Welcome to Longwood GradCast: Beyond the Degree, where we celebrate the stories of Longwood University’s graduate and professional studies alumni, students, faculty, and partners. This season, we’re exploring one powerful theme: The Power of People.
Behind every success story, every career pivot, and every moment of courage or growth, there are people who made an impact: Mentors who guided us. Professors who challenged us. Classmates who encouraged us. Communities that believed in us. And sometimes, the people we became along the way.
This season highlights the relationships that shape us and the ripple effect that happens when people invest in people. From graduates mentoring the next generation to professionals leading change in their communities, these stories remind us that success is never a solo journey.
Whether you’re considering graduate school, advancing your career, or reflecting on the people who helped shape your path, this podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look at the connections that move us forward and the difference they make in the world.
We’re here to support your educational journey and career aspirations. Visit our website at Longwood.edu/Gradprograms to explore our graduate programs and professional endorsements.
Leadership is in our blood. But leadership grows through people.
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Publisher
Longwood University Graduate & Professional Studies
From Clinical Science to Playful Work: Pivoting to Help People
What happens when a career in clinical speech-language pathology leads not to traditional burnout, but to a reimagining of how adults work, connect and play?
In this episode of Longwood GradCast: Beyond the Degree, host Dr. Sarah Tanner-Anderson talks with Acey Holmes (M.S. ’11), a speech-language pathologist, educator and founder of BoredLess, a work design consultancy focused on transforming the way adults experience the workplace.
Acey began her career in clinical speech-language pathology, including work at a Level 1 trauma center, before recognizing that the traditional path was no longer sustainable for her. Her experience with burnout ultimately led her to rethink what healthy, engaging work can look like. Today, she draws on her background in communication sciences and neuroscience to help organizations build workplaces that support cognitive flexibility, resilience and genuine human connection.
Acey reflects on how her Longwood graduate experience shaped her career, from navigating a non-traditional commute to becoming part of a close-knit CSD cohort where collaboration replaced competition. She shares how faculty mentorship and lasting relationships gave her the confidence to pursue a nontraditional career path.
At the heart of Acey’s work is a simple idea: adults never lose their neurological need to play. She explains how play can support cognitive flexibility, stress reduction and connection, while challenging the idea that workplace wellness is simply about perks or individual stress management. She also discusses neurodivergent-affirming workplaces, different forms of burnout and how stepping away from full-time clinical practice ultimately allowed her to return on her own terms.
In this episode, Acey talks about:
How her Longwood CSD experience shaped her career and relationships
Transitioning from clinical speech-language pathology to entrepreneurship
Recognizing different forms of burnout
The neuroscience behind adult play and cognitive flexibility
Moving beyond “forced fun” toward meaningful workplace design
Creating more neurodivergent-affirming, human-centered workplaces
Navigating career pivots with the support of mentors and collaborators
Listen to hear how one Longwood alumna turned clinical expertise into a new approach to workplace wellness — and discovered that stepping off the traditional career path can open the door to something even more meaningful.
23 Sept 2026
The Ripple Effect of Relationships: How One Educator Builds Belonging
What happens when a love of teaching, creativity and community transforms a school library into the heart of a school?
In this episode of Longwood GradCast: Beyond the Degree, host Dr. Sarah Tanner Anderson talks with Kannan Cangro (M.Ed. '15), an award-winning school librarian whose innovative approach to literacy is helping hundreds of students discover the joy of reading and the power of belonging.
Kannan began her career as an elementary art teacher before finding her calling in school librarianship. Today, she serves as librarian at Claremont Elementary School, where she has built a library program grounded in equity, accessibility and meaningful relationships. Her work has earned regional recognition, but at the heart of her story is a commitment to ensuring every child feels seen, valued and connected to books.
Kannan reflects on how her Longwood graduate experience shaped her as both an educator and a leader, including the mentorship of faculty members like Dr. Audrey Church and the support of a close-knit cohort that continues to influence her work today. She shares how flexible, student-centered faculty helped make graduate school possible while modeling the kind of leadership she now brings to her own profession.
She also discusses the creative programs that have become hallmarks of her library, including her "True Book Fair," which ensures every student takes home brand-new books regardless of financial circumstances, and her popular reading pet initiative that helps young readers build confidence and excitement around literacy. Through community partnerships, grants and a deep understanding of student needs, Kannan continues to expand access to books and learning opportunities for every child she serves.
Now recognized as a leader in school librarianship, Kannan advocates for literacy, inclusion and innovation while helping students discover that reading can open doors to endless possibilities.
In this episode, Kannan talks about:
The Longwood faculty and cohort experiences that shaped her career
How she transitioned from art education to school librarianship
Creating a library culture built on belonging and connection
Why equitable access to books matters for student success
The inspiration behind her "True Book Fair" initiative
Creative ways to engage young and reluctant readers
Building community partnerships to expand opportunities for students
How school libraries can serve as powerful centers of learning, creativity and support
Listen to hear how one educator is redefining what a school library can be and why the relationships we build can change the trajectory of a child's life.
26 Aug 2026
From the Amazon to Antarctica: A Lancer’s Journey to Transform Education Through Science
What happens when a teacher follows her curiosity far beyond the classroom?
In this episode of Longwood GradCast: Beyond the Degree, host Dr. Sarah Tanner Anderson talks with Dr. Becky Schnesker (B.S.’05, M.S.’06), a double Longwood alumna whose career has taken her from the classroom to the Amazon Rainforest, Antarctica and beyond.
Becky is an educator, National Geographic educator and explorer, author, school founder and assistant professor of education. But at the heart of her story is something much simpler: curiosity, and the people who encouraged her to follow it.
Becky reflects on how her Longwood experience shaped her as both an educator and a lifelong learner, including the professors and mentors who saw possibilities in her before she could see them herself. One handwritten note from a professor describing one of her assignments as "PhD caliber material" stayed with her for years.
She also shares how a desire to rethink education led her to help open a tuition-free school, write Expedition Science, and take elementary students beyond traditional classroom walls. A chance conference conversation, a Twitter message and a grant application eventually opened the door to an expedition to the Amazon, followed by experiences in the Galapagos, Iceland and Antarctica.
Now preparing the next generation of teachers, Becky continues to challenge conventional ideas about what education can be and what students are capable of.
In this episode, Becky talks about:
The Longwood professors and mentors who changed the direction of her life
Why curiosity can be a powerful foundation for learning
How she took elementary students' learning beyond the classroom
The unexpected path from a conference conversation to the Amazon Rainforest
What exploring the world has taught her about teaching
Why she believes ideas should never be "too weird or too big"
Bringing her Longwood experience full circle by mentoring future educators
Who has been a guest on Longwood GradCast - Beyond the Degree
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Janine Cervantes
Katie Jamozy-Hamby
Kim Van Acker
Maria Hamilton
Daija Fowler
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
984,600
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 63 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
68
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
60
Contact Longwood GradCast - Beyond the Degree
Guest appearances
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Questions about Longwood GradCast - Beyond the Degree
Who hosts Longwood GradCast - Beyond the Degree?
Dr Sarah Tanner-Anderson and Dr Sarah Tanner Anderson host the show. Published by Longwood University Graduate & Professional Studies.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes monthly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Longwood GradCast - Beyond the Degree take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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