Listening for Purpose

On this episode, Dr. Agnes Howard joins us to discuss the book “Gilead” by Marilynne Robinson. Howard shares the way that the book informed her understanding of vocation as inherently shaped by relationships and highlights how Robinson’s story exemplifies the need to be inspired by the mundane moments of beauty in our lives. Join us, for more of Our Campus, Our Stories! 

A video version of the podcast is also available at https://www.youtube.com/@ILASatValpo

On this episode, Aubrey Kranz shares her experiences with the hit video game Overwatch and her journey within Valpo’s Esports community. We discuss the ways that good friends can challenge us to grow toward the greatness they see in us, and the ways that taking risks helps to build confidence and open us to new possibilities. Join us, for more of Our Campus, Our Stories!

A video version of the podcast is also available at https://www.youtube.com/@ILASatValpo

How can we find strength when everything seems turned against us? Is there a way to be hopeful without shallow optimism? On today’s episode, Molly O’Rear shares the poem “Carry On!” by Robert William Service, and we discuss the ways that determination, faith, and community can support us through life’s greatest challenges. Join us, for more of Our Campus, Our Stories!

A video version of the podcast is also available at https://www.youtube.com/@ILASatValpo

Dr. Severe has many passions here at Valpo, from student mentorship to horror fiction, but in this episode he discusses his lifelong passion for music. Dr. Severe shares how picking up the French Horn in 7th grade helped him to develop responsibility and excitement for his academic work, and the ways in which his mentors both challenged and supported him, inspiring him to serve Valpo’s students in their own journeys of growth. Join us for more of Our Campus, Our Stories!

A video version of the podcast is also available at https://www.youtube.com/@ILASatValpo

To close out the first half of season 2, Simeon sits down with Cam Haggett to unpack the book "Pastrix" by Lutheran Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber. Cam shares about the way God has called them in ways that may be surprising, and Bolz-Weber's story shaped their vision of ministry and how we can serve our communities. Join us for more of Our Campus, Our Stories!

A video version of the podcast is also available at https://www.youtube.com/@ILASatValpo

Learn more about CAPS on our ⁠website⁠, and read about past CAPS Fellows' experiences on the ILAS ⁠blog⁠. Find updates on our Instagram at @ilasatvalpo.

How do we respond to the legacies our families leave us? Can students actually make a difference? In this week's episode of Listening for Purpose, Mya Amelse shares her journey in the world of local philanthropy and inspiration left to her by her grandmother. Join us for Our Campus, Our Stories!

A video version of the podcast is also available at https://www.youtube.com/@ILASatValpo

Learn more about CAPS on our ⁠website⁠, and read about past CAPS Fellows' experiences on the ILAS ⁠blog⁠.

What is the cost of being excellent? Does education empower or hinder our ability to serve those who suffer? Valpo's own Dr. Martin Buinicki joins host Simeon Klepac to discuss these questions and more, We draw from the texts "Cyrano De Bergerac" by Edmund Rostand, and "Twenty Years at Hull House" to shape our conversation.

A video version of the podcast is also available at https://www.youtube.com/@ILASatValpo

Learn more about CAPS on our website, and read about past CAPS Fellows' experiences on the ILAS blog.

On this week's episode, Raehlyn Bryce discusses three compelling songs that have shaped the way she thinks about change and growth in her life:

"Vienna" by Billy Joel

"I'm Here" by Cynthia Erivo and The Cast of the Color Purple Musical

"Roots before Branches" by Room for Two

Reflecting on this music, we delve more deeply into the tension of personal change--its necessary discomfort alongside its transformative potential.

A video version of the interview is also available on Youtube, at our channel at @ILASatValpo.

On the first episode of our new season, we chat with Aidan Obermueller about the hit TV series Ted Lasso, and discuss the ways that curiosity and positive masculinity have impacted his journey through life from Dubuque Iowa, to our Valpo campus, all the way to Costa Rica. Join us every Tuesday for more of our stories from our campus!

Our interviews are also available at www.youtube.com/@ILASatValpo

Faith, Representation, Community, Organic-ness, and Genuine-ness . These are the themes that arose during my conversation today with Fox Wilmot. Fox’s campus experiences have led him to the intersection of faith and teaching in ways that speak simultaneously to the intentionality and spontaneity of our journeys in purpose. Fox has been a leader of SweetWine, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Boxing Club, and participated in the CAPS fellowship among other things. Through these experiences he has come to the conclusion that we do not live in isolation. Though we live simultaneously in multiple different circles, the impacts of each percolate throughout our lives. Consequently, our singular personhood is a representation of the multitude of different groups of which we are a part. We talked about the impact this can have on our behaviors, and the importance of being able to show consistency throughout all facets of our lives, not only for the sake of an outward image, but also for our own personal equilibrium.