared alignment and understanding of what Syracuse Athletics looks like at its best and how it benefits this broadercommunity and this campus. Syracuse Athletics is special.” On the latest “’Cuse Conversations” podcast, Blair outlines his vision for the department, reflects on his journey to SyracuseUniversity, shares what success will look like this year and explains how people can get involved with One Orange Alliance (https://cuse.com/feature/one-orange-alliance), the Name, Image and Likeness marketing agency serving all 20 varsity sports.

2. 

   26 Aug 2026

   How Digital Devices Took Over and How to Reclaim Our Relationship With Them

   We all do it countless times a day. Tap our smartphones, fire up our laptops and tablets and log into social media to see if we have any new notifications. the average American reaches for their digital device approximately 186 times each day, according to a recent study (https://www.reviews.org/mobile/cell-phone-addiction/) of 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. Our screens have become a vital part of our day-to-day lives, but sometimes, having access to technology can cause us to not be present in our interactions. “The effects are pervasively harmful in terms of their impact on how people relate to each other and how people make connections. Those real-life interactions with other people are what give us richness to our lives,” says Matt Mulvaney (https://artsandsciences.syracuse.edu/people/faculty/matthew-mulvaney/#Biography), undergraduate program director and associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science in College of Arts and Sciences (https://artsandsciences.syracuse.edu/). “It is important that we become more mindful about and intentional about how we're using our technology, ensuring we have safer times and spaces where we do allow for that non-task specific use. But it's becoming difficult, especially in the classroom,” says Zahra Vahedi (https://artsandsciences.syracuse.edu/people/faculty/zahra-vahedi/#Biography), assistant teaching professor in the Department of Psychology in A&S. On the latest “’Cuse Conversations” podcast, Mulvaney and Vahedi examine the complex roles our digital screens play in our lives and offer tips to reestablish a healthy relationship with our devices.

3. 

   30 Jun 2026

   How the Declaration Still Shapes America: Maxwell's Experts on USA’s 250th

   As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, Maxwell School (https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/) scholars are taking a fresh look at the big ideas that launched American democracy and why they still matter today. This July 4 marks a milestone Independence Day: America’s Semiquincentennial, with celebrations nationwide reflecting on the country’s founding and its evolving democratic experiment. At Syracuse University, the Maxwell School ledthat reflection through USA@250 (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOGezL8Jn0NA), a free public lectureseries exploring U.S. history, politics and society from the Revolution to the present. All sessions are available on Maxwell’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOGezL8Jn0NA). Maxwell faculty experts ⁠⁠Carol Faulkner⁠⁠ (https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/directory/carol-faulkner), professor of history and senior associate dean, and ⁠⁠⁠Shana Gadarian⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.maxwell.syr.edu/directory/carol-faulkner), professor of political science and associate dean for research, helped guide those conversations, connecting the founders’ aspirations to the challenges facing American democracy today. On this episode, Faulkner and Gadarian reflect on the enduring power of the Declaration of Independence, the debates that shaped the nation’s political identity, and why the questions the founders wrestled with still feel relevant today.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

10,501,853

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.5 / 5

13 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 72 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

73

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

85

Contact 'Cuse Conversations

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.