As Spiders Do

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].

What happens when an entire family falls in love with the same university? In this episode we hear from a special family of five spiders. Mike, Shannon, Claire, Emily and Alice share their journeys, the opportunities that shaped them, and how the University of Richmond fostered a sense of community that still connects them today. Learn about what makes UR so special but also the Mendelson's dynamic lifestyles beyond Richmond!

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].

Valentine’s Day is here, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with a special episode of As Spiders Do! Join us as Spider couples and friends share their stories of how they got tangled in each other’s webs. Whether you're single, taken, or simply a hopeless romantic, let’s come together to celebrate love in all its forms.

Thank you to Anna Lowenthal, '19, Mike Flanagan, '18, Scott Hurd, B'89, Diane Kraynak, W'89, Petra Hafker, '21, and Anna Cheng, '21 for sharing your stories!

Editing by Maggie Johnson, '18, Associate Director, Regional & Young Grad Engagement. Sound Effect by freesound_community and music by FASSounds from Pixabay.

Season 3 of As Spiders Do kicks off with an interview with Andy Bobowski, '08 where he shares how mentorship and hinge experiences have shaped his life. We explore how connection and going outside of our comfort zones help us empower each other and ourselves.

Learn more about Andy's company, backrs, here: https://www.backrs.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 what it's like for alumni to come back to campus, not as students but as faculty and staff? In this episode of From Inside the Web, we highlight the stories of Spider alumni who have returned to their alma mater to support the University of Richmond community. Join us as we chat with Lauren Withrow, '07, Kim Dean-Anderson, '97, Peter Thomas, '07, and Taylor Hoogsteden, '20 about their journeys from students to professionals. From assisting in the library to fostering civic engagement, coaching basketball, and creating vibrant student programs, these alumni share how their Richmond roots continue to shape their work and their lives.

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.