How is the news media covering the MAGA movement? Four journalists and a Princeton historian during the Princeton Alumni Weekly’s 2025 Reunions panel delved into questions about reporting on Trump voters, whether the press should use the word “lie,” today’s fragmented media landscape, and how even the most explosive investigations don’t spur change the way they used to. Said Kathy Kiely ’77, of the Missouri School of Journalism: “The press is doing its job, but Congress, there’s no sign of vertebrate life up there. If Congress and the other institutions in our democracy aren’t responding to those stories, then it is like the tree falling in the forest.”

For this episode of the PAWcast, we’re pleased to share a recording of the session. Find the transcript at paw.princeton.edu/pawcasts.

On this episode of the PAWcast, Princeton valedictorian Erik Medina ’25 talks about majoring in chemistry and his thesis, for which he researched ways to upcycle plastics. Erik has been accepted into a Ph.D. program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, but first he’s taking a year off to teach at his old high school near Miami.

PAW Memorials editor Nicholas DeVito sat down with Steve McNamara ’55 to discuss Bill Miller ’55. Bill was a geologist and landman, but he was well known more for his vintage car racing.

When Milano Buckley ’02 was born, her mother was homeless. She was living in her car, and she kept baby Milano in a basket in the backseat. What followed was an exceptionally unusual childhood that remarkably led Milano to the Lawrenceville School, and then later to Princeton. When Milano became a mother herself, she figured parenting would be a cinch compared to what she’d experienced in her own life. It turned out to be much, much harder.

And now she’s telling people. With a friend, Milano has started a podcast called Bare Naked Moms that seeks to tackle the challenges of parenting through honest conversations. Milano agreed to come on the PAWcast and talk about the work that she’s been doing, and the part that Princeton played in her journey.

On this episode of the PAW Book Club podcast, we speak with Sash Bischoff from Princeton’s Class of 2009 about her debut novel and our latest book club read, “Sweet Fury.” From the very first page, “Sweet Fury” takes the work of F. Scott Fitzgerald, famously of Princeton’s Class of 1917, and begins to play. A famous actress and film director, characters named Lila and Kurt, are collaborating on a feminist adaptation of “Tender is The Night.” Then into the mix strides a psychotherapist named Jonah, a character awfully similar to Jay Gatsby.

The story unfolds in some surprisingly dark directions, including one disturbing scene set at a Princeton eating club, and prospective readers should note that this podcast will contain spoilers as we probe the ideas and intentions that ran through Sash’s head as she wove this story, building up her characters — and destroying some in the end.

PAW Memorials editor Nicholas DeVito sat down with Shelley Slade ’80 and Marie Yovanovitch ’80 to discuss Jennifer Beale Parmalee ’80. Jenni was a journalist in East Africa, covering politics, war, and personal stories.

On this episode, PAW Memorials editor Nicholas DeVito sat down with Elyse Graham ’07 to discuss Professor Victor Brombert, who died Nov. 26, 2024.

On this episode of PAW’s Book Club podcast, we ask bestselling author and playwright Jodi Picoult ’87 about her latest book, “By Any Other Name,” which presents readers with a hypothesis: Could Emilia Bassano, a woman who really lived in Tudor England, have written some of the most famous plays attributed to William Shakespeare? Picoult discusses why she believes it, how her book has been received by scholars and fans, and the experiences she’s personally had with the persistent misogyny in the theater world.

As a volunteer with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Stephen Lamberton ’99 is sharing the story of his father’s death in 1985 in hopes of destigmatizing suicide and helping others struggling with the loss of a loved one. On this episode of the PAWcast, Lamberton describes his journey toward processing his father’s death and discussing it with his own children, as well as the meaningful experience of attending his 25th Princeton reunion — an experience that his father, who also attended Princeton, didn’t live to see.

Note: Listeners of this podcast will be hearing about some difficult topics. If you or anyone else you know needs help, you can reach the Suicide and Crisis Hotline by dialing 988, and you can text the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

On this episode, PAW Memorials editor Nicholas DeVito sat down with Jim Kempf ’67 to discuss Karl Hummel ’67, who died July 23, 2023.