In this episode of The Spool podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer sits down with Dr. Stephanie Elizalde, Superintendent of Dallas Independent School District (DISD), to discuss her journey to leadership and vision for education. Dr. Elizalde discusses the importance of recognizing and nurturing the untapped potential in students, while addressing the barriers that sometimes prevent them from reaching their full potential. The conversation also explores the evolving role of technology in education and how today’s students interact with it as a tool for learning and expression.

In this episode of The Spool Podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer is joined by

In this episode of The Spool Podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer is joined by Scott

In this episode of the Spool Podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer welcomes veteran and photojournalist, Jeremy Lock. Lock shares his journey from military photographer to award-winning photojournalist. A seven-time Military Photographer of the Year award winner, Lock's photographs are strikingly beautiful portrayals of the many aspects of war. Lock downplays his

This conversation was recorded in September, 2023.

In this episode of Spool: Unwinding with Dr. Nils Roemer, Usman Riaz, artist, composer, and film director. Riaz is the creator of 'The Glassworker', Pakistan’s first fully hand-drawn animated feature. Riaz shares the decade-long journey of directing the film despite having no prior experience in animation on this scale. A trained classical musician, Riaz discusses the way he integrates melody into all aspects

In this episode of Spool: Unwinding with Dr. Nils Roemer, Anthony Dorsett, former NFL player and son of football Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett, discusses his lifelong passion for professional football. He reflects on the profound influence of his mother, who raised him as a single parent for part of his childhood, and on his father's legacy not only as a figure in his personal life, but also as a legend in college football.  He talks about his experiences in the sport, which nurtured invaluable life skills, including teamwork, communication, time management, and the ability to adapt quickly to different environments and collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Anthony emphasizes the pivotal role of family in shaping personal and professional identity, underscoring the deep connections that influence who we become.

In this episode of the Spool podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer is joined by pianist, composer, and educator Victor Rosenbaum. Together, they reflect on Rosenbaum's lifelong journey through the world of music and discuss the skill of improvisation among classical musicians, how our

In this episode of the Spool Podcast, Dr. Nils Roemer welcomes Arne Emerson, architect and design partner at Morphosis Architects, which developed the master plan for the O’Donnell Athenaeum at The University of Texas at Dallas. Arne discusses his journey from a small town in Wyoming, where he first discovered his passion for architecture, to becoming a lead architect who emphasizes the importance of interconnectedness and the convergence of architecture and landscape in bringing people together.

Welcome back to the Spool podcast. Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Nils Roemer, a German historian and expert in Jewish cultural history. In this episode, Dr. Roemer reflects on his upbringing in Hamburg, Germany—a vibrant city shaped by its harbor, which fueled his curiosity about the world beyond. He shares his experiences traveling to England and France, where he navigated the perceptions of those around him in the shadow of World War II. Dr. Roemer discusses a transformative program that took him to Israel, where he worked in a research library alongside Holocaust survivors. We discuss the global ramifications of the Kennedy assassination and explore the significance of the Berlin Wall’s fall, an event that resonated deeply with his generation, who grew up in a divided Germany. He also recounts his journey to America, where he found the freedom to redefine himself. Finally, Dr. Roemer shares the opportunity that led him to Columbia University and his eventual role at the University of Texas at Dallas. Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of history, identity, and the power of place.

Dr. Nils Roemer, dean of the Bass School at UT Dallas, covers a wide range of topics in relaxed conversations on creativity, innovation and fascinating possibilities at the intersection of arts, humanities and technology. Tune in to “Spool: Unwinding with Dr. Nils Roemer” for ideas to shape your life and be inspired by a historian’s modern, refreshing take on the ever-evolving human story.