Tartan Talks

It's a new year and a new opportunity to reach our goals and meet our personal expectations.

However, in 2021, we are still in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and the number of individuals impacted by this virus are still climbing. Not only that, but people around the globe are facing increasing mental health issues like stress, anxiety and depression.

Dr. Julaine Field, from Edinboro's Counseling, School Psychology and Special Education – and a licensed professional counselor, joined us for "Tartan Talks" to discuss these concerns and some of the coping mechanisms we can adopt to get through this pandemic together.

Edinboro University students who would like to make an appointment with on-campus Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), visit www.edinboro.edu/caps or call (814) 732-2252.

Erie is much more than the fourth largest city in Pennsylvania. From the food to the entertainment to the small businesses, Erie possesses a certain charm that ignites the spirit of locals and piques the nostalgia of those who have moved away.

Dena Rupp and Corrine Kraus, two Edinboro University graphic design graduates, started a business to capture this spirit – Flagship City Press. The pair of entrepreneurs joined us on "Tartan Talks" to discuss their stationary and gift business and what it means to be competitive in the current marketplace.

To view their entire catalogue of products and to learn more about their story, visit https://flagshipcitypress.com.

Attention: Gear heads, military service members, public servants and curious entrepreneurs. We have an episode of "Tartan Talks" for you.

Angela Ambrose, 2002 graduate of Edinboro University and VP of Government Relations and Communications for GM Defense joins us to chat about the new Infantry Squad Vehicle – which is set to roll out soon. GM Defense LLC, a subsidiary of General Motors, is celebrating the first delivery of the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) – a light and agile all-terrain troop carrier intended to transport a nine-Soldier infantry squad and their equipment.

Ambrose chats with us about more than just the vehicle's 186-horsepower, 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel engine and six-speed automatic transmission. Much more than its prototype – the 2020 Chevy Colorado.

She digs into how she landed the role with GM Defense and how she used her education and experience from Edinboro to check off her career milestones. And, yes, what it feels like to drive (and be an anxious passenger in) the ISV.

Tyler Waltenbaugh and Hunter Klobucar understand the issues in the outdoors. Plastic and garbage pollution. Waterways willed with discarded materials from anglers and outdoors visitors.

Instead of ignoring the issues, these two Edinboro University students (Tyler graduated in May 2020, and Hunter will graduate in May 2021) decided to do something about it. And start a business in the process.

The pair founded Fish Gods, LLC and are launching the Clean Earth Bag, a reusable bag made specifically for outdoor enthusiasts to pick up, contain, and recycle plastic and garbage pollution they encounter while in the outdoors. The Clean Earth Bag eliminates the problems that come along with using trash bags, grocery bags, or any other home remedy you’ve been using to collect outdoor waste. 

Tyler and Hunter joined "Tartan Talks" today to chat about their venture and what they're doing to clean the waterways for outdoor enthusiasts and future generations.

Sherry Kuiper is a storyteller.

Ever since her graduation from Edinboro University, she has changed careers and found new hobbies. But the one constant in her life is connecting a genuine story to a curious audience.

And that's what she does for a living now as a communications specialist at Fort Meade – one of the largest military communities by population. She hosts "Fort Meade Declassified," which tells stories of servicemembers and gives updates on the community.

She joined "Tartan Talks" for a podcast about podcasting and a communication about communicating. Check out "Fort Meade Declassified" wherever you listen to podcasts (When you're finished with "Tartan Talks," that is.)

“It’s less about the drug of choice now and more about drug abuse. It’s more of a drug epidemic than it is an opioid epidemic right now. They’ll take anything they can get.”

Alan McGill is a Senior Supervisory Special Agent – who has previously worked as an undercover narcotics agent – within Pennsylvania’s Office of the Attorney General.

Agent McGill has been a professional investigator for over 30 years with 23 years in law enforcement.

Today he joins “Tartan Talks” to discuss his experience as an undercover agent and recovery advocate – and share his thoughts on the future of the opioid epidemic.

With more than three decades of experience, McGill earned his bachelor’s degree from Edinboro University in 2020.

If you're listening to this podcast right now, chances are you're quite familiar with technology. Maybe you're streaming on your smart phone, or you're listening to it with headphones on your computer.

Whether you've expected it or not (and if you like it or not), technology has changed our lives permanently. And with the COVID-19 pandemic impacting our methods of communication, one area of our lives might never be the same: Education.

Dr. Camille Dempsey, from Edinboro University's School of Education – and an education technology expert, joins us on "Tartan Talks" today to discuss how to survive virtual learning and how technological advances could impact our future.

As the world addressed the global COVID-19 pandemic, the United States endured one of the most contentious summers since 1968.

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old black American man, was killed in Minneapolis, Minn., during an arrest for allegedly using a counterfeit bill. From there, the #BlackLivesMatter movement activated with protests occurring across the country.

Edinboro University's Rhonda Matthews, Ph.D. (History, Politics, Languages and Cultures Department) and Professor Julie Barry, MSW, (Social Work) joined "Tartan Talks" to discuss what happened this summer, where we are now, and what the ramifications are for the future.

Note: This audio was taken from a YouTube livestream from Edinboro University. For more videos, visit www.youtube.com/edinborou.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Edinboro University's campus visits have shifted to virtual experiences. This tracks will help guide you on your driving tour of campus. To review these locations, visit www.edinboro.edu/tour.

As the Secretary of Health for Pennsylvania, Dr. Rachel Levine has the been the face of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Each day, she addresses thousands of Pennsylvanians with advice and news related to the virus.

In 2017, Dr. Levine received an honorary doctorate from Edinboro and delivered the commencement address. She discussed how to be fearless when making big life decisions. She also advised the Class of 2017 to dedicate their life to service of others.

As we celebrate the Class of 2020 and recognize Dr. Levine for her hard work and dedication, let's look back to her keynote address on today's "Tartan Talks."