In this episode of As Spiders Do, join SiwantaThapa, '23 as he shares his journey from Nepal to the University of Richmond and Columbia University. Discover how Siwanta navigated cultural transitions, embraced his identity, and found community and mentorship in unexpected places. From excellence to personal growth, this episode explores the balance between planning and discovery, and the importance of authenticity and self-care. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about finding one's place in the world and the power of diverse experiences.

Editing by Stephanie Moki, '26, Alumni Engagement Student Assistant. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.

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In this episode of As Spiders Do, we’re catching up with some of our recent graduates — alumni who are just a few years out of Richmond, navigating life after college and making their mark in the world. From launching careers to pursuing further education, and discovering new passions along the way, they’ll share their honest reflections, challenges, and triumphs since leaving campus.

Editing by Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director of Regional & Young Grad Engagement. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.

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This episode of As Spiders Do explores the unique journey of Sam Widdoes, '08, who balances a career in law with his work as a film producer. His diverse background led to the creation of As We Speak, an award-nominated documentary that was inspired by UR professor, Erik Nielson's work as an expert witness in trials where rap artists' lyrics are used as evidence. Together, we discuss the power of storytelling, the importance of amplifying voices that need to be heard, and the impact of just showing up.

Check out Sam's documentary, As We Speak: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30291991/

Editing by Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director of Regional & Young Grad Engagement. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.

Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing [email protected].

UR doesn’t run itself—it takes a dedicated team working behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. In today’s episode, we’re shining a light on some of the unsung heroes who make this university feel a little bit more like home. Managing the day-to-day operations isn't easy, but our guests do it with grace and efficiency.

Music by Wahyuddin and sound effects from Pixabay. This episode was edited and produced by Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director of Regional and Young Graduate Engagement. 

Being a Richmond Spider means "we live excellence while never forgetting others." Wise words from this month's interviewee, Imani Esparza-Pitman, '09! Tune in to hear Imani's story, from growing up in Richmond, to traveling the world, to becoming a local entrepreneur!

Check out Imani's company, I Kale Life: https://www.ikalelife.com/

Editing by Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director of Regional & Young Grad Engagement. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.

Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing [email protected].

Ever wondered who's behind Richmond's storytelling efforts? Or who puts on the amazing performances in Modlin? Or who makes some of the amazing campus events happen? On today's episode, hear from Spider alums working to make all the great Richmond events and stories happen. Each brings a unique perspective on the work that keeps UR vibrant and connected—from crafting the university’s public voice to producing thought-provoking events and performances.

Learn more about opportunities to give back at giving.richmond.edu.

Music by Wahyuddin and sound effects from Pixabay. This episode was edited and produced by Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director of Regional and Young Graduate Engagement. 

June is a popular month to say “I Do,” and we’re joining the celebration with our latest episode of As Spiders Do. We sit down with Bryce Carson, ’13, event planner extraordinaire and the owner of Brocade Bridal in Richmond to talk about how he stitched together his career path with heart, hustle, and a touch of tulle.

Check out Bryce's wedding salon, Brocade: https://brocadebridal.com/

Editing by Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director of Regional & Young Grad Engagement. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.

Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing [email protected].

In this episode of As Spiders Do, we explore how alumni are shaping the future of UR through the Office of Advancement. From fundraising to building lasting partnerships, these dedicated graduates are giving back in big ways. Learn about how Advancement provides opportunities for students, faculty, and staff and help those go off and lead lives of purpose.

Learn more about opportunities to give back at giving.richmond.edu.

Music by Wahyuddin and sound effects from Pixabay. This episode was edited and produced by Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director of Regional and Young Graduate Engagement. 

Today, on As Spiders Do, we cover the incredible journey of Dr. Frank Gupton, a leader in pharmaceutical engineering. His work proves that innovation and dedication can change the world. Learn about the power of medicine and Dr. Gupton's inspiring words to push boundaries and never give up.

Editing by Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director of Regional & Young Grad Engagement. Episode music by FASSounds from Pixabay.

Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing [email protected].

On this episode of As Spiders Do, we interview Kim Bach, '97 and Josh Roenitz, '97 as they share their journeys of Spiders to co-founders of their company DailyHuman. Hear about their missions of serving both young and professional athletes and their dedication to optimizing performance and well-being. We learn about the importance of mindset and explore what it means to have resilience and confidence.

Learn more about dailyhuman here: https://www.dailyhuman.com/

Editing by Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director of Regional & Young Grad Engagement. Episode music by FASSounds and Mircea Iancu from Pixabay.

Nominate someone to be on our show by emailing [email protected].