On this episode of PeppTalk, we welcome an unusual guest: the Ghost of George Pepperdine. What started as a witty X account poking fun at Pepperdine history has grown into a Substack filled with sharp, provocative reflections on the University’s past, present, and soul. In this episode, learn why Pepperdine remains “haunted” by its founding ideals, the history behind Founder’s Day, and how mythmaking shapes institutions. Hear personal stories of Ronald Reagan, Blanche Seaver, and more in this spooky conversation and uncover the ways Pepperdine’s history still shapes its future—and why some ghosts never leave the places they love.

In this special episode of PeppTalk, we sit down with the WAVES WORSHIP team, a worship and songwriting movement at Pepperdine, to talk about the impact of worship at Pepperdine and their exciting upcoming projects. From leading chapels and creating spaces of authentic encounter with God to producing their first full-length album, WAVES WORSHIP is shaping the spiritual life of the Pepperdine community with students and Gen-Z front and center.

Their first single off their debut album, “Everywhere,” is out now. Their self-titled debut album, WAVES WORSHIP, will be released on September 12—just in time for the Pepperdine community to gather for the Worship Summit on September 13.

Join us as we go behind the music with WAVES Worship and hear their vision for how worship can inspire, unite, and transform lives both on campus and beyond.

As we close our PeppTalk series on relationships, we turn to the one relationship that shapes all the others—our relationship with God.

In this powerful conversation, Dee Dee helps us unpack what it really means to walk with God. We explore timeless wisdom from figures like Augustine, Paul, and Job, the role of spiritual disciplines, how to stay grounded in dry seasons, and why relationship—not performance—is at the heart of the Christian life.

Dee Dee also offers practical advice on how to seek and sustain a relationship with God through the development of healthy spiritual habits.

Whether you’re seeking deeper faith, struggling in silence, or curious about spiritual growth, this episode offers wisdom and encouragement to pursue a transformative relationship with the One who created you for connection.

Discover why intimacy with God is the starting point for lasting change in every area of your life and how the RelateStrong | Leadership Series can bring lasting hope and healing to your ministry.

In this episode of PeppTalk, Coby and Alexa are joined by professor Jennifer Smith to discuss how Pepperdine University is cultivating academic freedom within a distinctly faith-based environment.

We take you inside the 2025 Academic Freedom Colloquium: Faith and the Academy and the University’s signature Dialogue Dinner series—two initiatives at the heart of Pepperdine’s commitment to open, courageous dialogue. From topics like race, gender, and identity to enduring questions of truth and tradition, our podcasters explore how Pepperdine is leading a national conversation that merges conviction and curiosity. Together, they consider what it looks like to pursue truth boldly while remaining rooted in Christian faith.

Through candid discussion, seminar-style engagement, and Christ-centered hospitality, Pepperdine is building a culture where academic freedom isn’t unmoored from conviction—it’s tethered to it. This episode challenges common assumptions about intellectual freedom and shows how faith-based universities might actually be among its fiercest defenders.

Want more on faith and academic freedom? Read Pepperdine President Jim Gash’s recent feature op-ed in U.S. News & World Report.

What is true friendship—and why does it matter now more than ever? In this thought-provoking episode of PeppTalk, the Fletcher Jones Chair of Great Books Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson joins us for a conversation on the meaning of friendship in a fragmented, fast-paced world. Drawing from classical thinkers, Christian tradition, and her own experience in the classroom, Dr. Hooten Wilson explores how friendships of virtue are essential for human flourishing. Together, we unpack timeless texts—from Aristotle to C.S. Lewis—and discuss how the Great Books invite us into a richer understanding of friendship as a moral and spiritual practice. Whether you're a student, a seeker, or simply someone longing for deeper connection, this episode will inspire you to rethink the relationships that shape your life.

Interested in learning more about Pepperdine's Great Books Program? Click here.

In this special episode of PeppTalk, hosts Alexa and Coby speak with Pete Peterson, dean of the Pepperdine School of Public Policy, to discuss the launch of the Master of Middle East Policy Studies program—a first-of-its-kind graduate program in partnership with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Located at Pepperdine’s Washington, DC, campus, this two-year, in-person program combines the study of the modern Middle East and US foreign policy with hands-on training for careers in diplomacy, intelligence, development, advocacy, and more. To ensure that merit is the sole factor in admission, the program will provide full scholarships to the inaugural cohort.

Discover today how the academically rigorous Master of Middle East Policy Studies program will equip students with real-world experience and a faith-informed perspective to lead in one of the world’s most complex regions.

🔗 Learn more and Apply Today

Hosts Alexa and Coby sit down with Kelly Haer to unpack what it truly means to build and sustain a healthy relationship with oneself. In this episode, listeners will go far beyond self-care to explore how their thoughts, emotions, and beliefs shape every connection they have. Discover why knowing oneself—an undertaking supported by Augustine—is essential, and how differentiation—staying rooted in Christ while remaining connected to others—can lead to genuine freedom and wholeness.

Learn more about the Boone Center's RelateStrong programs here.

In this episode, hosts Alexa and Coby sit down with Kelly Haer to discuss the season of singleness. In a culture filled with dating apps, romantic comedies, and social timelines, the question looms: Will Prince Charming ever come? (Spoiler: it’s not that simple!) Whether you’re single by choice, circumstance, or simply for now, this conversation invites you to reframe singleness—not as a pause in your story, but as a meaningful, purpose-filled chapter. Together, we explore how to embrace singleness with hope and intention, rather than viewing it as an ambiguous loss.

Learn about the RelateStrong, framework that has brought healing and transformation around the globe here.

In this episode, hosts Alexa and Coby sit down with Dee Dee Mayer to explore the vital role of relationships in the workplace. Drawing on insights from Gallup research, they unpack what truly drives job satisfaction and employee engagement. The conversation also delves into how pop culture reflects and shapes our understanding of work-life, with thoughtful references to Severance and The Office. Whether you're navigating office dynamics or leading a team, this episode offers valuable takeaways on building healthier, more connected workplaces.

Learn about the RelateStrong, framework that has brought healing and transformation around the globe here.

In this episode, hosts Alexa and Coby sit down with Kelly Haer, executive director of the Boone Center for the Family, for a thoughtful and engaging conversation on parenting, family dynamics, and the biblical significance of the family. Together, they explore what it means to build strong, resilient families in today’s cultural climate and answer the following question: Is having a family today still worth it?

Learn about the RelateStrong, framework that has brought healing and transformation around the globe: https://boonecenter.pepperdine.edu/relatestrong/

Learn more about the Boone Center's RelateStrong programs here.