About State of Wellbeing, a podcast from South Dakota State University
State of Wellbeing is a holistic well-being podcast to support the SDSU campus community as we strive to be a growing, high-performing, and healthy university.
In this episode, Jennifer Novotny, Assistant Vice President for Student Life, and Joshua Westwick, Director of the School of Communication and Journalism, share their thoughts on workplace civility and its impact on the campus community. Together, they explore how leaders and employees can foster workplace environments through active listening, empathy, genuine care, and respectful communication.
Learning Objectives:
1. Define workplace civility and explain its importance in fostering a respectful, collaborative, and supportive campus environment.
2. Recognize the role of leadership in modeling civil behavior, establishing expectations, and creating a culture of mutual respect.
3. Identify effective communication strategies, including active listening, empathy, and respectful dialogue, that contribute to positive workplace relationships.
Processing Questions:
1. What is one idea or perspective from this episode that challenged or reinforced your thinking about workplace civility?
2. How would you describe the culture of civility within your own unit? What is working well, and where might there be opportunities for improvement?
3. What is one specific action you can take to contribute to a more respectful, supportive, and civil workplace?
21 Oct 2026
Growth Mindset
What if the key to overcoming challenges isn't about being naturally talented, but believing in your ability to grow? In this episode of State of Wellbeing, host Toby Uecker, SDSU Dean of Students, welcomes Tony Durr, Associate Professor of Teacher Education, to explore the power of a growth mindset. Together, they discuss the difference between fixed and growth mindsets, the importance of effort and feedback, and how reframing setbacks as opportunities for learning can lead to personal and academic success.
Learning Objectives:
1. Differentiate between fixed and growth mindset.
2. Recognize how feedback, effort, and self-reflection contribute to developing a growth mindset.
3. Identify strategies for reframing setbacks and failures as opportunities for learning and improvement.
Processing Questions:
1. Think of a time when you encountered something challenging in a class or another area of your life. How might you reframe that experience using a growth mindset?
2. What does adding the word "yet" to a statement such as "I can't do this" change about the way we approach a challenge?
3. How might identifying the strategies, resources, or habits that contributed to a previous success help you approach a new challenge?
14 Oct 2026
Guided Imagery and Relaxation
In this episode, Julia Walker, a licensed counselor at the SDSU Counseling Center, explores the practice of guided imagery including what it is, how it works, and why it's such a powerful tool for stress relief, anxiety management, and overall wellbeing.
NOTE: If you are driving or need your full attention for any activity, save the guided imagery exercise portion of this episode for a safe, comfortable moment.
Learning Objectives:
1. Define guided imagery and explain how it differs from general visualization or daydreaming.
2. Identify at least three practical applications of guided imagery.
3. Develop a personal plan for incorporating guided imagery into daily routines to support mental health and wellbeing.
Processing Questions:
1. What did you notice about your thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations during the guided imagery exercise?
2. How could you use guided imagery in your daily life to reduce stress or prepare for a challenging situation?
Who has been a guest on State of Wellbeing, a podcast from South Dakota State University
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Office of Disability Services
Teresa Seefeldt
Kirsten Linke
Jennifer Olson
Shari Landmark
Podcast Authority Score: 25 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
39
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
27
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