Far and Widener

About Far and Widener

The Far and Widener podcast explores the far-reaching world of Widener University and the many ways Widener strives to create a better future while shaping tomorrow’s leaders. At Far and Widener, you’ll find engaging interviews on diverse topics with fascinating educators, researchers, and industry professionals. Far and Widener is produced by Widener’s University Advancement staff. Our intro music is courtesy of the fabulous band Stereo Ready—you can find them at stereoready.com. To learn more about Widener University, visit widener.edu.

Publisher

Widener University

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Jan 2023

Latest episode

21 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

39 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Sept 2026

   Judy Ritter, Distinguished Professor of Law at Delaware Law, on advocacy, justice, and teaching Ukrainian lawyers in a time of war

   This episode of Far and Widener features Judy Ritter, distinguished professor of law and associate dean of academic affairs at Delaware Law School. A longtime member of the Widener faculty, Judy has spent decades teaching, mentoring, and preparing future lawyers to pursue justice with skill, integrity, and a deep sense of professional responsibility. Judy earned her bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo and her J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center. After early legal work with the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County, Rutgers Law School, the Community Service Society of New York, and Hofstra University, she joined Widener in 1994. She founded and directed the Criminal Defense Clinic, which provides representation to indigent defendants while giving students meaningful hands-on legal experience. In addition to her work at Delaware Law, Judy has spent the past five summers teaching in Prague through the CEELI Institute for the Rule of Law. There, she is one of a small group of faculty members teaching trial advocacy skills to Ukrainian law students and early-career lawyers in a two-week summer program that began shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The program brings together participants from across Ukraine for intensive instruction, simulations, and skills training, helping them strengthen legal advocacy in the face of extraordinary national hardship. In this conversation, Judy reflects on her commitment to teaching, the importance of clinical legal education, and what it means to help aspiring lawyers develop excellence in advocacy and a strong sense of justice. She also discusses her work with Ukrainian students in Prague, the resilience those students have shown, and the future of Delaware Law as it moves to downtown Wilmington—placing students closer to courts, legal institutions, and new opportunities for experiential learning. The podcast is hosted by Greg Potter, associate vice president for University Relations at Widener University.

2. 

   10 Aug 2026

   Courtney Douds, Master Falconer and Owner of Raptor Jawns, on raptors, conservation, and community education

   This episode of Far and Widener features Courtney Douds, owner of Raptor Jawns, a bird education program that brings the wonder of raptors to schools, events, and community gatherings through live flight demonstrations and educational presentations. A master falconer, Courtney has built a unique path at the intersection of wildlife education, conservation, animal training, and public engagement. Through Raptor Jawns, Courtney helps audiences of all ages better understand birds of prey — their biology, behaviors, ecological importance, and the remarkable relationship that can develop between humans and raptors through the ancient practice of falconry. Her programs offer close-up learning experiences designed to spark curiosity, deepen respect for wildlife, and show how raptors contribute to healthy ecosystems. Courtney earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental biology and English from Columbia University before continuing her education at Widener University, where she earned a master’s degree in education in human sexuality and a master’s degree in social work. Her interdisciplinary background informs the way she teaches, communicates, and connects with diverse audiences through Raptor Jawns. In this conversation, Courtney reflects on her path into falconry, the process of becoming a master falconer, and the responsibility involved in caring for and working with birds of prey. She also shares the story behind Raptor Jawns, the importance of conservation and wildlife stewardship, and how her Widener experience shaped the way she brings education, empathy, and community engagement into her work. The podcast is hosted by Greg Potter, associate vice president for University Relations at Widener University.

3. 

   8 Jul 2026

   John Barry, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of HRBench, on entrepreneurship, people analytics, and measuring what matters in HR

   This episode of Far and Widener features John Barry, a 2002 graduate of Widener University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. In this conversation, John reflects on how his Widener engineering education shaped his leadership style, the lessons he learned building companies from the ground up, and the role data, benchmarking, and artificial intelligence are playing in the future of human resources. He also discusses his connection to Widener and his service as a member of the university’s Board of Trustees. With more than 25 years of experience in HR technology, product innovation, and executive leadership, John has built a career helping organizations use data to make smarter decisions about people, performance, and business strategy. John’s entrepreneurial journey began while he was still a Widener student, when he launched a business from his dorm room—an early experience that helped shape his path as a technology founder. He went on to hold leadership roles at organizations including Salary.com, Aon, HealthcareSource, PayScale, and Payfactors, where he co-founded a leading enterprise compensation management solution used by companies to better understand and manage pay. Today, John is co-founder and co-CEO of HRBench, a people analytics and engagement platform designed to help companies measure, benchmark, and improve their workforce decisions. Drawing on his experience as an executive and founder, John saw a need for better context around critical HR metrics such as turnover, time-to-hire, employee engagement, revenue per employee, and compensation strategy. HRBench helps organizations understand not only what their people data says, but how they compare to peers and competitors—and how major business decisions affect workforce outcomes. The podcast is hosted by Greg Potter, associate vice president for University Relations at Widener University.

Reach and audience

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

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

Contact Far and Widener

Guest appearances

Books guests

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