Spool - Unwinding With Dr. Nils Roemer

What do monuments, public art, and historic spaces tell us about who we are?In this episode of Spool, Dr. Nils Roemer speaks with Dr. Michele Cohen, Curator for the Architect of the Capitol, about the power of public art, the importance of preserving history, and how iconic spaces like the U.S. Capitol shape our understanding of democracy. From New York City public art programs to the symbolic meaning of the Capitol Rotunda, Cohen shares insights into how monuments, architecture, and public spaces connect us to the past while helping define the future.The discussion explores the role of stewardship, changing historical narratives, public memory, monuments, and the challenges of preserving history in a rapidly changing world.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Michele Cohen's Role

01:10 From Art Historian to Capitol Curator

03:12 Why Public Art Matters

07:45 Washington, D.C. as a Symbolic City

08:47 Public Art, Public Spaces, and Democracy

10:24 Universities as Public Spaces

11:22 The Challenge of Creating Civic Centers

13:08 The Capitol Rotunda's Evolution and Meaning

17:35 Art, Representation, and American History

19:00 What It Means to Be a Steward of History

22:21 Why Physical Monuments Still Matter

23:17 Michele Cohen's Favorite Artwork in the Capitol

25:16 AI, Authenticity, and Historical Memory

27:38 Public Spaces as Shared Experiences

28:17 How New Statues Are Added to the Capitol

29:53 Expanding Representation in Public Art

30:29 New Commissions: RBG and Sandra Day O'Connor

31:57 What Makes a Great Historical Monument

33:13 Final Thoughts

In this episode of Spool, Dr. Nils Roemer sits down with Dr. Christine Veras, Associate Professor at UT Dallas' Bass School. Dr. Veras shares her journey from growing up in Brazil and studying fine arts to leading innovative animation projects at the Bass School, highlighting the award-winning stop-motion film Kindertransport, a student-driven project that tells the story of Jewish children rescued from Nazi Germany before World War II. Dr. Veras discusses the historical research, artistic choices, and emotional storytelling behind the film, as well as its growing success on the festival circuit.

The conversation also covers how animation can serve as a powerful form of research, why collaboration is essential in creative work, and how students gain real-world experience through large-scale productions.

Whether you're interested in animation, filmmaking, history, education, or creative careers, this conversation offers fascinating insights into how art and scholarship come together to create meaningful work.

In this episode of Spool, Dr. Nils Roemer speaks with Natalia Dopazo, an anthropologist, urban planner and member of Asamblea Desobediente. As the granddaughter of a military intelligence officer later charged with crimes against humanity, Dopazo grew up surrounded by silence, contradictions, and domestic memories that concealed a violent past.

Through family photographs, archival documents, and years of research, she shares how she began investigating her grandfather’s role, how everyday objects became clues, and how joining Asamblea Desobediente—a collective of relatives of perpetrators—helped her transform isolation into community. Together, she and Dr. Roemer explore how the humanities help us confront inherited trauma, understand the ethics of memory, and build pathways toward truth.

Topics include:

• Discovering her grandfather’s involvement in state violence

• The “silent pact” and domestic life under dictatorship

• Childhood memories, photos, and objects that revealed contradictions

• Joining Asamblea Desobediente and breaking familial silence

• Guilt, shame, responsibility, and the ethics of inheritance

• How humanities guide us through difficult histories

  Subscribe for more inspiring stories! Watch more Spool podcast episodes: • Spool: Unwinding With Dr. Nils Roemer

    00:00 – Introduction 

    01:36 – A Complex Family History 

    02:46 – Desobediente: Breaking Silence & Confronting Inherited Violence 

    05:21 – Growing Up in a Dictatorship & Domestic Silence

    09:06 – Childhood Memories: Loving Scenes & Hidden Contradictions

    12:01 – Early Signs of a Violent Past

    16:08 – The Ford Falcon & Understanding Historical Context

    18:47 – Guilt, Shame & The Ethics of Inheritance

    22:58 – Visiting Córdoba & Confronting Sites of Memory

    23:51 – Building Resources for Others Seeking Answers

    26:05 – Letters & Domestic Life During Dictatorship

    29:19 – Military Awards, Recognition & Upward Mobility

    32:02 – Uniforms, Regalia & Inherited Objects

    34:04 – Final Message: “Look at the Monsters in the Eyes”

Watch more episodes of the Spool podcast at:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9uL5QfvfiU0T-44aAY4JmeTAABgdJSgF

This is only a test

What happens when a University Dean talks to his own AI twin? In this special episode of Spool, Dean Nils Roemer reflects on his journey from Hamburg to higher education leadership, the power of curiosity and storytelling, and why humanities matter in a tech-driven world.

🎙️ Topics include:• Growing up in a global port city and embracing curiosity • Being a first-generation college student and breaking barriers• Why interdisciplinary education is key for the 21st century• The role of storytelling in learning and leadership• Preparing students for ten future jobs, not just one• Personal passions: baking, swimming, and finding balance🔗 Watch more Spool podcast episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9uL5QfvfiU0T-44aAY4JmeTAABgdJSgF

Join Dean Roemer and Scott Farber as they reflect on Season 1 with laughter, insight, and a look back at the most memorable moments. Highlights include reflections on AI with David Hanson, gaming’s social evolution, influencer culture, and stories from guests like Anthony Dorsett, Jinny Cho, and Usman Riaz.

In this episode, dive into the fast-growing world of college esports and career opportunities with Brooke Hudy, a creative force behind the UT Dallas esports program. Brooke shares how the university’s state-of-the-art esports facility and vibrant gaming community are transforming campus culture and opening new pathways for students passionate about gaming, content creation, and digital media.🎙️ Their conversation explores:-How college esports has exploded as a spectator sport and thriving industry-UTD’s cutting-edge esports arena, one of the largest in the U.S.-Brooke’s role in content creation and live streaming for UTD esports-The business, strategy, and community behind competitive gaming-How esports is reshaping campus culture and future career opportunities🎯 Whether you’re a gamer, content creator, or curious about esports careers, this episode offers an insider’s look at one of the most exciting fields in higher education today.

The latest episode of the Spool podcast turns the spotlight on some delicious carbs! Dr. Nils Roemer sits with Jinny Cho, founder of Detour Doughnuts, which recently placed among the top 25 in Yelp's Elite top 50 list of the best doughnuts shops in the country. Their conversation explores Cho's journey from biomedical engineering major to doughnut innovator. Cho, a UT Dallas alumna, shares how her Korean-American roots, family legacy, and love for food inspired her to create globally inspired flavors (mango sticky rice, red bean cream, tiramisu and more!). Discover how she blends science, art, and emotion into every bite – and why she views her shop as more than a bakery.🧠 Topics: Entrepreneurship, Food Culture, Immigrant Stories, Creative Process📍 Detour Doughnuts: Frisco, TX🎓 UT Dallas Alumna🍩 Featured Flavors: Tiramisu, Mango Sticky Rice, Red Bean Cream🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories!

In this episode of The Spool Podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer and Scott Farber, founder of Generations Broadcasting, explore how cities, wars, and culture have shaped the modern world. From the explosive growth of urban centers in the 1800s to the technological and societal impacts of World War I and II, this conversation dives into the forces that transformed human identity and daily life.

🧠 Discover how:

1. Urbanization redefined social life and mental health

2. Coffeehouses sparked revolutions and the Enlightenment

3. World Wars accelerated innovation in media

4. The humanities help us understand who we are and where we’re going

In this episode of the Spool podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer and Scott Farber, founder of Generations Broadcasting, explore the profound societal shifts brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly its impact on education. The conversation covers generational differences in freedom and risk, and Dean Roemer’s youthful adventures hitchhiking across Europe. The episode also touches on the evolving relationship between humanity and technology, and the cultural revolution sparked by music icons from Bob Dylan to Taylor Swift. Roemer highlights how music has shaped identity, community, and artistic expression across generations.