It's a wrap on season two of the Palm Court Pod. Hosts Mike Palmer, Megan Cytron, and Grant Balfour reflect on the past year and discuss what's to come for New College and the podcast itself.

We reflect on a year of change, both geopolitically and personally. We started the pod with the idea that New College was the "canary in the swamp," and as New College went, so might higher education in the U.S. As it turns out, we were right, and now what's happening at New College is being seen all over the country.

We focus on celebrating the parts of New College's culture that we love while keeping track of the challenges. We talked to a lot of interesting people this season, including Libby Harrity, Mike Campbell, and Eric Schickler. We also interviewed journalists who have been covering New College, such as Katherine Joyce, who wrote the article "The New College Gambit."

We note the recent attempt by the governor to place Ringling Museum under New College's control and the new admin's strange hires, weird expenses, and changes to the grading system. This new "grade equivalents" system defeats the whole philosophy of New College, which was to reward intellectual curiosity and allow students to measure themselves against standards established in a relationship with a professor, not a traditional grading scale.

As we look toward season three, we have a number of ideas for future episodes. We've heard stories of new students, including athletes, who came to the school not knowing anything about the New College system and are still sticking with it and thriving. There are also stories of people who came as "culture warriors" but were converted by their experiences at the school.

We plan to continue our conversations with alums, academics, and journalists to understand the shifting landscape of higher education, particularly in Florida. With Governor DeSantis term-limited, we speculate on what the next election might mean for New College.

Finally, we want to hear from you, our listeners.

Subscribe wherever you listen to pods. Video versions are on Youtube and Spotify. We'll be back in the fall with Season 3.

00:00 Introduction and Season Recap

01:05 Reflecting on Season Two

01:25 New College and Higher Ed Trends

02:20 Memorable Guests and Episodes

04:09 Historical Events and Listener Requests

06:03 Challenges and Changes in Higher Education

12:31 Faculty and Institutional Changes

16:32 Student Experiences and Future Outlook

19:17 Culture Warriors and Campus Politics

20:57 Florida's Political Landscape and New College

21:44 Gubernatorial Election and Future Prospects

23:15 Third Party Activity and National Politics

24:37 Podcast Reflections and Future Guests

26:55 Listener Engagement and Community Interaction

27:45 Season Two Evaluation and Future Plans

31:27 Final Thoughts and Hot Takes

Shownotes:

This season started with Libby Harrity and Mike Campbell

The 80s saw a rise in quantitative psychology and sociology. 

Zorn’s Lemma has some relics of the Kingsley Hall experiment (see Ep. 20) 

The “silent protest” involved noise complaints over “walls” - a perennial problem. 

Provost Rohrbacher and the “Floridense” seal

Ep. 30 extras included a glimpse into NCF’s pro wrestling years. 

Ep. 23 talked education, China, and beats

Ep. 27 brought Yippie vibes

Grade-equivalent evaluations have attracted some ire.

Rohrbacher recently wrote on the traditional NCF system.

Anderson Brown (Ep. 3) wrote last year about Rancourt.

Steve Waldman, Interfluidity, 3 May 2023: “We Haunt.”

First five eps can be heard by scrolling way down here. 

Please send us your stories, pictures, audio: [email protected]

This episode of the Palm Court Podcast features an engaging conversation with Dr. Eric Schickler, a New College alum from the class of '87 and the coauthor of Partisan Nation⁠: The Dangerous New Logic of American Politics in a Nationalized Era. Eric shares his unique journey and insights into political science and the current state of higher education. Plus there's plenty of new details about the legendary Lorax Rebellion of May 1988.

We kick off with Eric's unexpected path to New College. He recounts his initial culture shock upon arriving in Florida, but quickly highlights the transformative social and academic experience that followed. The conversation then delves into Eric's career as a political science professor at UC Berkeley since 1997, where he continues to be inspired by his New College education. We explore his research on nationalized polarization in the U.S., as detailed in his book, Partisan Nation, co-authored with Paul Pierson. Eric explains how this polarization differs from historical divides, as everything, including state politics, has become nationalized, leading to concerning dynamics within American politics.

Crucially, Eric connects this broader political trend to the recent events at New College, viewing the "hostile takeover" by Governor DeSantis as a microcosm of nationalized polarization. He illustrates how traditionally supportive local Republican legislators, who once valued New College for its community benefits, now align with a national culture war agenda, prioritizing national political aspirations over local interests.

We also discuss Eric's ongoing research into the polarization of higher education over the past 45 years. He points out a significant shift in the Republican party, moving from general support for higher education in the 1980s and 90s to increasing criticism and diminishment of its value.

Then we pivot to Eric's eyewitness account of the Lorax Rebellion in 1988, a key event in New College's history. As SAC Chair at the time, Eric provides an insider's perspective on the student-led efforts to save the "grove" from airport expansion. He details the strategic involvement of lawyers, the formation of the "Save the Green Space" nonprofit, and the challenges faced in securing legal and financial support. Eric vividly recounts the emotional day of the bulldozing, the arrests of students, and the subsequent legal battles, emphasizing the unity and determination of the student body.

Finally, Eric shares insights into his baccalaureate thesis, which explored government policy toward technology in the early 1990s. We close with Eric's reflection on New College's profound and lasting impact on his life and intellectual development, underscoring its unique ability to foster iconoclastic thinkers.

Notes:

Jeb Lund joins Mike, Megan, and Grant to talk about his work in journalism at places like Rolling Stone, The Nation, and GQ, among others and on It's Christmastown, his popular podcast about Hallmark Channel movies.

We learn how Jeb wound up at New College, how his thesis about British cryptography in World War 2 got turned into pulp, and how he wound up covering the Alt Graduation Event for The Nation in 2024. Jeb also provides advice on how to get active in shaping the coverage of New College as political tides in Florida continue to shift.

Want to learn how this podcast was almost named The Canary in the Swamp? Or why people might actually want to listen to smart people talk about inane movies on the Hallmark Channel?

Listen in to find out.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Video episodes now up on Youtube and Spotify.

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming the Guest

01:06 Jeb Lund's Origin Story

03:30 College Life and Challenges

07:57 Career Journey and Writing

11:03 Freelancing and Journalism

11:42 Public Facing Role and Podcasting

14:58 Involvement with New College Alumni

21:25 The Recency Bias in News Reporting

22:39 Challenges in Speculative Journalism

23:11 New College: A Canary in the Swamp

24:01 The Power of Public Pressure

25:03 Corruption in Florida Politics

28:36 The Future of New College

30:14 Sports and Campus Culture

32:10 Journalistic Challenges and Personal Reflections

40:18 Concluding Thoughts and Final Messages

NOTES:

Join Mike Palmer, Grant Balfour, and Megan Citron, along with "friend of the show" Joanne Dramko, for a captivating conversation with New College of Florida (NCF) alumni and NCAA Board Members Monica Lewman Wulf and Stuart Clarry.

This episode offers a delightful mix of personal stories and reflections on the New College experience with a focus on Alumni Engagement. Monica shares the details of her recent Antarctic wedding to fellow New College alum, Henry, a celebration that uniquely incorporated their desire for unique experiences and, of course, penguins. Stuart, who was Grant's roommate, reminisces about their time on campus, sharing anecdotes about the self-reliance cultivated at New College and some memorable dorm-life moments.  

Beyond the personal stories, Monica and Stuart, who are both involved in the Alumni Association, provide valuable insights into alumni engagement and the complexities of navigating trust and communication with the new college administration, including their perspectives on the recent contentious alumni event with President Richard Corcoran.  

Whether you're an alum or simply interested in the unique dynamics of a liberal arts college, this episode is a must-listen. Don't forget to subscribe to the Palm Court Podcast for more engaging conversations and updates from the New College community!

The Palm Court Podcast presents an emergency Oscars 2025 episode devoted to the Gene Hackman situation! With Suzanne Clayton, Palm Court's Oscars predictions oracle, Mike, Megan and Grant prognosticate on the Oscars and reminisce about past Oscars shared in a Whatsapp Group Chat, including the infamous Will Smith slap of Chris Rock. Clayton, a five-time winner of the Palm Court Oscar pool, offers her keen and at times surprising insights on the nominees, including her thoughts on Best Picture and Best Animated Feature despite only having seen 2 of the 10 Best Picture nominees.

Then, the hosts pay tribute to the legendary actor's illustrious career, from his breakout role in The French Connection to his iconic portrayal of Lex Luthor, his brilliant cameo in Young Frankenstein, his roles in The Royal Tannenbaums, Unforgiven, Get Shorty and more. Quite the cinematic oeuvre!

Finally, we take a deep dive into the mysterious circumstances surrounding the Hackman "incident" and the three dogs, one dead in a closet. We try to piece together the timeline of events and speculate on the cause of death for Hackman and his wife. We also discuss the role of the dogs in the incident and whether or not they were involved in any foul play. Plus, we dconclude a quick "dead pool" on who will be the next celebrity to die. Yikes?!?!

Listen and subscribe now, and be sure to check out our previous Oscars 2025 episode featuring Kim McShane and Harrison Bender! Don't miss any of it heading into (and coming out of?) the Big Show on Sunday night.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Special Guests

01:12 Oscars 2025 Predictions

03:13 Movie Reviews and Opinions

13:42 Gene Hackman Tribute

20:38 Remembering the Departed: In Memoriam Discussion

21:12 True Crime Talk: Natalie Wood's Mysterious Death

21:56 Heart to Heart: TV Nostalgia and Dog Stories

22:37 Unraveling a Bizarre Crime Scene

24:43 Speculating on Celebrity Deaths

28:56 Oscar Predictions and Deadpool Picks

32:55 Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts and Farewells

Join us for our annual Oscars preview! We're diving deep into the 2025 Academy Award nominations with a panel of film enthusiasts. We're discussing the snubs, the surprises, and the sure-to-be winners. From Best Picture to Best Supporting Actor, we're dissecting it all.  

We're also sharing our personal Oscar memories and trivia. Did you know that a screenwriter once won an Oscar nearly 40 years after his death? Or that Judy Garland was only 16 when she starred in The Wizard of Oz? We hit on some trivia, recall film adventures at New College and beyond. And dive deep with Kim, Harrison, Megan, Grant, and Mike. Don't miss it!  

Tune in for a lively discussion about the biggest night in Hollywood. Don't forget to subscribe to the Palm Court Podcast for more great content!  

Time Stamps

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:56 Guest Introductions and Film Backgrounds

01:42 Kim McShane's Film Journey

07:21 Harrison Bender's Film Career

10:49 Megan's Cinematic Experiences

15:02 Oscar Nominees Discussion

32:36 Timothee Chalamet's Potential Record-Breaking Win

33:20 Hidden Gems and Overlooked Performances

34:02 Succession and Other TV Show Mentions

34:33 Colman Domingo's Stellar Performance

35:44 Leading Actor and Actress Predictions

38:39 Best Picture Contenders

40:11 Documentary Highlights

46:25 Animated Feature Film Recommendations

50:45 Best Original Score and Song Discussions

54:29 Final Thoughts and Predictions

Step into the world of New College in 1968-69—a time of radical possibility, political upheaval, and unapologetic experimentation. Mike, Grant, and Megan are joined by a group of alumni who lived it and were recently reunited, decades later—Max Reif, David Ross, Andy Roman, David Adams, Tom Weislocher—after a cache of evocative photos from the era unleashed a powerful torrent of memories and feelings.

The photos, most taken by David Ross, transport us to familiar places: the Pei Dorms, Ham Center, Palm Court, even Cars of Yesteryear, and also reveal the bonding experiences that brought this group together: a psychedelic hearse trip to Washington D.C. to a yippie protest at Nixon's inauguration, an unforgettable ISP wilderness expedition on Upper Captiva Island, the formation of the "Happy Bunny Farm" commune in upstate New York, plus a side-trip (for some) to Woodstock.

The guests recount their memories of those years while reflecting on the passage of time and the heartfelt challenges of growing older and staying true to those vivacious youngsters in the photos. Their energy, curiosity, and lifelong quest for knowledge is palpable (and familiar) in this reunion and meeting of hearts and minds.

Show Notes:

Photo: The Captiva Island ISP group in front of Ham Center included Laurel Roth and Sal Lee Anderson (with feathers), then Kitty Warner, and between her and Andy, Cindy Cole (also part of the farm near Dryden NY). 

TIME STAMPS:

00:00 Introduction and Excitement for the Special Edition

00:47 Introducing the Special Guests from the 60s and 70s

01:39 The Story Behind the Photos

02:55 Reconnecting After Decades

03:31 Life at New College in the Late 60s

05:45 The Captiva Island Expedition

07:54 Reflections on Florida and New College

15:17 The Happy Bunny Farm Commune

19:03 The Cultural Shift of the 60s

24:08 Sailing Adventures and College Memories

25:05 Life at New College: Community and Isolation

26:29 Woodstock and Other Festivals

27:49 David Peeney and New College Legends

32:57 Protests and Academic Struggles

35:16 Reflections on Aging and Mortality

38:07 Final Thoughts and Farewells

 In this episode of Palm Court Podcast, we talk with journalist Kathryn Joyce about the state of public education in Florida. Joyce, an investigative editor at In These Times and author of two books on the Christian right, discusses her background and interest in the right-wing political movement’s influence on education. Her recent article, The New College Gambit, chronicles the New College story and forms the foundation of the conversation in this episode.  

We discuss the right-wing takeover of New College, a small public liberal arts college in Florida, and the implications for higher education. The takeover, led by Governor Ron DeSantis, included a push to reconstitute the student body with athletes and the installation of new trustees with an agenda to dismantle the school along ideological lines.  

We also discuss the impact of the ouster of Ben Sasse from the presidency at the University of Florida and the apparent political spoil system in Florida higher education.  

Joyce discusses the potential outcomes of the takeover, including the possibility that New College will fail or be absorbed into the University of South Florida. She also discusses the importance of organizations such as PEN America and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) in defending academic freedom.  

The episode ends with a call to action for listeners to support independent journalists and news outlets and to pay attention to the threats to higher education in the United States and around the world. Don't miss it!

NOTES:

“The New College Gambit,” In These Times, 9 Dec 24, is one of the better accounts of recent events at New College. 

“A Search for Answers. A Search for Blame,” was Joyce’s post-Parkland school-discipline story. 

Flagler College hosted the non-partisan Freedom to Teach conference. 

Libby Harrity and Steven Walker episodes.

“Classical education” could come to the D.O.D.’s 161 schools. 

“The Trustee Solution” is an article trustee Mark Bauerlein  wrote for trustee Christopher Rufo’s City Journal, advocating trustees make bold political moves. 

Cost-per-student has begun to alarm the conservative Board of Governors.

Ben Sasse’s extravagant spending and sudden exit changed the political climate.  

Liv Coleman is a University of Tampa prof and former political candidate. 

Randy Fine, who proposed merging NCF involuntarily into a larger university in 2020, then lost a bid to become president of FAU, is currently running to fill a national seat vacated by a Trump appointment. 

Aaron Hillegass, tech entrepreneur and former NCF data science director.

NCF’s largest class ever remains the 861 students of 2015-16; more students have been accepted and enrolled recently, but subsequently transferred out in large numbers as well. 

AAUP’s more activist stance resulted, in part, in a detailed report on New College.  

Universities did not fare well under Pinochet. 

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

01:03 Reflecting on January 6th and New College

01:18 Interview with Journalist Kathryn Joyce

02:25 Kathryn Joyce's Background and Work

03:12 The Right-Wing Influence on Education

06:07 The New College Takeover

08:27 Challenges and Future of New College

12:21 Broader Implications and Activism

21:46 Final Thoughts and Campus Reflections

33:00 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode of the Palm Court Podcast, hosts Mike Palmer, Grant Balfour, and Megan Cytron interview Fay Clayton, a member of New College's charter class of 1964. Clayton shares her experiences as a pioneering student, her connections to the college through her family, and her journey from a farm in New Jersey to becoming a prominent litigator. She reflects on the unique educational environment of New College, its impact on her and her family, and her notable legal career, including her work with the National Organization for Women on landmark cases. Clayton also comments on the current challenges faced by New College and expresses hope for its future.

NOTES:

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Welcome to the Palm Court Podcast

00:37 Meet Fay Clayton: A Charter Class Pioneer

02:13 Life at New College: Early Experiences

03:50 Academic Adventures and Friendships

06:46 From Farm Life to New College

09:01 Dorm Life and Campus Culture

13:09 Professional Journey: From Montessori to Law

19:16 A Litigator's Journey: Early Career and Pro Bono Work

21:08 Landmark Cases: Fighting for Civil Rights and Women's Rights

22:15 Supreme Court Battles and Legal Triumphs

25:26 Reflections on New College and Its Challenges

29:26 The Future of New College: Hopes and Concerns

34:25 Personal Reflections and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Palm Court Podcast, hosts Mike Palmer, Megan Cytron, and Grant Balfour are joined by Dr. Amy Reid, a long-standing faculty member of New College, former Board of Trustees member, and recent collaborator with PEN America. We discuss the impact of recent political upheavals on the college, Dr. Reid's extensive contributions to the institution over 29 years, and her reflections on New College's unique educational environment. Dr. Reid also shares her personal story and perspective, transition to PEN America, advocacy for academic freedom, and her role in supporting and representing the New College community. The conversation delves into an insider's view of the hostile takeover and resistance and the broader implications for higher education in Florida and beyond.

NOTES:

TIME STAMPS:

00:00 Welcome to the Palm Court Podcast

00:47 Introducing Dr. Amy Reid

01:41 Amy's Journey to New College

04:50 Teaching at New College

07:35 Building the Gender Studies Program

11:46 Challenges and Changes at New College

15:24 Board of Trustees Experience

21:35 Working with PEN America

31:07 Reflections and Future of New College

39:39 Final Thoughts and Farewell